Chapter 3

EPOV

I knew when I woke up this morning, that I had a piano lesson to teach but couldn't remember any details of this student. I go through my blackberry, trying to get the name of the student so that I could decide what was really expected of me. I see the name Bella Swan, and I remember that she is the 17 year old daughter of the town's chief of police. I remember the discussion that I had with him a couple of weeks ago, while running into him at the police station. I was there of course with my brother Emmet, he needed to pay yet another speeding ticket. Chief Swan, had been informed that I was home now after graduating from Julliard six months ago. That's the way it is in a small town, everyone knows everything about everyone else. I had heard that his daughter, Bella had moved back in with him after her mom remarried and had moved to Florida. He congratulated me on graduating with a masters at such an early age. I'm 22 and had worked my ass off to finish that soon. Truth be told, New York was really starting to get to me and I just wanted to get home; The sooner the better. He asked me what my plans were and I explained to him that at the moment, I just wanted to unwind some and weigh my options. I'm almost ashamed to admit it but I'm a trust fund baby and really don't have to work unless I want to. I mentioned that I will probably teach lessons for a while just to keep myself occupied and my fundamental skills sharp. He started discussing Bella with me and explained that she was so introverted that she barely came out of her room except to cook for him and to go to school. I can totally relate to that. He's concerned that she doesn't seem to be making any friends and that's she more involved with Bronte and Shakespeare than she is with anyone else. Again, I can relate except for me it's Beethoven and Chopin. He really wants her to get out and find something more to get involved in. He knows that she always is listening to her Ipod, so maybe music lessons is what she needs. I agree to a meeting with her to see if she has any interest at all and explain to him that if she does wish to take lessons, he will need to buy her a piano. He quickly agreed and I gave him the phone number to an instrument dealer that I know, who had called me recently regarding a small spinnett, that he needed to get rid of. I had plans for that coming weekend to attend the symphony in Seattle, but would be happy to meet her the following weekend. By this time, I had already taken on a few young students, they were more what I was looking for. I can't help but love the younger children. Their innocence is beautiful and refreshing and their enthusiasm is contagious. I don't know that I ever been happier in my life than when a parent picks up their little one and wants to show them how well they have learned to play Mary had a little lamb. The parents are so proud and their eyes sparkle while listening to what their child has worked so hard to learn. It's while I sit with my coffee this morning, that I begin to worry about how to approach this with Isabella, no Bella, I remind myself. I have had several calls from teenage girls the past couple of weeks begging me to take them on as students, but I always decline. I know that they have no interest in my teaching them, or at least my teaching them music at any rate. I'm not stupid by any means, and I while I am not vain by any stretch of the imagination, I know that women generally speaking find me attractive and I am positive of the motives of these eager "students". Several have even had their parents call and beg me to reconsider, but I stand firm. I'm sure that they have visions of trust funds, my family's standing in the community or big weddings. Nope, not interested thank you. I have always been aware of my effect on women, but truthfully, I can't find anyone that interests me. If I find them attractive, usually they just open up their mouths, try to complete a sentence and I am completely turned off. It's of no matter though. I have convinced myself that I am meant to be alone in this world, having only my family and music to turn to for companionship and love.

I suddenly look down at my watch and realize that time has apparently decided to take on a life of its own and has flown by. It's after ten and I have only a few minutes left to prepare for this lesson, so I decide to go back to my room and listen to Debussey for a bit trying to get into the right frame of mind. I'm not sure why the thought of teaching this girl is causing me such distress; Maybe I should have politely declined Chief Swan's request, but I knew that my parents would not have appreciated that. My adoptive parents Carlisle and Esme Cullen have a very high standing in this community and I do understand that image is important. So I decide to pull myself together and go approach this as I would any other lesson, praying to the gods if they are listening, to at least allow this girl to be somewhat interested in the music so that I can just do my job.

I take a deep breath and turn off my stereo and begin to make my way to my music room. That room is my sanctuary, the one place that sooths my tortured artist's soul. As I descend the stairs I begin to hear my sister's voice speaking with someone. I hear things like "I'm so glad that you're here" and "I know that we're going to be best friends." "Christ, she is going to scare the poor girl away. I take a moment to wonder to myself if that is a good or a bad thing. Suddenly I hear my mom, Esme, welcoming the young girl to our home and doing her best to make her feel comfortable. I think that I hear another voice mumble something, but it was so quiet that I can't be sure. As I hear Esme instruct Alice to lead Bella into my music room, I get my first glimpse at the girl I would be attempting to teach.

From where I was standing I saw this small girl, with long brown hair that fell into soft waves framing her sweet face. She was dressed in a hoodie, jeans and Chucks, that oddly enough matched the ones that I had on. I don't know why that appealed to me so much but for some reason it did. I stifled a chuckle and continued to take in the vision of her. Her body frame was small, but definitely curved in the right places. Wait, where did that come from? Get it together Cullen, I admonish myself. I stand in that spot for several more minutes, attempting to compose myself before I walk into where she waiting for me. As I approach the double doors leading into the music room, I notice Alice sitting on the couch being uncharacteristically quiet and still. I hope that it is because she is trying not to scare this girl, but knowing Alice the way that I do, I have a feeling that there is something more to it. It is then that I take notice of the girl, no young woman, sitting next to her. Now I have a real view of her face and the first word that pops into my head is angelic. She has deep brown eyes that look like pools of melted chocolate. God a person could drown in those eyes. She is wearing no makeup to hide her natural beauty. I then notice a small patch of freckles on her nose, adorable, I think. Then down to her mouth, wow, I'm pretty sure I could write a song in tribute to that mouth alone, She has perfectly pink lips and then I can't help but notice how she likes to nibble on that bottom lip, it appears that she is nervous.

I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me as I try to speak. Alice is beginning to notice my discomfort and gives me an evil grin. I still don't think that Bella has noticed my presence in the room or if she has she hasn't acknowledged it. That's when I start walking towards her and I say "Hello, you must be Bella, I am Edward Cullen." Immediately her eyes meet mine and I think that I hear breath catch, but I could be imagining things. She takes a minute to take in all of me and for the first time in my life I catch myself worrying about my looks. I am nervous and more than a little frustrated with her silence, praying that she likes what she is seeing. I don't know why it matters but for some reason her approval is as vital to me as oxygen. Immediately I begin to run my hand through my hair, it's a nervous habit I have had as long as I can remember. For some reason that really catches her attention and at that moment, I have never wished more that I could read minds. Suddenly the sound of giggling breaks the silence. I had completely forgotten that Alice was in the room, " Alice" I say, "It is time for the lesson to begin and I want Bella to be comfortable, so why don't you go find Jasper and spend some time with him." Yes Alice, please do. I need some privacy for this and stay gone as long as you can. It was then that Bella decided to stand and as she does, I notice she starts to stumble a little. I instinctively reach my hands out and grab her tiny waist in order to keep her from falling. I swear at that first touch it felt like electrical shocks were shooting through my body. I guess this is what Frankenstein's monster felt when he was brought to life, but unfortunately at that moment, there was only one, long neglected body part being revived. Now is so not the time for this, I have kept you under control for 22 years, now is not the time for you to develop a mind of your own; I silently chastise said body part and pray that neither she nor Alice notice my not so little problem. At the thought of my tiny and annoying younger sister, I notice that she is literally dancing out of the room. Seriously dancing, I mean can she not reign it in a little? At the door now she stops and turns around and states simply "bye Bella, enjoy your lesson." I'm not sure whose benefit the last part of that statement was meant for. I suspect that it was more for me and literally growl "enough Alice." She leaves the room, muttering something about seeing Bella before she leaves and I can't begin to imagine the torture that has in store for my Bella. Wait, huh what do I mean my Bella? I decide at that moment that it is past time to pull my head out of my ass and get back to the matter at hand. I point to the stool that I have placed by my piano bench and asked that Bella take a seat. As I approach my bench I am suddenly assaulted by the fragrance that is pure Bella. I try to put a name to it but know that there are no words for this. It seems to be a combination of strawberry, vanilla and a touch of something floral, freesia maybe. God, I could drink this. I groan quietly at this and begin to realize that I'm in TROUBLE, big time. Damn this is going to be the longest hour of my life.