The Deleted Scenes of August Rush

Scene #9

Idk...there wasn't really a whole lot of clarity about what happened backstage before Evan went onstage and played. So this is what I think happened (still pertaining to my story, that is...)

Enjoy!

.........

"Without me, his world will go on turning: a world that's full of happiness that I have never known!....I love him, but only on my own."

- Eponine Thenardier

.........

"I can't believe you made it!" Hope said excitedly.

Evan nodded, trying to catch his breath. He had just made it to the Park about seven minutes earlier, just when they were about to announce that he had been unable to make it.

But he had.

He had made it.

And all because of…

He sighed. He really didn't want to talk about Melanie or Juno at the moment. He turned back to the mirror in front of him, making sure he looked presentable in his tuxedo and moussed-back hair.

"Um…where's Juno Melanie?" Hope asked after a minute of silence.

Evan mentally cringed. He was hoping she wouldn't bring her up.

"She…well…" Evan couldn't think up an excuse this time. It was too painful to tell the truth, but he didn't feel right lying, either.

"You have a fight or something?"

"Yes."

"And…did she run away?"

Evan nodded. "Unfortunately."

"So…you're going to let her go? Just like that?"

"There's more to it--" Evan started.

"After you've been together all your lives?"

"No, you don't understand--"

"You'd let your own sister leave you when it's obvious you should have never been separated in the first place?" Hope shook her head. "I thought you were better than that."

Evan was fuming inside, ready to blow up at Hope and tell her the whole story from the beginning, making sure she wouldn't make any more false accusations. But there wasn't any time for that, and Evan needed to focus on being able to drag himself onstage and play in front of thousands of people he'd never met before.

"I thought I was, too," he said after a moment.

Hope bit her lip. "Is there a specific someone you wrote that song for?"

"Yeah. It's for my parents…and…"

"Your sister?"

Evan nodded.

"Maybe you should play it for her," Hope said. "Maybe she'll listen."

"I don't know…"

Hope turned to go and warm up with the other members of the choir. "Think about it," she said before she left.

Evan ran a hand through his chestnut-colored hair and sighed. Play it for Melanie? Sure, he could do that…but the question was would she listen to him.

Especially if she was in Juno-Mode.

He looked down at the dog tags sitting on a nearby table. He had almost forgotten that he still had them. He sighed, picking them up and letting them dangle in his grip, their silvery metal reflecting the dim light of the dressing room. It seemed like it was in its own little world, had it's own separate peace.

Maybe if he played, that's how he'd feel. And maybe that's how Melanie would feel, too.

Should I…?

No. Don't do it.

The other part of his mind, the one that hated Juno, was warring with the part that accepted that Melanie was going through a hard time.

But if I don't, she won't be able to find me again…

So? She doesn't care. She never cared.

Juno didn't…

Stop it with the "Juno didn't…"! Yeah, she didn't! But Juno and Melanie are the same person. So, really, Melanie doesn't care. She doesn't care about you!

Evan jerked out of his thoughts to see his reflection in the mirror, his face flushed and his eyes wet with tears. Why was he thinking that? Even if Melanie was changed…she was still Melanie. Deep down, she was still the Melanie he knew and loved.

And as he made that realization and slipped the dog tags over his head, he decided to play his song for her.

After all…it was his last chance to get her back.

All she had to do now was listen.