Disclaimer: Kiera Cass owns all of the characters!
It had come to the time where the roles were being announced. By the time I reached Drama, everyone was already there, chatting excitedly and making bets on who would be the Phantom and Christine. I heard snippets of conversation, including Maxon's and Celeste's name, or Maxon's and Kriss's name.
On the other hand, our Drama teacher looked nervous. "Hush now, everyone, we've got roles to announce! I'll start with the minor characters, then finish with the lead roles.
"For the character Meg, Marlee Tames! Congratulations, Marlee! And for Madame Giry, we have…" She droned on and on, while I waited to hear Kriss's or Celeste's name.
Celeste was announced as Carlotta, the opera singer from Spain who despises Christine. "I'll announce the backups after we reveal the leads! As Raoul, Aspen Leger. Good job, Aspen! Your audition was amazing. And, the Phantom of the Opera, Maxon Schreave!"
Our Drama teacher looked at Maxon warmly, an expression reserved for her star pupil. "Maxon, dear, you were absolutely astounding! You blew me away. And his audition, students, is an example of how it should look like…"
I tuned out her praises and compliments for Maxon. About what seemed like an hour later, she finally got back to revealing the roles. Kriss was looking at me, a smug expression perched on her face as if she knew she was going to be Christine.
"Christine Daae, the main female lead, goes to… Mer Singer!" I fell off of my chair. Kriss's jaw dropped. "Mer… I don't know what to say. You put so much emotion into your character, you made it real. The singing was absolutely perfect, every high note! And you and Maxon work perfectly together.
"Mer's backup will be Kriss Ambers, and Maxon's backup will be Carter Woodson. The backup for Raoul will be Leeland Alberts. That's it! Now, for those of you who didn't get picked, there's always next year! Class is dismissed."
The moment I was out of the suffocating classroom, Kriss cornered me. "Mer, forget about yesterday," she encouraged. "I don't know what I was thinking. I probably just had a bad day."
I hugged her. "I don't care. Honestly, our friendship is better without the competition."
Kriss smiled. "You're the best friend ever!" After one last hug, she headed off towards her next class, leaving me to muse over my thoughts as I headed towards Music.
Thankfully, none of my friends shared this class with me. I was called to the front of the class to sing a couple of scales, but that was it. The teacher particularly hated me. "Mer Singer, come up here and redo that scale!"
I begrudgingly sang my scale over again, thirsting to get out of school.
"Mom! A classmate's coming over to finish our Statistics project!" I called once I got back home.
"Okay, honey, you don't have to lie to me, do you have a musical?" I fixed my wig and groaned. How did she know?
"Yes, mother, I do. And I got the lead role." My voice was monotone.
"Perfect, darling! It's about time you show your talent to the school." When she said that, I stomped away.
Maxon came over about an hour later, and we finished our project.
"My friend's going to pick me up in about an hour." He didn't drive here?
"Got it. What do you want to do?" Maxon looked at me when I said that.
His eyes suddenly narrowed to chocolate slits. "Your singing. It sounds familiar…" I mentally cursed. Shit!
"I don't know. Perhaps you've heard me sing before?" I suggested, on the edge of panic. No, stupid! America, you weren't supposed to lose your disguise to Maxon!
"No…" But he dropped the subject. "Well, we can practice our lines together…"
That seemed like a great idea at the moment. "Sure! Let me find my lines." I scrambled around my room, searching for that stupid packet.
We ended up practicing the entire time. Half an hour into our rehearsing, I went downstairs and grabbed beers for both of us. As it was, the two of us were now a little more than tipsy. Maxon messed up on one of his Phantom parts again, causing us both to convulse into laughter.
When I finally sobered up, I found Maxon's face precariously close to mine. Uncomfortable, I pushed him away. I had another sip of beer before I started attempting the "Masquerade" dance. Maxon offered to be my dancing partner, and I gladly accepted.
He twirled me around like a professional while I stumbled around ridiculously. After another twirl, Maxon pulled me to his chest. I stared up at him. And in a drunken moment, I closed the distance between our lips.
His lips tasted like heaven. I pulled him closer to me like someone else was controlling my body. He pushed us towards my bed, taking control of the kiss. I was just thinking, He's a damn good kisser! No wonder Celeste wants to kiss—my thoughts were cut off when I remembered: Aspen.
I broke away abruptly. Already I was missing the feel of his lips on mine, but I pushed those thoughts aside. I was angry at myself for starting the entire scenario. "I c-can't. I have a boyfriend, Maxon."
With his hair messed up, and lips swollen, I found him impossible to resist. "Sorry, Mer. I don't know what I was thinking."
"It's my fault. Maxon, you also have a girlfriend. Don't cheat. You should g-go." A car was parked next to my house, presumably his friend's.
With one last longing look at me, he left, taking with him all of my dreams.