I woke up in my bed, in my black camisole and Hello Kitty pajamas, as if I didn't have that weird dream at all. I hoped it was just a crazy dream but had to stop believing when I saw a perfect red rose with a black ribbon tied around it. Under it was an envelope closed with a wax stamp with a red skull on it. Those were the Phantom's signatures. I shivered as I picked the note up and opened it so cautiously it would seem that I was worried that Chucky would jump out at me. Of course, he didn't and I wasn't scared of that. I read the note with no harm coming to me, even though I was creeped out. It said,
"Mon cher Avril,
Forgive me if the visit to the Fifth Cellar of what was indeed the Palais Garnier was too "creepy." Get used to it, for you shall be seeing much more of me. You may not seem to like it, but we both know you do. I suppose you could say…The Phantom of the Opera is there inside your mind…
O.G., or as you perhaps would like to know me, Erik."
I reread it, admiring the fancy handwriting that seemed to be written a kazillion years ago (which means in 1870 or something). I reluctantly started to believe that the Phantom of the Opera was there inside my mind and as much as I hated myself for believing in such a silly fictional thing, I kinda liked the idea.
After I took a shower and got dressed, I went into the kitchen to find Grandma, at the informal table with a cup of tea and a bowl of Cheerios reading a newspaper. She heard me come in and said, looking at me, "Wow, Avril, you seemed to be sleeping like a rock all night. You tossed and turned but last night I thought you were out for a walk or something!"
"Oh?" I mumbled. "Huh…all of a sudden I stop tossing and turning as if I weren't there?"
"Mhmm. Sit down, eat. Bowls are in the cabinet on your right."
When I finished my breakfast, my cell phone rang. I picked it up and saw it was Alex. I smiled and answered, "Hey, Alex, what the hell makes you wanna call at nine in the fraggin' morning?"
"Oh, sorry, did I wake you? I'm kind of an early bird," Alex chuckled.
"Nah, I've been awake, just messin' with you," I replied. "'Sup?"
"Are you free today? I wanted to call the other cast members and meet up for lunch or something to run lines. It might also be good advertising, y'know, when people ask what we're doing."
"Ooh, good idea," I replied. "Hang on." I turned to Grandma. "Alex wants to run lines today."
"Just you and him?" Grandma smirked.
I rolled my eyes with a smile. "No, with others. Cool with you?"
"Of course it is."
I went back to my phone. "My grandma says yes."
"Cool! I'll call you when I get everyone else. You're the first one."
"Okay. See you soon!"
"Bye!"
I hung up and Grandma was looking at me with a smug look. I replied, "What, Grandma?!"
"He is madly in love with you, Avril," she smirked.
"Grandma, do you know the term friendzone?"
"I go out sometimes, Avril, I know," Grandma replied before taking a sip of tea.
"Well, if he is madly in love with me, he's been friendzoned and there's nothing anyone can do about it. 'Kay?"
She chuckled. "If it brings you pleasure."
"It does, madam, it does," I replied.
Alex and I met with Emily, the girl who plays Meg, Lucile, the girl who plays Carlotta, and Greg, Alex's best friend who also plays Raoul, at a diner with outdoor seating. After we ordered, we started at the scene after the auction. Lucile wasn't an awful singer, in fact, pretty good, and if Pierre didn't think so, he's stupid. I used my script less than everyone else, which impressed the crap out of them. I was quite aware I was being watched with amazement with the group and other people, but I felt the same mysterious presence I felt auditioning. I had the same feeling when I was with, what I half-really believed was, Erik. It didn't get in the way but I was really creeped out. Again. I survived and we did all the relevant parts. When we reached the part where Raoul and Christine kiss, I said, "So how are we doing this? It's gotta be good and convincing."
"F-for real?" Greg said.
"It appears as if it is what we must do." Greg was cute but I was not attracted to him. Even though I was concerned that the Phantom of the Opera would not appreciate it, I'd try to convince him that we're friends if he told me. "Well, come on." I sang, "Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you…"
He chimed in, "Share each day with me, each night, each morning."
I sang, "Say you love me,"
"You know I do," he replied.
I gave him a thumbs up before we sang together and everyone outside, not just the cast, watched, "Love me—that's all I ask of you…" We leaned forward to each other, Greg more nervous than I was, and kissed. It wasn't a smooch or makeout, just a kiss. It didn't last long but I could see our little audience were smiling as if we had just gotten married. We both sang, "Anywhere you go, let me go too…love me—that's all I ask of you." Some of the restaurant customers and waiters clapped and it got muffled when I heard in my head, Avril, that was lovely, but that does not mean I liked the kiss.
It seemed to be Erik. If he were inside my mind, he could possibly hear my thoughts. So I thought, take it easy, dude, it's in the script you wrote.
He replied, so I didn't think it was my conscience, You weren't around when I wrote it, how was I supposed to think of you!?
I sighed out loud and thought, Sorry it doesn't please you, but please let me continue practicing with my friends. Greg is my friend and if he likes me, he shall be rejected. Nicely. Go away.
He didn't reply. We finished rehearsing in peace. Even though I also kissed Alex, Erik didn't bother me but I felt like someone was angry. I tried to ignore it but I would apologize to him if he visited me in my dreams.
Alex took me back to Grandma's on his Vespa. As we did, we sang the theme song, trying to project over the motor. We finished by the time we got there. I got off the Vespa and said, "Thanks for this, Alex, I had a great time."
He looked as if he really wanted to kiss me again, but you're not es'posted to do that with a friendzoned person. He'd get the wrong idea. I gave him a tight hug and he patted my back. "See ya," I said before skipping into the house.