Music is moonlight in the gloomy night of life. ~Jean Paul Richter

((Disclaimer: I disclaim.

Author's Note: Here is chapter three! I've been working on it a lot, and I'm sorry for my delay. I hope you like this chapter, and I'm looking forward to planning this party! I've actually found some picture of the outfits I have been giving Bella. I'll post them on my profile soon. Well, without further ado, I present this to you! Enjoy!))

Midnight Symphonies

Chapter three:

Invitations

My body was tingling, the same feeling from my hand from earlier, now spread throughout my entire body. It felt strange to walk—I rather had just lain on the floor and bask in the feeling—this new, exciting, frightening feeling that coursed throughout my veins.

Get ahold of yourself Bella, you're taking the word 'freak' to a whole new level, I thought to myself. Yet it didn't have any effect, my mind just instantly formed his voice in my mind.

'You've got a temper, don't you?'

The places where his hands had held my arms were still scorching my skin. I felt feverish.

"Bella! Bella Swan!" The pixie like voice called after me again. This time I couldn't ignore her, she was gaining and I didn't have anywhere to escape. I silently pleaded that she wouldn't probe me about my partner or some equally embarrassing things, whoever this girl was.

"Isabella?" The girl called after me again, and I realized that I hadn't turned to address whoever had called after me.

"Yes?" I answered, turning to see a petite girl with shiny black hair catching up to me. Her hair was edgy; the tips of her short hair were spiked and flipped out at just the right angle. She stared up at me with large hazel eyes, and I realized that she did in fact look like a pixie.

She seemed startled for a moment, though I couldn't see why. Maybe because I turned to her so quickly?

"Hi, I'm Alice Mason from PASA. You're my brother's piano partner?" She prompted, and I blanched at the name. Of course his sister would come up to me and remind me of that. Did the universe have some kind of sick sense of humor?

"Oh, hello. I'm… Bella, as you already seem to know," I forced my smile in a very diplomatic manor. "Yes, he is my partner."

Alice beamed. Seriously, it seemed as if she had heard the greatest news of her existence. I felt nervous being the attention her excitement was directed towards. What had I done to make her so joyous?

"What a nice name, Bella," She complimented, and I blushed gently. "I asked Carlisle for a list of names of SSA's Piano Ensemble. I wanted to greet everyone. I know that PASA has a reputation for being stuck up and all so I just wanted to clear that up first hand."

I nodded softly, acknowledging what she had said. She smirked at my silence.

"So, it's pretty nice how Carlisle and Dr. Esme got together after all these years, huh?" Alice asked, and I could tell by the tone of her voice that she was trying to pry for some sort of commonality between us. I highly doubted that we had anything in common—she was way too exuberant for that.

"Yes, it's nice." I agreed, smiling politely. She frowned slightly at my answer, as if she didn't get the one she wanted. Maybe she was looking for someone to gossip with? I felt my own mouth turn downward at the thought.

"So, um, what are you doing next weekend?" She changed tactics, and I chuckled lightly. Why did she want to talk to me so much? Out of curiosity, politeness, or worse, the pity card?

Then, I was struck speechless. What should I tell her? I certainly didn't have any plans. Of course, I was the freak. Freaks don't do much but hide in their rooms and read romance novels. I bit my bottom lip in thought. Maybe she was just being polite again?

"Well, um, no I have nothing of importance waiting for me." I decided, I at least wanted to make it sound like I wasn't completely deprived of sociality. Which I most definitely was.

She seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, and her eyes trailed down my body, as if assessing my outfit. I looked down as well, noting the clothes that I just threw on this morning. Because of my mother, I had some decent clothes hanging in my closet. She recently had taken up fashion design and decided that she would create a whole wardrobe for me. I didn't really mind. Sewing had always been hobby for her, so she wasn't that terrible at it.

"Hmm, your clothes are…okay," Alice mumbled, her nose scrunched in distaste. "Yet I'm curious to if you have anything to wear to the party…"

A range of emotions bubbled within me. Firstly, I was a little insulted. Secondly, I was terrified. Thirdly, I was instantly weary.

"What…party?" I asked, completely floored that she had just hinted of an invite to a party. To me. Me, Bella Swan, at a party? Yes, the universe was very cruel.

"A mixer of course! We have to have our schools mingle in a proper atmosphere." She answered happily, her face brightening more—though I thought her joy was already maxed out. I blinked a couple of times before I registered what she was saying.

"Um, well, you really don't have to invite me out of courtesy I'm well off on my own. You don't have to feel obligated—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up," Alice's face contorted in disbelief as she threw up her hands to interrupt me. "I'm not just inviting you to be nice, Bella."

She had me blinking again. What was with these Masons? I've never been this flustered in mere minutes of meeting someone. I racked my brain for memories of ever having such difficulties with a stranger before…

"Oh, Bella, you are so silly! I of course would love it if you came! I think we could be very good friends… my cards predict—"

"Alice, do not tell me that you are doing that tarot card thing again…" A velvet voice interrupted the now annoyed Alice. All my muscles in my body clenched, my heart speeding up at the sound of his voice. I tried to rationalize my reaction—he just surprised me from coming out of nowhere, I told myself. Yet once I looked up and seen the brilliant white of his smile and the shining bronze of his hair… my heart took off. I was done for.

"Ummmmmm, nope!" Alice replied, blushing a little as she cleared her throat and pretended to look for something in her purse. It looked designer, just like the rest of her outfit. I mentally groaned, noting that the Mason family must have money to afford such clothes. Money always seemed to accompany those with beauty.

My mouth was clamped shut, so I was fortunate that I wasn't drooling or gaping at the god now next to his equally beautiful sibling. Seeing them next to each other was like connecting two loose ends, and their gorgeousness was complete. They didn't look alike at all, yet they seemed related because of their beauty. My plainness paled in comparison.

"I'm sorry, was my annoying little sister bothering you? She seems to have it in her head that she is physic and can see the future," He grinned, his emerald eyes sparkling with humor as he made fun of Alice. I had to use all my focus to breathe normally. Alice poked her little tongue at him before speaking again.

"With the help of my tarot cards, Edward. I'm not some psycho physic person who gets visions or whatever," She corrected, and my tight mouth cracked an inch in a smile.

"You used to believe as much," He countered, and it seemed as if he had her there as she struggled to come up with something to disagree. Their bickering was amusing… yet they just made it seem as if they were in some sitcom and there was a flashing sign telling the audience to laugh. Their model-like looks just added on to the effect. They could have just stepped off a runway or red carpet and I wouldn't have questioned it.

"Edward, I was just telling Bella that it would be wonderful if she could make it to the mixer. Don't you agree?" Alice's voice broke my day dream and I watched as she looked over to Edward with a coy smile. My eyebrow twitched in curiosity of that smile.

Edward looked down at his sister, his eyebrows scrunched downward in confusion. His mouth formed a hard line as he thought for a moment.

"Well, of course Bella should come." He agreed, half of me reveling at the sound of his voice and the other half cringing. He seriously wanted to ruin me, didn't he? Did they not notice how much of a loser I was yet? I was uncomfortably baffled by this. Yet I was also glad that he had said that I should go. Did this mean he wanted me to go, or was it just out of politeness? That word was starting to get more irritating by the second…

"Then it's settled! Bella, you wouldn't want to hurt my feelings would you? We both would like you to come." Alice pouted, and I felt my heart tug at her large eyes staring up at me. She was good.

"Fine," I sighed, my shoulders relaxing as the tension of the moment were partially released. "I will go. Give me the time and place and I'll be there."

Alice squealed happily and Edward had to place his hand on her shoulder to keep her from bouncing. I shook my head, laughing at her shamelessness.

"I have to go plan! The caterers need to be called…" Alice mumbled, her eyes bright with excitement, and then took off towards the stairs and disappeared within seconds.

I stared after her in astonishment—I've never met someone so happy before.

Yet my thoughts didn't get very far, because a very attractive man was standing in front of me still, clearing his throat for my attention. My face burned with my embarrassment.

"She's a lot to take in at first." He commented, smiling a very crooked and adorable smile. His effect on me was starting to frighten me.

"Mhm. She's quite unique," I managed to respond, yet having this god stand before me and look at me like he was, rendered my memory useless—I couldn't even recall the name of his sister. Edward captured my full attention.

"So, can I kiss you?"

My heart skittered and my breath caught in my throat.

"Ex-excuse me?" I stuttered. He seriously did not just…he couldn't have just asked me…oh my! My mind was racing.

"Can I email you? I'll have to send you the details from Alice. You do have an email, yes?" He asked, his eyebrows turning inward again as he absorbed my shock.

No, I guess he did not just ask me to kiss him. I must be going crazy… I shook away the thought so I could concentrate on answering him.

"Um, sure. Let me write it down," I fumbled through my stack of books until I found my notebook and tore out a page swiftly. Edward retrieved a pen from his pocket when I started having trouble finding the pencil I had earlier. I briefly marveled at the heavy instrument. I noticed on the side it had inscribed:

Fra il due mali scegli il minore

I quickly scribbled down the email, and wrote my name beneath it. My hand was shaking a little, so my handwriting turned out worse than it usually is. I hope he could read it. I was about to ask for his email, yet I decided that if he didn't offer it then I shouldn't ask.

He took the piece of paper from my hand, and grabbed his pen back with the other.

"What does that mean—the inscription on your pen? Something about evil," I asked, secretly wishing to hear his voice again… and that was very bad.

Edward placed the paper in his pocket along with the pen, and looked up at me with those sparkling green eyes. He smirked slightly at an unspoken thought.

"It means 'choose the lesser of two evils'." He spoke seriously, and his eyes flitted to the floor for a second, deep in thought. I wonder what he was thinking.

His hand went to his pocket, and I could see him touch the pen through his jeans with a small frown. He did this unknowingly, and I watched eagerly to try and decipher his thoughts. I wonder who gave him that pen.

After a moment of silence, his face softened and he looked back up at me and a smile tugged at the corner of his smooth mouth.

"I'll send you an email tomorrow, after we secure the hotel reservation, and Alice gives me further instructions."

I felt myself laugh at his words.

"Alice isn't a force to be reckoned with, is she?"

Edward chuckled, and shook his head.

"No, there is no betting against Alice. I'll tell you now that to try and convince her out of something is very dangerous," He admitted, and I heard no hint of joking in his voice.

"Forewarned is forearmed?" I laughed nervously—I was kind of hoping that my assumptions of Alice were wrong…

"Precisely," Edward answered, again seriously. I gulped down my concern. I didn't think my sanity could process anything else at the moment; not with Edward Mason standing in front of me.

"So, um, I guess I'll talk to you later, partner," He grinned, and it seemed as if my reaction to him was just as bad as the first moment I had seen him smile; all I could do was stare. His hand was held out, waiting for me to shake it in confirmation, so I had to use all my focus to successfully activate my motor skills.

I placed my hand in his and once again I felt a slow electric shock creep up my arm. I tried to hide my reaction, yet I pulled my hand away a little too quickly to actually shake his hand properly. I must have looked like I touched a hot stove or something.

"Static electricity," Edward muttered, his velvet voice surprising me. Had he felt that too? That extra information caused my head to ache uncomfortably. I instantly dismissed that idea—it seemed simpler to just ignore it than to consider it. It wasn't a possibility anyway… he just met me, and from my memory, I surely didn't place a good impression on him. I must seem like a complete jerk to him.

"Goodbye, Bella," He said, giving me one last smile before dipping his head towards me and walking past me towards the stairs. My feet were cemented in place, and I was frozen by the pulsing of electricity in my left arm.

He was gone, yet I could still feel him. The warmth of his presence still lingered, and a part of me didn't want to leave my spot. Why did the universe have to be so cruel to me? Wasn't I suffering enough? I could deal with the fact that I was a freak… a lonely, shy, clumsy freak. I have been this way my entire life. My only friend is my brother, and even he can't be there for me every time I needed someone to lean on. He had a life, and I couldn't taint his happiness with my depressive loneliness. It wasn't his fault that I was a reclusive nobody. This was my burden. This was my fault.

I've accepted that. I've gotten over trying to change that fact, and I've learned that nothing will change it.

Still, it was unnecessary for the world to taunt me this way. Why did I have to be partnered with Edward Mason? What could that possible achieve? Now I would be reminded, frequently, of how much of a freak I really was. Not only would I be presented to the most beautiful man alive, I will also be around one of the best musicians to ever live. Not to mention this uncanny attraction to him, one that I couldn't begin to fathom. How could I feel so intense from someone I just met? I must surely be losing my mind…

At that, I got up my strength to head towards the stairs and out of the music building.

Once again I was met by the cold January air, and I stuffed by fists into my sweater jacket.

Focus on getting to your dorm, Bella. Then you can contemplate today's events, I thought to myself.

I had to concentrate on where I was going—I would most likely trip and fall on my face if I did not pay attention. Which I did frequently, of course.

I walked quickly through the commons area and towards the tall tower that contained the girl's dormitories. The men's dormitories were on the other side of the campus, enforcing strict no contact rules, which no one obeyed, I might add. I don't know why they even enforce rules like that, considering this was a college and not a boarding school. Still, it's not like I would have any guys hanging out in my dorm room so it didn't matter anyway.

I looked over the small garden area—well, what used to be a garden before the cold weather—and wished that it was sunny again so I could take one of my books and read underneath the willow trees. It was one of my favorite pastimes, especially when everyone was gone during fall break and the campus was quiet.

I stayed behind that break. I was a freshman, which kind of made it pretty odd for me to not go home, yet I was used to being away from home and my parents. They never really were around that much anyway; it was just Emmett and I most of the time. So I was used to being alone, and I was comfortable enough to stay here. Plus, I was able to explore the campus openly without people littering the walkways. I preferred it here than an empty house that I was all too familiar with. The library here was really nice, too.

I made it to the Tower, and walked through the glass doors to the stairs. The lady at the front desk waved cheerily to me and I smiled back. Mrs. Jones was a nice woman; she was always alert and ready for any problem. Whether it being locked out from your dorm or needing some extra feminine supplies, she was always prepared.

There were elevators for this building yet I never took them. It seemed unnecessary when I only lived on the third floor. Plus, I ran into less people on the stairs, even though it meant I would trip more often. I'd like to say that I was getting better at not tripping with all this added practice of climbing stairs, yet I've only seen I small difference. Maybe if I kept at it I would be able to walk down a normal stretch of pavement and not trip on air.

I trudged up the stairs, landing after landing, till I reached the door that had a large four painted on it. I only tripped twice.

I fumbled for my dorm key in my jean pocket and placed it in the door to unlock it. I then walked the twenty feet to the door of my room, and proceeded to unlock my door, when I heard a commotion down the hall near my floor's elevators. Two girls exited the opening doors, laughing hysterically. By their bleach blond hair I recognized them as Jessica Stanley and Lauran Malory. They were in my music class, and where decent at playing the piano. I knew they didn't have the passion for it, however, because they were actually only taking the course because their advisors pushed them to. They were really here on Fashion Designing Scholarships.

I twisted my key nervously, and tried to press on the jammed door. It was stuck, like it usually was. Sometimes I had to throw myself into it so it would open. Oh god, please don't have me be out here when those two girls walk by me. I wasn't in the mood for their catty behavior.

Their laughs where getting closer and I knew that they were heading to Jessica's dorm—hers was right next to mine.

I quickly shoved against the heavy wooden door and thankfully it gave in. I slipped inside the small crack I made and threw myself against the door to close it. I sighed in relief. I was finally alone.

After brewing myself a nice cup of tea, I snuggled up under my comforter and sat against one my pillows. My dorm room wasn't that big at all. It was big enough to contain a twin-sized bed, a dresser, a small closet, a desk and a little area for my microwave and mini-fridge with a little cabinet for dishes and food that didn't need the fridge.

It was simple and ordinary—just like me.

I took a sip of tea, and sighed as the warm liquid ran down my throat and settled in my stomach.

My mind then, once again, formed a mental image of Edward Mason next to me in front of the piano. Why was I thinking of him so much? He was just my piano partner… nothing more. I hadn't thought about Mike Newton when he had been assigned my partner once for an assignment, nor did I have this problem with any other guy in the class. Sure, none of them could play like Edward could. Yet that shouldn't be a reason for me to… okay, I'll admit it, obsess about. I was obsessing over Edward Mason. It was irrational and completely ridiculous of me to do so.

Was it because I was envious of him and his abilities? It was a possibility. I certainly knew he was an incredible musician, yet was I jealous of that? I knew what that kind of talent gave consequence too, and I wasn't prepared for all that attention. I'd rather keep to myself. But a part of me did wonder what it would be like to have that attention… and it was wrong of me. I wasn't looking for attention.

What is it about him…? I kept thinking to myself, and soon I was completely lost in my head with questions.

Finally, my head came to a conclusion. This conclusion didn't answer any of my questions, and it did not solve one bit of the mystery of it. Yet, it was the best explanation I could come up with and the only thing that was true despite my confusion.

My conclusion: Edward Mason is dangerous.