Thank you all for your lovely reviews, it makes me so happy to read every one of them. So this chapter will clear a few things up about Christine's new position in the chorus, I realize I was kind of vague before, and that's partly because I was still deciding what it would be like for Christine. Also, I have been editing some of my earlier chapters. I'm not making any major changes, just making the writing better and fixing grammatical mistakes, if I catch them. Anyways, it's not important to the story, but I thought you all should know. I've only done this with the first two chapters so far. Anyway, on with the next chapter.
Christine could not believe how much her life had changed in the last months. She was finally singing again, and not just by herself but for a real chorus that would perform for people. She had rehearsals twice a week, on the weekends. She was happy that her rehearsal schedule wouldn't t be a problem with her work- even when she did work on the weekends it was in the evening, and rehearsals would be in the afternoon. She had been on pins and needles that week leading up to rehearsals. Nervous thoughts had run through her mind. Would she really be any good? Especially compared to the much more experienced talent. Or what if she messed something important up and made a fool of herself. She wished that the dancers and the singers practiced together so that Meg would be there.
Before she knew it, Saturday came and Christine found herself getting ready for rehearsal. She dressed in a simple pair of blue jeans and a rose gold colored shirt. She clasped her mother's locket around her neck before leaving the house to drive to the theater. It was a short drive from her apartment and she soon pulled into the parking lot in front of the theater. She walked through the theater's doors and towards the throng of people on the stage.
Christine stood silently amongst the other singers for a few minutes before the director called rehearsals to a start. "Now as you all know we held auditions to join this chorus last weekend, out of those who auditioned there were three who joined us" he ushered Christine and two other girls to the front "This is Christine, Cecilia, and Judie" he introduced "They will be part of our chorus, and they will have the same opportunities to audition for solos before the concert as you all do. Now, as you know our next concert is going to be the Winter concert, and that's only a few months away so we need to get to work."
Rehearsals started with simple warm-up exercises that Christine was familiar with from her lessons with Erik. After warming up they moved to start the music that they were going to sing at the concert, booklets of music were passed to each of them. They practiced singing the pieces, bit by bit, without the music that would usually accompany them. Singing with the group in that way was a new experience for Christine, she was used to singing by herself. That's how she had always sung when practicing. It was a new challenge to allow her voice to blend in naturally with the whole.
Halfway through practice, they were given a short break to rest their voices and get water. She sipped from her water bottle and talked with Cecilia and Judie. Christine enjoyed talking to them, and it was nice to talk to someone she could relate to in the new group. There break was short, and they soon returned to singing. The time passed quickly as she sang. By the time rehearsals were over Christine realized she had been worried about nothing. What was there to worry about when doing what she loved.
Christine and Erik sat at a cafe, near the theater, each with a cup of coffee. They had decided to meet before her next rehearsal and Christine was excited at the chance to talk with him. He had not been very talkative at their last lesson.
"How was your first rehearsal?" Erik asked
"It was really good, actually. I was nervous I would do terribly, but it went very well. Our first concert is in December, and we just got the music for it yesterday. Now that I have it we can look over it for our lessons. And two other girls joined the chorus with me. Cecilia and Judie, it was nice to talk to someone who was also new" Christine recounted. "Although it is new to sing with others professionally, I've always practiced singing alone".
"You'll adjust" Erik promised "You are a fast learner, and you won't have to worry about it for long anyway. Soon you will be singing solos and have your own songs"
Christine gave him a skeptical look "I doubt it will be soon, surely I will need more experience before I am good enough for that"
Erik shook his head "You are far too modest for your own good, you just need to have faith in yourself and you will get there, trust me"
Christine smiled at this "Well... I guess you were right before about me getting into the chorus, so maybe you will also be right about this". His confidence in her meant the world to Christine. He was incredibly talented and knew a ton about music, not to mention one of her closest friends. She really valued his opinion.
"I am," Erik said confidently "Now for our next lesson does Tuesday work for you? I know you work late on Monday"
Christine hesitated for a moment "Actually, I'm busy Tuesday night. Does Thursday work for you?"
Erik frowned slightly "Yes, anytime is good for me. What, if I may ask, do you have planned for Tuesday?" He hoped she would say she was hanging out with Meg, but he had a bitter guess that that was not the case. That she would be spending the evening with her handsome, young admirer that he had seen her talking to at her audition. Perhaps it would have been better for him not to ask, for he knew he would be unhappy with the answer. But that did not stop him from doing so.
"Oh, well I have a date" Christine admitted nervously. She felt strange talking of Raoul with Erik.
Erik feigned surprise and fought to keep a calm tone to his voice "Really? With whom?"
"His name is Raoul, we were friends as kids. We lost contact and I saw him again at my audition" Christine explained
Raoul. Erik turned the name over in his head. He hated it. The name of the young boy who had caught Christine's attention "Why did you not speak for so long?"
"Well, we were kids when we meet. I was only about eight years old then. We didn't exactly have our own phones, and dad and I moved around a lot then, so we just weren't able to stay in touch" Christine explained.
"Well, I hope you have a nice date" he lied
"Thank you," Christine said before changing the subject. She would much rather discuss something else with him, like different styles of music and composers than Raoul. It was easy to fall into a conversation with him about the nuances of classical music. She loved these conversations with him. Meg was always too peppy and in the moment to enjoy such conversation. Raoul had listened politely enough at dinner the other night, by neither of the two really cared. But Erik did, and his eyes held the same passion for it that she held in her heart.
"I was thinking we could try something new today," Erik said halfway through their next lesson.
"That sounds good, what do you have in mind," Christine asked
"Duets. It is a good skill to have, and it will help you get used to singing with others" Erik told her "I have one picked out that will be good, unless you have one you would rather do?"
"No, yours will be good," she said
"Very well, here is the music," Erik said handing her the music "Now, remember the most important part of singing is always your emotion. You need to convince those listening that you are really feeling what you are singing. Since you are also sight-reading this that is going to be especially important"
Christine nodded understanding, scanning the music in front of her.
Erik stood from the piano "You start, so whenever you are ready"
Christine straightened her posture, took a deep breath and started singing
What if I never knew
What if I never found you
I'd never have this feeling in my heart
She sang.
How did this come to be
I don't know how you found me
But from the moment I saw you
Deep inside my heart, I knew
Erik sang beautifully, his rich voice flowed perfectly with the music, and Christine felt she could lose herself in it. Suddenly it was her turn to come in and she almost missed her entrance.
Baby, you're my destiny
You and I were meant to be
they sang, together this time. Erik had been hesitant at first, he wanted to avoid choosing a love song, but almost all of the duets he looked at were love songs. He has reasoned that it would be best for Christine to practice the type of duet she would most likely sing.
With all my heart and soul
he sang
I give my love to have and hold
Christine sang before their voices joined together again
And as far as I can see
You were always meant to be my destiny
Erik sang next, and it was easy to put emotion in his words
I wanted someone like you
Someone that I could hold on to
And give my love until the end of time
Christine sang next and she allowed herself to get pulled into the power of the music
But forever was just a word, just a word
Something I'd only heard about
But now your always there for me
When you say forever I'll believe
Christine sang
And as far as I can see
they sang together
You were always meant to be
Erik sang
my destiny
They finished the verse together. That much, Erik knew was true. Christine was his destiny, however, he knew there was no way he was hers.
Maybe all we need is just a little faith
Cause baby, I believe
Their voices continue together
that love will find a way
Erik sang
Baby, you're my destiny
You and I were meant to be
They sang together
With all my heart and soul
Erik sang
I give my love to have and hold
Christine sang. Erik wished her truly did have her love, she had his. He loved her, he realized as they sang. How had he not known before, it was so clear. He knew he loved her just as he knew that the sky was blue and the grass was green.
And as far as I can see
They sang together
From now until eternity
Christine sang
You were always meant to be
Erik sang
my destiny.
Christine finished the verse
You're my destiny.
( Song is Destiny. The duet is Jim Brickmen and Christina Aguilera)
Erik finished the song. He cleared his throat and regained his composure "That was really good, you sang beautifully"
"Thank you," Christine said, coming back down to Earth. She had felt weightless when she was singing with Erik "I've never heard you sing before, you are amazing. You should be the star, not me" Although amazing didn't even begin to encompass how Erik sounded
Erik shook his head "I thank you for the compliment, but that would be impossible" he said gesturing towards his mask.
Christine wanted to argue that he at least could still record if he wanted to. But she didn't want to make him upset. His mask was an issue he was clearly sensitive about. Before she could decide to say something or not Erik continued their lesson.
When Christine left after her lesson Erik's mind and heart were still filled with his love for her. He threw himself into his compositions and tried not to think about how she could never love him.
End of chapter. So how did you like it? What do you think of Christine's rehearsal? I was stumped on what sort of stuff I would have her group sing and lks358 gave me the idea to do it sort of like a concert, where the chorus sang songs and there were solos. She actually gave me several ideas but I decided on that one. So a big thank her that I am publishing this today and not a week later after obsessing over what I should do. Any questions you have about the story that I haven't made clear please feel free to PM me. Also I didn't write Christine's date with Raoul, but it did happen. If you want to read that please PM me and I can write that and send it to you, if anyone is interested. Please review, it makes me so happy to read your thoughts.