In The Right Key

Chapter 6: All Strung Out

Chapter 6: All Strung Out

It was a sight to be seen. Snowing in Arizona. It didn't stick, of course, but each snowflake was like redemption for the dying man that was the desert. I couldn't have imagined a winter like this, mostly because I didn't remember them from when I was in Forks. I promised right then that if I found anything like this again, this beautiful rarity, this diamond in the rough, I would never let it go. I would cherish it for the rest of my life.

**********'''''''''''''';;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;,,,,,,,,,,,

That day when I was twelve was so much like right now. Edward's lips were cold against mine, but it felt as if I needed it; I had been missing this wonderful feeling since that first time nearly five years ago. I didn't like snow, but the feeling didn't affect the moment. This was my first kiss since I didn't count what Mike did as anything, really. I was caught in such bliss that I couldn't even be mad about it.

Our lips didn't move much, but it didn't matter and I didn't mind. A pang of electricity went through us at every touch, and this was definitely no exception. A high-pitched squeal sounded, ripping through dimensions, and my eyes opened to see dark gold. Edward and I separated and looked to the stairs to see a blur of black and white. Must be Alice. She stopped moving, called for Esme excitedly, and ran off.

My face was hot and I couldn't look back at Edward. His cool hand took my chin and turned it towards himself. I watched his face as he smiled happily and saw that he had decided to do something. He let go of my chin and turned towards the piano. He played a song that I had never heard before, but it felt warm, comforting. Like home. I closed my eyes and let the music flow through me.

I noticed a string of notes and it brought me back to the first lesson we'd had. It was the song he had created after I had left. It had only been about three weeks since then. No composer had written a beautiful masterpiece like this in such a short time and definitely could not have performed it this perfectly without any sheet music. I guessed impeccable memory came with being a vampire. I was also amazed at how clearly it said "I love you."

The song ended and my eyes opened. Edward was looking at me, completely calm. How could he be so nonchalant about this?

"Edward," I breathed. "That was beautiful." I looked up at him, hoping my eyes conveyed what I felt. He put his arm around me and I melted into him.

"It's for you," he whispered in my ear. It confirmed the message I had received from the song. His nose skimmed the area in front of my ear, my most sensitive part. Was he trying to give me a heart attack? He stopped and I looked at him. He looked shy about what he'd said. I smiled at him.

"Thank you." I wanted him to know that I appreciated this and felt the same way.

"You're welcome." I remembered we were having a piano lesson so I turned to the piano and played something I had picked up back in Arizona. "Claire De Lune" by Debussy; it was my favorite song until about five minutes ago. My rendition wasn't perfect, of course. But no matter what, I absolutely loved this feeling of playing the piano. It almost rivaled touching (and kissing) Edward. Almost. When the song was over, Edward looked surprised.

"How do you know this song?" He seemed to genuinely care about what I said and thought. His question was almost desperate.

"My mom played it around the house when I was younger and it stuck to me. My mother was bound to rub off on me sometime." I muttered the last part. He raised an eyebrow but I shook my head. Renee and I had never had much in common, but she was my rock. "It's one of my favorites."

He laughed softly. "It's one of mine, too." He smiled a wonderfully lopsided smile and my heart thumped. He chuckled.

"Did you hear that?" I asked with trepidation. I didn't want to sound crazy, but I wanted to know.