Breaking Hope (Finding Sky edit)

Chapter 39 - Epilogue (Part 1)

-- Three months later --

I walked at a swift pace through the drama and music corridors. I had been in school for nearly twelve hours now, and was getting increasingly fed up but thankfully I was only in all day to provide the music for the musical that was on in – I checked my phone for the time – thirteen minutes. People strolled into the Atrium of the school and were now allowed to filed into the auditorium where the show was due to start. However, the show would only start if we could find Ella who had disappeared. Behind me, I heard footsteps running up behind me, before lifting me up in the air and spinning around.

'Found big sissy yet?' Oscar asked me, kissing me before holding my hand to join me.

'No, she's completely disappeared.' I said, and Oscar just stopped outside one of the drama rooms I had checked in. I frowned.

'I've checked in there.'

'Listen, though.' He whispered, pulling me in closer and I couldn't actually hear anything.

'What am I listening too?' I whispered, laughing as he pulled me in for a hug.

'Can't you hear the typing?' Oscar joked, leaning into the door so it opened. Sure enough, the room I saw was completely dark with no lights and no movements. But after a while of focusing in the room, I saw the completely familiar colours that surrounded Ella – a small hint of grey of holding back that Ella normally has, but the bright shine of warm red for love and friendship. She was hiding in the corner behind the curtain. I frowned at Oscar as he laughed, pulling me in but gesturing to be silent. Sure enough, a few seconds after the door shut I could hear Ella typing on her laptop again. Slowly Oscar crept across the laminate flooring before pulling open the curtain.

Ella, in full costume and stage make up sat in the corner, with her laptop resting on her knees.

'Where do you think you've been?' Oscar asked jokingly, and she pointed to the ground, wondering what the fuss was about.

'The show is meant to start in three minutes, Ella! You've been missing for half an hour easily.' I whispered to her, but she pointed to her laptop.

'Good news or bad news?' She simply asked, pulling her laptop off her lap, straightening out the shirt that Lauren had designed for her and made for costume. However, Lauren had overestimated Ella's chest size and made it a bit too baggy around the top which we just found hilarious as she gave us the evils complaining.

I turned to Oscar, and he frowned back. What does she mean?

'Okay, I'll do both. Good news is that David and Antonio Reed have both been sentenced for over seventeen charges between them at the court in central Maui earlier, and are in a Savant-proof prison for life. It's taken, what, three months since their arrest but they've both been sentenced and the verdict has come back about ten minutes ago. They're on the way to the isolated cell as we speak.'

That was bloody brilliant news! I could actually start my new life in Breckendale completely happy and content and without being stalked by the only living relative I was aware of.

'What's the bad news?' I asked, fearing that there was some sort've way they could get out of prison.

'Lucy started her new job down in Bournemouth – which means that Michael and Lucy never actually got together. She was a lot nicer than Lucy.' She pulled a face as we heard the cast of the musical run down the hallway and into the drama room for one last inspirational speech.

Gently, Oscar took my hand and walked me in the stage entrance for the auditorium, and down the secret stairs into the orchestra pit that was to the right hand stage of the stage. It was only then the last few moments of panic set in and I wanted to cry. I didn't want to perform – the complete auditorium was sold out for the four nights and the eight shows they were due to perform. People were coming in from Aspen to watch it as word had got out. Thankfully (well, Ella wouldn't say thankfully), Ella's leg had manage to heal at a wonderful rate due to her talented brother's gift and she was able to return to rehearsals a few weeks after she was shot. She didn't want too but it was forced to really.

You being a chicken, then? Oscar whispered, kneeling down beside me, so whilst the audience could see me, they couldn't quite see him.

I don't like performing in front of people!

Perform for me, then.

I can do that, but I can't do that in front of others.

Then just pretend it's just me and you. Oscar told me, and after a second of hesitation I nodded.

You said the only thing that matters was just me and you when we first got together. Is that the same now? I asked as the opening announcement started saying where the fire exits were. I looked at Oscar, who had settled down against the wall of the orchestra pit. Thankfully, they only needed a pianist so the whole pit was just for me and apparently Oscar too.

Hun, it will always just be me and you. You're everything now.