Under a Crystal Moon By Lady Sylver ______________________________________________________________________ Chapter 3 Rena walks out of her room dressed in a pale blue dress. She walks down the stairs where Mark is waiting for her. He holds out a white rose to her. A tear runs down her cheek. She wipes the tear away and takes the rose. "For being thirteen, you sure are a sweetheart." "You are my best friend. You've been here for three and a half years today, so I thought I'd give you a small gift." "Yeah, and I still don't know how I let you talk my into this, you silver tongued brat." "Because, Rena, you are a good singer. I think you'll win." "Don't get your hopes up." He grabs her hand. "Come on." He yells as he pulls her out the door. **************************************************************************************************** "Now for our final competitor of the night. Rena." Rena walks up onto the stage. She takes a deep breath as she pulls the microphone toward her mouth and walks toward center stage. "The song I am going to sing for you tonight is by Sarah Mclachlan. It's Will You Remember Me." The first notes are hit on the piano. Her voice and the notes begin to dance through the room. When the music and voice die away, the entire audience rises to their feet. The applause fill the room. She bows and then walks from the stage. Rena takes a seat next to Mark. "You were wonderful." A pink tint rises into her cheeks. "Now, Judges, who is our winner tonight." "We have a unanimous decision. Rena is our winner." The judge in the middle announces. Rena turns white as the news hits her ears. "This is a nightmare, right?" She whispers. "Rena, you are going to be a star." Mark says as he smiles at her. "No!" Rena stands up and runs from the building. A woman with long pink hair in an odango hairstyle stands in the back of the room and shakes her head as Rena runs out of the building. She watches as Mark stands and runs after Rena. A small sad smile crosses her lips as she watches this sight. **************************************************************************************************** Rena runs to the nearby park and collapses against a tree. The tears run down her face. She pulls her knees to her chest and rests her head on her knees. Mark sits down next to her and pulls her into his arms. "It'll be okay, Rena." "I can't be a star. I don't want to see them." Rena sobs into his shoulder. "We'll figure it out, Rena. This is you big chance." He puts his finger under her chin and lifts her face so she is looking into his eyes. "Don't blow this." "If you are hiding for some reason, I have the perfect idea." Both look up at the new voice. A tall man with dark brown hair and green eyes stands before them. "I am Josh. You are a wonderful singer and should share it with the world." They both recognize him as the recorder producer from the competition. "So, what is your idea?" Mark asks. "A mask and a new name." Josh smiles. Rena smiles at the idea and the tears soon dry up. "Be at my office tomorrow. We'll discuss the rest of the details then." **************************************************************************************************** Rena and Mark walk into Josh's office. He motions for them to sit down. "So, Rena, how many songs do you have?" Rena reaches into her bag and pulls out a notebook. She hands the book to Josh. "How long have you been writing songs, Rena?" Mark asks in surprise. "About two weeks after we met." She smiles toward Mark. "Now, about this identity thing." She looks toward Josh. He puts the notebook down. "These are good." He says as he reaches into a drawer in the desk. He pulls out a piece of paper and hands it to her. "This is my idea." He hands the paper to Rena. She looks at the paper and sees a sketch there. The sketch is of a mask that looks like a butterfly made of feathers. "It's beautiful, but may I make a couple of changes to it?" "You have to wear it. It was just an idea anyway. Now, what about a name?" "Reanna." "Well then, we will start recording tomorrow." Smiles cross all their faces as Rena and Mark leave to prepare for tomorrow.