B POV
I yawned and stretched myself out. I had just woken up on my first morning in halls.
I was lucky enough to be sharing my dorm with Tasha. Well, other than the fact that that girl could snore! Jeez. I mean, come on! It sounds like a goddamn bear sleeping in the room with you!
Over the years I've gotten mostly used to it. Yeah, I just put my headphones on and turn up the volume on my i-pod!
My bed wasn't nearly as comfy as the one at home, but I guessed that when you had been up for hours doing college work, it wouldn't matter if it felt like sleeping on a bed of nails, you'd still be glad to have a bed!
It was lucky I shared a room with someone who was already my friend because it meant we wouldn't offend each other with posters. We both liked the same celebs and the same bands. Our walls were already covered in posters. We had our bands banner pinned to the wall between our beds. Khloe had designed and made it for us two years ago. It was awesome.
It was a deep crimson red flag with the band named scrawled across it in gold and a musical note with half a halo above it and a devil horn on the other side. She said it was because we were a rock band, but I still sang like an angel. I had been classically trained and my voice was quite operatic. I was often compared to Sharon Den Adel of Within Temptation, and we actually covered a lot of their songs for that reason.
I knew we wouldn't be doing much today, just settling in and hanging out. Luckily all my friends had come to this college, so I wouldn't be alone. Three of us were studying music, though I was also doing literature by myself.
I was sitting with Tasha and the girls when James came crashing into mine and Tasha's room, closely followed by Jacob.
"Guys, you won't guess what just happened!" James cried excitedly.
"What, your balls finally dropped?!" I squealed jokingly.
James threw a cushion at my head.
"No you bitch." he laughed, "We were down at the SU bar, and heard the manager on the phone and yelling at someone. When he got off he told one of the bar staff that the band they had booked for tomorrow night's 'Welcome to College' thing had dropped out, so Jakey here turned round and we told him that we were in a band and played him a couple of the sound clips on my phone, the guy said we were brilliant asked us to take their place and play a gig tomorrow!"
"Oh my god! That's awesome guys!"
"Sweet!" Tasha yelled.
"What are we gonna do? What songs and stuff, or are we going to do the usually and plan a couple and then ad lib and just play whatever we feel like?"
"I like the second option. It's more fun when we do that!" Jake said, raising his hand.
"Same." James added.
I looked at Tasha and Lacey and they both nodded.
"Ok, ad-libbing it is!" I laughed.
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The next day was our first day of lectures, but we didn't do much. We just had to go to the class, meet the lecturer and get a pack about what we would be doing that year.
We decided to spend the rest of the day rehearsing for the gig, although we couldn't do much, so Jacob sat with his game, Rock Band, drum kit as a substitute, James played his bass while me and Tash played our guitars, but didn't bother plugging them into the amps, and Lacey played her keyboard on a low volume. We didn't want anyone hearing us until tonight so we made sure to be quiet.
It was finally six and the girls and I were getting ready for the gig.
I decided to wear my black lycra three quarter length leggings which stopped just under my knees with my crimson red jumper dress. The dress just skimmed my mid thigh and hung off one shoulder and had three quarter length sleeves. It was thin though. Not wool but cotton. I loved it. I put a black belt round my waist to show off my figure. I finished the outfit off with my killer four inch red heels.
I applied my usual small amount of make-up, putting a little eye-shadow on and some mascara and eyeliner. I put some reddish lipstick on to finish it up.
My hair was what Tasha always called my sex hair. I threw my head forward and backcombed it, putting some hair spray on to keep the style, before tossing my head back and letting the hair hang however it fell.
I loved my hair like that; it gave a lot of volume to it.
We had already sorted out the stage in the SU bar, setting up our instruments, doing a sound check while no other students were around, and hanging our banner behind us.
We finally headed down to the bar and stood to the side of the stage, while James and Jake got some drinks for us.
At seven, it was time for us to go on stage.
Tasha ran on first, as always, to introduce us all.
"Hello fellow students!"
A few already drunk people cheered at this point, causing Tash to giggle.
"I'm Natasha Rye, and I'm the lead guitarist of Apassionata!"
James walked onstage.
"Our kick ass drummer, James Cottee!"
Lacey hopped up.
"Our lovely keyboardist, Lacey Anderson!"
Jacob jumped on.
"Our...very tall....bassist, Jacob Black!" Jake laughed at her comment.
My turn now. I walked onstage though I still had my back mostly to the crowd as I picked up my guitar. Also, I could never deny Tash her opportunity to praise me. She always had to do it.
"And last, my most certainly not least, our talented and beautiful singer! Please welcome the gorgeous Isabella Swan!"
I turned round and stepped up to my microphone.
"Hi, there!" I called, nodding to Tash to start the intro to our first song, "this is a faviourite song of mine. This is Escapist by NightWish!"
We started the song and I felt the same rush i always felt on stage. I loved doing this. I wasn't a lover of attention, but I loved being able to sing and play the music I loved so much.
As we played I scanned the crowd out of interest and felt my breath catch when i saw someone I recognised, standing not too far from the stage.
Jessica!
Jessica Stanley, the girl who had made my life hell. The one who had turned my best friend against me. She was here. At the same college as me.
She was staring at me in blatant shock, unable to believe that it was me standing on the stage.
I saw the people standing around her.
Mike Newton, Tyler Crowley, Lauren Mallory, Tanya and Kate Denali and Jane Volturi.
And....oh God!
Standing just behind Jessica was...Edward!
No! No, no, no, no! This can't be happening! They can't all be here! My life has just finally settled! They can't be here! Not now!
I felt my chest getting tight and was starting to freak out.
Luckily we had just reached a drum solo. I spun around and went to get my drink which was just in front of the drums.
Tasha came over and whispered to me quietly, asking what was wrong.
When I told her I had to grab her arm and hold her in place as she looked as though she was about to rush off stage and attack them all.
I managed to control my breathing and took a swig of my drink.
"Tash, after this song, start playing Angels."
"Angels? But that song makes you sad!"
"I know, just trust me. It explains how I feel, I wanna know if Edward can hear the message in it."
"Oh, you are a genius! Ha! Hope he fucking does, sweetie!"
We turned back to the front of the stage as the song finished.
James gave me a worried look and I smiled at him and shook my head slightly.
He gave me a look which plainly said "You will tell me after the gig."
I nodded. I knew I would have no choice.
Tasha started to play the song I had asked her to.
Good. I wonder if Edward will know that this is for him?
"This song is for someone out there. I won't say who, I wonder if they will know, purely by the lyrics?"
Sparkling angel I believe
You
were my saviour in my time of need.
Blinded by faith I couldn't
hear
All the whispers, the warnings so clear.
I see the
angels,
I'll lead them to your door.
There's no escape now,
No
mercy no more.
No remorse cause I still remember
The next line was
so perfect for what Edward had done.
Sparkling
angel, I couldn't see
The smile when you tore me
apart.
You took my heart,
Deceived me right from the start.
You
showed me dreams,
I wished they'd turn into real.
You broke a
promise and made me realize.
It was all just a lie.
Your dark intentions, your feelings for
me.
Fallen angel, tell me why?
What is the reason, the thorn in
your eye?
I see the angels,
I'll lead them to your door
There's
no escape now
No mercy no more
No remorse cause I still
remember
I had been peering
at Edward out of the corner of my eyes the whole time watching how he
bit his lip as he listened to the song I was singing, but now I
looked directly at him. I saw him gasp and his eyes widened as it
finally clicked. He knew that this was aimed at him.
This world may
have failed you,
The smile when you tore me
apart
You took my heart,
Deceived me right from the start.
You
showed me dreams,
I wished they'd turn into real.
You broke a
promise and made me realize.
It was all just a lie.
Could have
been forever.
Now we have reached the end.
It doesn't give you reason why.
You could have
chosen a different path in life.
I completely threw myself into the song now, pouring out all the pain and anger I had suffered because of him in my voice.
The smile when you tore me
apart.
You took my heart,
Deceived me right from the start.
You
showed me dreams,
I wished they'd turn into real.
You broke a
promise and made me realize.
It was all just a lie.
Could have
been forever.
Now we have reached the end.
I watched as Edward looked down and swallowed.
Yeah. You hurt me, bastard. You fucking damn near broke me. I hope you can see that, asshole!
I quickly wiped away the couple of tears that had escaped while I was singing.
Tasha sidled up to me.
"Who Knew?"
I smiled.
"Good one."
We flowed perfectly into the next song and did what we did best.
Edward kept watching me and looked annoyed.
Oh, you're annoyed?! How about me? My life is finally working out and you fucking show up at the same college as me?! So not fucking cool!
As the song ended, Tasha signalled me over to her.
"You need cheering up, sweetie. How about Without You?"
I laughed.
"Hell yes!"
"Also, it'll show that bastard what you are now, and how pathetic he is."
I stepped back up to my mic and tossed my hair back over my shoulder as Tasha started up.
"Ok, this is our last song, people. Hope you enjoy it!"
I was driving in my car, Well the song was really bad I
don't wanna know the reason why you ran away I'm moving on Why was
it wrong to stay with you
When
I heard the loud guitar
Of the band you used to hate
You said
so on our date
But it made me
think of you
I believe that what we had
Was a miracle of two
I don't wanna show
the tears I shed on you
I'll find a place where I belong
I'm not
afraid Just
like you said
I've been disgraced just far too long
Why was it wrong to love you back
I'm
not the one who chose this way
I'm not the one who pulled you
back
And now
I'm still here
I looked directly at Edward, my eyes flashing angrily.
Without you I was going
for a walk Well you
know that it's too late I don't wanna know the
reason why you turned away I'm moving on Why was it
wrong to touch your face I know people like the games
When you called this afternoon
"I don't know if
we should talk
But I have to see you soon"
I have grown away from you
And I closed
my iron gate
I'm better off alone
I don't wanna show the blood I shed for
you
I won't look back until you're gone
I'm not
afraid Just
like you said
I'll find my peace under the sun
Why was it wrong to keep my space
I'm
not the one who put you down
I'm not the one who let you frown
But
now
I'm still here
You can't make them stay
the same
I don't see how love can end
We should all stop to
pretend
No more lies and no more pain
I can't stop the fate
again
I will find my peace somewhere
I will find a way - so
I'll smile
I gave what my
friends called my breath taking smile, flashing it right at Edward,
although I didn't look at him now.
Why was
it wrong to stay with you
I'm moving on I'm
not afraid
I'll find a place where I belong
I know I'm
done Just
like you said
I've been disgraced just far too long
Why was it wrong to love you back
I'm
not the one who chose this way
I'm not the one who pulled you
back
And now
I'm still here
I looked up and met Edward's eyes again.
He looked really pissed now.
Without you.
As the song finished I held my head up high and smiled out at the crowd.
"Thanks for listening, we've been Apassionata, and you've been a fucking awesome audience!"
The crowd cheered and yelled "Encore! Encore!"
I walked over and put my guitar away before putting the microphones and stands away.
I them hopped up onto James' stool to reach our banner.
Now, while I have much improved balance, I can't stay upright when someone kicks something I'm standing on, as Tasha did.
She smiled sweetly as she danced up to me before she kicked the stool away.
I squealed with laughter as I toppled backwards.
I landed with and "Oomph" in James' arms.
"Natasha!" he scolded, laughing. "You are such a bitch sometimes!"
"I know! I didn't even do anything!" I giggled.
Tasha smiled and bounced off again.
"Umm...James, d'you mind putting me down now?"
"Oh! Sorry, Bellsy! Forgot about that!"
"Yeah right!" I called as he walked away after placing me on my feet. "You just wanted to feel me up, asshole!"
He turned to me and placed his hand over his heart, with a mock hurt expression on his face.
"Isabella! I would never do that! I'm a gentleman!"
I snorted. "Gentleman my foot! You, James Nicholas Cottee, are not, I repeat not a gentleman! You are, in fact, a goddamn perv!"
He laughed and grabbed me and pulled me to him.
"I am not a perv!" he laughed.
"Urgh! You so are! I saw you staring when Tasha pulled my bikini bottoms down that time!"
"I was 17! What was I supposed to do?! I was a horny 17 year old boy, and there was this oh so sexy 17 year old girl, half naked in front of me! It would have been an insult not to look!" he cried indignantly.
I just fell about laughing. James was a great friend.
Maybe because he reminded me of Emmett so much. The same filthy mind and crude jokes.
Oh Emmett. I still miss you. Always have.
As we walked off stage I felt people staring at me.
Jessica and the skank brigade were watching me and sneering at me.
And Edward. Edward was glaring at me. But for some reason he looked hurt as well.
I don't see why. You're the one who broke my heart and destroyed my trust in people.
I decided that it didn't matter.
It's not like I'll really see him again.
We'll have different lectures and won't even cross each other's paths.
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Bella's a bitch! Woot!
Damn straight she should be.
Ok, so I have a playlist for this chappie.
--
Escapist – NightWish.
It's The Fear – Within Temptation
Heaven's a Lie – Lacuna Coil
Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly – HIM
Don't Stop Dancing – Creed
Save Up All Your Tears – Cher
Angels – Within Temptation
Who Knew – Pink
Without You – Anna Tsuchiya
If you've never heard the songs, check em out. Especially Angels and Without You.
They are perfect for this chapter and this story.
(Without You is actually where the title of the story came from.)
I suggest you listen to both songs when they appear in the story.
Hope you liked this chappie, sweethearts.
It's quite a long one.
~ ULTRAnumb