AN: A big thanks to my betas, Xx Bri xX for always willing to answer my questions about the story and Flyawaydove for always checking my not-so-good grammar. To the readers and reviewers, without you, I wouldn't be writing.


Jasper's Cousin?

EPOV

"Edward, we're here." Alec tapped softly on the window, waiting for me to get my belongings together before opening the door for me. I must have fallen asleep on the way to Oxford Street.

I hate it when Alec does that. Normally, I would order him to let me do things such as opening the car door by myself, but I think Esme has been ordering him to ignore my requests. She doesn't understand why I don't like to be treated differently.

She thinks its fine for me, a young lad, to be driven to and from university and have special meals delivered to me at lunch time, and I have no idea how she found out about my schedule, because I would have never given it to her. Who knows, she might pop in daily just to check that I'm still breathing. It annoyed me to no end, but I guess that was one of the ways Esme used to express her love for me.

Walking into a small cubical on the third floor of the Music Department practice building, I saw the up-right Steinway & Sons mahogany piano sitting in the middle. This is one of the best up-right pianos the department has ever gotten hold of since I've been here. I almost could swear on my life that no matter how horrible the pianist is, while on that piano, he or she would still sound heavenly. I found Tanya already set up her stand next to the piano. Tanya is a second year music major student just like me. The only different is that she can't play the piano as well as I can, but her voice is considered to be one of the best in our year. She's a singer, a Soprano.

"Morning Tanya, sorry I'm late." I quickly set my sheets up on the piano stand.

"No problem, Edward. You're not late; I'm the one who's late," Tanya replied with her ultra white teeth. I wonder how much she paid to get that done. I could probably buy myself a decent car with that amount. In addition to her platinum dyed blonde hair, fake tan and plastic boobs, she looks like damn Pamela Anderson, but with her Barbie-like personality, I would say she was more like Paris Hilton.

"Let's just get started." I figure the faster we get the practice over and done with, the better. Today, I have my Keyboard Performance. We could choose if we wanted to work towards vocal accompaniment or chamber music with other instruments like an orchestra. I chose vocal accompaniment out of the fact that I'll have to see less people, especially girls like Lauren, Jessica and Irina. Sadly, the plan includes accompanying for Tanya, the Queen of 'like'.

"Edward? Hello, you're, like, not playing. What are you, like, doing?" See, I told you, she said two like's in small three sentences. I don't know how I've put up with her, but I do and that's all it matters.

I started playing a modern piece, 'Hero', sung by MARIAH CAREY. To be honest, I thought the song is pretty good, but with Tanya singing it, it sounded like a song that is sung by a hooker rather than a vocalist. Tanya wasn't a bad singer at all; her soprano voice was childlike and if she knew how to use it correctly, she would receive an A because of her voice not because of her ass or her performance with the teachers the night before. Instead, she tried to make her voice sultry and husky; probably trying to make it sexier, but only making it sound like she's a pushover slut.

"I'm playing now," I mumbled.

After one and a half hours of practice, I was beyond exhaustion. Telling Tanya off when she didn't hit the notes, (which OCCURED very often), ended up in twenty minute arguments. She believed that not only did she sound perfect, but my piano playing put her off the beats. Every time we went higher than B in the octave above C major, she would be off tune. Professor Mathew would definitely notice it, and I would be marked for her mistake.

*I just wanna live, don't really care what they say, don't really care about what happens to me, I just wanna live*

My black 3G I-phone started to buzz in my left pocket. I saw that it was Jasper, and I eagerly answered it, thinking that it would be a good way to escape Slutya.

"Sup man, do you have time for a quick lunch with Allie, Rose, Emmett and I?" Normally Jasper didn't ask me out to lunch, knowing that I had a special diet to follow, and that it makes me uncomfortable when people eat normal food in front of me. How would you feel watching people eating steak, roasted potatoes and carrots while you have to eat yucky steamed tofu with brown rice?

"Sure. What's going on?" It annoyed me when the rest of the gang keeps secrets from me, which happens usually due to my condition.

"Nothing, we just want to introduce you to our new friend. She just moved here from New Zealand," Jasper replied.

"Mmm… yea, sure, just tell me the time and place, I'll be there."

"We're all here at the cafeteria by the Biology building. Just waiting for you, bro."

"Ok. See you in a sec," I said before ending the call.

"Tanya, I have to go. Good practice today." I quickly grabbed my things before running out of the practice room.

*You raised me up, so I can stand on mountains. You raised me up, to walk on stormy seas.*

"What now," I groaned out.

"Hello, mother," I answered, knowing it was her because of the personal ringtone.

"Hello, my dear. Why did I just receive a call three minutes ago saying that Alec is there to deliver your freshly cooked meal at the practice room, and you're not there to eat it?" she sounded suspicious.

"Mom, I'm just going to hang out with the rest of the group, nothing major. As for the food, just tell Alec to put it in the room. I'll eat it later." I said, and disconnected her call. God, why would I eat that shit when I could eat steaks and bacon? Today was getting much better when I thought about the food I could order without Esme on my case.

Walking into the cafeteria, I started looking around for Emmett as he's always the one to stand out in the crowd. I spotted the table with four people—excluding Emmett. He had fallen off his chair and was now on the floor, laughing.

"Hey guys," I quickly greeted them.

"Hey," everyone greeted back in unison.

Jasper cleared his throat before saying, "Edward, this is Bella, she's my cousin who has recently came to the States from New Zealand."

I looked up, expecting to see another blonde haired, blue eyed girl. But instead, I found a heart shaped face, with a pair of soul-searching chocolate brown eyes, long mahogany hair tied up in a ponytail and a blush on her cheeks as she smiled shyly at me.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you, I'm Edward," I said, holding out my hand.

"Right back at you on that, and I'm Bella." She gave me a stunning smile, leaving me speechless for a moment. Her accent was similar to Mr. Knox, the music theories professor, who has recently moved from Melbourne, but Bella's accent was deeper.

"Dude, Eddie got a crush on the Kiwi!" Emmett exclaimed.

"No, I don't. I'm just surprised that Jasper's cousin doesn't look a thing like him, you oaf." I spoke with some volume.

"Do you really go to Berkeley Edward? We're cousins, not brother and sister, Jesus," Jasper said in a mocking tone.

"Sorry, guess that, after all those hours working with Tanya, her qualities are starting to rub off me."

"Rub off on?" Alice questioned, while Emmett was busy choking on his Coke.

"That's just sick sis. Don't you think I'm a bit classier than having to do Tanya?" I stood up. "I'm going to get some food, I'LL be back."

Alice raised her eyebrow. I knew that if Bella wasn't here, she would be asking why I'm having steak for lunch instead of Mum's delicious goodies. Thankfully, Bella is here, and therefore, Alice didn't dare say a thing.

Walking away from the table, I knew things were going to get really interesting. We haven't had an addition to our group since Jasper came along. I wondered how long I'D be able to hide my secret before I'd have to tell her.

Secrets are hard to keep, especially in a group so tightly knit as ours. How long would it take for her to figure out that something was wrong with me? I really hoped it wouldn't be soon; I like where I am right now.

Yep, I like where I am.


AN: Like it/hate it? Please review! 3 I'm hoping to get around 27 reviews by this chapter. Would you help me to accomplish that goal ladies? :)

I forgot to say that I've found out about all the information on Edward's illness from mayoclinic (dot) com.. It's a great site.

Thanks to: TwilightAddict1991, Madcowre, Rote-kirsche, Chelz29, Katherinef7, Chels926, Mermolie and KBacon for reviewing! :) You have no idea how much it means to me especially when some of you girlies are from Twitter! XD

Also, thanks to people who have put this story into their alert and/or favorite list! XD

Here's my rec'c for this chapter: Run This Town by klm2674, Reunion by KeepersOfTheNaughtySparkle, Controlled Burn by Staceygirl aka jackbauer.

come visit me on twitter?? I'm gossip_bangkok there also! XD

Thanks for reading AND REVIEWING lol! :)