CHAPTER 7: LIFE'S LESSONS
James was at the theater downtown and appeared to be tidying up the stage for Christine whenever she would arrive,for if he was gonna be helping her out with her anxiety and get her in proper mental shape before the big show on Friday,the very least he could do is try to be a gentleman and have the theater look up to snuff,and as he was doing all this at his own pace,he couldn't help but sing a little tune to himself.
James:
Daddy was strong,and pure and proud.
And he walked next to God unafraid.
Daddy went forth with head unbowed.
Never stumbled or stopped or strayed.
If he no longer walked beside us.
Still his footprints are here to guide us.
Daddy was what I hoped to be.
And his path will be my path too.
Every step,every day,every inch of the way.
I'll be walkin' like daddy.
Talkin' like daddy.
Doin' what daddy would do.
"James?" A familiar voice suddenly asked out of nowhere in a meek tone as James jumped out of shock with a fierce yelp that echoed throughout the theater before he sharply turned around to see Christine looking up at him from the bottom area while she frantically tried to calm him down "James,James,relax it's just me. Christine." to which the boy took a few deep breaths before he timidly stated with a light chuckle "Oh,I guess it is just you,you really scared me back there."
"Well sorry about that,I didn't want to interrupt your little ditty there about Papa R Waul." Christine shrugged her arms and nonchalantly apologized while she climbed up on the stage before James got a little red in the face and meekly explained himself "Well…..I was just talking about how much I want to be like my father when I grow up,not the banker side of him of course,just the being a decent person side of him." to which Christine grew a sly smirk and playfully retorted "Good luck there buddy,lord knows a lot of people struggle with that."
It was at this point that the theater was left in a somewhat awkward silence for a few short moments before James cleared his throat and meekly stammered "So uh,it's very nice that you were able to take time out of your day to come over here,before I made that call last night I was worried you'd be too put off by me to even answer." to which Christine rolled her eyes and optimistically retorted "Well considering that I only got a week to sort out my anxiety before the show,I'll take any help I can get,and to be honest you don't seem like a bad kid,you just seem like a hard worker who wants the show to be the best it can be." which resulted in the boy blushing a little while he timidly asked "D-do you really think that?"
"Kinda." Christine shrugged her arms and calmly confirmed that she did while she couldn't help but blush herself alongside James before the former snapped out of his flattered daze and continued in a much more professional tone of voice while he brought out two nearby chairs for them to sit down in "Well I'm quite flattered to hear the compliment but I'd say it's time that we get started on your training,the first thing we should do is understand your problem and go from there." to which Christine took a deep breath and hopefully replied as she and James sat down "Alright,let's get this train started."
"Right,so first thing's first,what is your problem?" James cleared his throat and calmly asked as he straightened his glasses and adjusted his collar to which Christine nonchalantly answered while she began to anxiously tap her foot "Anxiety,really bad social anxiety,it's more so me meeting other kids than anything,but I can't help but think that I'm getting some performance anxiety too recently. I mean I've never sung before,or at least on stage in front of dozens of people." before James placed a hand on his chin and nonchalantly stated "Well at least we know what the problem is,performance anxiety like that is very common,but what I don't get here is this social anxiety you got."
"What makes you say that?" Christine gulped and nervously wondered in response as beads of sweat started to roll down her head to which James politely explained himself "Because Edward told us the story of why he left the orphanage in the first place,and it sounds like you were a much more…..happy kid back then from what the story says. What happened?" and it was at this point that Christine could only hang her head in a display of shame and regret as she timidly answered "I...went through so many foster families all across the country,and every time it seemed like just one of the kids there happened to like me,I soon had to move away to another one. Again and again it happened over and over,and once I made it it to the orphanage here and became friends with Ed and Ashlynn,it felt like things were finally starting to work out for me,but then Ed left after our fight with Arin,and then Ashlynn left after she finally got a family of her own...and I guess that must have been the final straw for me because it felt like I was doomed to either be left alone again in some way if I made more freinds."
"So you're saying your social anxiety was born out of fear of being left alone again?" James politely questioned with a raised eyebrow and a clear look of intrigue on his face to which Christine nodded her head and confirmed on the verge of tears "Yeah,it felt like Charlie Brown and Freida were enough and if I pushed it one step too far I'd either move away,or they would or something even worse than that would happen,and now it seems like that fear is interfering with my ability to perform in the show." and it was at this point that James was left completely silent while a few tears began to roll down Christine's cheek before he took a deep breath and tried to cheer her up "Well…..I….I'd say things have been going pretty good for you so far. I mean you have a loving family now who don't appear to be moving anytime soon,we're all your friends now in some way after the meeting on Friday and nothing appears to be going wrong in the future in regards to that,and lastly we've all gone through a lot here and we've all managed to come through when it was all said and done. I think you're letting the bad side of your past take too much control of you when you should instead be looking to the present and the future."
"Yeah,I guess you're right about that." Christine sniffled and couldn't help but agree with the boy's statement as she lifted her head up and wiped away her tears before James happily smiled in response,which in turn made Christine smile as well.
James:
Nothing can exist,'til you dream it first,everyone knows this.
Then it will arrive,new and unrehearsed,vivid as a kiss.
Dreamers and children can conjure things easily.
Things their eyes though they're closed can see.
Not the way things are,but how they should be,this is what is true.
Wish upon a star,close your eyes and see,all that you can do.
Try to remember,the way you were,when you were her.
The little girl that's there inside of you.
I am my own invention.
Meeting each day anew.
Can you imagine being your own invention too?
*Montage starts of Christine and James talking,practicing and having fun throughout the rest of the day.*
James's Thoughts
Dreams will always start,with a happy end,waiting to come true.
Christine's Thoughts:
(So long ago.)
James's Thoughts:
Lucid as a heart,welcome as a friend,gossamer and new.
Christine's Thoughts:
Help me so I can remember,dreams to share,with dreams to spare.
Imagining a dreamer just like you.
Both:
I am my own invention.
Finally I can see.
James's Thoughts:
I am my own invention.
Christine's Thoughts:
(I am my own invention.)
James's Thoughts:
Tomorrow can't be.
Both:
All it should be.
'Till I've invented me.
NEXT CHAPTER: A POTENTIAL SPARK
"Walking Like Daddy." Written by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.
©️Menken Music. Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
"I Am My Own Invention." Written By Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy.
©️Sony Music Entertainment.
Author's Note: Before anyone asks,yes I'm setting up a romance here,I actually have a lot of fun delving into that stuff and rarely get the opportunity to do a new one with my own OC's.