The Innocent Angel of Music

Chapter 14: If She sings, He will come

For the past week now, everyone has been keeping a close eye on me. I'm not allowed to go anywhere by myself. Not even allowed to be home alone. Adam, Trent, Amy always had eyes on me during practice. Dad stayed home while I was there. Everyone was trying to keep me safe from him. After a week of silence, Mandy returned to take her role back. Come to find out, the people who worked on the stage. Had no knowledge of this 'trap door'. Mandy never told them to put it there. She didn't pay their silences off. The police assumed she was framed and let her go. Adam, Trent and Amy sat in the same row as me. We were quietly sitting there until the doors swung wide open. Mandy strolled into the auditorium, with a large smile on her face. Trent crossed his arms and puffed. "So much for it being quiet." I laughed a little. She walked up on stage and stood in front of Rex. He immediately dropped to his knees and held out his hands. "Please forgive me! But with everything, we thought it was you. You can come back and revise your role. Would you like us to make you feel welcomed back again?" Rex cleared his throat.

"Oh no." Amy whispered.

"PRIMA DONNA! FIRST LADY ON THE STAGE..." Rex was very high pitched and off key.

Mandy waved her hands. "Not necessary. I do have some things to say first."

Amy scooted back in the seat with her head resting on top of the chair. "This outta be another shit show." She mumbled.

Mandy held her hands together. "I would like to apologize to everyone for my bitchy behavior. It comes with the part, but it also doesn't mean I should like that. I've been seeing a therapist and she's helped me become a better person." Her eyes glanced around at the cast. "Moving forward, I want us all to start on a clean slate." She looked over at me. Adam grabbed my hand and held it. "Krissy, I'm so sorry for all the things I've done to you over the years. You have a beautiful voice. You're talented and I've been jealous. I wanted to make it up and show you how serious I am." One of her friends rushed over to me and handed me something in a plastic bag. Everyone around me was on edge. None of us trusted her. My hands slowly opened up the bag. My eyes filled with tears once I saw what it was. Slowly pulling it out, my mouth ran dry. I couldn't speak. No words would come out. Adam took it from my hands. "A trophy?"

Amy's eyes widened. "It's the trophy Krissy was supposed to win. That was the last competition she entered after her mom died. She choked because Mandy bullied her before she stepped out on stage."

Mandy got off stage and made her way over to me. She stood in front of Adam. "I really truly am sorry. I want us to start over."

Trent raised his eyebrow. "And how do we know this isn't an act? Apologizing in front of the theater troupe, just to make it seem like were all buddies then stab us all in the back."

She crossed her arms tightly against her chest. "Do you not want me to be this way or be the bitch that I was before?"

Rex raised his hand. "I prefer this, Mandy. Hopefully this one screams less." We all looked at Rex. Mandy reached her hand out towards me. Amy touched my shoulder. I truly felt she changed. Being the true bitch that she really was, would have never given me this. She would gloat about it. My eyes met hers. "If you even try one thing, I'll..."

She cut me off. "Don't worry. Those days are over. Can you take my hand now? I feel like I'm being stood up." Rolling my eyes, I grabbed it and shook it. Everyone cheered and clapped. Rex was jumping up and down on stage. I stood up and got in front of her. She gave me a hug and whispered in my ear, "I really am sorry about your mom. She was a lot nicer than mine." I pulled away with more tears in my eyes. She looked around the room. "Now we need to kick some phantom ass!"

Adam stood up and waved his hands. "Watch it. He has cameras everywhere in this place." Rex dropped his clipboard. Adam looked around the room. "Find any cameras and destroy them. We're taking back this play!" Everyone scattered about. Rex even dashed backstage to help. Adam looked at me. "Does he have them in the school?"