Hey everyone! I'm back with a new story this summer! (If you check my homepage, it's one of the soon-to-be published stories there) This is the one I've been hinting about in one of my A/Ns (if you read it, you would know)
You're probably wondering: "Hey! What about the other three stories?" Well I intend on finishing them (in its own time) but sometimes you just need a break from all the other ones and I found it very hard to concentrate on writing so I wrote another! You got a problem with that? Besides, my writing teacher said, to deal with writers block, you must not stop writing but write and write and WRITE! So here I am, writing and writing and WRITING—either that or I'd put the stories on hiatus from writer's block. Good thing I didn't do that, huh? Plus, it's for YOUR benefit anyway! All I'm asking for are reviews please? By the way, I'm not sure if oxymoronic is even a word, but I looked it up in research sites and nothing came up, yet, it wasn't corrected in word. Oh, well, if it isn't then I made it up.
This story is one of those sudden impulse kind of stories. Thank god I have my handy dandy . . . iPod to type it on :)) We're in the 21st century, a virtual notepad would have to do instead of the real one because every time I need to write an idea, my pen decides to run out of ink, I know, my luck sucks.
This story might as well be one of the longest ones I've ever written since I think I took the write and write and WRITE comment too seriously. (So sue me *kidding!*) See? Even this author note's long!
And that concludes my extremely long author's note (not the longest in the world but who's counting?)
Disclaimer for the whole story so we can just get to the point during every chapter: This story is MINE. The characters though, are a different story; they are, unfortunately, not mine. *sigh* neither are any of the references used. Oh well, I can dream, can't I?
Also, The Phantom of the Opera isn't mine either. I don't own anything here except for what happens and that's my idea, that's it. I knew once I read the script for this when I was researching for a musical I was going to help in directing that it would make a great story.
Stage
By: writingunderatree
Chapter 1
Get Back
I have such low self-esteem that it's oxymoronic
"I wanna get back
To the old days . . ."
Bella's Point of View
"Oh my gosh Bella! Aren't you excited?" I heard my best friend, Alice, say in her high voice. She was practically bouncing off her seat in pure excitement. Me? Well, I am excited, just . . . without as much enthusiasm that Alice has in her small, bubbly body. Lithe, small as a pixie with ink black hair in a cute little pixie cut with spikes pointing virtually everywhere, it's surprising how someone like Alice has so much energy, and that's after waking up at 5 in the morning to get ready for our first day back to Forks High School. I looked in the drivers' mirror to see her retouching her make-up (already!) and I caught a glimpse of my own chocolate brown hair. Nothing special about me though, brown hair, brown eyes, average height, I was a little on the skinny side though, which seems to be the only thing I can be proud of. It's a good thing Alice decided to dress me today; I want to make a good first impression on my teachers despite the fact that I'd had them for three years already, it's never too late to make a good first impression—according to Alice at least.
"It's our first day back to school! We're officially seniors in," Alice stated as she checked her watch, "in approximately ONE minute! And that's just because your truck is soooooo freaking slow!"
"Hey! No knocking my truck! Just remember, it can crush your precious little Porsche!" I warned her. I loved my truck, and as much as Alice is my best friend, I don't really fathom her inner speed demon when we're riding in her canary yellow Porsche. I prefer my nice, calm, big and sorta rusty red truck better.
Suddenly I heard Alice squeal and I knew what that meant, we were here. I looked at the sign that said Welcome to Forks High School. I missed that sign after spending 3 months away from Forks with my parents Charlie and Renee in California. It was entirely my mom's idea. It's no surprise that even though my dad is police chief, he can still go off for 3 months. Not much crime happens in a small town.
"Bella! Park there! It's a good spot!" Alice told me from the back as she latched onto the front seat headrest in excitement.
"Whoa there, calm down Alice! We're here and we'll get out in a calm and orderly manner ok?" I told her as I finished parking the truck.
"Alright" she replied, not exactly calm, but it was the best she could do considering that she's Alice.
We got out of the truck, grabbed our bags and trudged up the steps to campus. Alice and I entered the once again crowded hallways of Forks High, but this time—as seniors.
"Bella," Alice said, clinging to my arm with one arm and her books in the other as we were walking to our lockers. "I can't believe we're finally seniors! Just imagine, in ten months, we'll be finished, heading our separate ways, you to drama school and me . . . to study stage and film design," she said solemnly.
"Which happens to be in the same school I'm thinking of Alice," I said to her.
She giggled. "Oh yeah, I forgot that little detail! I always forget that Tisch is in NYU!" Tisch was the school that Alice and I planned on studying in. She could have her stage and film design—which is something she obviously wants to do, and I can focus on my acting—which is something I love to do, though it's not obvious since I'm so shy and clumsy.
I rolled my eyes. "Don't worry Alice, it's normal for you to forget details like that."
She smacked me. "Ouch!"
She didn't say anything; she just gave me a smug grin as we reached our lockers.
Our lockers were the same as last year's, next to the only working water fountain. We put our things in and Alice immediately started putting her own little pixie touches back into her locker. I followed suit, putting in my own personal not-quite-as-pixie-as-Alice's touches and after a few minutes, I found myself looking at a miniature collage-slash-scrapbook page right at my locker door.
There were pictures of Alice and I during junior prom (where I went alone), Jasper's first football game as captain, Emmett's going away party the day before he left for UCLA and one random photo of Alice and I sitting on a bench in front of the campus, laughing like idiots.
That photo was my favorite, not because it shows friendship and all that other blah, but because in the background, just by the tree behind us, is the profile that was caught candidly of the untouchable god, that I'd had a crush on since junior high. The sad thing is (for me and for the rest of the female population of the school except for Alice since she has Jasper) that he has a girlfriend and that he barely notices me, okay, I admit, that last part isn't so sad for the rest of the female population of the school excluding Alice. I don't bother him though, nor do I throw myself at him like the other girls do—it's not my thing, I still have my dignity—and my pride.
Edward Cullen, bronze-haired, hot guy extraordinaire belongs with his equally gorgeous girlfriend with the strawberry blonde hair and the model figure, Tanya Denali. Okay, so she's not the nicest girl around, actually, who am I kidding? She's the bitchiest of them all, but then I never knew what he saw in her anyway and maybe it's different from what I see.
I was snapped out of my Edward-induced sadness when I heard Alice squeal. I looked next to me and saw her getting scooped up into Jasper's arms. She looked so tiny and different compared to Jasper with his tall, lanky build and blonde hair, yet they couldn't be more perfect for each other. I know she was secretly bummed out that he wasn't able to come with us to school this morning like he always does because his mom needed a ride to work since his dad was overseas.
I snickered at them, watching Alice pepper Jasper's face with kisses. "Missing Jazz a little too much, aren't we Aly? It's like you didn't see him yesterday," I rolled my eyes; they can be so disgusting with the PDA sometimes. Either that, or deep down, I just really want that to be me and my man.
Nope, I don't think that's it, that's the pathetic side speaking there.
I looked back at them just in time to see Alice stick her tongue out at me.
"Whatever Alice, just stick that tongue back into Jasper's mouth where it belongs," I said.
"Well who am I to argue with that kind of logic?" She replied as she obliged and continued kissing Jasper like there was no tomorrow—or yesterday.
PDA much? But I guess if I compared them to my dear brother Emmett and his girlfriend Rosalie, they'd be an old married couple. Those two get too hot and heavy sometimes that it's pornographic.
I shuddered at the thought, suddenly remembering the time I accidentally walked in on them at the guestroom. Never again Bella, NEVER AGAIN!
"Bella!" I heard Alice say as she pulled my arm, effectively dragging me with her to first period. I guess she said goodbye to Jazz already. I almost fell over from the strength of her tugging when she stopped abruptly and I managed to catch my balance on the nearby wall.
"What is it Alice?"
"The drama club is open for auditions and crew for our end of the year play!" She said; I could see the excitement building in her eyes with every word she said. I'm sure you could see it in mine too. Acting is my passion, I've been in most school plays along with Tanya and Edward who were both acting enthusiasts as well, but I was just never with Edward in a leading role. Hopefully things will be different this year. . .
"Bella, we have got to try out! There are a few female leads in the play, it's The Phantom of the Opera and the role for Christine has already been filled," she said.
"I guess I won't audition then, I'll stick to stage crew."
"But Bella! Who will I act with? I want to be Carlotta!" Alice complained while dragging me away from the bulletin board, causing me not to see the other roles.
"I don't know Alice, I'll just run lines with you then," I offered.
"That's great! But only IF I get the part," she replied.
"Don't worry Alice, you'll get what you want, don't you always?"
She had a smug smile on again. "Yeah, I guess I do, don't I?"
"Yeah, now come on! We'll be late for first period!" I said, this time dragging her along with me.
We made it to Trig on time, or barely on time because once we sat down, the teacher immediately went in and started the boring first day routine which subsequently, ends in a Trigonometry lecture—oh well.
The morning flew by from Trig with Alice to Spanish with Jess and a lot of other things leading up to the main event of my day, other than Alice's audition which I'm NOT auditioning for since I heard Tanya and the others talking about how she got the role of Christine, one of the main characters, already. She just so happened to drop by school 2 weeks before it started and talk to Ms Shepard about the new musical and Ms Shepard said she could do a great job with being Christine—pff, as if kiss up.
I found myself standing next to an overenthusiastic Alice bouncing at the lunch line while an exasperated Jasper tried to settle her down.
"No can do Jazzy! I'm just so hyped up for the audition later!" she told him.
He sighed, defeated. He knew that when Alice was hyped, she was really hyped.
After a few minutes of waiting in line, we finally got around to sitting down and eating our lunches. Alice immediately started prattling on about how it was going to be great to have firsthand experience acting that could serve as a reference for when she was actually designing the sets. She was talking about the flow of movement and other things that I zoned out on. After eating, I was then dragged by Alice to the Drama Club bulletin board, told to stand exactly 2 feet away from it while she signed our names on the sign-up sheet and dragged me away soon after. I guess she didn't want me objecting; at least she put my name under the Crew portion.
Yeah I know, I'm a push-over, but ONLY for Alice—she's my best friend!
Once our afternoon classes came to pass and the dismissal bell had rung, I was once again dragged to the auditorium for auditions, um, rather, to watch Alice audition. I, on the other hand, am going to be part of the production team since I don't want the other female roles and I am NOT eager to work with Tanya Denali. I have already gotten my fair share of musicals with her and all I can say is that she is a MAJOR pain in the I wonder why she keeps on getting roles anyway. Oh well.
I watched Alice from where I was standing on the far end of the stage. She was getting into the character of Carlotta, a snobby opera singer who does nothing more but torment Christine for fear that she might damage her blooming career at the opera company. I honestly think that it should've gone to Tanya instead; she'll have a breeze.
I listened from backstage for the next hour as each audition took place. Every student was handed a script, similar to Alice's to either read or sing, depending on their role. I watched Alice act as she portrayed the role of Carlotta and sang as well. Her voice was beautiful and unusually high, but not in a trilling sort of way. It was melodic, like wind chimes.
In the end of it all, the results were immediately announced since they needed to start rehearsals as soon as possible. It was probably the biggest musical our school has ever put since so many people were willing to help out that I swear Ms Shepard would cry. Esme, Edward's mom, volunteered to send over her restoration team to help in making the sets. Mrs Brandon, Alice's mom, who is just as much of a fashion addict as she is, volunteered to help in the costumes. Several parents donated large amount of money for this production to help make it, and secretly, to also help their children. Contributing families can add a lot of extra credit for the student.
Alice got the role of Carlotta, much to no one's surprise. It was all her and her boyfriend being the director had absolutely nothing to do with it. Jasper was an all-around nice guy. He wasn't prejudiced nor did he pick favorites. I saw him concentrating on every audition just as much as he concentrated on his own girlfriend's. I have to say though; he did a great job with the cast. Edward was The Phantom or otherwise known as Erik (I wasn't surprised at that either, he's just that great, it fits). I wasn't so happy about Tanya being Christine (or maybe I'm just bitter). Alice was a great choice for Carlotta, she truly is talented. The drama club chairman, Mark Dicelli, is playing Raoul, Christine's childhood friend and love interest. Jessica got the role of Madame Giry, The Phantom's loyal box-keeper at the opera house and Angela got the role of the adult Meg Giry, Madame Giry's daughter who was a ballerina. Her younger sister Suzy got the role of the younger Meg. Tyler got the role of The Persian, the character that helps Erik escape from Persia during his years there. I was kind of giggling on the inside on how generic his name sounded, The Persian.
I met Alice by the dressing rooms after the auditions. She ran to me in a blur of colorful clothes and hugged me so tight that I couldn't breathe. "Bella! I'm so happy! I got the part!" She said while jumping up and down. As if realizing something, she pulled away. "Hey, why didn't you audition?" she asked me.
"I told Ms Shepard I'd be part of production this time. I didn't want the other female roles," I told her. In the back of my mind, I knew I could play Christine and I knew I could do it better than Tanya but I just couldn't get the guts to ask Ms Shepard to let me try out for it. I didn't have Alice's spunk to pull that off.
"Oh," was all she could say. I know she knew what just went through my mind, but she didn't press it since she knew how stubborn I was. For an actress, I have such low self-esteem that it's oxymoronic.
The next day came and as quickly as it did, it passed and soon I found myself once again, in the auditorium painting sets absently as Alice sat on a stool next to me, looking like Alice in Wonderland but with black hair while reading a script. Other than the both of us, it was just Ms Shepard here so far, sitting on the front row, reviewing scripts.
Ms Shepard was a young, enthusiastic drama teacher who just loved life in general. She always wore bright, happy clothes and she always had a smile on her face, unless she acted like someone who had to be mad. She had wavy auburn hair that she wore down with a colorful (and usually floral) scarf as a headband. She also loved those necklaces made from semi-precious gems. She was like a hippie, in a cool, 21st century manner. Hey, at least she's normal.
"Hey Bella?" Alice asked me.
"Yeah?"
"Can you run lines with me? I want to do the confrontation scene! I have to control my impulses or else I think my negative feelings towards Tanya will surface and I might maul her," she asked, throwing me those puppy dog eyes which I can't resist and is the sole reason as to why I hate them.
"Alright," I replied reluctantly while I pulled her script towards me so we could share. We turned the page to the confrontation scene: Act 2 Scene 3
And we got lost in the scene from the first line spoken.
Alice points at me accusingly, a scowl on her face. "She's the one behind this! Christine Daae!"
I become furious from her statement and retaliate. "How dare you!"
Alice looks at me smugly. "I am NOT a fool!"
That just angers me more. "You evil woman! How dare you!"
"You think I'm blind?" She asks me, raising her eyebrow.
"This isn't my fault!" I reply, defending myself. "I don't want any part in this plot!" by then, I'm seething with anger.
"Bravo! Bravo! You girls were wonderful!"
Alice and I were pulled back into reality with Ms Shepard's happy remark. I cooled down from my fake tirade.
"Bella that was beautiful! Your acting brings me to tears. Oh how you've improved! You were great at portraying Christine! If I hadn't given the role to Tanya, why, I'd give it to you in a heartbeat!" She said, still sounding like she was in complete awe.
"And Alice, you were great! You have spunk and that fire in you! I love it! I absolutely love watching both of you! Oh you're great! And once more Bella, if I could hand that role over to you, I would!"
I don't think I act that well, that's why I didn't audition—and that was the REAL reason. Despite my dreams of drama school, I still think there are other people who can be better.
I blushed and looked down momentarily, and I looked back up at her. "Oh, uh, no thank you Ms Shepard," I started. "I don't want to take anything away from Tanya."
Tanya is and always will be INTIMIDATING. I wouldn't want to get on her bad side since, for some unknown reason, she already hates me. I also wouldn't want to disappoint Edward since he would be The Phantom. I don't want to give him the misfortune of having to work alongside me.
Ms Shepard shook her head at me sadly. "You're such a sweet girl, it's a shame you didn't audition for other roles. We need good talent like yours for a production as big as this."
Suddenly, she brightened up, as if she thought of a nice alternative. "But how about this," she asked. "I'll make you Tanya's understudy so that in case she can't make it to practice or the show, it'll be you. Is that ok?"
I figured that she wouldn't take no for an answer since nowadays, everyone seems to be as pushy as Alice is, so I just nodded.
She clapped her hands happily. "Excellent!" she said, and she went back to work.
I felt Alice give me a huge (and tight) hug. You know, for a pixie, she is strong.
"Bella, I'm so excited!" she said, bouncing on her seat while hugging me. "We're going to be working together, given that we only have one scene where we actually talk to each other and it's more of yelling but still! I knew this would happen, that's why I asked you to run lines with me with Ms Shepard nearby," she said smugly.
I pulled away and gave her a disbelieving look. "You planned this?" I hissed.
She didn't seem the least bit fazed by my reaction—almost as if she was expecting it. "Since you didn't audition, I figured I could get you to do it without yourself noticing," she said smugly—again. Damn that is one smug and smart pixie.
"I can see that it worked too. I can see the gears turning in your head and I know you love what I did for you. Especially since The Phantom is . . . you know," she said in a sing-song voice.
"Yeah," I said dreamily as Edward's face came to mind.
She smirked. "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist," she said, shaking her head and giggling.
So that's chapter 1 of my new story!
I hoped you guys liked it and please REVIEW! It's the longest I've written so far with 3000+ words and that does NOT include the 420 word author's note :D (this part not included)
Comments? Suggestions? Guesses as to what will happen next? Put it in a review
And maybe I'll do it for you ;)
Hey! That rhymes! (Sorry, shallow happiness)
