BPOV
For some reason I felt like telling Edward everything about me. I had no idea why I felt like I could trust him, but once we were sitting there on that tree I just opened up. I didn't tell him everything, but he got the bulk of the things that were always bothering me. I glossed over some of the events that happened. I just hoped he wouldn't run and tell the others. Especially about my mother and her suicide attempt - I just didn't want that spread around. People back home treated me differently because they knew about it. It got worse after the thing with James.
I don't know why I told him about that, but it did help to explain why I freaked out in Port Angeles. He had not raped me, but he had gotten close. He had been trying to get my pants off when my stepfather came into the room. Of course he did not believe that James had been forcing himself on me. In my parent's eyes James could do no wrong, and I was just being overly sensitive. Really, it was Phil saying it all, my mother just stood back and let him treat me like it was my fault. I could see in her eyes she felt sorry for me. I closed myself up after that little incident. When they said I was going away to school, I did not argue.
It was almost dark when Edward and I finally got up and headed back into the school. I didn't want to rush back, but I knew that I needed to get over to the music hall soon and leave the little present for the mysterious player. I didn't have any new music to leave, but I had spent the time I usually used looking for music with Edward. It was worth it though. I actually felt like I had made a friend at school. It was not something I was used to at that point in my life, but having a friend worked for me.
I left Edward before we made it back to our rooms. I went back into the room I shared with Alice and Rosalie through the door in the hall. I was avoiding the common room. When I walked in, the girls were both there, sitting on my bed. I could see they were worried about me. I sighed and moved to sit with them. Alice hugged me as I sat down beside her.
"We have been worried sick about you. We came in here earlier to check on you and you were gone."
I nodded and leaned against Alice, "I went for a walk. I needed to clear my head and it helped."
That seemed to make her happy, and the talking switched to the things they had bought. I smiled as Alice got up and ran around grabbing things. Apparently, I was going to get a fashion show out of her. I watched the clock though, since I needed to get over to the music room and leave the present before the player got there.
EPOV
I debated telling Bella that I was the piano player as we walked back to the school. I wasn't sure how she would take it though. Would she like that I was the one playing for her, or would she feel betrayed? I was worried that if I did tell her, things would change for us, and not in a good way. I loved the relationship we had. I felt like we could talk about anything. I held off on telling her, because I wanted to make sure the timing was right. I was thinking that the best time to tell her would be at some romantic moment, on a date or while I was playing the one piece I felt drew us together. I had started associating Claire de Luna with us, like it was our song.
After leaving Bella at her room door, I headed to the common room. Jasper was the only one there when I entered. He looked up at me and gave me a small smile. I sat down beside him and remained quiet for a bit. I could feel him watching me though.
"I didn't tell her. She had a hard day."
He nodded, "I don't blame you. You will know when the time is right. Don't tell Alice this, but I think it is great you and Bella are compatible. That would go to Alice's head if she knew."
I laughed as Emmett came into the room. In his arms was every piece of clothing he owned. He was stomping as he made his way toward the girls' room. Both Jasper and I watched as he kicked their door open and threw the clothes into their room. I cringed, knowing he was about to get his ass kicked.
"Rosalie, my laundry is not done."
I heard the growl before I saw a blond knocking Emmett over. Jasper and I both tried to not laugh as Rosalie pinned Emmett to the floor. She was yelling something about not being his damn maid. I looked up at the door when Alice and Bella appeared. They were both trying to not laugh as well. My eyes locked with Bella's, and the laughter broke through. Soon we were all laughing as Rosalie pummeled Emmett. He did deserve it.
The rest of the evening was spent listening to Rosalie and Emmett argue over her place in their relationship. Apparently, Emmett had been reading something about how a woman's place was in the kitchen, serving her man. Rosalie did not agree with that opinion, though. In the end, I heard Rosalie tell Emmett she was not his servant and to get all the dirty clothes out of her room. That started another argument, but I did not stick around to hear it. It was time to play the piano.
I had seen Bella slip out for a little bit, and I smiled. I wondered what music would be waiting for me when I got to the piano that night. When she came back in she looked so content with herself. I couldn't help but smile. I felt eyes on me when the smile spread across my face. My eyes locked with Alice's, and I swear you could see the gears going in her head. She was planning something else to get Bella and me together. I wasn't going to stop her, but I had to pretend to hate her plan. Giving Alice a hard time was a favorite past time of both Emmett and me. It was our right to, as her brothers.
It was almost bedtime for everyone when I slipped out and headed for the music room. The girls had already gone to their room, and Emmett was in the shower, so the only one who saw me leave was Jasper. I was glad he knew my secret; I didn't have to explain anything to him when I got up and left. I did wonder when Bella would leave her room and head to the music hall. I smiled to myself as I thought about her on my way there.
There was a box on the piano when I arrived. The teacher had left the small desk lamp on for me. She knew I left the rest of the lights off when I played. I actually had requested that the room be as dark as possible during the day in my music lessons. I just felt better playing in the dark, with the one little lamp on. It did mean that when Bella looked into the small window in the door, she would not be able to see anything in the room; the piano was not directly in site of the door.
I sat down at the piano and looked the box over slowly. She had bought me something when they had gone to Port Angeles. I couldn't help but grin as I opened it. The wire piano and player inside were amazing and something I would have bought myself. It was a perfect gift from her. I sat it on top of the piano and smiled more as I started my warm up pieces. When I felt she was out there, I started playing our piece, Claire de Lune. She had not left me anything, so I played the ones that she had left more than once. I called them "The Bella Collection."
BPOV
I had sat outside the room that night and smiled as my favorite pieces were played. I had hoped they would like the small present I had left. I really didn't leave much music the following week. I did leave the pieces I wanted to hear though. Every night I got to listen to my favorites being played over and over. It was nice.
The following Friday there was another present for me on the steps when I got there. It was a necklace to go with the bracelet. I, of course, put it on and wore it all the time. I would sit and think about who was playing the music and smile. I was sure everyone thought I was losing my mind, but Alice liked that I had a secret admirer that was buying me things. She was impressed with the things I was being left. The week after the necklace was left for me, there was a box with matching earrings in it, and the week after that there was a pretty little ring to make the set complete.
I was leaving the player small things, too. I had found a nice leather folder that I had started putting music into. I left it the week I got the necklace. I left a crystal piano paperweight for the mysterious player after I got the earrings. I was uncertain what to leave for the player after I received the ring though, so I went hunting online to find the perfect present.
EPOV
The weeks that followed were great. I played every night for Bella. Every Friday, I left her a present, and the following day she left me something equally as nice. We had fallen into a pattern, and I liked it. During the day, she and I would talk about everything. We would go for walks if the weather was not too bad. We would walk in the rain if it was not too cold. I was really beginning to enjoy myself with her. The night after I left her the ring, I had a talk with Jasper.
"Jas, can we talk?"
Jasper looked up as I walked into our room. Everyone else was out doing their own thing. I was actually surprised Alice had not dragged him off somewhere. He gave me a small nod as I sat down by him.
"Well, it's about Bella and me. I have been leaving her presents for a month now. Do you think maybe it is time to tell her? I spend all my free time with her during the day. I know I am in love with her."
I blushed when I said that I was in love with Bella. It was true; I couldn't imagine my life without her in it. Her not knowing it was me in the music room was driving me crazy. Every day, I just wanted to jump up and down, yelling it at her.
"Well, I think maybe now is good. I mean, you and she are connecting. Alice says she talks about you all the time. I think she would love it if she knew you were her secret piano player," he smiled. "And I think you would feel better if she knew."
He was right, of course. I would feel better if she knew. I hated keeping secrets from her when we shared so much.
"She is going with me to Port Angeles tomorrow. I will tell her then."
I went for a walk after talking to Jasper. I felt so much better once I had decided to tell Bella. As I headed to the music hall, I thought about how I would tell her. It was not something I could just say in passing. It would need to be special. I stopped short when I saw someone standing in the shadows by the music building. I made my way toward them slowly, trying to avoid being seen. Why would someone be hiding in the shadows?
When I got close enough, I saw that it was one of the boys we had run into when Bella and I had been in the clearing. It was the one who had made her feel uncomfortable with his staring. I think she had said his name was Jacob and had messed with her in Port Angeles, too. I approached him, tapping his shoulder to get him to notice me.
"Is there a reason you are here? This is private property."
He narrowed his eyes at me as I spoke. I was sure he recognized me. That was confirmed for me when he tried to push me. Before I knew what was happening I was on the ground with Jacob. He was trying to pin me to the ground. I had gotten him pinned when I heard someone running up to us. It was Bella. She was yelling help as she approached. Jacob tried to get away while I was distracted, but his movements were useless. I had him completely tied down. I was thankful that Emmett had always picked on me; it had taught me how to defend myself.
Soon we were surrounded by students, and the security guards were taking Jacob away. I swore I heard him say that she would be his. The stalker types always confused me. I made sure the security guys knew he was not a student at the school. I also made sure they knew I was only defending myself. As everyone started walking away Bella approached me.
"I am so sorry Edward. I bet he was waiting for me. I have felt like someone was watching me all week, and now I know he was."
I put an arm around her and hugged her, "It's all right, having Emmett as a big brother pays off in times like this. He taught me how to defend myself."
She laughed, "Why does that not surprise me. So what were you doing outside the music building this late anyway?"
I blushed as she asked. I guess sometimes fate plays your hands for you. I decided that just coming out and saying it was the best way now. I couldn't hide it anymore.
"Well, to be honest, I was heading into the building. I have a nightly date with a piano."
I was almost afraid to look at her. This was not how I wanted her to find out.
Now she knows! How will she react?! Bad Jacob, hehe!
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