Hello! I've written fanfiction before but this is the first time I've ever deemed it worthy to be published, so any feedback would be great so I can know if I'm doing ok, and if not, how to become a better writer.

EDIT: I am going to continue this story, however my muse appears to be taking a vacation. As soon as I have insperation I'll update.

By the way, because my name is NOT Webber, or Leroux, or Kay, guess what I own nothing! (Honestly do you think if I owned Erik I'd actually share?)

Enjoy!

A Choice

He was inside her mind. His blazing eyes glared at her and she melted under their hypnotizing gaze. They were haunted, those golden eyes, full of so much emotion, so much pain. And love.

"Christine I love you."

She heard him say it over and over again. Those words. His hypnotic honey-smooth voice breaking with tears saying four little words.

"Christine I love you."

Those words were driving her mad. His voice, his music, his eyes, his dreadful face contorted with unbearable sadness; he was everywhere. Every time she looked at her face in the mirror she saw his instead. Every time someone addressed her she thought she heard his voice. He lurked in every corner, hid in every shadow. When a floorboard creaked it was him. When a door slammed it was him. The swishing of fabric when the maid drew the curtains was his cloak. When the wind howled in the night she heard him cry;

"Christine I love you."

She tried not to think of him, tried to forget, but it was no use. Busy as she was with preparations he still sang songs in her head. Yesterday she picked out the flowers. She hadn't wanted too because flowers were too full of memories but she had no choice, this sort of occasion must have flowers. She chose daisies, people frowned; daisies were simple, daisies were poor and common- not at all appropriate. She should have chosen roses they said. Roses were romantic, classic, expensive, the appropriate choice. Everyone was angry that she didn't agree, didn't listen, but she could not have roses. Not on that day, not ever. Roses reminded her of him.

"Christine I love you."

She thought of him all day. At breakfast she heard his voice. In the drawing room she saw him. His presence stalked her thoughts all throughout the corridors of the mansion, he was in her mind and she could not escape. At supper she sat in the grand dining room, and feasted on extravagant delicacies that she could not taste for thought of a different taste. The taste of him when she had…No! she could not think of such things, not here at this fine supper table with this fine, caring man- who was talking to her. But whatever was said in conversation during that meal fell upon unhearing ears. How could she concentrate on mundane conversation with an angel singing in her mind. But he's not an angel, not mon ange, he was just a man. Shouldn't I listen to the man talking to me right now? But she couldn't. For months she had been distracted but now it was beyond that. It was as though he had invaded her mind and no matter how much she wanted to think about her impending future her thought invariably returned to her past.

"Christine I love you."

She was lying in bed wide awake. The darkness was lonely and quiet. All alone in the dark, ironic isn't it? I made my choice but I'm in the dark anyway. She shivered and pulled the fine silk sheets tighter around her petite frame. She could almost feel his gloved hands caressing her.

"Christine I love you."

She couldn't stop the tears now; she'd held them in so long. Why did she have to remember, why wouldn't he leave her mind! She made her choice, and it was a good choice, the right choice. So why did she still hear his music in her head? Why did she see him whenever she closed her eyes? She could feel his arms around her as she lay alone in the dark. The tears came down harder. Why couldn't she find peace! Why could she not simply forget and go to sleep! She made the right choice and she was happy! She was happy. She was happy and tomorrow she would wed Raoul, the man she loved. She was happy.

"Christine I love you."

Tomorrow by this time she would be Mme. De Chagney. She should smile at the thought shouldn't she? So why was she still crying, why did she still hear him? She made her choice, she loved Raoul and he loved her, everything was going just how it was supposed to.

"Christine I love you."

Something was wrong. She loved Raoul right? She should be thrilled to marry him right? So why did she feel so, so, so… so heartbroken. Why did she hear HIM!?

"Christine I love you."

Right then she made her choice. She threw off the covers and grabbed her cloak. She pulled on her stockings and shoes, and still in her night gown, ran out of her room and down the stairs into the stables. She quickly saddled one of her fiancees fine horse and mounted, ridding off at a canter. She clattered to a a stop at the gates of the de Chagney mansion, and she had to dismount and unlock them. Quickly she clambered back into the saddle. She urged the horse forward, but as she passed through the gates she stopped and looked behind at the sprawling mansion one last time. With a sigh she shrugged and kept on going. Sorry Raoul, I do love you but...

"Christine I love you."

There was really only one choice to make, only one right thing to do. In truth there had never been any other choice. This bridge had been crossed long before she was even aware there was a choice to be made. Christine Daae made her choice, without another backward glance she took off at a gallop toward the center of Paris, toward the hulking ruins of the opera house.