Christine

My nerves were on edge as I looked at myself in the mirror. It had been a month after the accident at the Opera Populaire and I had dark circles under my eyes. I had never slept well since that night. Every time I start to drift to dreams, I can see his face; not a face of horror and anger, but one of compassion and understanding. The look in his eyes as he told me to leave, leave him and forget him, to go with Raoul was enough to break my heart. My last glance at him before I left his world of night... I shall never understand him, why he let me go instead of staying with him like I promised I would. I don't think think I want to understand him. But there was nothing I could do now; I've passed the Point of No Return.

I sighed and grabbed my make-up, taking it and covering the shadows under my eyes. I was going to look my best no matter what I felt. I stepped a bit away from the full-length mirror, looking at myself one last time before the time came.

Meg came into the room a few minutes later, shutting the door behind her. She was wearing a dress that almost replicated mine: a long white dress embroidered with small flowers around the hem. She set down her boquet and gave me a hug, smiling happily. "You look beautiful, Christine," she said, releasing my shoulders.

I smiled, "Thanks, Meg," I replied, "And thank you for being with me today; it really means the world to me."

Meg's grin few and she nodded, "Anything for you, Christine. You've been my friend for so long, it's the least I can do."

She helped me for a bit, doing some finishing touches on my hair, then grabbed her boquet, walking out the door. My nerves continued to rise as it came time for me to go out. No one would be escorting me, since Father had been dead these past nine years; I would have to face this alone. Oh, how I wished for my Angel! He had always been there for me when I was alone after my father died, until I left him not too long ago. I got only a little bit of confidence when I knew I would see Raoul's face at the end, my future husband.

My confidence diminished as I thought more of my Angel... I hadn't seen or heard from him since that night. I turned my face. I tried not to think back on my chioce, a last desperate attmpt for me to stay with him, and it had worked until he told me to leave. The more I thought about it, the more I questioned myself.

Did I make the right choice? Should I have stayed with him despite what he said? I loved Raoul, but not on the same levels as my Angel. He was my teacher, my guardian... He was like a father to me.

I shook my head. I couldn't go through this, not with indecision, uncertainty and question in my heart and mind. I let a single tear roll down my cheek and carefully slipped out of my dress, hanging it back up. I changed back into my casual dress and went out to Meg, a few tears streaming down my cheeks as I hugged her, "I can't do it, Meg," I cried, "I can't do it."

Meg hugged me in return, "It's because of him isn't it?" She asked. I nodded, "I can't stop thinking about him. It feels like when I left him, a part of me stayed with him." I paused for a moment, "I think I love him, Meg."

Meg released me and stared for a few moments, "So who will you choose? Raoul or the Phantom?" She asked.

I wiped my tears and turned from my friend, going back into the small side room. Glancing around, there were many boquets of flowers, set in colorful vases around the room. My eyes stopped on a spot unbetween two of the vases. There, covered by other varieties of flowers, sat a beautiful red rose, a black silky ribbon tied neatly around the stem. I advanced toward it and slowly, delicatly, picked it up, fearing as if it might shatter if I held it too tight.

See it made another tear fall down my cheek and I clutched the rose close to my chest, think that if I did might bring him closer to me. He hadn't forgotten me, maybe still had feelings for me. It must have been there since this morning, before any of the other flowers arrived, yet it seemed as fresh as if it was just placed there. I went back to Meg, certain of my decision.

"I'm going to find the Phantom."