Hey guys. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Here's the next one. It's basically going to talk about how Miley is feeling the night before rehearsals start. Okay, this'll be a short intro so I can start it. Enjoy, guys.
CHAPTER 2
The Troubles of Miss. Miley Stewart
Miley lay down, preparing to sleep. She needed to be ready for rehearsals tomorrow, but her thought's were running away with her. Closing her eyes, she calmed herself down, but was met with rather unpleasant dreams.
Deep below the Opera Populaire, Miley could hear an angelic voice coming from the surface. Finishing writing one of her notes on her music, she listened intently. The voice was absolutely beautiful, but untrained. The voice stopped, and a violin began, causing the voice to become louder and more beautiful. Grabbing her hat and her cloak, Miley headed into her two-way mirror, eager to see the owner of the voice. Following the voice through the Opera Populaire, Miley made it to Monsieur LeFevre's room, where a young blonde girl was singing to a man in a bed, who was playing the violin. Miley watched as the blonde girl sang, in tune with the violinist.
"Remember what I taught you, Lilly. Matching the melody is just as important as reciting the lyrics. The two must go hand in hand, be intertwined. Let me show you what the Angel of Music taught me," the violinist said. Miley watched with curiosity, wanting to know more about this 'Angel of Music.' The violinist started a beautiful melody and began to sing with a weak voice.
Wandering Child
So lost, so helpless
Yearning for my guidance
Angel, I hear you
Speak I listen
Stay by my side, guide me
Angel, oh speak
What endless longing
Echoes in this whisper?
Miley smiled. This man's perception that a mysterious 'Angel of Music' could help his family was something she found quite heartwarming. Then, Lilly began to sing again, and Miley's world was changed.
Angel of Music, guide and guardian
Grant to me your glory
Angel of Music, hide no longer
Secret and strange angel
The violinist stopped playing, and Miley could see a name written at the top of the instrument. The name of 'Truscott'. Lilly approached her father and tucked him in, as he lay back. The man was deathly ill, Miley could see that, and she could also see that he didn't have long left. Lilly took her father's hand, and patted it. Monsieur Truscott smiled weakly at his daughter.
"When I am in Heaven, child, I will send the Angel of Music to you. I promise. I will send the Angel to you, and it will help you to become the greatest performer the Opera Populaire has seen. I am so proud of you, Lilly. Your mother would be too," he said, laying back and taking his last breath. Lilly began to cry, cradling her father in her arms.
"I love you, Daddy," she said. Miley could feel her heart breaking for this girl who had now lost everything, and so, she did the one thing she'd done since the beginning. She sang.
Wandering Child
So lost, so helpless
Yearning for my guidance
Lilly gasped. Her father had been true to his word. He'd sent the Angel of Music to her. Not knowing how to respond to the Angel, she replied with the first thing from her mind.
Angel, I hear you
Speak, I listen
Stay by my side, guide me
Angel, oh speak
What endless longing
Echoes in this whisper?
Miley smiled, deciding to talk to Lilly normally.
"Don't be frightened, Lilly. I mean you no harm. I'm here to help you," she said. Lilly nodded, looking around.
"I know, Angel. My father sent you to me. To help train my voice," she said. Miley laughed.
"Don't worry, Lilly. I will train your voice. But, it will take dedication and time. Are you willing to learn?" she asked. Lilly nodded.
"Yes, Angel," she said.
~o0o~
Miley awoke in the middle of the night from her dream, smiling largely. Grabbing her laptop, she went to her Facebook account, and smiled when she saw that the previous posts that Lilly put on were all Phantom of the Opera memes. Miley giggled, when she saw one that showed Christine with a confused look on her face, and under it, a caption that said,
"The Music of the Night = The ramblings of an obsessed mad man." Then, she noticed that Oliver had sent her a message, reciting All I Ask of You, and Lilly had replied. Miley frowned. Oliver knew how she felt about Lilly, and he decided to recite the love song from Phantom? That's not cool. Looking to the side of the screen, Miley saw that Oliver was online, so she sent him a message.
Miley Stewart: Ollie, why'd you do that? A few seconds later, Miley heard a ping, as Oliver sent her a reply.
Oliver Oken: What's wrong, Miles?
Miley Stewart: You and Lilly recited 'All I Ask of You'. You know how I feel about her, Ollie.
Oliver Oken: Oh man, I'm so sorry, Miles. I was listening to it on YouTube, and I had asked Lilly if she could write Christine's part so I can practice. I wasn't trying to hit on her. I know how you feel.
Miley sighed. She lay her head back onto her headboard. Her love for Lilly made her accuse Oliver of trying to steal Lilly from her, without her knowing the whole story. Saying goodnight to Oliver, she closed her laptop and put it away, attempting to go back to sleep. Closing her eyes, she calmed herself down again, and slowly drifted back to sleep.
~o0o~
Miley was not happy. Lilly had gotten the lead role in the Opera Populaire's production of 'Hannibal' and now, this slave of fashion, this brave, young suitor, this Oliver, Vicomte De Chagny, sweeps in and tries to take credit for Lilly's voice. Now, he's given Lilly a rose and is in her dressing room inviting her to dinner. Miley would have none of that. Standing inside the two-way mirror, she watched as Lilly continuously declined Oliver's advances, but the young fool wouldn't take the hint. Slamming the letter that Oliver gave her into the drawer of the vanity, she said that things had changed. Miley smirked. Things had definitely changed. She hadn't been in contact with Lilly for a while, but now seemed like the time to reestablish a connection with her student. But, that didn't mean she couldn't scare her a little. In a loud, booming tone, Miley's voice rang through the dressing room.
Insolent boy, the slave of fashion
Basking in your glory
Ignorant fool, this brave, young suitor
Sharing in my triumph!
Lilly looked around the room, trying to find the voice's owner. She didn't know what was going to happen, all she knew was that her teacher was somewhere and that they were angry. Lilly realized that the Angel of Music knew about Oliver and wasn't happy with him, so Lilly tried begging for forgiveness.
Angel, I hear you
Speak, I listen
Stay by my side, guide me
Angel, my soul was weak
Forgive me
Enter at last, master
Miley smiled. Lilly didn't know that she was a female, so she found it funny that Lilly called her 'Master'.
Flattering child, you shall know me
See why in shadow I hide
Look at your face in the mirror
I am there inside!
Lilly turned to look at the mirror and saw Miley's face and mask looking back. She gasped, finally seeing the face of the Angel revealed, and Lilly thought she looked beautiful. She also was curious as to what the mask was covering. But, the Angel hadn't fully revealed herself, and so Lilly pleaded.
Angel of Music, guide and guardian
Grant to me your glory
Angel of Music, hide no longer
Come to me, strange Angel!
Finally with herself revealed to Lilly, Miley decided to not have anymore secrets. As Lilly approached the mirror, Miley slowly made it open, with fog emanating from it. Soon, the glass of the mirror was gone and the frame was all there was, with Miley waiting inside the tunnel, and holding out her hand to Lilly, reciting her haunting chant over and over.
I am your Angel of Music
Come to me, Angel of Music
I am your Angel of Music
Come to me, Angel of Music
Taking Lilly's hand firmly in her own, Miley held up her lantern and proceeded to lead her down to her lair. However, one thing went through her mind as they started down, 'Take that, Monsieur Le Vicomte.'
~o0o~
Miley awoke in her bed from her dream, puzzled. When she had her first dream, she thought it was purely coincidence, but now, it seemed too convenient that she had two dreams of her and Lilly as the Phantom and Christine. Pulling out her laptop again, she decided she'd look up what the significance could be, with Facebook in another tab. Heading to the search engine, she typed in 'meaning of recurring dreams.' Pulling up an article, she quickly headed to Facebook, checking on her account. Looking at the side of the screen, Miley saw that Lilly was online. She smiled. Reading the article, she found a lot of it was hogwash, until she got to the lower part of the page and read the part of the entry.
"A dream that consists of you and your romantic attraction in fictional roles may mean an outcome of your relationship in real life," she read to herself. Suddenly, a ping sounded. Switching to Facebook, Miley saw Lilly had messaged her.
Lilly Truscott: Hey, ur up late. Penny for ur thoughts?
Miley Stewart: Hey, Lil
Lilly Truscott: Miley, I'm really nervous for tomorrow at school. Im watching phantom right now, and Christine is an amazing singer. I don't know how I'd be able to do this
Miley Stewart: Lilly, I know how you feel. So many great actors have played 'Phantom' before me, so not only will I have to live up to them, but I'll have to be convincing as a female Phantom
But you know what? I know you're going to be great. You know why?
Lilly Truscott: Why?
Miley Stewart: Cause ur my best friend, and I have faith in u.
Lilly Truscott: :)
Thanks, Miles. Im so happy to have a best friend like you.
I luv u. Miley sucked in a breath, reading Lilly's last entry. She could spill the beans right now, and tell Lilly how she felt, but she would risk their friendship without any thought. It was smashing her heart to pieces having to deny how she truly felt, but her friendship with Lilly was more important. She began to type her response.
Miley Stewart: U silly goose. I luv u too. :). Closing out of Facebook, Miley felt tears go down her cheek. She now had something in common with the Phantom. They both loved a girl they couldn't obtain. Putting away her laptop again, Miley got out of bed and headed to the bathroom, grabbing a glass of water. Returning to her room, she got back into bed and closed her eyes, waiting for another dream. She got it, and boy, was it a doozy.
Why couldn't Lilly see what Miley was trying to do? Lilly and Miley had a connection together, yet now Miley felt Lilly was treating her like a bad guy. The incidents she caused were done for the sake of keeping Lilly safe. With Donna Juanita now in shambles, Miley had brought Lilly back down to the lair to keep her safe from the wrath of the managers and the theatre performers who would probably blame her for the incidents Miley caused. But, Oliver, the ever loyal knight in shining armor, trespassed, which allowed Miley to vent some of her frustration on him. Wrapping her lasso around Oliver's neck, Miley told Lilly that she could save him by being with Miley. But, now Lilly was outright refusing the person who had trained her to sing. Miley glared, tightening the lasso a bit.
So do you end your days with me
Or do you send him to his grave?
Oliver glared, not afraid at all.
Why make her lie to you to save me?
Miley glared.
Past the point of no return
The final threshold
His life is now the prize which you must earn
You've passed the point of no return
Letting go of the lasso, Miley turned her back on Lilly, not giving in. Running out of options and possibly risking Oliver's life, Lilly pleaded with Miley.
Angel of Music, you deceived me
I gave my mind blindly!
Miley sighed.
Blindly?
A million thoughts raced through her mind. Had she gone about everything wrong? Had she been so focused on winning Lilly's love that everything she did caused Lilly to hate her? Had she taken advantage of her mind when she was young, using her father's death and the story of the Angel of Music to manipulate Lilly? She didn't know. She could figure it out at a later time. Right now, she wanted Lilly's answer. Her or Oliver. Slowly approaching the scared blonde woman, Miley sighed.
"You try my patience. Make your choice," she said. Lilly sighed. She didn't have any other options. Then, she put herself in Miley's position. Shunned and resented for her deformity, she spent most of her life alone below the Opera House. Most of her life, spent in isolation, without any other soul. Then, she met Lilly and everything changed. It didn't matter she was a genius composer, architect, and inventor, she was discriminated because of her face, she was shunned and driven into isolation because normal people, even her own mother, called her a freak, a creature, a monster. No one wanted to love a being so disgusting. Suddenly, Lilly understood. Miley was a poor, lost soul who wanted to be accepted and loved. Getting up, Lilly made her decision.
Pitiful creature of darkness
What kind of life have you known?
God give me courage to show you
You are not alone!
In one swift move, Lilly grabbed Miley and kissed her, catching Miley off-guard. Suddenly, the entire world came crashing down onto Miley. Through it all, Lilly still cared for her and loved her and she'd caused needless violence and death because she didn't want to think that Lilly wouldn't love her back. Slowly, tears came to both her eyes, a feeling Miley hadn't felt for years. Slowly and hesitantly wrapping her arms around Lilly, Miley melted into the kiss, when Lilly pulled away and hugged her. Wrapping her arms fully around Lilly, Miley smiled genuinely for the first time in years. Something occurred to Lilly when she kissed Miley. A strange sensation coursed through her when they kissed, like fireworks going off in her mind. She'd never gotten that experience when kissing Oliver, and she realized that she truly did love Miley, so she kissed her again. Miley slowly melted back into the kiss, wrapping her arms around Lilly, who touched the sides of Miley's face, putting one hand on her deformity. Suddenly, Miley pulled away, reluctantly. As much as she loved Lilly and Lilly loved her, she would never be able to provide a life for her. She would never be able to provide a life for her that Oliver could. Slowly approaching one of the numerous candles in her lair, she grabbed one and carried it over to where Oliver was in the lasso. In one swift movement, she burned the rope holding Oliver and released him. Grabbing his arm, Miley helped him up.
"Oliver, take her. Forget me! Forget all of this!" Lilly pulled the noose off of Oliver's neck and clung to his arm. The three of them could hear the angry voices of the theatre workers, and Miley pulled off her tail coat, for the first time scared out of her wits.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" she pleaded, and Lilly felt her heart tear apart, hearing the pleading tone, the sadness and the terror in Miley's voice. Turning to Lilly and Oliver, Miley begged to them.
"Forget all you've seen! Go now, don't let them find you!" she said. Oliver nodded, pulling Lilly toward the lake where Miley's boat sat.
"Take the boat!" she said, slowly collapsing. Finally breaking down, after years in isolation and the returned love of the girl of her dreams, Miley could feel the collected loneliness weighing her down. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she finally realized that even though she loved Lilly and everything she did was simply to win Lilly's love, she realized she really was a monster, a creature incapable of love.
"Swear to me never to tell, of the secret you know, OF THIS ANGEL OF HELL! GO! GO NOWAND LEAVE ME!" she screamed, as Lilly and Oliver disappeared. Breaking down and sobbing, Miley could hear a familiar sound, her monkey figurine playing a sweet song. She slowly crawled over to the monkey music box, and mimicked it's symbol playing, singing to the tune it played.
Masquerade
Paper faces on parade
Masquerade
Hide your face
So the world will never find you
Feeling movement behind her, Miley turned to find Lilly. She gasped. Lilly was risking her life staying behind. She knew Oliver was probably behind her, but for right now, Miley had to tell Lilly how she felt. Slowly approaching, she saw that Lilly was holding out the ring Miley'd given her. Miley smiled, grabbing Lilly's hand and looking her straight in the eyes, genuinely happy and content.
Lilly, I love you
That did it. Lilly broke down sobbing, realizing that she felt the same way for Miley, but she also knew that even if they were together, they'd never have a stable life. As much as she didn't want to, Lilly had to go with Oliver. Placing the ring in Miley's hand, Lilly kissed it, then slowly pulled away, heading back to Oliver and the boat as Miley started to cry.
"Lilly! Wait! I love you," she said, her voice soft and cracking. Cradling the veil Lilly was wearing, Miley rocked back and forth on her heels, sobbing.
"I love you," she said in between sobs. Then, in the distance, she heard the voice of her Angel of Music.
Say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Her joy was quickly dashed as she heard Oliver respond.
Say the word and I will follow you
In anguish and torment, Miley sent out a call of desperation that she hoped would reach Lilly.
"I LOVE YOU!" But, the only thing she heard was Lilly finishing the song with Oliver.
Share each day with me
Each night, each morning
If Miley had wanted to die there, she would have. She would have stayed in her lair and allowed herself to be apprehended by the theatre members, but looking at the ring that Lilly had given back to her, she saw that as hope. Hope that one day, she and her Angel of Music would be reunited, and they could finally be together. Finally, in one final cry to the Heavens, Miley let out all her emotion. Her love for Lilly and hope for their reunion fueling her, she let out a cry that she hoped would stay in the minds of the theatre members, but as strong as she was trying to be, it still came out in sobs.
You alone can make my song take flight!
It's over now, the Music of the NIGHT!
Dropping the veil, Miley headed over to her final two-way mirror, and opened it up, stepping through. Then, slowly closing it, she grabbed her lantern and headed down the tunnel. The tunnel that would lead out of the Opera Populaire and to the original site of the circus she was once in. She frowned, it was back to the drawing board. Removing her waistcoat and bow tie and throwing them to the floor of the tunnel, she looked at the ring on her finger and smiled, waiting for the day when she would be with her dear Lilly once more. Had Miley known that far away, Lilly was feeling the same, her hope would have burned brighter than a star.
Waking up one more time, Miley pondered her latest dream. She couldn't determine what they all meant, but she hoped that they yielded a positive outcome. The one thing she did know was that she was even more nervous about rehearsals than she already was. Laying back down, she drifted back to sleep, waiting for the light of morning.
~o0o~
Inside her bedroom, Lilly was re-reading Miley's message on Facebook. It pained her that she couldn't tell her best friend how she felt about her, and when she tried, Miley interpreted it the wrong way. Sighing, she put away her laptop and started to fall asleep, but before she did, she thought one thing. I love you, Miley.
Wow. This chapter did not happen how I thought it would, but honestly, it's better than it was going to be. That was a lot of typing and now my hand hurts, so the next chapter should come in a few days. Hope you guys enjoyed, stay tuned for the next chapter and leave a review on this one and let me know what you thought. Thanks for reading, guys.