Hi there guys! I'm really sorry about the wait for this chapter as I'm kind of a slow writer and this half term, we're going out almost every day, so I only have the morning, and sometimes late in the evening, to draft up and write up my story.

Anyway, please R&R and tell what you like about it!

Jellicle Trust

Chapter 2

Tears of Joy and Sorrow

The Royal Albert Hall was especially busy on the evening of the opening for 'The Phantom of the Opera'. Jemima was bursting with anticipation as she was playing the lead role, 'Christine'; the part that she had always wanted to play ever since she was a little girl. Such a dream opportunity! Victoria was also eagerly so looking forward to creating the character of 'Madame Giry'; the very person that had inspired her to start her new passion, ballet.

Jemima and Victoria had invited Etcetera, along with her sister, Rumpleteazer, whose birthday was on that same day, to sit in the front row.

During the curtain calls, everyone whistled and clapped as Jemima took her bow, people giving her a standing ovation as she was doing so. Victoria felt a pang of jealousy.

Why does she always have the spotlight on her? Why can't it ever come to me? Victoria thought to herself angrily. It's not fair! It's only because she can reach really high notes when she sings and has an hourglass body.

Her attention was soon drawn to Pouncival stepping forward to speak.

"I would like to announce that I am going to propose to the one, special girl in my life."

As soon as the house tabs descended for the final time, he knelt down one knee to Jemima, at the same moment, bringing out a diamond ring from his pocket, and asked Jemima for her hand in marriage. She was completely overcome with emotion; tears starting to run down her face. The rest of the cast were taken back by surprise. There was a moment of tender silence which was only broken by a choked response from Jemima's lips. The company broke into tumultuous applause as the two kissed and Jemima stuttered out the magical word – "yes". This was truly a night to remember and savour.

Victoria watched sadly as her best friend finally found her new true love. She suddenly felt that pang of jealousy again and started to panic. She couldn't allow herself to ruin this special night for Jemima. Her jealousy was soon replaced by a great lump of sadness in her heart. Her eyes started to well up with tears but she quickly blinked them away, smiling to cover it all up. She fidgeted on the spot, wishing that the floor could just swallow her up.

After the performance, Victoria changed in her dressing room as fast as she could, at the same moment, being careful so as not to rip her dress. She took a quick glance at her dresser before she reached for the door handle. An old, slightly torn photo of her beautiful and youthful mother returned her icy cold stare with a feeling that Victoria just couldn't describe. It felt a little bit like joy and sadness mixed in a plain, white bowl. She held back the tears as the memory of watching her mother die on the floor in front of her, covered in bruises, came back to life. She started to run through the corridors to escape the building, accidently running into Etcetera, who had happened to be finding Victoria herself. Victoria tried to tear herself away from her, tears flooding her cheeks. She just couldn't help it. But Etcetera held onto her arm with pleading eyes.

"Victoria, don't go! I know how you feel. Just try not to think about Jemima and Pouncival." Etcetera took a deep breath and then carried on. "Would you like to come with me and my sister to this Italian restaurant that we've reserved? It'll be great fun! Plus, we're kind of desperate to find a 3rd person as Electra was going to come with us but is performing in a concert which runs on until 9!"

Victoria sniffed resentfully, dreading the consequence if she looked at her friend's face. Etcetera kept on staring at Victoria with a hopeful look; she was absolutely determined that she will win. Victoria finally weakened and reluctantly mumbled yes.

"Yay!" Etcetera ran to the exit where Rumpleteazer was patiently waiting, dragging Victoria along behind her.

…

At the restaurant, Rumpleteazer ordered a large plate of spaghetti and meatballs to cheer up Victoria as Etcetera had told her everything about the conversation the two had earlier.

Once the waiter had served the dish to them, they picked up their forks and tucked in.

"Wow, this is really tasty!" Rumpleteazer mumbled with her mouth full. Eager to perk up the mood, she cheekily nudged a meatball over to Victoria's side of the plate with her fork. Victoria looked up and saw Rumpleteazer looking warmly at her.

"Eat it. It won't bite you," The red-haired girl slowly coaxed the blonde gently.

Victoria gave her a suspicious look before taking a small bite of the meatball. It tasted spicy and herby, making her want to close her eyes and dream of a different world, a world where everything was perfect.

She suddenly stiffened as she caught the sight of her roommate and Pouncival, kissing by a lamppost with black, peeling paint opposite the restaurant.

Oh, no! Please don't do this to me again! Please don't! Victoria prayed silently, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes.

Rumpleteazer froze as she finally noticed the sudden change in Victoria's mood and followed her gaze to where Jemima and Pouncival were. Etcetera was far too busy eating her dinner to even notice that her two friends had stopped and were looking out the window.

Rumpleteazer sighed.

Stop torturing her, Jemima! She's innocent! Do you hear me? INNOCENT! I can't bear the sight of seeing her so overwhelmed and upset.

She looked around the room, trying to find ideas to get Victoria distracted. She gave up quickly as she knew that there was nothing that would inspire her in the restaurant. Then, a light bulb pinged above her head.

I know!

She picked her bag up from the floor and fumbled around for her phone. Once she found it, she tapped in the password and then clicked onto her camera app. She turned her body round so she was parallel to the slightly misted window, and then took a photo of Jemima and Pouncival, now snuggling up to each other, but still standing by the same lamppost.

Rumpleteazer snorted in disgust at the sight of the two as she handed her phone to Victoria.

"And this is supposed to cheer me up?" Victoria managed to stutter out, already despising the photograph.

Rumpleteazer shook her head furiously.

"No, no, no. Click on this app here." She pressed the home button on her phone and then pointed to a small, square app which looked like a pink and white camera with colourful stripes, and a red heart in the left corner.

Victoria hesitated before touching the screen. A white page with a couple of buttons at the bottom and the app's logo popped up onto the screen.

"Umm, 'Teazer? What do I do now?" Etcetera looked up as she heard this, her blue eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Hmm, let me try." She eagerly whipped the phone out of Victoria's hands, leaving her stunned to silence at the sudden reaction from the brunette. Etcetera inspected the screen at a variety of different angles.

Victoria watched, a smile starting to creep up her face. Rumpleteazer blew a sigh of relief, satisfied that her friend was finally smiling.

After the dinner, Etcetera, Victoria and Rumpleteazer stood outside the restaurant with the autumn wind against their backs.

"Soooo, Victoria?" Etcetera gave the blonde an unsure look before carrying on.

"Do you want to stay with me and Rumpleteazer for the night? I mean, you never know…" She trailed off slowly, scared that she would upset Victoria.

The blonde shook her head.

"No, I'm fine. Really. I think I can handle it now." Victoria giggled to herself as she remembered the image of Jemima and Pouncival that she had drawn all over with the Beautiful Mess app.

"Well, if you insist." Etcetera didn't sound convinced.

Victoria hugged the brunette and Rumpleteazer before she separated from them. On the way, she noticed Plato, leaning his back against the bricked wall which was opposite her little basement flat.

"Plato! What are you doing here?" Victoria was so surprised to see her old childhood friend still out late in the evening. He was known to be a hater of the dark.

"'Tory! Finally! Where. Have. You. Been?" Plato looked at Victoria with a suspicious look on his face.

"Well, I've been with Etcy and 'Teazer at that Italian restaurant that you went to for your 16th birthday celebration, remember? I texted you!"

Plato growled. "Yes, I remember." He glanced at his watch. "Anyway, what do you think about the two love birds. You know, Jemima and Pouncival."

Victoria suddenly went quiet.

"I'd rather we don't talk about it."

Plato raised his eyesbrows at Victoria, starting to remember the moment when he tried to talk to her after the show, but she ran away, crying. He walked slowly to the blonde and hugged her. She hugged him back. Victoria wanted this moment to last forever. She wanted to feel the same love as Jemima was receiving from her fiance.

"Let's get into your flat." Plato embraced Victoria with both his arms.

As they entered the flat, the strong smell of roses and apple scented perfume hit them, making the two cough.

"Well, it looks like Jemima's back home." Victoria said, rolling her eyes.

Once they were in the living room, Plato and Victoria studied the room in amazement. Red rose petals were scattered all over the floor like drops of blood and shattered glass from the window were lying in prey to stab anyone with bare foot.

Victoria screamed, grabbing hold of Plato's arms and buried her face into his chest from the wrecked room.

I need to take Victoria home to my house. I can't risk leaving her here all by herself to clean-up the mess. Plato thought sadly.

He gathered up Victoria's purse and bag and then led her back to his house, careful so as not to step on her dainty feet.

I wonder where Jemima is. Plato thought to himself worriedly as he entered his living room. I hope she's with Pouncival. I know he'll take good care of her.