Hi, me again. I mention a few songs in this chapter that I do not own in any way shape or form buuuuttttt I did write Lysander's song myself.

I held my final pose for a second as silence permeated the room; then suddenly thunderous applause erupted along with cheers and catcalls. Looking down at the audience I saw, to my shock, that there were even a few people standing up! I stood, looking out at everyone cheering for me and I smiled in utter relief, placing a hand against my racing heart and letting out a small sigh. Alexy burst from backstage, now wearing a basketball jersey with matching shorts; he even had a basketball tucked under his arm.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, give it up for the ghost of Sweet Amoris High: Opal Sato!"

The applause continued and I bowed, feeling like I wanted to cry from relief and happiness. Alexy took my hand and brought me back up, raising our fists high in the air. I grinned and waved at the crowd for a second and the cheers continued.

"Alright, while all the other contestants make their way back to the green room I think I'll take the opportunity to introduce you to Opal. Did you all like her dance?"

The cheers intensified again as the entire front row stood up and began making their way towards the side door that led into the school hallway. Alexy turned to me and I saw his eyes glimmering as he asked, "So, tell me, Opal, where did you find this fabulous costume? Give us a twirl!"

Without waiting for me to reply Alexy, who was still holding one of my hands, brought it up and led me into a slow spin. A couple of wolf whistles rang out and I blushed but grinned as I looked up at Alexy.

"My Aunt designed it with some help from her assistant," I said, my voice still being amplified by my microphone, and I gave a small wink at Alexy.

"Well, personally, I think it is absolutely stunning! What about me? What do you think of my outfit?"

He dropped my hand and spun around on his tiptoes like a ballerina, holding the basketball above his head, and I laughed with the audience.

"You look the part, but can you actually play basketball?" I asked teasingly and Alexy scoffed.

"She doubts me!" he exclaimed at the audience, which caused them to laugh again.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement in the backstage area. Alexy craned his neck theatrically, shading his eyes as if he were looking at something far away.

"You know what, I think... Yes! I think we're ready to continue! Opal, would you like to help me introduce the next act since you are their unofficial tutor?" There was some murmuring in the crowd and Alexy flashed a smile at them. "That's right! Not only is she super talented, but Opal also happens to be our very own Valedictorian who takes the time to help those who are in academic need."

I laughed and swatted Alexy's arm playfully.

"The basketball boys are incredibly intelligent, I just hold study sessions to help them out every once in a while. But right now they're going to show off some awesome skills, right, Alexy?" I asked and he nodded enthusiastically.

"Hold onto your socks ladies and gents because they're about to be blown away by... The Basketball Bros!"

Applause sounded and Alexy took my hand. As we walked towards the edge of the stage the basketball boys came on, being led by Dajan. He held his hand up as we crossed paths and we high-fived, which of course started a chain, and as all the basketball boys passed me they gave me a high five and a bright smile.

"Opal, you were amazing out there!" Alexy whispered happily after we had escaped backstage and I grinned.

"Thanks! I really want to see this, so I'll see you after the show!" I whispered back.

Quickly I took the microphone off, handed it to Alexy, then dashed around the stage and back into the crowd just as the music started to play.

"Sweetheart, you were absolutely and completely WONDERFUL!" Auntie whispered fiercely as I took my seat in between her and Shin Woo. She pulled me into a hug and Shin Woo patted my head before whispering,

"The way you caught your hat as it came down was incredible! And throwing in that backflip? How did you come up with that?" he asked and I giggled nervously.

"I didn't. I just messed up," I whispered back.

Shin Woo chuckled and patted my head again. We all turned our attention to the stage where the basketball boys were dribbling to the beat of "Remember the Name" by Fort Minor. They were lined up in three lines and they kept weaving in and out between the lines while dribbling the balls in crazy patterns completely in sync. This lasted for about twenty or thirty seconds, then the song switched to "Jump Around" by House of Pain. The boys split into four lines and tossed the basketballs between them, creating first a diamond shape, then a star with their basketballs flying through the air. Suddenly the music cut out and all the boys froze in strange positions. Slowly they turned to the front so that everyone could see them and a familiar voice rang out through the speakers.

"I'm sexy and I know it."

The audience laughed and as the small techno interlude played, most of the basketball boy's moved to the back of the stage. I nearly died of laughter when Troy pulled his jersey off and flexed his muscles alluringly. However, my attention was captured by Dajan and Sterling who ran to opposite sides of the front of the stage.

Without missing a beat, they both ran towards the center and did a front flip, landing right next to each other. LMFAO once again sang out "I'm sexy and I know it" as Dajan and Sterling crossed their left legs over their right and leaned against each other's shoulders. Folding their arms over their chest they winked exaggeratedly as the music stopped. I jumped to my feet; clapping and cheering loudly.

They all bowed and ran off the stage while dribbling their basketballs. The curtain began to lower and once it had hit the ground Alexy came back out; this time wearing leather pants, a ripped black T-shirt with a strange logo on it, and chains that draped from every single available surface on his body.

"Give it up for the Basketball Bros!" he yelled into the mic.

I joined in another round of cheering, feeling an intense pride go through me. The curtains lowered as we cheered and Alexy walked across the stage.

"Yes, they were excellent! Very excellent! Did you manage to hold onto your socks? I sure hope so, because we're not even close to being done! Which act has been your favorite so far?"

Alexy held his microphone out to the audience and there were tons of shouts. I blushed crimson as I realized that a good portion of them were saying 'Lady Mysteria'. Alexy grinned and nodded

"This is great! We've finally got some energy going! Keep that energy up because you are about to witness something spectacular. Singing their original song "Fallen Angel'' give it up for the Temporary Troublemakeeeeeeerrrrs!" Alexy yelled dramatically.

Once again the curtain began to rise, revealing Lysander in the center of the stage behind a microphone stand. Castiel was standing to his left holding a red electric guitar, and two boys I didn't recognize were playing the drums and the bass. The drums were set up on a platform that I guessed could be rolled back and forth on the stage.

I sat forward, practically on the edge of my seat as I waited in expectant suspense. The drummer raised his sticks and tapped a quick "1, 2, 3" and the three instruments began playing a powerful melody. Lysander placed one hand on the microphone, looking down at the ground and tapping his foot to the beat as the introduction played. As the music toned back just a little, he looked up at the audience and began to sing with more intensity and emotion than I had ever heard from him,

Days come and days pass with no change in sight
Content and unafraid, just passing the time
Unexpected shadow deprives me of light
My eyes do not believe as I look up on high

The music began to intensify, changing both the tempo and key slightly as Lysander brought his other hand up onto the microphone. His beautiful tenor voice gained depth and volume, rivaling the intensity of the instruments as he sang the chorus.

Falling angel, fallen angel
She was knocked down from the sky
Beaten wounded, lost and frightened
Yet showing nothing but a smile
Falling angel, fallen angel
Hiding pain behind her eyes

As the music changed to the softer verse rhythm I felt my eyes wander over to Castiel. He looked completely engrossed in the music, expertly strumming his guitar and watching Lysander as he continued the next verse. I turned my attention back to him and remembered Castiel's comment about how Lysander had been super protective of this song and wanted it to be perfect. I wondered who Lysander's angel was that he was singing about.

Smiling bright she lightened everyone's day
Invisible wings trailing limply behind
To keep us from knowing she slipped away
Falling to the ground and in anguish she cried

Falling angel, fallen angel
You were knocked down from the sky
Beaten, wounded, lost, and frightened
Yet showing nothing but a smile
Falling angel, fallen angel
Hiding pain behind her eyes

This is such an intensely sad song. Why did Lysander choose this? I wondered as the music once again switched back to the softer verse rhythm. As I watched Lysander, who hadn't been focusing on any one spot in particular up until now, he turned and stared right into my eyes. I was frozen to the spot as he sang with soft intensity.

Hidden behind a low brick wall unseen
I listened to the lonely cries she wept
Courage failed me at her piercing keens
Why did I feel so inadequate?

The music changed to a pounding bridge and I felt as if I was rooted to my seat. I realized that tears were dripping down my cheeks as I remembered back to when I sprained my ankle and had fallen in the garden. Lysander had been outside the garden wall, but he said he hadn't been there for long.

But obviously, he lied. He'd seen me. He had heard me. Fear, confusion, and slowly bubbling panic rose up my throat as I listened to Lysander boldly sing the bridge and a revised chorus.

Why does it hurt me when you cry?
Why can't I run to you and hold you?
Why am I still, yet yearn to fly?
Fly past this wall and comfort you?
What can I do? What could I say?
To protect you from such paaaiiinnn

Falling angel, fallen angel
You were dragged down from above
Although wounded, you were selfless
Supporting us you were among
Falling angel, fallen angel
When did I fall so in love?

That was the final straw. I stood up and turned away, breaking Lysander's eye contact as the instruments began to go through their solos. A warm hand took my wrist and I looked down at Auntie, grateful that the darkness hid my tears.

"Is something wrong?" she whispered and I shook my head.

"I'm fine. I just can't hold it any longer," I said vaguely. Auntie's grip tightened on my wrist.

"But it's Lysander and Castiel's song," she said with a bewildered tone.

"I know. I'll be back."

With that I dashed out of the auditorium, through the entrance doors, and stood on the sidewalk, breathing the chilly night air deeply. Silent tears streamed down my cheeks as a feeling of helpless guilt washed over me.

Lysander thinks that he is in love with me. He wants to protect me. The thought filled me with so much guilt I felt as if I would throw up. He had heard me. He had heard me crying and wanted to help. How was I supposed to explain without causing him to hate me? How could he protect me from myself? Could I really tell him that he thought he was in love with a mistake?

You are a mistake. You don't deserve to be alive. Why did you ruin my life? Father's hateful words filled my mind and I clenched my hands into fists. My life had been so different since I had come to Sweet Amoris, but I couldn't change what I was. I couldn't allow Lysander to keep such feelings for me when I didn't deserve them.

Time seemed to stand still as I stood outside staring up at the stars and circled through feelings of guilt and fear. I wasn't surprised when I heard one of the doors behind me open after an undetermined amount of time. As I thought of falling into Auntie's warm embrace, thoughts of Lysander and my father faded away. I sniffed and wiped my eyes.

"It's a good thing you used waterproof makeup..." I stopped mid-sentence as I turned to see that it wasn't Auntie standing behind me. Instead, Lysander stood there; his silver and black-tipped hair gleaming in the moonlight.

He was still wearing his costume; green pants that looked like they had been weaved together with two thick pieces of fabric, one with a plaid pattern and the other a normal green. His undershirt was white with large bands of black stretching from across the left side to one point on the right side of his chest. He had a scarf of the same fabric as the plaid green in his pants, a black half sleeve jacket with gold detailing and white and black striped gloves completed his look. It was a bizarre assortment, but Lysander pulled it off extremely well.

We stared at each other, neither saying a word. I briefly contemplated just running away and avoiding Lysander from now on. After all, I couldn't hurt him if I stayed away from him. But Lysander took a step towards me and my feet froze to the ground as I watched him slowly advance until he was only a handspan away from me. He reached up and brushed a finger against my cheek, wiping away one of my tears.

"Again I find you crying alone," he whispered, confirming my fears that he had indeed seen me in the garden.

I turned away, breaking contact with his finger, and took a step back from him. Silence once again descended between us and I desperately searched for something to say.

"Kate. Did you listen to my song?" he asked.

Slowly I brought my head up to look him in the eye. The moonlight reflected from one green and one caramel eye and I thought back to the verse where he had said he wanted to protect me. Guilt washed over me again and I blinked rapidly before taking a deep breath.

"I did. But you misunderstood." I was surprised at how firm my voice came out and Lysander continued to stare right at me.

"Then help me understand."

I flinched, taking another step back, but he closed the distance between us and waited patiently. My throat went dry as I looked into his steady gaze but the fear and guilt wouldn't go away. I told myself inwardly that I shouldn't keep deceiving him, but I couldn't face his beautiful eyes filling with the hate I knew would come.

You shouldn't have been born. You shouldn't exist. You ruined my life! Everything is wrong because of you. You're just a mistake!

"You can't protect me, Lysander," I whispered.

His eyes narrowed and he tried coming even closer but I pulled back, turning and wrapping my arms around myself. Taking a deep breath, I slowly pivoted back to face Lysander who was still watching me.

"You seem to think that something happened to me to make me sad. That someone else caused my pain," I said and Lysander nodded.

"What else could cause you to suffer when there is no one watching?" he asked and I looked down at the ground. Swallowing hard I forced myself to look up at Lysander once more.

"No one did anything to me. It's me. I did something that I can never take back and can never be forgiven of. I'm sorry that you had to see that side of me, but it is a side that I don't want..." A small sob interrupted my words. I placed a hand to my mouth, closed my eyes tightly, and tried to get my emotions under control.

My father and mother's disdainful voices filled my mind, trapping me in a void of despair. I heard the soft tap of a footstep and I looked up, watching as Lysander once again closed the distance between us. He didn't try to touch me, just stood and gazed into my eyes.

"Please tell me why you are in pain, Opal. I will help in every way that I can," he said gently, but I shook my head.

"There's nothing you can do. Please... please just forget about what you saw. Please forget about... any feelings you thought you had. I'm sorry."

I turned to leave and a hand wrapped around my arm tightly. Panic shot through me as I envisioned my father's form attached to that strong grip. I ripped my arm away and turned, instantly sliding into a defensive karate position. Lysander's eyes widened in shock and I gasped, straightening and clamping both of my hands to my mouth.

What have I done?

Lysander reached a hand out to me but I couldn't bear it any longer. I turned and sprinted as fast as I could; I ran with no direction in mind, only wanting to get away. Away from Lysander. Away from myself. Away from the voices that filled my head with fear and sadness.

When I finally stopped running I found myself in the garden. Breathing heavily, I looked all around me. Why had Lysander seen me? Was this my fate? To never be honest with the people I cared for? A cold wind stirred up my hair, causing it to blow behind me and chill the sweat on my neck.

I shivered and looked back towards the auditorium. I knew that Auntie would be worried about me; but how could I face Lysander? A faint crunching sound came from the path leading towards the garden and I blinked in amazement as Lysander came into view. When he spotted me he picked up his pace and stopped in the opening in the wall that surrounded the garden area. I stood still while the wind blew through my hair gently. He took a step towards me and I folded my hands overtop of each other, placed them on my legs, and bent my waist, bowing deeply to him with my head facing the ground in respect.

"Kate..." Lysander's voice was husky from running after me and I clenched my hands tightly.

"I'm sorry, Lysander. I'm sorry I can't tell you the truth." Slowly I straightened and looked him in the eye. "Please forgive me for deceiving you. I understand if you don't want to be my friend anymore."

Lysander blinked his eyes and gazed at me. "Friend..." he exhaled and I felt moisture building behind my eyes.

I didn't want to stop being Lysander's friend, but how could he trust me when he knew I was withholding a secret from him? Would he ever forgive me for turning away his love?

But he's in love with the act I have put up for everyone here. If he knew what I'd done to my parents, he wouldn't love me anymore, I thought to myself as tears slowly formed in the corner of my eyes and I felt one drip slowly down my cheek.

"I'm sorry," I whispered again.

To my astonishment, Lysander's mouth twitched up at one corner. He walked towards me but stopped a foot away from me.

"I don't want us to stop being friends. I will forget about tonight and about what I saw in the garden." I gasped in shock and relief flooded me. "But if you ever decide you are ready to tell someone why you are in pain, I hope it will be me."

I blinked at him mutely for a few moments and he sighed slightly.

"Would you like to walk back with me?" he asked politely. I silently shook my head. "Very well." He turned to leave and instinctively I took a step forward.

"Lysander."

He stopped and turned quickly. "Yes?"

"Thank you," I said with all the gratitude I could muster.

He nodded, watching me for a few long seconds before slowly turning and walking back towards the school.

I stayed in the garden, leaning against a tree trunk as I gazed up at the moon and battled my inner guilt. I didn't deserve Lysander's kindness. He was such a sweet person, but even so, he would never understand. Lysander could never know my secret. Even if my father hadn't threatened to hurt anyone I tell, I could never tell him that I was a mistake.

A/N Ugh, my heart. This was such a sad scene >.< What did you think? And... did you like the song?