Chapter 2

Face the Music

B POV

"What the Hell was that all about Bella?" Jacobs tone was demanding now.

"What was what about Jacob?" I asked sweetly, I loved winding him up.

"You and freak boy! You seemed pretty damn happy with him next to you!" he shouted in my face.

"For Christ's sake Jacob we were just talking!" he was angry that I had made a new friend, how pathetic could a grown boy that had survived puberty be?

"Just talking? What about?!" I grumbled something unintelligible and stared at the floor.

"WHAT DID YOU TALK ABOUT BELLA!!!?" Jacob was turning red under his russet skin.

"Just things… music in fact." I said calmly staring him full in the eye.

"Music?!... But Bella you hate music!" his tone was disbelieving.

"What would know Jacob? Do you even know what instruments I play?" I said defiantly.

"Easy… nothing." He grinned at his own knowledge of me, unfortunately it was wrong.

"Wrong… I play the Piano and the acoustic guitar! But you wouldn't know that because the only thing about me that interest u is that I have BREASTS!!!" I shouted exasperated.

Just then Mr. Bean walked past and stared at my clenched fists and Jacobs trembling arms that were either side of my shoulders pinning me to the wall.

"Is the something wrong Bella?" he asked glowering at Jacob who immediately released my arms.

"No sir there's no problem." I said glaring at Jacob.

"Well then I sagest you two make it class before you're late for another lesson." He turned and carried on his way.

Jacob took a deep breath through his nose making his nostrils flare, "That's not the only reason I like you Bella." He muttered reaching out to me with one hand.

I don't care Jake! Say whatever you think is going to make you feel better but I promise you it won't help." With that I side stepped his hand and pushed passed him to stalk off my next class.

No matter how fast I power walked I still made it to calculus later than everyone else.

I silently walked over to the teacher's desk and placed my homework on the growing pile of sheets; Mr. Hall glowered at me from behind the desk but didn't say anything. Instead he motioned to the white board where today's work was up. I nodded my head and went to sit in my usual place by Angela.

I got out my text book and calculus book and started the work on the board, it wasn't long before a note landed on my book from Angela, and I opened it to find the most obvious question in the world.

What happened in the hall between you and the future Mr. America?

I almost laughed at the way she described Edwards's body though I had to agree with her theory. Quickly I scribbled a note back.

Well… we sort of got chatting and he asked whether I played any instruments, he said he wanted to hear me play sometime so I said yes. He sort of touched my face like I was a sculpture/work of art it was weird but nice. He's so easy to talk to… then Jacob came in and started threatening to get one of the boys on him. I shouted at him and now he's convinced something's going on between me and Edward.

I flipped the note back and she read it quickly, I swear I saw shock on her face. I heard the scratching of her pen as I carried on with my calculus questions.

It didn't take her long before the note was on my book again.

OMG!!! I can't believe it Bella, you and Edward Cullen!

I sighed,

There isn't going to be a "me and Edward" Ange because I'm probably never going to see him again.

It was hard for me to write the last bit which unnerved me.

You said he wanted to hear you play!

Yes but he'll probably forget he ever met me in a week.

I doubt it

Well that's your opinion.

He won't forget you and you WILL see him again!

How do you know are you a physic?

Don't be silly NO I have sources.

Really? Who?

Well Ben told me, that Marcie told him, that Grace told Josh who told Rebecca, who told Marcie that they're going to be having a music lesson with us!

OMG that's next lesson!!!! Is my hair a mess? Has my make-up smudged?

AWWW it sounds like someone has a crush!

Angela I'm serious!

So am I, do you like him?

To be quite honest I don't really know, he's just so easy to be around and when he touched my face I felt electricity in me. I don't know what to do!

Maybe you should pair up with him for music!

Are you CRAZY he wouldn't want to pair with me!

You never know Bella, anyway is it ok if I go with Ben? I sort of promised him already.

Of course Ange.

Thanks Bella… and don't worry I won't let Jacob know what we've spoke about.

Thank you.

Then the notes stopped and I got on with my work for the last few minutes of the lesson. Before the lesson ended Mr. Hall called me up to the front.

"Bella is this you're Homework for the past month?" he asked sarcastically.

"Umm… yes." I said quietly.

"This is very good Bella; you've really come a long way this year. If it's ok with I would like to mention to out Headmaster about putting in an advanced placement setting?"

"Of course sir." I smiled then he dismissed me to go to my next class… Music.

Angela was talking enthusiastically to Ben when I got out the door and Jacob was hovering like a wasp. I walked straight past him with Ben and Angela but he caught up easily.

"Bella can we talk?" he wined next to me with his hands in his pockets for once and not on me.

"Whatever you have to say Jacob I'm not interested." I said with me head held high and not looking at him.

"I just wanted to tell you I forgive you for this morning." A smile grew across his face as he looked down at me.

"You… forgive me?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yeah I mean you must have realised you were in the wrong there Bella." His voice was low and his eyebrows had pulled together.

"Jacob… you're unbelievable! You threatened to punch Edward for talking to me! God can't I have my own friends without you approving of them?" I shouted before I stalked off.

I stood outside the music room door for a moment after Angela and Ben had gone inside, then taking a deep breath I pushed open the door.

I tried not to look too hopeful when I searched for a seat, out of the corner of my I saw Edward sat with his siblings though he didn't join in the discussion. He simply stared off into space. Angela had saved me a seat next to her so I gratefully sat down with a hint of colour rushing into my cheeks.

"Can I have everyone's attention?" shouted Miss. Heeds from her seat, when no one shut up she shouted, "OI!!!" causing the class to lapse into silence. "Than you, now as you can see there are a few of you in here from the Academy and a few from Forks High. In today's lesson I want you to go into pairs and work a any piece of music you wish but you can only go with someone from another school do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Miss." The class said in union. I could have sworn I saw Edward grin at his angel sisters and throw his dazzling gaze at me.

Jacob caught my eye from across the room, "Me and you!" he mouthed, jeesh didn't this guy understand that we could only go with a person from another school and that I was still mad at him.

No one moved. Ben and Angela were sitting next to each other so they didn't need to say they were a pair. I heard a musical sigh from the other side of the room and light footsteps across the floor.

I saw someone stop in front of me, looking up to see Edward Cullen didn't surprise me,

"Bella? Will you be my partner?" the room was silent but he didn't seem to notice, I glanced at Jacob who appeared to be bristled with anger and then I looked back at Edward.

"Sure Edward." I breathed his name, and then I felt my cheeks flame so I looked down.

"Excellent." I could hear the smile in his voice. I stood up and started to cross the room with him towards the nearest keyboard, instead of walking normally though I tripped over my own boots and nearly hit the floor. But something stopped me, his hand had reached out and grabbed my arm and the other caught my waist. I flushed deep red while he laughed and I heard sniggers behind me. His laughter had no malice in it was a fine musical tune that washed away the laughs of the others.

"Sorry." I mumbled feeling more than a little stupid, "I have a problem with my balance sometimes." He smiled at me and guided me the rest of the way with has hand brushing my back in case I fell again.

I heard a chair shove away and fall on the floor; angry stomps came from behind us. A big russet hand appeared on Edwards shoulder and spun him round effortlessly.

Jacob tightened his grip on Edwards shoulder. "Hey FREAK what makes you have the right to partner MY GIRL!!!" Jacob shouted.

I heard more chairs shove away, "I wasn't aware Bella belonged to anyone Jacob." Edward answered coolly. Jacobs's eyes flashed with anger and he ignored the shouts from Miss. Heeds, he drew back a trembling arm for a good punch when out of no where Edwards's brothers were flanking him either side, their stares were steely and harsh.

"JACOB BLACK IF YOU LAY ANOTHER FINGER ON THAT BOY YOU WILL BE TAKEN OUT OF THIS SCHOOL WITH A POLICE ESCORT! NOW I SUGGEST YOU GO OUTSIDE AND CALM DOWN BEOFRE YOU ARE EXCLUDED!!!" Miss. Heeds voice was sharp and shrill and she shrieked at Jacobs back.

He froze but didn't lower his arm; his body seemed to be trembling with anger,

"Go Jacob, please." I murmured hoping he would listen to me. His eyes darted in my direction where I stood at Edwards's side and then back to Edward. He took a deep breath through his mouth and lowered his arm, letting go of Edwards's shoulder her pushed past us and slammed the door behind him.

"Thanks Em, Jasper." Edward nodded at his brothers before his brawny brother turned and walked to the other side of the class where his sisters were sitting. The blonde stayed a moment until Edward nodded at him quickly; he set his jaw and walked away behind the other one.

"Sorry Edward but I think we shouldn't be partners." I murmured to him, instead of frowning he laughed.

"Because of your boyfriend Bella? I'm not scared of him." He chuckled at the thought of Jacob.

"You may not be… but I am." I added sheepishly.

"No… besides you promised I could hear you play so now is a better time than any to do it." I sighed internally and carried on walking towards the key board, luckily Edward was smart enough not to touch me this time.

I sat down at the keys, I could hear everyone paring up now behind us so no one would notice if I stared to play. Fur Elise drifted around me like a lazy fog, I always played a wrong note somewhere in the song and to day was no different. I played dreamily with my eyes closed and the keys memorised until I felt a cool hand on mine. My eyes flew open and I saw the marble of white push gently on my finger s so I hit the right note.

I turned my head quickly to see Edward Cullen stood over me, when he noticed me staring he stood up straight and stepped back,

"I'm sorry…" he said in a low voice.

"No it's ok; I always play that wrong note so I understand why." I didn't know what to say to this Godly Angle from above.

His face was pinched like he had crossed a line or done something wrong.

"I'm sorry…" he said again before fluidly sitting down next to me, "Will you play for me again?" he asked like he was shy or something.

"Sure." I didn't want to say no.

Closing my eyes and feeling his gaze appraising my face I moved my hand across the keys and started to play. All the time I could feel his eyes on me.

When I finally opened my eyes I noticed his expression was that of utter amazement. Silently he stood and walked over to the guitar stand where he took out an acoustic and brought it back to me,

"Play." He commanded, I took the guitar without argument and placed the strap over my head and strummed some cord to check if it was in tune… it was. Then without looking at him I started to strum Taylor Swift White Horse.

"Do you sing?" he asked quietly, I nodded dumbly without thinking, "Sing then." He said gently.

I opened my mouth and let the words flow, they were in tune at least and I can sing when I choose to. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks but I refused to look at him afraid I would lapse into a full blown panic attack. When the song drifted to an end my blush faded and I took a deep breath to fill my empty lungs.

He was staring at me again making the blood creep back into my face.

"You have the most beautiful singing voice I've ever heard." He said quietly, his tone of utter sincerity cause a bubble of hysterical laughter to break out of me. His face became bemused at my outburst, "Don't you think so?" he seemed sad.

"I really don't you know… maybe you have terrible hearing." I giggled like a strangled monkey, what was this guy doing to me?

"My hearing is perfect… I think your singing perfect." He muttered under his breath so low that I don't think I was meant to hear.

"Well… I guess we should get to work shouldn't we?" I was a little dazed by his assessment of my voice.

"You're right." He agreed before sitting down on the end of the piano next to me.

We composed a piece he "Named Love at First Sight", the keyboard notes trickled softly like dust motes in the air and the guitar rhythmically twanged gently to the beat, it was soft and gentle with a hint of life.

When the time came for us to perform my cheeks flamed and I nearly forgot the tune, Edward saved me from embarrassment by saying "Breath slowly." So low that only I could hear.

The class erupted into applause behind me and I smiled gratefully at him while he threw me the crooked smile that stopped my breath. I hid behind my hair while the others performed their pieces until my blush died away.

When Miss. Heed dismissed us I went swiftly to put back the guitar and collected my things meeting Angela at the door as usual, he had already gone by the look of it. Angela noticed my down expression and squeezed my arm sympathetically.

I nearly had a heart attack when I was out the door, I mean when you walk out of class to see the most gorgeous person who ever lived leaning against the wall and the obvious reason as to why he's doing that is you then how would you react? He rolled off the wall and walled over to me,

"I have to go…" he said almost sad.

"Oh… well I guess I'll see you some other time then." I mumbled quietly.

"Trust me you will." His face was sad but his tone was angry…at me? Or himself? Before I could react he sniggered. "I'd take a deep breath if I were you." He laughed before walking away to catch up with the others.

I stared after him as he drifted away leaving me alone. That is until two vice like arms wrapped around me with crushing force and stopping my breath entirely and lifting me into the air.

My lungs were burning because no breath was getting to them; I thrashed my legs out trying to wriggle out of the unbreakable arms. One of my kicks hit home because Jacobs's arms loosened and I slid out landing hard onto the floor,

"Ooof!" I spluttered as my back smacked onto the hard floor. I lay there for a moment staring at the ceiling, seeing Jacob out of the corner of my clutching his shin.

"Ouch Bella what was that for?" he moaned.

"Shut up Jacob." I muttered scrambling to my feet, I realised all my stuff had fallen out of my bag when he dropped me. I bent to retrieve them, Jacob decided he would help but he just got in the way dropping more stuff than me.

"Just forget it Jacob!" I shouted grabbing the remaining books and running down the hall and out onto the playground. I spied Angela looking worried across the grounds so I sprinted as fast as I could without falling and injuring myself.

When I reached them I hopped onto the wall out of breath.

"What happened?" she asked slightly alarmed by my actions.

"It doesn't matter ok? But I'm going to break up with Jake." I huffed trying to breathe.

Jacob stormed out of the doors and crossed the playground towards me, trembling with anger and his face radiating with hostility.

"Bella!!!" he roared when he reached me, I stayed where I was crossing my arms in front of me. "What is your problem today? Your being a vicious COW!!! Sticking up for that freak and having a go at for no reason!!! What's going on?!"

I sighed. "First of all Jacob you're getting on my nerves, second you don't give me any room to breathe and THIRD YOU THREATENED TO BEAT UP SOMEONE BECAUSE I WAS TALKING TO THEM!!!" I screamed in his surprised face. His eyes narrowed and his brows mashed together into one line.

"Bella I just think that…" he started but I cut him off, by now a small crowd had gathered that had obviously heard me screeching but I just didn't care.

"I really don't care about what you have to say anymore Jacob because I don't want to be with you and that's that. No more take backs, no more begging over the phone trying to make me feel guilty and no more you!" I finished staring angrily at his gob smacked expression.

"But Bella I…" he could hardly find the words.

"NO JACOB I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF BEONG YOUR PIECE OF MEAT!!!" I shouted before jumping off the wall and pushed past him calling a quick goodbye to Angela before storming off to the girls loo where I could be alone to let the angry tears fall un-relentlessly.