Chapter 7

"Sophie, it's time to get up," Monsieur Destler said, knocking on my door.

It had been a few days. I was back in my hotel room just in time for us to leave. I had spent a total of two nights in the room: the first night in Paris and the night before, which was when I came back from the hospital. I sat up in my bed, yawning, happy to be in something other than a hospital gown. I was in a pair of pajama pants with a tshirt. I got up and answered the door, smiling softly.

"You have half an hour to get ready. Our flight leaves at 10."

"Alright," I said softly, leaving the door open slightly as I went to get my things and something to wear.

"Hey...are you all right," he asked, coming and shutting the door.

"Yes, I'm okay, thanks," I replied, finding a pair of jeans and a tank top, folding the rest of my clothes quickly and placing them in my suitcase, zipping it up.

"I got an email from the vice principal this morning."

"Really? What did she say?"

"She got the books and scores for the Senior Class musical."

I sighed.

"It's 'Les Miserables,' isn't it," I asked, going into the bathroom, shutting the door and dressing quickly.

"No, Sophia," he said, sitting on my bed. "It's the one that you suggested."

I froze, zipping my jeans up and pulling my hair up into a ponytail, opening the door, smiling brightly.

"'Beauty and the Beast?'"

He smiled.

"Yep, and you, my dear," he said, handing me the Original Broadway Cast CD, "are going to be Belle."

"Are you serious," I gasped, taking the CD.

"When am I not serious," he asked, standing up.

I laughed happily, running to him and wrapping my arms around him, hugging him tightly. He wrapped his arms around me, smiling.

"Thank you so much, Monsieur Destler."

"It's going to take a lot of work," he said, pulling away, his hands running down my arms. I know that we only have a few months before the performance, but we can do this. Okay?"

"Absolutely," I said with a smile.

I sat on the plane with my laptop, talking to my mom, who was at work, telling her the good news. Monsieur Destler had told everyone about the musical and everyone was happy. They didn't want to strain their voices doing 'Les Miserables' anyway. Everyone figured out that I was Belle when they saw that I had the CD. Monsieur Destler had said before we left for Paris that he would give the CD to the one who would be Belle before we left. Some of the girls were jealous, saying that it was only because I saved his life that I got the part. When Mom signed off, I put the CD in my laptop and began to listen to it. Drake was sitting with a friend of his. He hadn't spoken to me since I told him about the dreams.

I sighed softly, closing my eyes.

Then someone poked me in the shoulder. I opened my eyes to see Buquet. He pointed towards the back, to the bathroom, then walked back there alone. I shook my head slightly, taking off my headphones and setting my laptop down in the empty seat beside, starting to head towards the back. Just as I got there, I felt someone grab my wrist. I turned around and saw Drake.

"Drake. What --"

"Shh..." he said, pulling me into the attendents area, closing the curtains.

"Look, I'm --"

"No. Let me start," he said, looking a me with a gentle look on his face.

"Alright. What is it?"

He took a breath, looking at me.

"Look, about the other day, I'm sorry. I overreacted. They're just dreams. They don't mean anything."

"Really? You're okay?"

"Yeah," he said, taking my hand, kissing me gently. "I'm okay."

I smiled, kissing him back.

"So," he said, starting to kiss my neck. "Tell me about Christine and this Vicomte."

I giggled softly, feeling his lips against my neck.

Before I could answer, the curtain flew open and Buquet was standing there, his hands on his hips. Drake and I both swallowed, looking at Buquet.

"Drake, back to your seat."

He nodded, leaving me alone with Buquet. I wanted to say, 'No, Drake. Stay here with me. Don't leave me alone with him.' But it was too late.

Buquet moved to me after he shut the curtain, pressing me against the counter. "You were supposed to meet me in the bathroom, not in here with your little boyfriend."

"Buquet, I'm --"

"It's Mr. Buquet to you, Sophia," he said, pressing his lips against mine roughly.

I pushed him away, wiping my mouth off with the back of my hand.

"What did I say would happen if you refused," he growled, kissing me roughly again.

This time, I just stood there as he kissed me, his hands resting on my back. Once he was done, he let me go.

"You go first. Just tell them I gave you a lecture."

I nodded, leaving the attendants area and going back to my seat, putting a hand to my forehead.

"Sophia," Monsieur Destler said, turning around to face me. "Is everything all right?"

I nodded.

"I'm just tired."

He nodded. "Go to sleep. We have a while before we get in."

"Alright," I said, reclining my seat, putting my headphones back on, listening to the CD as I fell asleep.