The next day was hectic for Cassandra. She woke up early and immediately started working on her homework. It's not that she had a lot of it, but it was intensive. At three o'clock she started to get ready. Waist length hair took forever to get ready. She put on a skirt and a nice top and did her make up. She walked out to the bus stop and left express instructions with Mia to come to the bus stop to meet her a little before ten o'clock.

Cassie and Ryan hit it off well. He held her hand through out the movie. Cassie was surprised how handsome he was in regular clothes. Both schools required uniforms of their students and she'd only ever seen him in his school clothes.

"You look amazing tonight." Ryan said as they walked towards the bus stop. It was only eight thirty.

"Thanks…you look pretty snazzy yourself." Cassie stopped and zipped her coat up. "Thanks for inviting me out tonight. It was a lot of fun."

"Yeah…it really was." He looked at his watch and then back at her. "So, do you want to go to catch a game of bowling or something?"

"I can't. I told Villefort I'd be back by ten to practice some."

"Practice? It's the weekend."

"I know, but he says I'm inconsistent on some of the high notes." Cassie saw Ryan pull a face.

"Your high notes are fine."

"No, he's right, there are inconsistencies."

"Come with me for a minute." Ryan said shortly and he began to drag her off across the mall parking lot towards a little used park.

"Where are we going?"

"The park…I want to show you something." He pulled her into the center of the old park where there was a gazebo. There was no one around and the left over snow was marked with the deep shadows of old footprints.

"Ryan, you're crazy…."

He turned to her…his gray eyes dancing merrily in the moonlight and dim street lamps.

"No more talk
of darkness,
Forget these
wide-eyed fears.
I'm here,
nothing can harm you -
my words will
warm and calm you."

"Ryan…" But Ryan didn't stop he continued on, taking her hands in his.

"Let me be
your freedom,
let daylight
dry -your tears.
I'm here,
with you, beside you,
to guard you
and to guide you . . .

He tugged on her hands, entreating her to perform her part of the duet. She hesitated for a mere split second before starting on her part.

"Say you love me
every
waking moment,
turn my head
with talk of summertime . . .

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

"This is crazy…"
Ryan smiled as she finished the verse and began on the next one instantly. Cassie loved this part, he had such a wonderful voice….

"Let me be
your shelter,
let me
be your light.
You're safe:
No-one will find you
your fears are
far behind you . . ."

Cassie was lost in the moment, in his voice, in his wonderful clear eyes. This time there was no hesitation and she began singing with everything in her.

All I want
is freedom,
a world with
no more night . . .
and you
always beside me
to hold me
and to hide me . . .

Again, Ryan's smooth tenor echoed across the park and into the darkness.

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 . . .

Cassandra was so entranced that she just let it go and kept singing; no hesitation.

Say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
say the word
and I will follow you . . .

Their voices came together and twisted into the beautiful strains that they'd been practicing for weeks now…

Share each day with
me, each
night, each morning . . .

Though Cassandra had sung the next lines dozens of times, this was the first time she felt they might mean something more….the words came out softly, like the petals of a rose…

Say you love me . . .

Ryan's voice was soft as well with the reply.

You know I do . . .

Ryan held the last note for a moment before he and Cassandra finished the verse.

Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . . .

Suddenly his lips were upon hers. So soft and sweet; yet powerful and needy. Cassandra wrapped her arms around him and seemed to melt into his arms as his tongue slid across her lips. "So this is what kissing is like." She thought as they finally broke the kiss and, still in the moment, continued with the song, the notes crashing, Cassie's voice strong and high….

Anywhere you go
let me go too . . .
Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . . . .

Ryan kissed her again slowly and ran his fingers through her silky hair. Cassie was loving this…the attention, the feelings tingling through her body.

"Cassie, you are amazing." Ryan whispered close to her lips, kissing her softly.

"So are you…" She whispered back, looking into his eyes.

"I guess you should be getting back—you must be cold…."

"Cold? Hmm? Oh—No, Mr. Villefort!" Cassie made to bolt off the Gazebo and into the darkness but Ryan caught her arm.

"But now you know you don't need the practice…that was perfect." Ryan walked with her and pulled her close to him. "You are talented and spectacular. Don't let him change your style or take anything out of it Cassie, promise me that."

"I promise." They waited for the bus and Cassie dashed on. Mia would never believe this.