Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

In Six Months I Lost My Mind But Found My Heart

Chapter Twenty: First Social

5th April

2 months 3 Weeks & 2 Days Left

Bella's POV

Tonight was the night that I went to the first social event. It was a charity fundraiser for something, I was never told what for. All I knew was that dignified musicians were asked to perform a piece of theirs throughout the evening. There was also a silent auction taking place, I was rather interested to see what the items they were going to bid for.

It turned out that Edward was one of the 'dignified musicians' and was to play a piece tonight. I was looking forward to that since for the one time I heard him play it was beautiful. Even though I wanted to see that I really didn't want to go.

I struggled at school and it turns out that most of students there will be at this thing tonight with their parents. So basically it's going to be like school all over again. Alice continued to reassure me that everyone would be there for me but they said that at school and that wasn't the case. Obviously I don't expect them to protect me, I don't need protection, and I just don't want to be put in that situation again.

Looking round the house I found a room I hadn't seen before. It was a balcony overlooking what can only be described as a ballroom below. In the centre of the floor was a black grand piano and sitting at the piano stool was Edward playing a beautiful piece. I didn't recognise it but had a suspicion it could be one of his own. He had previously mentioned that he wrote his own music when we were still at my house.

I watched him play one tune then he just abruptly stopped and ran his hand through his already dishevelled hair. Who knows what changed but he seemed a little riled up. I continued to stay silent when he removed the sheet music and placed it next to him on the floor then started playing an entirely different piece from memory.

It was beautiful and just flowed perfectly. He had his eyes shut and looked so at peace it was captivating. I just stood there watching and listening to him play. When he hit the last note he opened his eyes again and looked up, finally noticed me. I didn't want him to be angry with me listening so set him a small apologetic smile.

"How long have you been standing there?" HE asked calmly.

"Several minutes. Beautiful piece by the way. Is that what you intend to play tonight?" He stood and gathered his things before answering.

"No I'm playing a different one. It works better than that one." He just shrugged and left the room.

I felt like an idiot for intruding then. He only stopped playing and left because I was there. I knew he would have wanted to practice and now he can't because I got in the way. Rolling my eyes at my own stupidity I left the upstairs balcony and went to go find Alice. Maybe she can distract me from thinking about what's going on between her brother and me.

Edward's POV

We were leaving the house in ten minutes. Bella had spent the rest of the afternoon with Alice and Rose getting ready while Jasper, Emmett and I messed about the house before finally getting dressed. It takes us about ten minutes in total to get ready but they spent hours in Alice's room.

The three of us were gathered at the bottom of the stairs in the main hall and waited for them to come down. Carlisle and Esme had already made their way to the hall so that they could greet and set things up for the coming guests. They decided to help out for the silent auction.

I was messing about with the white bow tie on my tuxedo as it felt like it was chocking me when Rose walked in wearing a stunning red dress. Emmett was like an enthusiastic puppy on Roses heels when she walked down the stairs. He seemed to forget the rest of us were in the room, but it wasn't like Jasper minded since Alice walked in a few seconds after wearing a dress quite similar to Rose's except it was in black.

They greeted each other and I was beginning to get the feeling Bella had made a run for it when she had a chance. The four of them made their way out to the cars that were going to take them to the event. Each couple had their own car so I couldn't leave without Bella, not that I would want to.

Sighing I ran a hand over my eyes; I was very exhausted from sleep deprivation. When I removed my hand I saw a figure in a blue dress standing on the stairs. Focusing in on it Bella stood there smiling softly, completely taking my breath away. The dress had her look amazing, better than amazing, so good I was literally speechless.

She descended the stairs and ended in my arms, wrapping them round my neck and pulling me into a chaste kiss. I basked in her familiar scent of strawberries and felt like I was in heaven. I had to be otherwise this angel wouldn't be here with me.

"I thought you had made a run for it." I whispered as I kissed along her jaw, needing to be close to her.

"I couldn't get out the windows, they were all locked." She said, pulling back so I could see her eyes.

"Should I be offended?" Did she not want to be my date?

"No. I wasn't running from you, just the world you live in." I kissed her again. Trying to reassure her that I was there if she needed me.

I knew the school week had been hard for her even though she never admitted to it. People didn't want to get to know Bella because they just figured she was a blip and would eventually go away. I, on the other hand, wanted her around forever though I could never admit to it.

"Shall we go?" I asked as I led her towards the car. Apprehensively she followed and soon we were on our way.

Once we arrived at the hall where the event was being held I had to leave Bella in the company of Alice so I could prepare for what I was going to play. Just before I left her Bella pulled me off to the side.

"You nervous?" She asked, standing further away than I would like. I had to remember we were in public and our relationship was a secret.

"Slightly. I'm second guessing what to play."

"Play the one that moves you. If you're second guessing then I can only presume that you are unsure about the one you were going to play. At the end of the day you wrote it, you put your emotions into it and you're allowing people to hear those emotions through music." I paused and thought over what she said.

Without even realising it she made my heart jump. I wanted so badly to kiss her but knew I couldn't. Nodding I walked away to prepare myself. She had decided for me what I was going to play so there were no worries there. I had memorised that piece of by heart since it was written from what I felt in my heart.

I waited until it was m turn to play and walked out to the grand piano. The evening started off with drinks then the music performance part, followed by the silent auction, then ending it with a meal. Sitting down on the stool I surveyed the room quickly, looking for her eyes. The second instant contact was made I began playing, eventually tearing my eyes away to concentrate on the piece at hand.

Once the last note was played I stood up quickly, received my applause then walked away briskly. Bella greeted me just off to the side, out from under the scrutiny of eyes following her. I led her through a few doors so we were in a deserted corridor.

She opened her mouth to say something but I kissed her before she had the chance. I needed her. I wanted her. There were so many emotions pilling out of me at that point I needed a helpful way to dispose of them and kissing Bella did just that.

"That was amazing." She mumbled, pulling back from my lips.

"The kiss or the music?"

"Both."

"I wrote it for you." Her lips were on mine again and this time I don't think we would have stopped, even to breath. The thing that made us pull apart was the booming laugh that made its way down the corridor.

"I knew you had a thing for her!" Emmett cheered loudly. Bella blushed and straightened out her dress before walking away embarrassed.

"Thanks for that." I mumbled coolly as I went to find Bella.

We made our way round the party that night, enjoying the company. The silent auction went well and apparently a lot of money was raised. In my opinion Bella wasn't shunned like I expected her to be but I have a funny feeling a few things happened without my knowing. I'll talk to Alice, she'll tell me.

At the end of the night Bella and I retreated to the car for the journey home. In here I didn't have to worry about us being together since no one would know. That is one part of our relationship I hate, the secrecy. I would love to shout from the rooftops but know what we're doing, by keeping it a secret, it better for everyone. It leaves no mess to clean up on July 1st.

"I have a question?" Bella said, looking out the window.

"Go ahead." She turned to me and tweaked my bow tie.

"Why were some of the men wearing black bow ties and some wearing white?"

"The white bow tie indicated that they are an eligible bachelor and the black ones were for the men that were taken." It was just something a few of the women whose husbands were getting regularly hit on thought of. I hated it as it pointed out who was rich and single.

"Oh." Was all she said. I wanted to tell her that I would have liked to have worn a black one since I do consider us as being together but I knew if I did then I'd have to answer some pretty nerving questions.

Bella's POV

Awkward silence filled the car after I asked that question. Never in a million years did I think that was going to be the answer and I wasn't quite ready for the repercussions of it. But at least I knew he didn't think of us as a couple. That could have been embarrassing if I assumed we were when in fact we weren't. Better knowing now than never.

I put on a brave face all night but really felt like collapsing from exhaustion. The women there sure can bitch. It turned out even in some of their drunken stupor stages they were still able to slur out insults to me. I ignored it but still felt their eyes on me. It was like the first day of school all over again.

Thank god James wasn't there tonight. He's left me alone at school but only because I've changed my timetable so I don't have any classes alone with him. There's always one of the five there. It seems as though Emmett's the most protective of us, the girls, when he's around. I feel like they all know something I don't.

Leaning over I kissed Edward before relaxing against his chest, listening to his soft rhythmic heartbeat. I hate to admit this since it'll only cause problems but I would love to stay in his arms forever.