Hello! This is my very first fan fiction ever and I am so excited! I've read many beautiful stories and I'm just so inspired by them all! One thing I ask- Please Review! And DON'T worry about being nice, I can take tough Criticism because this is yall's story as well so any ideas or advice will be more than AMAZING! I plan on updating Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This week however will be a little hard for me though because I have a contest on Saturday and I'll be a little busy. Please ENJOY!
I don't own anything, if I did, I wouldn't be sitting at my computer writing fan fiction :p
CHAPTER ONE: Is this a dream?
Christine POV
Every step I took made me feel numb. It was a wonder I was able to hold on to the rugged violin case in my left hand. Was I simply living a nightmare that I would soon awake from? That's it! I would soon be waking up in the arms of my wonderful papa and see his rosy red cheeks and smiling blue eyes looking down at me!
My mind was suddenly pried from its thoughts unwillingly when I felt a tug on my right arm coming from the hand I was holding.
"This way dear, I will take you to your new home. You will learn to love it, and the people there just as family," said the lady holding my hand. She was dressed in all black with dark brown braids lying down her back.
I made no attempt at a reply. I could barley comprehend what was happening to me. Was it real? Had my papa really just died? No! That's Impossible! He was my papa; he is supposed to be invincible!
A tear slipped down my cheek as I recalled the stories he used to tell me. We didn't have much money so papa was always busy taking every opportunity he could in order to provide for us; but some how he always found some time to tell me many stories and play music with me at night before we'd cuddle up together and fall asleep in our dingy little apartment room.
What I thought was the best story was about the angel of music. I always asked him to retell it for many so many nights in a row. A few more tears started to silently creep down my cheeks so I tried to push away the sweet memories of times my papa and I shared out of my mind, at least in the presence of this aberrant lady who was leading me down an empty Paris road. She'd surely think I was nothing but a mere chit if she saw tears under my eyes. I would have to try to be brave.
"Christine, this is where you will be staying. I know you've been stuck in some tough times here lately, but please, try to make the best of this opportunity I am giving you." The woman had said that with such sorrow in her tone, yet still allowed some of her normal firmness to show through.
When I heard her say this I looked up from the violin case, all I had left of my papa, and saw a building so huge and gorgeous it could only have came from heaven itself! As we both walked through the ample entrance doors we were greeted with a grand stair case with sculpted angels along the railings and several medium sized chandeliers dangling from the ceiling. The sight was breathtaking. Standing by the stair case where two gentlemen, one tall with gray hair, and the other short and plump with black hair. The two of them looked very nervous, almost frightened, but put on fake smiles immediately once they saw the woman and I.
"Well hello mademoiselle, what is your name? I'm sure it's as beautiful as you are;" the tall one said. I could feel the warmth rise to my cheeks. He was talking to me? Surely not! I was dressed in ripped rags that I'd worn for several days in a row now because of the lack of money Papa and I had. I was positive he was just being nice.
Noticing my lack of response, the woman spoke up for me. "This is Christine. I knew her father who has now just very recently passed. I think she would make a fine dancer don't you think? Monsieur, she has no other place to go."
"I'm sure she would fit right in with the other girls. She's very pretty." The plump short one answered.
My cheeks still had not turned back to the natural pale color, but instead remained red from embarrassment. Dancer? I thought; no I could never dance, not me.
"Well Christine, these are the opera managers, Monsieur Andre" she pointed to the plump one, "and Monsieur Firmin." she gestured to towards the tall thin one. "Whatever they say goes. Now come and I'll show you where you will be staying."
We walked away from the two men who returned about their business looking perhaps more nervous then when we had walked in.
The woman dragged me through long dimly lit hallways until we came to a wooden door. She opened it to reveal many girls all around my age, about 15 and 16. The lady then banged the cane that she had been carrying against the wooden floor three times and the girls all quit their chatter and looked up from the mirrors they were using to put on make-up. They all stared at us in a strange way… but I felt like they were mainly looking at me.
Why was it that this place made my cheeks so red!? I felt very hot under all of their judging stares. I'm sure they noticed my ugly rags, my mangled brown hair and my wet eyes threatening tears.
"This is Christine. She is currently in some rough times and will be joining our ballet. All I ask is that you treat her as if she is another sister and help show her the ropes because I trust she has no experience. Now please all head to the stage; I will be there in a minute to rehearse with you."
As all the girls filtered out of the room, one girl with black silky hair stopped next to the woman and started "But Madam Giry! How will she be able to dance with us if she has no experience?" The girl's eyes narrowed as she glared at me.
"That is only my business" the woman who I guessed was Madam Giry replied. The black haired girl left and another girl with golden blonde hair and amiable eyes took her place next to Madam Giry. Once everyone was out of the room it was just us three remaining, Madam Giry, the blonde girl, and me.
"Christine, this is Meg, my daughter. She will get you anything you need and will also help you dance."
"Oh I am so sorry! I heard about your father and all I wish is to help you and give you a friend!" Meg said this as she pulled me into a frantic hug. It felt so nice. I no longer felt alone in this world. A friend! And the first hug since my Papa's death! A smile pulled at the corners of my mouth saying everything for me. I was still in shock from this whole situation and couldn't bring myself to pull words out of my throat.
"Dear" Madam Giry pulled my attention to her. "You will be dancing here at this opera house in the ballet for some money to help you get started. Paris has lots to offer for those with a little change in their pocket." She matched the smile that was still lingering my lips as she started for the door.
Oh how grateful I was! These two wonderful people only showed care for me and yet I have never known them! I promised myself then, that I would only try, my hardest and nothing less! After all they've already given me, I would not disappoint them!
Right before Madam Giry left she stopped in the doorway to say one last thing- "Meg, you can skip tonight's rehearsal to help Christine get comfortable. But you both will be dancing tomorrow morning with the other girls at 7!"
Once the door shut behind Madam Giry Meg practically exploded with happiness.
"I have a sister! I've always wanted one and I'm so glad you came into my life! You will only receive love from me! Oh and how I can't wait to get to know you! Please, if it's not too much trouble, can you tell me about your papa?" The thought of my Papa brought tears that choked up in the back of my throat. However, I could tell she was genuinely interested in my papa and my feelings. The least I could do was tell her some things about him.
We both took a seat on the side of a small bed as I answered "well, he was a master at the violin" I boasted while putting the tattered violin case directly in front of our knees on the bed beside the one we were sitting on.
I opened the case revealing the very expensive and rustic violin and I heard Meg's gasp of astonishment as she Awed the fine musical instrument.
"This was his. He used to play it each night as I would sing. Then, when we were done making music, he would tell me such amazing stories!"
"Stories? Like what kind?" Meg looked mesmerized still staring at the violin laying in the black velvety case.
"Well, many kinds. Like about ghosts, or princesses. But my favorite was the story about the Angel of Music.
Sensing my hesitance, Meg persuaded "Please go on! I want to hear about this Angel!"
"Well the Angel of Music only visited the best of musicians and blessed them with the ability to create heavenly music, almost as alluring as the angel's music itself! And you know what I believe Meg?"
"What Christine?"
"I believe that even though my papa claims he has not been visited by the angel, I think he was. Its just not possible for any human to play the violin as well as my Papa so he must have been visited! That's the only explanation for his great talent I can think of!"
"Well I'm sure he was Christine! And now he is in heaven with his angel!"
"Oh but that's just it Meg! My father promised me that he would send me the angel of music! He said 'Once I get to heaven child, I'll send you the angel of music!' and now, I cant wait to actually hear this angel I've heard so much about for my whole life! The voice the Angel carries is supposed to be so marvelous it could return the life to a dead man!"
"Christine that was a beautiful story, and no doubt you will be visited!"
I could only smile again in response. What else was there to say?
"Now Christine, wait here. I am going to go and find you something clean, and brilliant for you to change into!"
"Thank you so much Meg, You have been too kind this last hour." I claimed shyly as she waltzed out of the room excited to make me happy.
For a few minutes I remained seated on that bed and stared deep into the wood of my father's violin. I missed my Papa so much I couldn't put it into words. Then the door flung open breaking all of my thoughts into pieces, but to my surprise it wasn't Meg…
So I'm sure it's far from perfect so that's where yalls reviews come in! But if your reading this, that means you read the whole chapter thanks and YAY on my part! By the way Meg and Christine are both 16. And I'm sorry If its cheesy so far :p please let me know what you think!