E
"Hello," I say into the receiver, "Edward Cullen speaking."
"Mister Cullen? This
is Isabella Swan, I have a meeting with you on Thursday?" She
sounds noticeably nervous which I can understand because I am
too.
"Good afternoon Miss Swan!" I reply with my best 'I
was not expecting this call and I am glad to hear from you' voice.
"What can I do for you?"
She hesitates for a moment on the other end, "Well, I just wanted to talk to you for a little bit. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
Even her speaking voice is lyrical and pleasing to the ear, I hope this conversation is longer than she hoped. "No, not at all miss Swan. I always have time for my clients."
"Oh thank you, I mean for taking time to talk to me but, also I wanted to thank you for the flowers you sent me."
"You liked them then? I had hoped they were something you would like; I know roses are a cliché."
"Oh no, not at all, they're beautiful."
"Good, I am glad to hear that."
There is a long pause, both of us at a loss for words, but she speaks up first.
"I also have a small question for you if that's alright?"
"Certainly miss Swan."
"About Thursday, did you want me to prepare something or did you have a song in mind?"
An interesting opportunity, should I let her take the reigns and see what she thinks her sound is or should I suggest something? However, I would like to keep her style of singing as close to her demo as possible…maybe she can pull this off. "Well miss Swan, if it would not be too much trouble, I do have a piece I would like to hear you perform."
"Oh is it something I would know?"
"No, actually it is my own composition and something that I have never shared with anyone but I believe you have the perfect voice for it. Do you play any instruments miss Swan?"
She hesitates for a moment but finally says, "I play the piano a little but I'm not good enough to learn a piece enough to play it in two days though. Oh, and please call me Bella mister Cullen."
I laugh to myself a little, "Then it is only fair that you call me Edward and do not worry about playing, just bring your voice and I will provide the accompaniment."
"Am I going to sight-read?"
If I really wanted to test her I would say yes but in the real world she will be prepared before a performance, "No, I will provide you an accompaniment track and the sheet music for it. Do you have access to a computer?"
"I'm sorry, I don't."
That will have to be my next gift to her, "Well then, what does the rest of your day look like?"
"Oh, I have the day off today and I don't have any plans."
"Would you mind if I dropped by and gave everything to you in person, or would that be inappropriate?"
"No, that would be
fine. Do you need my address?"
"I've got in on file from
Steven. Do you have a stereo or a CD player?"
"Um, yes I have a small portable CD player."
Computer and MP3 player then, "Wonderful, I have some business to attend to today so I will be unable to stop by until after eight o'clock. Will that be okay?"
Again she hesitates, I wonder what is going through her mind, "Yes, that's fine mister Cull- I mean, Edward. I'll be here." She sounds excited and that makes me glad.
B
I hang up the phone and steady my self because I don't think I took a breath at all during our conversation. I shouldn't have let him suggest something for me to perform for him, now he's given me something personal, something he created himself. I whish I had kept my mouth shut and just picked something. He has a preformed idea of how the song will sound with my voice, if I don't live up to that he might decide to drop me.
On top of all of this, he's coming here! My eyes flash around my apartment, suddenly every minute detail under extreme scrutiny. I have to make a good impression tonight and set myself on an obsessive cleaning tirade around my apartment.
X
Damn it, this isn't working. I've been scouring these streets all day and still no sign of her. I might have been wrong about where she lived I guess. I let out an exasperated sigh and pull out my phone, its after six so it should be okay. I scroll through my contacts and hit send on the number I'm looking for.
It rings for a long while but picks up, "Hello?"
"Hey Sam, what's up?"
"Oh, you've got to be kidding. Y'know Seth said you were in town, I didn't want to believe him because I knew there was only one thing you'd come all the way out here for and I told you it's a lost cause."
"Aww you can read me like a book Sam." I say as sarcastically as possible, "Do you have a couch to spare?"
"Staying with Leah and Seth not workin' out huh?" Sam asks.
"I think Leah has become even more rough around the edges after her parents died, if that's possible."
"Oh it's possible, trust me. Ugh…I can't believe I'm going to help you, yeah I've got a couch for you. You know where I live?"
"Yeah, got it from dad, see you soon."
"Later Jacob… You know she probably doesn't want to see you right?"
"Thanks Sam." I hang up and walk back to my bike. Sorry Bella, I'll see you later I guess.