Chapter 24 – Instincts

Bree

Was it really happening? Was he really there, or had I wished for it so much that I was actually daydreaming? I suppose it didn't matter either way; sometimes reality could never measure up to a dream, so if that was the case then I hoped I never woke up.

"Uh… are you lost or something? Where are your parents?" he asked me.

And like a light switch, the moment he mentioned my so-called parents, I snapped into action.

"My dad works here at one of the snack booths," I lied confidently. "He told me I could go exploring after the show, but I guess he didn't mean in here," I said, pretending to be regretful. "I'm sorry, I guess I got lost and didn't realize where I was."

He stared at me strangely for a long minute, and then he shook his head. "It's fine, no harm done," he finally said.

"Do you want me to leave now?" I asked hesitantly.

"Are you sure your dad isn't looking for you?" he asked skeptically.

"I'm sure," I said with a smile.

He stared at me again, and like before, it took him a minute to look away. "Uh, so do you play?" he asked while pointing to the piano.

I smiled at him and curiously felt myself nod.

Did I just nod?

Before I could correct myself by saying that I actually couldn't play, he surprised me by coming over and sitting next to me on the bench. "What songs do you know?" he asked.

And then I was back to being petrified. Edward Masen was sitting next to me on a piano bench, and he was asking what songs I play. It was crazy.

"Uh… how about something simple?" Edward said while placing his hands on the piano. He pressed down on the buttons, making the most amazing sound come out, and after a few seconds, I realized what song he was playing.

"That's Ode to Joy!" I said excitedly.

"Yeah. Want to play it with me?"

I shrugged sheepishly.

"Or we could do Mary had a Little Lamb?" he suggested.

"Can I try something?" I asked shyly.

"Sure," he said while placing his hands on his lap so I could have access to the entire piano.

I carefully reached across him and pressed down on the farthest button from me, and then I pressed the one next to it, and the one next to it, until I pressed every single button on the piano. I was surprised by how easily I was able to recognize each one from the songs I loved, and remembering them by heart was almost as simple.

So, I closed my eyes and listened to my favorite classic song in my head for a moment, before finding the right buttons to slowly start to play it. At first it sounded a little off, so I made a minor adjustment and was able to make it sound as close as I could get it. But even though I was pretty sure it was right, something was missing. Then Edward placed his left hand on the buttons in front of him and started playing along with me, and suddenly there it was. Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

We played together through the entire song, and the deeper we got into it, the more perfectly it flowed. We were totally in sync, and it had to be the single most magical experience of my life, but it ended far too soon.

When the song was complete, he turned to look at me, and smiled. "That was great. How long have you been playing for?"

I bit my lower lip. "That was my first time," I admitted, not wanting to lie any more than necessary.

"That was your first time playing…. ever?" he asked surprised.

"Yes, Sir," I said bashfully.

He stared at me again, but this time he looked almost confused and he even scratched his head. "Are you sure you've never played before?" he asked skeptically.

"I've never even been this close to a piano… but I really like it. I didn't know there was so many buttons."

"Buttons? Oh, you mean the keys?"

It was my turn to look confused. "They look more like teeth than keys."

He laughed once. "That's just what they're called."

"Oh, keys. Well, I don't get it, but I still like them," I said with a smile.

And once again, he stared at me for a few more long moments, before finally sighing and shaking his head. "What did you say your name was?" he asked.

"I didn't say my name, but it's Bree," I told him while cringing just a little as my name came out of my mouth. I always hated my name, and I really wished I had thought sooner to make up a new one to tell him.

"Well Bree, it's really nice to meet you. I'm Edward."

"It's nice to meet you too. I just love all your music and maybe one day I can learn to play some of your songs on the piano."

He grinned. "Somehow I don't think that'll be a problem for you. If you can bust out Beethoven without any instructions, I bet you'll eventually be able to play anything."

"Do you really think so?" I asked excitedly.

"I'm fairly sure of it," he said with a chuckle.

"Oh, I hope so. Maybe you can teach me."

"Uh… I'd love to, really I would, but unfortunately I don't think we're staying in New York very long," he said regretfully.

"Oh, I know. Where are you going next?" I asked somberly.

"Um, I'm not sure actually. I just kind of get into whatever car or plane they tell me to," he said sounding slightly upset. "I'm sure you can find a good teacher in your area. But hey, how about you give me your home number so I can call you next time we're in town, and I'll personally give you a lesson then."

"Really? You'd really do that for me?" I asked enthusiastically, but then I realized that would never work. "I don't think my parents would let me though."

"Why not?"

"They don't really like me to do… things," I told him.

He scrunched his brows like he was thinking about something really hard, but before he could say anything else to me, the front door cracked open.

"Hey, sorry to bother you, Mr. Masen, but by any chance is there a kid in there with you? A guy out here lost his daughter and someone said they saw a little girl heading this way."

I gasped, and then instinctually I jumped off the bench and hid behind the piano.

"Uh…" Edward glanced down at me baffled, and then he looked back at the man at the door. "Yeah, why don't you show him in here."

The man opened the door wider, and then Riley walked in with a friendly smile, but I could tell from his eyes just how angry he was at me. Victoria was surely going to whip me for this one.

"Hello –Holy shit you're Edward Masen!" Riley said while reaching out to shake Edward's hand. "Man it's great to meet you, and I'm really sorry my crazy kid got in here to bother you."

"Bree hasn't bothered me at all," Edward told him. "In fact, she's extremely gifted and I'd really like to help you out with some music lessons for her."

"Oh, that's generous of you, but it won't be necessary. She's really busy with school and things, I'm not sure she'd have the time. In fact, we have a hectic day tomorrow so we should be going. It is pretty late for a ten-year-old to be out of bed."

Edward looked at me again, and because I was still huddled on the ground, he reached his hand out to help me up. "Are you okay?" he asked with an unexpected intensity.

"Of course, she's fine," Riley cut in. "Did you fall down, sweetheart? She's always been a little clumsy."

"Bree, are you okay?" Edward asked me again, ignoring Riley.

I nodded, but I may have shaken my head no slightly at the same time.

Edward looked at me like he was trying to read my mind, and then he took a deep breath and turned back to Riley. "I'm sorry to pry, but are you really her dad?"

"Are you kidding me?" Riley asked, suddenly becoming a little less friendly.

"Well, it's just… she doesn't seem too comfortable with you."

"That's just because she knows she's in trouble for running off when I told her to stay with me. Really man, what kind of person doesn't return a lost kid the moment he finds one? Just because you're a rock star, doesn't give you the right to do whatever the hell you want."

Edward kept looking back and forth between Riley and me, and somehow, he actually seemed to see through his lies. "Bree, are you really okay with him?" he asked me again.

"This is ridiculous, I don't have time to listen to any more of this shit," Riley said while shoving past Edward and grabbing my arm. I didn't mean to do it, but he jerked me towards him so hard that I accidentally yelped.

I didn't see it happen, but suddenly there was a loud punch sound, and Riley went crashing to the ground while Edward stood in front of me protectively. Riley grabbed a hold of his nose, and then he started screaming as blood came pouring out between his fingers….