Chapter 5
Fèlicie almost immediately stopped jogging and stood there, staring at Mattheau in surprise. "You're an actor?" she asked dumbfoundedly. "Y-yes, that's right!" Mattheau quickly responded. "In fact, I'm planning on auditioning for the role of Fritz in the Nutcracker too!" Félicie's eyes widened at this statement, almost as if she suddenly regarded Mattheau in a whole new way. Really?" Fèlicie asked excitedly. "Do you think you'll get the part?" Mattheau shrugged and folded his arms. "I don't see why not," he answered. "If I work hard enough, I'm sure I'll land the role."
Fèlicie started grinning happily as she grabbed Mattheau's hand and started running down the street towards the theater. "Well if you're going to get that part then you'd better hurry. The auditions close in five minutes!" Mattheau knew they would never make it to the theater at this rate; it was nearly five blocks away. However, he remembered that there was a market just outside of the theater, with many farmers selling their goods there. There was bound to be some cart of hay placed in just the right spot to break a large fall. At least, he hoped there would be.
"Come on," Mattheau pulled Fèlicie down a narrow side street that led to an alleyway of sorts. "I think I know a shortcut." he confidently added. He was looking for something that would enable Fèlicie and himself to reach higher ground, hopefully finding a good jumping-off point as well. "Where are we going?" Fèlicie asked worriedly. "I have no clue how this will help us get to the theater in time!" Just then Mattheau spotted a ladder that led to some nearby scaffolding–the perfect place for a swan dive into a hay pile.
"Over there!" Mattheau rushed up to the latter and started climbing it, with Fèlicie right on his heels. "What are you doing?!" She asked, visibly upset. "We're going to miss the auditions!" Mattheau ignored her complaints and crawled onto the roof of the building, helping Fèlicie climb up behind him. "Please, why are we here?" She asked, tears starting to form in the corners of her eyes. Mattheau knew that they needed to act really fast or they would both miss the auditions. That would most definitely not be a good first impression on a girl he liked, he thought.
Regardless, he took Fèlicie's hand and began running along the rooftop of the building, taking care not to step on any loose tiles. He could make out the dome of the theater just above the horizon, and knew that they were close, maybe only a block away. He rushed forward and could see some carts down below in the market. He prayed that there was a hay-filled one waiting for he and Fèlicie, or else they'd be in serious trouble. He turned and picked Fèlicie up, carrying her in his arms as his legs worked overtime to run to the edge of the building and leap off, taking a leap of faith to the ground below.
Fèlicie screamed and covered her eyes as Mattheau closed his as well, waiting to hit the hard street below. Suddenly he and Fèlicie hit a cushiony pile of fibers as he held her against his chest, allowing his back to absorb the impact. After realizing that they were alive, Mattheau opened his eyes and saw that Fèlicie was just as shocked as he was. "Well good morning princess." He said with a charming grin on his face.