Disclaimer: I do not own POTO or Mr. Brightside by The Killers
OMFG! I hope all of you have heard that the petition that some of you may have signed worked and Phantom, Susan Kay's masterpiece is going to be published again! OMG! I heard the news days ago and I still get really excited when I think about it! SQUEEEE!
Well, well, well…it's weird! The summer is almost over and my last day at Bojangles is nearing! Flew by! Thank you for reviewing! 92 reviews! sobs wildly Well, here's the next chapter!
"Mom! Will you please get the door?"
Christine peered in between the slightly dusty off white blinds in her room, noticing Erik's car drive up her street and park in the drive way. She drew back from the window as he stepped out of the car, not wanting to catch a peek of his costume and not wanting him to get a glance at hers.
It was precisely 7:30 on April 23, the much anticipated Saturday of prom. Even though she went to the prom last year and knew that it was nothing extremely special, she was still nervous and excited about the evening, having abandoned her place at the window and pacing around her brightly lit room. Perhaps it was the fact that she was going with someone she really cared about this year.
Christine ceased her pacing and stood in front of her full length mirror for perhaps the hundredth time that day, and was pleased to discover she was actually happy with the way she looked. After much running around town with Meg and spending several hours on the internet searching for the perfect dress, she finally decided to check the store she had bought her prom dress from last year, in the neighboring city thirty minutes away. To her delight, she had been lucky once again, finding a gorgeous strapless gown of scarlet satin with an overlay of shear, black fabric decorated by black and silver beading.
'I still can't get over how much I love this dress!' she thought to herself gleefully, running her blood red gloved fingers delicately over the beading, tracing the intricate swirling designs with the tips.
Staying true to the Masquerade theme, Erik and Christine both ordered skull masks, Christine's a little smaller, from a website dedicated to elaborate costumes. She gently placed the skull mask over her eyes, heavily lidded with black makeup, and carefully secured her necklace of black stones, in the shape of a black rose, of course, and matching earrings. Her short black hair was twisted into a curly, elegant up do with a few loose tendrils framing her face, held up by a rhinestone comb, belonging to her mother. Christine glanced at her reflection in the mirror again and smiled widely at what she saw. She certainly was the Lady Red Death tonight. Now she just needed to join her Lord…
Christine squealed a little bit with excitement as she tried to imagine once again Erik's costume for the night. Deciding not to wait any longer, she sprayed herself once more with the perfume she used only on special occasions, grabbed her black satin clutch, slipped on her simple black heels, and turned off the overhead light in her room.
She glided elegantly down the darkened, carpeted hallway, pausing only to make sure the train of her dress wasn't caught on anything, and made her decent down the slightly curving stairs, much more gracefully than normal as she usually jumped the stairs two at a time. Christine paused at the bottom step, listening to Erik and her mother's light conversation in the kitchen.
"Okay," she whispered softly to herself, bending down to place her purse on the bottom step, "here it goes!"
Pulse racing, Christine turned on her heel to face the kitchen, and Erik. Her heart stopped momentarily, stunned with the vision in scarlet red that she beheld. When Erik told her that she would be pleased with his costume, he was dead on. He seemed to have stepped out of the silver screen as his costume resembled The Phantom of the Opera's in every detail, from the stunning red coat and long, elegant cape, to the gleaming silver rapier tied to his waist.
Christine remained in the shadows of the dim entrance area until Erik, who appeared to be as taken aback with her costume as she was with his, regained his composure and sauntered forward to her. He held out a silky black gloved hand to her which, on closer inspection, revealed the most beautiful long stemmed red rose that she had ever seen intertwined between his long, artistic fingers.
Not entirely sure if this was a dream or not, Christine shook her head gently, as not to upset her hair, her heart racing once more as she discovered the Red Death to be a reality.
"Thank you," Christine said shyly accepting the rose from Erik's waiting hand. She laughed a little as she realized that he had even tied a black ribbon around the stem, amused that he had gotten the idea from the movie that she loved so much and touched that he had remembered.
Erik seemed to exhume a powerful grace as he walked closer to her, obviously very confident as the Red Death. He was certainly not clumsy in the way he normally carried himself, but tonight he took that natural elegance to the next level. He drew closer to her, his grey eyes sparkling from within the impressive skull mask.
"You look wonderful," he stated sincerely to her, grabbing both of her hands and pulling her in for a kiss. As much as Christine would have loved to continue, she suddenly remembered her mother watching from the kitchen and reluctantly pulled away.
"So do you," she whispered to him before squeezing his gloved hand and turning towards her mother who she noticed was staring at them disapprovingly.
"Christine," her mother said firmly, "let me get a few pictures."
Christine rolled her eyes and sighed, turning to Erik who, even with the intimidating mask of death, wore a look of understanding. She smiled at him and walked forward to the light of the kitchen, the rose still clutched in her hand. Ms. Day ushered them in front of the family room fire place and snapped countless pictures of the couple in various poses, the expressions on Erik and Christine's faces becoming more and more impatient to join Meg and Andre for dinner. Finally, Ms. Day ceased snapping pictures, announcing that the film had run out of her camera, Erik raising eyebrows as he had witnessed her putting a brand new roll of film in the camera not ten minutes ago, and Christine jumped on the opportunity to tell her mother of their dinner plans.
"Well, ok," her mother agreed, putting the camera back in its bag, "I wouldn't want you to be late."
Without a second word, Christine and Erik rushed from the fireplace to gather their things in case Ms. Day changed her mind, remembering the extra roll of film she had stored in the first cabinet in the kitchen.
"Bye! Love you mom!" Christine yelled from the door, her purse and cloak, made especially by Meg's mother to match her dress extremely well.
"When will you be back?" she heard her mother yell from the family room.
"Not till tomorrow morning, remember I'm spending the night with Meg?"
"Oh yes. Well, have fun! And behave!"
The front door closed not a moment to soon as Christine burst out laughing at her mom's last remark, managing to control her laughter to lock the door.
"Behave?" she asked Erik, bending a little awkwardly to grab the loop on the inside of her train, "I swear, she thinks I'm such a hooligan."
"Well, look at the people you hang out with," Erik said as they began the walk to his car, his grey eyes shinning with amusement, "your mother nearly had a heart attack when she saw me at the door. The expression on her face was priceless."
Christine laughed as she imagined what her mother thought when she answered the door to behold Erik in all his dark glory as the Red Death. Erik rushed forward, still as graceful as before, to open the passenger for Christine and extended his hand once more to her. Smiling shyly again, she accepted his hand and allowed him to help her into the low seated convertible. He closed the door with a winked which made her giggle again and crossed the front of the car as she looked to the beautiful rose still in her hand and twirled it delicately. She continued to play with the rose as Erik entered the car and turned the key, putting it into reverse. It wasn't until they had reached the end of the street did she look up at him again, carefully determining when it was safe to pull into the adjacent street.
Christine smiled at his profile and turned her attention to the orange setting sun, remembering the last time they were in his car together. Her insides squirmed with guilt at the memory, wishing that she could just forget it had ever happened.
'Come on!' she thought angrily to herself, 'be happy! Tonight is going to be great!'
Dinner with Andre and Meg was an eventful affair. After securing a table at one of the best restaurants in their small town, the competition was very slim; they enjoyed each other's company as they talked about the past four year of high school. The restaurant, Gounod, if you care to know, was a nicely sized building, imitating the look that it had been built by grey stones and wood. Inside was a nice atmosphere, classical music playing softy in the background, pictures and paintings of nature covering the walls, burgundy chairs and booths with shining wooden tables filling the dinning room. Christine stifled a yawn as her eyes underwent the transition from the orange, setting sun to the dim lights of the restaurant.
Meg looked ravishing in her deep purple, two-piece mock gown with sparkly lavender fairy wings attached to the back, complete with matching mask. Her long brown hair was pulled into a half bun, the remaining locks spiraling down her back. A silver butterfly necklace glittered at her neck, which Christine discovered, was a gift from Andre.
Andre, on the other hand, decided to come as a pirate. Christine and Erik held their breath when they first beheld him, trying desperately not to laugh. According to Meg, who whispered this information to Christine while Andre was poking the waiter with his hook, Andre had flat out refused to wear the glittery fairy costume that Meg had picked out for him and bought a cheap plastic pirate costume at the last minute.
"But its ok," Meg said smiling, her fingers tracing the delicate wings of her butterfly necklace, "he made it up to me by getting me this."
After about an hour and a half, they had finished dinner and because it was prom night, Gounod was booked solid. They got tired of all the hungry looking high school students waiting in the lobby for a table and scowling at them as they picked at the remains on their plates, so they left a tip and headed out into the dark, grey dusk, deciding to head to the convention center at which the prom was being held even if it was a little early.
Christine's eyes widened at the sight that lay ahead of her. For a cheesy high school prom, she had to admit that the prom committee did do a great job.
The large ballroom was dark, save for a large, golden chandelier positioned in the center of the ceiling. Silky, red yards of fabric meeting at the chandelier and stretching easily to every side of the room heightened the effect, along with matching table coverings. Sprinkled on the tables were tiny silver stars and masks, simmering in the light of small, gold candelabras. In three corners of the room were rose covered archways, perfect for photo opportunities, along with a glistening swan ice sculpture. The customary refreshments were set up along the left corner of the wall, red and gold covered tables groaning under silver platters of crackers, cheese, cold cuts, punch, and several dessert choices.
Christine's favorite part, of course, was the low stage on the back wall of the room, on which they would be performing. The band members, along with an enthusiastic Meg, had come after school on Thursday to set it up and achieved marvelous results. After arguing with the head of the prom committee for some of their red fabric, Erik, Andre, and James covered the ugly brown stage with the acquired fabric, giving Meg and Christine the idea of outlining the edges of the stage with a chain of black roses. They hung another large amount of black fabric on the wall behind the stage, illuminated by several strands of lights, courtesy of Andre's mother.
To top it all of, Erik had designed and made a logo for the band, a stunning deep red background with Mask and black Rose written out in an elegant script, except for a picture of a full white mask replacing the M, and black roses winding around the B and R. Christine smiled at the magnificent logo and seriously considered having a shirt made of it.
Christine was brought back to reality by the horrible music that was currently booming from a stereo, obviously belonging to one of the prom committee members. She cringed as she noticed how many people were actually "dancing" to 50 Cent's In Da Club.
"Ugh!" Christine exclaimed to Erik, covering her ears with her hands, "When do we get to start!"
"Not until 9," Erik said shaking his head and covering one of his own ears, "we need to set up anyway."
Christine nodded, gave him a swift peck on the lips, and walked over to Meg, the train of her gown flowing gracefully behind her, who had managed to recognize some of their friends even in their various masks.
She clutched her bag, only partially listening to the conversation, preferring to partake in one of her favorite hobbies, people watching. Her eyes scanned the crowd as she took in the sights and sounds around her, the goofy, happily chatting underclassmen who had been invited by older students, the girls comparing and fawning over everyone's gorgeous costumes, the single guys who had come in a pack, sitting at the same table and scowling unpleasantly at everyone else, and to the loving couples, making their graceful entrances into the ballroom, beaming at everyone around them.
Among them, she spotted Raoul, Carlotta practically attached to his arm.
Even though Carlotta was wearing a white mask and he was wearing a black hat pulled over his face, she could have recognized him anywhere with his coal black hair, which was cut suspiciously like a bowl cut, his short, clumsy stature and his…mustache…
The anger that had gripped her heart like a cobra squeezing its prey suddenly relaxed and was replaced with embarrassment as she watched him. What the hell was she thinking when she said yes?
As much as she wanted to, she couldn't pull her eyes away from him, as much as the very sight of him caused her entire body to shake and her stomach to clench. Did she like to torture herself, staring at them as they strutted around the ballroom, waving and sniggering with people that she once considered her best friends?
Meg and her other friends had decided to check out the refreshments, leaving Christine, The Lady Red Death, motionless and silent in the middle of the dance floor, her watching secluding her from all of the celebrating revelers around her.
Raoul finally tilted his head up, displaying his masquerade costume to all those around him, causing Christine break her silence and gasp aloud.
He was The Phantom of the Opera. The Phantom of the Fucking Opera!
Christine watched in horror as he twirled around, causing his cloak that she had just noticed to spin around his short frame. Carlotta, she now realized, had come as Christine Daae, wearing an ugly looking white lace disaster with puffy sleeves, making it look as if it had come from a wedding straight out of the 80's.
Raoul turned his face towards her, his costume now in full display; reveling to her the mask he was wearing was none other than the one she had bought him for Christmas. She even remembered giving it to him!
"Don't let it bother you," she whispered desperately to herself, trying to prevent the tears that were about to fall.
Her sad attempt failed as, with a pang to her heart, she saw them kiss each other, Raoul sifting the white half mask to the side.
Coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss
It was only a kiss
Tears of jealously started to fall as she heard the song she knew so well. For the first time, since that first time she had listened to it driving in her car to Raoul's house, she truly understood what it meant.
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking the drag
Her body cold, her heart empty, she began to do what seemed the thing to do. Dance. The song enveloped her as she closed her eyes, and twirled around, remembering the time when Raoul had spun her around, shortly after their first kiss.
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
And I just can't look
It's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy
Turning saints into the sea
Turning through sick lullaby
Joking on your alibi
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
I'm Mr. Brightside
Erik continued to play as he watched Christine's dance, certain of what had inspired it. He too had noticed Raoul and Carlotta's exchange of affections and Christine's reaction. Before it was even time for the band to start, Erik had begun to play, sickened and jealous by what he saw.
Coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss
It was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking the drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
And I just can't look
It's killing me
And taking control
Christine finally broke down, swept up in the lyrics of the song. The Lady Red Death sunk on her knees to the dance floor, her emotions oblivious to the merry couples dancing to the music that was causing her so much pain.
Jealousy
Turning saints into the sea
Turning through sick lullaby
Joking on your alibi
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
I'm Mr. Brightside
'We are the Red Death, aren't we, my dear?' Erik realized, as he watched as if in slow motion, Christine allowing herself fall to the dance floor, the edges of her scarlet dress billowing as if they were the petals of a flower. 'Always alone, always in pain…always causing pain.'
I never…
Christine dared to raise her sunken skull eyes to look up at those around her, spinning in their everlasting dance, masked faces smiling down at her.
I never…
Erik felt his temper break as he watched her, forever mourning the loss of someone who never truly loved her. Not like the way he did…
I never…
Christine screamed as she felt a rough hand grasp her forearm and pull her up from the cold dance floor, her dress twisted around her.
I never…