36
We took a ten minute intermission. Edward and I grabbed a bottle of water from the dressing room before we headed backstage again. Liam was the first to go when the show started back up. He went out and sat down at the piano and closed his eyes before he set his fingers on the keys. I smiled when I heard one of my mother's songs. He played the last note and bowed to the audience before he walked off the stage. He hugged me but didn't say anything.
Felix went next. He also played the cello. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he began to play. His bow glided over his strings effortlessly. It was like his bow was moving his hand and not the other way around. He took a deep breath as he opened his eyes and played the last note. He stood up and bowed before he came off the stage.
Jane went next. She sat on the piano bench and placed her fingers on the keys. As she started playing, I closed my eyes and just listened. She was very good. Her music was sensual and slow. It was relaxing and comforting. She played her last note and stood up. She bowed to the audience and walked off the stage and joined the others behind me and Edward. He turned to me and pulled me into his arms.
"I love you, my Bella," he whispered.
"I love you, too, my Edward," I whispered. I leaned up and gently kissed his lips.
Edward took a deep breath and walked out onto the stage. He sat down on the bench and looked back at me. He smiled and turned back around. I saw him close his eyes and set his long fingers on the keys and begin playing. I closed my eyes and listened to his song wash over me. I could feel the intensity and longing in each note. I could feel his fingers graze my hips as his music filled me. He was playing his song like he was making love to me. He played the last note and I snapped my eyes opened. He stood up and bowed and walked over to me and pulled me into his arms and kissed me hard.
"That was so intense," I whispered.
"I was playing for you," he whispered as a tear slipped down his face. "I will always play just for you, Bella."
"I love you so much, Edward," I whispered softly.
"I love you, too," he whispered. "Now, go kick all our asses."
I chuckled softly as I pulled the brace off my hand before I turned and pulled my guitar out of it's case. I took a deep breath and walked out onto the stage and to the mic that had been placed in the middle of the stage for me. I looked around and smiled when I saw Siobhan sitting with Carlisle, Esme, Peter, and Charlotte. Emmett, Rose, Jasper, and Alice were sitting in the row in front of them. I looked around as I strapped on my guitar. I saw Elizabeth Mason sitting on the other side of the auditorium. I took a deep breath and began strumming my guitar as I closed my eyes.
"I woke up this morning and stumbled into the bathroom
I didn't recognize the girl standing in the mirror
Her pale, ivory skin was full of gloom and doom
Her brown eyes were dead and empty
Will they still think of me when I'm gone
Or will I be the girl who was forgotten
Will they miss me in the morning
Or will they even notice that I'm gone
I run my hands over the cold skin on my head
My hands feel like they are made of lead
My tears fall down my face as an act of disgrace
My fate is hinging on the verge on an act of grace
Will they still think of me when I'm gone
Or will I be the girl who was forgotten
Will they miss me in the morning
Or will they even notice that I'm gone
My fingers tremble as I fight the fear
My body shakes and shudders as I fall to the floor
I want to scream and shout but I can't get the words out
It's not right nor it is fair but here I am fighting the world
Will they still think of me when I'm gone
Or will I be the girl who was forgotten
Will they miss me in the morning
Or will they even notice that I'm gone
When I'm gone, will they be ok
When I'm gone, will they keep going
When I'm gone, will they live for me
When I'm gone, will they still love me
(Bella guitar solo)
Will they still think of me when I'm gone
Or will I be the girl who was forgotten
Will they miss me in the morning
Or will they even notice that I'm gone
When I'm gone, will they be ok
When I'm gone, will they keep going
When I'm gone, will they live for me
When I'm gone, will they still love me
Please, God, save me, before I'm gone."
As I played the last note, the entire auditorium was almost completely silent. I could hear the few sniffles that I knew was coming from my family. I opened my eyes and took a deep. shaky breath as I wiped the tears that had fallen freely down my face while I sang. Everyone started clapping for me as I bowed and walked off the stage. I could see the tears on everyone's faces but right now I couldn't deal with it. Tia grabbed my guitar as Edward pulled me into his arms and we cried together.
We had been avoiding the truth that I might die from the disease that was tearing my body apart slowly. We had never really talked about what was staring us right in the face every time I found myself clutching to the toilet after my treatments. We still wouldn't talk about it. For now, it was easier to just pretend.
"Well, weren't they all magnificent," said Aro softly. I could hear the emotion he struggled to keep from breaking through his tough and unbiased facade. "We have made our decision so if we can get our contestants back out on the stage."
Edward tighten his arm around me as we followed the others out. It didn't make a difference to either of us right now who won. Not to me and him, anyway. I don't think it really did to the others either as they surrounded me and Edward. In this moment, we were just a group of friends who had a love of music.
"We would first like to thank you all for your hard work this week. We know it's been a difficult week for everyone and we are very proud of you all," said Aro, as he looked over at us. His eyes lingered on me for a moment before he turned back to the audience. "This was the hardest decision we have ever had to make."
"Our third place trophy and $5000 per year scholarship goes to Demetri Romanoff," said Cauis. We all hugged him before he went over and accepted his trophy.
"Our second place trophy and $7000 per year scholarship goes to Edward Cullen," said Aro. I threw my arms around Edward and kissed him before he went over and accepted his trophy. Tia wrapped her arm around my shoulder.
"Our first place trophy and $10,000 per year scholarship goes to Isabella Cullen," said Marcus. I gasped softly and hugged everyone before I went over to him. I could feel my tears pouring down my face. He handed me the trophy and leaned down to me ear. "Charlie and Renee would be so proud of you, Isabella. Don't give up."
"Thank you, Marcus," I sobbed softly.
"No, Honey, thank you. You were spectacular tonight," he whispered.
I just smiled and went over and stood next to Edward while everyone clapped for us. He wrapped his free arm around my waist and held me while I cried. Aro thanked everyone for coming out and supporting us again. Edward, Demetri and I had our picture taken by several reporters. Once we were done, I went over to Aro.
"Aro, could I talk to you for a moment?" I asked.
"Of course," he said. We stepped away from everyone. "What's on your mind?"
"I want you to give the scholarship to someone else," I said.
"Why?" he asked. "You earned it."
"Maybe," I said softly. "But I don't need it. If I'm lucky enough to be able to come to school here in the fall, I can do it without the scholarship. I would rather know that it's going to someone who needs it and will use it. Please do this for me?"
"Ok, Isabella," he said softly. "If that is your wish, we will pass it along to one of the others."
"Thank you," I said as a tear fell from my eyes. I quickly wiped it away. "It's been an honor to know you, sir. Thank you for everything."
"Oh, my dear," he whispered through his own tears. "The honor has been mine. I see so much of Renee in you. She was fighter too, Isabella. I hope and pray that you beat this because the world needs to hear you sing."
"I hope I do too, sir," I sobbed softly. "I really do. I have to go."
I turned and ran off the stage. I could hear him and the others calling after me but I just couldn't deal it right now. I was overwhelmed with love and support. I didn't know how to handle the emotions that were bubbling up inside of me. I ran into the dressing room and slid down to the floor. I felt Edward pick me up in his arms and carry me out through the crowd as I sobbed into his chest. He whispered something to Emmett but I couldn't make it out. He just held me tighter as he carried me outside and called us a cab. The cab drove us back to the dorms. Edward paid him and lifted me out of the cab.
Edward carried me into the dorms and up to my room. He shut the door behind him and set me on feet. He helped me pull off my clothes and reached for my pajamas but I stopped him. I just needed him right now. I quickly slipped his clothes off and pushed him onto the bed. I climbed over and straddled his lap and slowly eased myself down on his cock.
I set a slow rhythm as I rocked my hips back and forth. Our eyes never left each others as we moved together. Our tears fell down our face as we spoke our feelings with our bodies. Each movement was the fear we had of losing each other. Each movement was the thin hope we were hanging on to that we would have our forever. Each movement was the grief we felt from having to grow up too fast. As we came together, we clung to each other in hopes of savoring this one small moment where we were really honest with each other and the fact that right now, this was all we had.