Chapter 2 –

The visit to The Phantoms lair that night was all Meg could think about for days. She paced the stage during practice muttering to her self. Finally, one day Christine noticed something was up.

"Meg, what's going on? What's wrong with you?" she asked.

"Wh... what?" said Meg, frightened. "Oh… oh Christine…nothing… all is well..."

Christine frowned. "No, I know you Meg… and I know you've got something on your mind."

Meg let out a long sigh. "Fine... it's a boy I met the other night at the show… he hasn't come to see me... And he PROMISED he would…"

"Aw... Poor Meg!" said Christine as she pulled her into a hug.

"Yeah... he... he was really cute too!"

"It's okay, I'm sure he'll come… eventually..."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah" Said Christine, smiling.

"Thanks Christine"

"Christine… can I sleep in your bed again tonight, like I did 2 weeks ago?" asked Meg.

"Sure you can" Christine replied.

"Thanks" smiled Meg.

THAT NIGHT….

Meg did as before, and snuck into The Phantoms lair.

He was alone, sitting on a chair with his eyes closed.

Meg cleared her throat to get his attention.

He opened his eyes slowly and sat straight up.

"Miss Giry!" exclaimed The Phantom, "What are you doing here again?"

"I.. I wanted to talk to you again… Messieur..."

"Why would you want that?"

"B...Because... I like you."

"You... What?"

"I like you Monsieur."

"Why on earth do you like me?"

"Messieur... what is wrong?" inquired Meg.

The Phantom sighed. "I tried to talk to... to... her... Again… and then Raoul got her away…"

"Oh… I'm sorry… but listen, Monsieur… Christine likes him better… your attempts are futile"

He glared at her. "Silence!!"

"Fine. Let's make a little wager, then, Messieur Confidant!" said Meg.

"What did you have in mind, Miss Giry? "

"You try again, tomorrow night at their performance of your show. Take the place of the main character, and try to seduce her. If she takes to you, then I owe you 500 francs."

"And if not?"

"Then, you have to be nice to me. And let me stay here."

"Whwhat!! That's preposterous! YOU, stay HERE? Certainly not!"

"Fine, then I guess you do not think you can do it?"

".. Of course I can!! Y...you just watch!"

"So, do we have a deal, Phantom?"

"Yes… and you can call me Erik." He said extending his hand for Meg to shake.

"This should be good. Erik." Said Meg taking his hand firmly and shaking it.

THE NEXT NIIGHT

Meg sat in the audience, quite apprehensive of what was about to occur.

As the show progressed, Meg noticed The Phantom replace the main man.

Apparently, Christine did not.

At the climax of the song, Erik began to sing to Christine.

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.

Lead me save me from my solitude.

Say you'll want me with you here, beside you.

Anywhere you go, let me go to.

Christine, that's all I ask of - "

Just then, Christine pulled down his hood, and the audience screamed with shock.

The Phantom looked around him, then grabbed Christine and ran off.

Meg smirked evilly in the audience. "Ha. I knew it."

People everywhere were frantic, and running in all directions.

"Take me to her!!!" screamed Raoul at Madame Giry.

"I shall go too Mother!" said Meg.

"No, you stay here!"

Meg sulked. She quickly rallied the angry mob and led them in wrong directions for a while. Finally they went down into his lair. He was gone and so were they.

All that was left was The Phantom's white half mask lying on his chair.

Meg picked it up and held it next to her face.

The mob left, grumbling.

"Meg… Meg…" whispered a voice.

Meg looked around her. "Erik…"

"Meg… I'm under the chair…"

Meg moved the chair, and there was Erik, maskless. But Meg didn't get to see much because he quickly covered his face with his hand.

"Yeah… its hideous … I know..."

"N..not entirely, love…"

"Love? Where do you get off calling me that?"

"Shush… let me help you out…"

Meg then pulled him out and put the chair back.

She stared at him. "So… what happened, exactly?"

Erik sighed, tears in his eyes. "You win, Miss. But I've no idea what you want to be here for…"

"To get to know you, Messieur."

"Alright, alright…. But I'm too tired for any such thing tonight… you can sleep over there... " he said pointing to a comfy looking chair.

"Goodnight, Erik" said Meg walking to the chair.

Erik said nothing.