Author's Note: I LOVE YOU GUYS AND I'M SORRY! I promise, I'm not abandoning this story! I just haven't felt inspired lately and I've been under tons of stress. But I'm forcing myself to write, because I don't want to let you guys down. So here is Chapter 4, I hope it was worth the wait! Please PM me and leave reviews! I truly do appreciate all of your kind words!

Chapter 4: New Friends

"Every new friend is a new adventure... The start of more memories."

-Patrick Lindsay

Maybe he'll do it fast, so I won't feel it… Nah. I'm screwed. Just pretend you didn't do anything wrong, and maybe he'll think you're just a dumb new ballet rat. Maybe he'll leave you alone.

Trying to act like she couldn't feel his presence, she covered the rose and perfumes back up and plopped down on the small couch. Realizing he was still watching her, she pulled the blanket up to her chin and closed her eyes.

How long is he going to stand there? Doesn't he have a Swedish brunette to stalk?

Rolling over, she realized how tired she really was. Even with the Phantom of the Opera standing on the other side of one of the surrounding walls, Scarlet quickly found that sleep was inevitable.

Moments after the young girl lost consciousness, the ghost turned and strode determinedly towards Paris' most famous stage.

"He's here!" Meg whisper-yelled to her best friend.

Christine rolled her eyes and smiled good-naturedly at the blonde stretching next to her.

"Your obsession with the Opera Ghost knows no bounds," she laughed.

Meg grinned. "Perhaps Maman will dismiss us early, and we can search for him!"

Before her friend could reply, Madame Giry turned and scolded them for not focusing on their stretches.

"We're finished for today, you may all return to your dormitories. All except for Meg and Christine."

The other ballerinas snickered at the two friends and quickly dispersed. The pair groaned inwardly and prepared for the worst.

Madame eyed the girls carefully. "I hope your mischief will not rub off on your new friend."

"New friend?" Meg asked. Christine cocked her head to one side.

"Oui. Come along."

With that, Madame Giry strode backstage, with the two dumfounded teenagers trailing not far behind.

Scarlet awoke to two disturbingly familiar faces.

"Bonjour! I'm Meg, and this is Christine!" the effervescent blonde declared.

Christine smiled softly as Scarlet sat up on the couch. "Hello, my name is Christine Daaé."

"It's nice to meet both of you, my name is Scarlet Craft. Where's Madame Giry?"

"Maman had some business to attend to, so she told us to come and make you feel welcome," Meg chirped excitedly.

Business indeed. Pfft. More like Phantom Package Delivery.

Pushing that thought aside, she said, "Well, I certainly appreciate it. I have no idea how I ended up in Paris."

Christine sighed. "I know how you feel. It's very scary to end up somewhere foreign, with no family to turn to.

At this, Meg interjected, "You mustn't think like that! Think of it as a new adventure, where you'll make lots of new friends who will become a family to you."

Scarlet grinned as they hurried to dress her and lead her out of the small room. As Meg practically ran down the hallway, prattling on about adventures to be had, she walked quietly next to Christine, wondering what new surprises were in store for her and her two new friends.

Author's Note #2: Yay for new friends! You guys are still my friends, right? Right? *gets on knees at readers' feet* BE MY FRIENDS, INTERNET PEOPLE. PLEASE. I'm not abandoning this story, I swear on all that is Phantom-y and good in this world. Oh, and if you're new here… Hai. Let's be friends! And regardless of whether you're new or not, please, please PM me and leave a review! I've had too much sugar. I need sleep. REVIEWPLEASEILIVEFORYOURREVIEWS. I'm gonna go now. BYYYYEEEEE!