Hey everyone, I'm sorry I haven't been updating much, but leave it to school to get in the way of things. Anyway, I leave you with a long chapter to make up for it. As we all know, I don't own POTO or the songs used in here.. I did strike up a deal with ALW and managed to buy Erik.. I'm going to be broke for the rest of my life, but that's ok. -Shoves Erik under my bed-
Chapter VIII.
The Girls' first look at the New Girl
True to his word, an hour later Erik stood over his friend poking her in the arm. When there was no response, he moved onto her side. Sophie waved her arm around and ended up smacking him in the chest. "Mmm Pierre, you sure know how to spoil a girl. If you keep this up, I'm going to learn to expect it." came the muffled voice coming deep from under the pillows.
"So you're going to make me work aren't you?" Erik asked her, not surprised when there was no reply. "Fine, makes it all the more fun for me," he said while bending down by her ear. "Quick!" he yelled frantically, "Tower Records is burning down!" Sophie jumped out of bed and ran around the room "Ok, now we need to go right away, if we get there fast, we can get to some of the inventory before it's toast. Let's move move move!" Erik sat back on his heels and couldn't stop the laughter coming from him. She was such a site, he would probably never be bored with her around. Job well done, Erik thought to himself; he wasn't sure if "Tower Records" was right, but he figured why not.
"Good morning" he greeted her still trying to hold back his laughter. "Or should I say good evening. You have 10 minutes to get ready, and then you have your big audition. Go get ready and then I'll return.. By the way, who's this Pierre character?"
"Oh huh? Nobody, I knew it was you the whole time you old geezer"
"Who are you calling old?"
"What do I look like? Cleo? How should I know what your name is?" she retorted, knowing full well she'd get a response out of that. Payback is worth it's weight in gold. In her mind, Erik would find that funny and she'd get a laugh which would relax both of them, before she had to go put herself on display for the wolves. But the response was not what she imagined. Erik shrank back vulnerably and moved back towards the mirror. "I shall be back in now 8 minutes" he told her quietly. "If you're not ready, I see no reason in coming back"
"Erik, no wait.. Come on, I was only play-"
"You were only what? Forgetting the freak had a name? Isn't worthy of identity? What then? You should feel bad, now for the last time Go and get ready" he spat at her, ignoring her attempt at explaining.
"Alright Erik, okay" she agreed, picking up a hairbrush and running it through her hair. She didn't put much effort into it, just enough to make it look like she touched her hair. She remembered a story her father told her about when he was a kid and girls would play with their hair. He would go up to them and ask if they did anything new to their hair, like a new style, cut, even color. The girl would blush since a boy was taking interest in her hair, play it coy, and say "nothing." Then her dad, being a teasing boy would go "Yeahhh, it looks like it," then run off with his friends. "Is that what I turned into?" she asked aloud to no one. "My dad, though playing; making fun of people? Erik if you can hear me, and I know you can because I know you're there.. I'm sorry, I wasn't making fun of you, or taking away your name, or anything of the sort. I was just trying to play and be funny. I'm sorry if you took it in any other way and were offended."
When nobody answered her, she sighed and stared at herself in the mirror before applying what little makeup she had. Some new eye shadow, some powder, and coral lip gloss. Standing up dramatically, she moved to the door, picking up her hand preparing to let herself out when the noise of the mirror stopped her in her tracks. In a matter of seconds an arm went out around her shoulders. "I forgive you my dear, I suppose I had it coming after I said you store was inches away from music heaven. I should know better myself. It's just this damn temper, I have problems controlling it sometimes" Erik told her with a sheepish smile, suggesting his temper was the cause of their latest fight.
"I don't think it's your temper Erik, but I've said it before and I'll say it again.. Do you have any idea how much you overreact?" Sophie asked turning around to look him straight in the eye. Sensing he was going to lose this one, Erik turned the subject to avoid the humiliation of loosing to a young girl. "Come, I'll walk you part of the way. Now when you do this, I want you to stay as close to the orchestra pit as you can, without hovering over it of course. The rest of the group will be behind you, and I have plans for that Melanie girl." he said dragging her through the mirror and into tunnels she didn't even know existed.
"Wait, that name.. I have something to say to that!" she told him, trying desperately to remember. Everything was spinning and going too fast. "Later" he hissed, pushing her through a door that led to backstage, "Don't forget what I just told you, and for God's sake remember to breathe. If you try to make it all on one breath, you will pass out on the spot. Now go and show me I didn't take you in for nothing."
Sophie turned around expecting him to still be there to literally push her onto the stage, but he was gone. She helped herself to a glass of water and tried to relax. This is just like a speech she told herself. You start all nervous, but once you get in there and get going, you don't give a crap about anyone else.. Just getting started is the hard part. And it's for a grade too, only not an A. It's more important than that; it's for Erik's approval. Wait, since when do I care about what he thinks? When did this happen? Ohh yeah, within the first 10 minutes of meeting him you dope!
"Ahh, Mademoiselle Deveroux, glad to see you're all settled in" M Montefort spoke from behind her. "Are you ready to meet everybody?"
This is it, let's rock and roll. "Yes, I'm ready. Thank you"
"Well, let's not keep your adoring public waiting. This is so exciting, I have a feeling you'll be our new Prima Donna in no time." he chattered on, leading her out onto the stage, where the orchestra was tuning up and the ballet girls were working on their spins.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please. This young lady is here for an audition, now you do not have to clear out but please keep quiet so we can hear her. I'm sure it will not take very long and afterward, you can continue your rehearsals. Thank you very much."
"Umm, Monsieur Montefort, I have two questions. What would you like me to sing? I mean can it be anything? And do I have to dance?"
"Anything your little heart desires, just so we can hear what you have. Pick something you feel you can do the best with, and as far as dancing is concerned, you will have to; but later on. We'll let Madame Giry worry about that, for now; sing."
Sophie moved closer to the pit like Erik instructed and took a look around. Ok girl, this is it. Don't mess up now, he's probably watching you..
"Anytime you are ready mademoiselle"
Sophie nodded and began:
Go on, go on, leave me breathless
Come on...
The daylight's fading slowly
But time with you is standing still
The daylight's fading slowly
I'm waiting for you only
But time with you is standing still
The slightest touch and I feel weak
I'm waiting for you only
I cannot lie
The slightest touch and I'll feel weak
From you I cannot hide
And I'm losing the will to try
I cannot lie
Can't hide
From you I cannot hide
Can't fight it
I'm losing the will to try
Can't hide it (can't hide it)
Can't fight it (can't fight it)
So go on, go on, come on leave me breathless
So...
Tempt me, tease me, until I can't deny
This lovin' feeling
Go on, go on, come on leave me breathless
Make me long for your kiss
Tempt me, tease me until I can't deny this
Go on, go on, yeah
Loving feeling, make me long for your kiss
Come on
Go on, go on
Yeah, come on...
And it there's tomorrow
And all we have is here and now
And if there's no tomorrow
I'm happy just to have you
And all we have is here and now
You're all the love I need somehow
I'm happy just to have you
It's like a dream
You're all the love I need somehow
Although I'm not a sleep
And I never want to wake up
It's like a dream
Don't lose it
Although I'm not asleep
Don't leave it
I never want to wake up
Don't lose it (don't lose it)
Don't leave me (don't leave me)
And I can't lie
Go on, go on, come on leave me breathless
From you I cannot hide
Tempt me, tease me until I can't deny this
And I've lost my will to try
Loving feeling, make me long for your kiss
Can't hide it
Go on, go on
Can't fight it
Yeah, come on...
Tempt me, tease me, until I can't deny
And I can't lie
This lovin' feeling
From you I cannot hide
Make me long for your kiss
I've lost my will to try
Go on, go on, come on leave me breathless
Can't hide it (can't hide it)
Go on, go on, come on leave me breathless
Can't fight it (can't fight it)
Go on, go on, come on leave me breathless
So...
Go on, go on, come on leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me until I can't deny this
Loving feeling, make me long for your kiss
Go on, go on
Yeah, come on...
Go on, go on, come on leave me breathless (leave me breathless)
Go on, go on, come on leave me breathless (leave me breathless)
Go on, go on, come on leave me breathless (leave me breathless)
Go on, go on
Sophie had picked that song on a whim, mainly because it was a fun song, and quite a toe-tapper. And she was right. As soon as she opened her mouth, the cluster of girls took a step closer in awe. Nobody would have guessed that this voice could come out of that girl. After the shock wore off, the room broke into applause, hoots, catcalls, and even some whistles. All for her. They like me, they really like me she thought to herself smiling from ear to ear.
"So she can sing a simple song," came a voice that obviously wasn't a fan. "A trained monkey can sing a song like that, but can she sing actual opera?" Melanie Jensen brought up, smiling ever so sweetly and Sophie.
"Oh I'm sorry, were you speaking to me? Pity, I only make room to hear what the important people have to say. Yes yes, I will be glad to sing from and opera"
"Don't worry about her, you did great my dear. Now let's show her you can sing an opera and hand her a glass of water for her foot," Erik's voice came through her head.
"How? The fat bitch is out to get us?"
"What was that?" Melanie challenged, her eyes shooting daggers at Sophie's head.
"I said all rabbits eat lettuce."
"Oh.. Well, yes. They certainly do. Now we're waiting, and don't mess up. I would hate to see the dreams of one so young dashed."
Sophie took a deep breath and started again..
Think of me
think of me fondly,
when we've said
goodbye.
Remember me
every so often -
promise me
you'll try.
When you find
that, once
again, you long
to take your heart back
and be free -
if you
ever find
a moment,
spare a thought
for me ...
We never said
our love
was evergreen,
or as unchanging
as the sea -
but if
you can still
remember,
stop and think
of me ...
Think of August
when the trees were green -
don't think about the way
things might have been ...
Think of me,
think of me waking,
silent and
resigned.
Imagine me,
trying too hard
to put you
from my mind.
Recall those days
look back
on all those times,
think of the things
we'll never do -
there will
never be
a day, when
I won't think
of you ...
Flowers fade
The fruits of summer fade ...
they have their seasons so do we ...
But please promise me that sometimes
You will think of me.
Sophie smiled smugly at Melanie as once again the room was silent with many a jaw agape. Kaitlyn was looking on smiling so big, obviously proud of her friend, who again put Mel in her place again. Sophie had more reason to celebrate as a bag of soot fell from the ceiling, aiming right over the evilness. "Melanie, look out!" one of her cronies yelled in an attempt to save the current diva, but it was too late. Before she could move, the mess fell on top of her, dirtying her up from head to toe.
Everyone bust into laughter and Sophie just stood there, eyes wide with shock. "And that my dear, is why I told you to stay away from the back. I told you she'd get it. But this is only the beginning" Erik again told her in her mind.
"Yyyou, you did this to mee!" Melanie screeched pointing accusingly at Sophie. "I swear you will live to regret this. You'll never sing at this Opera house, or any opera house in Paris for that matter. I'm friends with some very powerful people!" and she ran out leaving a trail of black dirt behind her.
"Yeah yeah, go preach to someone else" one of the girls yelled after her, as the rest of the girls gathered around Sophie patting her on the back for doing what everyone wished; but never had the guts to try.
