I was so happy that the weekend had come; especially after Buquet's arrest and knowing that he was still sitting in jail, since no one had posted his bail yet that I was aware of. I was sure that I was going to spend the weekend relaxing and preparing myself for the show. My parents were gone again, out on a weekend getaway somewhere that was a considerable distance away from me. Drake was still taking his space from me; he hadn't been taking my phone calls, texts, or emails. Needless to say, I was pretty sure that our relationship was over, even though he didn't say it was. Early in the Friday evening, ADA Nolan came by the house to update me on how the case was going. I had just made dinner for myself, so I offered him a glass of lemonade while I began to eat my salad.

"Well, did he take the deal that you offered him," I asked ADA Nolan, sitting at the breakfast island with him across from me.

"Unfortunately, he did not, Miss Day," he replied, sipping at his lemonade. I know that he could see the disappointment on my face. I let out a heavy sigh, pushing my salad away.

"So what happens now?"

"Well, the trial will begin on Monday. That will be opening arguments and we will open with our witnesses on Tuesday. You're our main witness, so you will have to be there."

"You couldn't get Chrissy to come forward?"

"No. She said that the sex was consensual, and she is eighteen, so there's really nothing that we can do about it."

"But still, he could lose his job if the school board found out about that, right?"

"Yes, that's correct, but that has to go through the legalities of the state as well."

I nodded softly. "Who are your other witnesses?"

"We have the detectives on your case, the doctor who examined you, and a couple of character witnesses. Character witnesses are people that you are closest to."

"Monsieur Destler and Drake, right?"

He nodded. "We also have the teacher who is your school's computer administrator, since you mentioned the fake email that Mr. Buquet had."

"Okay. What about Buquet's witnesses? Who are they?"

"Well, Buquet will testify in order to tell his side of events. His lawyer will question you and the other witnesses. I found out today that Chrissy has agreed to testify on his behalf, and a few character witnesses of his own."

"Do you have any idea what they could say in order to defend him?"

"I'll be honest with you, Miss Day. They are probably going to attack your statement that you gave to the police, and you did get into a fight with Chrissy, so your emotional credibility is going to be called into question. Just remember to be honest and stay calm when you're being questioned. Now, I have to ask you again. Has there been anything else going on between the people that you're closest to?"

"Drake and I have never had sex. And Monsieur Destler is my teacher. The only thing that he has done to me was kiss me on the hand, which he does with other girls in our class because he is French after all."

He nodded, standing up. "There is one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Buquet's bail was posted last night, so he's no longer in jail."

I cringed as he spoke those words, wrapping the salad up and putting it in the fridge. I had suddenly lost my appetite. "So what do I do now?"

"Is there anyone you can stay with? A friend or another family member would be appropriate. I know your close with Mr. Destler, but I don't feel that is best since Mr. Buquet is out of jail. He could get something really strong that he could you against you."

I nodded softly. "Can I get an order of protection, like where he can't come within so many feet of me?"

He nodded. "I'll call in a favor. We'll make it to where he can't come within five hundred feet of you, your home, and the school. Is that okay?"

"Sounds good to me, Mr. Nolan."

He nodded, coming over and patting me on the shoulder. "It's going to be okay, Sophia. I promise."

I just nodded, and with that, he left. As soon as he drove away, I went around the house, locking every single door and window that was in my house. I felt a little better that I had an order of protection in the works against Buquet, but as I walked around my empty house, the more my skin began to crawl at the thought that I was being watched. As time passed, I became more and more restless within my own house, but I was afraid to leave because I was sure that Buquet was watching the house. After some time of watching mindless television, practicing my songs and lines for Beauty and the Beast, and cleaning up the dishes that I had used, I headed upstairs to my bedroom. When I got up stairs, I could hear every inch of the house creaking as I stepped. I looked out the windows, seeing nothing unfamiliar as I went into my room. I got ready for bed as normal, brushing through my long, brown curls as I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked at the reflection staring back at me. It looked like me, sounded like me, but was it really me? I didn't feel like myself. I put my head down on my vanity, my mind traveling to Christine again. I began to wonder if she ever saw the Phantom again before the premier of Don Juan. I sighed heavily, rubbing my eyes, looking at my bedroom again. I grabbed my hoodie and opened the window, climbing back down to the ground, pulling my hood as I began to walk.

I took a different path tonight, walking through the park and moving my hands across the dew covered playground equipment. The houses nearby had their windows open, letting in the fresh spring air into their homes. There was something about the spring that gave people the feeling of renewal and giving them a fresh start. I wished how the same would be for me. I sat down on a swing, slowly moving back and forth as my mind began to wander. How was Drake feeling about all of this? He was going to be called to testify before a jury and more than likely a courtroom full of people to talk about me and our relationship. We were on the outs right now; what could he say? Better yet, what was he going to say about me? I pumped my legs slowly and the swing began to move back and forth just a bit more, thinking about what ADA Nolan said about getting counseling for what had happened to me. My mind traveled back to Monsieur Destler, and what he could possibly say in court. What if they ask him about our relationship, if we had one? What if he was asked if he had ever kissed me or touched me? I had been pretty adamant telling ADA Nolan that there wasn't anything going on between Monsieur Destler and I. What if this came out in court and ADA Nolan became angry at me for not telling him the truth?

I let out a heavy sigh, pushing my feet to the ground to come to a stop on the swing, lowering my head even more. What was I going to do? I wasn't eighteen yet, but ADA Nolan did have a right to know that Monsieur Destler and I kissed. But then again…that was my business. Couldn't I just try and keep it private? I sighed again, looking up at the night sky. There was no moon; only the brightly, shining stars. I closed my eyes, listening to the sounds of the night once again as I had before. Only a few moments later, I heard the piano playing in the distance. I opened my eyes and stood up out of the swing, walking through the rest of the park. As I walked, I listened to the quiet melody of the piano, humming along to its melody once again. Monsieur Destler had a great talent for music, more than I realized from before. As I walked, I found myself back at his house, and I could hear him continuing to play the keys of the piano. I sat along the side of his house, along with wall with my back against it where he couldn't see me. I listened intently as the melody began to fill my head once more, flooding my mind as I let myself go. I hummed quietly to the notes he had written, stopping whenever he stopped, and continuing whenever he resumed. I stayed there for about an hour before I finally heard him stop and shut the lid on the piano. I stood up and slowly walked back to my house, noticing the dead calm of the night. I climbed back up the siding of my house and walked across the roof, climbing back into my room easily. Tomorrow was Saturday; I had to meet with Monsieur Destler for another day of reporting on the people from the Paris Opera House. I got on my laptop to check my email before I went to bed. I had ten new messages. The first one I opened was from Monsieur Destler.

Dear Cast/Crew,

Please do not forget that our costume fittings for the musical are tomorrow morning at 9amat the auditorium, with our first dress rehearsal to follow. Please make arrangements to be there. This is the only day the seamstress has to make sure our costumes fit and make adjustments as needed. We open a week from tonight.

M. Destler

I breathed a sigh of relief, happy that I wouldn't have to worry about writing another report about someone from the past. I began to open the other emails. They were from addresses that I didn't recognize. I opened the first one, my eyes watering as I skimmed over the words.

You are a dirty slut! You do not deserve to be the lead!

I deleted the email, moving onto the next, but they were all the same.

How many times did you have to sleep with Destler to get Belle?

You're a liar!

You don't deserve to live. I hope you burn in hell!

Who knew that someone we thought was pure could be such a whore?

You know that everyone just hates your guts for what you're doing to Buquet. Why not end it all?

I screamed, shutting my laptop to get away from all of the emails, backing away from my desk, my hands in my hair as tears streamed down my face. I lay on the bed, crying throughout the rest of the night. Not even Monsieur Destler's beautiful music that was in my head could sooth me after the slanderous emails that I had just read.

I don't know what time I finally fell asleep, but the next thing that woke me up was my cell phone ringing. I sat up, reaching for it from my bed side table. I answered it with a sleepy 'hello,' which was followed by a yawn. The reply was one that I was not expecting. The voice on the other side of the line was angry, frustrated, stressed, and it was probably because of me.

"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT TIME IT IS? WHERE ARE YOU?"

The voice was Monsieur Destler's, and he was livid. The shouting voice woke me up even more, and I whipped my head around to my alarm clock, which I didn't set the night before. The time read 9:30am. I didn't hesitate after that. I sprang from my bed, grabbing my purse and book for the musical, running down the stairs at a frantic pace. I was still in the clothes that I was wearing the day before, not bothering to change or even put any make-up on to hide the evidence of tears from my blotchy, red face.

"I'm on my way," I said into the phone, as I ran out of my house, taking off into a dead run to the school. It was raining, but I didn't care. I had to get to the school. "Monsieur Destler, I am so –"

"Stop! Do not make any more excuses! Just get here!"

With that the line went dead, and I flipped my phone closed, stuffing into my pocket as I continued to run. The rain was pouring over me, soaking my hair and the majority of my hoodie. I dashed across the street, only a few blocks from the school now. I continued to run, gripping onto my book and my purse as I turned the corner. Monsieur Destler was going to kill me! And if my day couldn't get any worse, the emails were still plaguing my mind. I had to make a note to myself to call ADA Nolan and let him know about this. As began to run up the courtyard to the school, someone was there opening the door for me, yelling down the hallway 'she's here!' As I dashed inside, someone grabbed hold of my arm and pulling me close. I was staring into the face of an angry Monsieur Destler, as the person who held the door open for me ran back to the auditorium. As I tried to back away, he pulled me even closer, talking harshly and quietly so I would listen to him more.

"Would you like to explain to me how you think you can get away with being late for your costume fittings and our first dress rehearsal?"

"I-I'm sorry. I was up late the night before and –"

"Shut up. You are inches away from losing this part, do you understand me? And I can't put Chrissy on after what you did to her face. Either straighten up and be here when you are supposed to be here, or get out of my production."

With that last remark, he let me go, heading back to the auditorium. I sighed heavily, pulling my rain soaked hoodie off as I walked down to auditorium. I walked down the aisle, catching a glimpse of Chrissy and the damage that I had done. She had cuts on her cheeks and a black eye. I needed to make amends, even if she was testifying for Buquet. I put my things down, walking over to her and her clique, clearing my throat.

"Chrissy, can I talk to you," I asked softly, looking up at her, my eyes apologetic.

"Say what you need to say and go. I shouldn't even be speaking with you."

I nodded. "I understand. Christine, I am so, so sorry for hitting you. It wasn't like me, and I didn't mean any harm. I am sorry that I hurt you." I took a breath, feeling a little better. "There. I have said what I needed to say." I turned, beginning to walk away from her.

"You know you're going to lose, right?"

I stopped, not turning to look at her, know what she was talking about.

"Face it, Sophia, your case is screwed, and you were only trying to apologize to me to try and change my mind with testifying for Mr. Buquet. Well, it didn't work."

I turned slowly to face her. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, including Drake's and Monsieur Destler's. "I don't care if it worked or not. That's not was I was trying to do. I apologized, and I wanted to do nothing more than that. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few costumes to try on." I turned on my heel and walked backstage to the girls' dressing room, seeing my dresses laid out for me.

"There you are," Annie, the seamstress, said in an excited huff. I loved Annie. She was an amazing dress maker and costume designer. She was an older woman, probably in her fifties, with short graying hair and a stout build. She ran over and pulled me over by both of my hands, pulling me further into the room. "I have been waiting for you all morning! Everyone else has their costumes fitted except for you and Jay, but we're working on his make-up for the Beast also. Come on, come on! We got to get you into your gowns."

"Yes, Annie. I am so sorry that I was late. I'm going through some things right now and –"

"Oh, honey, I know about it. That horrible man! I didn't trust him one bit when he got that job," she told me as she tore off my clothes so I could put the blue dress on. "If there's any consolation, I am on your side. I believe you, no matter what."

I smiled, happy to know that someone was on my side. "Thanks, Annie," I said as she helped me pull the dress on. "I really needed that."

She zipped me up, patting me on my back. "If you need anything, you'll let me know, won't you?"

I nodded, going to go look in the mirror, seeing myself in Belle's blue dress for the first time. "Oh, wow…"

"You look beautiful," she said, moving my hair out of the way. "I can't wait to see you in the yellow ball gown. We'll save that one for last; we have to put a hoop on with that one."

I smiled, glancing over at the yellow gown briefly before she unzipped the blue dress and handed me the pink one. "The blue one fits just right," I said as she helped me slip it off.

She nodded in agreement. "This is the pink dress that you will be wearing for 'Something There' and 'Human Again.' This is also the quick change dress, so we'll make sure that we have a curtain set up for you backstage. I believe that you'll also have a couple more quick changes, from the yellow to blue, and back to the yellow from the blue for the finale and the curtain call."

"Yeah, that sounds about right," I said, pulling the pink dress on. As I pulled the sleeves up to my shoulders, it reminded me of Christine's dress that she wore to the masquerade ball. Annie zipped up the back of the dress, having me stand on a small stool and look at the mirror. She glanced at the skirt, then back at me.

"Do you have your character shoes with you?"

"Ah, yeah, I do. They are out in the auditorium with my purse and hoodie."

"Go get them and slip them on. We might have to hem up the skirt a little more because it looks too long on you right now."

"You want me to go out there like this?"

"Well, yes. Everyone else did, so you might as well have some fun with it too."

I looked down at the pink dress, then back at the yellow ball gown, a small smile creeping across my lips. "Then why don't we go all out and put the ball gown on?"

Annie laughed and went over, getting the hoop first. "You need to take that off, so I can get this hoop on you."

I laughed, unzipping the dress and sliding it off, placing it neatly on a hanger and hanging it beside the mirror. She took the hoop, having me step into it and bringing it up to my waist, tying a strong bow in the ribbon to hold it up. Next, she went and picked up the yellow ball gown making sure it was unzipped before she pulled it over my head and my arms. She helped the skirt of the gown cascade down the hoop, and zipped up the back while I held my hair up for her to see the zipper. When my gown was zipped, I slowly let my hair down, looking in the mirror. I was positively speechless. I didn't know what to say. Annie stood there, tears in her eyes as she stared at me in the Belle ball gown. I turned and looked her, my face alarmed at the glistening I saw in her eyes and her hand over her mouth. "Annie, what's the matter? Did I rip it? Does it not look right on me? What can I do differently?"

"Sophia, you are the most beautiful Belle that has ever had this dress on. You've made me proud," she choked out, giving me a hug. I embraced her, beaming at the thought, ready to go show off the gown to the rest of the cast and crew.

"I'll be back," I said softly, holding the skirt up as I stepped down off of the stool, releasing it as I slowly walked out of the dressing room into the backstage area. There were a couple of people backstage, who all turned and looked at me, gasping and talking quietly as I continued to walk, blocking them out. I felt my bare feet on the stage floor, smiling brightly as I came further out into the auditorium, hearing more students gasping and hearing, 'Wow!', 'She looks amazing!', and 'She looks just like Belle!' I stepped out onto the stage, where some of the ensemble clapped their hands, cheered and wolf whistled. Drake, Jay, Monsieur Deslter, and Chrissy all turned around, their mouths opened, astonished by my presence in the ball gown. Jay gulped, his eyes wide as he looked up and down at me. I could sense his nervousness that he would be dancing and kissing me during the show. Drake looked at me, unsure of what to do. Chrissy huffed, turning her attention back to her clique. Monsieur Destler, however, did something I was not expecting. He put his score down and came up on stage slowly. The cast grew quiet, watching as I took a step back away from him, which he put his hand up to stop me. I stood still as he walked around me, taking in my features and the details of the gown on me. I looked straight ahead in order not to start any rumors about us. Then, I felt my hand being grabbed. Before I knew it, he was twirling me around in a circle, and he had just a small smile. Just one big enough that I could see, and I gulped, afraid of being yelled at for being out in the auditorium with my costume on.

"Now, this," he said, loudly so everyone could hear, even the people backstage. "This is the Sophia Day that we know. The girl with a smile on her face, and a song in her heart."

I blushed softly, stepping back from him. "I just forgot my character shoes," I said modestly, stepping down off of the stage and grabbing them from my purse, returning backstage. I smiled at the thought of me in this gown the dress rehearsal later, and I hummed the melody that was in my head. The only thing was that it wasn't anything from the musical. It was the melody of Monsieur Destler's that I had listened to for the last couple of nights. As I walked back into the dressing room, I hummed more and more, and no one asked what the song was. What I didn't know was that Monsieur Destler was following me, his arms over his chest and an eyebrow raised. He knew that I had been there. I shut the door to the dressing room, getting ready for the first scene of the dress rehearsal.