A/N: I am so very sorry that I took so long to update but I had a family situation for which, I had to fly down to Florida, nothing life threatening, just drama. Also I went right from there on vacation to San Francisco. So I have been jet setting across the country these past two weeks, while I read fanfiction like a fiend. My husband thought I was crazy looking for a power outlet in every airport! He was also embarrassed by some of the fanfiction I read on the plane but who is he to complain?!

Anyways enough of my boring life back to E&B!

This chapter is for Twilightzoner for her grammatical wisdom & for Cydryna Marie for her artistic style, who have both agreed to Beta for me, I hope I don't screw this up too much for you guys.

As always, I own nothing but my Twilight Movie Stub, the character of Beca, and a tiny bit of Rob (a girls can dream). SM owns my world.

When we last left Bella she was in Choir doing breathing exercises with Rob.

Chapter 8

EPOV

"Okay, everyone settle down! We are going to do some breathing exercises today, so pair up with a partner!" Miss Ashby was standing on the podium directing everyone for the day's choir activities.

Turning to look at me Miss Ashby lowered her voice for me to hear her privately, while everyone was pairing up. "Edward, here are a few pieces that we may try out. You can look them over and then practice."

Miss Ashby returned her attention to the class and walked around, directing each pair of students to give them helpful tips.

After I shuffled through the music, I looked up and my eyes were immediately drawn to Bella. I inwardly groaned. She was paired up with Rob. They were talking and doing the breathing exercises. I frowned. Maybe Rob would get laryngitis and have to sit out most of Choir this semester. If it got him away from Bella, I wouldn't complain. But why should I complain? I didn't have any rights to her or anything, although being around her, my body felt differently.

It's like some latent caveman instinct was worming its way into my brain. All I wanted to do was shove Rob away from Bella and take her some place where I could drown in those big beautiful brown eyes and worship her beautiful body. What the hell was I thinking? Music. Music. Music. Just get the damn composition done and this will all be over with. Then you can stop obsessing over Bella Swan's hypnotizing brown eyes.

I checked my thoughts and started running my fingers over the keys of the piano. It was my unfinished composition. As I reached the last part of the music in my head, I glanced up and saw Rob's fingertips touching Bella's midriff, clearly instructing her to breathe from her diaphragm. Even though the touch lasted for less than a second, I couldn't take my eyes off of Bella's face. She seemed uncomfortable, and she glanced up at me for a pregnant moment. Our eyes locked and I wished it had been my fingertips she had felt.

That, one look into the depths of her eyes, even from across the room, and the notes were flowing from my brain and out through my fingertips. The music from the piano was clearly getting more complicated and was transitioning to an angry tone, from the more comforting and longing feeling it previously held. The notes felt more clipped and ended at a crescendo.

The last bell rang. Finally, I could get out of here. I started to cram my music into my bag, when I felt a magnetic pull to the right side of my body.

"Edward, what were you playing?" I looked up into Bella's questioning eyes.

"Oh . . . ah . . . it was just something I am working on. Nothing, really. It's not even finished."

"I didn't know that you composed. That's awesome! I wish I had some special talent like that. I guess I'll see you later?" Bella was looking down at her shoes and her slender fingertips were resting on the edge of the piano. It seemed like she was waiting for something.

Oh damn! I should say something I guess. Say something . . . . say something . . . . anything!

"Yeah I'll see you later. Um . . . Friday, right?" I suddenly remembered her shopping trip with Alice and Rose.

BPOV

"I guess I will see you on Friday night. Alice and Rose and I are going shopping on Saturday. I clearly need something warmer than this to wear here in Forks!" Looking down at myself, I felt so inadequate. My body had felt so sensitive all day today and now I was torturing myself even more.

Edward looked down the length of my form as I gestured to my clothing, and I felt like I was on fire. I was melting again to my very core. I silently swore to myself never to go commando again, and I was definitely going to burn these jeans. They had hugged and made my body tingle all day and must be soaking by now. I felt so sensitive, like every nerve in my body was waiting for something. It had to be the jeans – right? - and not Edward, who was just looking into my eyes. It was the jeans, damn stupid jeans.

"Well, yeah later I guess." I started walking toward the door.

"Wait . . . um . . . I'll walk you to your car. You're parked right next to me anyways. You are the little vintage VW right?" Edward had caught up to me and was so close, I swear I could hear his sudden intake of breath.

Could he feel this energy too? I felt like fire was singeing every nerve in my body. I wanted to say something, anything. How could he not feel this? The energy was so strong. No, Bella, you are just making things up! Calvin Klein models are not interested in you. You are just . . . well you . . . look at you! The internal battle my mind was having was giving me a headache.

"Yup, that's me." I continued walking next to Edward in silence.

Alice and Emmett were waiting next to Edward's silver Volvo. My beat up VW looked like it belonged in a junk yard compared to his beautiful car. It figures - beautiful guy, heavenly eyes, fabulous car – definitely not interested in someone like me. I felt as beautiful as the rust on my car's rear fender. Alice watched us approaching and looked from me to Edward.

"Bella! Don't forget I am coming over on Thursday. I'm raiding all your drawers before we shop!"

"How could I forget? You can't wait to raid my panty drawer!" Ugh . . . I silently groaned and I was sure my face turned deep red. Why did I say that out loud? Edward could still hear me! Stupid! Stupid! I should just get a red Sharpie and write it across my forehead!

I threw my backpack across the seat and nodded at Alice and Emmett's goodbyes. Edward hadn't said anything. Well why would he? I was a nobody and I talked about my panties of all things! Which again reminded me of my pantyless state. Ugh! I banged my head on the steering wheel, trying to knock some sense into myself!

Just get home and cook for Charlie. Real life. Remember real life? The stuff that you have to get through? All this other stuff seemed to be cluttering up my real life, which I liked to be in order, all organized into neat little compartments. I had no little compartment for all these new and strange feelings.

After I got home, I made spaghetti and meatballs, hoping that cooking would clear my head. I made up two plates, one for Charlie and one for myself. Then I cleaned up the kitchen, which was breaking my new dinner rule with Charlie, but I didn't care. The mindless work let me zone out. I ate dinner early, by myself, and afterwards, left Charlie a note:

Dad,

Dinner is in the fridge. I have

homework to work on. I'll be upstairs.

B

I just wanted to be alone, write in my journal, and catch up on my Biology, which I was definitely behind on as a result of being preoccupied with my lab partner. I kicked off my shoes and quickly changed into comfy sweats. I threw the hated jeans into the trash. I felt so lost. Then I sat down at my desk and turned on the laptop with a mission. I opened my email program.

Beca,

I feel like I am in a different hell now, only this hell involves guys and all sorts of weird melting feelings. I feel like I'm going crazy and my body is betraying me. How is anyone supposed to know if a guy is interested in them anyways?

By the way I hate those jeans you got me. I felt like I was totally naked in them all day in school today! I am never wearing them again!

Bella

I closed the laptop with a click and climbed into bed. I held my journal and just sat there staring off into space. All I could see were his emerald eyes looking back at me - mocking me. I tossed my journal on the floor and buried my head in the pillow as my mind replayed the day's events, Edward's music serving as the soundtrack.

Maybe I should just go back to Arizona. Or better yet, I'll just get my GED and move to LA and be with Beca. Then I could torture her. Damn it! If I hadn't listened to her, I would not be feeling like this. I would be in the hell I already knew and still have my safe haven in Choir. Now, my whole world was turned upside down, and Choir definitely didn't feel safe anymore.