Midnight Music

Chapter 9

Platinum smiled as he paused the music on his phone from the practice room's speaker set. Iris sighed as they got a drink from their water bottles. "What made you decide that we're doing Grease ?" she asked, a little annoyed.

It was Wednesday night, and they had less than half an hour before the club opened. In both previous evenings, they spent a total of nearly four hours figuring out the choreography and practicing it. Memorizing the song wasn't a problem for the two of them, since they both were huge fans of musicals.

"You said you were okay with whatever, and I picked the one that first came to my head." She squinted her eyes at him.

"If I find out you've been trying to picture me dressed as Sandy in those skinny leather pants-" she stepped towards him with a finger pointed threateningly at him.

He raised his hands in surrender as he backed into the wall of the soundproof practice room. "I never did, I swear. Although, I'm sure you'd look great in them."

The beautiful lady rolled her eyes, then sat down on a bench in front of the mirrors. Glancing at his phone, he decided to use the remaining time they had wisely. Sitting on the floor near her feet and adjusting his hat so he could see her, Platinum looked into her blue eyes beneath the silver-white mask and smiled.

"You're very talented, milady. If I might ask, what made you have such a passion for music?"

She thought for a moment before answering. "Growing up, I had a difficult childhood. Besides my older brother, music was the one thing that was always there for me when I was at my lowest. In a way, I suppose I owed music enough to make it the center of my life."

"That's very cool," Amazing. "When I was a kid, I always thought music was some form of magic that escaped into this world, and that it was the one thing that could somehow bring people together."

"Sounds like we have another thing in common." Iris laughed softly. He raised his eyebrows in confusion, and she explained. "My brother once told me he was convinced that I believed in music like some kids believed in fairy tales. To think that music was a magic that connects us all. . ."

"It does sound strange, but also spectacular."

"Exactly."

The pair was quiet for a minute, then Platinum decided to ask a slightly more personal question. "So, what do you do when you're not singing and dancing?"

"You mean when I'm not wearing the mask?" She raised her eyebrows quizzically, to which he responded by giving a half-shrug and crooked smile. She thought for a moment before answering. "I'm actually studying music at the university."

"That's awesome! So am I!"

"Really? What got you so into music, besides your childhood belief?"

"My grandma taught me piano since I was 10, and it just took off from there. My parents loved my talent, but they wanted me to think realistically about what to do with my life. They gave me half of their support, if any."

"At least you got support. My dad says that I should choose a 'real' career path rather than music."

"He clearly doesn't know how talented you are."

Though her mask covered some of her cheeks, he could see a faint hint of blush in her face. Platinum moved closer, then rested his arms across the girl's knees, looking up into her bright blue eyes. "If you're free sometime, maybe we can get something to eat. Just the two of us."

"You know of any places that will serve a couple of masked theatre performers?" she asked sarcastically, laughing as she stood up to throw away her plastic water bottle.

He jumped to his feet and followed her. "We can ditch the masks, the costumes-the whole act. Instead of Platinum and Iris, it can be you and me."

She looked up at him, shaking her head. "Iris is me, at least a part of me that has chosen to finally surface again. And we're barely even friends, Platinum. I'm not fond of the idea of letting you see me without my mask until then. I don't want to rush into things when we're still at the beginning."

A warm bubble swelled inside the young man's chest. His lips curved into a confident smile, and he leaned his arm against the doorframe between them. "So, you're saying that I still have a chance?"

"As long as you respect me, there might be a possibility of one."

He took her hand in his and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "I hope you'll one day give me that chance. I promise I'll do my best to never displease you."

"Good. That will make being your partner more tolerable." She said with a teasing smile. So beautiful!

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and DJ Moon cracked it open. "Hey, guys! The club is now open, so we have about 30 minutes until show time."

"I'm going to go see Daisy before it gets too crowded." Iris quickly informed the two men before taking off down the hall.

Platinum leaned against the doorway, watching as the young woman practically glided up the stairs and out of sight. "Dude, I think I'm in love." He muttered aloud to his friend.

"With Iris? I can tell. But you don't even know her." The man tried to reason with his friend, giving him a reality check.

"Romeo loved Juliet before he even knew she was a Capulet." The steely man pointed out.

"Yeah, and they both died in the end. Do me a favor and not make that mistake," DJ Moon gave him a slap on the back. "It's nice to see you happy, considering how long it's been since you really smiled. But I honestly hope you don't crash and burn while trying to win her."

"It's just a matter of time, really. And I'm willing to wait for as long as I have to until she falls for me. In the meantime, I might get the chance to really know her."

"I'm sure you'll know her in no time." They shared a look and smile before DJ Moon had to leave. As his friend walked away, Platinum couldn't help but wonder what thoughts were behind that look in his eye. They've known each other long enough for him to have an idea about it. He knows something. But what?