Stephenie has it all. I just decided to play with her characters and add some of mine.
Pictures of the characters on my web, here: http:/ newdawn-newday-newlife . webs . com/ residentadviser . htm. As you know by now, remove the spaces.
On FB you find me under the name of Cherry Bella. THANK YOU, GUYS! I never expected so many reviews or story Alerts/Favorites or hits. You are great! This is seriously my only story to recieve such feedback! I may update every week, I'm not sure yet.
Pre-read by TeamAllTwilight.
"Where's Bob?" I wailed, storming around the small backstage hallway we had there. "I need Bob!" I cried out pathetically. It was the big night, and he was nowhere in sight. Just as I was giving myself a heart attack, Emmett popped in.
"Hey, Boop! Stop fretting. He'll be on the stage. All mystery and shit." He winked.
"Seriously?"
He nodded and hugged me. "Go, get them!"
I stood on the dark stage and started singing.
In sleep he sang to me,
in dreams he came
that voice which calls to me and speaks my name
And do
I dream again?
For now
I find the Phantom of the Opera is there - inside my mind
I gasped loudly when I heard my phantom's voice. It wasn't Bob's voice. I couldn't see him, but I knew it was Edward.
Sing once again with me our strange duet
My power over you grows stronger yet
And though you turn from me,
to glance behind,
the Phantom of the Opera is there - inside your mind
He had a divine voice. I heard footsteps coming closer to me.
Those who have seen your face draw back in fear
I am the mask you wear
It's me they hear
He said gravely.
Your/My spirit and my/your voice in one
combined: the Phantom of the Opera
is there - inside your/my mind
He's there,
the Phantom of the Opera
Beware the Phantom of the Opera
In all your fantasies,
you always knew that man and mystery
He came so close that I could see his green eyes sparkling behind the mask. His face was hard, the perfect poker face. Had they made him come here? It didn't look like he wanted to be here.
And in this labyrinth where night is blind,
the Phantom of the Opera is there/here - inside your/my mind
I wouldn't have thought we could sing so well together, we could sound like this, I rose as high as I dared and I was glad for the background sound of Christine's voice or, more accurately Sarah's perfect voice.
Sing, my Angel of Music!
Edward stood in front of me, demanding me to sing higher. His eyes didn't leave mine as I tried to sing along with Sarah's voice from the CD. I had insisted on keeping backup for the last part.
He's there the Phantom of the Opera
Sing for me!
SING FOR ME!
Sing, my angel!
SING FOR ME!
I had never thought he'd be such a good actor. But then again, we had made a good remake of Grease. The dim lights that were on, disappeared, leaving us in the dark. I couldn't see him anymore and for a wild second I feared that it had been my imagination.
I took off the fancy dress that I had on me and remained in a short white dress, perfect for the next song. I had to sing alone for a minute and fifty seconds. Torturous. Was that really Edward? Was that my imagination?
My song started and I stepped on the stage again. Of course, people – boys – started wolf calling and stuff, I didn't care. My eyes wondered to our friends and I couldn't see Bob. I felt disappointed.
I've always been the kind of girl
That hid my face
So afraid to tell the world
What I've got to say
But I have this dream
Right inside of me
I'm gonna let it show, it's time
To let you know
To let you know
This is real, this is me
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, now
Gonna let the light, shine on me
Now I've found, who I am
There's no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I want to be
This is me
Do you know what it's like
To feel so in the dark
To dream about a life
Where you're the shining star
Even though it seems
Like it's too far away
I have to believe in myself
It's the only way
This is real, This is me
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, now
Gonna let the light, shine on me
Now I've found, who I am
There's no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I want to be
This is me
A form appeared from my left, grinning my favorite crooked smile. He came to me and took my hand, squeezing it, again and making eye contact.
You're the voice I hear inside my head
The reason that I'm singing
I need to find you, I gotta find you
You're the missing piece I need
The song inside of me
I need to find you, I gotta find you
This is real, this is me
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, now
Gonna let the light, shine on me
Now I've found, who I am
There's no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I want to be
This is me
You're the missing piece I need
The song inside of me (this is me)
You're the voice I hear inside my head
The reason that I'm singing
Now I've found, who I am
There's no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I want to be
This is me
I was impressed with his singing over me. We hadn't even practiced, and Bob had always messed up. But this was Edward!
As the song ended, he dropped the microphone and took my face in his hands, kissing me with all the passion he had for me. I answered in kind.
"Forgive me, love. Please. I won't ever do anything as stupid as turn my back to you," he whispered against my lips.
We left the stage, hand in hand and met with none other than Bob on the other side of the curtain. I slapped him before I realized what I did.
"Ow, woman! I thought you liked my surprise," he groaned.
"I thought you left, idiot!"
"Didn't Emmett…"
"He did, but I was too freaked out to think straight."
"You gave me a bruise, I'm sure," he complained.
"Told you, she hits hard," Edward boasted, squeezing me to his side. I turned my face to his chest and inhaled his scent.
The teams were called on the stage. Edward put his cloak and mask on then twined our fingers.
"I want to win," he admitted.
"You always win," I told him, talking directly to him for the first time since we finished our songs.
After the drama teacher talked about our teams, she finally got to the moment I wanted.
"Our winners are…" I could hear Emmett from here, whistling and chanting our names. "Cullen Edward and Swan Isabella!"
We turned to hug at the same time and I couldn't help but kiss him again. In front of everyone. Edward took the microphone from the teacher; with his left arm still tightly around my waist, he turned to everyone.
"First off, I have to thank my friends for tonight! I still want to kill you, Gravel, for signing us up to this sh…thing, but look how far we got! Not even in your nightmares you would have though this, huh? I'd like to add something else," he continued, clearing his throat. "As everyone may know by now, I am with this amazing woman and nothing will change that. I hope that someone -not giving names- learnt her lesson, the hard way, unfortunately," he added. He turned to me, offering me the mike.
"Thank you, all of you! Especially Alice, our stylist and Bob, our manger," I said, giggling.
Edward took the mike back and pecked my lips. "By the way," he said, nonchalantly. "I love her to bits." His eyes bore in mine and I felt dizzy. Had he really admitted that in front of everyone?
I rose on my tiptoes and breathed pathetically in the microphone. "I love you, Edward Cullen."
His head, that was back to everyone, whirled to me, his eyes widened and the stupidest grin appeared on his face.
We were ushered off the stage before I could lean for a kiss.
After that, we were accosted by everyone in the university and we didn't have a second to breathe until late at night. A big party was held in the arena where, of course, the boys couldn't resist the temptation and played a game where Edward proved everyone that had something to say against his basketball skills, that he could still play. There were some horrible comments about our so-called imitation of High School Musical, but I tried not to pay attention. Note to self: Kill Bob Gravel for humiliating you.
I had learnt my lesson and I didn't drink much this time. Edward hadn't learnt his lesson, though. He was in the middle of the court, trying to shot to the hoop. And failing miserably.
Before the party had started, he had promised we'd talk tonight after this. I could see that conversation going very well. Probably, he'll have a long conversation with the toilet. I laughed at my own thoughts.
"Having fun by yourself?" Jacob Black came next to me with a bottle of champagne in his hands.
"I was thinking of how sick the captain will be in a few hours," I said off-handedly, watching as Edward tried a dunk slam, slipping on the floor. Thank God for one of his teammates for catching him.
"He's making quite a show of himself."
"Let him have his fun, there's been under a lot of pressure on him, lately."
"Psh, I know! Next time you decide not to talk to him, give me a warning. He whined to me about how you stopped talking to him, how Bobbie had stolen you from him, how you were singing with Bobbie… yadda yadda. So please, a little warning next time, Swan." He nudged me with his elbow.
"Hey!" Edward staggered to us, wrapping an arm around me, nearly slamming me to the ground. "Havin' fun?" he hiccupped, grinning at me. His cheeks were flushed and his green eyes were dilated.
"Lots," I said overly enthusiastically, throwing a grin to Jake, who departed, shaking his head. "Don't you think you had enough?" I asked softly, trying to pry the bottle of Jack from his hand.
He grinned wider and hugged the bottle to his chest.
"Love of my life can't you see
Bring it back bring it back,
Don't take it away from me,
Because you don't know what it means to me.
Love of my life don't leave me,
You've stolen my love now desert me,
Love of my life can't you see,
Bring it back bring it back"
Silence fell around us and I flushed red as I kept tugging at the bottle. "Don't take it awaaay," Edward wailed, snatching the bottle back. It fell between us and he looked down upset. "Aw damn!"
"I've got that recorded! Who wants it?" one boy from the team waved his phone around. Edward would kill him when he sobered up. For now, he just sighed heavily and pushed with his foot the broken glass at our feet.
I decided there had been enough fun and couldn't sit there and watch Edward making a fool of himself. "We'll leave," I told everyone, taking Edward's hand.
"Wait! I need booze." I rolled my eyes and tugged him after me to the exit, while he kept complaining.
"Where are the keys?" I asked aggravated as he leaned against the wall next to his door.
"My pock-eht," he hiccupped, grinning. I took them out myself, but not before he waggled his eyebrows at me.
"You're so gone," I laughed as I pushed him inside his room, finally closing and locking the door. We lay on the bed and I was hoping he'd fall asleep.
"So, we're okay?" he asked, after some time.
"We are." I nodded and pecked his cheek. "Now, sleep." He was already asleep when I glanced at his eyes. I put my head on his chest and closed my eyes. It was amazing to be back in his arms, to breathe in the very essence of Edward, even though now it was altered with the stink of alcohol.
I woke up with a start when I heard a bang. I didn't want to open my eyes; it felt like seconds since I had fallen asleep. There was something missing. Edward's snores.
I shot up and looked around then I heard him in the bathroom. I felt bad for him, I knew how he felt. I should have stopped him from drinking so much. When I heard another grunt from his direction, I made my way there. I knocked once.
"G'way," he mumbled.
"Open the door," I insisted. I heard the lock being turned and the door opened a bit. "Are you okay there?" I asked, peeking inside.
"Peachy." I saw him hugging the toilet, his head stuck inside. "Crap," he grunted.
"What can I do?" I asked, trying to go next to him only to have the door closed in my face.
"Sleep!" His voice came out muffled. I sighed, hating how stubborn he could be. I heard him being sick again then a string of curses coming out of his mouth. I hoped he had learned his lesson about drinking so much.
"Edward, really I co-"
"I don't want you here, now!" He sounded upset. I would have let him with me if I was sick. This was something normal and I would have liked to take care of him.
I went to sit on his bed, listening for any signs of movement from the bathroom. I heard the water being flushed again then the cabinet's door banging and I knew he was brushing his teeth. I waited for him to get out, but it never happened. Eventually, sleep won and I snuggled under his blanket with my head buried in his pillow.
I woke up to a phone ringing. It wasn't mine. Why wasn't he picking up his phone? I groaned internally, willing the phone to shut up. Then everything came back and I opened my eyes. I was still alone on the bed and the phones were on the nightstand.
I took Edward's phone and saw Bob's name flashing on the little screen. I wanted to send it to voicemail, but I didn't know how, so I answered.
"Finally, dude!" he exclaimed.
"It's me," I muttered, putting my head back on the pillow.
"Oh… where's Edward?"
"He didn't emerge from the bathroom. Probably fell down the toilet," I grumbled.
"Aw crap! Try to rescue him. Fast! Coach is angry, very angry. We had practice at seven and Edward wasn't here then he saw the arena… well there are videos and pictures showing what happened last night. He blames Edward," he said hurriedly.
"Okay, I'll see what I can do," I told him, getting up and yawning.
"Thanks, chicka!"
"Fuck off," I groaned and hung up. Why must he be so immature? I shuffled my way to the bathroom and found Edward in his bathtub, snoring loudly. He was one lucky bastard to have his own bathroom, but still… to sleep in the tub?
"Wake up, Cullen!" I said, loudly.
He turned on his side and gave me a loud snore. I couldn't help but laugh. This was going to be difficult. "Hey! Wake up! Coach is mad at ya!" My futile attempt to wake him left me with no other choice but to turn the knob of the cold water on, above him. The effect was instant. Edward shot up, knocking his head on the faucet and swearing loudly.
"Holy fuck! What the fuck is wrong with you, Swan?" he yelled, rubbing his scalp.
"You wouldn't wake up and Bob called to tell you that Coach is mad at you for missing the practice and ruining the arena," I said in a matter of fact tone after twisting the knob of the cold water shut.
"Practi… PRACTICE! Oh fuck!" he yelled again and got out of the tub, running to his room and stripping quickly.
"It's over," I assured him, watching amused as he tried to stick both his feet in the same pant leg. He lost his balance, falling on his ass. "But you still should go and talk to him."
"Yeah…" he grumbled and got up, finishing getting dressed. "Last night, I thi-"
I put my fingers over his lips. "Don't talk about that. It's in the past and we'll talk about everything once you finish with Coach."
"I think it's the other way round. When he finishes with me," Edward chuckled and kissed my cheek. "I'll catch you up later!" he shouted over his shoulder as he left his room.
I trudged to my room, intending to sleep a few more hours only to find Tanya with her skanky friends there. I swallowed my groan of annoyance and just picked clean clothes and a towel then made my way back to Edward's room to wash undisturbed. He had always told me to use it anytime I wanted, but I shied away from this. Now, I knew he wouldn't be back for a few hours, so I took the liberty to fill the tub and use some bubbles I found there. I really didn't want to know why he had strawberry scented bubbles in this cabinet. I sank in the pink-bubbled water and let my head loll on the wall behind me as I plunged the ear buds of my iPod in my ears. I had run out of my routine, but once the new school year started, I had to go back to running. I missed jogging around the quiet campus streets, each weekend morning, listening to my favorite songs and just clearing my head. I'd even welcome my newest addition to the morning run, only if he behaved.
I grinned and lowered more in the water, sighing happily. I still couldn't believe what Edward had done on the stage. Did he really mean it or had he said it for the skanks that waited around the corner to have him back? I wanted to believed that he truly meant the three little words considering he kept calling me 'love' for the past few months, without even realized what he was doing.
I was bobbing my head on Italian Radio by Blue October when Edward's head appeared in front of me, scaring the crap out of me.
"Holy shit!" I yelled, scrambling up and sloshing water over the edge of the tub and surely giving him a wonderful view to my naked breasts.
He took off my ear buds and chuckled. "Not that I'm complaining with the welcoming party, but what are you doing here?"
"Washing," I squeaked and scooped bubbled to cover my breasts.
"Can I join you?"
"No!" I shouted, thinking of a way to get out of this. His face fell and I realized what I must have sounded like. "I mean, no… I don't think you could. Oh God, this is embarrassing," I mumbled, not meeting his eyes.
"Hey, it's okay if you don't want me there. I'll wait on my bed."
"Stay," I whispered when he reached the door. Edward turned to me and quirked an eyebrow. Oh, I had forgotten how beautiful he was. "Come here." I waved to the tub and bit on my lip.
"Inside?" he probed, coming closer.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It wasn't like we hadn't done this before, but I felt all shy suddenly. I nodded and the next second, his clothes hit the floor. Eager much?
"Oh, Jesus! Are those bubbles?" he groaned, once in the tub. He sat in front of me, scooping a handful of bubble and then throwing them at me. "You're such a girl, Swan!"
"You had the bubbles in your cabinet. May I ask why?" I shot back.
"They were there for you and when you decided to come and wash here. You just surprised me, I wasn't expecting you here."
"I wanted a bath and you have this nice tub," I hinted, nudging him with my foot.
"It's very comfortable, too," he quipped. He took my feet on his lap and captured my gaze with his intense one. "She had lied. She was even trying to change things on the tests from the hospital. Lucky, Dad knew what to look for. I had a shit long talk with her and… I am quite proud I never yelled," he told me softly. There was no need for names. We both knew he was talking about Jessica.
"I see," I said quietly, leaning back in my relaxing position.
"You see? Come on, you can do better, Bella," Edward pleaded me. "Am I forgiven?"
"I was never exactly mad at you." At his skeptical look, I hurried on with my explanation. "You had promised not to put that problem above me and that's what you did. You spent every second with her and whenever I wanted to reach you… you didn't answer the phone or you were busy," I muttered.
"Jesus, I screwed up, didn't I?" he asked, looking sheepishly at me and stroking my feet under the water.
"Royally, but you are making up for that now. Eh, just try not to touch my sole," I whispered, wishing I hadn't said it.
"Ticklish?"
"You wouldn't! You're still under probation!" I shouted.
"Under probation? Am I a car or what?" he scoffed and grasped my right foot bringing it out the water and dangerously close to his face. What was he doing? His lips pressed on my sole then to my toes. "I'm really sorry."
"You don't have to kiss my feet, you know?" I teased him.
His eyes narrowed at me and then he attacked. I shrieked and tried to get out of the tub, but it was quite impossible to get out of his grasp. I ended up on top of him, sloshing most of the water on the floor. We had surely flooded whoever lived under him.
"Hey," Edward said softly, his face inches from mine.
"Hey," I answered back and put my fingers in his hair.
He leaned to kiss me, but I had other plans. I took his head and pushed him under the water as I jumped out of the tub and grabbed a towel. Edward resurfaced, sputtering water and glaring. "What the hell?"
"Sorry, but this is lesson number two in relationships. You have to earn a make up kiss." I winked at him and went to his room to put my clothes on me. A few minutes later, he came after me.
"Do you mean… should I ask you on a date again?" he asked, rolling his eyes.
"I don't know," I shrugged. "Take a wild guess."
"You're mean, you know that?"
"Probably. I'll be with the girls. Call me if you figure out what to do." I pinched his cheek and left him in the middle of his room, clad only in that white towel. On the way to Alice and Rose's room, I chided myself for being jealous over a piece of material.
I knocked a few times and Rose opened the door, grinning knowingly.
"So? Everything alright in theParadise?"
I shrugged and plopped on her bed. "I told him that he has to do something nice for me to forgive him."
"What are you expecting from the idiot in person?"
"Honestly, I have no idea what he'll do. Hopefully, he'll ask me on a date."
"And the unhopeful wish? Because he'd most likely do that."
I glared at Rose and shrugged. "Who knows? He can do a thousand stupid things," I groaned, exasperated.
"Guess what happens on Christmas break?"Alice shouted as she entered the room like a tornado. I glanced at Rose and we shrugged. "We're getting married!"
"This Christmas?" I asked, praying I hadn't heard well.
"Yup! Mom will help and it's at our house and…" she trailed off, watching us and pouting. "Why aren't you happy?"
"We're still in college. Terminal year, at that, and we don't have time for this!" Rose exploded. Ah, not again! I groaned internally. "There are other priorities."
Aliceturned to me, widening her eyes and jutting out her lower lip. "I'm not mentally prepared to spend days shopping for a wedding, but if you want it now…"
"You're the best!" she squealed and hugged me tightly. "You smell nice," she said after a second.
"Seriously?" I asked snidely. "Should I worry?"
"No, seriously. Is it strawberry?"
I nodded, a light red filling my cheeks. "I think Rose is like this because Emmett hadn't asked her yet." I tried to take her attention from me.
"That's bullshit!" Rose exclaimed quickly. "I wanted to ask about your odor since you came in." Change of subject. She definitely wanted Emmett to ask her.
"Odor?" I inquired. "Is it bad?" I discreetly sniffed my shoulder. Maybe I had put too many bubbles.
"What have you done? You look very vulnerable, there."
I glared at Aliceand scrunched up my nose. "I didn't do anything!"
I was saved by a knock on their door. I went to answer, just to escape their glares. I found Edward there, his hand wrapped tightly around a black leash and my favorite crooked smile on his lips.
"Would you accompany me in walking Spot around the campus?" he asked formally, showing me his elbow.
"Why, so considerate of you!" I exclaimed, surprised. Was this his way of making me forgive him?
"Who are you and what have you done with my brother?"Aliceasked from behind me, coming to see what was wrong.
"It's still me, relax squirt," Edward said with a roll of his eyes. "So? Bella?"
I nodded and hooked my arm around his, wriggling my fingers to the girls and walking down the hall.
"It's good you came right on time," I said with a sight of relief as we descended the stairs.
"Were they torturing you?"
"They inquired I smelled like strawberries!" I groaned.
"You smell delicious," he said seriously and buried his nose in my hair. "We're not really only walking Spot."
"I thought so," I declared. Spot was only too happy to be with us and I was happy to see him again, but I knew that there was more to this. "To use the dog as an alibi." I shook my head and nudged Edward with my elbow.
"A guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do to get his girl back," he said, nonchalantly. I snickered and pressed my head on his arm, keeping his slow pace.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
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