Hi everyone! Thanks to all of the viewers who have been reading my story, because I really appreciate it! And thank you to everyone who reviewed that last chapter! Including:

twilight-love-music

GlowstickGirl [who has some very cool stories you should check out ;)]

AndLovinTopazEyes91who recognized the quote from the last chapter was from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!

One more quick note… if any one has any song requests for either Edward or Bella just send me a review or message… something like that….. m'kay then…And now back to the story!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything related to Twilight…..yet. I'm working on that along with, you know, ruling the world and such….

Chapter 9:

BPOV

I left the room in a hurry. Being stared at while wearing less than comfortable clothing was not on the top of my list of things to do. It wasn't that I hated the clothes; I just didn't love them on me. Despite Rose and Alice's assurances that I looked marvelous, I was more of a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl. And sure, sometimes it was nice to dress up, but I hate feeling like I'm constantly trying to impress anybody.

I walked around a bit more before I realized that I was incredibly lost. How can somebody get lost in a house! Even one as large as the Cullen's mansion. I tried retracing my steps and looking for familiar doors. I came across one room that looked sort of familiar and pushed it open a crack. I was wrong; I'd never been in this room before. I would have remembered.

It was some kind of music room, heavily carpeted with thick gold fabric for (I was guessing) sound proofing reasons. Instead of wallpaper, each of the walls had shelves and shelves of CDs. The far wall boasted of an impressive looking sound system. There were various instruments throughout the room: guitars, a couple of drum sets, but the real focus of the room seemed to be the massive piano in the center of the room. It was so gorgeous and I found myself involuntarily drawn to it.

I ran my hand across the ivory keys and a shiver went up my spine. I really wanted to try it out. My fingers were itching to play just one note, but I restrained myself. This wasn't my house and it wasn't my place. So I quietly walked back out of the room and shut the door.

"What do you think you're doing?" I jumped about five feet in the air and let out a very surprised squeak. Edward stood behind me, staring me down like I was the devil himself.

"I got lost. I was just trying to get back to the living room," I explained calmly, but Edward's glare didn't let up.

"Go down the hall and make a left," he stated curtly. He was really starting to get on my nerves. Here I was being calm about the whole situation and he was being rude to me. I couldn't see the problem with my being in the music room. I crossed my arms and stared him down.

"Thank you," I said, just as curtly.

"Whatever." I turned on my heel and started my dramatic exit.

"And next time, try and respect our space! You're a guest, so try not to wander into random rooms." I spun around and looked at him incredulously.

"Are you kidding me?" He just cocked an eyebrow in a superior manner.

"You, Mr. Do Whatever I Want When I Want, are giving me a lecture on manners?" Edward rolled his eyes at me and started to walk away; an obvious dismissal. I stalked after him and spun him around.
"Swan, can try to keep this civil?" he sighed. I gritted my teeth.

"No way, dude! You tried to pick a fight, and now you've got one! I wasn't doing anything wrong, I was just trying to find my way back and your rudeness was totally uncalled for! The next time you want to teach someone a lesson on manners, maybe you should try to learn some first! I've never met such a self-center jerk in my entire life!"

Suddenly everything went black. CRASH!

"What the…? Swan, what did you do?"

"Don't be ridiculous Cullen! I didn't do anything!"

"Well what's going on?"

"The power went out dumb-butt!"

"Did you just call me a dumb-butt?"

"Why yes, yes I did do you have a problem with that?"

"I don't think anyone's called me a dumb-butt since I was like five."

"What a pity, since you're ego needs to be taken down a few notches."

"Can we please just try to get back to the living room?"

"Fine, come on."

"Try not to trip, klutz."
"Guess what?"

"What?"

"Shut up."

We made our way back to living room in silence, and I managed not trip the whole way there. The others had set up candles in the living room, which cast an eerie glow across the room. They all looked up when we entered the room and rushed over.

"Oh there you guys are! We were worried you might've gotten lost in the house when the power went out, Bella!" Esme cried. I shot a look at Edward, and then smiled at Esme.

"I'm fine thanks, what happened? We heard a crash."

"Oh that, that was just Emmett. He was helping me with dinner when the lights went out and he dropped the salad bowl. It turns out there was a major accident back in town, and a couple power lines were taken out. Your father's at the scene trying to get things sorted out. My husband works at the hospital and is taking care of the injuries. No one was seriously harmed thank goodness! I just got off my cell phone with him, and he told me Charlie has asked if it would be alright if you stayed until everything has been sorted out. He doesn't want you home alone with no power."

"Oh, that's so nice of you! Are you sure it's not a problem?"

"Not at all dear! Rose, Jasper? You two should probably stay as well. It will take a while before they have everything wrapped up."

They both agreed, and we sat down to a candle-lit dinner in the Cullen's living room (minus the salad). I avoided Edward at all costs. I refused to even look at him.

In his room, he had seemed so troubled and vulnerable. But now, he was back to being that jerk that I had run into this morning. After we ate I offered to help clean up, ignoring protests from my hosts. I carried some dishes back to the dark kitchen. There was just enough light from the candles that I didn't have to strain my eyes too much to see. I made my way to the sink with my load.

Just then, my foot slipped on something and I dropped all the dishes to the floor. Shards of glass were everywhere as I tried to regain my footing, but it was too late. I fell to floor and cried out as bits of glass sliced my arm. I heard everyone running to the kitchen and the room was suddenly illuminated with candlelight.

"Bella!"

"Are you ok?"

"Oh my god, she's bleeding!"

Everyone gathered around and I tried to convince them that it was as bad as it looked. I explained that I had slipped on something, and the cuts were not deep at all.

"I'm so sorry I broke some of your plates, Esme!" I apologized. She waved off my apology, assuring me that she couldn't care less. I sat up and looked for what I had slipped on. I held up the culprit.

"Lettuce?" Everyone turned to look at Emmett who was looking sheepishly to the floor.

"I guess I kinda forgot to clean up the salad?" Everyone glared, but I couldn't take it anymore. I burst out laughing. Now everyone looked at me as if I had gone insane.

"Oh come on isn't this just a little funny? I slipped on lettuce for crying out loud! Really I'm fine; I just need to clean up the cut a little bit." They helped me up and immediately began cleaning up the kitchen to prevent any other accidents as I made my way over to the sink.

"Oh dear, let Edward help you with that. He has first aid training," Esme called to me. Of course he did. Could the boy fly too? I smiled at Esme, trying to be polite as possible.

"I think I've got this, Esme, but thank you."

"No really sweetheart, he's very good!" Edward grimaced, but made his way over to me. I shook my head.

"Honestly, it's not deep at all. I'm sure I can handle it just fine." Now Edward was frowning.

"Will you just let me help and get it over with? I can clean you up in no time," he said, almost angrily. Why was he insisting? I was fine!

"I can do it myself!"

"Why are you so stubborn?" Jasper laughed from across the room, and we both turned to look at him. He shrugged.

"Bells, you are stubborn," he started, as I glared at him. Then he addressed Edward, "Dude, just let it go. Bella hates being taken care of." Edward turned back to me and raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Well that's stupid." I turned my glare back to him.

"You're stupid."

"I'd appreciate it if you'd stop insulting my intelligence."

"You started it!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"HEY!" We both looked in surprise at Rosalie. She had her hands on her hips and was staring us down like only she could.

"You both are being childish. Bella just let Edward clean your arm." Edward grinned smugly, "Edward, wipe that look off your face. Now both of you; please stop arguing!" I held out my arm to Edward reluctantly, and he began cleaning it; making sure there were no bits of glass in the cut before bandaging it for me. He was surprisingly gentle, and as he finished up he grazed his finger across my arm. A small, sharp shock went through my body and I leapt back in surprise. Edward looked at his hand, then back at me and muttered a quick "sorry." I shook it off, blaming the reaction on static electricity; and rejoined Rosalie and Alice. They dragged me to the living room and we talked for an hour about anything and everything. Alice was becoming a fast friend, and I could tell Rose liked her too. Not too long after, the power returned. I thanked the Cullen's for their hospitality and I left.

By the time I got home, Charlie still hadn't come back from the accident. I called his cell phone and left a message saying that I had gotten home safely. After that, I crawled into bed; beyond exhausted. Today had been such a long and confusing day. As I fell asleep, my last thoughts were of a certain frustrating, annoying, confusing, bronze-haired, green-eyed boy.

Any thoughts? Leave me a review! I love to hear from you guys!

~Hazel