HI GUYS! I hope you had a blessed holiday! I'd love to hear about them if you'd like to share. I got Susan Kay's Phantom FINALLY! I was also on a Disney trip with my choir over break so I've been far away from my computer. But please accept this as my late Christmas present. I got to go see Les Mis. Om my word, so amazing. I literally screamed when Hadley came on the screen. I think the people behind me were gonna kill me. Anywho, ENJOY!

Chapter 22

Erik's P.O.V

Erik gripped the computer screen so tightly that he was afraid it would crack. He stared back at the screen with burning eyes. He scan down the page, the words it held made his heart sink.

Kirsten Doyle: Ensemble

He growled in frustration. Everything he... they..had worked for was out the window, in the dust. His heart ached for Kirsten, surely she was upset. His darling girl deserved so much more. Of course, she wasn't his anymore. Erik still loved her nonetheless. He groaned, scrolling back to see who can been cast in the coveted female lead.

Charlotte Paul: Christine Daae

He had no idea who this Charlotte person was, but he knew already that he didn't like her.

Kirsten's P.O.V

My eyes burned as I looked over the sheet of paper taped to the door of the choir room. With a rock in my stomach I searched for my name. Ensemble. And Charlotte had gotten my role. I thought I had it in the bag. I was willing to bet no one in the school loved this show as I much as I did. This was my show, my everything. I though of Erik, no doubt he was angry over this. I brushed off the thought of my vocal coach. As the tears began to roll I felt a warm, strong arm across my shoulder.

"Are you alright?" Rory asked.

I nodded, hugging him close "I will be."

"I'm so sorry, sweetie. You deserve Christine." He murmured into my hair.

"Thing could be worse. At least we are doing Phantom." I tried to smile.

"So optimistic." He smiled and brushed my hair behind my ear.

"Thing's will be fine." I said, almost to myself. "It'll be fun."

"Of course it will. Think about all the neat costumes you'll wear. Don't forget Masquerade." His blue eyes shined as he spoke.

"You're right!." I beamed. Glancing back at the paper, I said "Rehearsals start next week. Can't wait!"

"Who knows," Rory said as he took my hand, "maybe you can teach Charlotte how to sing."

"I'll kill her if she screws up those songs." I hissed through clenched teeth.

"What?" He asked, shooting me a sideways glance.

"I mean, of course I can." I recovered with a easy tone.

"You have every right to be angry." He told me.

"I hate being bitter, though." I sighed. "It makes me so grumpy, ruins my mood."

Rory hugged me close and kissed my head. "Things will turn out for the best, honey. I promise." As the first bell rang, he pressed a kiss to my hand. "Have a good day."

I smiled weakly. "I'll try." And with that hurried into the classroom.

As I was making my way to the library, I heard stomping footsteps behind me. Turning, I saw Maggie storming toward me with a shredded sheet of paper in her clutched fist.

"Maggie what's wrong? What is that?" I asked.

"What is this?" She echoed, ice in her voice. "This is the injustice that calls for some Maggie-Garret-Butt-Whooping, that's what this is!"

I grimaced. "You saw the cast list, didn't you?"

"Heck yeah I did!" She seethed. "And I'm going down to the teacher's lounge to shove this up Ms. Admick's fat -"

"Margret!" I snapped. "Simmer down!"

"Simmer down?!" She screeched. "My best friend has been cheated out of the role she was born for and you want me to simmer down?!"

"Yes." I replied, trying to keep my tone cool.

"Kirsten this is horrible! This an insult to musical theater, to Andrew Lloyd Webber, to Er-" She trailed off. "Sorry."

I swallowed. "It's ok."

"You miss him, don't you?" She asked softly.

I nodded. "I do. But I need to forget him."

"Why? Why do you need to forget him?" She snapped.

"Because..we aren't right for each other. Do you know what people would say if we told them about our relationship? It wou-"

"Since when did you care what other people said about Erik?" Maggie grasped my wrist. "A few days ago you were telling me how much you loved him and suddenly one dance and a phone call changes all that? Kirsten Avery Doyle, I have never seen you happier when you were with him."

I stared at her, stunned. "I'm done."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"With relationships. Just done."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm too distracted and it causes drama that I don't need." I said coldy

"Ok." She said softly. Turning around, she walked away, dropping the crumpled paper to the floor.

Fear gripped my heart and I turned back to the library. Was this really what I wanted?

Rory's P.O.V

I grabbed Kirsten's hand as she walked towards the student parking lot.

"Hey darling." I pecked her cheek.

"Oh. Hi Rory." A puzzled expression came over her face, but she didn't push me away.

"Is something wrong?" I asked. "Are you still upset?" I rubbed her hand.

"No, no. Nothing's wrong. Just tired, I guess."

"Well, if you feel up to it, would you like to hang out at my place tonight? I'd love to have you meet my dad."

She bit her lip and furrowed her brow. "Not...not tonight Rory. I have loads of homework in French."

That's odd, I don't remember having French homework. "Kirsten, is everything alright?"

"Yeah, yeah it's fine...I'll see you later ok?" With that she broke my hold and ran outside. As she ran I saw something fall from her purse.

"Kirsten, hold on!" I followed her. "You dropped something!" I grabbed the item, but she was already out of the parking lot before I could return it. I stared back at the small sheet of card stock in my palm. It read: Erik A. Donovan, 665 Lottie Lane, Donovan Manor. Was this her teacher?

15 minutes later I arrived at Donovan Manor. I didn't know what to say or think. But I know I needed to go there, if indeed it was the home of her vocal coach. My mind reeled as I parked. What would I say or do? One word popped into my head. Apologize. I had to. I had hurt Kirsten and this Erik person, whoever he was. I know I needed to be man enough to apologize. With shaking hands I knocked on the door. I was answered by a short, large woman with bright pink cheeks and sparkling blue eyes.

"My I help ya dear?" She asked brightly.

"Yes, ma'am. I'm looking for Erik Donovan." I said.

"May I ask you your name?"

"Rory Chandlen, ma'am." I replied.

She nodded. "Come right in, dear." She gestured me inside. Climbing up the winding staircase, she called up " Erik, darling! A Mister Chandlen for you."

The man walked slowly down the stairs. His dark blue eyes bore into my soul and frightened me to the core. I felt like I should bow or fall to my knees in forgiveness. His eyes held authority that could not be denied.

"Mr. Chandlen." His voice was dark.

I gulped, "Mr. Donovan. My friends call me Rory." I shook his hand.

"I'm sure they do. May I ask your business here?" The eyes behind the mask didn't waiver from my face.

"I think you know that I am a friend of -"

"From what I saw, you are more than friends." He cut in.

What did he mean by that? I continued, "Sir, I came here to apologize. I was out of line a few days ago. I was would like to ask your forgiveness for my actions. I'm sure they effected you and I know they hurt Kirsten. She was very angry with me."

"She was?" His eyes widened.

"She tore me to shreds. I hit a nerve with her. I know she is special to you." I explained.

"You don't think I don't know that?!" He snapped, and I saw pain in his eyes. What a remarkable person he was. Two seconds ago, he was an intimidating figure that frightened me to the core. The man before me now was a broken, vulnerable, soul. He was almost childlike. He ducked his head, his gaze boring into the floor.

"I'm sorry. Can you ever forgive me, sir?" I asked.

Slowly bringing his head up, he nodded. "I can. Apology accepted." He shook my hand firmly.

"She's yours, sir." I said softly.

"Excuse me?"

"You can have Kirsten. She clearly shares something with you that we don't have. It's magical, almost magnetic. I've never seen anything like it. It's the most unique relationship I've ever seen." I replied.

He stared at me in shock. "You mean it?"

I nodded. "Please, call her or something. Reach out to her. She needs you. She's so broken at the moment, and I know that you are the only one that can bring true comfort to her. The musical-"

"I know." He said shortly.

I nodded once more and said "She's so upset."

He nodded, "I'm sure she is."

"Go to her." I urged him. Walking towards the door, I said "Thank you for your time, Mr. Donovan."

"You are very welcome, Rory." The smile he gave me made things be at peace.

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