Haha, you guys rock! In a little over twenty-four hours, I got 57 reviews for chapter three. Lol, although this means you've got to beat 57 reviews for the next chapter ;) I almost want to tell you to stop, because since you're meeting the guidelines so quickly, in turn, I have to write faster! Haha: almost want to tell you to stop, but not quite. Warms my heart to get up and find an overflowing inbox :D
And on special request from DiamondSkin, because she left an awesome review and bribed me with virtual sprinkles, I am going to add in Alice's chewing out of Jasper in this chapter.
Also, dsmldejection and socialxhazard have started a Myspace with the display name Twilight Fanfiction, devoted to getting the best of Twilight fanfiction out there, to more people. They've posted my story on there, and as a favor to them, I'm telling everyone to definitely go check it out and add them as your friend! It's a cool idea, and a great way to get great stories more recognition. Check it out!
Now, on with the story. Enjoy!
Edward pulled me into house when we got there, around eight thirty, and dragged me to the kitchen.
Hungry? I giggled, as he started digging into the fridge.
I'm a guy, what do you expect? I'm always hungry. What do you want to eat?
I shrugged, not exactly ravenous. As Edward made himself a sandwich, I went into the cabinet and pulled out a cup, then got some cool, refreshing ice water.
I leaned on the island casually next to Edward, and started to sign something. He stopped what he was doing, and took in my hands. Thank god sandwiches don't require electric mixers, right? Is that why you're making it? Hard to get it to explode all over the kitchen.
His jaw tightened while his lips pressed together, annoyed. He drew himself up slowly to his full height and glared down at me. I bit my lip to hold back the laughter threatening to explode out of my mouth.
Go away, he signed, You're not welcome here, you tiny annoying thing.
Though he was irritated at the unwelcome memory, he still meant it as teasing outrage between friends. But I still grinned at him, and turned away, starting to bound out of the kitchen and to the stairs.
"Bella!" he called out behind me, but I didn't stop. I'd meant to leave anyway so I go get changed in Alice's room. I could hear his frustrated groan from where I'd left him and considered going back and telling him I hadn't really taken him seriously, but changed my mind. I'd let him know later if he was still hung up about it.
I barged into Alice's room again, like earlier, and found her with a phone in her hand.
"Hey Bella," she said. "Thought I heard you come in. Sit down; I have to make a quick call and cancel some plans."
I crawled next to her on her big bed, and sat, curious. She pressed her fingers to her lips - set in an annoyed line, I noticed - and pressed talk, bringing the receiver up to her ear.
"Hello," she said into the phone, and I could hear a strain of forced politeness color her tone. Suddenly, I smirked. I had an idea of what was about to go down...and was so glad I was here to witness it. "Is Jasper there? Thank you."
She was silent for a moment, before I heard a short buzzing sound from the phone; Jasper greeting her, unawares, no doubt.
"Hello, dear," she said menacingly, the politeness completely vanished. I put my fist in my mouth to stop from laughing out loud. "I was just like to inform you that I was recently informed on a slight detail in the inner mechanics of the military. Do you have any guess as to what I was told? Hmm?"
There was the buzzing sound again, longer this time. Although it also sounded like it was stuttering. A small giggle escaped me.
"Bullshit!" she suddenly exploded, and I jumped. "Do not even give me that you jackass, you play that god damn game everyday, so don't tell me you didn't know, and were mistaken!"
The buzzing began again but she cut it off. "Yeah? Yeah? Mhmm. Really. I totally believe you. Not. I could've felt so good if you hadn't liedto me, and made me believe I didn't do well! My self-esteem was crushed Jasper Whitlock Hale! I thought you cared about me more than that!"
I didn't honestly believe she was that torn up about it, but Alice didn't like to do things half-way.
"Okay. Right. Well you're 'uninformed' ass can go see that damn movie yourself, you liar! Can not even believe you," she fumed. "Would it have been so hard to just admit that I won? That I beat you on my first try, even though you've played that game everyday for years? I just don't understand how that could have wounded your ego Jasper. Bit beyond me, really."
She was silent for a few moments, before she gasped in shock, a wounded expression twisting her features. "What do you mean I'm being a sarcastic drama queen!? That's it Jasper. First, you lie to me. And now, you insult me. Way to go. Don't bother coming over. I've got Bella to comfort me for now, since she was the good friend that told me about your 'mistake'."
My mouth dropped, and I shook my head furiously, slicing the air in front of my neck frantically, telling her to drop it. But it was already too late.
She hung up without saying good-bye, then sat there for a short moment. Suddenly, she burst out laughing. "Oh!...I do so love messing with him," she giggled, grinning. "His reactions when he thinks I'm really angry are always so hilarious...and usually pleasurable too." She winked suggestively at me, and threw back her head again, her laughter all silver and wind chimes.
"What?" she finally demanded after she'd sobered up, noticing my glare.
"WHY did you tell him it was me who told you!?" I exploded. "Now he'll be after my blood."
She rolled her eyes. "He's not going to attack you Bella. And don't act scared next time you see him, for gods sakes! He'll just pick up on that, you know, and use it to his advantage to really intimidate you."
I shook my head and jumped off her bed, heading toward her closet. "Hey, are my pajamas still on the second to the bottom drawer in the upper left corner of the mouse?" I paused, then added, "You know, where I have to head northwest for a bit, before doubling back east around Shoes Mountain?"
She let the ribbing about the size of her closet slide, and asked, "What? You're staying the night?"
"Yeah."
"Give me a moment," she said, and picked up the phone again, hitting a button and putting it to her ear. "Jazzy? Jaz? Honey? Baby? Yeah, I changed my mind. Get me out of here!"
"ALICE!"
She smirked at me. "Yeah, see you in a little bit. Love you, bye." She hung up and looked at me innocently. "What?"
"Why don't you want to be here?" I demanded, turning towards her completely and putting my hands on my hips.
She rolled her eyes and explained exasperatedly, "Because Bella. You and Edward are torture to be around; staring at each other with goo goo eyes and too scared to act on it. Honestly, you guys are two sexual eruptions waiting to happen, and I sure don't want to be here when you both explode."
I smacked my hand to my forehead and pulled down. "We're not having this discussion again, Alice," I said flatly. "You don't know he feels like that."
She opened her mouth furiously, but then closed it, shaking her head. "Fine Bella. Fine. I'm not going to bother arguing with you, oh Ruler of the Idiocy Corner. You'll realize it soon enough," she muttered, and I saw her smirk slightly. My curiosity ignited.
"What? Alice, what?"
"Hmm?" she asked, looking up with the doe eyes she and Edward were so good at. "What do you mean what? Why is there anything? There's nothing."
"Right," I said skeptically. "Keep your secrets then."
I went into the mouse and changed, hanging up the dress and hat carefully. When I was at home, I liked to wear sweats to bed. But whenever I tried that here, Alice...well, to put it nicely, she liked to inflict injury upon my person. So I pulled on the smooth silk blue shorts she'd gotten for me, and a black cami. Alice followed me in, and started fixing up her appearance quickly. She was already dressed, and her make-up was done. Which let me know she was never really going to cancel with Jasper.
We chatted for a few minutes before the doorbell rang downstairs. "Damn. He's fast," I blinked, surprised.
"He sure is," Alice said slyly, winking at me.
I laughed, and shoved her. "Ew! TMI Alice!"
She smiled and danced out the door and down the stairs. I walked slowly down, not wanting a confrontation with Jasper at the moment. But - just my luck - he was still there.
"Hey Bella," he said, giving me a tight grin as I passed the door, heading toward the other half of the living room, as we called it, that was separated by a wall. He put two fingers to his eyes and then pointed them at me. He did that a few times quickly, glaring.
"Uh...have a nice night?" I muttered hesitantly, face turning red, and scuttled out of the room quickly. I could hear his quiet chuckles and then the front door closing. I breathed a sigh of relief.
I walked in and saw Edward at his piano. He was sitting at the bench, fingers poised over the keys, but was staring off at the wall, unmoving.
Ah, Edward and his piano...and pianist fingers...
I sat down next to him and smiled. Gonna play something?
He looked at me, startled. Sure...I guess. What do you want me to play?
I shrugged. How about that new composition?
He nodded and began playing. His long fingers moved languidly over the keys, and I tried not to think about what else those fingers could do. The melody elicited by his minstrations was beautiful, and though I'd heard it a few times, I was still in awe of our own personal Beethoven...a hope that those who were deaf could still make beautiful music.
I remembered when he first began learning the piano...
Mom! the little boy of seven exploded when Esme walked through the door. Mom! I watched this video in music class today and I realized that I really want to learn piano! Can I, can I, can I, can I, please?
The little girl hopped off the couch where she'd been sitting next to him and sidled over to him, smiling up at her second mother. "I think he'd be good, Esme! He could do it, I know he can."
Esme stared down at us, her expression torn. I...don't know...she signed slowly. Edward that's...going to be really hard. I'm not sure...if you could do it.
He looked at her, his face completely broken. He nodded, and let his chin drop to his chest. The little girl put her arm around his shoulders, rubbing his arm.
Esme sighed, and lifted up Edward's head with her finger. Fine, we'll give it a try, okay?
His cute little face lit up and he smiled and shook his emphatically. He turned and picked up the girl's hands, and together they jumped up and down in excitement, pleased with their victory.
Esme made the appointment that day, and ordered a private tutor to come and teach her son at their house. The baby grand piano had always been there, since it'd been an inheritance from Carlisle's parents when they'd passed away, and Carlisle had inherited their loads of cash, among other thing; like the piano.
The tutor came the next day, and the little girl sat on a chair near the piano bench, where the boy sat, wriggling impatiently; eager to learn, as always.
The tutor was a lady in her 40s, and had a strict but kind aura about her. Esme led her inside the house and over to the piano. The lady sat down on the bench next to Edward and smiled. "Hello," she said pleasantly. "And what's your name?"
Edward looked over at his mother, who'd sat down in a seat nearby. She quickly signed what the tutor had asked.
"Huh?" the lady asked, taken aback. "What...is... he deaf, m'am?"
Esme nodded, an instinctive defensiveness tightening her eyes. "He is. I'm here to translate."
"But..." said the lady, flabbergasted, "But this quite impossible! If he can not hear the music, he will never be able to play right. M'am, I'm sorry, but I think you're wasting your money. I don't think he'll be able to do it."
And even though she'd said almost the exact same thing before, Esme was abruptly furious. The boy looked from his tutor, to his mother, to Bella in confusion, but not even she was paying attention to him, her mouth gaping open in fury at the woman's bold accusations.
"Really?" Esme snapped, getting to her feet while her eyes glinted dangerously. "Then you don't know my son, and please don't even act like it's impossible for him to learn because he's deaf, or do you need to catch up on your history? I'm sorry, but have you never heard of Beethoven? I'm a little concerned with your competency as a piano teacher in that case - " And she continued ranting and storming in that manner for a good long while.
The boy was completely frustrated. His friend wasn't signing things for him like she usually did. She wasn't even looking at him! He was angry, and aggravated, at not knowing what was going on. Impatient, he punched her in the arm to get her attention.
She gasped, and looked at him, hurt and shocked. Her arm didn't hurt really; but even though he was a little boy, and they were always rambunctious, he'd never been violent or rough toward her before.
His narrowed eyes widened then, and he stared in horror at her arm. I'm sorry! he signed frantically. Bella, I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking, I didn't mean to hurt you...
It's okay, it doesn't hurt, she reassured him, rubbing her arm slightly. His expression was still guilt-ridden though, and she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Really, I'm fine.
His cheek burned where she had kissed him, and he looked down, embarrassed, as little boys often are at displays of affection from the opposite gender. But Esme was done shouting at that point.
Edward, she signed to him, her expression menacing as the tutor left the house, completely indignant and furious, That's it! You're going to learn piano if it's the last thing I ever do!
Thankfully, it wasn't.
I slept in Alice's room whenever I spent the night. But I didn't often stay there.
It was a new moon outside the windows, and completely dark in her room. I sank into the sheets, her sleeping form peaceful in contrast to my restless one.
From the room next to hers, I could hear Emmett's loud snoring. I smiled slightly. Edward was lucky in one aspect; at least he didn't have to listen to that.
I sighed and tossed again. I felt Alice kick me. "Stop moving Bella," she mumbled sleepily, and then began snoring lightly again. I sighed again. Great. I couldn't get comfortable here - I never could, not knowing that Edward was close, but not close enough.
I kicked the covers off me, and slipped out the door and into the hallway. Though I was practically blind in the complete darkness, I found my way to Edward's room easily. I could find it no matter what, I was so used to the route.
Silently, I cracked open his closed door, and slipped inside.
He was still awake, shockingly, though it was one in the morning. But it was a Friday night...well, Saturday morning, so there was no school to get up early for. He was sitting up in bed, with a lamp on, reading. He glanced up from his book, and gave a small jump, surprised. But it quickly relaxed in a grin. Knew you'd be coming soon. You can never just fall asleep in Alice's room, can you?
Do you want me to?
Nah. He opened his arms, and I gratefully crawled onto his bed and into them. He placed his book on his bedside table and turned the lamp off. I turned on my side, and he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me against his chest. I sighed, and relaxed.
His body was warm next to mine, and comfortingly so. I wrapped the sheet closer to me, and closed my eyes, feeling myself slipping closer to dreamland, faster than I ever could when I was alone. I felt him drop a soft kiss on top of my head.
Keeping my eyes closed, I whispered, "I love you, Edward..." into the darkness.
But he couldn't hear me.
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- The Romanticidal Edwardian