Teenagers
They're gonna clean up your look
With all the lies in the books
To make a citizen out of you...
"How was your day honey?" Esme, my 'mother' asked as I stormed through the door.
"Same," I grumbled.
"Thirsty? You're in a bad mood today."
Sighing, I stopped before retreating to my room. "Sorry Esme. It's just...it's always the same. Different places, but always the same. Same classes, same lessons, same boring people with different names and faces. All the same. Always."
Esme came over and gave me a comforting hug. "Poor Edward." She was sincere in her sympathy. "I know it's difficult honey. We have to try to fit in though."
"I know, I know. I'll cope." I flashed a grin at her. "Can't promise to always be happy about it though."
I heard her silent words of pity. 'Poor, poor Edward. If only he could find someone, just for him.'
"Don't," I warned.
'You'll be much happier!'
"Just don't." I left her before it could go on. Esme, the truly eternal romantic. She had such a strong love for Carlisle, my 'father', she just can't see how I could do without that same kind of love in my life. They'd tried to find me a life mate already, to no avail. As much as I adored Esme, and knew she only did this because of her great love for me, I wished she'd stop. I am as I should be. Alone.
Jasper and Alice followed me up the stairs. They were now in the room beside mine and needed privacy. Trying my best to oblige, I put headphones on and cranked the music hoping to drown out everything. It was times like this that the loneliness kicked in for me. Knowing the almost rabid love the two couples I share a house with have for each other, it's difficult to ignore my own frustrating needs when I'm not able to completely block them out. The intensity in which they show their love for each other does not make it easy for me. Vampires are fantastic lovers. Apparently.
Outwardly, I'm 17. Now, a 17-year-old virgin is not unheard of. I've been a 17-year-old virgin, however, for some 90 years. Painfully frustrating at times.
Contemplating relieving said frustration myself, Alice's thoughts suddenly burst through. No, she can't read minds like I can. I'm unique that way. She can, however, see things coming up. Being close, Alice and I, she was more than sensitive to my future endeavors. Extremely embarrassing when she sees I'm about to fly solo. Scrap that then. Not in the mood now.
They continued on, myself forgotten, with greater force. The CDs on my wall rattled. I banged on the wall with my fist, growling, "Easy!"
'Sorry!' their minds called out and then went back to satisfying each other. I had to find a new distraction. Quickly.
Grabbing my keys, I dashed down the stairs with such speed the paintings on the wall moved on their hooks. "Going out Mom!" I called to Esme.
"Okay honey. Have fun. Call if you're going to be late!"
I smiled. Esme worries so much. Mostly about me. Not wanting to cause her any worry, I always tried to let her know where I was. Impossible at the moment however, as I didn't know where I was headed myself. Maybe Alice knew, I smirked as I tore out of the driveway.
Pushing the car's engine to the max still wasn't enough of a diversion for me. Vampires love speed almost as much as sex. I used the speed of the Z4 as a dual vice; diversion from my own sexual frustration and to physically get as far away from Alice and Jasper as possible. The further a person is from me, the harder it is for me to 'hear' them. Alice is the exception - I pick her up more readily than anyone else, just as she could see my future better than she could see most others'. I was miles and miles away before she faded from me.
Feeling somewhat more relieved, I eased up on the gas to drive at a more human speed. I was nearing a town anyway and I didn't want to risk injuring anyone. Certainly not with my car. I took in the various shops as I cruised along, one in particular catching my eye. Circling the block, I found a place to park and went back to explore. A music shop was just the thing to distract me.
Living the number of years I had - alone, as I was and had been - I'd developed a love for many things. Literature, art, film...all great things to keep me occupied, but nothing held my focus as much as music did. Listening, playing, composing...all part of my life, daily.
I ran my icy fingertips over a beautiful Steinway Grand just inside the door. The salesman dashed over immediately seeing a teenager toying with his most expensive piece.
"Do you play?" he inquired, positioning himself between it and me.
"A bit." I smiled at him politely and nodded at his prized possession. "This is quite beautiful."
"Perhaps you'd care to try one of these?" His hand swept across the showroom to the less expensive pianos. I caught a glimpse of myself through his mind's eye and was startled. I scared him. Not only the normal fear that humans instinctively had when around us, but my cover persona scared him shitless. I'd forgotten that I hadn't ditched the look I'd used for our previous ruse. I guess I did appear to be a threat. I intended to use his fear to my advantage...for amusement.
Smug smile is place, I strolled over and took a seat at one before flexing my fingers. "I'll give it a shot." Sheet music for a simple Bach piece was set out so I pretended to look it over. No need, really. There wasn't a classical piece I couldn't play from memory. My fingers flew over the keys, playing flawlessly. The salesman reddened, showing his awareness that he'd misread me. Good. He was of the mind that all teens were ignorant punks, regardless if they were well-groomed or had piercings and dyed their hair.
I smiled as I finished playing. "Very nice. Thank you for letting me try it."
"Are you interested in purchasing one?" 'Maybe this one...'He turned my attention back to the original. Fuck. The enticing thought of money overweighed his fear. That backfired. I'd have to toy with him some other way.
Laughing, I stood and shook my head. "No no. Not a piano, thank you. I'll just have a look around if you don't mind." My manners, Esme would be impressed with, I thought. Showing off? Not so much. And hoping to frighten him? A definite no-no.
I wandered down the length of the shop, admiring the various instruments. I should learn one of those, I thought to myself. Piano held my heart, but learning to play something new would be a perfect distraction. I didn't even have to think about piano when I played.
A stringed instrument...perhaps a violin or cello? I loved the deep throaty sound the cello emitted.
'Wonder if he plays guitar too?' The random thought came into my head. Not mine. Whose? I glanced around and spotted a tiny, dark-haired girl, about the same size as Alice, attempting to reach a guitar hanging above her head.
"May I?" I asked as I reached for the one she had in mind.
"Thanks," she said shyly. "It's a bit over my head."
"In arms-length for you...in practice for me," I smiled as I passed it to her.
"You don't play? I heard you on the piano. That was amazing and I don't even like that music. You should totally learn."
"I was thinking of it," I admitted. "What do you recommend? For a novice?"
"I'd recommend an acoustic for a young man with an ear for classical, such as yourself," the salesman jumped in. Ah...back again.
"I'm actually looking for something new. Different."
"I've got this one Bart."
I grinned with amusement as the dark little waif turned bold and he stomped off. She scared him. "Do you work here?"
"Well, he doesn't pay me, so technically no."
The girl had some nerve. I liked that. "Tell you what, I know nothing about this so I'll leave it in your capable hands to select something for me here while I get Bart to set me up with an acoustic."
'He thinks I'm stupid. Whatever dude. Take Bart's lame acoustic and go play your classical shit.'
Trying hard not to laugh, I turned back to her. "Get whatever else I need for your pick as well. Cords, amplifier, whatever. I know nothing."
'Both? He's getting both? And he can't even play. Holy shit, his parents must be loaded.'
Similar thoughts came from Bart when I presented my credit card to pay for 2 guitars and their required accessories and various books.
"Mr Cullen?"
"Yes?"
"Is this your father's card?" 'Who did you steal this from?'
"No, it's mine. See?" I pulled out my driver's licence to prove it was legit. "My father got both my sister and I cards...you can call him to verify if you'd like." I made a show of pulling out my cell phone and pulled Carlisle's cell number up. "He's at work. Hospital." I held it out for him to take.
Completely flustered, he refused the phone and hastily rang up my sale. This was the usual reaction I got from people. What's this girl's story? She doesn't seem affected at all. Strange.
'He's leaving! I should say something.'
Better not to, I thought back. Remembering my manners, I felt I should at least acknowledge her before I left. "Hey, thanks for all your help," I called as I considered how to get all my newly acquired diversions to my car with two humans watching me closely.
"Here, let me help you. Where did you park?"
"Not far. Don't bother yourself. I'll make two trips.
"It's fine," she insisted, picking up a case in one hand and the amp in the other.
"At least leave me with the heavy stuff!" I laughed.
"I can manage. But whatever. It's your shit."
Bart did not approve of her language, nor her punkish appearance.
"You've got a great sales staff here." I feigned innocence. "Don't let her get away."
"She doesn't work here!" he retorted stiffly.
"My mistake. She should." I flashed my grin. "Enjoy your evening."
"I couldn't resist," I explained once we were on the sidewalk. "Guy's got a stick up his ass when it comes to teenagers." Truthfully, I did as well. I detested them and their silly, annoying, never-ending thoughts.
"Tell me." She rolled her eyes. "He cringes when he sees me walk in."
"You're there often?"
"Um...pretty much always!" she laughed. She had a cute laugh. Not an annoying giggle like the girls at school. "Drives him nuts!"
I smiled at her. "My car's just over there."
She whistled when she saw the shiny black Beamer. "Dad's got some money huh?"
I shrugged. "He likes us to have nice things."
"Yeah, it's...nice."
Having loaded the car, I was anxious to get home and start learning but this girl didn't seem ready to leave. "So what's your name, by the way?"
"Grey."
She was lying. "With an 'e'."
"How'd you know?" Her eyes flashed up at me.
"Lucky guess," I smirked. "Well, thanks Grey with an 'e', again. Edward Cullen. Good to meet you." I got in the car quickly to give her the hint.
"See ya around maybe." She stood on the sidewalk, hands deep in her pockets. Trying very hard to be casual.
"Yeah. Maybe." I drove off before I could hear anymore of her thoughts. She was far too interested. It wasn't safe for her to think like that. Stupid teenager.
They say that teenagers scare
The living shit out of me
They could care less
As long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes
Or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone
But not me...
(My Chemical Romance)