CHAPTER 9: CURED
It was a rather cool and breezy Friday morning and Snoopy, Woodstock, Andy, Olaf, Gracie, Herman and Roger had once again done the job of setting up posters in preparation for the school's major event,for today was none other than the start of the music festival after the week had quickly blown on by and the show was gonna be held that very same night,even to the point where classes were cancelled so the performers could get themselves ready. As it was to be expected,none of the kids were wasting any time and were desperately trying to perfect their acts as they all put themselves into overtime in terms of the effort they were putting out,even to the point where Snoopy, Woodstock, Andy, Olaf, Gracie, Roger and Herman were wearing their Mexican inspired costumes full time. The only one who didn't seem to be present at the moment was Christine since she was in the dressing room,and like before James was trying to get his dancing act just right while also tending to the preparations as Charlie Brown and Freida walked up to him while the former asked "James,are you sure you're gonna be able to get your act ready? Don't you also have to be managing the show?" to which the British boy nodded his head and confidently answered "I'll manage,I can handle it." before Freida politely offered when she seemed to get an idea of her own "You know I can manage the show for a while if you want."
"Huh?" James jolted up and asked out of sheer confusion to which Freida promptly explained what she was going on about "I've already gotten my act prepped and ready,I can take over for a while so you can practice your act." which resulted in the British boy smiling and happily obliging with his thanks "Actually that would be great Freida,thanks for the help."
"No problem." replied Freida with a friendly and cheerfully smirk before Charlie Brown calmly wondered out of curiosity when he noticed Christine's absence "Is Christine doing alright? The show's tonight and I haven't seen her all morning." to which James got a little red in the face at the mention while he explained "She's been doing great this week,it's like all of her social anxiety is completely gone at this point. As for today,I think she's doing something in the dressing room." followed up by Freida respectfully asking after she noticed the boy's own blushing "James,uh how come your face is getting red?"
"I…...I think I've been falling in love with Christine this past week." James sighed and meekly answered when he realized that he was blushing before Charlie Brown smiled and happily congratulated the boy "Really? That's great,have you told her or anyone else yet?" to which James nodded his head and promptly confirmed that he did "Yeah,Peppermint Patty, Franco, Marcie and Franklin to be precise. I actually haven't told Christine about it just yet,but I'm thinking of finally telling her after the show tonight." which resulted in Freida cheerfully encouraging "I think you should,maybe she feels the same way about you too,Ed confessed to Rebecca at her birthday party and she felt exactly the same way."
"Hey guys." A familiar voice suddenly called out from behind as the three kids turned around to see none other than Christine walking towards them,only this time she had smoothened out and uncurled her hair so it was much longer than normal,and she now seemed to be wearing a silky red dress to which James gasped at the sight while Freida wondered in awe "Woah there,what'd you do to yourself Christine?" before Charlie Brown added equally as awestruck "You look like a full on supermodel,so that's what you were doing in there."
"D-do y'all like it?" Christine blushed and timidly asked in response to the awestruck reactions before James nervously gulped and admitted "Christine…..you look beautiful. I love it." before Freida happily added in agreement "You look great in that getup. I take it you're trying to freshen yourself up for the show." to which the girl nodded her head and meekly replied "Yeah,it's only for tonight though,I just thought I could try something a little different for one night." all before Charlie Brown gave a thumbs up and proudly retorted "Well I think this proves you've finally gotten over your anxiety,I could never imagine you doing this two weeks ago."
"Mmm-hmm,I think James's training really opened myself up to people,and stuff like this in general. I'm glad I was able to do it as fast as I could." Christine nodded her head and cheerfully agreed while she, James, Charlie Brown and Freida slowly walked towards the rest of the kids that were performing to which Rebecca quickly took notice and exclaimed in awe while she and Ed were chatting with Claudia "Oh good grief Christine,is that really you?!" before Peppermint Patty added equally as bewildered "Woah! I'd sooner expect to see that at a cafe in Paris,not a school music festival!"
"Looks kinda tacky to me." Violet rolled her eyes and quietly whispered to Patty Swanson's eat before Snoopy wolf whistled at Christine's temporary demeanor which was followed by the girl once again blushing while she tried to brush it aside "It's really nothing guys,it's just something to make me a little more presentable for the show,because normally I just look like a homeless person in Vegas." only for Skylar to lightly chuckle and frankly disagree "What? No you don't."
"Yeah that's my territory." Ed nodded his head and self mockingly added in agreement before Lucy rolled her eyes and sternly suggested "How about we all gawk at Christine's fashion choice another time and focus on the show,you know the one that's happening tonight?" only for Christine to give off a smirk and playfully retort "Oh come on Lucy I know you're only suggesting that because I'm looking better than you right now." to which the typically crabby girl balled up her fist and calmly lamented "You know if I was the manager,I'd fire you."
"Girls,girls,you're both pretty,can we get back to practicing?" Scheroder politely asked as he stepped in between the two girls to which Lucy composed herself and happily went along with the idea "Yes,yes we can." before Christine nodded her head and firmly added in agreement "Same here." which resulted in Rattler quietly whispering to Cobra's ear while the two girls competively starred at each other "Let's hope this doesn't turn into a rivalry."
After the kids had taken a short break after taking a look at Christine's new makeover,they were now back to getting their acts ready for the show,except that this time James was actually able to focus on his dance routine while Freida did the managing for the time being. Meanwhile amidst all this,Christine was out on the playground and thinking about how she was also gonna tell James about how she felt felt after the show as she picked up a nearby dandelion off the ground and blew it's petals away into the sky,and she couldn't help but smile to herself due to her own growing feelings for him and how much he ended up helping her with her anxiety,along with the minor bits of encouragement from the rest of the gang that got her to enter the show in the first place as well. She then started to reflect on how she had been most of her life,what changed about her when she was in the orphanage and what brought her back to her old,chipper self.
Christine:
Long ago and oh so far away.
There were dreams that I recall.
Full of unicorns who loved to play behind my garden wall.
And the clouds would look like dragon's tails.
As they moved across the sky.
And a tree could be the prince of whales,and little girls could fly.
I remember every moment.
How it was to just be me.
And to my surprise I look through your eyes.
And once more I can see.
I remember living in between.
What was real and what was not.
'Neath a sky of blue and field of green.
I long ago forgot.
And I remember rabbits running late.
Underneath my mother's fence.
And a singing cup and talking plate.
Who somehow both made sense.
I remember every moment!
I remember being free!
And to my surprise I look through your eyes!
And I remember me!
For somewhere deep inside me.
There's a girl from way back when.
She just needs your heart to guide me.
And make her see again!
I remember every moment!
When my heart was young and free!
And to my surprise I look through your eyes.
And once more I can see.
NEXT CHAPTER: THE RETURN OF CUBAN BEAGLE
"Once More I Can See." Written by Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy.
©️Sony Music Entertainment.