19. Performing

((In this chapter something very important will happen. Remember what happened between Vanessa and Patrick. He loves her, but does she still feel the same way? Oops, did I say too much?))

Vanessa readied herself in her Christine outfit. Larc got dressed in her Meg outfit. "Oh Larc, I'm really nervous!" Larc laughed as Vanessa said this, "YOU are nervous? Oh my gosh! That is so weird. You are little miss talk-to-everybody-at-school. You'll never see these people again. Don't worry." Larc applied the last bit of lip-gloss. Vanessa and Larc walked out the door and to the performing room.

"Ready Vanessa?" Patrick kissed Vanessa as she stood beside him. "Yeah, but I feel like I'm about to hurl." Patrick laughed as the woman he loved grabbed her stomach. "Darling, that's perfectly normal!" Vanessa nodded and she and Patrick walked on stage.

(Italicized words are Vanessa and bold italics are both andbold is Patrick) ((Skye: " For those of you who know this part by heart, you can go ahead and scroll down. A lot. Veronica copied the whole dang scene into this story! Geez Veronica, you didn't even put any action into it!"))

No more talk of darkness, forget these wide-eyed fears

I'm here, nothing can harm you, my words will warm and calm you

Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears

I'm here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you

Say you'll love me every waking moment

Turn my head with talk of summer time!

Say you'll need me with you now and always, promise me that all you say is true, that's all I ask of you

Let me be your shelter, let me be your light

You're safe, no one will find you, your fears are far behind you

All I want is freedom, a world with no more night, and you always beside me to hold me and to hide me Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Let me lead you from your solitude

Say you need me with you here beside you, anywhere you go let me go too, Christine, that's all I ask of you!
Say you'll share with me on love, one lifetime

Say the word and I will follow you!

Share each day with me, each night, each morning

Say you love me You know I do

Love me, that's all I ask of you!

((-Instrumental Break- They kiss.))

Anywhere you go let me go too

Love me, that's all I ask of you

I must go. They'll wonder where I am. Come with me, Raoul! Christine, I love you Order your fine horses, be with them at the door And soon, you'll be beside me You'll guard me and you'll guide me

Vanessa and Patrick exited and Gerard entered. (They figured they might as well finish the scene.) (Italics are Gerard and bold is Vanessa and Patrick.)

I gave you my music, made you're song take wing

And now how you've repaid me, denied me and betrayed me

He was bound to love you when he heard you sing

Christine

Say you'll share with me one love, on lifetime, say the word and I will follow you Share each day with me each night each morning

You will curse the day you did not do, all that the Phantom asked of you!

Gerard exited as the crowd screamed their praise. Emmy and Larc entered. (They were singing Angel of Music. Italic is Emmy bold is Larc and bold italic is both. And regular ish our wonderful Gerard!((Skye: "And this. You can go ahead and scroll through this too.))

Brava, brava, bravissima!

Christine, Christine?

Christine...

Where in the world have you been hiding?

Really you were perfect

I only wish I knew your secret

Who is your great tutor?
Father once spoke of an angel

I used to dream he'd appear Here in this room he calls me softly, somewhere inside, hiding Somehow I know I know, he's always with me, he the unseen genius

Christine you must have been dreaming, stories like this can't come true

Christine you're talking in riddles, and it's not like you!

Angel of music, guide and guardian, grant me to your glory!

Who is this angel this Angel of music hide no longer secret and strange angel He's with me even now Your hands are cold! All around me Your face Christine, it's white! It frightens me

Don't be frightened

They exited as the crowd showered them with claps of joy. All five of them returned as the crowd stood for them. The bowed and returned backstage.

Alex was waiting for Vanessa with a dozen long-stem roses. "Ness, you were marvelous! I've never see a better performance!" He kissed her cheek as she hugged him. "Oh Alex, I was so nervous, I could hardly breath as I sang." She released him and took his hand. "Oh, it didn't show. You looked as beautiful and confident as ever!" Patrick came up behind Vanessa and gently pulled her toward him. "Darling, you were perfect." He kissed her head and smiled at Alex. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your FRIEND?" He emphasized "friend" because he wanted to let Alex know that that was all he was. "Oh yes, Patrick this is my… Alex. Alex this is Patrick Wilson, movie star." The men shook hands and walked separate ways.

"Vanessa, I need to talk to you." Patrick said after Alex had brought her home after he took her to a nice dinner. "I need to talk to you too." Vanessa took his hand and led him on deck.

"I think we should break up." Vanessa said suddenly. "I've been thinking, don't get me wrong, I like you a lot. But you're 21 and I'm 16. ((Skye: "She finally comes to her senses, although we all hate to see THIS pairing separate! No, truly, I do.")) I'm still a minor and you're, well, not. I like Alex a lot. And he's my own age. I want to be with you, but I don't think I'm ready for that. I don't want you to have to worry about our ages. Five years is a lot for a minor and, well, you." Vanessa avoided his eyes. "Vanessa, why are you doing this to me? I love you more than anything in the world. You are my world. Vanessa you must be kidding, you don't really want to break up." Patrick whined like a little kid as Vanessa finally looked at him. "Patrick, I like you, but I don't think I feel the same way you do. I'm sorry, but it's over." She kissed his cheek and walked off, leaving Patrick alone with his sad and angry thoughts.

Vanessa went to Gerard and Emmy's room that night. She knocked and Emmy answered. "Can I stay with you tonight?" Vanessa collapsed at Emmy's feet in tears and frustration before she could answer. "Oh, Vanessa! Of course!" She pulled Vanessa up and in.

"Gerry, Vanessa's staying with us." Emmy called from the kitchen. "Whatever Emmy." He groggily called back. "What's wrong Ness?" Emmy asked once they both had a cup of hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows in front of them. "I dumped Patrick." Vanessa fell in tears on the counter. "Oh Vanessa, honey, it's okay. It's alright. I'm sure you did it for the right reasons." Emmy stroked Vanessa's back comfortingly. Vanessa took a sip of her drink. She found that hot and sobbing did not mixed, and tried to quiet her tears. "Oh Emmy, I hope you're right. I really loved him, but when I saw Alex, I realized how dumb I had been. We'd have to wait at least two years to have a decent relationship. And Alex was right here, he's my age, and I've liked him since fifth grade. I didn't want Patrick to have to wait to be with the woman he loves. That just doesn't seem fair." Vanessa took anther sip and then fell asleep. Emmy woke Gerard and he picked up Vanessa and put her in his bed; poor Gerard slept on the ground.