Return of the Phantom
"Are you sure you should be going back to rehearsal already?"
"Fool, I'll be fine. Kate-san said I was okay. I just need to take it easy", Sora reassures Fool. "Don't worry so much. Layla will be there too. She'll watch me." Sora packs her bag for the day.
"If you say so. How are you and Layla by the way?" Fool floats over and takes a seat on the bed.
"We're fine. Why do you ask?"
"You just seem a little closer. Has the Phantom stolen the girl?"
"Ehhh!" Sora drops her water bottle.
"No need to be shy. I always knew you and Layla had feelings for each other."
"You knew she liked me and didn't tell me!" Sora reaches for Fool, but he floats out range.
"What kind of mentor would I be, if I didn't let you learn on your own?"
"Uggghhh…" Sora looks at her clock. "Crap! I'm going to be late!" Sora grabs her bag and runs for the door. "Bye Fool!"
Kaleido Stage…
Sora bends down and holds her knees for support. She breathing heavily. I shouldn't have sprinted here…I shouldn't push myself.
"Riku?" Sora looks up and turns around.
"Anna."
"How are you?" Sora stands up straight.
"I'm better now. Thanks for asking." Sora smiles.
"I'm glad. We were all worried about you. Mia was running around about to go crazy about what to do if you weren't okay. Cathy-san settled her down."
"I'll have to apologize to her. How are rehearsals?"
"We've finished and clean all the pieces you weren't in. All we have to do is clean a few of your parts."
"That's good. I will try my best to catch up. Please be patient with me." Sora bows.
"Of course. You just make sure you take it easy." Sora nods. "Aren't you late for rehearsal now?"
"Ah! Layla's going to kill me. Thank you Anna! I'll see you around!" Sora runs to her rehearsal. I wonder when he dropped the –san on her Layla-san's name, Anna thinks and walks to her own rehearsal.
Sora comes to a skidding halt in front of the stage, breathing heavily.
"You're late." Sora sweat drops. I knew it. She puts her bag down and changes into costume.
"Sorry, Layla." Sora climbs up to the trapeze where Layla is already positioned.
"Glad to have you back Riku. We're going to run all rehearsals in costumes so you have a feel for the weight change", Mia says. Riku nods and begins running through show.
This isn't so bad. Guess I wasn't as injured as I thought. I knew I was fine. Sora had made it all the way up to the climax with no problems so far. Sora and Layla landed on the tightrope. As Sora steps closer, Layla takes her step back. They are both fighting a blush.
"Oh…" Cathy murmurs.
"What is it Cathy-san?", Mia asks.
"It seems they found the missing connection." Cathy smiles. Mia goes back to watching them.
Sora and Layla stare into each other's eyes. Sora pulls Layla close and tenderly kisses her lips at first, but then gets lost in the lost and begins ravishing Layla's lips. Layla returns the kiss with equal fervor.
"Calm it down you two and grab the rope already!", Cathy yells, embarrassing the two stars. They pull back and blush, before smiling at each other. Sora securely wraps her hand in the rope and it pulls them up. Halfway up, Sora winces. I spoke too soon. She tightens her hold on Layla.
"Sora?", Layla whispers, looking up at Sora questioningly. She notices the pained look on Sora's face. They make it to the top. Once on solid ground, Sora begins walking away for the next scene she has to go over, attempting to avoid Layla. "Riku!"
"I'm fine, Layla. Really." She turns around and gives Layla a reassuring smile. Then she continues walking off. I can make it through the rest. Just finish this and I can rest.
Yuri came in for the finale. As Sora watches Layla go off to be with Yuri during the scene, the pain in her heart no longer hurts. She's mine now. Sora gives a slight smile and goes off to do her disappearing act. She swings off the last bar perfectly, but in the midst of her jump, her ribs reach their limit and cause her to contract painfully. "Ggh!" Just a little bit more. She extends her body back out, aiming for the box. She just makes it inside and lands on the mat. "Hahaha…Made it…" She breathes heavily and sees someone running up to her.
"Riku! Are you okay!", Ken asks.
"Is it over?"
"Yeah…You made it."
"Good." Sora passes out.
"Riku!" Layla runs in. She sees Sora lying on the mat unmoving and runs over. "Riku!"
"He's fine. He just passes out."
"Help me carry him to the recovery room." Ken walks over and picks Sora up from one side as Layla gets the other.
Recovery Room…
"She should fine. It was just overstressing the body", Kate says. Layla holds a frown on her face. "I'll leave you two alone. Tell her to take it easy." Kate leaves the room.
Layla sits in a chair and watches Sora. She hasn't woken up since she passed out. "I told her to take it easy." Layla runs her hands through Sora's hair. Sora is breathing much calmer than before. Kate has rewrapped her bandages. Layla stares at Sora's lips, watching them slowly open and close as she takes a breath. So tempting… Layla leans closer to Sora's face. So close…
"She up yet!" Layla jolts away from Sora, almost falling out of her chair. A blush covers her face. "Was Layla being naughty? Trying to steal a kiss?" Sarah laughs. Layla just crosses her arms and looks away from her friend.
"If she wasn't awake now, she will be soon."
"Don't be such a spoiled sport Layla." Sarah smacks Layla's back. "Who wouldn't want to kiss Sora? She is the epitome of an angel." Layla just sighs and smiles. "So how is she?"
"Kate said she was fine. She just overworked herself."
"That's our Sora. You keep looking after her Layla." Sarah pats Layla's shoulder.
"Always." Layla blushes, realizing what she just said. Sarah just laughs.
"That's great. Take her home when she wakes up. See ya tomorrow." Sarah walks out of the room. Layla watches her go.
She's going to be bugging us for a long time about our relationship. She looks back at Sora dreamily. She moves over to sit on the edge of Sora's bed. She puts her hands on either side of Sora's face. She leans in close and finally steals a sweet, gentle kiss full of love. Layla feels a hand on her cheek and Sora's lips smiling beneath her. Layla pulls back and stares into Sora's now open eyes.
"How long have you been awake?"
"Since Sarah-san came in. You were right. She did wake me up", Sora giggles.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I wanted to see if you would steal a kiss and you did." Sora smiles widely. Layla blushes. Sora forces herself to sit up. "Ugh…"
"Are you okay?", Layla asks worriedly.
"I'm fine. I just need to rest up for tomorrow. The show is next week. I just need to clean up the group parts and we're set. I don't even hurt that much. I'm just sore. Everything's fine." Layla gives her an unconvinced look. "I should not be getting that look from the woman who performed with a dislocated shoulder", Sora huffed. She grabs Layla's hands and caresses the back of them with her thumbs. "We're going to perform a perfect show."
Sora stares into Layla's eyes lovingly. She leans in and kisses her softly. They both close their eyes, soaking in the moment, slowly moving their lips upon another. Not knowing who initiated first, their tongues are now wrestling, transforming the kiss from gentle to hungry. Sora releases Layla's hands and moves them to her back. She pulls Layla on top of her, never breaking the kiss. When they finally do need air, they only break apart for a second to catch their breath then then dive back in. Sora rolls Layla over so she is now on top. She pulls back to look at Layla. Layla's breath catches as she sees the hungry desire in Sora's eyes. Sora examines Layla, observing her beautiful features, her slightly swollen lips. Her thumb brushes across those lips. "I love you", Sora says, before leaving a softer kisses on Layla's forehead, both of cheeks and finally her lips. Layla moves her hands under Sora's shirt, caressing Sora's lower back. Sora's kissing begin moving downward, a trail traveling from Layla's jaw to her neck.
"Ah…Sora…" Sora doesn't hear her. One hand holds her up, while her other caresses Layla's bare stomach. "Sora…" Sora looks up and blinks her eyes.
"Layla?" She moves her hand and feels skin. Skin? Her eyes follow her arm to her hand and sees her hand under Layla's shirt. Her eyes widen as she turns her head back to Layla's face and sees a small red mark on Layla's neck. "Ah!" Sora jumps back from Layla. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I… I…" She feels a hand on her cheek, turning her head back to Layla.
"It's okay. I love you, Sora. I would just rather not get too serious here." Layla moves off the bed. "Let's get you home, so you can rest." Layla smiles softly at Sora and gives a quick peck on the cheek then picks up her and Sora's bag.
Layla drives Sora back to her dorm and walks her to her room. Mia and Anna exit one of the rooms and sees them.
"Hey Riku! How are you!", Mia asks.
"I'm better now. I just need some rest", Riku smiles.
"I'm glad. Don't push yourself too hard. We don't mind taking a break if necessary."
"Thank you, but I should be fine, really."
"We're about to go dinner. Would you like to join us in the cafeteria?" Anna asks.
"Thank you for offering, but I'm going to rest up. There should be food in my room if I ever get hungry. I'll see you guys tomorrow though."
"Alright. Take care." Mia and Anna walk off and Layla and Sora continue walking to the room.
They walk in and Layla sets Sora's bag down near her bed. "Well you should get some rest." Sora nods shyly and blushes. "What is it?"
"Ummm…well, since I won't be leaving the room. I don't want to bother Sarah-san. C-c-could you ummm…You don't have to, but… ummm…" Sora avoids eye contact.
"What is it?"
"Would you remove my b-b-bandages?" Sora finally looks at her.
"Bandages?" Then Layla's eyes widen.
"They get really uncomfortable after some time and since you're here now…"
"S-s-sure. Whatever makes you comfortable." Layla takes a step towards Sora. Sora removes her shirt, revealing two set of bandages, the one on her ribs and the ones bounding her chest. Layla steps behind Sora and reaches a shaky hand out to untie the knot at the end of the bandage on Sora's back. Sora closes her eyes and takes calming breaths. Layla slowly walks around Sora, unraveling the bandage from Sora's body. Layla watches Sora's calm expression. Layla finally removes that last of the bandage and stares at Sora openly. Sora opens her eyes and watches Layla watching her. Layla takes a step closer to Sora. They are now eye level, Sora having grown over the past year. Layla wraps her arms around Sora. Sora rests her head on Layla's shoulder and rests her arms on Layla's lower back, returning the hug.
"Stay with me", Sora whispers. Sora pulls away from the Layla and turns off the light. She returns to Layla and pulls her towards the bed. She lies down under the covers and Layla joins her. Sora snuggles into Layla and Layla holds her. They sleep through the night in each other's arms, relishing in the warmth of one another.
Next Morning…
It's time to rewrap Sora's bandages. She must have gotten Layla to unwrap them last night. Sarah walks towards Sora's room. She looks into the parking lot. Is Layla here? I'm surprised she would be here. Maybe she came for Sora. I'll check up on them anyway. Sarah knocks on the door but gets no answer. Hmmm…They should be here. Breakfast hasn't started yet. Sarah turns the doorknob and sees it unlocked. "Sora…? Layla…?" She walks further into Sora's bedroom. "Sor….a….Oh…" Sarah sees blond hair and two bodies, one which seems to have a lack of clothing. She backs up slowly out of the door and shuts it. This will be perfect teasing material later.
Sora awakens not too long after. She tries to move but feels a weight holding her down. She looks up and sees Layla's face. She smiles. She looks so different when she's sleeping. Sora brushes a piece of hair out of Layla's face. I could stare at her all day. Sora looks at her clock and sighs. Too bad I don't have all day. Sora carefully removes herself from Layla's body, not waking her. She takes a quick shower and comes back out. Layla is still asleep. Sora kneels down by the bed. I really don't want to wake her, but I must. Sora shakes Layla's shoulder.
"Layla. Layla, you have to get up now." Layla moans and her eyes flutter open.
"Sora?"
"Good morning." Sora gives Layla a kiss on the forehead. "The shower is ready for your use. I also set out some extra warm ups that should fit you."
Layla smiles. "I could get used to this."
"What, having stuff prepared for you or getting a loving good morning greeting? Because I'm sure you already have one of those", Sora chuckles.
"I'm going to have to go with waking up to such a beautiful face." Sora blushes.
"That wasn't one of the choices."
"I never want to limit my choices. I think I'll take that shower."
"Before you go, could you rewrap the bandage?" Sora still blushes about it. Layla does too.
"Yeah." Layla grabs the bandage. "You're not wearing your other bandages." It was more of a statement than a question.
"No. Yesterday, it felt like my movement was restricted. I should be fine without those bandages." Layla gives Sora a look. "I don't need them. I don't even feel any pain right now."
Layla just sighs and wraps the other bandages around Sora's chest. "Thank you." Layla smiles and walks to the bathroom.
"Ready?"
"Sora. How am I supposed to get out of here?"
"I was thinking the front door why", Sora says without a clue.
"And what do you think the other company members would think if they saw me leaving Riku's room with him early in the morning?"
"Oh…" Sora walks to her window and opens it. She looks out and makes sure no one is there. She goes under her bed and pulls out a rope ladder. Layla stares at her as she drops the ladder alongside the wall outside her window.
"Why do you have a ladder Sora?"
"I use it to sneak out to the beach at night and think. I don't want people to follow me, so I get out this way. You can get out this way to not be seen."
"I learn something new about you every day." Layla climbs out the window and holds onto the ladder. "I'll see you later. Don't be late." They have a quick kiss before Layla easily cimbs down. Once Layla gets down and waves goodbye, Sora pulls up the ladder and puts it back. She then grabs her bag and heads downstairs for breakfast.
Upon a dresser, a small figure is lying down. Blood is dripping for its nose. Sora should bring Layla over more often. She forgets about me, leaving me to gaze at what I please. It's been a good morning and night. Fool relaxes in his blissful recollection.