Bravissimo

Like a Princess

Darius-

Bright light shines through the window nearest my bed and onto my face. A much more preferred way of wakening than one of the elders waking us, or being jolted awake by loud noises. I sit up and notice that the late night we had had last night takes a toll on all my friends as I am the only one awake. Stretching and looking out the window I see the morning leaves the sky a fair peach color with a cool mist over the street. However, the mist not affecting the press and their curiosity with the Opera Populaire and those that inhabit it. Thinking back I remember when I had cast this place off as simply a dream of mine, something that could never truly happen, for good things like this only happen to other people. Until the day came when I met the girl who made this place, my dream something that was not a question, but a must.

Quickly and silently I change into a grey dress shirt and black trousers and shoes, as I tie them I notice Michael's head over the edge of his bed and I scoff and laugh to myself as I stand. I grab my book and pen ready to leave for somewhere quiet to sketch, as much as I can before the intense night ahead. As I open the squeaky door we all have learned to quietly open over our time here, I turn back to a noise. "Sneaking out Matthews? That's what you do at midnight my friend." Michael says rubbing the back of neck and yawning. I grin and shake my head as I walk out the door closing it no sooner than I am sure he's fallen back asleep. The fact that the women's and men's wings are kept on separate ends of the section of the House where dancers are kept, makes it even easier for me to escape and avoid Madame Giry in the process. Being caught would mean being made to practice, though on the nights before an Opera performance let alone a brand new one makes the odds a bit more in our favor that maybe no punishment would arise.

I walk down the ancient spiral staircase and down the hall to the door to the outside. Opening the door I smile as I breathe in the crisp, chilly morning air and sigh as it brings one person to mind, the girl I do hope to see. A fancy carriage carrying Miss La Carlotta no doubt, takes a turn down the street on the way here to the front, and I make my way there as well. The crowd parts as her carriage is opened and so the yelling begins; "Back! Get back I said! UGH!" she yells and rolls her eyes as she is assisted out. How they have dealt with her so long is beyond me. The cameras flash and quickly move around her, but she is by far used to it. Agitated she moves her hands together and apart, telling the people to separate so she may go forward.

"No respect, no respect. They don't listen!" she says in her thick accent. A very different attitude to the press than her adoring fans I have noticed. "Get my good side! I want-" she begins demanding than gasps, her eyes light up and she smiles looking up the stairs to the door that has just opened. My heart skips a beat as well as Annabel Lee stands there smiling at the crowd and then La Carlotta. A celadon colored dress and small black heels accenting her shiny blonde curls in the morning sun. It seems her smile is what gives the day its energy, the sun nothing in comparison.

Annabel stands there and grins swaying back and forth for a moment with a knowing grin, excitement radiating off of her as well. La Carlotta begins to walk up the steps, and then in high pitched excited yelling La Carlotta exclaims; "J'ai entendu ta nouvelle douce fille!" Though I'm not perfect at French, I smile upon hearing her call her; "Sweet Girl". Annabel then quickly runs down the steps and embraces La Carlotta hugging her tightly. "You're victory made the front page!" She says holding her by the shoulders. Just moments before she was acting so cruel, perhaps Annabel brings something better out of her. Alexandra must be fuming today, and her relationship with her uncle must be all the worse. "If I had heard yesterday I would have come then! Oh! I have been waiting for something like this to-" she says until I can no longer hear her as the crowd has grown over twice it's size from five minutes ago, and the people push ahead of me.

A few moments later Christine walks out and smiles sweetly at the new day, behind her Monsieur Destler walks out and offers his arm, with Gustave running out right after. Seeing him makes my right shoulder throb from yesterday's encounter on stage. She softly accepts his arm and rests her head on it after he tells her something, it is funny how someone so seemingly innocent could be with someone that I can only imagine is cruel. I look back to him and my heart drops as we make eye contact, and I do not know what to do. Should I leave? Do I dare stay? A sigh escapes my lips as he grins as Monsieur Andre and Firmin walk up the steps. Perhaps he was not looking at me? Maybe he hadn't noticed me at all?