22. Sunsets and Whispers
((This chapter is rated PG for somewhat suggestive themes that aren't meant to be suggestive.))
Skye: "Finally! I get to write!" Larc's hidden feelings spark when she is put in an uncomfortable position that any other girl would die for. Especially Veronica. NOT what it sounds like. Ew. SHE'S A MINOR, PEOPLE! Get your mind out of the gutter! Geez, society nowadays…
That night, the group, plus Alex, minus Patrick, all went to a fancy restaurant.
Of course, it was a seafood restaurant.
Larc shoved her menu in Emmy's face. "Emmy, order something you think I'd like and don't tell me what I'm eating!" she cried. Emmy gave her an odd stare.
"She's afraid of fish," stated Vanessa.
All attention turned to Larc. She blushed, a horrible contrast to her pale complexion. "I am not! I just don't like dead fish!" "Therefore, you don't like seafood?" asked Alex. Larc nodded, lowering her eyes. "That nothing to be ashamed of!" said Gerard, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure you have a perfectly good reason." Larc looked up, holding back a laugh. "Well, kinda, yeah!" she said. She proceeded to tell a story of how when she had lived by a lake, her dad had dropped his scuba gear. "The lake was only about nine feet deep, so he sent little 4-year-old, 3-foot-tall Larc to get it. Of course, Little Larc had seen this giant catfish, and didn't want to come face-to-face with it. After much protesting on her part, Larc's father shoved her in. Already in the water, Larc decided to get the gear. But just as her hand was in reach… Something slimy and rough brushed her hand. The catfish. Larc screamed underwater and propelled herself back to the surface, where she cried for a long time. This is how modern Larc became afraid of fish," Larc finished. Alex and Vanessa were in fits of laughter. Emmy giggled a bit, covering her mouth. Gerard just smiled.
'Wow, the sunset here is even prettier than in Arizona! Wait, did I just think the word 'wow'? That's new.' At that moment her thoughts stopped as Larc heard shoes sinking into the fine sand. "Beautiful, isn't it? It reminds me of home." Gerard looked at Larc's flushed face. "Yeah, it reminds my own home as well. I live in Arizona; the sunsets there are a wonder in their own right. I used to sketch them. It was one of my favorite pastimes." Larc looked at Gerard as he sat next to her on the tranquil beach. "You okay?" asked Gerard, addressing her pink face. ((Skye: "Ahh, men. Always oblivious.")) "Uhh, I sunburn easy," lied Larc.
Well, it wasn't exactly a lie. She did sunburn easy. But whatever.
Gerard nodded, obviously believing her. After a moment of silence, Gerard asked, "Do you like being Meg?" Larc had to think about that one. "I suppose. I mean, she was the one to introduce the tune of Angel of Music. And in fanfictions, people often put Meg and Erik – " Larc cut herself off, coughing. "Uh, anyway, why to you ask?" "Well, I was thinking about casting you as Christine for this performance. Vanessa has had her moment of glory," replied Gerard. Larc blinked. "I dreamed this happened, once," she said. Gerard gave a soft chuckle. "And anyway, Christine isn't supposed to be strikingly beautiful. No offense," he quickly added. Larc smiled, "None taken." "And we can let Vanessa play Meg in Point of No Return and Down Once More so that the people on can continue the play with Erik and Meg being a couple." "WHAT?" cried Larc. "What? The Erik and Meg thing? Is it suddenly bad to read stuff on asked Gerard. "No! The songs!" Larc replied. "Oh. We're singing everything from the scene when Christine says 'Am I to risk my life to win a chance to live' and after."
Larc's eyes seemed to widen slightly. Gerard gave her a concerned look. "What's wrong?" he asked. Larc gulped and stuttered, "Uh, uh, are you sure that… that I have the proper range?" Gerard looked at her suspiciously, having doubt that that was what she was originally going to say. "Well, unless my ears deceive me, you've hit each note pretty well when you practice," he said. Larc turned her back to him. "I don't know if I'm cut out for the part…" She was nearly whispering now. Gerard leaned next to her ear and breathed into it, "I think you are." Larc covered her mouth and inhaled sharply, standing quickly and walking from the beach. "Larc!" cried Gerard, standing. She didn't stop – she was heading back to the hotel. Gerard gazed after her, purely puzzled. "Was it something I said?"