DISCLAIMER: I don't own Amy (why would I want to in the first place??) but I DO own Alrick. Well, and the usher but he's not a cute little British guy now is he?

Chapter 31

THE OPERA

Several months had passed since Amy had met both Fred and Alrick. Several months of which Amy and Alrick met under the same shared tree almost every day (the exceptions being those days that Amy spent with Fred or ones in which Alrick could not come under school-related issues).

The two had become quite good friends and although Amy was - at first - somewhat cool in manner, Amy eventually warmed under his pure energy and friendliness. She even began to call him by his first name instead of his last (formalities aside).

On one particular day Amy asked if she could draw Alrick. He was more than happy to be the subject of her sketch and so now was leaning against the tree, a look of contentedness and relaxation frozen on his face.

Suddenly Alrick said, "May I ask you something?"

"Of course." said Amy, still focused on the shading of Alrick's left arm.

"Who are you courting?"

Amy's head shot up and she almost mis-shaded.

"Why that's very forward, Alrick." she said guardedly. Then suspiciously, "How do you know that I am courting in the first place?"

Alrick shrugged against Amy's profile restrictions.

"I assumed so." he replied.

Amy gave him a questionable look. "And why were you so confident as to assume this?" she inquired.

"Well isn't that obvious? You're a beautiful and talented artist." said Alrick as though this were common knowledge.

Amy smiled at this. Yes she did indeed know of her beauty - gold curls, blue eyes, and a graceful posture - but she liked to hear this from others.

"Well have out with it. Who is the fellow?" said Alrick.

"His name is Fred Vaughn. He is a very nice lad and I've known him for years." Amy said, returning to her sketch.

"Hmm." was all Alrick replied.

"Ah, there we are!" said Amy after a awhile, presenting her newly finished sketch of Alrick Wesley.

"Let me have a look-see, Miss." said Alrick, stretching forth his hand to take the sketchbook.

He seemed very satisfied with the results. Curious, he bean flipping through Amy's other various sketchings. "These are all magnificent! Where did you learn to sketch so grandly?"

"Venice." said Amy with pride.

"Well I fancy you'll have a carrier in art one way or another."

"If I marry well enough I won't have to have a carrier."

Alrick frowned a little at this. "Well that's just lazy." he said in his usual bold tone.

Amy was still occasionally irked by Alrick's lack of tact, and this was was of those statements that bothered her.

So instead she changed the subject.

"What book are you reading now, Mr. Wesley?" (she always called him this when she was annoyed with his attitude toward her.

This immediately sparked Alrick for this was his favorie subject.

And thus the day continued.

...

Fred was finally taking her to see the opera. Amy was so excited and flustered she didn't know what to do with herself. She put on her best dress - dark blue with satin and lace - and kept pacing from the couch to the mirror, primming herself as she waited to go.

"Dear, you're going to wear yourself out if you keep to this nonsense." chided her Aunt.

"I'm sorry Aunt March but I'm just brimming with anticipation!" said Amy.

"Well sit still, child! You're giving your poor Aunt head pains."

So Amy strived to hold in her eagerness and sit still until the time arrived.

When Fred finally arrived, Amy lept off the couch in an almost un-ladylike fashion. She had to consciously slow her steps so as not to scare her poor escort.

They rode in a fancy carriage all the way to the opera.

When Amy saw the "Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique"(as was it's entire name) she felt she had never seen something so grand in her life.

The opera was called "Aida" and although it was new it had become highly popular in the artistic world.

Amy and Alrick took their seats, and shortly after the play began.

Amy was enraptured from the start. The love between Aida and Radames was beautiful, and the songs were breath-taking.

When Intermission came, Amy turned to Fred and said with a tone of pure wonder, "Wasn't that glorious? Two lovers, forbidden to love one another...it's simply exquisite!"

"I suppose." said Fred, who was clearly not as enthusiastic as his companion.

"I think I shall get some refreshment. Would you care for anything, dear?"

"No thank you. Go on, I think I'll just stay." said Amy, who was a little disappointed that Fred did not share her excitement.

Fred had not gone two minutes when suddenly Amy heard, "Why madam you look so lonely!"

Amy looked up surprisedly at Alrick's grinning figure.

"Alrick! I did not expect to see you here. How coincidental." then Amy realized something. Considering this was Alrick, this was too coincidental.

"How did you know I was going to the Opera tonight?" she said, eyes narrowed.

Alrick's grin widened. "Coincidence does not suffice?"

"No." replied Amy shortly.

"Well if you really care to know, your lovely Aunt told me." he said matter-of-factly.

Amy arched an eyebrow. "And how on earth did you come to know my Aunt?"

"By your sketchbook. I was flipping through it remember? You even labeled her." he said with a bright air.

"That still doesn't explain your acquaintance with her." said Amy.

"Oh yes that. Well I bumped into her at the shoppe and happened to find out - after declaring to be a friend of yours - that that Fred fellow was taking you to the Opera. I found the Opera you were seeing was "Aida" and decided that I might as well go for I intended to see the play at sometime." He then got a very mischievous look in his eye and added "And I could have a look at your Mr. Vaughn to boot."

Amy could not decide to be mad or horrified.

While she was in indecision, though, an usher came rushing to her seat.

"I apologize, mademoiselle, but zere seem to be a problème."

"What do you mean?" said Amy, puzzled.

"Your escort. He fall down ze stairs."

"Oh dear! Is he alright?!" exclaimed Amy.

"He is good. He ask me to tell you to stay and watch ze Opera, zen take zis money to call a cab." the usher produced and handed Amy the paper franks.

"Merci." said Amy, taking the money. The usher bowed and went off.

"Well just to make things clear, I did not trip him." said Alrick, hand raised, as if afraid Amy might pin the blame on the mischievous young lad.

"I don't know what to do." said Amy anxiously.

"Then do what Fred asked you to do. I am sure there is nothing you could do to help his injury. Come, sit down and finish the play. Then if you feel the absolute necessity to see your dear, you can call a cab and rush to his aid. He doesn't seem the type of man to want to be seen in his humble state, though I must say." said Alrick, settling down in what was formerly Fred's seat.

Amy sighed in defeat. Alrick was probably right, and besides that she so wanted to see the end of the play (although she would not admit this to being her reason for staying).

And so she sat down beside Alrick.

The rest of the play was magnificent, if tragic. In fact, it was so tragic it caused Amy to tear up (which made Amy curse herself at not bringing a handkerchief). Alrick saw this and quietly held out his own handkerchief. "I don't need it." whispered Amy stubbornly. But as the silent tears continued to flow down her cheeks, she eventually took the handkerchief anyway.

And then it was over.

"That was superb. Absolutely wonderful." said Alrick in reverence.

"Completely." agreed Amy, glad that she had someone to share this with who cared as she did.

Alrick then insisted on escorting Amy back home. "Because it is the gentleman thing to do. (And I never get to ride the cab!)." was his excuse.

When she was back at her Aunt's house Alrick said "Well, see you under the tree." with a smile, and was gone.