Disclaimer: I do not own the lyrics to Think of Me, the musical version.
A/N: Hi everyone! A new semester starts and here's another update! Again, more questions might come up, but remember keep the previous chapters in mind, especially those concerning Thomas Myers, Shirley, and the two girls who died in Confessions II. Now… if I were to get plenty of responses I might be persuaded to update again before the weekend ends. So please don't forget to review! Thank you Halley for doing a good job!
Chapter Eleven:
Sing For Me
The next morning Emmy woke to the annoying buzzing of her alarm. Yawning, she turned it off and stretched out her arms before leaving the bed. Her sides ached from the simple maneuver and placing a hand near her ribs, Emmy yelped from the throbbing pain. I must have slept in the wrong position, she thought, still wincing from the stung.
Glancing down at the rumpled covers, she sighed wistfully. Must have been a very restless night. Shrugging inwardly, Emmy quickly dressed and then realizing, she was suppose to meet Erik. Staring at her Phantom figurine, Emmy felt the disappointment swelling. He never came…
Or, she pondered, he did and I fell asleep. Here was my big chance and I blew it! I knew I should have had some coffee to keep me up. I hope he's not mad… oh dear… how could you do this to yourself? Now, he'll probably never show his face!
Distressed, Emmy continued to curse herself while heading down to the kitchen for breakfast. Her father greeted her warmly but her greeting was anything but thrilling. Caught up in her wallowing misery she failed to notice Will Sawyer's frowning scrutiny.
"Hon, do you feel alright?" he questioned.
"What do you mean?" Emmy looked at him blankly. Taking a few bites out of her Pop-Tart, she grinned in approval. "Mmm… cherry-flavor. I think Mom should buy this more often."
"Amelia," Will started. "Your mother and I have noticed quite a few changes in you that we're not sure what to think."
"Do we have to discuss this now?" she interjected. "Look, I feel great. In fact better than ever! So could you get off my back?"
"No, I will not," her father stated firmly. "First, you hardly hung out with Maggie over the summer and this year you two haven't been talking. At all. Did you two get into some kind of fight?"
"No… Dad," Emmy gritted between her teeth. "The only one who has a problem is Maggie. She's acting unusual and has been since school started. I don't know what's with her."
Will did not look convinced. "Amelia, I believe there's more than what you're telling. You two are the best of friends and I don't remember that much fights between you. Is it over some guy?"
"What?" Emmy rolled her eyes, snorting. "Father, Maggie could never have the man of her dreams, even if she tried. And hypothetically, if this were over some 'guy' it wouldn't be over just any ordinary 'guy'. He would be mine! No one else could ever have him!"
Without another word, Amelia Sawyer fled the house.
xxXXxx
Throughout the morning, Emmy was boiling over the audacity of her father's accusation. How dare he bring in Erik! Even if he didn't know him, the fact was she had discovered Erik and he belongs to no one but her! Only she had the right to be in his attention. Her! To Hell with Maggie! She couldn't even carry a decent tune and Erik will surely be bored of the insipid strawberry blonde in seconds. She was what he wanted… and no one, no one could take her away from him!
The accumulation of the earlier events and failure of last night, worked Emmy into frenzy that by the time she reached the auditorium for her lesson, she was completely driven in her performance.
"Ah, I see my student is riled. What ever could be the cause of this passionate temper?" her tutor half-requested, half-demanded.
Emmy gazed up into the sound room (which she perceived to be his hiding spot) and mumbled incoherently.
"I cannot hear you, my dear," he replied, stepping out from the wings, his cape trailing his feet.
She jumped with a start, her eyes bulging out of their sockets. There Erik stood, live and proud, in front of her. A smirk tugged at the corner of his visible lip; the scowling porcelain mocking the surprised teen. A mischievous glint marked his golden orbs as he took a step forward. Crossing his wide arms over, her tutor looked down, awaiting her response. "Well?"
"I-I," Emmy was incapable of forming rational words, let alone thoughts. He simply appeared out of the blue! He was showing himself with an air of nonchalance almost like… he shown himself before…
"Excuse me, Maestro," she said, a frown creasing her forehead. "Did… did I see you last night?"
The smirk broadened. "Were you expecting anyone else?"
Embarrassment flooded her face. "I'm sorry! I didn't remember—"
Erik raised his hand to silence her. "That's alright, Amelia. It was late and you were exhausted; practically collapsed into my arms with fatigue."
She nodded her shame evident across her cheeks. "I should have been awake—"
"There's no need for you to be guilty. I would rather have you faint with tiredness than anything else," he explained, the last part nearly rolling off of his tongue. "Was that the reason for your anger?"
Emmy shook her head. "No… well a little, but it's nothing. Just something my Dad said that's all."
"Oh?" Was his question. "And what did he say that has upset you?"
"Something you wouldn't have no interest in," she rushed. "Just me and Maggie."
"Ah, Miss Margaret Walker is it? Don't be surprised child! I know about everyone that's part of the choir program. It is my domain, mind you. You two… are good friends, yes?"
"Yeah but lately it hasn't been that hot. Don't worry, Maestro. It doesn't involve my lessons in any shape or form."
"Then what happened?"
"My Dad thinks we're fighting over some guy. That happens a lot in this time period, if you haven't noticed."
Erik nodded and grinned. "And is it?"
Yes. "No," she answered.
Stroking his chin, her tutor tilted his head. "And has this been going on for some time." It wasn't a question but a statement. Sheepishly, Emmy consented to his remark. "Well, as long as you don't let this interfere with our work, I see no problem for you to ignore this triviality."
Emmy gawked at him. "Wh-what?"
Turning his back on her, he moved away until he was covered by the shadow of darkness in the wings. The only evidence of him was the two shining yellow eyes peering through. "Now, before I conclude today's lesson, I believe you are ready to sing something far better than the ballads and hymns I've been working you with. Do you know Elissa's aria from Hannibal? Think of Me?"
Her lips curled upwards. "Yes I do sir!"
"Good." He was pleased. "Sing, my dear."
Nodding, she gazed out into the empty auditorium, picturing a full house to hear her. Taking a deep breath, she took one step forward, and sung with all of her heart:
"Think of me,
Think of me fondly,
When we've said good-bye
"Remember me
Every so often—
Promise me
You'll try
"On that day,
That not so distant day,
When you are far away and free,
If you ever find a moment,
Spare a thought for me…"
Emmy could never get over the shock of the improvement of her voice. The instrument within her that Erik had nurtured was blooming into an incredible beauty that God's own angels would be filled with envy. And it was all for him and her. Her dream she thought was so far away to be true was here. She felt like Christine Daae.
"And though it's clear,
Though it was always clear
That this was never meant to be,
If you happen to remember,
Stop and think of me…
"Think of August
When the trees were green—
Don't think about the
Way things might have been…"
Outside the auditorium, Sarah Robins was walking hand-in-hand with Trey when they stopped to hear someone singing. Trey looked at his girlfriend in awe. "Who is that?"
Sarah shrugged. "I don't know but this song… I know it from somewhere."
"Think of me,
Think of me waking,
Silent and resigned.
Imagine me,
Trying too hard to
Put you from my mind.
"Think of me,
Please say you'll
Think of me,
Whatever else you choose to do—
"There will never be
A day when I
Won't think of you…!"
The soprano belted the word out so high and long that Sarah had a feeling that this was some professional. But what professional would come all the way out to sing at Cherry Hill High?
Trey, spellbound, moved away from her to go closer to the door. Poking his head inside, he squinted his eyes to see who was standing on the stage.
"Trey—"
"Shh!" he hissed at Sarah, motioning her to come over. Quietly, the redhead obeyed her boyfriend. Trey relaxed and returned his full attention to the stage and the singer.
"Flowers fade,
The fruits of summer fade—
They have their season,
So do we…"
"Hey," Sarah whispered. "I remember this song! It's from—"
But Trey was too busy listening that he didn't hear what Sarah was saying. He was able to see something, but it wasn't good enough. He had to see the whole person so silently he crept forward…
"But please promise me
That sometimes,
You will think…"
Approaching the first back row, Trey hung back in rapture. His eyes were adjusting to the darkness that he was able to make out the singer's face. Her face was tilted upward, eyes closed, as her voice washed over him. She had long brown hair where the ends were slightly curled. He knew this girl from somewhere…
"…of me…!"
He couldn't help it. Trey began clapping like crazy much to the girl's surprise and shock. He started to whistle and holler, "Encore! Encore!"
The girl remained in her frozen state, agape.
Her name was on the tip of his tongue, but for the life of Trey Michaels he couldn't think of it. He was positive he shared some class with her…
"Oh my God, Emmy!"
That was his answer being shouted out by his girlfriend. Sarah ran up to him, still staring at the now frightened girl. "Holy crap. Emmy was that you singing?"
Here was her opportunity to smite Sarah and Emmy was a loss for words. The only working part of her comprehended that Trey; Trey Michaels, was in the same room as her, was looking right at her, and was applauding her. Her! And… she was furious.
Never mind how this was her crush, the one she was trying to impress. No… they both dared to interrupt this special moment between herself and her teacher. Teacher…
Fearful that the gig was up, Emmy's eyes nervously darted to the wings, where he hid. The glowing spectacles narrowed to thin slits, his temper rising just by one glance. But her own anger dissipated knowing the danger that Trey and Sarah had unintentionally put themselves in. Hell hath no fury was becoming an overstatement when it comes to the likes of Erik. She had to get them out without drawing attention to the hidden specter.
Her mouth opened to say, get out, but her vocals wouldn't function. Only a croak left her.
"Wow. You know I bet if you tried out for the musical, Mrs. A. would give you a big role," Trey said. "Right Sarah?"
Sarah nodded though she was perplexed. "I don't understand. Emmy, why didn't sing like that before?"
"She was probably shy, Sarah," Trey answered for her. "I remember you were shy once before I taught you when we were younger." Looking at Emmy, he smiled softly. "You have a beautiful voice. If you want, I could help you—"
"SILENCE!" cried an ominous voice. "SHE SINGS FOR ME BOY!"
The outburst caused all three to jump. "Who the Hell was that!" Sarah asked, her eyes searching Emmy for an answer. "Emmy, who's there with you?"
"I-" God, her voice all of a sudden went dry! Swallowing hard to get some moisture, Emmy managed to whisper. "Leave now!"
"Emmy," Sarah said, moving towards the stage. Her eyes widened and screamed, "EMMY BEHIND YOU!"
Trey hurried to his girlfriend, jerking her arm back as a tall, dark figure with blazing orbs threw his cloak over Emmy. "Mine!" he snarled, the golden eyes alit with possession.
Instantly, Trey made a mad dash to the stage to help Emmy. As soon as he was about to pounce the man, Trey met air.
Falling into a heap on stage, Trey stared in disbelief and confusion at the black cape. He quickly scooted away from it as if it would swallow him too. The girl, Emmy, and the man were gone. Gone…
"Christ," he muttered. Sarah was by his side in seconds, tears streaming down her pink cheeks.
"Oh Emmy!" she wept, her nails biting into his arm. "Who was that Trey? Oh my God, who was that!"
Sadly, he had no answer to give to his frantic girlfriend.
TBC…