Stolen Treasure

Chapter 22

The last night of summer finally came, and although I was sad that it was over, I was looking forward to another year at the Interstellar Academy.

Jim and I were getting ready for the final show. I was wearing a short, ruffled, royal blue dress with no sleeves. I would have worn my sparkly dark blue one, but it had disappeared along with Alex's pirate ship. I had on silver heels and my crescent moon earrings. My hair was in a high, curly ponytail and I had on my purple eye shadow. My silver locket was in its usual place around my neck. After taking one last glance in the mirror, I determined that I was ready to go. I went to check on Jim in his room and found him looking in the mirror, adjusting his outfit. He was wearing his Academy uniform, since it was the most formal thing he owned at the moment. He had gotten his hair cut, so his rat-tail was gone and his bangs were short once again. He looked so handsome.

He noticed me looking at him and smiled at me. I smiled back and walked into the room to stand beside him. I stared at the two of us in the mirror.

Jim looked nervous, and I knew what was on his mind.

"Don't worry, you'll do great," I said, giving his arm a squeeze. He smiled and offered me his hand. Giggling, I did a small curtsy and took it. We walked out of the room down to the restaurant.

When we appeared at the bottom of the stairs, Mrs. Hawkins saw us and got onto the stage.

"Good evening everyone! Welcome to the BenBow Inn's End of Summer Celebration!" she announced into the microphone. "Singing for the last time this summer before returning to the Interstellar Academy is Raphaelle!"

Everyone clapped as I took the stage.

"Hello everybody! Thank you so much for coming! Tonight we're gonna have a great show! The first song I'll be singing tonight is very special to me. It's one I've been singing my whole life. I haven't performed it here before, but I did once sing it in the presence of someone very special to me," I said, looking at Jim.

The piano started to play, and when I heard my cue I began to sing.

Look at this stuff

Isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the girl

The girl who has everything?

Look at this trove

Treasures untold

How many wonders can one cavern hold?

Lookin' around here you think

Sure, she's got everything

I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty

I've got who-zits and what-zits galore

You want thing-a-ma-bobs?

I've got twenty!

But who cares?

No big deal

I want more

I wanna be where the people are

I wanna see, wanna see 'em dancin'

Walking around on those - what do you call 'em?

Oh - feet!

Flippin' your fins, you don't get too far

Legs are required for jumpin', dancin'

Strollin' along down a - what's that word again?

Street

Up where they walk, up where they run

Up where they stay all day in the sun

Wanderin' free - wish I could be

Part of that world

What would I give if I could live out of these waters?

What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand?

Bet'cha on land they understand

Bet they don't reprimand their daughters

Bright young women, sick of swimmin'

Ready to stand!

And ready to know what the people know

Ask 'em my questions and get some answers

What's a fire and why does it - what's the word?

Burn!

When's it my turn?

Wouldn't I love, love to explore that world up above!

Out of the sea

Wish I could be

Part of that world

After holding the last note for a very long time, I finished the song and everyone started clapping and cheering. I looked over at Jim, who was smiling at me lovingly.

I waited for the applause to die down before I spoke into the microphone.

"Thank you! That was Part of Your World.Our next singer has never performed before, but he's really talented and you guys are gonna be blown away! So let's give him a big round of applause when he comes on stage," I said.

"Without further ado, here is Jim Hawkins!" I announced, gesturing to Jim as he walked on stage with a microphone.

The band started playing and he looked at me nervously. I gave him a reassuring smile, which he returned before bringing the mic to his mouth and singing.

I am a question to the world,

Not an answer to be heard

All a moment that's held in your arms

And what do you think you'd ever say?

I won't listen anyway

You don't know me,

And I'll never be what you want me to be

And what do you think you'd understand?

I'm a boy - No, I'm a man

You can't take me and throw me away

And how can you learn what's never shown?

Yeah you stand here on your own

They don't know me

'Cause I'm not here!

And I want a moment to be real,

Wanna touch things I don't feel,

Wanna hold on and feel I belong

And how can the world want me to change?

They're the ones that stay the same

They don't know me

'Cause I'm not here

And you see the things they never see

All you wanted, I could be

Now you know me, and I'm not afraid

And I wanna tell you who I am

Can you help me be a man?

They can't break me

As long as I know who I am!

And I want a moment to be real,

Wanna touch things I don't feel,

Wanna hold on and feel I belong

And how can the world want me to change?

They're the ones that stay the same

They can't see me,

But I'm still here!

They can't tell me who to be,

'Cause I'm not what they see

And the world is still sleepin'

While I keep on dreamin' for me

And their words are just whispers and lies

That I'll never believe!

And I want a moment to be real,

Wanna touch things I don't feel,

Wanna hold on and feel I belong

And how can they say I'll never change?

They're the ones that stay the same!

I'm the one now

'Cause I'm still here!

I'm the one,

'Cause I'm still here!

I'm still here!

I'm still here!

I'm still here

The band faded out slowly, but you couldn't hear them over the deafening applause. Jim had a triumphant smile on his face. Mrs. Hawkins looked like the proudest mother in the world.

I walked up on stage and gave Jim a hug before he handed me the mic and walked off the stage.

"Give it up for Jim Hawkins! That was I'm Still Here," I said.

I sang for the rest of the night. They were all songs that I had previously sung that summer, but I had picked my absolute favorites for that night. At midnight, Jim joined me on stage for one last song.

A flute started the song off before the rest of the band joined in. Then I began singing first.

In a perfect world

One we've never known

We would never need to face the world alone

They can have the world

We'll create our own

I may not be brave or strong or smart

But somewhere in my secret heart

I know

Love will find a way

Anywhere I go

I'm home

If you are there beside me

Like dark turning into day

Somehow we'll come through

Now that I've found you

Love will find a way

I stopped singing and the flute had its own solo again. Then Jim sang his own part.

I was so afraid

Now I realize

Love is never wrong

And so it never dies

There's a perfect world

Shining in your eyes

I joined Jim and we sang together.

And if only they could feel it too

The happiness I feel with you

They'd know

Love will find a way

Anywhere we go

We're home

If we are there together

Like dark turning into day

Somehow we'll come through

Now that I've found you

Love will find a way

There was a short musical interlude before we sang the last line together. As we sang that last part of the song, we gazed deep into each other's eyes.

I know love will find a way

The loudest applause I'd ever heard broke out in the restaurant. But I was so lost in happiness and Jim's eyes that I almost couldn't hear it.

"Thank you! That was Love Will Find A Way. Thanks for coming tonight everyone! I hope to see you all again next summer!" I said.

Jim and I took our bows before getting off the stage.

For the rest of the night, we were approached by people who told us how amazing we sounded and how great the songs were. We had to engage in chitchat with them all, which was fairly exhausting but pretty fun for the most part.

I started to get really drowsy, so Jim helped me sneak away from the crowd and up the stairs.

"You did great tonight," he complimented, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as we walked down the hall.

"So did you. I told you they would love it," I replied yawning. He chuckled.

"Let's go to bed. We have a long day of travel to get to the Academy tomorrow," Jim said, planting a kiss on my forehead.

"Okay," I replied sleepily.

I washed my makeup off, pulled on my nightgown, and brushed my teeth. But as I was about to climb into bed, I turned around and crept over to Jim's room instead.

He was pulling on a night shirt when I walked in and stood in the doorway. He noticed me and smiled.

"Can I stay with you tonight?" I asked.

"Sure. Why?" he asked curiously.

"I don't know," I shrugged. "I just want to."

He climbed into his bed and waited for me. I joined him and snuggled under the covers, my back facing him. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close so that my back was pressed against his chest. I looked up at him and smiled before closing my eyes and resting my head on the pillow.

"Good night Raphaelle," he whispered.

"Good night Jim. I love you," I replied sleepily.

He kissed my cheek before laying back to fall asleep.

"I love you too," he answered.

I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

I had a wonderful dream, filled with adventure and excitement, that the love Jim and I shared could conquer anything.

And the best part was that when I opened my eyes it wasn't just a dream.