NEW CHAPTER TIIIMMMEEE!

well not much to say for this one, just please review.

Now we have a budding relationship, because we are age jumping from Christine being 7 to her being 13. Let's hope nothing big happens in 6 years for our leading lady. LOL

this is probably not going to be that much longer of a fanfiction, but it's all up in the air for now.

Ideas and comments appreciated!

~angelofmusic127617

Cristine's POV

I blew out all the candles on my birthday cake, all seventeen of them. I was a teenager now, now I could play the lead ballerina roles. (If I fit them, of course.)

This also meant that next year, maybe even this year, I could sing in the Opera House. After all, I had beeen taking lessons from Erik for five years now.

He was a very good teacher, and I have reached new hights with him as a tutor. Although he lost his temper a few times when I said I couldn't do it, everything was working wonderful. Even though I still haven't seen what's under his mask. (Maybe it'd be best if I didn't)

Meg and I were doing very well in school, and we became closer and closer each performance. I still misssed my father terribly, and I kept thinking about Raoul. He would be seventeen as well now.

A part of me didn't want to see him though. I was sure that in time, I would forget him.

I was just getting my nightgown on, and ready for Erik to come coach me. We usually did it downstairs in the theater, and Madame Giry knew of it of course, because she was in touch with Erik.

Once he finnaly came, he was carrying a pink box.

"Happy Birthday!" He laughed.

"Oh, you didn't!" I cried.

"Yes I did, child. You are seventeen now. That's a big milestone, because guess what?"

"I can play the lead roles in some cases!" I squealed.

"Yes. And you are very prepared to, Christine." He handed me the box.

I opened it carefully, and it was a necklace with a diamond butterfly pendant.

"Erik! It's so beautiful! Thank you!" I gave him a hug.

"It's also for working hard these past years." He smiled.

"Well, it's dazzling." He fastened it as I asked where we were going.

"We are going somewhere different today, Christine." He replied.

"Splendid! Where?" I squealed.

"You'll see."

He made me close my eyes, as he took my hand and lead me to where we were supposedly going.

"Erik!" I laughed, "Where are we going?"

"You may open your eyes, although we are not yet there." He pulled me along.

I removed my hand from my eyes and screamed.

We were in almost complete darkness, except one candle Erik was carrying. I could see him jump when I screamed though.

"Christine!" He yelled "Are you alright?"

"Erik! Where are we? I can't see a thing, I'm frightened!" I cried

"Christine, you are fine! I am right here! Just hold my hand alright?" He assured me.

"Alright."

Once we reached what he called his "lair", I realized that it was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen.

He led me up the stairs to his organ, and started playing the song he wanted me to sing tonight for everyone at ballet tonight. He told me that the new production was perfect for me, and that I was going to sing for them, no matter if they asked.

"Will I get this role?" I asked quietly.

"We've discussed this before." He nodded his head, "You are sure to land this role, and anyone who tries to take it away will answer to me."

"Don't kill anyone ok-"

"I'm not going to, Christine." He laughed, "I'm just saying that you're ready for this."

"Thanks, but, I'm still a child and I've never sang in front of anyone but you and-"

"Then you're very selfish." He chuckled. "You're voice is a gift, and if you chose to keep it from the world then that's up to you. But if you're dream is to do this, then I will gladly help you. Not that you need it, of course."

"Well, do you want me to practice then?"

"Why of course not!" He laughed, "It's a voice lesson! Why on earth would you sing!"

"Haha, I know. I know. I just wondered."

He played the intro so beautifully, I almost forgot where to start. But I opened my mouth and began to sing:

Dancing is a language that is felt instead of heard.

Although I didn't have my pointe shoes on, I tried to dance, but it looked quite odd. Erik laughed and couldn't help but laugh with him.

You can whisper sing or shout without so much as a word.

The masked man had told me that I could dance very well, but I wasn't such a good actor. But, you cannot be good at everything.

I continued singing as the song seemed to float in the air. I just loved singing the song, and I just loved doing it down here.

One step closer, to being under-

I almost finished when I was interrupted by a shout from upstairs.

"Christine?" I heard Meg cry. God, I'd been away from her for ten minutes and she was yelling and beating on my door. What am I going to do with her?

"Oh," I squealed, "She'll grab Madame Giry and come searching for me-"

"Just go. I will be watching for you tonight. No matter how shy you feel you must sing for them." He reminded me for the sixth time that day.

"I will." I sighed. "Thanks again!" I picked up my dress and hopped up the steps.

I slid the mirror over and entered my room. Luckily, I locked my door and Meg couldn't get in, even if she tried.

I barely had a chance to fix my messed up hair when Meg was knocking again.

"Christine! It's practice time! COME ON!"

I put on my shoes as fast as I could and opened the door.

"Meg! I'm here! We are 15 minutes early why do you-"

"Come on! I've got something to show you!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me down the stairs.

We reached the theatre and nobody was there.

"Meg, what are we-"

"Come on! We can go now if we hurry!"

She raced up the stairs that seemed to go on forever, she reached tone of the theatre boxes that had a faded out number five on the door. I screeched to a halt.

"MEG! No! We cannot go in there! You know very well who's up there-"

"Oh come on Christine. If he's real, he wouldn't be here now! There isn't a performance!"

"Don't go in there!" I begged.

She didn't listen. Instead, she ran in there, making fun of him by singing, "I'm here, The Phantom of the Opera!"

When she finished singing she exclaimed, "Wow, it's dirty in here-"

I heard her scream. The worst, blood curling scream. I ran up there, knowing he was there.

She ran out and down the stairs, as I ran in. I had to see if he was there.

He was, and I found him staring down at me.

"Must you be so hard on her?" I scolded.

"I'm sorry, just go. You'll be late. Prove yourself."

"I said I would!" I yelled and ran to go comfort my poor crying Meg.

I found her on the bottom of the stairs, her face in her hands.

"Meg," I put my hand on her back. She had red marks on her neck, that stood out like a butterfly in a group of moths.

"Oh my goodness, Meg!" I gasped.

"I-I know, my m-mother will be so angry. I'm not supposed to go up there she warned me-"

"Come on." I sighed.

I walked her up to my room and grabbed some makeup. I put it carefully on her neck.

"I was so scared." She sobbed. "When I felt that rope upon my neck, I thought, I thought it was all over."

"What did he say? What did you say?" I asked.

"Well, he threw the rope on me and I saw his mask, and I screamed, and he told me, never return, took the rope off and pushed me to the ground."

"Oh, Meg." I sighed, "We must go."

DUH DUH DUH
well that's it folks!

The song was "One Step Closer" From the little mermaid.

See you l8ter!