I'm so sorry I haven't been able to update lately but I have been so busy. Go ahead, insult me if you want. I deserve it.
Chapter Eleven: Music Of The Night
After the long hours of working, the servants went back to their homes. Marilyn was about to leave until The Once-ler requested her company. He met her in the same living room of the night before.
"Hello, Once" Marilyn cheerfully greeted Once-ler who was in the balcony. Once-ler greeted her the same way.
This night was special, for it was the first night in months, in which the stars had been visible to the eye, though faintly. Nevertheless it was a miracle. And it had to be celebrated.
"I haven't seen stars for a long time" Once-ler said admiring the sky.
"Me either" Marilyn lifted her face to the heavens.
"And the moon, and the planets, and the sun." She continued.
The Once-ler felt bad. He took away all those privileges from her as well as for other people. He turned away and returned back inside.
"It's okay Once" she said after him. "The past is the past" he said nothing.
"What is that?" she pointed at a case that was next to The Once-ler.
"It's my guitar" He answered lifting up the box and opening it, revealing an old, broken black and white Fender Stratocaster guitar.
"My father gave it to me when I was eight years old, before he left" Once-ler informed Marilyn.
"Once, I'm sorry..." She put her hand on his shoulder.
"It's alright. I'm over it" he said strumming a couple of strings.
"Can you play something for me?" She asked sitting next to him in the couch.
He stummed and tuned the strings of his guitar for a while until he finally formed a tune. Marilyn hummed along.
"Is this Something by The Beatles?" she asked, recognizing the melody.
"Yeah. You listen to this kind of music?" He asked.
"Not really, but I heard this one before, will you sing it to me?" she asked and The Once-ler obeyed.
"Something in the way she knows - And all I have to do is think of her
Something in the things she shows me - I don't want to leave her know
You know I believe and how"
"Wonderful!" Marilyn clapped. "You have an amazing voice Once! And you play fantastic!"
"Thanks" Once-ler hid his blushing face. Not many people recognized his talent for playing guitar and singing.
"Do you play?" he asked her.
"Not as good as you, but I play a little."
He handed her the guitar. She examined it for a couple of seconds before starting to play. She played her soul out loudly with such a passion that impressed The Once-ler. His jaw dropped open and he almost began to drool on himself
"Wow... a little?" he asked.
"Okay, I know more than what what I let out. But I prefer softer music. Do you have a piano?" she asked looking around the room.
"Right over here." He walked towards an object covered in drapes. As he uncovered it, it revealed a fancy green grand piano. Marilyn traced her fingers along its keys. It was a beauty.
"This is amazing..." Marilyn said in awe.
"You can have it" Once-ler said. Marilyn shot a look of surprise at him.
"Oh, theres no way... this can even fit in my home!" she said stil recovering from her shock.
"So, you can come here at any time and play it!" he told her. He sat on the piano's bench and gestured for Marilyn to sit next to him.
"Wait until I show you what this baby can do!" At this point Marilyn was sitting next to him. He began to play some classic 1950's Rock and Roll. Marilyn listened intently as he played. Her focus left from the keys, to his green gloved hands and to his face. He was too busy concentrating in his music that he did not noticed her studying him. Her gaze followed the drops of sweat that slowly emerged from his skin. Marilyn's gaze followed their stream as they passed his lips. She was entranced by his handsome face.
When he stopped Marilyn quickly changed her position. She hoped he didn't caught her staring at him. When he looked at her she gave him her most innocent smile. Marilyn's heart beat was so fast and loud that she feared he might've heard it. He smiled back at her and offered her the song and sheet book. Marilyn took it in her hands, a little confused.
"Pick a song." He said softly, almost a whisper, with tenderness in his tone. Marilyn flipped over the pages until she found one of her favorite songs of all time and from her favorite movie. It was Tale as Old as Time, from Beauty and The Beast.
"Here." She placed the songbook on the music rack. "My favorite." she smiled at him and he began to play as she sung along.
"Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then some body bends
Unexpectedly"
She thought about the first time she met The Once-ler, back at the valley. How it never occured to her that they would ever be this close to eachother. She thought about their dinner together, how she wanted to learn more about him. How she wanted to meet the real man behind all the speculation.
"Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the beast"
She thought about the time back at the cafe and their adventure together. The warmth of the grip of his hand that day sent powerful chills through her body. He looked so different that day, like the man, she imagined, he used to be.
"Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise"
Through The Once-ler's mind passed the dark memories of his isolation. But then Marilyn came to his life, and filled all the emptiness. Her image chased the loneliness away along with all it's accomplices. She made him happy. And he couldn't imagine his life if he didn't have her in it. Something like light...
"Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bitter sweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong
Certain as the sun
Rising in the east"
The Once-ler was not the man everyone told her he was. He was kind and gentle and generous. And of one thing she was sure. She loved him. Loved him as she never loved before. She placed her head in his shoulder and tears streamed down her cheeks. She wanted to tell him. But her feelings were beyond what words could ever phantom.
"Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast"
He wanted to cry too. He also loved her. But he knew they couldn't be together now. Too much stood between them. Tears hung in his lashes but he did not let them go. He felt an urge of kissing her, but that will only increase their pain. It was Marilyn and Once-ler against the world, and of one thing he was determined. That he will fight until he had her for his own.
For that night, the forces of nature took pity on The Onc-ler. They allowed tha stars to shine, just for them. And the breeze to blow softly and sweetly, just for them. What they couldn't communicate that morning, they did at the night with music. And so ended the music of the night, when it was time for her to return home.
"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication
Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
To the power of the music that I write
The power of the music of the night"
- Music Of The Night, from
The Phantom Of The Opera
I just want to say that Beauty and The Beast and The Lorax are two of my favorite movies of all time so ,naturally, I have to blend the two together. Also, this story was partially inspired by Beauty and The Beast, especially from the Tale as Old As Time (one of my favorites) song. And when I said "Something like light..." it was a reference for one of the quotes I put earlier in my story.
A minute later: Ugh! Chapter 12 got deleted in my computer just now and I have to start over. I worked so hard in it. I'm crying now. It's not going to come out the same. I can't even type. I'm so mad! I don't have time to write it again. I spent hours. I want to scream. I just finished it and there was a problem saving it and I accidentally closed the tab. Now it's gone. So much stress...!