I have been waiting to do this chapter for a very, very long time! I've been holding it away for the last four months. I don't know if it turned out the way I envisioned, but I like it. I hope you enjoy it
Chapter 24
The months melted together into a slew of rehearsals, early mornings, late nights, on top of the craziness of my school day. I had trouble keeping my wits about me and there were days I was sure I was losing my sanity. I'd had little theater experience and was not prepared for the hectic schedule I had taken on. At the moment I was laying on my bed, flipping through my sheet music for Past the Point of No Return. It was one of my favorite scenes in the entire show. It was so raw, so passionate, and... dare I say...sexy. That is, it's all those things when it's performed well. Trust me, I had good examples to follow. Phantom 25th was practically on repeat in my room for two months. I watched Sierra's every move. I tried to mimic her facial expression, the emotion her beautiful eyes held. I examined her perfect posture and her phrasing of words. I wanted to be me on stage, but I needed her guidance. She was my everything, my role model not only in life, but for the greatest female lead the stage has ever seen.
My thoughts turned once more to Erik. I needed him as my guide. I wanted to make sure I was giving a performance that he wanted and would be happy with. As corny as it sounds, he was my Angel of Music. I had only been with him for a short time, but I had learned so much. He never called me back and I don't even know if he listened to the voicemail. I had come to conclusion that the love that I had held for both Rory and Erik were simple, girly, hormone enraged infatuations. Over and over again I promised myself that the lingering feelings I held for Erik would pass. I would respect him as my teacher, and I would not think of him as anything more. It was over, and it would not happen again.
I sang the lyrics softly to myself, measuring the weight of the words. This was an important song, it showed not only emotional attraction between the Phantom and Christine, but the physical attraction as well. Looking put at the TV screen, I watched Sierra and Ramin perform Past the Point of No Return. I couldn't help but gape at them. How could two actors seem so attracted to each other when we know it's only acting? They seemed so in love. I guess it's another reason why Rierra was so magical and phantastic.
Erik's POV
"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."
Erik listened to the voicemail to the millionth times. When he first received it, he trembled. Kirsten really wanted his help? He could tell in her voice that she was nervous. He was nervous for her, but he knew that she could do it. She didn't need him. He had already seen the Christine inside her. He wasn't going to help her...but he did have a plan...
Kirsten's POV.
Opening night. I was terrified. I gripping my middle and began to hyperventilate. I refused to vomit. I refused to vomit. A cold sweat broke across my hairline and I shivered. I eased myself back into my dressing room chair. 5 minutes to showtime. Maggie grabbed my hand.
"Cold feet?" She asked
"A bit." I told her
"Well, no turning back now." Was the reply.
"Thanks for the pep talk." I shot sarcastically.
"No need to be testy!" Then she softened. "You'll be fine. You're doing what you've always wanted to do. You're doing what you were born to do. You are going to be the best Christine the stage has ever seen."
"Not true." I replied quickly.
"Is it too!."
I shook my head. "Sierra Boggess. Nobody beats her."
My friend chuckled. "Well, you're number one to me." She kissed my cheek.
I gave her a weak smile and stood up. It was awkward to be wearing ballet shoes. I often forgot that Christine started as a ballerina. I looked into the mirror, still in shock at the woman I saw. I was Christine Daae. The curls of my wig fell over my shoulders. My green eyes were brighter than normal thanks to gobs of eyeliner. For some reason the red lipstick I wore pulled everything together. I kissed my fingertips and pressed it to the picture I taped on the mirror. It was the curtain call of Phantom 25th : Sierra, Ramin and Hadley beamed at the crowd with hands entwined and confetti raining down on them . It was a magical picture full of joy and I loved it.
"This for you guys." I whispered to the photo. I turned back to Maggie. "Is he here?"
"Is who here?" She asked
I gave her a meaningful glance. "You know who."
"I don't know, Kirsten. I really don't know." Her voice was thick. "I know how badly you want him to be here."
I nodded, silent.
"We need to get going." Maggie said, grabbing my hand once more.
I let her steer me to my spot backstage. I rubbed my clammy hands together and tried to take even breaths.
"This one's for you too, Erik. Wherever you are." I whispered as the curtain opened.
Act 1 had gone by in blur. Everything was going perfectly. I was having a 'pinch me' moment every time I was on stage. My nerves had been driven out of me and replaced by full throttle adrenaline. Music of the Night was perfection. I was cradled and romanced by the Phantom; I was quite impressed by Danny Walters. He was a pretty terrific Phantom. I was living my dream.
I was now nearing the end of my opening night Phantom journey. It was almost Past the Point of No Return. I had been waiting for this moment a long time. During rehearsals, this was my most challenging scene. It was also where I was able to develop my character. I couldn't wait to perform it! I hurried through the darkness of backstage and grabbed my shawl from the prop table. I took my cue and sang my bit, waving the shawl through the air. I flounced across the stage to my spot on the bench, trying to look as seductive as possible. The short, flared skirt of my dress bobbed as I walked. I threw a leg over the bench and sat, staring out into the dark mass of crowd stretched out before me. Was Erik there somewhere, watching me?
Go away for the trap it is set and waits for it's prey. The sound of Danny's voice was surprisingly darker than what it had sounded in rehearsal. It sent chills through me. But all the more to react to.
You have come here
In pursuit of your deepest urge
In pursuit of that wish which till now
Has been silent
Silent.
The chills washed over me. What was causing this?
I have brought you
That our passions may fuse and merge
In your mind you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses
Completely succumbed to me
Now you are here with me
No second thoughts
You've decided
Decided.
Danny handed my the plastic goblet. I caught a whiff of...cologne? I brushed it from my mind.
Past the point of no return
No backward glances
Our games of make-believe are at an end.
I took the goblet from his hands and moved with him while he placed a gentle hand under my chin. I drank from the goblet, dramatically tipping my head back and bringing my arms up. Danny continued,
Past all thought of "if" or "when"
No use resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend
He grabbed my arm and I stared intently at the hooded figure. His grip was stronger than I remembered. We moved together on stage , my gaze never leaving him.
What raging FIRE shall flood the soul
What rich desire unlocks it's door
What sweet seduction lies before us?
I circled the table and sat back on the bench. He stood beside me and leaned close.
Past the point of no return
The final threshold
What warm unspoken secrets
Will we learn
Beyond the point of no return?
His hand crept up my arm and shoulder. He sweeped across my collar and to my other hand. There' was something so strange about all of this. His hand felt strong and so...familiar. From there his hand crept up my side to my chest..
I shot from the bench to rip myself from the embrace. Christine was suspecting something at this point. Not only was she, but I myself was second guessing. The confusion on stage was all too real. I recovered as fast as I could.
You have brought me
To that moment when words run dry
To that moment when speech disappears
Into silence
Silence.
I have come here,
Hardly knowing the reason why
In my mind I've already imagined
Our bodies entwining
Defenseless and silent,
Now I am here with you
No second thoughts
I've decided
Decided.
Past the point of no return
No going back now
Our passion-play has now at last begun.
I sang with every ounce of my power, but I couldn't help that my voice trembled. This was happening. I walked around the stage, trying to piece everything together in my mind. No...no. It was just my imagination. I crossed back to Danny and stood behind him.
Past all thought of right or wrong
One final question
How long should we two wait before we're one?
I reached and took his shaking hands in mine. The touch was electric, confirming further that my suspicion was correct. My hands were being locked in an caressing embrace and I only knew from one man.
When will the blood begin to race
The sleeping bud burst into bloom
When will the flames at last consume us?
We moved together in synchronization. I though of all our happy times, our loving times. It was no secret that our connection was magnetic. Why was I trying all this time to fight it? I was empty without him. I had been so very wrong to do what I did. My thoughts reeled as we moved. What happens now?
He took my hand moved me to the rhythm of the music as we sang,
Past the point of no return
The final threshold
The bridge is crossed
So stand and watch it burn
We've passed the point of no return.
I tore the hood from his face, to reveal sea colored eyes staring back at me. Erik. The audience didn't seem to notice anything.
Tears forming in his eyes, he sang
Say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Lead me, save me from my solitude
He wrapped me in his arms so tightly. Tear fell down his face, dripping from his mask. My throat burned.
Say you want me
With you here
Beside you
Anywhere you go
Let me go too
He slid a glittering ring from his finger and placed it on mine. I knew what had to come next. And I couldn't bearing to do it.
Kirsten that's all I ask of you.
I saw the vulnerability in his eyes. I couldn't do it. He nodded slightly, as if it say, "It alright." I grabbed him by the shoulders and placed a passionate kiss on his lips. Everything that had built up in me these long months without him spilled over in our embrace. I pressed him close to me and tangled my fingers in his hair, At first, Erik froze, hands clasped on my shoulders. Didn't he accept me? Then he returned with a fierce kiss. I never thought such passion existed. He held me close and I could feel his hands become lost in my wig.
I became aware of the gasps of shock that rippled through the auditorium. Whispers turned to shouts of outrage and anger. Men began to charge onto the stage from all angles, tearing me from Erik. I screamed and fought against them. I heard Rory shouting over the commotion .
"Stop! Stop! Don't hurt them!" He jumped on stage and disappeared in the mass.
I was shoved to the ground with force that knocked the wind out of me. My head slammed against the stage floor. The last thing I saw was Erik wailing for me and a hand reaching for his mask. And then I fell into darkness.
Just a tiny cliffhanger there. It was a bit predicable and corny, but it was better in my head. I really hope you liked it. I don't own PTPONR. A lot more intensity on the way so strap in your seatbelts! Much love!