*A/N: Hi! I'm The BlakRoz. I know a lot of you still like the story the way it is, but I will be changing a few things. But the vast majority of the story will remain the same. Enjoy!
It's Better Here
People stared when I walked into class with Edward, making me blush, but he just leaned down to tell me not to worry, leading me to the front of the class so I could get my slip signed by the teacher. Luckily, Ms James didn't make me introduce myself, and I went to sit by Edward at the back of the class. The class was full of whispers the entire lesson, but I ignored them as Edward did, but every now and then I saw his hands clench into tight fists and a look of irritation flash across his face. I was relieved to escape the class, practically running into the hallway. Edward looked amused as he caught up just outside.
"You look desperate to escape," he commented, grinning. I smiled back.
"I can't stand gossips," I admitted with a shrug. "Are you alright? You looked just about ready to kill someone back there," I joked. He laughed with me, the sound light and carefree.
"I felt like it," he confessed, taking my hand in his ice-cold one to lead me through the crowd of staring people towards our music class. Cold one…hmm…La Push legends…nah! "So what instruments do you play?"
"Piano, guitar and bass," I listed, smiling. I lived for my music. "I sing, too. What about you?"
"Nowhere near as talented," he jested, grinning. "I play piano."
"I think you'd be able to sing fairly well, too. You've got a nice voice," I commented, then blushed. "Sorry, I…"
"Don't apologise," Edward interrupted with a smile. "Thank you."
Our entrance to the music class was almost a repeat of English, except this time we weren't the last two in. Edward instantly led me to the teacher, a bubbly-looking, gypsy-like redheaded young woman.
"Miss Tan, this is Bella Swan," he said smoothly, his low voice like velvet again. She beamed at us both.
"It's so nice to meet you, Bella! I'm Miss Tan, but just call me Alora," she smiled, before scowling fondly at Edward. "Edward refuses to call me by my first name, but everyone else does so it's fine," she assured me. I smiled.
"Thanks, Alora."
"So, Bella, what do you play?" Alora Tan asked me cheerfully as other students filed in lazily.
"I play piano, guitar, bass and I sing," I recited. Miss Tan clapped her hands delightedly.
"Oh, excellent! Will you play something for us?" she asked eagerly, and I laughed.
"Of course! I love playing," I told her, smiling. Indeed, there was little I loved more than my music. Then I sobered, remembering one of the people I loved more than music. Poor Jake… Edward led me to the piano, again – or rather, still – holding my hand. I smiled in thanks up at him as I sat, relinquishing my hold on his hand and my bag to quickly play a couple of arpeggios and scales before I started for real. Taking a deep breath, I began to play the slow, heartfelt melody I had devised to remind me of Jacob Black.
"He was walking away
On a Friday night
I'll never see his face again
If I'd known
I'd never see him
I'd cry and I would beg for him to stay
Lost, alone without you
I feel like I have lost the light of day
And now, without you
I wish that you would have stayed
Darkness falls
There's no more light
Walking alone in this place
Where'd you go?
Why did you leave?
It's been so long since I've seen your face
Lost, alone without you
I feel like I have lost the light of day
And now, when I'm without you
I just wish that you could have stayed
Do you know what you've left here?
To stay and face this darker world each day
We're barely hanging on without you
Because you've taken the light away…"
My voice trailed off as my tears started to run down my cheeks, remembering Jacob, my personal sun, but I continued to play past the break and resumed singing the chorus.
"Lost, alone without you
I feel like I have lost the light of day
And now, because I'm without you
I just want for you to have stayed
I just wish that you would have stayed
I wish you could have stayed…
You've taken the sun away…"
I stopped playing, the song now complete, and bowed my head as tears ran freely down my face. Jacob, my heart cried, and I wiped harshly at my eyes to look at the class. With the exception of Edward, who was moving towards me, the whole class looked completely stunned, gaping at me with open mouths. I flushed, bowing my head, and bent down to grab my bag. It was gone, though, and I looked up to see Edward had already put it over his shoulder, compassion in his gorgeous topaz eyes. He took my hand and helped me up silently, tugging me gently to his side as he walked towards the door, bending down to whisper something to Miss Tan. She nodded, pity and compassion in her eyes as she looked at me, and I realised what Edward had asked when he led me from the classroom. As soon as the door shut behind us, Edward was in front of me, hands on my shoulders as he peered into my eyes.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly, and I nodded. Then I bit my trembling lower lip, shook my head, and burst into tearful sobs.
Edward instantly pulled me close, his stone, cold arms wrapping around me and holding me gently as I sobbed. I was aware of being carried, and then being seated on Edward's lap somewhere out of the cold. I buried my head in his shoulder and kept crying, for myself, my cousin, everything. Then as I became more aware of what was happening, I became angry and irritated, still sobbing as I hit Edward with my tiny fists. He didn't so much as flinch, but I felt like I would have bruises by tomorrow if I kept it up. I felt even worse when he didn't speak, just rubbing my back in gentle, soothing circles and holding me close.
"Bella, please, tell me what's wrong," he murmured when I calmed, lying limp in his arms. My tears were still leaking out occasionally.
"Everything!" I retorted, wiping my eyes yet again. "Everything is screwed up! My mother wishes I didn't exist, my cousin is dead, I have to hide part of myself and I practically revealed it in front of that whole class! Not to mention I'm now spilling everything to you," I mumbled, calming down. "You're too…too nice to me." He smiled, and I couldn't help but return it despite my tears.
"And that's a bad thing?" he asked lightly, teasing me just a little. I mock-scowled at him, then sighed and rubbed my forehead.
"Yes and no," I muttered, but he was so close he could actually hear me.
"Do you mind explaining?" he asked, sounding confused. I sighed again.
"Please promise you won't tell anyone," I pleaded. "I really can't afford for people to know this." He nodded.
"Of course, Bella. I promise," he breathed, and I took a deep breath to begin my explanation.
"You know how I said I knew Grace Fuller?" I asked slowly, hoping this was the best way to begin. Edward nodded. "I lied. I don't know her…I am her." I stopped, waiting for a reaction, but Edward just kissed my hair and stayed silent, so I ploughed on bravely. "I used to live with my mother in Phoenix, but two weeks ago I had a huge argument with her and stormed out. I went to stay with Seth until we could get me on a flight to Port Angeles, and Charlie picked me up from there on Saturday." I paused, contemplating, but I realised how still Edward had become and that it had only happened when I said Seth's name. Jealous? Or protective? "Seth is my gay manager-slash-photographer," I informed him with a small smile. "He's such a sweetheart."
"What was the fight with your mom about?" Edward asked, speaking for the first time since I'd started speaking. My face fell and tears reformed in my eyes.
"She wants me to let go of my other identity…she would rather I be completely Grace Fuller and forget I ever was Bella Swan." The tears spilled over again, and Edward gently wiped them away, placing a gentle kiss on the top of my head again. I leant into his chest, my head on his shoulder again, as my tears ran dry.
"Bella," Edward whispered, his breath ice cold on my ear. I looked up at him, red-rimmed eyes curious. He smiled and bent down to kiss my forehead. "Be who you are. Don't try to change for anyone. Just be you," he whispered, and I felt myself tearing up again.
"Thank you, Edward," I murmured. I didn't expect a response and didn't get one, instead just comfortable to sit there in silence.
About five minutes later Edward opened his car door and stepped out, still holding me bridal-style in his arms.
"Are you alright to go to the next class?" he asked quietly, setting me down on my feet. I nodded.
"Yes. Thank you for listening to me, Edward," I murmured, hugging him again. He hugged me back gently, burying his face in my hair.
"I will keep your secret, Bella. Now, let's get moving before we get assaulted by the rest of our music class." I laughed slightly and allowed him to take my hand to lead me to Spanish.
Spanish and Trig were like English – I entered the class with Edward, got loads of people whispering about me, and got stared at in between classes. I was getting used to the staring, but I still blushed like a tomato when I walked into the cafeteria beside Edward with his hand on the small of my back and the whole student body went silent to stare at us.
"Don't pay attention to them," Edward whispered in my ear, and I could hear the smile in his voice.
"Bella!" Emmett boomed from across the cafeteria, waving. I smiled, my blush fading, and walked through the cafeteria with Edward to join his family. I smiled shyly at the four inhumanly beautiful people at the table, slipping easily into a seat beside Rosalie, across from Alice. Emmett was on Rosalie's other side, and Jasper was beside Alice. Edward sat beside me again, and I was aware of the comforting feeling I had discovered came with being near him.
"Bella, do you want to go shopping on Saturday?" Alice asked eagerly, practically bouncing in her seat. I hesitated, a little uncertain. Grace Fuller loved shopping, while Isabella Swan despised it. Surely there was a middle ground… I smiled.
"Only if I can go into a music store and a book store," I bargained, and Alice squealed.
"Yay!" I laughed softly as she and Rosalie began to plan, and then looked up at Edward when he nudged me to get my attention.
"You don't know what you've let yourself in for," he murmured. I grimaced.
"That bad?" I asked. He nodded. "Then I think I do know. But thanks for the warning anyway." I stiffened when I heard 'Grace Fuller' on Alice's lips, but made myself relax when Edward nudged me again, this time with his knee under the table.
"…heard that Grace Fuller went to Hawaii for six weeks for a holiday," Alice was saying. I couldn't help but snort in disbelief.
"So that's the lie she's telling," I fumed, folding my arms. "Well, screw her! 'Grace' isn't going home until her mother apologises," I snarled, eyes flashing. Rosalie, Alice, Jasper and even Emmett looked taken aback by my ferocity.
"Not to be rude, but…how do you know this?" Rosalie asked finally. I flushed, looking down. What was my excuse again…?
"Bella told me earlier that she grew up with Grace…am I right, Bella?" Edward asked calmly, and I nodded. Then I winced as Alice squealed.
"You know her?" she squealed, and I rubbed my ears.
"Alice, keep it down!" I hissed. She pouted but obeyed. "Yes, I know her. Quite well, actually."
"Can you get me her autograph?" Alice whisper-screamed. I nodded.
"I'll ask," I said mildly. Alice danced around the table to hug me, and I stiffened in surprise. Seth, Charlie and Paul – Seth's boyfriend – were the only ones before Edward to hug me. I wasn't used to affection from women. Alice let go when I stiffened, a small frown on her delicate features. I instantly felt guilty. It wasn't her fault my mother was a complete bitch.
"Sorry, Alice," I muttered. "I'm not used to girls being so friendly to me. My best friends back home were practically all male," I explained. Well, it was true. The only girl I actually got along with besides Claire and Leah was Taylor Swift, who was completely awesome, because she wasn't like the other stupid teenage singers. Alice brightened instantly.
"That's okay, Bella!" she chirped, dancing back to her seat. I couldn't help but smile. She was so energetic all the time! It was silent for a while, and I took a few bites of my apple before Rosalie spoke.
"So Bella, who were your friends back home?" I smiled, thinking fondly of Seth and Paul. They were an odd couple…Seth was small, cute and cheerful, while Paul was huge, defensive, rugged and had one hell of a temper.
"My two best friends were Seth and Paul. I was living with them for a couple of weeks before I moved here. Seth's sister Leah was probably my only female friend back in Phoenix. I think growing up in a house full of girls made Seth the way he is," I chuckled. Emmett and Jasper looked confused, as did Rosalie, but Alice just nodded.
"Seth and Paul are boyfriends," she explained to her siblings for me, making me laugh.
"Yeah, they are. Seth is such a sweetheart," I sighed. "I should probably call him later to let him know how I am. He worries about me too much." I fell silent, brooding a little, but then shook my head and looked up to see all of them looking at me with contemplative expressions. "What?" They all shook their heads, apart from Edward, and I rolled my eyes as they continued to stare. "Whatever." That made them laugh, and I joined in, so comfortable around them it was strange. I'd never felt so at ease.
When the bell rang five minutes later, I realised that I'd not even opened my water and slipped it into my bag as I stood. I went to walk away from the table, but tripped over something and would have fallen flat on my face if not for Edward's quick save. I flushed bright red as his family laughed at me, and hurried to regain my footing. Edward just smirked.
"That's the second time today," he commented, making Emmett absolutely howl with laughter. I scowled up at him, although it probably would have been more natural to drool or gape at his appearance.
"Shut up," I said coolly. "It's not my fault the ground loves me." Emmett got another guffaw out at that, and I smiled as Rosalie smacked him upside the head.
"Ow!" he complained, and I snickered. Who would have thought supermodel Rosalie could hurt muscle-bound Emmett? Then I stopped when Edward placed his hand on the small of my back again and I looked up at him.
"Time for Biology, I do believe," he smirked, and I smiled at him.
"Sure, whatever. Hooray for boringness," I said sarcastically. Emmett laughed again, and I smiled as I waved goodbye and allowed Edward to escort me to our biology class.