Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight nor Paramore lyrics. I'm not cool enough
So, I'm back.
Not with a new chapter of Song of the Heart, but with an entirely new story
This just came to me tonight while I was driving home and I had to write it or I was going to implode.
It is All Human, canon couples and filled with drama, let me tell ya.
Full Summary:
Bella Swan is a new up and coming musician freshly signed with Volturi records. Her love of music is fueled by her desire to deal with her problem filled family and attempt to find something more in her life. She then meets Alice and her brothers Edward and Emmett, all actors, and the Hale twins, Jasper and Roslie, both models. Friendships form and an undeniable connection between Bella and Edward develop that brings along new feelings for the both of them. But for Bella, living under the spotlight becomes difficult. Other love intrests introduce themselves and the choice of who to be with clouds judgement for everyone. Bad alliances present themselves and trouble bubbles up in the shadows. Can Bella really handle her stardom? Can Edward and the others protect her from drowning in the life of hollywood? Is everyone who they really seem to be? Can Bella and Edward overcome their demons to truly be together, or will trouble hit before either one of them can stop it?
oh yes. I know it sounds epic, because it is.
I'm really excited about this story and I know I should be updating SOTH instead of starting a new project, but this was just killing to come out.
I hope you like it!
I'm going to base Bella's music from mixes of Paramore, Flyleaf, and other artists and bands. It's going to be mainly guitar and some piano but I might mix it up a little bit. I'll let you know what I use. Each chapter will have a song title so it will have been based from a song, wether "Bella sings" it or not.
Enjoy!
Chapter Song : "Misguided Ghosts" - Paramore
Chapter 1: Misguided Ghosts
Bella Swan
"Do you have everything?"
I looked up from my suitcase at Angela and shook my head as I went back to searching. My bag looked like a bomb went off in it, but I had to find my ring. I could never perform without it and now, an hour before my gig, it's gone missing.
Angela bent down next to me and began feeling through the pockets for it. It wasn't hard to miss. It was a gold Italian coin ring about the size of a quarter. It had been passed down through my family since the 1600's. My mother gave it to me before she left and I swore it gives me luck whenever I wear it and takes away any nervousness I have when I play for a crowd.
And now it is no where to be found. Good.
"Didn't you just have it on like an hour ago?" Angela said as she began looking in the pockets of my jeans.
"Yeah, and then I took it off before I took my shower", I practically whined. I then assumed defeat and dramatically threw myself on the small couch in the bedroom I was staying in. "We're just gonna have to cancel".
I could feel Angela rolling her eyes at me. "It's not the end of the world, just play without it", she stated as I felt her weight on the end of the bed. I just lifted my head at her with a glare. She laughed and replied, "My bad, I forgot that ring harnesses all of your musical talent", she said sarcastically and hopped up, "What were you doing before you showered?
"Working out some kinks in the set."
"Did you mistake it for guitar pick or something?"
And at that, I rolled off the bed and onto the floor where my brown guitar case sat. I'd had that case for years and I've never wanted a new one. It was worn in for sure, but it had history. I un-did the clasps and slowly lifted the top, and on top of my equally historic guitar sat the ring.
"Yes!" I screamed as lifted the ring like Simba and kissed it. I slid it on my right ring finger where it belonged and I instantly felt my musical spirit lift. "Ok, I'm good now. Let's go." I slipped my phone and wallet into the pockets of my jeans and grabbed the strap on my guitar case.
"Finally, now we have an hour to speed walk 8 blocks, sign you in at the club, find Ben and not get kidnapped in the process." Angela said with fake enthusiasm as we walked out of Ben's apartment.
"As long as you're aware" I replied seriously with a smile. She just laughed as we hooked arms and began our trek through Los Angeles.
We've been in LA for about 5 weeks now. It was the summer after our senior year at Forks High and Angela decided our senior trip would be a summer in LA staying with her boyfriend, Ben, and his sister in her apartment. Ben had graduated two years prior and was going to be a junior at the University of Oregon while his sister, Ashley just graduated from UCLA. She had an internship for the summer at a pretty successful law firm before she went to Law school in the fall, so she invited Ben, Angela and I down for a little vacation.
Ben and Angela had been dating since our freshmen year and they were two of my best friends. But when Ben invited me along with Angela to visit, I was reluctant to become the third wheel; until I learned their real motive behind it. They wanted me to expose my music to a bigger crowd.
I had been writing and playing my own music since I was 11, when my mom left my dad and me. I needed an outlet for my emotions since Charlie refused to talk about it. He acted as if nothing was wrong to my face, but for months after Renee left, I could hear him crying at night. He was completely heartbroken. And until this day, he's still in love with her. She mailed him divorce papers a year after she left and the next year she was married to Phil Young, a minor league baseball player.
She wasn't really apart of my life until I was about 15. She started sending me letters, then emails and then weekly phone calls. We slowly redeveloped the relationship we once had when I began to understand why she left. She wanted me to move to Jacksonville with her and Phil, but I refused to leave Charlie in Forks like she did. So she settled for monthly visits in the summers.
And within all of my family drama, my need for music intensified. It was the only way I could really relay my feelings. When I was studying, I was up in my room or out on the back porch strumming and writing my emotions away. I only played for myself until Angela heard me one day and literally cried over how good she thought I was. Since that day, on the rare occasion of no homework, Angela, Ben, and I would drive to Port Angles for me to play at open mic night at a coffee shop. I had a small following there that would always come out to listen. From there we moved on the open mic nights in Seattle where I also retained some fans.
It felt good to play my music for others and having them really like my music. But what really made me go out and play was the feeling of others sharing in my pain and joy. When I felt my audience moving with me, it was like I really wasn't alone for that moment. I felt as if I wasn't the only one carrying around my crap for once and that they just knew and understood what every note and lyric really meant under the surface. Of course in reality they would never have any idea, but it was so worth it for those moments when I felt it.
So here I was 18 years old, in LA, playing small gigs in small shops around LA. It felt good to be out of Forks for a while. I had a full scholarship awaiting me at Dartmouth in the fall so I was out really experiencing life before grades became my priority again. I worked my ass off to be a National Merit Scholar and valedictorian at Forks High and it paid off when I got that fat white envelope in the mail. My parents were so proud of me. I don't think I'll ever forget the proud look on Charlie's face as he read the scholarship letter or the scream Renee emitted over the phone when I told her.
My life seemed to be mapping its way out perfectly. I would go to Dartmouth, get an amazing degree in English, and hopefully be on my way to writing and working at a top notch publishing company. It was all I should ever want, but inside I was so conflicted.
I just wasn't…complete.
The only time where I felt satisfied was when I was lost in my music. And that's why I was here in LA, doing what I love to do. I just wish it would last longer. We had 2 weeks left before we went back to Forks to prepare to for college. Angela would be joining Ben at UO and I would be off to New Hampshire. Life was moving on, and the sad thing is that I wasn't ready to get on the ride just yet. I was too contempt here.
Angela and I walked for about 20 minutes until we reached the Smelly House Blend. I had been playing here every Thursday night since we arrived. It was small and dark and mainly served a younger demographic. Most of the people coming in and out were in their 20's and probably college students. They had the best blueberry muffins I'd ever tasted in my life and small stage in the corner where live music played from 7-10. I had accumulated a small group of followers that were left over from the 2 previous spots before me, but each Thursday night that group would increase. And tonight, there was a full house.
"Omigod, Bella. This is amazing! I told you that you'd get a big fan base here!" Angela said excitedly as we went through the side door to sign in. We walked into the main part in the coffee shop. There were couches along the side and comfy arm chairs. The middle held tables and chairs and towards the front was the coffee bar and kitchen. It was all lit by dim ceiling lights and lamps. The atmosphere was completely calming and I absolutely loved it here.
We saw Ben waving at us from the bar and we weaved our way through towards him. It took us about 5 minutes to walk 20 steps toward him because I was constantly being stopped by the shop patrons saying hello, and telling me how they loved my music. It would be around the same 10 people that were at my first set and they'd all bring friends and the cycle would just continue.
"Hey Ben" I said as Angela and I sat at the bar stools next to him. Angela gave him a kiss on the cheek which he smiled at. They were sickeningly cute together. I ordered water and looked at the stage to where, Cole, the guy before me, played. He had a folk like sound, similar to Jack Johnson, and it instantly made you happy to hear him play.
Heath, the co-owner and barista, gave me my bottled water as he nodded towards the crowded room. "I see you've brought me in some business", He said with a smile.
"Nah, it's definitely the muffins." I replied while I looked up at him. He was in his late 30's and owned the shop with his wife Nancy. He had orange-red hair and beard and was roughly around 25 feet tall.
"No ma'am. It's you. I've had people coming in and out all week asking about you." He said matter of factly.
"Well I'm sure all two of them will enjoy tonight's show then, I have a new song."
Heath just chuckled, "By the rate of the people filing in here and those already crowding up my store, it was well over two, Bella."
I looked at the door and there seemed to be more people filing in every minute. There were at least 30 people in here already. I glanced back at Heath with apprehension and he smiled down at me. "You'll do great. You really are amazing" and at that he went to take an order.
"Ugh, guys one of these days I'm going to wake up from this dream" I said as I laid my head in my hands.
"And one of these days, Bells, you're going to realize that in reality, you're amazing. People love your stuff, man" Ben said to me as he took a sip of his latte.
"Yeah Bella, you wouldn't be here if you thought you were horrible. It's just the nerves talking…again." Angela added in as she smoothed down my thick mane of brown hair. "And I don't get why, you've been doing this for almost 2 years now, and you have your magical ring." She continued with a singing voice when she said "magical ring".
"Hey, don't hate on the ring." I said playfully as I looked up at her. She held her hands up in surrender and started to speak quietly with Ben. I took small, slow swigs of my water as I looked around. It seemed as if in the 5 minutes I'd been here it got even fuller. There were all types of people here tonight, even I few younger kids around 14 to some in their 30's.
One man in particular seemed to stand out to me though. He sat alone in the farthest corner away from the stage drinking a coffee. He looked older, around 35, and had an air of importance to him. He wore dark designer jeans with a crisp black shirt and blazer jacket, all pulled together with white sneakers. His hair was long, jet black, pulled into a low ponytail and topped with a grey fedora. He was typing on an iphone and looked to be in deep concentration. It was at that moment he looked right up at me and caught me practically gawking at him. I quickly averted my eyes back to my bottled water, but after about a minute I caught him still looking at me.
"You all set Bella, your on in 15", Nancy came through the bar up to me and pulled me out of my weird-guy-staring-at-me trance.
"Ah…Uh…yeah, let me just go back and tune before", I told her. She smiled and nodded at me as she went to help Heath at the crowded register. I blew out a big breath and turned towards my friends. "I'm on, wish me luck", I began as I hopped down off the stool.
"You'll do great Bella, good luck" Angela said with her usual reassuring tone. I smiled at her as Ben offered me the same and made my way to the back room.
After a quick nervous pee, guitar tune, and voice warm-up, I had my instrument in hand as I waited for Heath to introduce me. I got stage fright at this moment every time I performed anywhere. I was so close to bolting but then I heard the applause, louder than usual, and somehow my feet brought me to the tall, brown stool set up with the mic stand in front. I took a deep breath, focused on my music and then let it take me away.
I had a 4 song set in my 30 minutes and in between, I'd talk lightly about the next song. It's amazing how easy it was for me to talk like this to strangers when face to face with anyone of them, I'd be my normal shy, introverted self. This is what music did to me, I suppose. Open me up and allow me to communicate everything I normally never could.
I close my eyes as I played most of the time. I put my self in the situation which the song was written about and live in it. I started out with a fast paced crowd favorite. It's empowering and was written during one of my extremely inspired moods. I then followed with a slower, sadder piece. It was the first song I ever fully finished and the first I ever performed. It will most likely always have a permanent place in my heart because it will always be my baby. My third song was a much happier one I wrote about my friends. I remember just randomly making it up at a bonfire down at La Push beach, just joking around, but it grew to be one of my favorites. I then I finished with a new song I just finished.
I finished strumming out the last cord with a smile on my face. I looked up to Ben and Angela who were beaming since that was their favorites. My eyes quickly scanned over to the strange man in the corner and he was typing on his phone again with a slight frown on his face. I felt my face drop a little at his obvious disapproval of my music, but I just brushed it off as I began my last song.
"I just finished writing this a few days ago," I told my audience as I started to drink from my water. "It's about trying to get away from my current life and reality, but not permanently. Just, trying finding something to complete it or maybe even something more. It's confusion yet, the idea is trying to find…fulfillment." I said trying to really communicate the meaning, when I really didn't understand it my self. "It's called Misguided Ghosts", I finished as placed my hand at the strings and strummed out the first note.
I'm going away for a while
But I'll be back, don't try and follow me
'Cause I'll return as soon as possible
See I'm trying to find my place
But it might not be here where I feel safe
We all learn to make mistakes
And run
From them, from them
With no direction
We'll run from them, from them
With no conviction
'Cause I'm just one of those ghosts
Traveling endlessly
Don't need no roads
In fact they follow me
And we just go in circles
Well Now I'm told that this is life
And pain is just a simple compromise
So we can get what we want out of it
Would someone care to classify,
Of broken hearts and twisted minds
So I can find someone to rely on
And run
To them, to them
Full speed ahead
Oh you are not, Useless
We are just
Misguided ghosts
Traveling endlessly
The ones we trusted the most
Pushed us far away
And there's no one road
We should not be the same
But I'm just a ghost
And still they echo me
They echo me in circles
I finished out the last note and paused slightly. I looked back up to the audience trying to judge their reactions, but all I noticed was the empty armchair where the long-haired man sat before. Disappointment shot through me like a pipe was turned on, but I put on a brave face as I thanked the audience. A much louder applause followed me and I smiled sincerely at them. It seemed every other person liked the last one except for one person. But that was to be expected. It's impossible to please everyone.
I went and put away my guitar, collected my case and began to make my way back to Angela and Ben, but when I turned the corner from the back room, I was met at the door the long-haired man.
Fear bubbled up in me and I prepared a scream when he held his hand out for me to shake and wore a friendly smile. He was taller in person and had perfect celebrity skin, smile and crystal blue eyes. When he finally spoke his voice was clear and inviting, and any fear I had went away from being replaced with intrigue.
"Bella Swan, My name is Aro Volturi," He said.
"Umm… Hello." I said awkwardly. This guy was a little to forward for my tastes. He was old, dressed a little preppy and for god's sakes he was old, Even though he wasn't unattractive, if he wanted to ask me out this was going to be...
"I've been to your past 3 shows and think you're great. I want to sign you"
My stream of consciousness was broken by his statement and I felt my mouth drop open in shock. And at that moment, my life changed forever
The night I met Aro Volturi, he gave me his card and I agreed to meet for lunch the following afternoon. Angela came with me and it was at that meeting that I learned he owned Volturi records, I new up and coming record label in LA. Apparently he heard a couple of his interns talking about me and decided to see for himself. He found my sound was just what his alternative and rock label needed and wanted to sign me immediately.
This all hit me like a brick wall but, that same afternoon, he had me in a studio laying down a demo CD for him to present to his board. Later I called my parents tell them the situation, got more screams from Renee who immediately told me to sign and then apprehension from Charlie who didn't trust the record people. Legally it was only my decision to sign with them since I was 18, and for once I felt as if my heart was telling me to do this.
The next day, Aro called me back saying that the board loved the demo and wanted to meet with me that afternoon. Ben's sister got one of the attorneys, Jennifer, at the law firm to attend with me for free since apparently she was a fan of mine and that I shouldn't be signing contracts without legal consent.
I played for the board which consisted of Aro's brother's Caius and Marcus, and within 72 hours of Jennifer looking over the contract, revealing and reassuring the plans with my parents, freak outs with Angela, countless moments of doubt and negativity, 23 Red Bulls, and dinner at a fancy restaurant in downtown LA, I was a signed musician with Volturi records.
The rational side of me knew that this was not the safest method of living; with as unstable as a music career can be, I could completely ruin my future. Or I could follow my heart and do this because I never wanted anything more in my life and deep down; I knew this was the right decision for me.
The downside was that I had to give up my scholarship to Dartmouth. I was going to be recording my first album in a studio in Seattle so I could be closer to home and take some classes at UO. Giving up my scholarship hurt but it didn't affect me as much as it probably should have, in all honesty, I felt as if a huge weight of pressure had been lifted off my shoulders and I was now more free to do what I really wanted to do.
Make and share my music with the world.
I worked on my album until December and the release date was set for the beginning of February. Aro told me that I needed major publicity since all though I had a small fan base, I was still relatively unknown. So I was set to move back out to LA the day after Christmas where I was scheduled to do my first major performance at a big New Years party opening up for Boys Like Girls, and simultaneously releasing my first single.
If you would have told me 7 months ago, I would be signed with an amazing record label and opening for Boys Like Girls, you would have been laughed at. But now, that I'm faced with this new reality, I'm ready to take it on head first.
No regrets.
No doubts.
This New Year would signify an entirely new me.
What do you think?
This was mainly just like a prolougy chapter, the real story starts next chapter when she meets the cullens and hales...and other people. :)
If I get enough positive response I'll keep going, and since it's my winter break I have a couple weeks of complete freetime so I have too much time to write.
Please review, I really need to know your thought so I can make this story better. I love postive reviews and constructively critical ones. I read and reply to everyone quite promptly.
follow me on twitter at alexisjack :P
- Alexis