Authors Notes: Again I am sorry, i just cant seem to update soon or find time to write the chapters, in the last months i have been house sitting, on holiday and staying with my nan and running around work. although i really have tried to write, this chapter has been a bits and pieces written when ever i found the time over the past few weeks, sorry,
Although the story is slowly coming to a close only one or two chapters left i havent decided yet, but i promise to try to get it to you in the next few weeks, lol ill believe it when i see it too.
I asked people to vote for what they wanted to happen and i got two reviews and they were both going different ways, so i made a friend of mine who reads the story and doesnt review often enough hint hinttell me which way to go. because i truely couldnt decide.
but enough of me blabing thank you to my reviewers Maska and sarahbuggs.
and i dont own phantom of the opera :( boo
on with the chapter.
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Aurora woke up, covered in sweat. Nightmare it had just been a nightmare.
Yesterday had been opening night, but the Doctor taking her away to the Psychiatric ward was all a dream.
Aurora cast her mind back, remembering what had really happened when she came home last night:
Aurora walked in to the house to find her parents in the lounge room, waiting for her.
"How was the performance darling?" Her mother asked
"It was perfect, I got a standing ovation and Christopher said I could have a long career in the theater if I was given the chance" Aurora relayed not stopping on her way up the stairs.
"Aurora come back here we would like to talk to you" Aurora sighed and rolled her eyes before turning around, dropping her bag at the bottom of the stairs and walking in to see her parents.
"I don't mean to be rude but I am really tired" Aurora said as she stood in the door
"We won't keep you long, but we thought you might want to explain this" Her father said calmly gesturing to a piece of paper on the coffee table.
Aurora could tell her father wasn't really calm, he was angry but forcing calm till he found out the truth. What was on that piece of paper?
Aurora walked over and picked it up, and read it
To whom this may concern
I have it on a reliable source that your daughter is planning to run away again with Michael; they have organized to leave after the last performance.
Although I have no physical proof of this, I heard them discussing it together after the performance for the media.
Use this information wisely.
Aurora kept her face blank, who had found out, there weren't many people who would spill the beans. The staff at the theater knew and supported her, Michael, Brett, Sara and Brett's parents all knew too.
There had to be someone else.
"You'll get what's coming to you Anna, you mark my words"
Tyra.
Aurora swore quietly then started to laugh, in her parents face.
"You two are being played like bag pipes" Aurora said before laughing again.
"This is serious Aurora" Her father said, his voice rising slightly
"Tyra a girl who I am in the show with, is jealous and believes she should of gotten the lead, my part. She's been threatening me since the production began. I sprained my wrist because she tripped me, not to mention several other things she has done"
Her parents were just staring at her.
"Look this is a total lie, she is trying to get my out of the production early, because she is my understudy, I have too much at stake, to plan something like this" Aurora said getting slightly angry, praying she looked like she was telling the truth.
The fact that she was a great actor also helped. Her parents believed her and after a few more words her father threw the note out.
Aurora turned on her bed side lamp and looked at the clock. It was just after 3am and the house was quiet. Aurora pushed the covers back and got out of bed heading for her book case. Carefully she pulled out her photo album before going to sit at her desk.
Aurora opened it; first there were pictures of her as a baby, in her parent's arms, Pictures of her smiling up at the camera, pictures of her in the bath… then there were pictures of her birthdays, first day of preschool, primary school, high school, vacations and anything in between.
Auroras head was filled with memories, of the good times, the bad times and the times in between. How did my parents becomes such snobs? Aurora thought sadly. When did being a performer become such an unsuitable career?
Why don't I just tell my story? Aurora sat there trying to think of one reason not to go ahead and do it.
It would hurt her parents, but they were hurting her. Sure two wrongs don't make a right but Aurora knew she wasn't a complete angel.
Her father not might get re elected, but then again that wasn't her problem.
Aurora was torn. But after mulling it over for what seemed like an hour,
She finally made her choice.
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Aurora settled in to a routine over the next few days. She would awaken around 10, she would then go for a walk on the estate, then have brunch. She would then either practice her music, read or surf the net till lunch. Then Aurora would have lunch before leaving the house for theater practice before getting ready and performing. Going home and letting it start all over again the next day.
It was a struggle not to get nervous that the day of escape was drawing ever closer. And all Aurora could do was act normal and pray.
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The day of escape arrived. Aurora sighed as she got up, and decided to relieve some of the tension by going for a morning run. She got changed in to some leggings and a singlet, put on her trainers and grabbed her Ipod.
Aurora left the estate and ran down to the local park. As a child Aurora used to love this place. There was a huge adventure playground in the center, and a large running track, that went through a small forest on the far side.
Aurora ran on to the track, passing mothers pushing prams, children riding bikes, grandparents watching their grand kids play on to play ground, People enjoying their day.
But she just kept running.
You just have to play the hand you're dealt, Aurora.
No going back now.
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Aurora left the house a little early to mail a letter then she continued on to the theater.
Brett was already there; he gave her a hug and slipped her a note.
Aurora smiled then went in to her dressing room.
The note was from Michael.
Aurora,
All systems go, if for any reason you want to pull out now, leave a rose outside your dressing room.
Michael
PS. I love you
Aurora smiled before beginning to get ready for the final performance.
Sara walked in looking sad
"This is the last performance"
"I know" Aurora said calmly
"I mean it, this is the last time we will perform this opera" She looked really upset
"I know, it's been the first opera I ever preformed professionally, but we have preformed it to the best of our abilities and it is time to move on to a new challenge, but I will always hold a special place in my heart for Phantom of the Opera"
"I guess your right, but you still won't be here for the next production" Aurora nodded
"Don't worry, I have left some parting shots" Sara looked confused but before she could ask what Aurora meant there was a knock at the door.
It was a flower delivery from Aurora's parents, wishing her luck for her final performance ever. Subtle, real subtle Aurora thoughtshaking her head before putting the flowers down in the far corner of the room. Behind the single rose with a black ribbon tied to it.
Aurora picked it up, smelt it and smiled before mentioning to Sara they only had an hour before curtain up.
Sara rushed to get ready, and completely forgot to ask what Aurora meant about parting shots.
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The first half went almost perfectly, there was a bit of water on the stage and Aurora nearly slipped on it during Hannibal. Luckily Sara helped steady her before she fell. The water wasn't there during the introduction, it had appeared sometime during the performance, which left everyone stumped.
"Funnily enough Tyra is on the stage for that whole scene" Sara said venomously during the intermission, while they were getting in to their Masquerade costumes
"Where would she hide a water bottle though?" Aurora wondered aloud
"Well she is wearing an awfully long dress…" Sara said as she raised an eye brow
"Ok, I don't want to know" Aurora giggled as she finished getting in to her dress and slid in to her shoes.
Michael knocked on the door, checked that they were dressed before sticking his head in and informing them that they had five minutes.
Sara picked up one of Aurora's bags and delivered it to Brett, who took it out to his father, who put it in the back of his car, Ready for the end of the show. Everything was ready. Now all they had to do was get through the final act.
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It's over now the music of the night.
Michael sang those final words before disappearing off stage. Aurora was in his dressing room, she had gotten out of the wedding dress and in to a pair of jeans and a top, Michael quickly pulled off the rubber mask, with the deformity on it and got changed in to jeans and a shirt. He grabbed a bag out of the corner then they were on their way.
Aurora could hear the final notes of the music just after Meg found the mask. They were cutting it close. Aurora's heart was pounding against her chest so furiously, it felt as if everyone out in the audience could hear it, including her parents.
But no they made it out in to the parking lot where Brett's parents were waiting.
"This is so exciting" Victoria said as her husband started the car.
"You wait till you have my parents questioning you where I went" Aurora said jokingly although meaning it
"We are doing the right thing, whether they agree or not, as funny as it sounds love is worth it" John said as he drove. As he said it, he took one hand off the wheel putting it on this wife's thigh. Victoria covered it with her own Aurora noticed, it made her smile.
They drove the next few minutes in silence before they reached Michaels parents house.
His parents were waiting in the garage for them. Aurora had never met his parents, but there wasn't time for that now either, so after quickly learning that their names were June and William, Aurora and Michael were in their borrowed car and heading down the highway.
"We did it" Michael said confidently
"Let's not get cocky just yet" Aurora said
"I know your right" Michael said as he pulled the car over to the side of the road.
"Michael what" Started to say, but Michael cut her off when he leaned over and kissed her.
"I've missed doing that, and being able to talk to you when I wanted" He said as he caressed her cheek
"So have I" Aurora said with a sad smile on her face.
Michael pulled the car back on to the road. They were on their way.
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wow so ok then i didnt leave a cliff hanger cos well they are fun to write but when your on the other end of them you tend to want to kill the author. lol or make them update faster :)
so please review and tell me what you thought, i am dying to know lol and no guilt trips on how long it took me to update ;)
till next time,
Emma Riddle