One In A Million

19: Just For A While

Jake's POV

"She'll never love someone like me... I'm... A monster." I stared into the mirror and gently put it down on the table, pain written all over my face.

"CUT!" the teacher said stopping the scene. "That was fantastic! Jake, you're really getting into the Beast's part." "Um... Thank you, sir." I bowed as I adjusted my cape.

"Now let's redo the scene where Belle dances with the Beast. Everyone get in your places and play the music." the teacher announced.

I readied myself down the stairs as I wait for Samantha to get out the door and come down. After a few minutes of silence, "Where is--" the teacher was interrupted by a phone call.

I went down the stage and walked over to where Charlotte and Blake were. I slumped down on the vacant chair and sighed. "Damn it. This is exhausting."

"You think?" Blake asked rhetorically as I finished drinking the bottled water Charlotte passed to me. "Well... At least you get to act, Jake. All I'm doing is memorizing my lines which I've already done a million times." Charlotte exaggerated while chuckling.

"Don't worry about it, princess. I'm sure you'll get to act once Samantha 'gets into an accident'. Plus, she's a really annoying Belle." I gestured and laughed.

"I doubt she'll get into an 'accident'." she mimicked. "Well, who knows... But I really wish you'd be my Belle this time." I winked playfully.

"Me too. Since I--" she was interrupted by the teacher's sudden announcement. "I regret to inform you, everyone. But Samantha can't do the play anymore because she broke her leg. So from today onwards, Charlotte will be the new Belle." he finished as we were all dumbfounded.

"Such luck, Charlotte! I wish you the best of luck on the rehearsals." Blake cheered enthusiastically as he patted her shoulder. "I'm gonna need it." she panicked.

I looked over to see Lucy and Mark fistpump. "What did you guys do this time..." I shook my head and sighed. But inside, I was absolutely thrilled to have Charlotte be Belle. My Belle.

"Let's have you dressed up, Charlotte." the teacher called out. Since I had a bit of time, I walked over to the two lovebirds who were finishing the background of the forest.

"What did you guys do exactly?" I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrow. They flinched from the sudden question.

"Do what?" they turned their heads to me, asking innocently when it was clearly obvious in their faces. I put on a stern look and they sighed.

"We didn't push her down a flight of stairs if that's what you're trying to imply." they bluntly replied. "Did you seriously do that!?" I was stunned.

"We're just joking. She fell off the stairs on her own." they waved their hands. "How?" I was in disbelief.

"We were walking down the hallway when we saw her putting on some heavy make up..." Lucy stated. "And since she wasn't looking where she was going, she fell off the stairs." Mark finished and they started snickering.

"But hey! You get to be with Charlotte for the play, so it's a win-win." Lucy cheered. "That's what you want, right?" Mark smiled. I facepalmed at the two idiotic optimists that were clearly seeing the bright side of things.

~Time skip~

"Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme,
Beauty and the Beast... " the music played on as Charlotte and I danced on the stage.

We stared into each other's eyes as we held each other in a warm embrace, dancing in sync on the stage. "I wish it would last a little longer." I thought but to my dismay I had to continue what was written on the script.

As the music stops, I held her hand and we walked over to the balcony. She sighs, "Is there something wrong, Belle?" I asked with concern. "It's just that... My father, I really wish I could see him again..." she replied.

"Here, it's a magic mirror which can enable you to see the outside world, to see anyone you wish..." I say as I handed to her the mirror which I took out from my suit.

"I would like to see my father, please." she said as she 'saw' her father in the cold snow, freezing to death. " M-my father, he's-he's freezing." she gasped as tears ran down her eyes.

"Wow, she's really getting into the part." I thought and cleared my throat. "It can't be helped, I'll allow you to see your father again, Belle. You are now free." I said sadly.

"R-really?" she looked into my eyes and I cupped her cheeks. "Yes." I hugged her for the last time and let her go. She hurriedly ran down the stage to find her father, "Master, why'd you let her go? Didn't you know she was our only hope in breaking the spell?" Mrs. Pots spouted. "Because I love her..." I replied as I exited the stage.

"Always have and forever will..." I thought and went down the stage. "Excellent! It was so beautiful!" the teacher exclaimed as he grabbed some tissues to blow his nose. "So heart warming!" he soon wiped the tears in his eyes.

Charlotte's POV

"I nearly made it with this scene. That was so intense." I sighed in relief as I exited the stage. "You did great, Charlotte!" Blake cheered.

"Those tears were so realistic, Char! You're a natural." Lucy chimed. "It wasn't that great though, it's the same as ever when I was still a kid." I thought out loud.

"Alright! 10-minute break, everyone and then we can practice the last scene where Belle confesses her love for Beast and he transforms into the handsome Prince." the teacher announced.

"That's barely enough break time..." Jake groaned as he scratched his head. "You did great, Jake! I was almost swooned over by your acting." I winked.

"Pfft... Yeah right, princess. You weren't so bad yourself. It's the same as when we were kids, huh?" he grinned as I chuckled.

Blake's POV

I watched the two chatter about their childhood. "Well, you'll swoon her this time, no?" Mark nudged my shoulder, putting me out of my thoughts.

"I guess... But I'm a bit nervous though." I scratched my head and chuckled nervously.

"Don't worry about it! Just chill and you'll survive this." Lucy lightly punched my shoulder while Mark gave a thumbs up. "Alright, I got this." I said as I walked over to the two to discuss about the last bit.

~Time skip~

"Beast..." Charlotte sobbed onto Jake's chest. "Belle sobbed onto the Beast's chest, grieving over the death of her dearest friend." the narrator spoke.

"Please, don't leave me... I love you..." she clenched his shirt and a cloud of smoke appeared, signalling me to take over Jake's place.

"W-what's happening? Beast?" Charlotte said worriedly. "The smoke cleared and Belle couldn't believe her eyes..." "Beast? Is that you?" Charlotte hesitantly walked over, cupping my cheeks, and staring into my eyes.

"Beast! I thought I'd lost you!" she hugged me tight as I twirled her around. "I thought so, too. But only true love could break my spell and you did it, Belle. I love you..." tears of joy streamed down her cheeks as I wiped them away.

"If only I had the guts to say those words... Then maybe, you could've been mine..." I thought and let her go.

"That was magnificent, you two! I hope it'll be this way for the next practices to come." the teacher clapped.

We went down stairs to meet up with the rest. "Fantastic, you guys." Lucy and Mark congratulated. "Thanks." we replied. "That was great!" Jake walked over and congratulated.

"Don't forget about next week's practice!" the teacher announced as he took all his things and left.

Third person's POV

"If only... We stayed that way a little longer..." Jake and Blake reminisced their time with Charlotte in the play as they exited the auditorium with the three friends who were conversing on their own.