Well, now I am officially a graduated senior. Feels good, not having to put up with classes for an extra month. But then again, I may have a job in a bit. Anywho, graduated senior, yippee! The fanart contest is kind of fizzling without any entries. Someone please let me know if you would still be interested in this. Now to what you all have been waiting for: the next installment of A Twist in Time! Shoutouts go to AubriannaRose, ZexionLover411, PhantomGirl17, and .908. Enjoy!
Chapter 25
That night was spent making sheet music for the orchestra, eating a small meal of summer sausage and bread, and messing around with my tablet before I went to sleep against his shoulder by the organ. The next morning found me in his bed with him in the chair beside me, his hand holding mine.
Two weeks passed by in a flash. Practices in the mornings with audiences slowly growing bigger by the day, rehearsals with the dancers in the afternoons with Madame Giry's guidance, and lessons at night with Erik in his lair, trying our best to forget the little moment – if you could call it that – we had that night. Well, I at least didn't want to forget it. I just simply tried to pretend it didn't happen whenever I was down there with him, failing miserably every time I looked at either him or the organ.
At last, it was time for my 'concert', so to speak. I was so nervous, not even my music could calm me down.
"I don't see why you're so nervous." Meg said as I was behind my changing screen, getting my outfit on for the performance. It was a simple red dress with black lace, no fluff or poof or anything. Of course, some other things too, as my rings that I never took off in my time and a pair of leggings magically appeared on my bed, just like the other things. I wore these, as well: one ring on my finger, my senior ring on a chain around my neck, and my leggings underneath my dress.
"I'm nervous because I am about to perform in front of who-knows-how many people who may not even like me, but will have to put up with me anyways as a certain Opera Ghost basically ordered me to!" I said in one breath.
I walked over to the mirror and assessed myself. Meg had done my hair and makeup before I put my dress on, so I was ready to go.
"Man, I feel like I'm getting ready for prom." I muttered.
Meg gave me a confused glance. "Prom?"
I shook my head. "It's a future thing."
"Alright, if you say so. I'll meet you out there. And stop worrying: you'll be great." She told me as she hugged me and skipped out the door.
I watched her shut the door then turned back to the mirror. That's when I saw an outline of a figure that definitely wasn't me. "I didn't order you, per say…"
I sighed as said figure stepped out of the mirror. "Erik, you know what I mean. You kinda put the cart before the horse. And in the future, please don't eavesdrop on my conversations. That's an easy way of losing my trust."
His visible eyebrow raised in surprise. "You trust me?"
"Well, if I didn't, I wouldn't be going down to your lair every night to have a voice lesson. I'd say that would take a tremendous amount of trust, wouldn't you?"
He shrugged. "I guess so. So, if you trust me at the lessons, will you trust me now?"
"Well, duh." I chuckled, slightly confused.
"Alright then. During your last number, remember the one night in my home."
I smirked playfully. "Which night?"
"You'll know." Was all he said as he took my hand and kissed the back of it, somehow sneaking a rose into my hand in the process. He then backed into the mirror and shut it.
I brought the rose to my nose, then put it in my hair. It would go with my outfit, anyways. Where does he get these, anyways? I've probably gotten a dozen from him by now and most likely has given at least twice as many to Christine…
The thought of the dancer reminded me of what I was getting ready for and prompted me to continue doing so. Once I was prepared, I met Madame Giry, Monsieur Reyer, Christine, Meg, and the other dancers in the wings of the backstage. Everyone was excited, especially Reyer. He looked like a Chihuahua that just had about seven Red Bulls.
The managers poked their heads around the corner. "Are you ready back here?" Andre asked.
I gave them a thumbs up. "As ready as I'll ever be, I reckon."
Their brows furrowed at my statement, but shrugged it off. "Alright then, after we announce you, the curtains will go up. You need to go to your places. Oh! What's your last name?"
"My last name? Uh…my last name….Destler. It's Destler!" I said, saying the first thing that came to my brain. It's not that I didn't want to give them my real last name, but I panicked. And don't even judge me on my choice of name…please?
"Destler it is, then. Good luck!" whispered Firmin as he and Andre went through the curtain to address the audience.
The dancers each passed me, whispering "Good luck!" and "Break a leg!" as they went to their places. They weren't going to be doing anything for a long time, but I envied them nonetheless. Next was Monsieur Reyer, patting my shoulder with a wish of good luck. As he went up front to the orchestra pit, Madame Giry came to me.
"Mandy, I was wondering if I could talk to you after you performance tonight." She said.
"Sure, Antoinette. About what?"
"Erik."
It was the only thing she said, but it was enough to make my heart stop. I would've asked her to elaborate, but as I opened my mouth, I heard "Please welcome to the stage Mandy Destler!"
The curtains went up as soon as Madame Giry stepped back in the wings. All the audience saw was me gaping at the side, then turning my head and adopting the best smile I could without looking too fake. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you enjoy tonight's performance as I know I will immensely."
I was greeted with a few laughs, then all was silent. I looked at Monsieur Reyer and nodded, signaling to him that I was ready. He got the attention of the orchestra by tapping his baton on his music stand, instructing them to play the introduction of the first song. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Here we go…
"There's only so much that a heart can take,
Before it starts to break…"
I opened my eyes and looked out over the audience, my gaze going to Box 5 on accident – I didn't really want to think of him during this song, but what choice did I have? – averting back to the audience.
"Please don't make me love you,
Please don't make me need you,
I've no room in my life for something like this…"
I began to pace the stage slowly, keeping everyone's eyes on me.
"Please don't take my mornings,
Please don't steal my summers,
I know they will vanish the moment we kiss…"
I waver in my stance in the next part.
"I grow weak when we talk,
I'm confused when we touch,
I should just walk away, but that's asking too much…"
I resume walking, using my hands to act out the emphasis.
"Please don't make me do this,
Please don't make me want this,
All my dreams were taken until I met you,
You're the one I think of,
Soon as I awaken,
Funny how the heart tells the mind what to do…"
I stop walking, now facing the audience as if pleading with them.
"I'm not sure I could go all the joy and the pain,
Much better not to let these dreams take flight…"
As I sang in front of that audience, everything clicked. I was actually falling in love with Erik, but as with poor Mina, there was more to it than it seemed.
"Please don't make me love you,
Please don't make me need you,
Simplify my life just by setting me free,
Promise me you'll do this,
Only you can do this…"
Even as I fought myself, my eyes slid back to Box 5.
"Please don't make me love you unless you love me…"
As the final note rang out, I looked out to the audience. At first there was silence, then the sound of thunderous applause that – quite literally – nearly knocked me off my feet. I curtsied to the crowd, accepting their praise. They like me, I thought, a smile consuming my
face. They really like me…
I do not own the song. It is Please Don't Make Me Love You from Dracula the Musical and it is beautiful! Credit goes to the rightful composers.