Hi there! So sorry I haven't updated recently! I've been super busy with school and a musical. Forgive me? I hope you guys enjoy this!

Chapter 23

Amy Admick was startled by the ringing of her phone in the middle of the night. Reaching in the darkness she pressed the 'talk' button.

"Hello?" Who in their right mind would call at such an hour.

"Amy." A cool voice came from the other end. "I thought we had a deal."

"Erik?!" Amy gasped. "What the heck are you calling me for in the middle of the night?"

"I work best in the evening." He said simply.

"This is far past evening." She said firmly, dragging her hands through her disheveled dark hair.

"We had a deal. He repeated. "I would fund the show if you put Kirsten in the role of Christine." And you didn't hold up on your end."

"I had to choose Charlotte! She has the best stage presence." She shot back, angered by her lack of sleep.

"And Kirsten Doyle does not? Did you not hear the passion in her voice, the love that she has for this character? How can you deny the talent she possesses?" Rage filled his voice.

"Well, do you know how much backlash I would get if Charlotte was not the lead? Her entire family would be furious!" She shrieked.

"If that is way this is going to go, I shall have to withdraw my support. Goodnight."

"NO!" Amy gripped the receiver. "I will do anything you ask."

The dark chuckle that followed sent chills up her spine. "Then I suggest you stop being a coward and place Kirsten in the role you know she deserves. If that does not happen, this musical will be the last you ever direct." With that the line went dead.

Kirsten's P.O.V

With feasting and dancing and song Tonight in celebration!

We greet the victorious throng Returned to bring salvation !
The trumpet of carthage resound Hear, Romans,now and tremble

Hark to our step on ground

Hear the drums!

Hannibal comes!

I belted out every note with all of my strength. If there was one thing Erik taught me, it was to support notes with as much diaphragm power as I could. The thought of him tugged at my heart, but I brushed it off just like I had for the past two weeks. Rory had finally told me of their conversation after a few days of avoiding me. He understood when I told him that I was taking a break to focus on the show. My heart was at an odd place now. As much as Rory pleaded with me, I haven't plucked up the courage, to call Erik. I just couldn't right now. All I wanted to do was give everything to the show and hope and pray he made it to see one. As much as I wanted to deny it, I missed him. I missed Erik so much. I was brought back to reality by Charlotte's shrilled, shrieking rendition of Think of Me. My stomach turned and my heart sank as sat through another rehearsal of one of my favorite scenes. I had to watched her tramp across the stage day after day for two and a half hours. The only thing that brought any relief was pretending Erik sit beside me, face twisted in torture, and then I'd take his hand to coax that gorgeous smile to his face. If only he were here. As I packed up later, Maggie patted my back.

"Things will get better, you'll see. Maybe your Angel of Music will come for you." She smiled.

I shrugged. "I doubt it."

"Call him!" She urged me for the millionth time.

"I will do no such thing!" I cried.

"Why not?!" She threw her hands at her sides.

I bit my lip. "I'm nervous too."

She took my hands. "Why be nervous? You know he loves you."

"I've let him down! I've failed him."

"Do you haven't! It was your fault! If anything, it's Admick's fault!" She shrieked.

"Hush! She'll hear you!"

"Do you think I care?" Maggie placed her hand on her hips. "After that crap she pulled?"

I rolled my eyes. "Get over it, Mags. I have." I reached for the door.

"Well-" Her reply was drowned out by a high pitched wail from backstage.

I followed the crowd of students that hurried toward the location of the noise. We were met with sight of Charlotte sprawled out on the floor holding her ankle and wailing in pain with a few obscenities mixed in. Real classy. Ms. Admick was bent over her with a cell phone pressed to her ear.

"I'm calling an ambulance. What happened?" She asked.

"A chord...tripped me." She panted, pain lacing her words.

She looked around her. "I don't see a chord, Charlotte."

"There was a chord! I swear it! I tripped over the dang thing!" The prima donna shrieked.

"Where's the stage manger? ALEX!" roared.

A nerdy freshman boy ran up to her. "I don't know anything about a chord Ms. Admick, honest. There was nothing there a few minutes ago. I'm sorry." His eyes welled up with tears. Poor guy.

"Alright, I believe you. Just go home."

Within a few minutes an ambulance pulled up the school and Charlotte was soon rolled out on a stretcher.

A female EMT sighed. "It's definitely broken. She'll probably need surgery."

At this news, Ms. Admick was nearing tears. "Are you sure?"

"Only the doctor can confirm that, Ma'am ."

With that Ms. Admick was in her car and on her way to the hospital faster than you could say "opera." We were dismissed.

"I do feel bad for her." I told Maggie on the way home.

She snorted. "I don't!"

"Maggie." I scolded. "Have some compassion."

She turned in her seat. "For that bit-" (I laid on the horn to cover her expletive.) "No way."

I rolled my eyes and changed the topic. "What do you think happen to cause her to fall?"

Maggie did not reply, but looked at me and crossed her arms. "I think you know."

I shook my head. "No clue."

"He's there, the Phantom of the Opera." She sang.

"Maggie come on! I think you take playing Meg a little too seriously." I told her.

"I wouldn't cross it off as a possibility." She replied.

"Erik wouldn't do that." I shook my head.

"You never know." She said before she got out of the car, hurrying up to the porch, leaving her words hanging in the air.

After the eventful afternoon, I crashed in my room with my music. I read a few good books, and before I knew it, darkness had fallen over the sky. After a quick shower, I was ready for bed. Just before I turned in, my cell rang.

"Hello?"

"Kirsten, it's Ms. Admick." Her voice was watery.

"How's Charlotte?" I asked immediately.

"She just got out of surgery. She broke her ankle and tore a few ligaments"

Ouch. "I'm so sorry. Do you need anything?"

"Yes, one thing. I need you to take over the role of Christine as soon as you can." She replied.

"I'd be happy too, but I wish it wasn't under these circumstances." I did feel bad for my teacher.

"I know. Thank you for accepting." She hung up.

I laid back in bed, my thoughts swirling. I was sad, but at the same time my heart swelled with joy. I had been given my chance. Leaning my head against the pillow, I decided there was someone I needed to share the news with.

Erik's phone went straight to voicemail. I gulped before speaking. "Hi Erik...it's Kirsten. I know I'm probably not a person you want to hear from at the moment, but I need to share with you that I've gotten the role of Christine. There was some freak accident with the other girl. I'm really nervous. I'm going to need your help. You certainly do not need to forgive me for what I've done to you and I'm not asking you to. I need your help. I want to please you."

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