Title: Good Riddance
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Anything anyone ever writes that is Phantom involved will belong to Leroux. Except if, you know, it belongs to someone else.
Summary: (Modern Telling)The final year of high school can be tough, even with the best friends in the world. Christine Daae knows this for a fact. The account of her senior year- new plays, loosing friends and much more. Most importantly, meeting Erik...
Chapter 1- Turning Pink-Someone out there's
Listening to the same song
Feeling the same way that I do-
-"I Do" by Better Than Ezra
Christine"Daae, Charlotte?" the teacher at the front of the room called from his roll list.
"Here," a girl with dark, straight brown hair, seated at the back of the class nodded. I smiled at her and she winked at me.
"Curious name. Your father is the-" the instructor began.
"Yeah, violinist," my sister smiled, sarcastically, biting the end of her pen.
"Ah, interesting. Let's see here. Oh, would you look at that! Daae, Christine."
I, the second Daae sister, smiled, shyly and lifted my hand barely into the air. Charlotte rolled her eyes and mumbled, "Oh, come on, Chris."
"Here," I nodded.
The teacher at the head of the homeroom Literature class grinned, "Twins?"
Charlotte nodded slowly, "Yes, that we are."
At the same moment, I whispered, "Yes, sir."
There were a few snickers around the room of the Seniors of Garnier High School. My tip of my ears turned scarlet and Charlotte glared at them all.
The first day of school is like a battle. It's hard and rigorous and if you don't have your allies, you'll most certainly fall into disaster. Luckily for us, the Daae twins, we had each other. And luckily for me, my sister was one of the most popular girls in the school.
It wasn't as though I didn't have any friends. Looking around my new homeroom, I smiled at my two best friends aside from Charlotte.
In the desk to my left sat Janie Jammes. On the other side of Janie was Megan Giry. Of course, on my right was my best friend and confidante-
"Charlotte!" a voice hissed.
She yawned and peered at the boy to her side. I grinned at him and he nodded back.
It was Nathaniel Persion- star quarterback, leading man of the school's Theater Company and front man of the school's most popular band.
Nat Persion- "the most popular boy in school", if you wanted to go cliché.
"What, Nat?" she asked.
"What time is theater tonight?" he asked.
She rolled her eyes, "You're supposed to keep up with your own schedule, Nat. I'm not your mother."
"Oh, just tell me," he begged, quietly as the teacher rambled on with the roll.
She shook her head, "I'm afraid I can't do that, Nat. You must learn responsibility."
Nat scowled and sat back in his chair.
I leaned over to Charlotte, "Do you know when Drama is tonight?"
She smiled, "No, but that's what I have you for."
I rolled my brown eyes and sat back. Charlotte Daae. The nicest person in the world. She was funny, brilliant, beautiful, an actress. I loved my sister, as did the rest of the school.
Charlotte Daae- "the most popular girl in school".
I peered around the room at my friends, Meg (prima ballerina), Janie (fun, goofy cheerleader, we pardon that, and actress), Holden Salinger (a fellow actor and Janie's boyfriend), Charlotte, Nat, James Marlon (the class clown and actor as well), Andy Starr (his last name fit him well) and Carly Guidicelli (the sometimes sweet, sometimes snotty diva that happened to be James's girlfriend). Each of them brought a different personality to the group. Without one, none of us would be who were presently were.
The young teacher (who's name was Mr. Lon) finally got all the names.
"Now, class, turn to page 13 in your book and we can begin your senior year immediately."
There were many groans and sighs but not from me. I didn't mind at all. The schoolwork had to come sooner or later.
Mr. Lon took the attendance to the door but stopped short as someone entered.
I didn't bother looking. It was some new kid, I assumed. New kids were always late the first day, no matter what school you attended.
I only looked up when I realized the whole class was dead silent.
In the front of the room there was a boy. It wasn't just any boy but a very different looking boy. It was a boy that looked like he should be surfing the waves of California instead of standing in the front of a classroom in a bitty town in Illinois. He tried to smile but looked nervous. That made me nervous.
If I guy this gorgeous was looking a bit shy, I felt as though I should be petrified.
He was stunning to say the least. His hair was honey colored and a bit long but not too. Even from the back row, you could see his eyes piercing blue. And he was tall.
You could hear the girls' hearts fluttering and see the steam pouring from the guys' ears.
"Oh, look here," Mr. Lon grinned, "Who might you be?"
He cleared his throat, "Rayne."
"No, it's quite sunny out," Mr. Lon smiled, casually.
I smiled a bit and there were a few laughs. The boy went deep red.
"No, my name. I'm Rayne Chagny."
"Oh, well, I bet we can guess the weather on the day you were born."
Rayne ran a hand through his hair and shifted his weight on his feet.
Mr. Lon smiled, "Just jesting, young sir. Please," he nodded and gestured at the class. "Have a seat."
Mr. Lon continued to walk over to the door to post the attendance and Rayne looked puzzled, "Where?"
The teacher re-entered with a smile, "Sit by the girl you think is cutest."
Everyone quickly sat up straight, the boy laughing and the girls primping.
Charlotte kept her eyes steady, staring straight ahead like she had no idea what was happening. Maybe she didn't.
Secretly, I prayed he would stay away from our area. I hated the attention, despite being an actress.
Rayne looked distraught but peered around the room at the winking girls and toothy smiles. He looked towards the back of the room and slowly walked towards us.
Protectively, Holden slipped his arm around Janie and James did the same to Carly. Carly shrugged off his arm, grinning at Rayne.
Nat was grinning, trying not to die from laughter. Rayne stood before Charlotte and I. I should have just had strawberries for ears I was blushing so deeply. Charlotte hadn't even looked up. We both had our heads down.
"Well?" Mr. Lon said. "I don't have all day."
Rayne cleared his throat and turned to me. My breath caught in my throat and I finally looked up.
Charlotte started to get up to move for him to sit but he said to me, "Do you mind if I sit here?"
Quickly, I jumped up from my seat and hurried over to the back corner where there was a rectangle table and two chairs. I sat down as Rayne lowered down next to Charlotte.
She didn't even acknowledge him.
I wasn't sure if I was relieved or embarrassed.
Mr. Lon smiled, "Alright, now, Ms. Daae," he paused and looked at me, "Christine. We'll get a desk in here for you tomorrow. Now, class- like I said, page 13. Now, who can tell me-"
He stopped, as there was another knock on the door. Mr. Lon sighed, "For the love of Shakespeare, can't you kids leave me alone?"
He hurried over to the door and opened it. From my seat, I could've seen who it was if Mr. Lon hadn't have been in the way. I saw his back straighten.
He stood there for a few minutes as everyone fell into conversation. I was seated farthest from the door and everyone so I remained silent. I pushed the hair from my face and examined my schedule.
Period 1- Literature- Mr. Lon- E-2
Period 2- Calculus- Mr. Andre- D-4
Period 3- Chemistry- Ms. Rossum H-5
Period 4- European History- Ms. Sorelli A-6
Period 5- Studio Art- Mr. Leroux- Art Room
Period 6- Choir- Mr. Reyer- Choir Room
Period 7- Ballet- Mrs. Giry- Dance Studio
I smiled. It was the perfect schedule. All of my teachers were good and kind and I knew my senior year would be great.
"Ok," Mr. Lon was saying, "Let's find you somewhere to sit."
I looked up and my stomach dropped. What the...?
There was another boy in front of the class. It wasn't just any boy but a very different looking boy. It was a boy that looked... different.
He was wearing all dark colors. Black pants, a gray t-shirt, a black hoodie, black Cons. Stranger yet, he wore a fedora. I hadn't seen a fedora since our production of Guys and Dolls last year. It was pulled down his face and he walked briskly in. You couldn't even see his face.
Mr. Lon continued, "There aren't any more desks but have a seat by Ms. Daae. Ms. Daae, please raise your hand."
Both Charlotte and I did and he rolled his eyes, "Christine, please."
Charlotte lowered hers and Mr. Lon gestured towards me. The boy looked up and came over towards me.
I didn't want to stereotype but I subconsciously scooted over from the other chair. He sat down quickly and set his books on the table.
I still couldn't see his face.
I looked up and the whole class was staring. I blushed and cleared my throat.
Mr. Lon snapped, "Hey- kiddos- I'm up here."
Everyone slowly looked away as Mr. Lon went on.
I smiled timidly at the kid next to me.
"Hello," I whispered. He didn't look up but I heard a quiet "hello" in return.
"What's your name?" I asked.
His hat was to me so I couldn't see his mouth but I heard a small "Erik" in response.
"Erik?"
He nodded.
"I'm Christine. Christine-"
"Ms. Daae," Mr. Lon was saying. "Do you mind?"
I shook my head quickly and peered back down as Mr. Lon went on.
"And in the 1700's..."
I saw Erik smile a little.
Literature class was very refreshing and pleasant. I loved reading unlike most of school's population. At the end of class, Mr. Lon made his first assignment.
"I know you've all read the great works of Shakespeare and Mark Twain so I think we should try something a bit random. I am going to give you a list of ten authors and you may pick a book from any one. I want you to have the book read in two weeks. After that," he trailed off and smiled, "You shall see."
I knew it was an oral report. I just knew it.
"The ten authors are Austen, Dickens, Hemingway, Homer, Poe, Steinbeck, Salinger, Shakespeare, Twain or Orwell."
I smiled, contemplating on which I would choose.
I saw the boy next to me write down the name "Poe". I couldn't help but smiling. Angst.
Mr. Lon went on, "We have five minutes left so you can either come up here and look at the author list or chat amongst yourselves."
Everyone quickly began talking, a few going up to look at the list.
Nat waved me over to talk but I shook my head. He pointed to Erik and made a face. I rolled my eyes and stuck out my tongue. He arched an eyebrow, pointed to his watch and held up a hand that seemed to portray a scene from Hamlet. He mouthed "To be or not to be?".
I laughed but shook my head. I wouldn't tell him when Drama was that night. He held up his hands, pleading. I continued to shake my head.
Suddenly, I heard a voice next to me.
"Excuse me," the boy said.
"Oh, what?" I asked.
"Um," he paused and then said something inaudible.
"Pardon?"
He cleared his throat and held up his schedule, "Do you know where room C-4 is?"
I took his schedule and examined it.
"Oh, yeah. It's down this hall, turn left and go along A hall and then turn right at C hall. There's a big sign, can't miss it."
He nodded and said a quiet thank you.
I smiled and looked back at his schedule.
Period 1- Literature- Mr. Lon- E-2
Period 2- American History- Mr. Butler- C-4
Period 3- Calculus- Mr. Andre- D-4
Period 4- Chemistry- Ms. Rossum- H-5
Period 5- Studio Art- Mr. Leroux- Art Room
Period 6- Choir- Mr. Reyer- Choir Room
Period 7- Orchestra- Mr. Samuel- Orchestra Room
"Hey," I said. "We have some of the same classes. Choir and Art. I guess I'll be seeing you."
He nodded and my curiosity just took over.
"Why do you wear a fedora?" I asked.
His head rose an inch, "You knew it was a fedora?"
I shrugged, feeling stupid, "Doesn't everyone?"
He smiled a bit, "No one."
"Oh," I said simply, feeling like stupid.
We sat in silence and I waited for the bell to ring. Finally, it proceeded to and he spoke quietly.
"I wear it because I like it."
I smiled, "Me too. Fedoras are cool."
"Come on, Christine!" Nat called.
"Bye," I said.
He didn't answer.
We got into the hall and our group scattered to our next classes. Nat linked arms with Charlotte and me and whispered, "That was interesting."
I smiled and looked at Charlotte, "Did you know him?"
"Who?"
"The 'god', as Carly would say," Nat grinned.
She rolled her eyes, "We taught at summer camp together two summers ago. He taught swimming and I did voice. It was a little... fling."
"Oh, well, Miss Charlotte, it seems he wants the fling to continue," Nat grinned.
Meg followed, "What was with the guy next to you? The guy with the hat?"
I shrugged, "He said he liked fedoras."
"Is that what those are called?" Nat said. "I thought they were mobster hats."
Meg shook her head, "Today's been interesting and its not even lunch yet."
"What do you have next?" I asked Charlotte.
She grinned, "Chemistry."
"Chemistry is for lovers," Nat winked.
"I ain't got a lover," Charlotte smiled.
"Well, until Rayne came along," Meg giggled.
"Shut up!" Charlotte laughed, walking off.
"Bye, Lotte!" Nat shouted. "Have fun in Chemistry!"
She waved backwards without turning around and I smiled.
"Sorry you had to move from us, Chris," Nat said.
"Yeah, that was real unlucky," Meg nodded. "Charlotte sat by the beauty- you the beast."
"You guys are so mean," I smiled, turning off into my classroom.
The rest of the morning went well. I was already assigned tons of homework and I started right away.
"Would you stop reading and eat something?" Charlotte begged at lunch, pushing a plate of something that did not look remotely appealing in front of me. "Honestly, you weigh nothing as it is."
"No," I mumbled though I doubt she could hear me due to my chin resting on my hand. "I want to finish reading this."
"Why?" she asked, annoyed, and taking something from Nat's plate.
"Because."
She rolled her eyes.
"She has a point, Christine," Meg said. "The curvy figure is very in right now. No one wants to be a stick anymore and stick, you very much are."
"You would know about curvy figures, Meg," Carly smirked in her snotty way.
Meg peered down at herself and smiled, "Yes, I would."
Carly rolled her eyes and Charlotte grinned.
"I need to keep my weight down," I said, not looking up. "I am a ballerina after all."
"So am I," Meg shook her head, "But I don't starve myself."
I smiled as they chatted on.
I didn't hear anyone speak through the rest of lunch. I was too interested in my book. That was, until towards the very end.
"Christine..." my sister hissed.
"What?" I asked dully with a yawn, not raising my head. I felt a stab in my leg from someone's kick and I looked in front of me where Janie was.
"Ow! God, what do you want?"
She jerked her head behind me. I then noticed that no one was speaking in the cafeteria and every single person was staring at me.
Slowly (and turning scarlet), I turned and faced what was behind me.
"Hi," the boy behind me said.
It was him. The boy with the fedora. I bit my lip.
"Hello."
"Umm..." he mumbled something inaudible and fiddled with something on his lunch tray.
"Can I help you with something?" I asked quietly but not rudely.
He stared at me a moment before shaking his head and quickly walking away.
I turned to Charlotte as the entire cafeteria started chattering.
"Christine!" she cried.
"What-" I began, holding my hands helplessly but she cut me off.
"Oh, honestly, Chris!" she cried, jumping from her seat and running after the boy.
"Wait!" she called after him. The chattered silenced and this time everyone was watching Charlotte. I suddenly noticed Rayne with a small smile on his face.
"Hi," she grinned, brilliantly. "I'm Charlotte. What's your name?"
He just shook his head, "I didn't mean to intrude."
"Oh, pshaw, you didn't intrude. Now, tell me your name," she said in her Charlotte way.
He stared at his tray, "Erik."
She smiled again, "Erik. That's a very good name. It sounds..." she paused and I smiled a bit, "refined. Did you have something to ask the girl at the table there?"
He shook his head quickly. Charlotte thought a moment. Hurriedly as he turned to leave, she said, "Hey, Erik? Do you want to sit with us?"
Fifty jaws dropped all around.
I heard Carly whisper, "But he's the freak!"
Erik peered up at Charlotte.
"Really? Would it be alright?"
She grinned and pulled his arm, "Come sit over here with us."
As she brought him back, she gave me a great smile that secretly called me a total fool. She pushed me into the empty chair next to where I was sitting and ushered Erik in between us- where I had once been seated.
Carly glared at Charlotte. Charlotte rolled her eyes, "Oh, stop being petty."
I smiled at Erik and said, "How have your classes been?"
He nodded, "Fine."
"Is a new school hard?" Janie asked sweetly, shrugging her light blonde hair over her shoulder.
"No, Sherlock," Andy laughed, "It's as easy as pie."
James turned to Erik, "Forgive the girls- they're all bimbos."
"Except Christine," Meg said. "She's really smart."
"You're really smart, aren't you?" Janie asked.
Poor Erik couldn't get a word in.
"Yeah," James said, "You're in our Chem class right?"
Nat turned to Charlotte, "Chemistry-"
I laughed and finished the statement, "Is for lovers."
Holden rolled his eyes, "You knew all that stuff, didn't you?"
"Of course, he did, idiot," Carly said. "He answered the questions didn't he?"
"What else are you taking?" Meg asked.
"He's in choir," I said.
"Oh, are you good?" Janie said, chomping on a fry.
Erik shrugged, "I don't know. I've-"
"Did you sing before you came here?" Carly asked.
"Where did you come from?" Charlotte said.
Erik looked extremely flustered, "I uh- Chicago. I'm from the city."
"Oh, a city boy?" Janie smiled.
"Do they all wear those funny hats?" Carly asked.
"Shut up, Carly," I said.
"Don't be so uptight, Chris," she spat.
"Don't be such a pain, Carly," Nat defended.
The table went a bit quiet. Charlotte finally cleared her throat.
"I like your funny hat, Erik."
He smiled really big at her.
Everyone began chatting and asking questions.
Only deep in the back of my mind did I realize none of us had really seen Erik's face.
"See you at play practice," Charlotte called over her shoulder as we all departed after 6th period choir.
The day had gone just lovely. I was really looking forward to it all.
"See you at six," I called, waving out. Charlotte grinned and winked before grabbing Janie's wrist and pulling her along. Holden gave me a bear hug before giving Meg the same gesture. He ran after Janie, slinking an arm around her waist. Nat ruffled my hair before running after then, hopping on Charlotte's back.
"God, get off, Nat! How much do you weigh?" she cried.
"Hey, I'm the quarterback, I gotta have some muscle!" he protested.
I smiled at Meg as she shook her head.
"That boy needs to stop with the football and focus on his band."
"He's a killer musician," I agreed, walking along with her towards the studio for ballet.
"I mean, he can sing, play guitar, piano, violin, trumpet. He's a renaissance man!"
"And you love him," I smiled. Meg went bright pink and bit her lip.
"Do not."
"Ha, oh yeah, right. You love Nathanial more than you love Brad Pitt."
Her eyes went wide," Never! And now that Jen and him are spilt, I can't get into any relationships," her eyes glazed over, "He's waiting for me..."
I elbowed her and laughed as we walked on.
Meg adored Nat (as did everyone else). He was one of the nicest guys we knew and could always make us smile. I had known him my whole life.
"So, Chris," Meg said as we entered the studio.
"Hm?"
"What's the deal with that... kid?" she asked quietly as I piled my hair up and wrapped a ponytail holder around it.
I shrugged, "The one at lunch? I don't know. I met him this morning."
"You think he'll hang out with us now?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
I bit my lip, "I don't know. I don't know if he is a theater kid."
Meg shrugged, "I guess we will know tonight."
"We could asked your mom," I volunteered.
"Or not."
I nodded, "No one is more strict than your mother."
She huffed a sigh as we entered the changing room, "Tell me about it."
Everyone was already there and changing into leotards and tights. I tossed my bag on the floor, moving to the locker I had used for the past two years.
I opened it, flipping the combination on the lock- 0-25-32. Inside, on the back wall, revealed pictures of my friends and me. There was one of Charlotte and I at Halloween when we were little, one of Meg, Janie, Carly, Charlotte, Nat, Andy, Holden, James and I out camping, and one of my puppy, Chaucer (a girl).
I smiled as I pulled out my clothes and began to change.
I loved my friends so much. They were the sweetest, most fun and loveable people to be around. It was always us 9- the 9 musketeers, I guess you could say. We'd been tight since we were babies (except Carly, Janie and James who had moved here later). I knew we would all be together and never thought anyone would join our crew. It never occurred to me that things would change with friends gained and lost.
"Christine!" I heard Carly shout, snapping out of my reverie.
"What?" I jumped.
She sighed and looked at me funny, "You feel alright?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm great," I shook my head.
"Yeah, well, Mrs. Giry wants you out in the studio."
"Ok, thanks, Carly."
She shrugged and walked off to fix her hair.
As much as I liked Carly, she could be an absolute pain.
I grabbed my pointe shoes and yanked a pair of baggy black pants on, over my pink tights and black leotard. I scurried out to see what Mrs. Giry wanted.
Mrs. Giry was the nicest adult I knew. She understood how kids thought but still took care of us like we were babies.
She was like a mother.
I stepped into her office and cleared my throat. She was the one adult I wasn't absolutely scared of.
She turned around and grinned.
"Hello, dear" she said. "How was the first day back?"
"Good," I smiled, "Yours?"
She rolled her eyes, "Coaching PE is not as enjoyable as one might think."
"I can only imagine."
She smiled again, "So, Christine, I had a favor."
"Hm?"
"There are two young men joining the drama department this year. Both have a great past in theatre. One of the boys' parents used the run a theatre but had to move when his mother died so he is a theater brat in a way. The other boy has been training with the most prestigious Theatre Company in the state."
"They both sound wonderful," I said. "But what does it have to do with me?"
Mrs. Giry nodded, "I wanted you and Charlotte to help me audition them."
"I wouldn't think they would need it-"
"Everyone has to audition their first year."
I frowned, "But what would it determine?"
"We only have one opening in Drama," she frowned. "It's full."
"Oh," I grimaced, "So one wouldn't make it."
"Exactly. Would you girls mind staying after Drama tonight?"
"Of course, we'll stay, no problem," I smiled but paused, "Why us, though, Mrs. Giry? Why not anyone else?"
Mrs. Giry looked down before smiled, sweetly, "I need the best to judge the best."
The rest of ballet, my ears were tipped pink. Blushing had become a common habit.