Chapter 9: No More Waiting

The morning came once again, as it always does, and I was relieved I had gotten a full night's rest. And considering I had gone to bed so early, it was more like one and a half nights worth of sleep. I had needed it.

I struggled to get out of bed, wishing I could just stay there. It's not that I wanted to go back to sleep-- too much sleep can be a terrible thing. But, I felt like it wouldn't hurt to just lay there under the covers, maybe do a little peaceful reading, pretend like I didn't exist to the rest of the world for the day. Mostly I just didn't want to worry about anything! Unfortunately, I had things to do that wouldn't allow me to lie in bed for hours. So much for Sundays being a day of rest, I thought. The things I was committed to accomplish though were not necessarily bad. In fact, I looked forward to most of my day's planned events.

Since I had spent the last few weeks obsessively training and rehearsing, I had promised Meg we would spend some quality time together in the morning. She had wanted to go out with me that night, but unfortunately I had to go to work at the library.

Well, not so unfortunate because you might see Erik, my mind reminded me, a thought which gave me get a tiny smile.

Meg and I decided the best thing to do was stay in and have a girlie day-- watching movies, eating chocolate, gossiping about celebrities, the usual. I had missed doing those things with her over the past weeks, and I think she missed her best friend as well. Just because two people live together doesn't mean they see each other.

I finally got up out of bed, threw my robe on over my pajama pants and camisole and walked out into the living room to see if Meg was awake.

"Hey, Sleeping Beauty! I see her majesty is awake and among the living," Meg greeted me in her own special way. "When you went to bed so early yesterday, I figured you would have already been up for hours. I was expecting breakfast to be all laid out for me when I got up!"

"Afraid not, the Sandman was quite a convincing buddy last night, and talked me into partying quite awhile in his world," I grinned at her. "I needed it though. I have been pushing myself so hard these days, I think now that I'm done my body decided to give up on me finally."

That had happened to me after many shows-- I would work and work and work, and after the final curtain call, I usually ended up violently ill. One time in high school, after our spring performance, I had gotten so sick I was out of school for over a week. Anything for my art, grades be damned!

"Don't let your body give up now! Sure you made it through the audition, but what about when you get cast and start going to rehearsals? If you thought you were working hard before, I know how you get once you're in real performance mode."

"If I get in, you mean. It's not a done deal yet." Meg just gave me a look. "Anyway, so, what's on our schedule for this morning?" I asked.

"Well, why don't we both pick out some DVDs and plan this morning's marathon? I was definitely thinking we should have some sort of theme, like 'jilted lovers' or some other sort of angsty romance."

"So, no laughing today, huh?" I smirked.

"Well, I'm sure the quality of the films we watch are mock-worthy. No worries there! What time do you have to be at work?"

"Not until four, so we have quite awhile," I promised her.

"Great! Well, you start searching through our collection, and I'll go get us some snacks." Meg started to head into the kitchen and called out, "Can they be super fattening comfort food snacks?"

"I would have it no other way," I replied and got to my task at hand.

X X X

It was 5 o'clock when I looked down at my watch after what had to be the thirtieth time I had checked to see how long I had been at work and how long I had yet to go. The library was still running on its 'summer hours' schedule, so I knew I had at least another three hours to go.

Sundays were always the worst for work, especially for me since I was stuck at the Book Delivery call window. Book Delivery is a special reference section where people go to request books on little slips of paper. The staff takes these papers, goes back through private stacks and pulls books. In the meantime, patrons get little buzzers similar to those used at restaurants-- when your book is ready, your timer goes off. As a Book Delivery staff member, looking for all the books some people want can be a tedious and long process, especially if the requested books are all in different call sections. Sometimes books will show up on the computers as being present in the stacks, but there had been times I had searched for twenty minutes before giving up on a book that was obviously lost or misplaced.

It's bad enough when there is a queue of fifteen people all waiting for their books. It is worse when there is no one waiting for books. Which is how I found myself spending Sunday evening-- alone and bored. I was still waiting for the Opera Boston phone call, which was filling me with more and more anxiety each second, and I was hoping that I saw Erik, not only because I wanted someone to talk to, but also because I had decided I was officially enamored with him, or infatuated with him, whichever! My thoughts and even dreams over the past two days had constantly drifted towards him. I dreamt about him before my audition, I used him as motivation at my audition, and afterwards I wanted to tell him all about it. I had it bad.

Yet, it still struck me as odd because I still really didn't know anything about him. I knew he was a man; he had a name- Erik; he knew something about music, somehow. And that was really about it. But that isn't all you know, really, that same annoying voice kept telling me. I knew he was mysterious, and attractive. He seemed secretive and aloof, but had a charming quality about him. And he was intense. Our brief meetings were filled with some sort of strong feelings that you just didn't normally get from your 'average-Joe-stranger.' And most of all, I knew I liked it. I liked him. It felt nice to have someone take an interest in me, and only me-- to not be distracted by other things at the same time. It definitely made a girl feel special.

Yes, my thoughts were lost to Erik. The only good thing about the Book Delivery window is that it is situated in a large open corridor that connects two sections of the library. It is huge and echo-y so you can see and hear everyone who wanders through. And I was so anxious to see Erik again, that every person who came around those corners that I saw, my heart would jump thinking it could be him.

But, by 6 o'clock, he still hadn't come.

Of course you haven't seen him yet, stupid. It's not like he follows you and keeps your schedule! The other times were coincidences. . . . Nice coincidences, however. Why can't he be here by coincidence now? I can just imagine him standing here again in front--

"Shut up," I mumbled to my overactive imagination.

By 7 o'clock I had moved from boredom and anxiety into pure torture. Over the past few hours I had filled several orders, but they had been few and far between. I was restless. But then two amazing things happened to make up for the entire afternoon, hell, even the entire week of worry!

My cell phone began ringing loudly. Even though I had been waiting for a call, I still wasn't expecting the noise, so I must have jumped three feet from being frightened. The number on the caller-ID wasn't one that I recognized at all, so I eagerly grabbed my phone and turned away to face the reference stacks so that I wasn't speaking out into the big corridor.

"Hello?" I questioned, nervous again.

"Hi, is this Christine DuBois?" a woman said on the other end.

"Yes, this is she," I waited.

"Hi! This is James, the choreographer from Opera Boston calling about your audition."

I wasn't sure how I should respond, so I stuck with another salutation in a neutral, but somewhat cheery sounding voice.

"Oh, right, hi!" It was the best I could muster.

"Well, yeah, I'm calling to let you know that, first, I was completely impressed with your audition! You are a fabulous dancer."

That's good, right? It sounded good so far. Or she could have just been nice by saying that before she was going to tell me I had been cut. I waited some more.

"So, anyway, I obviously want you to be a part of the company and the show! You're in!"

I couldn't believe it, I wasn't even sure I had heard her correctly. So I lamely stammered, 'I- I am?"

James laughed into the phone, "Of course, we were all blown away! I'm shocked you could even doubt it with that sort of talent. Which brings me to my next bit of news-- I want you to be my assistant dance captain. You had such a feel for the choreography and caught on so quickly. You'll be great to work with the other dancers to help them along, and once the show opens, I'll put you in charge of running warm-ups and doing any other emergency rehearsals. Of course, only if that's cool with you."

I was absolutely and completely shocked into silence. I finally realized she was asking for my acceptance, and I quickly shot out-

"Of course! Oh my gosh-- this is just. . .wow!" I could hear James chuckling. "I'm just really surprised, I never expected this."

"Well, believe it-- you earned it! I wouldn't lie to you, girlfriend," she assured me.

She continued to tell me a few more particulars about the show and casting. The first full company meeting and rehearsal was on Wednesday, so I had a few days to relax, straighten out my work schedule, and then I could get into the full swing of rehearsals. I was beyond thrilled! I was in permanent residence on cloud nine!

After I hung up with James, I started jumping up and down and shrieking with excitement. And for the second time that night, I was startled once more by a voice behind me that stated simply-

"So, I assume congratulations are in order then?"

I didn't even have to turn around to know it was Erik. In my excitement, I didn't even hear him walk up, and I certainly didn't see him enter the corridor. I turned around to face him and saw him smirking at me. I knew I, without a doubt, looked ridiculous jumping up and down like a little kid, but this time I was too happy to be embarrassed. I just plastered a huge smile on my face and spoke to, literally, the man of my dreams.

"I got in! Erik, I'm in the opera!" I screeched.

"So I gathered from your celebratory. . .squealing," he lifted an eyebrow as his two eyes glowed at me. "Again congratulations. I had no doubts on your abilities."

"I'm even the assistant dance captain! I'm just so surprised and, well. . . flabbergasted! I mean, I felt like my vocal audition was terrible. I was so nervous, I messed it up. All the high notes. . ." It was painful even to remember it, and I sobered down thinking about how I would still have to sing, especially now that I was in the show for sure.

"I am certain you sang beautifully, as evidence by your acceptance into the cast. I, of course, have recognized your true talent and potential, Christine. Just as I am sure others have as well."

"Well, there is definitely room for improvement," I admitted truthfully. "But, wow! I can't believe I will be performing in the Majestic. The theatre is amazing. Have you been there before?" I asked, figuring someone who seemed to know so much about the arts and opera would have gone at least once.

"I'm afraid to say that I have not been there to see a true performance," he responded, seeming to try and select his words perfectly.

"Well, maybe you can come see me, when it opens," I half-asked, almost silently begged, hoping he would agree.

He looked at me intently, his eyes saying more than any words could.

"Don't worry, Christine. I will see you onstage. . . .in one way or another," he finally answered obscurely, in that way of his I had come to predict. His cryptic responses made him even more appealing to me.

"I regret that I must leave now," he said quietly, and with what sounded like great disappointment. Then after some further thought, he looked at me and continued. "You will have much to learn. . . all in due time. But for now, revel in your moment, Christine. I am proud of you."

I whispered a faint goodbye, disappointed he was leaving again, but thrilled that he hadn't just disappeared on me without a farewell. His parting words and pride had filled me with a joy I couldn't even describe. I didn't feel the need to ask him if and when I would be seeing him again. This time I just knew I would, and I had a feeling that meeting wouldn't be far away.

I watched him travel silently away, amazed by his tall and graceful movements. He looked like a dancer, himself. I wouldn't have been surprised at all if that was another quality I could have added to my list.

When he had completely evaporated from my sight, I let out a small sigh.

Yep, Christine, definitely infatuated.

A/N: Another update. It was really hard to write the end of this chapter, and I'm anxious to see what you all think! A small plot development, and more E/C interaction, which I know you all love! Erik is starting to open up more to Christine. I think he likes her...awwww.

Please Review! I love them, they help and they motivate me-- you know the drill! I appreciate every review I get, and now I even respond back to them:-) Thank you for reading!