A/N: Some of you voted some reviewed, but the conclusion was that you wanted an EPOV! So, here it is! So…Ready? Set? Read (and review)!
EPOVIt had been just yesterday when this angel literally ran into my arms. I was delighted to see her and within those few moments, she stirred emotions within me I had never felt before.
No other girl ever made me want to smile back and wave. No other girl made me feel so vulnerable, though I knew I wasn't easily shaken. I knew that no other was quite like her. Like Bella. Her name sounded lovely and beautiful. Mostly when she said it.
And when I waited with Rosalie-my sister-after her own audition-which she was radiating nerves from-, I once again caught sight of her. She was looking at me with admiration in her eyes and I couldn't help but smile when we caught each other's gaze. I felt confident and waved over to her. I was awaiting hopefully for her to return my gesture, but what she did was unexpected; she ignored me and turned back to another girl, who had seen the whole exchange.
I felt deflated. Not that I am arrogant, but I knew of many girls who were interested in me and normally would jump at an invitation from me. And Bella's rejection made me feel lost and unwanted.
I tried not to show my feelings any further. Besides, why would I want my feelings or ego further bruised when I knew that this amazing creature had to have a boyfriend or such back in her hometown?
So that's what I did. I tried my hardest to place her in my mind as an unwanted thought, but my subconscious knew better.
I concentrated on controlling my emotions were I ever to meet with her again. But my tactics were once again defeated when she walked into the music room where I had been previously practicing.
When I first met her, she came off as she un-confrontational type, so I was surprised when she stood her ground against Miss Graves.
I pleaded internally that Miss Graves would give her a chance so I would get to hear her voice as it rang, but I quickly hid my feelings and tried to remain indifferent.
But when she began, I couldn't contain it. Her voice began mildly, almost shy, and her eyes were closed.
Miss Graves and the rest of the room, myself included, were awestruck. I knew that such beauty on the outside had to run from the inside with Bella.
Something in her voice made a new energy within me and I found my fingers dancing across my keyboard and following along with her natural rhythm.
Only once during the song did she open her eyes. It was within that moment that I felt new. Alive.
Miss Graves seemed even more surprised when I began to play, and lifted a curious brow. I did nothing but nod once and continued. Though I did notice a change in Miss Grave's expression; where it was harsh and demanding, it now looked calculative and intrigued.
Too soon, Bella stopped. Her mouth formed a perfect "o" and then rested. I stopped my own playing.
Soon, I had composed myself to hide my emotions again and sat nonchalantly at my piano. I hope she doesn't know it was me playing.
For a long moment, everything in the room was still and silent.
Then, Miss Graves spoke, "Edward?"
I snapped my head in her direction, not knowing that I would be involved in anything. "Yes, Miss Graves?"
The news she gave was shocking, and made me happy to the core. But I had to mask that…for now at least. After all, Bella and I would be partners.
After Miss Graves' announcement, Bella searched my face for approval. What she found made her irritated and all she replied was, "Fine," before she had a moments word with Miss Graves and stormed out.
It would have been the perfect scene had she not stumbled on her way out. I tried to stifle a laugh, but it leaked out.
As the day came to a close, and the few students who would be here for the few remaining weeks of summer- myself included-retreated back into their dorms.
It was on days like these when I felt alone. I knew that Rosalie was here, but she had Emmett.
It wasn't always like this, however. But when your parents are killed when you're only fifteen, plans tend to change. My throat tightened at the thought of my parents.
It was only a few years ago that they had been alive and in good health. After all, you don't have to be in keen physical form to be shot. But being wealthy and unguarded helps.
Both Rosalie and I were away when it happened, at this school actually. She was only thirteen, so I had to take care of her. It was a relief when Emmett came along and restored her happiness. I knew that I was no help to that.
My despair I keep hidden, and I seem to be doing a good job at it; no one comes along and asks, "how're holding up?" or "are you fine?" anymore.
Then again, that could be result of my isolation. Not the world to me, but me to the world. Rosalie and Emmett are my very small world, and even then, I feel like the odd man out.
Inside my room, I revel in the silence, though it offers no comfort. I knew I had never wanted a partner, but they insisted in signing me up for the Partner Program. I also knew that having a partner would only mean arguments and having to forge a new style. Yet, that seemed like and oddly displaced thought when I knew that Bella would be my partner now .It is only then that a thought occurs to me: My partner, my new roommate.
I began pacing around my room. Bella would be my new roommate. She would sleep next to me, though I would be kidding myself if I denied that she wouldn't be sleeping close enough…
But that room hadn't been visited in ages…then an idea occurred to me. I snuck out of my room and into her new room.
It might have taken me hours, but when I was finished cleaning it, I felt proud at myself; Bella wouldn't have to spend hours cleaning that room. Besides, if my mother had taught me anything, it was to do your hardest to make her smile. Surely Bella would smile at this. I would do anything to get her to smile.
The next morning, I woke up in anticipation. Anticipation to see her again.
But I started to feel worried. My off behavior yesterday, the way I seemed to be so…cocky towards her. I thumped my palm against my forehead. Why did I have to be so proud?
I guess that in the next few hours or so, I would find out what she thought of me.
She arrived sooner than I had anticipated. But I tried to remain oblivious.
I stretched out and chose a book from my bookshelf. As I sprawled out on my bed, I realized that this morning was steaming. Unconsciously, I removed my shirt.
I heard a key being turned, but thought nothing of it until my door opened.
Standing embarrassed in my doorway was none other than Bella.
For a second, we remained frozen, before I sat up and reached for a shirt and she spun around and started babbling apologies.
I reached the doorway and gave the okay to turn around. I smirked; she had a dazed look in her eyes. It was good to know I had some affect on her.
The silence hung uncomfortably in the air.
Bella began first, "Um…I really am sorry. But, I thought that…well, my key-" There was something different to her…
"Oh, I suppose they didn't tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"The keys work for both dorms."
"Both dorms? As in…you could- and I-" She looked as if she might start
hyperventilating.
"Yes. And, this room, is actually my room." I tried to hide the smile in my tone.
"I think I got that." She stated, defensive.
I finally figure it out. "By the way-what's wrong with your voice?" Not that her voice wasn't beautiful, it just wasn't as pure as it had been last night.
"What?" She seemed genuinely confused," I guess I'm a little hoarse."
"Hmm." Was my only reply; I didn't want to further offend her.
And that is when I walked back into my room. I felt awful. She had done in a matter of minutes what no else had ever done before: Flustered me, irritated me, intrigued me, and overall made me want more.
And I had just done everything possible to prevent that.
Ten minutes passed before I finally calmed again. I swiftly walked up and out my door.
Though her door was only a few feet away, the miniscule space felt like an eternity before I made it.
But just before I knocked, I heard her speak.
"Of course I want to talk to him." At first I was confused, but then I realized she was on the phone.
She continued. "Hey, Jasper." Jasper? "How are you, are you hurt?" She seemed to care a lot for this person. A pause, then, "I miss you, you know. It didn't feel right not having you here with me yesterday."
I hung my head, feeling more defeated than ever. Sighing, I slipped back into my room. Unnoticed and unwanted.
BPOV
I thought I heard someone outside, but I continued talking with Jasper; who knew when the next time I would talk to him-or anybody from my family-again? "I miss you, you know? It didn't feel right not having you here with me yesterday." Jasper laughs, though he knows I mean it.
I heard footsteps then a door slam.
"Sorry, Bell. Really, I know. But Alice was there with you, right?"
I laugh. "Of course. She missed you."
He sighs over the phone. "I missed her, too. And then with the accident and all."
I feel guilty once again. "I really hope you feel better. Is Alice there?"
"You think I could get her away?" he laughs, and within seconds, Alice is on the phone.
"Bella! How are things? How are you? Anything new with Edward? Tell me!" She seems in dire need of gossip. I give in.
"Alice, you just left this morning, slow down."
"That was at…six? It's now…one. A lot could have changed." She sounded hurt, but I knew she was playing.
"Let me see…I got my room-thank goodness it was clean-, classes start in a few days, I met some new people, I saw Edward, um, half-naked…?" I heard her breath go short and
I could feel the heat of an oncoming blush.
"Whoa! When? How? Tell me. " Her voice was shaking with curiosity.
I laughed, "Slow down, Alice."
I heard her take a breath, then, "Alright, I'm calm. Now, speak."
I missed not being able to see her facial reaction, but I told her the entire story. Soon though, my stomach started to rumble and I needed to rummage for food.
My legs felt numb, probably from sitting and talking for a while. I located a separate cafeteria a few floors below my room.
I rubbed my stomach as I guided myself to the food line. There was no one in front of or behind me. The food looked sloppy and greasy, even the salads. I bit my lip, my appetite slowly disintegrating.
But I still felt the gurgling inside.
I walked around the large room, then I saw the kitchen. Cautiously, I walked in.
I expected to see a room of bustling cooks, but all I found was a lowly woman, her silver hair pulled back by a hairnet. She didn't notice when I walked in.
"Excuse me?" I cleared my throat, though it pained me.
She turned slowly, "Can I help you?" she sneered.
"Um, yes. The food outside, is that all there is?" I tried to hide my disgust.
She laughed mockingly, "That's all I'm making."
"Oh. Then, can I cook?" I said this simply, and she looked at me, surprised.
"You can cook?" She asked me, almost harshly. I tried not to roll my eyes.
"Yeah, I can cook." Back at home, I was the main cook and whoever tasted my creations gave me admiration, and sometimes a few dollars.
"Hmm, well, than, come on over." She used her hands to spot me over.
"Thanks. Do I have to wear, a, uh, hairnet?" I hoped that I wouldn't.
She looked at me and then said, "Naw, just tie your hair back, at least," then she began to turn on the ovens.
I obeyed and constructed my hair into a messy bun. Alice would not have been proud.
As soon as I was settled into the kitchen, I went to work. Creating piles of food and filing the room with sweet scents and mouthwatering flavors. I had been focused on cooking so I was startled when I heard chuckling behind me.
It was the cook. I raised my eyebrow, "What?" I asked defensively.
"Nothin', I just haven't seen so much cooking talent in years. If this school doesn't work out, feel free to join me." She smiled and I laughed.
But suddenly, my thoughts were back on Edward. "Thanks, but I think I'm going to stick around here for a while," I said with abrupt determination.
"Good, that's good." The room was silent after that until we heard footsteps outside…
EPOVI sat on my bed, sulking. Of course she had to have some sort of relationship, wherever she came from. I let out a pitiful moan.
Flexing out onto my bed, I inhaled deeply. I needed some fresh air.
I sat upright and left my room, not bothering to lock the door.
I decided to take the stairs; I didn't know where I was going, but I knew that I was in no hurry to get there.
On the last floor, I started walking through the cafeteria to the back doors. That was when I heard the cluttering of pots and pans.
Slowing, I made my way to the kitchen. I peeked through the windows on the doors and my breath shortened. Inside was Bella, and she looked amazing.
She bit her lip in a way that was so innocent and sensual, but drove me crazy. Every so often she would lean over and her thin cotton shirt would reveal more than she knew. My mother had taught me to always be a gentleman, but everything about this girl made me wild. But no one else could know.
I smiled slightly. Then, I knocked softly and walked in.
They both looked up at me, but all of my attention was on Bella. Bits of her hair had fallen out and I had to restrain myself in order to not remove them away from her heavenly face.
She looked up at me with wide eyes and her mouth parted slightly. I had to tear my eyes away.
"What's going on in here?" I asked after I recovered from my momentary fault. I had to be more aware of the actions that resulted from my thoughts.
Bella spoke first. "Cooking. Why?" her tone was sharp and I felt all the more terrible for making her this edgy. Wait, Edward-who said you're responsible.
I took a step back.
"Have I no right to know?"
"Actually, no, you don't." She tried to make her voice strong, but she flushed.
"Really? I was under the impression that I could."
She turned away. Then the cook spoke, "So…what brings you down here, Edward?" she remembered all of the conversations we had during lonely summers. Her name was Melanie.
"Restless, I guess. Actually, I was on my way out for a walk." Bella slowly began to turn my way. "I was going to stop in here to supply myself with food for a picnic." I was improvising and I hoped Bella wouldn't see that.
I felt inspiration and continued, "Bella, would you like to join me?" I smiled as friendly as possible. The smile was real.
"Oh, um, actually…I have to help clean up in here-" she gestured around her.
"No, no dear. Go on; it's a lovely day." Melanie spoke up and Bella shot her a look.
"All the more reason to join me," I said, internally hoping she would accept.
Bella looked from me to Melanie and back again. "Fine."
I smiled inwardly. "Good. Are you ready now?"
She paused for a few seconds, and then, "Give me two minutes."
I smiled, "However much time you need," I said.
She smiled. I got her to smile. And it was beautiful. "Ok," and with that she left the room and me. I watched her as she went, leaning my back against a counter and grinning.
"Hmm."
I turned around and saw Melanie. "What?"
"Nothing." She shrugged, but I was still suspicious.
In an exact time of two minutes, Bella was back. She wore cotton shorts that revealed her legs. It took all of my control to keep my eyes away from her.
"Ready?" her voice sounded as if out of breath.
I moved closer to her, a few inches distanced us, "Yes," I whispered to her, our eyes smoldering into each other's. I closed my eyes, trying to regain control of my actions.
She smiled slightly, "Let's go."
I was about to reach out and grab her arm, but thought better of it and simply led her by upper back. My other hand I kept stuck in my pockets. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her clench her fists and held one of them behind her back and another in pocket.
I was so close that I could smell the sweet perfume of her. It was fresh and floral, and her hair smelled sweet. I noticed that she too also kept taking deep breaths as we continued to walk.
Today was going to be a long day.
A/N: Good? Bad? Absolutely ghastly? Tell me in a REVIEW! And once again, a HUGE thanks to my beta, Leafdrop and to all who reviewed last time! Oh! I almost forgot…READ MY NEWEST STORY PLEASE!!