Chapter 23: Theo Fights for Risa

It is two days to opening night, Theo and the others are doing a dress rehearsal to catch last minute mistakes. It seems not everyone is feeling like rehearsing since Risa is not taking part in this show.

“Ok, Theo and Daniela, please remember your routine. We do not want any mistakes like the last few days,” the director announces.

“Right,” Theo and Daniela agree.

The couples head to their positions on the trapezes to start from point a to point b. This time the director took charge and decided to start with the waltz scene. It is to be performed when all the couples reunite with their partners on stage.

The music begins and the ball scene is about to start. It seems in the beginning it was going well until the music changed and they switched partners. Returning to their original partner is when Theo and Daniela seemed out of sync. It seems Daniela is flawless in her dance, but it was not really working with Theo.

“Stop! Stop! This is not right,” Theo shouts.

“What’s the matter now?” Laurel asks, complaining.

“I am sorry Laurel, but it still does not feel right,” Theo explains.

“Argh, are you kidding me?” Laurel asks, pissed off.

“No, I am not. You and I both know we need Risa here,” Theo protests.

“Absolutely not. As of a few weeks ago she is no longer part of our company and she will not step foot on this stage,” Laurel says out of anger.

“We will see about that,” Theo says, as he exits the room.

“Theo, come back here, we are not through the rehearsals!” Laurel shouts.

“Laurel, let him go. He’s right. As I am performing with him, I can feel his heart is not into it,” Daniela confessed a bit disappointed.

“Right, I’ll beat it has to do with Risa,” Laurel says annoyed.

“You despise her,” Daniela points out.

“I do. She has been nothing but a pain since she got here,” Laurel comments.

“My, such hatred. I am glad I have never been on your bad side,” Daniela replies with relief.

“Of course we are friends after all,” Laurel’s final words.

The two get back to work training for the show.

In the main lobby, Theo is ready to leave, but is stopped by Sara looking a bit scared.

“Oh, Theo, it is good I ran into you. Melody is not looking well,” Sara says scared.

“Why? What is the matter?”

“Melody seems to be dying. Since Risa has not been performing here, she is losing energy,” Sara explains, as she shows Melody to Theo.

“Now we have even more of a reason to bring her back here,” Theo replies, holding Melody in his arms.

“Yes, but how?” Sara asks, looking up at him.

“I am going to find Risa and confront her father,” Theo declares.

“That sure is brave. No one ever confronts her father. He could be a difficult man to get along with and at the same time, it is never easy for him to change his mind,” Sara explains boldly.

“I do not care. I will do anything to get Risa back,” Theo says.

“You really do love her,” Sara realized.

“Yes, I do. Promise me you will keep it a secret,” Theo asks.

“I promise. Now let’s get Risa back.”

“Where should we look?” Theo wonders.

“I believe she is staying at her family’s mansion, here in the city, but perhaps it is best if I go see her first to see how things are with her and then I will let you know when it is best for you to come,” Sara explained the plan.

“Good idea, thank you Sara,” Theo kindly replies.

“Anything for a friend. Now, let’s get moving,” Sara said ready to get her friend back.

Sara and Theo, with Melody in his arms, head out of the lobby and into Sara’s car. Then Sara commands the driver to head to Risa’s home.

Risa, in the meantime, is busy in her training room practicing for a different show her father has planned for her to perform in. It is at least a good distraction to forget about Theo and Dream. It was hard for her to leave, even rehearsing for a new show, but it is something she always will hate missing a show. Afterwards, she returns to her room before her father arrives back from his meeting at one of his hotels.

As she was reading her schedule for the next appearances as the Snow Majesty, when she hears a car pulling in an hour later. She walks over to the window and notices it was one of Sara’s family cars coming to a stop. The first to come out of the car is Sara, along with her is Theo.

It is a bit of a shock seeing both of them here, but what made them come all the way here.

A few minutes later there is a knock on the door.

“My lady you have visitors,” the servant says behind the door.

“I thought I was not allowed any visitors. Send them away,” Risa orders.

“But…My lady, they are here to see you and it seems to be urgent,” the servant says.

“I said no visitors. Do I have to do everything myself,” Risa says out of anger, as she walks past her servant.

Risa walks downstairs to the main viewing gallery to see what her friends want.

“What are you doing here?” Risa asks her friends on top of the stairs.

“We are here to ask you to come back to Dream,” Theo begs.

“Why? There is nothing for me at Dream anymore,” Risa rudely replies.

“Risa, do not say things like that,” Sara warns.

“Why?”

“Risa…,” Sara begins to say, but Theo cuts her off.

“Risa, please come back to Dream. Nothing has been the same without you. I cannot perform with anyone besides you. Remember I am your Beast and you are my Belle,” Theo pleas.

“I will not return to you Theo or to Dream,” Risa declares.

“If you do not want to come back to me, then do it for Melody,” Theo says, holding her up for Risa to see.

“Melody? What is wrong with her?” Risa asks curiously and worriedly.

“Melody is dying,” Sara says.

“What? Oh Melody,” Risa says, running down the stairs to be close to her.

Risa takes Melody out of Theo’s hands and places her into her arms. She cradled her close to cry.

“Melody, I am sorry. I never thought leaving will hurt you so much. I am sorry,” Risa apologizes to her.

“It’s…ok…Risa…you didn’t know,” Melody says in between coughs.

“Please do not talk, relax,” Risa says about crying.

“Alright, I love you,” Melody says, going back to relax.

“I love you too,” Risa admitted.

“You finally said it,” Melody said before falling asleep again.

“So, what are you planning on doing now?” Sara asks.

“I will return to Dream,” Risa replies.

“That is great. I cannot wait to perform with you again,” Theo says excitedly.

“Yes, me too,” Risa says, staring at him.

“Yes, just in time for the opening show,” Sara says with great pleasure.

The trio of friends are happily celebrating, but are cut short when Risa’s father arrives.

“Risa, I thought I told you, you are not to receive guests while staying here,” her father says angrily.

“It is only Sara and she brought a friend,” Risa explains.

“Yes, it is good to see you again Sara, but who is that boy with you?” her father asks.

“Mr. Amané, my name is Theo Grant and I am a performer at Circus Dream. I am here today to persuade you to allow Risa to come back to Dream and perform with us,” Theo begins speaking to Risa’s father.

“I do not know who you are and why you are here, but I do not answer to someone who comes to my home and thinks I will do what he asks. No sir, leave at once,” Risa’s father argues.

“I understand sir. I have no right to ask you of this as she is your daughter, but I will come here everyday to convince you to allow Risa to perform again,” Theo argues. “I will not stop.”

“If you care for my daughter, you should convince her to quit this silly dream,” her father says, still angry.

“I cannot do that sir. I will not let great talent go to waste. If I may be bold sir, I’ll bet you never saw her perform before. She is an amazing talent and I am not sure why you are not seeing her in this light,” Theo bravely comments.

“You are bold young man, one more word out of you, I will have the guards throw you out,” Mr. Amane shouted.” “I will not be seen as a fool.”

“Please sir, we have very good friends who depend on her and she is amazing, she truly is, so please let her perform again,” Sara pleads to Risa’s father.

“Sara, you of all people I would have thought would not allow my daughter to join the circus. I am ashamed of you,” Risa’s father mentions.

“It was not her fault. I was about to fall during the audition and she saved me. It was her skills that got her in. I did not convince her to join,” Sara explains.

“That is right. She is very talented which is why she is the Snow Majesty. So, I am going to ask you again, allow Risa to come back to Dream,” Theo pleads again.

“Hum, you two are very persistent in your case. Very well, I would like to see Risa perform,” her father agrees.

“Very well, then how about you watch her perform and then make your final judgement. If she does not perform to your standards, then we will not bother you any longer about the issue, but if she meets your standards then she will be able to return to Dream,” Theo declared war.

“Thank you sir. You will not regret it,” Theo says happily hugging Sara. “So, where should we do this then?”

“I have a training room out back. We can use that,” Risa offers.

“Right then let’s go,” her father says eager to get this over with.

Risa, along with the others, head to the training room. The walk is silent as they do not know what to say to each other. Risa is risking everything she loves to prove she can be a performer and no one can talk her out of it.

Once arriving at the training room, Risa gives Melody for Sara to hold during the performance. Risa climbs up the ladder leading up to the trapeze platform and pushes a button on the wall to let the trapezes fall and thinks about what routine she wants to perform.

She jumps to the trapeze with amazing speed and grace. Risa spins on her trapeze to gain speed to jump to the trapeze close to her. As she gains the momentum, she times it just right and jumps in the air, doing an aerial splits, and gracefully catches the trapeze to spin down. Next she twists down to use her legs to balance, and swings herself once more. Quickly she stands up swinging the trapeze back and forth and touches a button on herself to bring out a different set of trapezes.

This time they are circle trapezes.

“You are in for a treat Theo,” Sara warns.

“Really? Why?” Theo asks.

“I think she is going to perform the Rainbow Dragon,” Sara says.

“Why do you say that?”

“The only time she ever performs on circle trapezes is when she performs one of her difficult tricks,” Sara explains.

“I cannot wait,” Theo says excitedly.

Risa begins her routine by spinning on the trapeze and grabbing the circle trapeze. Risa spins around the circle trapeze. She spins and twists herself like a dragon would flying in the sky. Then she continues to spin and twists as she gets on to the next trapeze. During the routine, the trapezes start glowing and represent the colors of the rainbow. The spins and turns are complicated, but she feels free in the air performing her most beloved routine. She continues to spin and twist without ever stopping to catch her breath.

“She really is amazing,” Theo compliments.

“Yes, the finale is the amazing part of her routine,” Sara comments.

A gulp sound can be heard next to them. Sara and Theo turn to see who it was and it was Risa’s father. It seems her father really is enjoying the show and hopes she will succeed. Sara and Theo both smiled at their result. Theo being too excited decided to join Risa on the trapeze with a great surprise.

Risa’s routine is coming to a close. She grabs the last trapeze and spins as fast as she can to finally release herself in the air. With the fast momentum, she spins in the air and extends her body like a dragon. She is about to land on the trapeze when Risa is surprised to see Theo catching her midair.

“Are you up for a duet?” Theo asks in a whisper.

Risa is surprised to see him and silently agrees.

Theo begins by extending Risa on the trapeze and then pulling her close.

Then he pushes the trapeze together ready to throw her in the air and follow her. Risa catches the circle trapeze, spins with it while doing a back flip. Theo jumps on the same trapeze and spins together. Risa goes inside the circle and spins inside, but quickly let’s go to reach the next trapeze. Theo soon follows, but reaches for a different one. Risa does not stay on her trapeze for long, as she jumps onto one to the other with gracefully spins. Theo tries to keep up as best as he can, but the way she moves it is a bit difficult to catch up. Finally, Risa ends the routine, by jumping into the circle trapeze, quickly grabs onto it to spin and pose in the air. Theo joins her in the air and poses alongside her. They both landed in the safety net and climbed down.

“Well done you two. I never seen such amazing team work before,” Sara says, cheering her friend on.

“Yeah, Risa you were amazing,” Melody says, still feeling a bit weak.

“Melody, you are awake. I am so glad,” Risa says almost in tears.

“It is all thanks to you,” Melody says cheerfully, flying around.

“Thank you,” Risa replies, a bit exhausted.

“I can see why you are the Snow Majesty. You are simply amazing,” Theo compliments.

“Indeed you are,” Risa’s father agrees, stepping in to speak.

“What do you think father?” Risa asks concern.

“You were simply amazing, my daughter. I can see why you love it so much. You remind me so much of your mother,” her father begins.

“Yes, thank you father,” Risa replies.

“After I see you perform today, I will allow you to perform once again with Circus Dream only if you promise to keep up with your work at school, the city, and the responsibilities I have entrusted you with,” her father says, giving her permission to perform again.

“Really father, thank you. I promise to keep my promise to you,” Risa happily says, hugging her father.

“Yes, I just want you to be happy. You truly have amazing friends,” her father praises her friends as well.

“Thank you sir, I promise Risa will make you proud,” Theo says to Risa’s father.

“Thanks, um…Theo is it, please look after my daughter. You really are a good friend for her,” his father compliments.

“I promise sir,” Theo answers to her father.

“Right, not that is settled, I have some work to take care of, Risa please escort your friends out before they get lost,” her father says, as he leaves to the main house.

“Of course father, please follow me,” Risa offers to escort them out.

The group soon follows Risa’s father out and go their separate ways. Risa and her friends took the path that led to the main gate and her father took the other path leading to the mansion. Their walk was silent, but they were having fun playing with Melody.

“Melody, I am so happy you are feeling better. I am sorry I have not spent much time with you, I promise I will come visit more often,” Risa offers.

“I will hold you to that,” Melody laughs at the idea.

“Yes, I hope she does. Come on Melody, let’s leave these two alone for a bit,” Sara replies walking away from Melody.

“Hey, wait a minute,” Risa says, blushing a bit.

Sara and Melody are out of ear shot and Risa is alone with Theo.

“So, that duet was simply amazing, we should do it again,” Theo begins.

“Yes, it was exciting. I never thought you would be brave enough to interrupt a routine,” Risa replies kindly.

“I wanted to prove you do not have to perform alone. When I saw you up there, I thought it was a great opportunity to perform with you again,” Theo confesses.

“Yeah, you really are a prince crazy in love.”

“Only when I am with you.”

“Ha-ha, very funny. Anyways, thank you for coming today. I didn’t think anyone would be brave enough to take on my father,” Risa admits.

“I thought you would need a prince in your time of need,” Theo admits.

“Thank you,” Risa blushes and with all her might bravely kisses Theo’s cheek.

“Huh, does this mean we are more than friends,” Theo asks.

“Don’t get any funny ideas, we can be trusting friends,” Risa clarifies.

“Trusting friends, I like that,” Theo smiles at the idea.

“Yes, only you think these words are more than what they seem,” Risa teases.

“I am a prince after all. Now will I see you on opening night?” Theo asks.

“Yes, thanks to Sara sending me the rehearsal tapes, I have been practicing,” Risa agrees.

“I am glad. Good night princess,” Theo says walking out of the gate.

Theo joins Sara and they walk to the car together. Risa stays standing there until their car turns the corner. She could not stop thinking about Theo and Theo cannot stop thinking of Risa.

In reality, he is just happy to have his friend and partner back on stage again.