((Disclaimer: I disclaim.

Author's Note: Here, I present chapter two in my new story Midnight Symphonies! I really do like this story, I can't wait to continue it. Tell me what you think, I would really like to know. I appreciate any type of review: critical or praise!

P.S. I did include a little of the Twilight movie into it. When Edward 'introduces' himself? It's the same thing he says to Bella! See if you can catch it.))

Midnight Symphonies

Chapter Two:

Clair de Lune

"If you would all turn your attention to your teachers, we would like to announce one more thing," Dr Carlisle chuckled, interrupting the chaos that had erupted around the silent Edward and me. I still hadn't built enough courage to say anything to him, I was still in shock. My mind just couldn't get over the realization that Edward would be my partner.

I wasn't sure what this meant. Was it a compliment or something else? Did the two deans think we were the best students, or was it because Edward was such a musical genius he needed to be the better player for the both of us? My heart felt a slight pain at the thought of seeming weak in my music. I put everything in me into it, unafraid of it ever back lashing me, and yet here I was feeling as if I couldn't even be good at music. My heart and soul. It was absurd, yet my mind was already forming around it. I had already accepted it.

"This next announcement won't come to be such a surprise, yet it is still prudent that you understand this now. Each and every team has to perform together—at least one song. No more than two. I will be examining your progress throughout the semester, and will choose who will be headlining for our conjoining schools in the holidays. This means you will all have to compose your own pieces. Plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification, I assure you," Esme continued, her last words ringing with the air of authority. All of the students were silently listening to her, being very serious in what she was saying.

"I know this might seem strange to some of you," Dr. Carlisle added, sending his gaze towards the piano Edward and I were sitting, still in silence. "Yet this is a new beginning for us, and to join together our talents would be nothing less than award winning."

The class erupted in cheers and approval, and I could see his logic. To not join together the best schools in the country would be just plain idiotic. Yet to pair Edward and me together, there must be some mistake.

I wanted to rush up to the deans and demand to be replaced with any of the other students. Apparently there wasn't a healthy connection between the two of us. He thought he was better than everyone in this room, how would I ever get my thoughts into anything? Someone who was more subjective to his annoying terseness deserved to be with him. Why should I? What kind of cruelty was this? What had I done to deserve this?

"Bella?" The velvety voice asked beside me. I froze at the thought of thinking his voice like velvet. How could I let myself think his voice sounded like the softest fabric? I couldn't deny that it wasn't true, yet I couldn't let myself think it. I was supposed to not like him.

"Yes?" I asked carefully, shifting my body to where I was angled towards him. My eyes were glued to the piano keys. In their shine I could see the shadowing reflection of the two of us. Edward was looking at me, his face in concentration. I didn't look up.

"Do you want another partner?" He asked, almost a whisper. I couldn't detect a certain emotion, so I settled on the idea that he must have wanted the same thing if he asked.

"Yes," I answered quickly. Good. At least we were on the same page, I thought to myself. Now, we would just have to wait until the deans were done chatting with the other students so we could approach them. I wonder how they would react. Would they feel hurt by our disapproval for their pairings? I wonder if they even would let us switch. I wonder if we would offend them.

Edward started laughing next to me, and I almost jumped up off the bench in surprise. His laughter and my reaction were left unnoticed by everyone else in the room.

"What's so funny?" I asked, my cheeks flaming in embarrassment. The smallest amount of chagrin left me burning like a tomato.

"Are you that bent on getting rid of me? I guess my impression on you isn't as high as yours is to me," Edward chuckled, and I was distracted by the way his smile lit up his emerald eyes. What did that mean? He took my pause as a confirmation.

"I'm sorry—I guess I was more discourteous than I thought. Can we start over?" Edward prompted, and the way his eyes smoldered into mine I knew I couldn't refuse. Was this burning charm one of the reasons he was so popular? I couldn't see how someone so unbelievably dazzling couldn't get away with anything they wanted. Yet I refused to let myself succumb to it. I would entertain him, for the moment.

"Hello, I haven't had the chance to formally introduce myself. I am Edward Mason, you are Isabelle Swan?" Edward introduced, his crooked smile adding on to the sarcasm in his voice. Oh, did he think he was clever did he?

I shook my head in verification, my eyes narrowing. He caught that, and smiled even lovelier than before.

"I hope I'm not making you feel stupid," He said, and I was a little surprised he caught the thought behind my reaction.

"We wouldn't want that would we? An intelligent mind would be very compromising for those who want to disclose the fact that they are an incredibly narcissistic jackass." I hissed, a little astonished that I just said that. Seriously, where did all that come from? I don't think I've ever spoken to anyone that way, especially someone so intimidating. Yet somehow my mouth had a mind of its own, and I was slightly grateful for that.

Edward looked taken aback for a moment. But then he drew back in his emotions and the friendly mask appeared again.

"You've got a temper, don't you?" He asked, his jaw tensing and repositioning himself so he was facing forward. His smile was still there, but I could see the hardness in his eyes now. I hadn't even noticed how close we were; somehow we were leaning towards each other—even though we were already close by sitting on the small piano bench. I turned too, my shoulders stiff.

"Not really," I amended. I really never was this angry with anyone else. I usually was nonchalant when speaking to others; I never knew what to say. That was another reason why I was a freak. I didn't talk to anyone, and when I did it wasn't interesting. The only person I've ever talked to here in class was Mike, because he went to my high school. Yet I didn't fit in with his crowd of friends, so it was usually just polite banter—nothing of substance.

Edward side glanced at me, his face unreadable. I wonder if he believed me.

"That's pretty unbelievable. You seem pretty defensive. Are you sure you aren't used to rejecting every guy you meet?" Edward asked, the arrogant tone coming back to his voice. I thought briefly to why he said 'guy' verses the word 'person'. What was he implying?

"What do you mean?" I asked; my confusion obvious in my voice. I mistakenly looked into his green eyes, and was unable to look away. Did they have some kind of mind entrapping power? It seemed highly possible.

Edward hesitated, his eyes boring into mine. Seconds ticked by as his mouth kept opening and closing as if trying to put together the right words.

"Nothing. I meant nothing," He decided, turning towards the piano again with a tight jaw. I stared at him intently, truly confused to what he was talking about. My mind was going in frenzied chaos as I sifted through the many questions that popped up.

Before I could put together a decent question, he spoke up again.

"So, you really want to have a different partner?" Edward asked, bringing up the earlier question again. He tried to seem indifferent, but I think I hurt his feelings by that—or maybe it was just his ego? That was probably it.

"Don't you?" I redirected, kind of confused to why he seemed against to us finding different partners. He probably preferred to be by himself actually, instead of being with any of us—musically incompetent.

"Hmm," He began, taping his chin in thought. "I kind of like your anger. It's entertaining, and potentially inspiring."

I sat there, gaping at him, a little unsure if that was an insult or not. He was smiling in a teasing sort of way, he just seemed thoughtful.

"Well, I'm glad I'm exceeded your expectations," I said to him, the sarcasm not as bitter as I thought it would be. Perhaps I wasn't that insulted, because he hadn't said that he wanted someone else. The word want sent an unfamiliar thrill down my spin.

"Yes, you have."

"Really?"

"Exponentially," He grinned, and I found myself not angry but curious to know what he had expected.

The sound of heals muffled against the carpet coming our way made me tear my attention away from Edward and to whoever was walking to our piano. Mr. and Mrs. Cullen approached us, smiling. I felt my stomach drop. I hoped they weren't planning on directing any attention us.

"Ah, Edward and Bella, are you as excited about the news as your classmates?" Dr. Carlisle asked politely, snaking his arm around his wife gently. Esme smiled up at him, the love and devotion evident in her eyes. I felt myself smile, happy that they had found each other.

"I wouldn't say it's the same, yet it is very interesting news," Edward quipped next to me. I stifled a laugh by coughing softly. The deans didn't seem to notice, yet Edward grinned slightly.

"I hope you two are content with each other, right?" Esme asked, her smile turning into concern as she stared at the both of us. My heart swelled, she was so endearing.

"Yes, I think I'll live," I stated, my voice sounding small and light compared to how I had spoken to Edward not two minutes ago. I noticed him smiling again, probably thinking it hilarious.

"That's good to hear, I was hoping that our two best students would connect well enough," Dr. Carlisle said thoughtfully, and he exchanged a glance at his wife. They smiled briefly.

I sat astonished, unable to respond to such a compliment.

"Yes, it wouldn't be productive if we hated each other," Edward answered, him eyeing me in that smoldering way again. Esme chuckled lightly.

"No it wouldn't," She coincided. "I was also very curious to hear Edward play something. I've only heard you in performance—I was interested in being witness in a slighter avenue?"

I stiffened, my stage fright kicking in. Would she have me play next for her husband? I really didn't want—

"Of course," Edward smiled, nodding to Esme politely. He turned to the piano and placed his hands lightly on the keys. The other classmates were still talking lightly, yet a few overheard Esme talking and now looked at Edward expectantly. Some would look at me, and then back at him. I could see the envy and jealousy in their expressions. My cheeks grew pink.

Edward then began with an opening cord. Something in it sparked my curiosity. He continued by then adding a few notes, the rhythm slow and… lonely. My breath hitched. A light melody then rang out in the room, the low harmonies a familiar sound. It wasn't exactly the same as mine, yet I could detect the eerily recognizable notes in it. I looked up at him, finding him already looking at me with a devious smile. My suspicions were confirmed then, and I could feel my eyes water with anger.

How dare he steal my music! How did he do it anyway? He hasn't even tried to play it before! Was this the power of his musical genus?! It both frustrated me to endless amounts and fascinated me. He had said that it was impossible for me to compose the piece in five minutes, yet here he sat playing my song from just hearing me play it before. Even though changed it… he improved it. He placed complicated cords in parts that I hadn't even heard before. I soon found myself lost for words, and even I couldn't deny that the song was beautiful. My version seemed weak compared to his.

After the last note rung throughout the class, there was silence. I peeked up at the rest of the class and sure enough they were all watching him, with both awe and envy. I was sure that if I wasn't so annoyed I'd be looking the same.

"Wonderful, Edward! That was marvelous! What is it called?" Dr. Carlisle beamed, surely feeling pretty accomplished that Edward was his student. Yet even I, not even knowing Edward for a half an hour, knew that Edward hadn't learned from Dr. Carlisle to play that good. To play like Edward, you had to have the heart.

"I'm not sure, ask Bella," Edward answered, and I froze at the sound of my name. Had he just told them to ask me?! I gawked at him in shock. He winked at me with a grin.

"Bella? What do you mean ask Bella?" Esme questioned, looking at the both of us in confusion. Dr. Carlisle did the same. I was blushing incredibly now, with the whole class an audience to our discussion. The attention I tried to avoid at all costs.

"Bella wrote this piece. Well, really she just composed it before class began, I walked in while she was playing. I tweaked it a bit, but the melody and over-all quality of the song is hers," He explained, and my anger dissipated. I was still incredibly embarrassed… yet I couldn't help but feel gratitude that he had given me the credit.

"Really Bella? You composed this piece?" Dr. Carlisle asked, smiling at me politely. I shook my head—the flaming in me cheeks a constant.

"I told you she was brilliant, Carlisle! She doesn't show it off at all," Esme chuckled, smiling at me. "So I had no idea until a couple days ago when I had her play a song for me for an assignment. It brought tears to my eyes! I knew from the start that she was going to be remarkable."

Could I blush more than I did right then? I didn't think so. I don't think I've ever been given such praise in my whole life! I couldn't help but smile sheepishly at Edward, who was chuckling at what Esme said.

The class slowly went back to their beginning discussions, yet from the corner of my eye I could see them looking at me, both questioning and confused. They most likely thought I was an even bigger freak now.

"You don't seem very happy that I gave you the credit?" Edward questioned, his brow furrowing when I still hadn't smiled genuinely. I suppose that he probably deserved it, he could have just played it off as his. I hadn't really written down the song yet, so I had no proof that it was mine. I could have played it, if I really wanted to, but I really didn't want the attention. I'd rather let him had the credit and call it a day.

"I'm… confused to why you even bothered, really." I was still blushing like crazy, and was equally embarrassed, so it felt really awkward to talk. Edward bit his lip thoughtfully for a second before speaking again.

"You don't like the attention, do you? Is that why you were playing here before class started? You could have easily waited until others arrived to play… yet you didn't. You wanted the privacy?" He questioned, and I noticed that the two deans were off in their rounds and speaking to another pairing at another piano. I relaxed a little more knowing that we had semi confidentiality now.

"No, I don't like it. I never have. I always get so embarrassed that I don't know what to say. So I prefer to be alone when I play music, it's the only way I can really get anything out." I explained, my fingers automatically reaching to the piano keys and I lightly tapped on them. It wasn't enough pressure to create sound, yet if it had the beginning of another song would have been ringing throughout the room. Edward glanced at my hands, watching them as I moved. I wasn't even paying attention to them at all.

"Clair de Lune. A nice piece," Edward complimented. I blushed, and smiled slightly at the fact he knew what I was playing even though nothing was being heard.

"I think so," I agreed, and I took my hands away from the piano in mid-play. I sighed, not sure how to ask the next question that popped up in my head.

"You know, I'd figure you to be an arrogant egotistically jackass when I met you. Do you know that you put that off?"

Edward chuckled.

"I believe I have heard that before, yes. But I don't really talk much to others in the first place."

"What do you mean? I'm sure you have plenty of friends." I secretly wondered about a girlfriend, yet I decided it wasn't my business.

This time he chuckled a little darkly.

"You'd be surprised," He said, looking off in the distance as if reliving something in his mind. I chewed on my bottom lip, in thought.

"I'm sorry if I appear to be like that. I'm always praised about my music and everyone thinks I'm such a musical genius. I never really meet someone who dislikes me," He was serious when he spoke this, I knew. But if he could only hear what he had just said. He basically admitted that he was musical genius and didn't expect anyone to have a problem with it. But I let it go, noting that he hadn't intended on sounding that way.

"Oh, poor you. Always being praised and complimented on your music! How devastating," I gushed in melodrama. I even went as far as to place my hand on my heart in pity. Edward laughed at my theatrics.

"Well, yes, I see your point," He said through chuckles. "But it's more than that."

I began to say something else when Dr. Carlisle's voice rang above the hum of chatter.

"Alright class, time is up. We will see you all next time. SSA will be coming to our school to meet for the next meeting. Esme will inform you of that later," He spoke, and a few cheers resounded in the class. I groaned at the thought of having to leave and not have Emmett… yet I then remembered that Edward was my partner. I would at least not be completely alone.

Edward stood up from the bench, along with the rest of the class, stretching his arms above his head. From the corner of my eye I could see his simple grey sweater cling to his chest—okay Bella, enough ogling! I thought to myself I as got my things together to distract me.

"So, you'll be in my territory the next time," His voice was closer to me than I thought it would be. I spun around in surprise, yet my foot caught somewhere in the middle of it and I lurched forward for balance.

Strong, warm arms caught me before I knocked the both of us down. My mind went in blank, the shock of the moment overriding any rational thought. All I knew was that someone's arms were holding me up and there was an incredible smell. I soon realized that it was him. The smell of him clouded my head, and I had no sense of up nor down.

"Bella, you alright?" His voice awakened me from my stupor, and I jolted back to life. I stood up straight and pressed my books against my chest tightly to hide my erratic breathing and erratic heartbeat.

Had I seriously just lost my mind?

"Sure, sure." I mumbled, and bolted to the exit door, blushing furiously. By some miracle I made it out the door without incident.

Jesus Christ, I thought to myself. How pathetic!

"Wait, Bella! Bella Swan!" A girl's voice shouted after me. For a moment I thought it sounded like… a pixie?