Title: Good Riddance
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Anything anyone ever writes that is Phantom involved will belong to Leroux. Except if, you know, it belongs to someone else.
Summary: (Modern Telling)The final year of high school can be tough, even with the best friends in the world. Christine Daae knows this for a fact. The account of her senior year- new plays, loosing friends and much more. Most importantly, meeting Erik...
Chapter 2- Save the Drama
- Ain't nobody gonna see eye to eye
With a girl who's only gonna stand collarbone high
Rain's gonna come in fair-sized drips
And we're gonna go to heaven wearing paper-hat ships-
- "Rollerskate Skinny" by Old 97s
Charlotte
I've been a theater brat my entire life. Christine and I were born into it. My dad almost missed our birth because he was directing a play.
Chris and I never lived in New York. We were born there and my parents wanted to raise us there. That was until after our mom died.
Our birth had been fine. There were no complications. Something just... went wrong.
Mom died in childbirth. We didn't even get to know her.
My dad moved us back to the town he grew up in- located right outside of Chicago.
He was always strong about the issue- always for Chris and me.
Despite the move from New York, we kept close to theater.
My mom was a costume designer and my father directed. My dad still donated mom's costumes for us and loaned a lot to the school. He would occasionally direct.
My first play, I was Molly in Annie. I've been in at least two plays since then including My Fair Lady, Hamlet, The Taming of the Shrew, Oliver, Grease, Sweeney Todd, Guys and Dolls, Les Miserables, West Side Story, Cabaret, Chicago, Chess, The Scarlet Pimpernal, and Little Shop of Horrors.
Chris had been in almost all of these and even more ballets.
All of our theater friends, Carly, Andy, Janie, Holden, James, Meg, and Nat had also starred with us.
I knew I would always be acting and did it every year.
Including when I was a senior.
"Hey, Charlotte," Nat said. "When's practice tonight?"
"That is the eighty-ninth time you have asked me that today," I laughed. "Stop it!"
Nat could be an absolute pest but I thought he was the coolest. He was always laughing and joking and just living life.
We were walking to the dance studio to meet Meg and Carly and Christine so we could all go to drama together.
"How were your classes?" he asked, shouldering his backpack.
I thought a moment before saying, "Good. Better than I thought. I have a bunch of friends in all of them. Chris is in a couple. Janie is in most- you're practically in all of them."
"What about Rayne?" Nat stifled a laugh.
"What about Rayne?" I grinned, slapping his forehead.
"Where does he fit in the equation?"
"Oh, your wit is astounding, Nathaniel," I laughed, staring at my shoes.
"Isn't it though?"
We went quite a second before he switched subjects.
"What was the deal with that guy?"
"I already told you, I knew him from cam-"
"No, the one with the hat," he pulled a skeptical face.
"Oh," I frowned, "I don't know. Chris probably talked to him this morning and he didn't have anywhere to sit so... yeah."
"I guess, but what's with the fedora?" Nat asked, walking backwards. "I wore a hat last year and got detention."
"I don't know him, Nat! Ask Christine."
"Well, maybe I will-" he said, turning and running to the dance studio.
I glanced at my watch that read 5:45. They weren't out of practice and Mrs. Giry would be furious if Nat interrupted.
I walked into the studio to see Mrs. Giry shaking a finger at Nat with a very stern look on her face while he had his head down, trying to hide a smile. I grinned and sat against a wall in the back of the studio to let the practice continue.
"Now, go sit over there and don't let me see you until drama, Nathaniel Persion!"
He stuck out his tongue as Mrs. Giry continued, "Now, girls, since we had such a rude intrusion, we'll finish up. Carly, will you lead the bow?"
Carly grinned and took to the center of the mirrored room. She did a small bowing combination before everyone followed and the music ceased. The girls began to enter the locker room and Christine held up a hand, signaling 5 minutes.
"Chris is such a goody-goody," Nat smiled after her. I nodded.
"She's the angel. She's always been dad's little angel."
"And you're not? Miss straight A's, no detentions, leading lady-"
"I'm dad's starlet. I'm the little diva."
He set an arm around me and ruffled my hair, "That you are."
Meg, Carly and Christine were out 4 minutes later, ready to walk to the Garnier's Theatre Center.
On the way there, Carly applied lip gloss, Chris kept quiet and Meg flirted with Nat.
A blind, deaf and dumb person could notice Meg and Nat- Meg for flirting and Nat for being so shy around her (the only time Nat didn't talk like crazy).
Everyone thought Nat and I were an "item". We were more of best friends. Nat was my best guy friend. Janie was my best girl friend. Chris was my favorite person in the world.
I didn't have a boyfriend.
"What did you name the band?" Meg was asking.
"Re-name," I said. "They've named it 50 times."
"How many names have you guys had?" Carly asked.
"Well, there was The Pumpkin Kings-" Christine said.
"It was after Halloween!" Nat insisted.
"The Hey, Hey, Heys-"
"Right after we discovered the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs-"
"What about-" Meg started but Nat held up a hand.
"Right now, we're thinking Latest Attraction."
"That's not too bad," I said.
"Better than The Pumpkin Kings," Meg rolled her eyes.
Nat started a band when he was a sophomore with James, Holden, and some kid named Diego.
James played bass, Holden- lead guitar, Diego- drums, and Nat sang.
"Wait," Christine said, suddenly. "Who are you getting to replace Diego?"
"What do you mean?" Nat asked as we neared the theatre.
"Diego. He moved to New Hampshire, right?" Meg added.
"Whoa- when was this?" Nat asked, baffled.
"You were at his going away party!" I laughed.
"That was Diego's? I just thought he was throwing it! So we need a new drummer?" Nat cried, appalled.
I smiled at Christine, "No 'oh, I didn't get to say bye'. No 'I should call Diego'. Just 'how he could leave the band'."
Christine started to laugh as we came to the door but stopped short. Coming from the other side was the kid with the hat.
"What's his name again?" I asked Chris and she hastily replied "Erik".
He stopped when he saw us, turned back and walked away.
"What was that about?" Holden asked as he, Janie, James and Andy walked up.
"It was Carly at lunch," Meg smiled. "All that reeking perfume freaked him out."
"I've had it, Meg!" Carly stomped her high-heeled foot. "I'm sick of you guys being so mean to me all the time!"
"Oh, we tease all of our friends," I rolled my eyes. "It's not just you."
"It seems like it," she huffed as she crossed her arm. James hugged her.
"Oh, Carly, don't worry about it. You know we all love your diva-ness."
She sighed and sank into his arms. I rolled my eyes again as we continued in.
The theatre was huge. Every year, it still shocked me at how big it was. All around were kids who loved what we loved- the limelight. There were 52 kids in drama- all close and really good friends.
As soon as we entered, we were greeted by "hello"'s and "well, if it isn't"'s and "our favorites"'s. It was nice to be recognized by people. At least I thought so.
We waved back and gave a few old friends quick hugs before Mrs. Giry called everyone towards to stage, where she was standing, to listen.
"How is everyone?" she asked, merrily, though she cast a glare at Nat. He frowned at me as I stifled a laugh.
"Well," she continued, "As we all know last year was a big hit. Our productions of the ballet Giselle, the musical Guys and Dolls and the drama Hamlet all went splendidly. This year, we want everyone's opinions in what we choose to perform. A few more announcements before we discuss this year's shows, we have two new students auditioning this year. Also, Principal Gustave has given the drama department a bit more funding so we will get more costumes and sets this year. Anyone have any other news they'd like to contribute?"
Nat raised his hand. Mrs. Giry rolled her eyes and set her hands on her hips, "What, Nat?"
He cleared his throat, "Well, Mrs. Giry. I think that money should go to your paycheck."
She rolled her eyes again, "Shove it, Nathaniel. Now, this year- the drama we have planned is The Taming of the Shrew."
I sighed and said to Nat, "Everyone does Taming of the Shrew."
At that moment, a girl named Scarlett raised her hand and said my thoughts, "Everyone does that show."
Mrs. Giry stood a bit straighter, "Any better ideas?"
"A Midsummer Night's Dream-" Janie called.
"Othello-" a boy named Myke shouted from the side.
"Julius Caesar!" Nat called, then leaned to me and whispered, "Lots of fighting, 'Countrymen lend me your ears!'."
"Must we always use Shakespeare?" I asked mournfully and Christine nodded in return.
"The Importance of Being Earnest," a voice suggested.
I frowned and replied, "It's too long."
Quickly, there was another suggestion.
A great suggestion.
It was perfect, really.
"Well, um-" came a voice. "It's not dramatic but..."
"What?" Mrs. Giry, said, scanning the room for the voice. "Out with it- what's your idea?"
"The Princess Bride."
No one said anything.
Finally, Mrs. Giry nodded, "That just might work..." she faced the rest of us, "What do you think?"
"I-" Nat said then caught her glare, "... am going to shut up now."
"It's brilliant," I said. "Good idea- really."
"Who came up with it?" Holden asked, looking around.
"Yeah, who?"
People began searching for the person but no one took credit.
"That's a fabulous idea," Mrs. Giry said, "And now, for the ballet-"
"No way," a girl named Jill said, throwing up her hands. "We never get any money from the ballets."
"Acting isn't about money," Christine hissed. Meg was glaring as well.
"It is when the only funding we get is from show profits!" she insisted. "We need to take out the ballet and add another show!"
Christine sulked back into her chair and another ballerina, Leslie, commented, "No. You take it out, I quit the Theatre Company. The ballets are the only good part."
"Says you," she accused.
"We need to keep them," I said. "It would be rude not to."
"The ballets stay in," Mrs. Giry finalized. "This year we are doing The Nutcracker. As for our musical- how about Beauty and the Beast?"
No one complained. It sounded just great.
"Alright, I'm think October- early November for Princess Bride, late December through early January for Nutcracker and final performance of Beauty and the Beast in May."
We continued discussing about audition dates and budgets and ideas. I loved drama just for how we all communicated to each other.
"Well," Mrs. Giry said, glancing approvingly at her clipboard. "That seems to be it. And would you look at the time? 8:23! How time flies! Oh, well. Let's see, I'm not sure about the next practice but I'll let you all know auditions within the next two weeks. See you all later. Daae's? Up here, please?"
I sighed and grabbed my purse. Nat hit me in the leg with his backpack, "Beware the wrath of the Giry!"
"I heard that, Nathaniel Persion, and if you value your life, acting career and the chance of ever dating my daughter, you will leave. Now."
He paled and Meg went scarlet. Both of them exited different directions. Christine had a difficult time suppressing her giggles.
She stood to my side as we watched the theatre empty.
"Nat," I said, "Is so...?"
"Charming? Amusing? Endearing?" she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Annoying as hell?" I asked. She smiled but shook her head.
"Not my word choice, Lotte."
I rolled my eyes at my childhood nickname. Charlotte. Only everyone said it "lottie".
When we stepped up to the stage, Mrs. Giry gave us a genuine smile.
"I am very excited about this year," she said. "I love our play ideas."
I peered at her, puzzled, "Yes, but, who suggested The Princess Bride?"
Mrs. Giry glanced at the floor, baffled as well, "I am not sure. But it is surely a brilliant idea."
"So," Christine said, suddenly, "Where are the two boys auditioning?"
Mrs. Giry quickly explained to me what was going on and I nodded, a bit shocked she asked for our help.
"I will go get them," she said after she told me. "They should be outside now."
After a few minutes, she led two boys in. One had with the smile of a god and the other had a frown of a ghost.