Here's the next chapter! I liked writing this one, mainly because of Amy's possibly OOC reaction to Ian's "confession". I'm going to try and find pictures of some of the outfits. I'll let you guys know if I do, and I'll post the links on my profile page. Enjoy, guys!
A couple of days later, I was trudging up to Drama with Genni through about a foot of snow. It was glittering in the trees, and the light reflected in gorgeous sparkles off the ground.
"This is just gorgeous!" I said aloud to Genni.
"Yeah," Genni breathed.
We entered the building and saw that some of the class was already getting dressed up in their costumes. Today was the official dress-rehearsal of the play. Our Drama class got off school all day to do a couple of dry runs with Mr. James.
"Okay, actors-in-training, get dressed, get ready, and get on stage!" The teacher called from backstage.
I took my blue, old fashioned peasant dress, and went to the bathroom to pull it on. Then, I brushed some stage makeup on and ran out to join the class.
Genni was dressed in her black maid's outfit and teapot hat. It was very . . . cute. Suddenly, I felt a pair of hands on my shoulder. I whipped around and saw a tall, dark skinned guy, staring out at me from a glittering lion's mask.
"Ian," I said.
"Why, yes. It is I, my Belle," Ian said, giving me a deep bow, spreading his purple cape behind him.
I couldn't help a giggle escape from my lips.
Ian just looked so regal in his gold, metallic, bejeweled lion's mask. He was also wearing a loose, almost pirate like, white shirt with wooden buttons at the top that were undone. It was so different from his normal look, that I almost didn't recognize him.
Mr. James called us up to the stage and I scurried on, waiting for my cue.
_3_
We got to the part where I first met the Beast. I found myself playing the character effortlessly. It was so easy to see how much Belle hated the Beast at that moment, I could most definitely relate.
"How dare you, jerk? My father is about to die! Please, let him go!" I hollered at Ian, letting the tears form in my eyes like our teacher had taught me to.
I fell to the ground and gave 'Dad' a hug.
"Belle, go!" 'Dad' said.
"Please! I'll do anything! Let me trade places with him! PLEASE!" I cried again.
"Deal. Jason, take him away," Ian said, looking down at me in contempt, his amber eyes glinting out from the mask.
A kid came by and dragged Jarrod (AKA my dad) offstage. Then, Ian grabbed my arm and pulled me to my bedroom.
We had brought an actual bed, and decorated the corner with girly frilly stuff.
"Would you like some tea, darling?" Genni called from the 'door' of the bedroom.
She came in and gave me a wink, looking very odd in her maid's outfit.
"Why is he so cruel?" I asked, trying to seem as helpless as possible.
"It's not your fault, love." Genni said with a smirk at the mention of my nickname.
I stayed silent like the script suggested.
"Well, do come down for dinner in an hour, sweetheart," Genni said, with a sympathetic glance.
"I'm not hungry," I whispered, looking away.
We continued rehearsing, and much to my surprise, I found myself enjoying it.
_3_
Ian and I came onstage for the ballroom scene. You know, the one where Belle and the Beast dance, and Belle is in her gorgeous yellow ballroom dress? My dress was going to be green, because Genni had absolutely insisted that yellow didn't make my eyes pop enough.
Whatever.
I tried not to look to awkward as Ian walked me onto the stage. Stage crew had transformed it into a beautiful, magical almost, ballroom. Ian pulled me close to him as the music started and I looked into his eyes. If I hadn't known that it was him, I wouldn't have guessed those eyes to be Ian. For once, they looked soft and kind, not like a crazed killer that he could be during the Clue Hunt.
The music was a slow song, and I tried my best not to trip and fall on my face. That would have been embarrassing.
With a smile, or at least I think it was a smile since it was hard to tell with the mask, Ian murmured, "This is how I want you to remember me. Not as the evil Cobra who left you to die."
I actually gasped aloud. That was most definitely not part of the script. He gave me one last dizzying twirl and the song came to an end. Mr. James had been calling out help the entire time and this time he yelled, "Awesome guys. I can almost see real chemistry between you two!" This caused me to blush profusely as we continued with the play.
_3_
I watched helplessly as Gaston stabbed the Beast with his knife. Or, at least, that's what my character was doing. Ian pretended to shove Jerry, AKA Gaston, off of our makeshift castle. He fell and landed with a thud on the mat. I ran over to Ian and took his hand in mine.
"No! You can't go," I whispered, my words echoing across the empty theater. "I-I love you," I said, starting to cry.
Trying not to leap up, I laid my head down on Ian's chest and started to cry. A second later, the fog machine came on, enclosing us in a blanket of gray mist.
Ian yanked off his mask and slid it backstage, along with his cape and the fake dagger. I however, threw down the firework bomb, and watched as sparks fly up around us. When the fog cleared, the audience could see us again.
"Belle?" Ian asked, blinking up at me.
"You're alive! And human!" I said, my eyes widening in shock.
"I love you, Belle," Ian whispered, his eyes trained on mine. With a gulp I threw my arms around him and said, "I love you too."
That was when Mr. James called up, "And now for the kiss, guys!"
I yanked back in shock, and then leaned in, following the teacher's instructions. Our lips met, sending my heart into a flurry. I was kissing Ian-freaking-Kabra! Just seconds later, or maybe it was years, we pulled apart as our class started cheering and the curtain closed.
"Good work," Ian praised me as he helped me to my feet.
"Thanks. You too," I told him, getting a feeling that he wasn't just talking about my acting. "Ian-"I started to say, but got cut off as the rest of the cast rushed backstage to praise us on how the rehearsal went.
Immediately, Genni yanked me to the side and asked very seriously, "How did that kiss make you feel?"
"Honestly, like I could fly. Ecstatic; like I could do anything."
Genni closed her eyes and let out a breath. "Amy, I think you've fallen for him."
"WHAT!" I shrieked, causing the rest of the cast to fall quiet.
I gave them a sheepish smile as my cheeks start to redden. "I was just saying that because she thought that she did awful." Everyone went back to what they were doing and I turned back to Genni.
"You are insane, girl. Something's gone seriously whack-o in that brain of yours," I told her, realizing just how odd those Dan-like words sounded coming out of my mouth.
Genni gave me a shrug and said, "Maybe I have, but seriously. I think you've hated him for so long and so much, that you have finally calmed down and realized subconsciously, that you do like him! And Amy, it's so freaking obvious that he is totally and completely in love with you!"
For a second I just stood there and gaped at her, until everyone came over and started to congratulate me. Of course, many of the guys were wolf-whistling as Mr. James shoved us together for a picture. No matter what continent, boys will be boys.
"Now Ian, hold her like your pulling her out of a dip in a dance."
I felt my cheeks redden as Ian put his hands around my waist, and supported me as I leaned back.
"Amy, look happy. You're dancing with the love of your life for crying out loud!" Mr. James said.
I almost yelled at him before I realized that he was talking about the Beast and Belle.
"CLICK!" went the camera.
I yanked out of Ian's hands, but he stopped me. His eyes were big, and inviting looking, like the kind person I had always thought he wasn't. Was this a new Ian, or was I just seeing him in a new light?
As the cast started clearing off, Ian pulled me aside and said, "Amy, I have to tell you something. It's very important."
I gave him a look to show I wanted him to go on. He took a deep breath and straightened his back.
Then, Ian looked me straight in the eye. "Amy Cahill. Do you remember when I apologized about trying to kill you, and you said you forgave me?"
I nodded, slightly uncomfortable. "Yes."
"Well, in order for you to hear what I have to tell you, you have to actually forgive me. Please."
I nodded again and said, "Ian Kabra, I forgive you for taking out your mother's orders."
Ian's eyes flooded with relied and he smiled. "Thank you, love."
"So what's the big thing you have to tell me?" I asked, genuinely curious.
Ian took another deep breath and said, "You most likely won't believe me, but I wanted to let you know, I never faked it."
"Wait, faked what?" I asked, very confused.
Ian seemed almost annoyed at my obliviousness and said, "I never faked liking you, love. Never. And I need you to know that, no matter what it takes."
I stared, open-mouthed, and then a wave of fury swept over me.
SMACK! I whipped the back of my hand across Ian's face in a very much needed slap.
"OW! What was that for?" Ian asked, rubbing his face.
"That was for everything you've done to me, Ian Kabra! You deserve more, but sadly, we're in school!" I yelled at him, causing Genni to peek around the curtain at us.
She started cracking up and put her arm around my shoulders. "Ian, I suggest you give her some time to cool off. Try again later." Genni smirked at Ian, and he glared back at her. Then, he walked away.
I just didn't want to accept that. Ian couldn't like me! It was just another lie to hurt me. That I was certain of. But I couldn't stop a nagging feeling as I walked away, that I had just done something that I would regret.
"Do you think I overreacted?" I asked Genni as we walked back to our dorm.
She just laughed and said, "That's a question only you can answer."
_3_
Later that night, Genni and I were sitting in our room, video chatting Dan.
"Wait! You actually went through with it? I thought that after I told you that you'd have to kiss him, you'd pack up and come home!" Dan was cracking up.
"Yes, I went through with it," I told him stiffly.
Genni was shaking silently with laughter as she said, "You should have seen her jump back when Mr. James called out, 'And now for the kiss'! It was like he was dangerously sick or something."
Dan gave a little laugh and said, "Amy, brace yourself. I have some big news for you."
"What?" I asked, curious.
Dan grinned deviously. "We're coming to see the play."
"WHAT?" I yelled.
"And I'm bringing my new video camera! But perk up, you're only there for another week and a half. And the play's in like, what? Three days? I'm pretty sure you'll live to tell the tale."
"You mock my pain," I groaned from my bed, my face stuffed into my pillow.
"What was that Amy?" Dan asked, still grinning.
"She said that you mock her pain. But we gotta go Dan. See you later!" Genni said, cutting the connection.
"That's quite the little bro you have there, Amy," Genni chuckled, sitting next to me on my bed.
"Tell me about it," I mumbled moodily, swinging my feet over the side of the bed.
"Hey, do you wanna go ice skating tonight?" Genni asked suddenly.
"Uh, sure? But how? There isn't an ice skating rink on premises," I asked.
Genni gave me a coy grin and said, "Amy, just because we are prep school rich kids, doesn't mean we can't be bad every once and awhile. I can't believe that you haven't heard about this place yet, it's the most popular hangout for kids at this school! You're gonna love it."
"Sounds great!" I said, already pulling my sneakers on.
Review everyone! I'd like to thank everyone who already has, and apologize for not personally writing out names. But that would take an immense amount of time. You know who you are! Thanks again!