By the time Ben, Christina's little brother, got up, and breakfast was cooked, it was 6:00 AM. The family sat down around the round table and helped themselves to eggs, pancakes, etc. Christina ate slowly, not listening to her parents; her mind was back on the dream again, and the weird presence that was in the room downstairs. When she finished eating at 6:06 AM, she raced from her chair back to the room made for her in the basement. She didn't want to be disturbed.
When she was in the room, Christina quickly lit a few candles by her drawing studio, and sat down on the stool. She picked up her pencil and quickly sketched the mask and rose from her dream. She had finished part of the face when she took a look at the clock. It was 6:45 AM. It had taken her that long? Taking a look at the picture, she noticed that it had been really detailed, and erased a lot. She dropped the pencil, blew out her candles, and went to the door that led outside for the room. Christina slipped her maroon flip-flops on and took a step outside. The air was still cool, but would soon be getting hot, since it was almost summertime. Her backpack was already in her black Mustang; her parents could afford cars like that.
Christina's parents were already outside, ready to go to work. But, her car was in the way. She hurried to her car and left the driveway, quickly. She could drive to school, since she was a senior. While trying to pay attention to driving, she slipped a CD into her car's built-in CD player. It was one of her and her boyfriend, Raphael, singing together. It wasn't "The Point of No Return," but it was a romantic song. She loved to listen to them both singing together.
The line to get to school from the road was long, as usual. She would out of school in a week or so, then graduating about a week or two later.
"What a relief," Christina sighed, thinking about not ever having to drive to school again. College wouldn't be so bad, would it? When she finally parked, she turned off the car and got out, just to see Raphael drive up next to her in his red Mustang. She grabbed her book-bag and wandered over to the driver's side of his car. "Hey, love," she said as she got out.
"Hey," he said and grabbed her around the waist with one hand, kissing her on the lips. When he finally let go, he asked, "How was your night?"
"It was all right, I guess. Mom and Dad got into another stupid fight last night. I don't even know what it was about. I was trying to do my homework." Christina sighed. "It's getting so annoying. I can't wait until I'm out of there." While she talked, Raphael took his bag out of his car and closed the door.
"I know, my sweet. Just hang on for a little while longer," he tried to console her. She took his hand and they both walked towards the school. "Anything interesting happen this morning?"
"You know, funny you ask that," she replied, looking up at him.
"But, I ask you everyday."
"Yeah, I know. Anyway," she began. "I was down in the basement. In that room Mom and Dad gave me. You know that room." He nodded. "Well, I was singing. I was singing 'Think of Me.' When I was done singing it, I could have sworn there was someone else in the room, but there was no one there. Then, I looked up at the clock. The presence just…disappeared. It was really weird."
"And this has never happened before, while you're singing?" he asked, looking rather curious. She shook her head. "Hm…weird." Raphael let go of Christina's hand and opened the door for her. She thanked him, as she did every morning, and went to her locker, after giving him a kiss 'good-bye.' When she was done at her locker, she went straight to the Chorus room. Chorus was her first class, then Strings, Math, English, Lunch, Band, Tech Ed, and French.
"Good morning, Christina," the music teacher greeted her when she walked in. Christina merely nodded to the older lady and went to join her friends over in the corner of the music room.
"Hey guys," she said and sat down with them. They all said 'hi' to her and continued their conversation. At 7:25 AM, the bell rang, and the music teacher told them all to be quiet so she could talk.
"As you all know, the seniors will be gone in a week, and they each have been working on a song to sing in front of an audience for their final grade. What you don't know is that there will be judges there, from Paris. They will be judging you on your singing and will select one male, and one female to go to Paris with them. You would attend a University there, and keep competing with people all around the world." All of the senior's eyes, boys and girls alike, lit up with stars.
Later that day, at lunch, Christina sat down with her lunch and waited for Raphael to come. She was really excited about this and wondered if she even had a chance. She would be singing "Think of Me", of course, and "Point of No Return" with Raphael. Finally, her boyfriend came, also excited.
"Do you think we stand a chance, Raphael?" Christina asked as she started to eat. He shrugged.
"I don't know. But it would be awesome if we could go together," he replied and stuffed some school-made French fries into his mouth. The rest of lunch was silence between the two of them. They were no doubt thinking about thinking about the competition. When the bell rang, they decided to stay after school and practice. It was Wednesday and the show was on Friday night.
"I'll see you after school!" she about yelled behind her back and the two parted. Christina wandered to the band room, which was right next to the chorus room. She got her music folder from the large cabinet by the door and went to sit in her seat, second chair, first flute. Her best friend Melody Gifford was first chair, first flute. She was also an outstanding dancer, who already knows that she will be attending an art school in France. Christina told Melody the news.
"That would be great if you and Raphael won! We would be able to see each other whenever we wanted to!" Melody exclaimed with excitement.
"But, you are coming to the performance, right, Mel?" Christina asked her friend. Mel nodded.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm always there to support my best friend," she answered. The bell rang and class started.