~No One Would Listen~ (POTO) - Part Nine

She was nervous. She had never been more nervous in her life. She was happy she got the role. She tried to point herself the huge difference between being happy she got the role, and being happy her sister did not get it.
However, how would she do? Was she ready? Those thoughts flew trough her head as she studied her notes for a millionth time.
*How are you feeling?* she looked up to stare into the Phantom's grey eyes.
*I am scared.* she confessed. She knew she could not lie to him. She was not a good liar to start with, and lying to him (or her sister for the matter) was impossible for anyone.
He did not answer, instead looked down at his piano letting his gloved fingers touch the keys.
*Do you think I can do this? Do you think I am ready?* she asked fear echoing in her voice.
He looked up once more. Such tone he knew he could not even hope hearing in her sister's voice.
*You will do brilliantly, Karla.* he assured.
*I am not sure! There are some of the high notes I think I will not be able to get and some are low…I wonder if…*
*You will do just fine.* How could she think like that? She was his student for about a month now, and she thought she would not be able to sing the song right.
*Klara would do it better.* she whispered.
*Yes, but Klara will sing it without the emotion you put in.*
He should have not said that. He did not know why, but he preferred Karla not to know he was teaching her younger sister too.
*Emotion is not enough.* she looked down at her hands.
He stood up and kneeled in front of her, taking her small hands into his.
*You have more then emotions, you have talent!*
She looked up at him with hopeful eyes.
*Do you think so?*
He chuckled. However, it was not her sweet voice that made him chuckle but his try to imagine Klara saying something like that. She would rather kill anyone who says she does not have talent.
*I know so.*
She smiled staring at his eyes.
*I…I wanted to thank you. If it were not for you, I would not have gotten this far.* She said looking back down.
He made her look at him again, his fingers resting on her chin.
*There is nothing to thank about.*
He stared deep in her dark brown eyes. They were so warm and inviting, so were her full lips. He did not even realize they had both leaned in, until their lips finally met in a gentle kiss.
++++++++++++++++++++
Klara de Chagny sat down in Box 5. He brother was in the Box facing hers along with an excited but a little nervous Christine.
The last repetition was a much-tensed one. Everyone was surprised to see Klara giving her sister some advises.
Christine had been panicking because Karla's dress was not finished yet; Raoul was trying to make sure everything would go smoothly; the pianist had lost his score, so a few ballet girls had went to look for it. Meg's costume turned out a little too big for her, and Madame Giry was trying with all her might to bring some discipline in her students.
There were no sign of the Phantom, other then a whisper from Madame Giry for Karla, delivering his message for good luck.
Klara was trying to keep herself from laughing as she stared around herself only to see people running to somewhere, searching for something or yelling at someone.
~This is the opera atmosphere.~ she thought.
Raoul looked like he was about to have a nervous breakdown as he took his sit next to Christine, nodding at his sister.
The chorus was good, the ballet worse then anyone hoped, but better then anyone feared.
The singers did a good job. Karla, although she looked like she would faint any minute now, was singing beautifully. Everybody was amazed by her singing and applauded as loud as ever. However, two people in the building knew someone could sing it better.
Klara and Erik both knew that the pretty little voice of Karla would have been crushed if Klara herself was out on the stage.
However, the 'Dark Pearl' could not hide from herself that she was angry. She was, indeed, furious she did not get a role.
~Soon, I will.~
Think of me
Think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
++++++++++++++++
*You did wonderfully.* Klara observed as the two sisters went to bed that very same night.
*Thank you* Karla exclaimed, excitement still not leaving her mind.
*Beautiful flowers.* Klara said emotionlessly. *Especially that rose over there.*
*Yes, indeed.* Karla answered her sides flushing. Did her sister figure it out? Why else would she mention the rose? On the other hand, was she just joking?
~Oh no, Klara de Chagny never jokes! ~ Karla thought.
But why would she say something about the rose? ~It is obvious.~ Karla thought dispiritedly. ~She knows. She is smart, she knows why anyone would get a red rose with a black ribbon.~
Klara turned around and tried to fight her way to sleep. She had not met Erik since that eventful day when she told him her story. After all, he needed to prepare Karla for the opera.
They already had another opera in mind for the next time. It would be only a week before the wedding. Klara wanted to play in it. She knew she would play. Because there was enough roles for both of them. Klara and Karla.
The two sisters fell asleep. On the other hand, that was what each thought of the other one. They were both very awake.
Klara was thinking about the opera she was about to take part in. She knew she would. She would fight with teeth and nails for that role. She would fight against her brother, against her sister, against Erik but she would get it.
Karla thought of the kiss. So soft and gentle. She did not love him. She shivered at how cold that thought sounded in her mind. Nevertheless, she knew it. What if he loved her? That thought tormented her mind and soul. She wondered how hard it would be for him if he finds out; she has no feelings for him. She decided she would go along with it, not wanting to break his heart (or anger her teacher just as another opera was coming), but she would never love him. She could not love him. They were from two different worlds. She came from the world of light, he – from the world of darkness.