Red Strings And Markers

e l e v e n

"I don't like him. Next!"

Leanne let out a long sigh, running her hand down her face.

"B-But Miss, I barely said a line-"

"Nope! You're talentless. Next!"

"Chloé, you can't just determine actors based off of their looks. And it's not like it's going to matter anyways, because these men are auditioning for The Phantom. This is the character who is supposed to supposed to be deformed and 'hideous' to look at." Leanne dropped her papers on the table before Chloe, Leanne and one other sitting before the stage as one young man with a makeshift mask walked off with a sigh.

"Deformed and 'hideous' to look at?" Chloé snickered. "Someone call Nathanael!" She called out.

Adrien, who was onstage prepping some of the background stage with Nino and Marinette, who was helping a designer with costumes, both turned to Chloé.

"Chloé!"

"That's not nice to say!"

Chloé huffed, offended by Marinette's words, but then gasped excitedly and looked over at Adrien.

"Ooh, ooh, I know! Why don't we have my Adrikins audition for the part?" Chloé's face brightened and she turned to Leanne. "I'm sure he would be perfect for the part! My Adrikins is good at everything! Except, he's not hideous to look at." Chloé shot a wink to Adrien on the stage and he chuckled nervously, desperately wishing that Miss Leanne would not listen to her stupid antics.

"Adrien is a very skilled student. He excels when reading Shakespeare." Professor Bustier spoke up behind Leanne.

Leanne looked at her watch and then back at Professor Bustier and the rest of her actors going to audition.

"I suppose we can take a ten minute break and see what you kids can do." Leanne sighed and Chloé cheered as the rest of the actors scattered.

Adrien was trying to sneak off of the stage, when Chloé came up and latched onto his arm, dragging him out to center stage.

"Come on Adrikins, don't be shy!" He laughed nervously, but he was internally cursing Chloé.

Marinette huffed from her spot on the side of the stage, papers scattered around her as she was helping a designer with some costumes.

"I-I would really like to, but I kind of have to-"

"Wipe the stage away Adrikins!" Chloé said, handing him a script.

Adrien wanted to refuse but he couldn't refuse her. Not in front of everyone.

Adrien took the script from her hands and Chloé clapped quickly, jumping off stage.

Marinette watched as Adrien leafed through the script, the spotlight shining on him, making him look like a handsome angel.

The heat of the spotlight made Adrien feel hot and uncomfortable, along with the many pairs of eyes that were staring at him. He rolled his head across his shoulders and his eyes caught a glance over at Marinette, who was watching him intently. With that, he smiled and put his script down.

"You have come here, in pursuit of your deepest urge. In pursuit of that wish which 'til now has been silent... Silent! I have brought you, that our passion may fuse and merge. In your mind you've already succumbed to me. Dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to me! Now, you are here with me. No second thoughts. You've decided... Decided! Past the point of no return. No backward glances... our games of make-believe are at an end! Past all thought of if or when. No use resisting..." His voice was a tone deeper, demanding and deathly attractive.