EDITED -Jayleigh
One
The rain fell down, tapping on the windows. Not just the rain, however, fell from the skies. The rain, so wet and heavy, caused the loose yellow leaves to fall from the oaks and maples. They cascaded down to the ground as if the sky was raining leaves, instead of precipitation. In an almost mesmerizing way, they seemed at peace as they slowly swayed back and forth, making their way to the dirt.
While watching the scenery outside, I missed what was going on around me. I missed the lecture the teacher droned about. I missed the notes being passed between classmates. I missed the texting girls tried to hide in their large bags. However, I didn’t miss the person who sat in front of me. Oh, no. He was way too tan, handsome, and mysterious to overlook.
“What are you doing after school?” The voice belonged to Warren, the new student that sat in front of me in Psychology. I wasn’t sure if his question was directed towards me, or my sister, Fawn. However, the familiar soft laugh that escaped Fawn’s lips answered that question before I even had the chance to glance up.
“I have to bring my little sister home.” Fawn gave me a look, a quick I-hate-you-glance.
Warren didn’t look at me. Not even a stolen peek out of the corner of his eye. “That’s too bad. I was hoping I could drive you home.”
Before I could think twice about my actions, words were slipping out of my mouth, quickly and slurred. “I have drama auditions after school. I’ll need the car anyway.”
Warren turned his head slightly, but still didn’t look at me. “What a coincidence.” His voice was hopeful but confident.
Once the teacher called class to order, Fawn turned back to me. “Listen to me, freak. Don’t listen in on my private conversations. You just screwed everything up.”
To be completely honest, I was never fluent in boy. I had no idea how I ended up messing things up between Fawn and Warren at that point. I pushed it aside and tried concentrating on what the teacher continuously droned on about.
*
“So you’re in the drama club, huh?” Once again, the voice belonged to Warren. He was standing against his locker that was conveniently above mine. The way he worded the question made me realize that it in fact wasn’t a question.
His eyes were searching my face, a broad smile flashed as I looked up at him. I didn’t feel nervous, however. His confidence must have been rubbing off. “Yes. Excuse me.”
He moved a small distance against another locker, but his leg still blocked my locker door from swinging open.
“That’s rather interesting.”
I shoved my book into my locker, annoyance growing, and grabbed another. “Why?” I asked as I stood.
“I’d picture your sister seeking the audience’s attention, but not you.” He smiled. “Let me guess, you are the stage manager.”
My face grew red. He was right about that. I could never conjure enough courage to audition for a part in the play. I was always on the crew. For a reason I could never fathom, I grew terribly angry towards the boy.
“Yes,” I said as sternly as I could. I slammed my locker closed and stormed off down the hallway.
*
I half-ran to the auditorium, eager to get away from Warren. Only then thinking of the come back, why the sudden interest in my extra curricular activities?
I put my things down behind the switch board; turning knobs and flipping switches to make the lights above the stage turn on. The room was completely empty, silent. I liked being alone in the auditorium when everything was so peaceful. It was somehow freeing.
The advisor walked in, heels pounding the linoleum walk way, a stack of papers in her hands. My heart suddenly tightened as my mellowness was wiped away. She placed them down on the table and took her seat facing the stage. She was ready for auditions.
The advisor was a middle aged woman. Her face was only hinting at wrinkles and only one visible long white hair that was tied in a bun, along with the rest of her auburn colored hair, on the back of her head. Lucky for her, she chose a profession where she hid in the dark while her puppets where on stage.
“Fayette,” she said to me, “there are several returning cast members and only a few new comers. Two new names were added to the list this afternoon. A Warren Dain will be joining our cast this year.”
My heart sank. So that was why he was so interested.
“What is the other name? You said there were two.”
She blinked at me. “You don’t know? Your sister added her name along with Warren this afternoon. Do you two ever speak?”
I shrugged. “It must have been a sudden decision.”
I stared straight forward at the barren stage. Just that afternoon Fawn called me a freak, why would she want to join the drama club? Must be all Warren’s doing to get on my nerves. He was getting really good at it.
As the time grew near, students began filing into the auditorium. I knew all the faces of the new comers. I had seen them around school and they had made it known that they’d be joining the club. A small girl, her name long forgotten, had come up to me during lunch and asked when the first meeting was. Once I told her, I watched her walk back to her table and all the girls relished over the news.
Suddenly, Marcia, the advisor, stood at my side. She walked down the isle of the house towards the orchestra pit where the cast members had congregated. They all fell silent as she began her welcome speech.
She had only gotten a few words out before the door opened, Warren and Fawn stepping over the threshold.
“Hope we aren’t late,” she said.
Marcia waved them down to join the rest of the people, neither of them seeing me as they walked past.
I tuned out Marcia’s speech and most of the auditions. When Marcia called out Warren’s name, I shifted uneasily in my seat. Having him on my cast could turn out unbearable.
As if by second nature, Warren stood center stage, looking not at the audience but just above. His lips parted as the sound of a piano and violins gracefully filled the auditorium. He began to sing Music of the Night from the play to be performed. He strutted around the stage as he sang to the audience.
My eyes bugged out. Who knew he could be so talented. I had never heard anything like it before in my life. It wasn’t the way pop stars sing. Andrew Lloyd Weber’s version couldn’t even compare. It was just beautiful and calming.
My jaw dropped as he ended in a soft pitch. The students sitting in the first few rows began clapping and cheering him. Even Marcia started clapping, a wide smile on her face. I just sat, transfixed.
I jumped about a mile when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I didn’t turn to see who it was. The strong scent of her designer perfume gave away who it was.
“What do you want?” I asked sharply. My eyes were still glued to Warren as he bowed his way off the stage.
“I need your help.”
I turned to her. Her brow was creased with worry. “With?” I pushed.
She leaned down to whisper in my ear. Her soft brown curls fell in my face. “I need you to sing for me.”
“Excuse me?”
She rolled her eyes. “You and I both know you are way better at singing than me. And I can not embarrass myself, especially in front of Warren.” She paused for a moment, then continued. “I don’t want the part. I just want to look impressive. Okay? So you don’t have to worry about casting me. It will be just like at home, when we use to put on our own plays.” She blinked a few times, no doubt trying to bat her eyelashes. I have to hand it to her, she could be pretty persuasive.
“Look,” I said as stern as I could. “If I do this, you have to stop calling me a freak in school. Got it?”
She smiled and squealed in my ear as she wrapped her arms around my neck. “Thank you! Thank you!”
Without Marcia’s notice, I turned on microphone one and turned off the stage microphone on the switch board. That way, Fawn will be lip syncing to my song.
I walked back stage next to Fawn and we decided on a song from the play. Luckily, she has been so obsessed with the movie when it came out; she knew enough of the words to sing along.
I stepped behind the curtain, out of sight of the audience. The soft music started. I sighed as Fawn looked back at me and winked. I turned the microphone on and brought it to my lips.
I closed my eyes, pretending I was the one on center stage, not Fawn. But I could not. Seeing the faces of the audience as they are repulsed by my voice, I couldn’t bear it. I never took lessons, so I knew that I was off key a little, but I was good at mimicking sounds.
I let the air flow through my lungs as I sang. I pretended I was on stage, singing to the Phantom, actually being Christine.
As I came to a quiet end, the audience began to clap. And clap. And clap. Fawn bowed a few times, but received a standing ovation.
“Again!” they cried. “More, more!”
But of course, Marcia walked down the isle and they suddenly became hush. “Fawn, darling. Please come down here.”
Warren stood and reached a hand to Fawn and she took it as she jumped down off the stage.
I quickly turned, my face flush. I switched the microphone off and ran down to the orchestra pit to stand by Marcia’s side.
“We will be posting parts in the lobby this afternoon. You may see them tomorrow when you arrive to school. Each of you has your script. Once you know your part, I want you to start memorizing lines and songs.” She paused to clear her throat.
I spoke up then. “I will be handing out CDs to anyone who is playing a part with a song. That way you can learn the way it is supposed to sound. We will have private rehearsals for each person who is going to be singing so you can learn your part well. You all did very well today. I am shocked at the outcome. It will be a great show.”
A few of the students smiled and started talking to their friends. I walked back up to the switch board to grab my things. I didn’t hear anyone follow me, but as I was about to leave, Warren softly grabbed my arm.
I turned to him. He had a wide smile on his face. “Why did you do that?”
“Do what?” I asked, the annoyance clear in my voice.
His smile faded. “You just let Fawn cheat.”
I shrugged. “She didn’t really want the part. What does it matter to you?”
He shrugged, mocking my tone. “I guess I picked the wrong twin, didn’t I?”
(AUTHORS NOTE: This part is being debated. It may come out and be used later in the story)
mwahahaha
Well, that's it for now.