Twilight isn't my story. I just wish I could someday write something as great as it.

"If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music."

Gustav Mahler

Midnight Symphonies

Chapter Five:

Just Listen

The next morning was difficult for me. Usually I am pretty strict about my sleeping habits, yet as it was, I hadn't had more than two hours of sleep--I couldn't relax enough to fall asleep. Therefore I didn't even recall getting dressed in the morning. After my alarm went off at 9 am my body went into auto pilot—brush teeth and hair, get clothes on, walk out door. Somehow I made it to my first class, which was a miracle in itself considering the fact my feet were prone to trip even with full consciousness. I found myself dazed as I tripped up the stares and fell into the most convenient seat I could find. Then, I blinked up at the professor as he stood at the front of the class saying something. He was his usually boring self today, which brought my alertness even lower than I would have allowed myself. College Algebra was perhaps my least favorite subject. Any math class, really. We just started to get into trig, the harder section of math that I had to really focus on. Too bad I could barely keep my eyes open to copy down the notes. Crap. I wouldn't have been this way if Emmett hadn't stayed so late. But even as I thought that, I knew that wasn't the entire reason I was half alive at the moment. It was Edward Mason's fault.

Okay, that is not true either. Edward couldn't help his amazingly good looks and wonderful talent at making the most beautiful music I've ever heard. Nor was he responsible for the fact that his face kept popping up in my head every few seconds. I am the one to blame, the one that couldn't stop fantasizing about the man. I'd told myself repeatedly in the late hours of the night that he was just another guy, someone that I would never have a chance with—him more than any other boy I've met thus far. I've had my crushes before, but they eventually dwindled off to nothing. No boy ever really captured my full attention, try as I might to make myself. The thought of having a boyfriend had been appealing to me in high school, with all of my hopes and dreams still intact. Still, I couldn't look at them in that light. So, soon, I stopped trying altogether to find a boyfriend. Then, I never even gave it a second thought. Yet here I find myself thinking of Edward Mason once again, and I've never thought about or wanted someone like this before. Ever. And that was dangerous, if not idiotic. I told myself that plenty of times, too. I don't know what is wrong with my brain, it just won't realize it. Things were just fine before, with me not looking for a boyfriend. I didn't have to worry about all of this happening to me. God, I am so stupid. And it will inevitably come down to seeing him with his girlfriend--which he undoubtedly has one--to bring me back to reality. People like Edward Mason were not single. Just the thought of seeing him with someone else almost brought me back to the truth. He could be with her right now kissing her and playing her songs he wrote for her, whatever he might consider romantic. My stomach churned, and the logical part of my brain knew that was a definite possibility. Edward Mason was not available. Plain and simple, Bella. I just had to keep telling myself these things and I would be alright. I was rational. I could keep myself from thinking about Edward Mason. I could and I would.

I mean, I've only met the boy once. I've seen him play in concert a few times, but that was it. That hardly permits me to obsess about him like this; I knew nothing about him. I was dreaming of a face, instead of the man. I was practically making up personality traits in my head for him. Just because he was gorgeous and was an amazing pianist didn't mean that he was kind, thoughtful, intelligent, or witty. There is no logical reason for me to think of him anymore than a wonderful composer and fellow student. The most I learnt from him in class was that, if anything, he was slightly arrogant. Still, people with half his talent acted like they were gods among men. I couldn't judge him that harshly. But that still didn't tell me anything, I was only working on what I've seenand that didn't give me much room to actually contemplate me being with him. I didn't know him. Not one bit. And it was foolish of me to even entertain the idea of me doing just that. We were just piano partners. Plain and simple, Bella. Plain and simple.

This thought brought me a moment of clarity, and I looked around me to see what the other students were doing. If anything the cold air of the morning should have waken me up a little, but the walk here still seemed fuzzy from my tiredness. I grumbled bitterly. I'd never been this unfocused in class before, and I felt guilty that I let myself be sidetracked so much by something so silly. Thankfully, most of the class seemed to be in the same state as me—lost in daydreams or verging to the point of snoring. At least I wasn't the only one, and I knew that the professor was not saying anything important, or interesting. Still, I hoped that the professor wouldn't give an assignment to be done by the end of class, I doubted I would finish—

Rosalie Hale.

The name came to me instantly, out of nowhere. Edward's name was still very prominent in my mind yet somehow hers came through. This name was just as important because I knew she was the woman that Emmett had been describing last night. I totally forgot that I was even supposed to be approaching her today. I welcomed this new distraction happily, because I couldn't keep up this mind game I was having with my Greek god of a piano partner. I now felt guilty that I was putting my childish fantasizes before my own brother. I'd already agreed to do this for him, and I practically forgot about it. I didn't want to distract myself again with thoughts of Edward, so I shook my head and brushed my emotions away to focus.

While I hadn't thought much of it since last night, I knew that I had met her before, if not at least learned her name. She was in my piano class after all, but at the time his description hadn't clicked in my head until just now. It also kind of helped that the woman in question was sitting a few rows in front of me, scribbling something, possibly notes, on a piece of paper. Her golden hair shined even in the dull fluorescent lights in the classroom. She was the only person in the room that could be wearing rags and still take every person, within eye shot of her, breath's away. This had to be her. She was the only possible candidate for my brother's description I could think of. He couldn't mean Jessica Stanley, or Lauren Mallory. Those were the only other girls within my class that were blond. Plus, I knew Emmett and they were not his type. Yet I also knew Rosalie was definitely out of Emmett's league. Still, it was an enormous leap from the previous girls he's dated and I at once felt grateful that he was interested in someone like Rosalie. At least it wasn't Lauren or Jessica. I might have backed out immediately. That made me feel a little bit more okay with approaching Rosalie. While I didn't know if she would be interested in Emmett, I still wanted to give my brother a chance. He deserved someone beautiful and wonderful, and Rosalie was at least an incredibly beautiful, possibly wonderful chance.

I looked up at the ticking clock to see that I had fifteen minutes until class was over. I could approach her then, I decided. I just hoped that I wouldn't be my infamous clumsy self and trip in front of her. That would be incredibly embarrassing and totally ruin my attempt at cool and collected. I'd be a blubbering idiot, much like in front of Edward. Just thinking of his name brought tingles to the place that his hands grasped my arms….

Enough, Bella, Once again I shook my head to rid myself of my thoughts and I focused on Rosalie instead.

Someone next to her touched her shoulder for attention--a guy that I knew, but couldn't remember his name. Yet based on his demeanor and expression on his face, he was incredibly cocky. I watched as Rosalie tilted her head in his direction, and I could see the side of her face. Her eyebrows were drawn together, possibly in confusion or annoyance. Of course she was gorgeous. I could see her bright blue eyes from my faraway seat, and her perfectly shiny red lips despite the dim lights. Of course Em fancied her, she was the epitome of beautiful. I watched at the guy whispered something to her, flashing a big smile. His face was so familiar, but I couldn't put a name to it. Anyway, There was a pause, and then suddenly a resounding thud echoed through the room and my jaw dropped as I stared dumbly at the scene in front of me.

Rosalie had just punched the guy in the face!

She was standing now, her face scrunched in obvious fury as her hand raised again in another attempt to pummel the guy who was clutching his nose and cursing loudly. The professor noticed what was happening and rushed over to the two students as everyone else in the room was awakened by the commotion. I heard gasps and chairs scraping as people got up and started laughing and I heard someone next to me rubbing their eyes and asking what happened at no one in particular.

"Don't worry professor, I won't hit him again," Rosalie told the professor while sneering at the guy. She straightened out her blouse and flipped her hair while the professor ran his hand through his peach fuzz hair, lost on what to say.

I was still staring dumbly at Rosalie, completely in shock that she had actually done that. Apparently beauty does not always mean... passive. Rosalie had spunk, and a feeling of instant envy and awe shot through me and I knew that she was the one for Emmett. I had to talk her into meeting him. Only she would be able to see him for who he really was, not the sleaze ball he thought was attractive, but the soft heart he had. She seen right through Tyler Crowley—I remembered his name—she'd see right through Emmett too.

The professor knew Tyler deserved what he got, he was known for being rude and forward to women on campus. Quickly Tyler was out the door, possibly to get to the nearest restroom to see the damage to his face--he was probably worried about how it looked than anything. So, with the cause of the interruption gone, the professor hadn't said much to Rosalie except that next time she should report the person instead of interrupting a class with violence. Rosalie apologized softly, yet she still seemed really angry at whatever Tyler had said to really mean it. The professor sighed, turned and headed back to the front of the class, knowing that it was the most he could ask of her. Without knowing exactly what was said, and no real gesture or action was seen from Tyler, he couldn't do anything. After the professor sat in his desk chair tiredly, and didn't announce anything, the class soon realized that there wouldn't be anymore of a show and settled back into their seats more awake now than the entire class period—albeit—slightly more disappointed.

I let out the breath I was holding, and was now excited to talk to Rosalie once class was over. I was slightly nervous though too, I was still incredibly intimidated of her. Probably more now that I've seen she could throw a punch. I doubted she would hit me, but you never know…

"That's all for today, class. See you next time," The professor droned from his desk, shuffling through some papers. My heart started to beat faster now as chairs scraped once again and students gathered their belongings to leave. I had to fling my books into my bag in order to hurry up and make it—Rosalie was already to the door by the time I made my way.

"Rosalie!" I called out carefully, yet loud enough to see that she heard me. She turned around, and I could easily tell she was still really aggravated. Her mouth was turned down and her forehead was wrinkled in annoyance. I smiled shyly, hoping that she would maybe recognize me from piano class so I didn't have to do embarrassing introductions.

"Yes, Bella?" She responded, only barely disguising her aggravation.

"You know my name?" I blurted, momentarily stunned to a stop. I couldn't help but blink up at her, bewildered. Once I spoke she must have realized that I wasn't going to pester her about Tyler. My expression seemed to change her attitude because her frown softened slightly.

"Well, aren't you very observant," I blushed at her sarcasm. "Of course I know your name. You're quiet, but not invisible. Plus, I know everyone," Said said in annoyance, as if I were already supposed to know that. She flipped her perfect natural blond hair behind her shoulders as she smiled softly at me, and I couldn't help but smile back.

"I needed to talk to you about something." I stated, just getting to the point. I was trying not to be awkward or nervous or embarrassed so my best bet was to hurry up and get through it. I drew strength from my love of my brother to do this, and I found myself confident despite my earlier worries. I had to push away my insecurities for this and ignore the part of me that just wanted to run and hide in my room. Rosalie oozed beauty and she should have intimidated me to the point of metaphorically shaking in my boots. In any other situation I would have been, but I had a mission to complete and I was determined now.

She looked at me for a moment, appraising, before deciding.

"Sure Bella, lets go to my dorm room," she said, nodding and turning briskly away, me following behind.

You can do this Bella. You can do this Bella, I chanted in my head, following behind Rosalie as we entered our dorm building. Do it for Emmett.

I wasn't necessarily surprised that she lived here, most of the female students did. What did surprise me was that she roomed on the same floor as me. I glanced at my door as we walked by, speechless. Why had I never seen her in the hall? How could Emmett have missed that? With all of the times that he's been here, he'd have noticed her. Surely he would have told me that when telling me all he knew about his mystery girl. Still, I lived here and I've never seen her. I don't ever remember her being at our floor sleep-over. That was a very embarrassing night for me, and I had blocked most of it from my mind, yet I'd still remember seeing someone like Rosalie there.

"We live on the same floor," I spoke, feeling silly for pointing it out. Just because I didn't know it, it didn't mean she didn't either.

Rosalie laughed, looking back at me to see my expression. My expression must have matched my voice because she guffawed even more.

"Your powers of observation continue to serve you well, Bella," She said as she drew her keys from her expensive purse. A flash of Alice's face popped in my head and I grimaced at the memory. Not because of Alice, but because I couldn't think of her and not think about… him.

"A V for Vendetta fan?" I tested, remembering the quote automatically. I didn't want to think about... him. So I focused on my knowledge of the film. I've seen the movie with Emmett enough times to recognize it. He would, too, and I could not wait to have them meet.

"Yeah, I am. I'm surprised you noticed," Rosalie smiled back at me, praising. She then placed her key into the lock and gracefully opened the door. I noticed that her room was the last on the hall, the R.A.'s room.

"I didn't know you were the R.A. on this floor. I met someone else at the beginning of the year, what happened to her?" I asked, remembering a small, nice girl who liked to talk a lot.

"Oh, she transferred somewhere else. I needed a bigger room so they offered me a room as an R.A. You'd be surprised at how simple the work is. I don't do much and I don't really care about parties or anything, but if you're loud, then we have problems."

I smiled again, instantly feeling at ease again. It also helped to take one step at a time and not try and predict her reaction to what I was going to tell her. She was incredibly unpredictable.

"Well, you don't have to worry about me. I'm not very loud at all," I commented while following Rosalie into her room.

I shouldn't have been so surprised to see her room. Of course it would be nice. Of course she'd have expensive furniture and designer decor. Of course someone as beautiful as Rosalie would have beautiful things, too. Just like two other people I've met...

To shake away those thoughts I looked more closely at her room. It was definitely bigger. While it wasn't that much bigger than mine, I could at least see that it was. Plus, I could distinctly notice a couple posters that were hanging above a rather cluttered desk in the far corner. This was perhaps the most surprising aspect of the room, clearly of more importance than the numerous expensive objects decorating the space.

"Yiruma. You're a fan of him, too?" I gasped, my face a mask of astonishment again. I did not bother to look to see her roll her eyes at my words--she undoubtedly did.

"Is that such a abnormality for someone who is in an advanced piano class?" Rosalie laughed, and at that I blushed. Of course she was free to like whatever music she liked, and it made sense that she liked listening to Yiruma, but it still seemed strange to find Rosalie so... completely opposite than my impression of her. She was different. I was finding that description of Emmett's more accurate as the time wore on.

"No, I suppose it isn't. I shouldn't be so presuming of you either. I'm sorry," I said with my blush pulsing fiery in my cheeks. Who was I decide who she should be? Just because she was beautiful, it didn't mean she was dimwitted. That much was clear. That much was crystal.

"Don't worry about it," She dismissed with a wave of her hand. "I guess I should apologize just the same, too. I had the impression that you didn't want to be friends with anyone, being that you are so quiet."

I was shocked into silence for a moment--her words startled me. Had I really put off those kinds of vibes? I mean, I didn't want to be quiet... I just sort of adopted that attitude a long time ago, I hadn't thought it actually appeared to be something more than just shyness and nerves. With my clumsiness I sort of did avoid attention, and sometimes that required me to be quiet and... yeah, invisible. I hadn't ever thought of it like that...

"Oh, I'm sorry Bella, I didn't mean to insult you or anything--please, ignore me, I'm entirely too honest for my own good," Rosalie groaned, looking completely remorseful. I could only just stare at her for the time it took me to collected myself and stop thinking so much.

"No, It's alright. If anything, I should be apologizing. I never meant to come across like that, really. It's just a habit I suppose. I'm not really coordinated, so I tend to shy away from attention because more often than not I'm tripping over my own feet or falling on my face."

Rosalie smiled at my joke, but didn't try to correct me-- apparently my clumsiness proceeds me.

"Look, Bella, I'm not trying to sound impatient, or rude, but I'd like to ask you why you wanted to speak with me?" Rosalie questioned, and I was brought back to the memory of her punching Tyler's face. How could someone be so intimidating and yet be so polite and considerate at the same time?

"Well... I don't want to piss you off or anything..." I started, a sliver of that fear and nervousness coming back to me at the thought of her reaction. But I forced it down. I couldn't back out now, not when she was sitting right here, staring at me with curiosity. Even if I did bolt out of her room, she'd follow me and want to know what I was going to say.

At my hesitation, she said, "Oh come on, don't let what happened in class scare you away. What Tyler did was rude and annoying, I'm sure you aren't going to offer yourself to me or anything, right?"

My eyes bulged at her insinuation, but I still managed to shake my head no. She was only joking after all, and apparently more curious about my motives than insipid with Tyler's earlier actions.

"I... um... mybrotherEmmettwantstoaskyouout." I stammered and blushed. Of course I tend to trip through my words just as well as my feet at a time like this...

"Pardon?" Rosalie's brow was puckered in confusion, all her perfect glory making me feel incredibly embarrassed.

I started again, swallowing desperately to clear the cotton-like feeling in my mouth away.

"My brother Emmett wants to ask you out." I spoke as slowly as possible, but I still sounded breathless.

I looked away from her, not wanting to see her reaction just yet. I'm sure she would be angry now. She was probably seething at me, or looking for something nearby to throw at me before kicking my ass out of her room. Why did I even try--

I was shaken from my thoughts as I heard Rosalie guffawing in front of me. I turned my startled gaze to her, seeing her double over in laughter. This is her reaction? Does she think I'm joking? I thought nervously, blinking at her in shock.

"Bella! Oh, Bella, you can't be serious! Emmett, your brother, wants to take me out on a date?" Rosalie said through her hysteric laughter. I never would have thought she would have found this humorous--maybe infuriating, but not funny.

"Well... yeah, he does. He doesn't know I'm telling you this, though," I said, that little white lie slipping out before I could stop it. "I just can't stand him always talking about you, and how beautiful you are, any more."

That shut her up. I hadn't meant to lie, but now that I thought about it, it would benefit Emmett this way. If it looked like he sent me to her it would look a little immature and possibly making himself seem lazy. At least this way it would seem as if he bugged me enough to where I would get Rosalie to date him to end my torture. It was partly true, save the whole Emmett not knowing business. But he'd never tell Rosalie that he sent me, that would be just plain relationship suicide.

Rosalie looked thoughtful for a moment, and I tried my best to look not guilty and just nervous. Did she suspect my motives?

"So... you come to me to get your brother off your back," Rosalie stated, and I could clearly see her skeptical expression. "Somehow I don't think you are so selfish, Bella."

While that was meant as a compliment, I still grimaced at the implications. So she didn't believe that. Why, I don't know. I thought she didn't know me well, how could she possibly know that I wouldn't ever put my own needs before my brother's?

"Okay... you're right. But he still wants to go out with you, and he doesn't know that I'm here with you, right now, that much is true," I said. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't... and I suppose I hoped that you'd take him up on the offer. I know my brother more than anyone, even more than his best friends, and if I thought that he didn't deserve someone like you I wouldn't have even considered this."

I was proud of myself, I delivered that speech as best as I could and I was sure that my voice hadn't faltered at all. I needed to tell her that, if anything, Emmett was a good person and not like the likes of Tyler Crowley.

"Seeing you today in class decided it for me. Tyler Crowley is a complete jerk--the total opposite of Emmett. I think it's time that both of you dated someone with higher standards... you both deserve it."

Rosalie hadn't said anything since, and I considered repeating myself when I noticed something that surprised me more than anything that had happened since I first noticed Rosalie in class earlier. I wasn't this surprised when she punched Tyler, or when she let me come to her room. I sat there unblinkingly watching her as tears started streaming down her face.

Rosalie was crying. Crying. I couldn't think what to do. What had I said that made her cry? I racked my brain as the seconds ticked by for whatever might have caused this... anything, so that I could take it back and have her stop crying.

Being so distracted from the crying woman in front of me, I jumped when a sob emitted from Rosalie's direction. I couldn't sit there any more, so I stood up and stepped to her and hugged her to me. I didn't know what else to do. While I was completely embarrassed and the situation was entirely awkward, this was the only thing I could think of doing short of walking out of the room and locking myself in my room.

"Bella," her voice was weak, but I could hear a smile. "You don't have to comfort me, I'm not really that upset."

I released her and stepped back again to look down at her in confusion. She seemed pretty upset to me, the evidence of her tears still lingering in her eyes.

"I'm just... you're the first person to say something like that to me--I... would like to go on a date with your brother. I've dated losers, scum bags, the worst of them... thinking I didn't deserve anything better--don't interrupt, Bella," Rosalie scolded as I tried to correct the statement of her not deserving better than that. "But I've met your brother. He's... completely an idiot, but he's sweet. He didn't try to grab me or even suggest anything sexual. I couldn't tell you how rare that is for me these days..."

Rosalie was looking around her room, stopping on certain things as she talked, but I knew she wasn't seeing her room but whatever her mind was picturing instead.

"I've only met him once, and I didn't think I'd ever see him again. Later that night I went out on a date, his name was Rick, and Emmett happened to be at the same bar that we went to. He didn't see me, but I seen him. The entire time Rick kept rubbing his hands on my arms, my shoulders, my legs. He looked down my shirt more than at my face, and didn't listen to half the things I said. After the fourth time he tried to kiss me, I got up to go to the restroom. On the way, I heard Emmett laughing and looked over to find him talking to a girl. She was pretty, and was smiling at him. I looked away quickly, not wanting to be rude by staring, and went to the restroom," Rosalie spoke, and I was caught up in her story, curious to what happened that night. "After I got out, I started back to the table that Rick and I were sitting at when I heard a commotion up at the bar. I looked over to find Rick, on the floor, with Emmett yelling and cussing at him. At first, I was angry. I didn't know what happened until I noticed the girl that was talking to Emmett wiping furiously at her pants."

My breath wooshed out from me as she stopped for a moment, and I was surprised that Emmett never mentioned that... but then again, Emmett didn't know Rosalie was there. There was no reason for him to tell me about it.

"I found out later from a friend that was there that Rick had hit on her, but he was drunk and spilled his drink on her. I also found out that the girl was one of Emmett's friends, and a girlfriend of another guy. He was keeping her company while she waited for him to show up at the bar. I would have never even imagined that was the case... my views of men are entirely negative, and something so innocent and selfless as keeping a girl company like that would have never crossed my mind."

Rosalie was now looking at me, tears still in her eyes. I smiled a little to give her confidence. I couldn't start to believe that she has known so many vile men in her life. Why hasn't a good guy found her? Why did she have to settle for men like Rick?

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dump all my relationship problems on you... but then again, you kind of brought it on yourself." Rosalie noted, and laughed a little.

"Yes, I guess I did, but it's alright, I guess sometimes we all need to have someone just listen once in awhile."

Rosalie looked oddly at me after that statement, and I couldn't help but raise my eyebrow.

"Someone just listen. I think you're right. I might just listen to you then, and do as you say. I'll go out with Emmett. I'm glad you came to me... I might have never accepted if it weren't for you. I'm sure Emmett might have come around eventually, but I don't think I would have said yes until now."

I was shocked to say the least... Rosalie, insecure? It should be impossible... but apparently is isn't.

"Rosalie, I meant what I said about you deserving each other. I don't care what you say, you deserve better. I'm hoping that Emmett will do even though, I admit, he really is an idiot," I laughed, willing her to believe me. She smiled at my words, and laughed a little at our agreement. Her eyes were dry now, and she seemed at ease again. I was so happy that my attempt was successful, and after this conversation with Rosalie, I knew she was the one for Emmett.

"Thank you Bella. For just listening." Rosalie grinned, as she stood. Only then did I notice the time on her desk clock, and realized that I was late for my scheduled piano practice time. I have never been late to practice, let alone forgot about it... I felt my urge to get to my piano then, and thankfully this time when I wanted to leave it wasn't out of fear of Rosalie's shoe colliding with my face.

"Anytime Rosalie. And thank you, for just listening too."

"Where are you you headed?" Rosalie reached over for her jacket, and I felt my eyebrows furrow together.

"To the music hall. I have a scheduled practice time today," I answered.

Rosalie smiled brightly at me, grabbing a worn booklet from her stack of books on her bed. I briefly wondered what was so wonderful about that, when she lifted the booklet in front of her to show me the cover.

A music booklet. I smiled knowingly at her, and retrieved mine from my stack of books near the chair I was previously sitting in.

"Ah, you do too. Let's walk together. I'd... like to just listen to you and find your brother, but I don't think either of us will be able to find him right now." Rosalie smirked, while donning her jacket. I hurriedly agreed, kind of shocked that she wanted to go with me. I figured she only brought me here because of curiosity, and I had thought that maybe after I'd revealed why I wanted to talk to her, she'd brush me off and go on her way... but then again she totally changed my view of her, and put me in my place. Still, I wouldn't have thought that she would want to hang out with me, yet here we were, about to go to practice together as... friends. Rosalie, my friend. Rosalie, completely beautiful and intimidating, my friend. Wow, this is strange.

"Bella? You alright?" Rosalie asked, waving her hand in front of my face for attention. I blinked up at her, grabbing the rest of my books and clutching them to my chest reassuringly.

"Yeah," I sighed, smiling to reassure her. "I'm alright. Let's go."