Judy noticed she was wearing a white dress robe and was in the middle of a dark stage. Suddenly she heard singing coming from around her.
"Sing once again with me… our strange duet… my power over you grows stronger yet… And though you turn from me to glance behind… The phantom of the opera is there inside your mind…"
Judy turned in every direction to locate the voice but once she turned back she was suddenly faced with a mammal wearing half a white mask but she soon realized that it was Roland underneath the mask!
"No! Keep away!" she took a step back.
He resumed singing, "You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge… In pursuit of that wish from now has been silenced… silenced… I have brought you that our passions may fuse and merge… In your mind you have already succumbed to me… Drop all defenses, completely succumbed to me… Now you are here with me, no second thoughts… You've decided… decided…"
"I have not decided on anything!"
This time Roland spoke, "Is that so? Then you better start making one now…" he pointed to a dark corner where it was lit up by a single spotlight and in that spotlight was Nick having a noose around his neck.
"Nick!" she cried out as she took a step forward.
Suddenly Nick was jerked by the rope which Roland had control over. Nick had to make sure it didn't choke him but with a stronger pull he could easily lose his life. Judy looked back in horror.
Roland sung out, "Start a new life with me, buy his freedom with your love! Refuse me and you send your lover to his death! This is the choice! This is the point of no return!"
"You monster! You evil monster! What did I ever see in you?!"
Roland scowled, "Since you refuse to be with me, your lover shall now pay the price…"
"NO! NO!"
But it was too late the noose went up and Nick with it…
Judy screamed.
"Judy! Judy!" Dawn called out while shaking her.
Judy awoke up with a start and saw her friends looking at her in worry. She remembered that she was watching The Puma of the Opera movie on Giselle's laptop with them and must have fallen asleep in the middle of it.
Fru questioned in concern, "Are you alright?"
Judy felt herself calming down, "I'm fine. Just a bad dream." A really bad dream…
Giselle inquired, "Are you sure? You seem a little pale."
Dawn put her hoof to the bunny's head, "Maybe you're getting sick, you do feel a little warm."
"I'm okay, girls." Judy insisted even though she felt otherwise, "Besides why would I want to get sick the day before my boyfriend has to compete in a huge Battle of the Bands contest, he's going to need my support."
Fru sighed lovingly, "You're so awesome, Judy. Nicky certainly is lucky to have you."
Dawn smirked, "He is not like that last boyfriend of hers, what was his name? Rupert? Reggie? Ronald?"
"Roland." Judy said with venom.
Dawn snapped her fingers, "That's it. He was such a loser."
Giselle mentioned, "The song 'Bad Romance' comes to mind whenever I think of your ex."
Judy nodded before she declared, "Let's get back to the laptop and watch another movie."
Fru said, "But this time we watch something less scary."
Judy smiled in gratitude.
The boys were backstage getting ready to go on. All ready five other bands performed and all of them sounded good. They knew they would have to top them. Ben peeked from behind the curtain seeing a fairly large crowd.
"Wow, the auditorium is pretty full."
"Do you see Carrots out there?" Nick asked.
"Uh… no, no I don't see her anywhere."
"That's because she's standing right next to you." proclaimed a sweet voice.
They turned to see the rabbit standing there and Nick went to her to kiss her paw.
"Glad you could make it, but I'm pretty sure you're supposed to be seated in the audience."
"Shouldn't I at least get a backstage pass to see your performance up close?"
"You'll be able to see it better in the audience, and I got a special song I want to sing just for you…"
This intrigued her, "Alright. But before I go, I have something for you…" she took it out and revealed a brown knitted wrist band.
He stared at it as she said, "It's my way of making up for not giving you a Clawsmas present."
He slowly took it and gave her a heartfelt smile.
She smiled back before giving out a yawn.
He slightly frowned at that, "Tired, Carrots?"
"Yeah, I didn't get much sleep last night, but I'm okay."
"You sure about that?"
"Of course. Now get out there and prove you're the best band." she playfully punched him before wishing the others luck and went.
Nick was still concern about her exhaustion but he decided to worry about it later as he heard the headmaster announcing their band and they went on.
A hush went over the crowd as they got ready. Then after a pause they started playing.
Nick then sang into the microphone as he spotted Judy in the front row, "Come stop your crying it will be alright… Just take my hand and hold it tight… I will protect you from all around you… I will be here… Don't you cry… For one so small, you seem so strong… My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm… This bond between us… Can't be broken… I will be here… Don't you cry… 'Cause you'll be in my heart… Yes, you'll be in my heart… From this day on… Now and forever more… You'll be in my heart… No matter what they say… You'll be here in my heart… Always…
"Why can't they understand the way we feel… They just don't trust what they can't explain… I know we're different, but deep inside us… We're not that different at all… And you'll be in my heart… Yes, you'll be in my heart… From this day on… Now and forever more… Don't listen to them… 'Cause what do they know…? We need each other, to have, to hold… They'll see in time, I know…
"When destiny calls you, you must be strong… I may not be with you… But you got to hold on… They'll see in time, I know… We'll show them together… 'Cause you'll be in my heart! Believe me, you'll be in my heart… I'll be there from this day on… Now and forever more… You'll be in my heart… No matter what they say… You'll be here in my heart… Always… Always, I'll be with you… I'll be there for you always… Always and always… Just look over your shoulder… Just look over your shoulder… Just look over your shoulder… I'll be there… Always…"
The crowd cheered loudly and Nick could see tears of happiness in his bunny's eyes.
The headmaster came back on stage clapping his paws as he addressed the audience, "Fox N' Spots, everyone!" he turned to the band, "Good job, boys!"
They took a bow before leaving the stage. They passed Manegement who was glowering at them as they went into the auditorium. Judy ran into Nick's arms and he twirled her around for a bit before putting her down.
She exclaimed, "That was amazing!"
Nick smirked, "It was, wasn't it?"
She playfully rolled her eyes before getting him into a tight hug. She stayed there until he said.
"Uh, Carrots? Can you let go now?" he winced.
She did as she blushed, "Oh, sorry, didn't mean to linger that long, let's just get to our seats." she went back to her spot beforehand but Nick stood there pondering, the way Judy was hugging him it seemed like it was a matter of life and death. But when the headmaster announced the next group he had to take his seat but his thoughts still dwelled to Judy.
"And the bands that will compete in the next round are…" he listed them off until finally he got to, "Manegement… and… Fox N' Spots! Congratulations, I look forward to what you'll have next month."
Ben and Gideon cheered while Finnick simply had a smug look. Judy hopped out of her seat and clapped so hard. Nick smiled at her joy.
When everyone started leaving even Fin, Ben, and Gideon, Judy noticed the panther named Bobby Clawson and how he made it onto the next round and she thought of how great a player and singer he was to deserve the honor.
"Should I be worried that you have a wandering eye, Carrots?"
She turned back to her boyfriend to see the smug grin on his face and said, "Har-har, no. I wasn't looking to admire him, I was just wondering what he was like."
"Frankly, I'm not sure who Bobby Clawson is, I tried to make nice with him but he just stayed silent and went on his way. That usually means that a mammal wants to be left alone."
"Or maybe that means he's just shy."
Nick shrugged, "Either way, you won't to get him to talk."
Judy gave a sly look, "Wanna bet?"
Nick's eyes widen before he slyly looked back, "As in an actual bet?"
She nodded, "Hm-mm."
"What you have in mind?"
"If I can get Bobby talking and to agree to go on a date with a friend of mine, then I chose where to go on our first Valentine's Day."
"And if you don't, then I get to chose?" he smugly stated.
"That's right. Do we have a bet?" she held out her paw.
He smiled as he shook, "It's a bet."
Judy gave a nod and started walking over to the panther while Nick sat down in a comfy position and put his feet up, "Easiest bet I have ever won."
"Hi!" Judy called out to the panther holding a guitar case.
He stopped to look at her with an emotionless expression.
"I just wanted to say that you were awesome today and I hope you make to the finals."
The panther said nothing, merely nodded, and started going.
Hm… this will require a more direct approach…
"Uh, wait! I know this is sudden, but a friend of mine that goes to school with me recently broke up with her boyfriend and I don't like the idea of her being alone on Valentine's Day after having a major heartbreak, so… I was wondering… could you maybe… go out with her?"
The panther looked back with a cocked brow and stood there.
Judy was worried that maybe she went a bit far until suddenly he said, "What's your friend's name?"
"Amanda Fangsworth."
"And you say she recently broke up with her boyfriend?"
"That's right."
"Well… I guess I could take her out, just so she isn't upset on Valentine's Day."
She smiled, "Thank you so much, I'll let her know and you two can work out the details."
"You're Wilde's girl, aren't you?"
She furrowed her brow, "Yes…?"
He gave a tiny smirk, "I've been hearing how you two started dating, especially since I heard how you didn't get along at first, so what made you decide to like him now?"
She gave a small smile, "Honestly, I'm not really sure. But as time went on, I saw there was something more to Nicholas Wilde then I could ever possibly imagine. I'm starting to wonder what took so long for us to start dating."
Bobby shook his head, "Sometimes we don't know what we want until its right in front of us."
"Huh. Very philosophical. There's definitely more to you than meets the eye."
"I like to keep things private." he stated.
"But you're not shy?"
"No. I just find socializing to be overrated if used all the time. I will admit though you're easy to talk to."
She gave a humble smile, "Just how I was gifted in this world."
From across the room, Nick couldn't believe what he was seeing, Bobby was actually talking to Judy! He gawked the moment he saw him moving his lips at the bunny and had been stunned since then. They chatted for a bit before Bobby started taking his leave and Judy came back to him with a smirk on her face.
"So, where shall we dine on Valentine's Day?" she said as she touched her chin and pretended to ponder on it.
Nick with his mouth still wide open uttered, "How did you do that? The guy won't even exchange one word with me let alone a conversation!"
She merely shrugged with a smile, "You just have to know of how to catch his interest."
He gave off an annoyed look.
She giggled, "I'm sure you'll find something to make him talk to you. But right now, I need to get back and find Amanda and tell her about her date."
"And you got him on a date! How did you do it?!"
She chuckled, "Goodbye, Nick, see you later." she kissed his cheek and went on.
Nick still stared after her in bewilderment before his face softened into a loving glance while thinking; She really is something else… I am definitely never letting her out of my sights.
AN: I'm saving the next chapter for Valentine's Day.