A/N: I just wanted to throw in a fluffy chapter before making progress with the plot, because this was the vision I had when I started writing the story, so you can imagine the fun I had writing it. Enjoy and review!

If anyone asked me about me and Edward, I wouldn't know how to explain it. Our relationship was definitely on a whole new level, one very much to my liking, but it was as if we didn't need words to clarify it. Alice, on the other hand, was overly ready to tell anyone that we were Colburn's newest hot item. Had Edward and I been pieces of furniture, it was Alice's mission to make us look appealing enough to people to buy. But I had to let her have her fun; I was in way too blissful of a state to care anymore. It was quite subtle between us, of course. But even in the slightest motions, like quick kisses on the cheek goodbye, and genuine smiles from across the room (sickening, isn't it?).

It was an overcast autumn Saturday, but all events were a bit off-beat. Edward had left me pouting when he said he had an extra lesson today with one of his professors, so I wouldn't see him until afterwards. Alice had Coppélia rehearsals today and invited me to come watch her after she saw me cooped up in our room. I opposed at first, saying I had homework to busy myself with but she tugged my hand, so I brought my work along with me.

The theatre was quite big, bigger than I'd anticipated. I hadn't played in any hall like this, back in high school we were forced into the little theatre that only sat about 70 or so people. This hall had rows upon rows of seats, and noting that one of my own recitals would be in this hall made me queasy. I took a seat in the second row, just far back enough to watch Alice. I buried my head in my work, occasionally glancing up to see Alice twirl and move beautifully on the tips of her toes. My own feet felt her pain.

I was disturbed from my concentration when someone big and bulky came and plopped themselves next to me. When I looked up, it was Emmett. He was smiling down at me. I hadn't really had a conversation with Emmett without Rosalie there, and even then she did most of the talking. But somehow, I felt a safe presence with him. He was one of those teddy bear types- easy to get along with and not a care in the world. His smile was infectious and I returned it kindly.

"Hey Emmett, what're you doing here? Trying out for Coppélia?" I teased. He gave a hearty laugh.

"Nah, I'm the head stage craft manager. I help build all the sets, or well, boss everyone else around to build them."

"I thought you were in percussion?"

"I am, but they asked me to help out with stagehand stuff at the beginning of the semester, so I figured why not. Plus, it means watching Rose on stage more often," he said with a gleam in his eye. Him and Rosalie were the polar opposites of Alice and Jasper; they didn't mind being too affectionate in public while the latter were pretty private. Both were equally uncomfortable to be a third wheel with.

We talked for a little while longer, which was nice. Emmett made everyone around him smile. Not that I needed to widen the permanent grin on my face as it was. When we finally fell silent, Alice's scene came, and we both watched intently. It was the scene where Swanilda sneaks into Dr. Coppelius' house to talk to Coppélia.

I was instantly becoming aware of just how jealous I was of Alice. I've been kind of klutzy my entire life; was it so much to ask to be able to put on a pair of cute heels or ballet slippers without tripping over myself? Life was cruel, and Alice was proving it to me. But inside I knew that I couldn't ever be mad at Alice for that, she was meant to dance.

I was pulled away from my gaze at Alice by a small, mousy girl at the end of the row we were sitting at. She was taking in a sharp breath of air, rubbing her feet with her pink ballet slippers in the free hand. She wasn't far from me, only about two or three seats away. She noticed my staring, at which she blushed deeply and smiled apologetically before mouthing a "sorry" to me. She was the only person I've ever met to have blushed harder than me. I smiled back at her reassuringly. She seemed grateful for that.

Alice's scene finished, at which she clamored down to us. She acknowledged the shy girl with a smile, at which she gave a small "Hey, Alice," and I noticed her voice was a little high-pitched.

"So what did you think?" she asked Emmett and me. I gave her the biggest smile I could muster.

"You were great, the story's actually kind of cute when you see it instead of having it explained to you," I said. Emmett nodded his head.

"Of course, it'll look better when you have a proper balcony instead of a ladder there," he chimed in. Alice rolled her eyes playfully. Then she turned to the girl behind her.

"What about you, Angela? What do you think?"

The girl looked up, surprised at having been acknowledged.

"I've already told you how great you are, Alice, or do you just like it when I inflate your ego?" she said, smiling as Emmett and I laughed and Alice just stuck her tongue out to the side at her.

"Oh, by the way guys, this is Angela. She's the premiere ballerina this school has ever seen. Angela, this is Bella," she said as she pointed at me, "and Emmett," then pointed at Emmett.

She gave a small wave. "Hi." She was incredibly shy, I wondered if she and I could have a blush-off contest in the near future.

"Whoa, ballerina? Usually we just get dancers here, not actual ballerinas. I bet it's tough on your toes," Emmett commented.

"Sometimes, I mean, ever since I was eleven my toes have been permanently blistered," she said as the three of us scrunched our noses in pain, "but I absolutely love it."

"Wow, so are you in Coppélia, too?" I asked. She nodded.

"Yeah, I'm playing Coppélia, which is funny because she hardly does anything except sit in the window and read and stare off, but I absolutely love her," she started to look a little nervous. Alice looked at her sadly, suddenly, but then turned back to me.

"I'm done for the day, are you ready to head out?" she asked. I nodded my head and started to pick up my books to shove them back in my bag.

"I've still got some props to set up, so I'll see you guys around," Emmett said as he pushed himself off the chair. We waved goodbye to Angela and headed back to our room.

"How come she looked so nervous all of a sudden? She seems sweet," I said to Alice as soon we got out of the theatre. Alice grimaced a little.

"She's awfully shy; it's so weird considering she's so close to being a real ballerina. She's way better than anyone else at this school. She auditioned before I did, and the director told her she basically had the part down for Swanilda. But then she started having a panic attack, saying she couldn't be on stage in front of so many people with all the pressure on her having the lead. She practically begged her to be Coppélia. She said she just wasn't ready to perform in front of so many people, which is why she's here. She has to practice getting rid of her nerves," Alice sighed at the end.

"So she gave you the part instead?" Alice nodded. "That's too bad, but in a way it's good for you. Now you get to spread your wings. Give her time, she'll break out of her shell." I could've smiled at the phrase I used, having incorporated it from Edward who constantly said it to me.

"I guess, I don't know. You know me, I like seeing people do their best."

"Sometimes, I think you're the next Mother Teresa, minus the white outfit. I know you'd have to go with pink or red," I said jokingly, shaking my head slightly. Alice laughed, but didn't object.

The rain finally fell in October, and I wished it wouldn't. It was still a little humid, and now with the onslaught of a bit of water, it was warm and wet. I was stuck inside the air conditioned buildings as much as I could, the feeling definitely wasn't pleasant and for once, I wished the Washington weather was travel-sized so I could've brought it here with me.

I was lounging on Edward's bed while he was practicing the next night. I still hadn't finished the book about Debussy, so my nose was pressed into the book. I never realized that Debussy was also a critique, and I usually found myself nodded in agreement with the things he said. Edward of course, was completely smug and insisted the next book I start be about Mozart.

"Thoroughly enjoying it, I see," he commented over the music. I didn't bother looking up; I just stuck my tongue out at him childishly over my book.

"You're too far away, you know," he said gently. At first I pretended to not hear him, not wanting to appease him so quickly.

He noticed I wasn't stirring at his words, and his tone took on one of warning. "Isabella…"

I smiled into my book. "Hmm?"

"I need inspiration to keep practicing, otherwise I'm going to tear this music to shreds."

"Want me to read some of the book out loud for you? It's quite ingenious. Did you know Debussy won the Prix de Rome?" I sneaked a peak at Edward over my book, only to smile smugly at his exasperated expression.

"Come here," he said sternly. I finally caved in, rolling my eyes as I set the book down on the bed and went to join him on the piano bench. His face lightened up into a brilliant, triumphant smile.

"Okay, I'm here, now what?"

He continued to smile at me.

"I seem to have hit a roadblock and I can't think to write any new stuff anymore. Inspire me."

I scoffed at him; how on earth was I supposed to do that?

"You have perfectly good repertoire right here in front of you," I said matter-of-factly.

"It's boring, how can you not be tired of it?"

This time I smiled at him.

"I'm never bored of anything you play," I laid it on him thickly, batting my eyelashes insanely. Instead of the annoyed look I was hoping to get out of him, he just smiled back.

"Alright then, annoying, boring, repetitive music it is," he said as he turned back to the keys and started playing. Truth be told, I probably knew all his music for the semester inside and out by now. It was getting quite dull. I scowled at him for a second before a devilish idea hit me. I decided to try a different tactic this time, so I slid my arms around him, holding onto his side. I felt him perk up at my touch. One more point for me.

My lips found their way to his jaw line and started planting soft, subtle kisses along it. My ears attuned to the change of tempo Edward was playing at, but still focused on playing. A smile played on my lips; he obviously wasn't going to budge.

Carefully I ducked to move underneath his arm to shift into his lap, my arms coming up to wrap around his neck this time. My plan was kind of working, every move I made, the music changed. That was the only thing that was responding to me. He continued his act of not acknowledging my close proximity, his eyes closing lazily with a pleasant expression on his face. My lips came in contact with every inch of skin- his cheeks, chin, and forehead. Each time, he played something a little different. I was getting tired of the repeated melody. I pressed my lips fully on his, my hands grazing through his hair.

The music changed completely now, something sweet and playful. I felt Edward smiling against my lips, then he finally stopped playing altogether, his hands coming down gently on my waist. All chasteness was gone now, and if my skin could glow, everyone within a ten mile radius would be blind now.

But as soon as it had happened it ended.

"Whoa!" came a voice from the doorway. It scared me so badly I jumped in Edward's lap, which set off a chain reaction and as soon as I blinked, Edward and I slipped off the bench and hit the floor with me still wrapped around him. Instantly, I flushed.

"Oh my, are you okay, Edward?" I asked him as he let out a hiss of pain, rubbing his head. The same voice started howling with laughter, and I recognized it as Jasper. I shot him a mean glance, but then Edward started laughing too. I was the last time chime in.

"You two need to come with a warning label," Jasper said as I blushed again. Well, that crossed off another thing I had to do before I died- get caught making out with your boyfriend by his roommate.

"I didn't even hear you walking in," Edward said, untangling himself from me and standing up. He held out a hand to me, which I took and straightened myself out.

"I just came to get my books really quick, and then you guys can have the room all to yourselves again. Try locking the door with a deadbolt next time, though," Jasper laughed as he dove for his backpack and grabbed a couple of thick books.

"Ha, ha," I said as he walked back out the door. I reminded myself to get back at him next time he and Alice were locked away in our dorm.

Edward notices my cheeks were still pretty red even after Jasper left. He let out a small chuckle and pulled me to him. I scooted myself closer to him but made no move to wrap around him again, still too embarrassed.

"It could've been worse," he said reassuringly. I looked up at him in mortification.

"Don't remind me."