Page 98 of Phantom
A smile curves my lips. “I’d like that.”
She releases a breath like she’s been holding it for days. “Yeah? Okay, amazing. Well, until then. Break a leg in auditions today.”
“About that, I’m thinking of skipping the lead auditions and telling Maggie I’m good for a lesser role, or understudy.”
Jilliana’s eyes flare wide and she points a long manicured bloodred nail at me. “Scarlett Day, don’t you fucking dare.”
My jaw drops at her reaction. “What? I thought you’d be happy—”
“Oh, hell no. As soon as I saw the email, I’ve been busting my ass all weekend, perfecting my audition. This is the first time I’ve had a chance to really prove—to myself and everyone else—that I deserve to be on this stage. If you bow out, I’ll never know if I would’ve been good enough to be the lead, fair and square. Don’t you fucking dare sell us both short.”
“Okay… so whatdoyou want me to do?”
She huffs and props her hands on her hips. “Bring it, obviously. You’re going to sing your pretty little heart out. And then I’m going to do it better.” She smiles triumphantly as if she’s already won. Hell, with that attitude, she practically has.
What I wouldn’t give to have that confidence. Maybe once I start pursuing my own dreams, I will.
Over the past year, I’ve withdrawn more and more into my shell. The “quiet little mouse” is what Monty used to call me. But I certainly haven’t been afraid to speak my mind with Sol. If I can go toe to toe with the Phantom of the French Quarter, everyone else should be a piece of cake. That realization makes tension release in my chest and my lips lift at the corners.
“Jilliana? Scarlett? Are y’all ready?” Maggie calls again.
Jilliana holds out her hand. “Do we have a deal?”
I take hers in mine and shake. “Deal.”
“Okay, great. See you out there, Scarlett. Give it your best shot or I’ll get sick every show on purpose.”
I laugh, but cover my mouth when I hear my name called through Maggie’s megaphone, apparently thinking we just hadn’t heard her.
“Showtime.” Jilliana winks before she walks with me out of my room and to the stage. When I step out, front and center, she points at me. “Your best, Scarlett. I’m serious.”
“Wouldn’t want to disappoint you, Jilliana.” I chuckle and return her wink from earlier.
The first gentle notes ofIl m’aime, one of the arias performed by the lead female character inFaust, begins to play over a speaker system and I do exactly as I promised. I bring it.
While I sing, I can’t help but glance up at box five. When I see my demon of music looking on, an actual smile widens across my lips, not just the one I’m wearing for the sake of the audition.
We never talked about it, but I’d wondered if he’d show, and now I know he wants me to see him. The stage lights are dimmer, making it easier to see the auditorium but he sits near the railing instead of blending into the shadows like the Phantom he is. A smile lifts the left corner of his lips and my heart flutters in my chest.
Hell, I debated staying in my own dorm tonight, but there’s no way I can resist going back down to him, especially since I know the way now.
Once I sing the final notes, the music cuts off abruptly and Maggie gives her obligatory claps. She’s always tried to be impartial and even if I sang the chandelier down, she’d still give the same emotionless claps.
“Very good, Miss Day. Well done. I’ll be posting my decision at the end of the week. Jilliana Cruz! You’re up!”
I give one last glance at Sol before stepping backstage and his heated gaze makes my stomach flip with excitement. When I turn around, Jilliana is wearing a playful scowl.
“Good job. You would’ve brought the house down.” Then she breaks into a cocky grin. “Challenge accepted.”
She straightens and walks past me to center stage. The same song plays again over the speakers, but Jilliana’s performance is undoubtedly better. Her acting is spot on, and I canfeelher whole heart and soul pouring from her.
The way she gleams looks exactly like how I felt on stage at Masque. There will be no contest between the two of us. She’s got the lead in the bag, as she should.
My eyes flicker to the now empty box five. I’m giddy to go see him after this. I have a few classes to prepare for the rest of the week, but the perks of the senior-student life is I’m only supposed to be focused on my equivalent of a senior thesis—a.k.a. participating in this opera—and pursuing my goals for the future.
Thanks to Sol, I’ll be doing exactly that this Friday. He told me before I left this morning that he’s secured a gig for me at Masque during the Red, White, and Black Party. It’s just another step toward fulfilling my dream.
I practically glide to my room backstage to pack an overnight bag for Sol’s. As I’m humming and packing, a blur passes by my room and I look up to see the back of someone walking past my open door. I glance out and see Jaime’s frame speeding away..
