It's been a while since I've posted anything, but I was just sitting around thinking about Phantom and poof! I wrote a short story. | Thanks, Leroux!
Christine crossed the stage, opened her mouth to sing, and fell. The theater fell quiet before some cast-mates came to her aid. She heard some snickers behind her and tried to laugh off the mistake herself.
"Thank goodness it is just rehearsal!" she breathed, keeping her tears at bay. She was incredibly embarrassed and could feel her skin blush.
The cast was called to order by the conductor, "Now then, let's proceed. Miss Daaé, if you can, please begin on cue."
It was a small insult to her, but Christine pushed the thought away. She made her entrance on cue and without falling. The rest of rehearsal went smoothly and once everyone was dismissed, Christine made a hasty retreat. She passed by the pack of ballerinas and heard a snide comment.
"So clumsy. I'm glad she's not one of us!" Little Meg's eyes glittered as she caught Christine's eye. The girls tittered and agreed, sneering at Christine.
Usually Christine could not be bothered to speak to ballerinas, but her lack of friends to defend her made her stop and turn back to them.
She stared at the girls and balled her hands into fists. She tried to think of something scathing to say but failed to produce any words. This made the girls even more amused and as their laughing filled her ears, Christine quickened her step and fled to the safety of her dressing room.
The tiny room was softly lit and offered her instant comfort. She locked the door behind her sat in front of her dressing table. She took off some of the make-up and costume jewels she had donned for rehearsal and laid her head on the table. A lump had formed in her throat and she couldn't help the tears that fell.
She was not surprised when she heard the soft click and whoosh of her mirror rotating on its hinges, revealing a masked man entering the room. He stood before her, hesitation in his movements. He knelt beside her and laid a tentative hand on her shoulder.
"Do not allow those foolish chits hurt you. They are nothing compared to your brilliance," he said sternly.
Christine grimaced and raised her head, "How can I just ignore their comments? They are always saying something about me! I fell today and it was all due to me tripping over my own feet! It is their life to stay poised and never to fall! Oh, Erik!"
Impulsively, Christine wrapped her arms around his shoulders and buried her face in neck. Erik was taken aback and tried to calm his shaking limbs. He slowly gathered Christine closer to him and held her tightly. He murmured comforting words to her and allowed her cry noisily until the only sounds were her hitched breathing.
"Can we go down to your home, please? I would rather not be alone," she said.
"Of course," he replied, reluctantly releasing her from his arms.
Erik stepped close to the mirror and waited for Christine to turn down the lights before entering the dank cellars of the opera house.