(a.n: hey I'm sorry it took so long to write I've been really busy. So here's the new chappie hope you enjoy!)
Riley sat at the Mirror looking at her self she once again couldn't help but shake her head in
disbelief that she was taking over for Mimi at the Catscratch tonight. It was a week after her
birthday and today was Roger's and Mimi's two year anniversary. One day after work Riley had
found Mimi sitting on the couch looking extremely upset, so after finding out that Roger had set up
a special surprise she promised to take over Mimi's shift. Riley couldn't help but shutter at being
anywhere near the men out of the cage but she would do it for the sake of her brother and the girl
she had come to call friend. Men still terrified her but Mark and Colin's had promised to come to
make sure nothing happened to her. At first she was a little embarrassed to ask Mark especially after
last week but he was one of the few people she trusted and Angel couldn't make it. Everytime she
got near him it seemed as if her body tempature raised.
Flash Back
After getting changed at Angels apartment Riley and Angel headed back to the loft to grab Colin's
and Mimi to go to the life and get a few drinks. She couldn't help but shake her head at Angel who
instead of his usual attire was wearing black riding pants and a white shirt which had ruffles, as if
reading her mind Angel promised to tell her about his costume later. Upon opening the loft the
lights were off making it seem as if everyone was gone, figuring Mimi was at her apartment Riley
flipped on the lights. Her heart nearly jumped out of her Body as everyone jumped from behind the
couch to shout HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It made the 18 year old want to cry because her friends had
cared so much. Once she saw them all she put two and two together and got that they where all
characters of the Phantom of the Opera.
"Hello my dear welcome to our humble abode the Opera House on Avenue A" Colin's said with a
bow
" Do forget about that little twit for a moment it is time for me to sing" Maureen said getting into
her character
" O yes My amazing Carlotta do sing for us" Roger said putting on a accent and everything.
Riley couldn't help but smile at what these people were doing for her, these people who where
becoming the family she had never had.
Through out the night they had all gone through the songs from the musical and now it came to the
song past the point of no return. Through out the night Mark had watch Riley captivated at her
beauty and as he thought of the meaning of this song he hated how it hit rite on the nail. Pure
seduction called from this song but playing a game of seduction with Riley could be dangerous
because she was his best friend little sister. He started the song off slowly sauntering over to her , it
was like a trance he simply let the music take him over. As soon as he was close enough he gently
ran his hand down her cheek he grabbed her hand and quickly spun her. At the end of his verse he
turned toward the wall his back facing her, but when she started singing he turned his head to see
the smoldering seduction she held in her eyes. Walking up to him she repeated his action running
her hand down his face then gently circled him and ran her hands from his shoulder down his chest
and up the other shoulder until she was where she originally was. For her last part of the song she
sang before they came together she gently rubbed her hand down her body and the look on her face
you could see that she was imagining it was him. Riley who was always quiet turned into a
seductress. Soon they began to do circles around each other as if in a challenge, they began to
became closer and closer gently grabbing her arms Mark pulled Riley closer to him. Turning her
around so that her back was molded against his chest he gently caressed her arm as she closed her
eyes and lent her head against his shoulder. As Mark sang the last of the song Riley got lost in Mark
eyes and he knew as he sang it he meant that he would save her all his words where reversed in his
eyes. Closer and closer he got as his lips went to meet her but just before his lips met her his eyes
caught those of his friend looking at him with confusion. So gently he backed away from her , after
looking at him in confusion for a minuet until her mask that she always had slipped back on and she
began her fake laugh. Everyone in the room missed the pain that had crossed her face except for
Angel who glared at Mark and Mark himself who couldn't help but feel knots in his stomach.
From that day on the heat between them always went up when the two where in the room but they
never acted on it. Slowly Riley began to draw herself back not wanting to get attached to anything
but still she gave smiles and pretended to be ok so no one worried.
End of flash back
Finishing up her make up just as the manager said she was next, Riley slipped on her robe and
headed out onto the side of the stage to wait. After Vanessa the girl that had been before her
sauntered off the lights went off and Riley waited to take her place.