(*Author's Note: ATTENTION READERS! This story is rated M for reasons of adult language, descriptions of nudity, and sex. I hope this doesn't offend and if anyone has any comments or concerns about this feel free to contact me at noirecrivain104 . Thank you!)

Chapter Fifteen

In which a phantom emerges and a shadow descends…

Fortunately for Jack, Wallace knew where the college was and how to get there within a reasonable amount of time, although it was a little ways away from the manor. Unfortunately, Wallace did not know the layout of the college grounds and so, armed with a map of campus, a canvas book bag of things Jack might need, and a warm coat, Jack trudged through the school looking for the campus coffee shop. As he searched he thought to himself of how Wallace's son seemed to have left a lot of things behind, many of these things expensive and almost new. Not that Jack didn't appreciate the fact that all these clothes and accessories were at his disposal, given that he would prefer not wearing his blood splattered suit for the entirety of his time here. However Jack couldn't help but feel there was something more to it, but these thoughts were shaken from him as a smell, quite delightful to him, drew his attention to the building at his left. It was a nice building, pleasing to the eye, its red brick exterior was fading from weather abuse and wild, unyielding vines of foliage littered the walls giving it a delightful, whimsical feel. Above the door was an old, water worn sign that read; ye old coffee shoppe. Jack figured this must be the place and stepped inside just as it began to sprinkle outside. Upon entering Jack noticed a coat rack and decidedly placed his starchy coat upon it. From behind he could hear a strained sigh and the creaking of a chair. He turned a saw Eve drinking out of a black porcelain mug. They noticed each other at the same time and both gave each other awkward smiles.

"Hey. I actually was wondering if you'd stop by." Eve said plainly. Jack grinned and took a seat across from her. Eve took another sip of her drink, clearly not knowing what else to do. Jack took a moment to look at her. Her hair was longer than he remembered and slightly darker, becoming a bit wavy at the ends as if her hair wasn't used to its length. Her eyes were dark, hidden under a layer of masquera and black eye liner. She wore a gray sweater dress and midnight black leggings that were tucked into matching legwarmers and suede boots of the same color. Her purse hung heavily off her chair, it was decorated with black lace and a frilly skull in its center and Jack couldn't help but grin at this. She was the same Eve, the same girl he fell in love with in Halloween Town, only with a part of her missing. Eve looked at her watch and Jack noticed it was etched with roses which matched her purple earrings.

"Well its only 11:30, we've got about an hour and half until your audition sooooooo…." Eve trailed. She cleared her throat. "You know we hardly even know each other! I know you know Ben, but even you two are still new with each other aren't you?" Eve scoffed. Jack nodded and placed his book bag to hang from his chair, only just realizing he was still holding it. Eve slapped her hands on her lap.

"Well then we should share a little bit about ourselves!" she said forcefully. Jack nodded again. "You first." Eve said. Jack leaned in his chair and thought for a moment. Finally he found something he could share without giving too much away at once, but was cut off before he could so much as breath a word.

"I'm sorry! I almost forgot to ask….did you want to order a coffee or something? Oh also sorry for interrupting whatever it was you were going to say just now. I just thought you might want a drink or something." Eve muttered. Jack looked over to the counter and the chalk menu board hanging above it. There were all kinds of fancy drink names scribbled on it that Jack didn't have the energy to pretend to know. He chose the first thing on the menu he did recognize.

"I suppose some tea would be nice." He said softly. Eve grinned and got up from her seat and as she did, Jack did as well. Eve raised an eyebrow at this, but continued to smile.

"Let me buy it okay? I have this gift card that I've had lying around for some time and I should use it before it expires." She said kindly. Jack nodded and returned to his seat as Eve went to the counter to order Jack's drink. Ordinarily Jack wouldn't dream of letting Eve pay, but he remembered he had no money on him and therefore felt embarrassed to tell Eve this and hence he was quite relieved and willing when she offered to pay. A minute or two passed and Eve came back with a small cup of tea.

"I hope you don't mind….I, uh, got it iced. You see I love my tea cold and for some reason…." She hesitated, shrugged and grinned. "I dunno, I just thought you might too. Let me know if it was silly of me." She sipped at her own drink, which Jack now noticed had ice cubes floating in it. Jack sipped his own drink and found it much more delightful than the warm tea Wallace had given him. He grinned.

"Wow, actually this is really great. What flavor is this?" he asked taking another sip. Eve grinned.

"It's black tea. It's supposed to give you energy and such. I figured it would be good for you to have before your audition today." Eve smiled. Jack had almost completely forgotten the audition and felt a quick pang of anxiety about it. Eve must have seen this because she leaned across the table and patted his hand. Jack felt chills run up his arm instantly as she did this.

"Sorry." She responded to the surprised look on Jack's face. "I just don't want you to be nervous. I hope you don't feel like a forced you into this by the way." She looked down a bit. Jack realized he hadn't been saying much and that Eve must be quite in the dark from it. Jack cleared his throat.

"Of course not, I just-"Jack stopped. Eve brushed her hair over her shoulder and as she did her scent went with it, intoxicating Jack to the point of interrupting his sentence. He took a deep breath and caught himself. "You know, I believe you're right. We should share a bit about ourselves." He said a bit breathlessly. Eve grinned almost dubiously.

"Well, then what would you like to know?" she said into her cup. Jack was thoughtful and studied his drink as well. Suddenly his eyes lit up.

"I noticed you don't dress too much like the other people around here…is there a reason for that?" Jack asked hoping his question didn't sound stupid. Eve grinned again, but this time it was a forced grin as though the questi0n annoyed her.

"You mean like in bright, ridiculous colors? In shirts that say crap like YOLO or I like boys who buy me things? Hmph, no you wouldn't catch me dead in that garbage. Yeah I know I'm a little different, but I like it and it's not going to change anyways you dress pretty out of the ordinary yourself." Eve said rather tartly, but then paused. "Maybe that's not the way to say it…you dress too nice….like you're going somewhere important."

"Well so do you." Jack retorted, slightly taken aback at Eve's assuming tone however he could tell that she was pleased by his remark. She looked away from him.

"Oh…you didn't mean…" she sighed. "I'm sorry…I have this thing were I jump to conclusions too much….you didn't mean it in a bad way huh? It's just most people think I should dress like other girls, in bright pinks and yellows and white…but I love the dark colors, black, gray, purple, some blues and even dark, dark greens." Jack grinned at this. If Eve had changed at all it was into the woman he knew she would become; independent, strong, and unique. Jack must have been staring at her strangely for Eve began to blush. She cleared her throat and looked at her watch.

"Erm…well that killed a half hour. Did you happen to watch any of the Phantom of the Opera since yesterday?" she asked. At that moment Jack realized it might have been smart to at least find out what that story was about. Eve didn't wait for an answer.

"Nope you didn't…mmhmm, I can tell by the look on your face. Well lucky for you I have the movie downloaded onto my phone…hopefully watching a few scenes will be enough for you pick up on what the character is about." Eve said as she pulled out her phone. And that is how they spent the rest of their time together before Jack's audition.

oOo

"So this is the final audition, although I don't know why Professor Disraeli waited until now to do the audition for the phantom. Ergggg….." Eve mumbled grumpily almost to herself. It was 1:05 and Jack and Eve were standing in the back of the theater waiting for the first audition to finish. Eve grumbled at how horribly the audition was going and muttered something about it being a waste of time. Jack began to tap his foot nervously, he thought the first guy to audition was doing quite well, but if Eve thought it was bad, what would she think of his performance? It was now 1:10 and the first guy to audition, whom Eve did not know when Jack asked her, was still going and Jack began to tap his foot faster. Eve noticed this and gently grabbed Jack's arm. Jack stopped his tapping and Eve patted his shoulder.

"You'll do great." She whispered. Jack wasn't sure if she was right, but he felt a bit better.

"Alright that's enough! Thank you James! Okay next!" the professor called out. Eve grinned.

"That's you!" she said to Jack excitedly. "He's going to ask you to sing one of the phantom's songs too…oooooohhh I hope you remember a bit of what I showed you." Eve said hurriedly as she walked with Jack down the aisle of the theater. Jack gulped. I guess we'll find out, he thought. The professor was a fairly young man with light brown hair, a tight mouth, and a crooked nose. He glared at his clipboard.

"Jack…erm, Skellington? Interesting last name….." he muttered. Eve gave Jack a nudge. Jack took a deep breath and entered onto the stage. The professor looked up at him and his expression altered a bit. "You're not in my class are you?" he asked of Jack. Jack threw an anxious glance at Eve.

"He's an outside audition. Didn't think you'd mind since no is really lining up to play the phantom." Eve explained in an accusing tone.

"Thank you Miss Hallows, you may take a seat now." The professor replied. Eve grunted and sat in a seat near the stage exit. "Alright, I would like you to sing a few lines from Music of the Night and then we shall see from there, yes?" the professor demanded. Jack nodded. The professor nodded back, still examining Jack a bit. "Okay then, cue the music Nick!" he shouted to off stage. The music began with a start and Jack immediately noticed at which part in the song they were, even though he had just heard it for the first time a moment ago. Jack cleared his throat.

"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation.

Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.

Silently the senses, abandon their defenses…."

And so, to everyone's great surprise, he continued to sing like this for the remainder of the song. Finally the song ended and all was quiet. Jack stood there, not knowing what to do. He threw a quick glance in Eve's direction. Her eyes were fixed on him as though in a trance. He shot a glance to the professor who looked to be in deep, fulfilling thought. After a beat the professor finally spoke.

"Eve get up there. I want you both to act out the scene and song Point of No Return. Just a few lines, don't give me that look Eve." He said forcefully. Jack looked at Eve who was giving the professor a condescending look although Jack couldn't figure out why. Eve climbed the few steps that led up to the stage and took her place beside Jack.

"Okay", the professor boomed. "Jack you going to need to move behind Eve, grip her waist, and don't be afraid to get really close. I want to see how our new phantom works with our Christine." Jack's excitement on landing the part was overshadowed by his nervousness in being so close to Eve again. Jack slid his hand slowly over Eve's waist. This wasn't going to be easy.