a/n Please note that all WitFit entries are unedited. No beta. I don't own Twilight.

***This takes towards the end of college.

Word Prompt: Orchestra

A single word meant to inspire immediate thought. Write what your imagination dictates.

"Can I get two glasses of the pinot, please?"

"How do you know that's what I wanted?"

Edward looked at me incredulously but still asked. "Is that not what you wanted?"

"No, that's what I wanted," I smiled.

He poked me in my side. "Quit giving me a hard time."

After paying, he handed me a glass and we moved back through the reception area in Stanley Field Hall. The room was luminous with the white marble walls gleaming red and plum from the colored lights. Large emerald and sapphire crystalized globes sparkled and hung low from the vaulted ceilings. We took a seat on one of the golden, upholstered benches near some of Edward's other classmates.

"Killed it, Cullen," a fellow musician nearby said, raising his glass.

"Thanks." Edward was glowing from the high of his success this evening. He'd always been a remarkable pianist but had played only as a hobby before. It was in college that he finally decided to share his talent with more than his family.

"The piece was amazing, not that I'm surprised," I shared.

"I'm just glad you could make it."

"You made it pretty easy for me. Who turns down a free ticket? Besides, it was your last one before you graduate. Who knows when you'll play formally again."

Edward had insisted I attend the annual Christmas concert put on by the various ensembles of Northwestern's School of Music. He minored in music and was the pianist in the Jazz Orchestra Ensemble. One of the pieces they performed in the program was composed by Edward and had been received enthusiastically. Esme and Carlisle had been working the room all night, seemingly more proud of their son's original work than he was. They had a right to be. Even though they'd been out of Chicago for over a decade, the family was still well connected. Many of their old friends attended the concert to see the Cullen's youngest performing at the famed Field Museum.

"Emmett and Rosalie are really causing a scene," I said, watching the pair on the dance floor. They were already an attractive couple but Emmett was playing up his tall, dark and handsome features with a black tux to Rosalie's supermodel looks in a fitted, cobalt blue, velvet gown, her honeyed blond locks cascading in waves down her back. They caught every eye that glanced their way as they swayed to the jazz music from the Big Band ensemble being used for the reception and dinner.

"He loves it," Edward said while looking at his brother and sister-in-law. "I guess they clean up alright."

I laughed at his fake nonchalance. "Yeah they're alright, I suppose."

I tried to slyly check out Edward again while I sipped. I'd tried to not drool all night but it was increasingly difficult to not stare at him in his tux the more we drank.

"You're not so bad yourself," he said, dropping his voice a little. I must not have been too slick.

I gave him a sharp look. "Behave."

"Says the lady in red."

"You picked it out."

"You let me."

We couldn't have the both of us going down this road. Instead of replying, I took a longer sip of my pinot. We really needed to be drinking water to squelched what simmered between us.

"Relax, Bella. I'll return you to Peter an honest woman," he snickered.

"Peter had no issue with me coming out here alone."

"I wonder why that is." He wasn't fond of Peter but unfairly so. They'd never met.

"Don't be nasty. We're having a good time."

"We are having a good time." He finished his glass and stood up with his hand held out. "Come dance with me. Let's try and steal some of Em's thunder."

I always loved dancing with Edward. I wasn't as skilled as he was but he made me feel like I was gliding. With his playful nature back, I finished my wine and grabbed his hand as he led us out to the dance floor, joining Emmett and Rosalie. They acknowledged us with warm smiles but stayed in their bubble. They still behaved like newlyweds.

Edward's hand slid around my lower back, pulling me slightly closer. I let one hand rest on his shoulder as the other was held tightly in his. I'd thought this was safer territory but clearly the wine was impairing my judgement. It was better if we continued talking.

"Will you keep playing in grad school," I asked, hoping to shift to a topic that would mask our attraction.

He hesitated before responding. "I didn't apply."

"To grad school?"

"Yeah." He moved us closer together so I couldn't see him, our cheeks barely brushing.

"What happened," I whispered in his ear after a few beats.

"I just don't know where I want to go so I'm not going anywhere," he whispered back.

"That's not like you."

He laughed humorlessly. "Who you telling?"

"What will you do after graduation?"

"Probably come home. Get myself sorted."

"I'd get to see you more." It was a selfish reaction but instinctual.

He leaned away a bit so he could see me. "I wouldn't want to distract you from your final year."

"You wouldn't," I said hurriedly. "Coming home is smart. To get yourself sorted like you said."

"Surely, Peter-"

I cut him off. "Enough with Peter. It would be great to have my best friend back."

"Yeah, it would," he said, igniting my insides with his accompanying smile. "I loved being back here but I've missed you these four years."

My stomach dropped but I shrugged off his notion. "Sure, sure. It was easy for you to go."

"It's never been easy," he said intensely.

I moved close to him again so I wouldn't see those eyes burning down at me. I wanted this man back home but I was fooling myself if I thought my relationship with Peter would survive the return of Edward Cullen.