Hello, and welcome to the 20th Instalment of TSL! You know I'm really glad to have all you loyal readers with both positive and negative reviews, but if you are going to leave a negative review then please make it constructive criticism, I really don't need flames coming at me for my hard work.

Anyway, without sounding too bitter, please enjoy this chapter…

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Chapter 21

A week had passed since I'd last seen Leah, and I hadn't once spoken to Alice. My insane sister was constantly preoccupied and she refused to speak to anyone about what was running through her insane mind. It was worrying to see her so confident, as it usually meant she had a plan; a plan that I would not approve of. I sighed, giving up on trying to read her mind from upstairs, when I realised that she was purposely listing the significant dates in British history.

I returned my focus back to the gorgeous black grand piano before me which had held all of my attention for the duration of six days. I began to play once more, letting my fingers grace the keys and trying with all my might not to think about what I was playing.

I failed.

I could never stop thinking, especially considering the fact that my mind held everyone else's thoughts as well as my own. I tried to empty my mind of all preoccupations, and simply give in to my creative side; however it was almost impossible when all that filled my mind was worry.

I reached out for yet another sheet printed with notes, and ripped it into quarters. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

"You poor thing; what's got you so stressed out?"

I looked up and my gaze met Tanya's, whose eyes seem to gleam with mischief.

I returned my gaze to the ivory keys of my piano.

"Nothing, I'm just working on something."I muttered.

I had intended it to sound like a polite invite for her to leave me alone, but she didn't seem to attain this message from my response. Instead, Tanya took a seat atop of my piano and crossed her legs, allowing her skirt to ride upwards, revealing more of her alabaster skin.

I swallowed, and groaned inwardly. She was doing it again…

"You know, everyone will be leaving soon. Alice and Rose are going shopping of course, and Carlisle is still at the hospital. Esme decided to join him and do some charity work in town. The boys are going hunting in the north. Are you going to join them?"

Reluctantly, I looked up from the keys and met Tanya's gaze.

"I'm staying here for a while." I murmured, desperately trying to find the right words in order to get her to leave.

"Oh, then I guess I will too."

And with that said, Tanya stepped off of my piano and walked towards the door. Her strides were deliberately slow, with her skirt still hitched and the pale skin of her long legs in perfect view. Once she'd reached the door, she slothfully opened it and looked back, giving me a half grin before closing it behind her.

I sighed, but wasted no time in returning my attention on the disaster at hand. I had laboured for days at the piano, trying to find the perfect melody that would fit Leah's personality. I wanted to write her a song that reflected the way I felt about her and what she meant to me. I wanted it to speak without words and explain, somehow, what kind of person Leah was.

I was probably seeking an impossible result, but it didn't discourage me from sitting, day and night at my favourite instrument, slaving over notes, tunes and pitches and trying to find the right one for the song. It wasn't long before everyone made their way to their separate destinations. They gave me brief farewells before they left and went on their way.

Soon after they left, I was quickly reminded that I was not in fact alone in the house, as Tanya's footsteps could be heard from upstairs. She was in the guest bedroom, coincidentally right above the very room I was in. Merely an hour passed, and once again, the door opened.

Only this time, the sight I saw was completely unexpected.

Tanya stood at the doorway, leaning against the doorframe with one hand on her hips and a smirk on her red lips. Her hair was newly curled and her eyes a vivid gold that seemed to pierce straight through me. I swallowed the venom that rose in my throat as I took in the flimsy silken dressing gown that barely reached her naked thigh. The dressing gown was fastened by a silk belt, but it was so loose on her torso, it did nothing to conceal the bright red lace of her bra. I swiftly averted my gaze towards the ground, only to see the bright cherry heels she wore on her feet.

I gulped

They were so high…

"Finally, I have you all to myself."

So very high…

And red…

I murmured incoherently in response, momentarily losing all track of thought.

Tanya's shoes began to slowly approach me, one step at a time before she finally reached my stool. She bent downwards, causing her miniscule dressing down to rise and reveal a flash of rounded flesh…

"Tanya, don't…"

"Shh, it's Ok," she paused and placed her arm around my shoulder, I shivered as a single bright red nail began to stroke the skin of my neck.

"I know you've been under a lot of stress lately. You're still coping, I understand that."

She placed her other hand on my thigh, and slowly began to stroke it.

I tensed.

"Tanya, I thought I made it clear…"

"You were a different person back then Edward, merely a boy. Now you've grown and surely you realise that there is a lesson to be learned here?"

I remained silent, staring at her lingering hand which travelled higher up my thigh.

"You said we weren't meant to be, and yet here we are. After all of that drama with Bella, surely you realise that we were destined to be together from the beginning."

The hand that had been placed over my shoulder suddenly became lost in my hair. I flinched as her nails began to gently caress my scalp.

"Tanya, I am truly sorry, but I do not have feelings for you. I only see you as a friend…"

"I hear these days friends can have many other benefits." Her hand moved towards the collar of my shirt.

"There is nothing more to our friendship than what already is."

I took hold of her wrist, and gently extracted her hand from the button of my shirt. Simultaneously, I removed her other hand from my thigh and immediately stood up. I quickly headed towards the door, but as I'd predicted, Tanya was suddenly blocking my way.

She stood before me with a smirk on her lips but soon I found myself shoved against the wall on the other side of the room, and trapped by her firm grip. Without a moments notice, I was met with Tanya's fierce gaze and her lips connected to mine. The kiss was rough and purely sexual, it held no deeper emotions or feelings, and I didn't expect it to. However, her cherry red lips seemed to latch onto mine relentlessly and she made it almost impossible to move my arms and push her away.

I finally managed to release my hands from her firm, vice like grip and I took hold of her forearms. Within less than a minute we had switched sides and she was now trapped within my hold.

"Ooh, possessive much."

"Tanya I don't now how else to explain this to you. I don't feel for you in that way. Bella's death hasn't changed anything where you're concerned, I don't have feelings for you and I never will."

After a moment, she stopped struggling and looked at me. Her smug grin turned into a frown and the glint in her eyes that once held mischief now showed unshed tears. I winced as a sudden wave of pity flooded through me. It had never been my intention to hurt her; I just wanted to clarify any confusion that she may have had over the years. Perhaps she had not understood the first time I'd told her.

Perhaps she hadn't wanted to understand.

"Tanya, I'm sorry…"

"Sorry? No Edward, I'm sorry! Sorry I've wasted my time trying to make you see something that's right in front of you. We could have been perfect together, if only you could see that."

With that Tanya pushed past me and left the room. I heard her quick footsteps climb up the stairs and then shortly afterwards, they descended the stairs once more.

My mind was swiftly invaded by a rush of her upset and angered thoughts, and as each one entered my mind I was left feeling increasingly guilty.

I sighed once I heard the front door finally slam shut behind her, the instant she entered the outdoors, she sprinted into the forest and soon all sight of her was concealed by the green scenery. She was gone.

I ran a hand through my hair; how was I going to explain her sudden departure to the others?

'Hey guys, Tanya decided to leave after her attempts of pursuing me using direct seduction in red lacy lingerie and a very short, flimsy dressing gown, failed. Something tells me she won't be coming back for Thanksgiving.'

I shivered at the mere thought of Esme's response.

And then I cringed at the mere thought of Emmett's response.

He would never let me live it down.

I sat walked over to my piano once more and sat onto the stool, slowly letting all of the stress and worries descend along with me. Subconsciously, my fingers began to grace the ivory keys of the piano once more and I slowly began to indulge into a flowing rhythm that flowed from the notes. I closed my eyes, picturing the one girl that would always posses my heart.

The more vivid the image became, the better the melody developed, until after a few minutes, the song quietened down as it ended. I let the last note drift away into the air and remain humming for a few moments before releasing the key.

I sighed

Finally it was perfect.

Woah, told you guys to keep Tanya in the back of your minds, did I not? Well hope you enjoyed this admittedly short chapter. There was just so much jammed in that I resisted making it any longer. Please review to cheer me up…

BTW; it's 2.35am here in London whilst I'm posting this… I really need a bedtime…