Twisted Every Way: A Haunting Love Triangle

Chapter 10 Insolent Boy

(Steven's Point of View, Erik Destler)

I am at a loss for words as I listen to Julia describe in vivid detail how difficult her journey to become Christine has been. It is eerily similar to that of the character. Her father died when she was young and was the biggest supporter of her singing career after her mother died. She had befriended Tim when they were young but had been distant for many years. He hadn't been the best friend to have around and had recently showed early signs of alcoholism. Now that he had re-entered her life, he wanted to pick up from where he left off and was already hostile when she refused his advances. "The worst part about the whole Tim thing is that I feel like things are starting to turn in my favor and if I am with him, he only cares about himself and his success. Once his parents start their next big enterprise, he may want me to go with him. I don't want to. I love performing and don't want to just be a socialite" Julia says, her voice shaking and tears streaming down her face. No one should force anyone to become someone they don't want to be. I slip my hand under Julia's chin and raise her head up so that we are face to face. "Julia, you need to tell him this flat out. Be honest and forward with him. I'll be by your side in case he does get aggressive. You shouldn't have to face this on your own" I say. Shifting closer to her, I pull her shaking body into my arms and she wraps hers around my back, her hands resting on my shoulders. I kiss her head and as she looks up at me, our lips meet again. The serene moment is broken by a loud pounding on the door. We stand up and I walk towards the door, reaching for my wallet. As I open the door and look up, I hear Julia gasp. It's not the delivery man without food. The figure at the door is Tim, and he reeks of beer.

(Julia's Point of View, Christine Daae)

My voice is trembling and my body is shaking as I tell Steven about how hard it has been for me to get to this point. "After my dad died, I really had no one to turn to. Tim was long gone and I was living on my own. While I had the funds, I needed to work just so I could keep singing. Phantom is my big break. When I found out Tim was going to be in the show, I was scared. We hadn't left on the best of terms and I heard he had been arrested for DWI but was never charged. Now that he's back in my life, he thinks we can hit play and pick up where we left off, but now he's become violent when I say no. The worst part about the whole Tim thing is that I feel like things are starting to turn in my favor and if I am with him, he only cares about himself and his success. Once his parents start their next big enterprise, he may want me to go with him. I don't want to. I love performing and don't want to just be a socialite". I feel his hand under my chin and he moves my head up so that our eyes meet. His words make my body stop shaking for a few minutes and I listen intently as he says "Julia, you need to tell him this flat out. Be honest and forward with him. I'll be by your side in case he does get aggressive. You shouldn't have to face this on your own". He moves closer to me on the couch and takes my body in his arms. I start shaking again and put my hands on his shoulder to stabilize myself. He kisses my head and I pull back so that our lips meet again. Our moment is cut short by a loud pounding on the door. We both stand and Steven walks towards the door and reaches for his wallet. He opens the door and I gasp. To my horror, Tim is standing in the doorway with his hoodie pulled over his head. I can smell the beer from across the room.

(Tim's Point of View, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagney)

"I'm here to pick up Julia and I won't take no for an answer" I snarl at Steven. I try to push past him to get in the house, but he puts his hand across the door. "Tim, there is no way I am letting you near Julia smelling like you just came from Clyde's Bar. You need to get back in your car and go home" he replies. Wow, this jackass is very sure of himself, isn't he? I think to myself. I push Steven back and watch him stumble. I march into the house and grab Julia by the wrist. "Let's go, babe, we're leaving." I grab her wine and gulp it down before marching back towards the door. Julia breaks free of my grip and runs over to Steven. She helps him off the floor and I storm over to them. Before I can reach her, Steven steps in front of her. "Tim, I don't want to wake the neighbors, so you can either leave on you own free will, or I can call the police and have them come take you home. I don't think Andrew would like reading in the newspaper tomorrow that his Raoul was arrested for disorderly conduct, would you?" I huff at Steven before glaring at Julia. "This isn't over, she's mine and you need to know your place" I hiss before walking out the door. I storm over to my car and grab my 9mm out of the glove compartment. I shoot tow blanks in the air and shout "CONSIDER THIS YOUR WARNING!" before getting in my car and speeding away. I pull into my driveway and shut off my car. Storming into my house, I grab a beer and collapse on the couch. They haven't seen the last of me. Julia will be mine and Steven will be put where he belongs.