(A/N: this is kind of a short little filler chapter…. I needed a way to pass time and advance the plot a little bit!)
Chapter 7- Rehearsals and New Acquaintances
Over the next few days, casting was finished up for the production of Aida, and rehearsals began. The opening day was scheduled for nearly a month and a half later- a relatively short time. As the practices became more and more intense, Clare found herself thinking less and less about her angel. She hadn't gone to see him like Christine had advised her. She wasn't sure if she was afraid to go back or not, but every time she would start for the labyrinth, she would stop herself, and go off to rehearse one of her songs.
Erik, on the other hand, was living his life in a state of what could probably be classified as misery, angry at himself for keeping Clare away. He watched her every day, from Box 5, as she practiced on the stage. He had noticed, though, that her singing was not nearly as good as it had been when he had been teaching her. Her voice lacked the emotion, and though every note was clear and polished, the performance still seemed dead and lifeless.
One evening, after rehearsals, Clare and Christine were met by Raoul and another man who Clare had never seen before. She learned a moment later that the man was Raoul's friend Martin. The men had come to extend a dinner invitation, which was accepted, with a promise to meet in front of the theatre in an hour's time. When Clare entered her room to change, she found a single red rose, tied in a black ribbon, resting on her pillow. Her heart skipped- he had been there....
She was contemplating going down to Erik- it had been awhile since she had last seen him, and she found herself missing him- but Christine knocked on her door, ready to leave. Clare scrambled to slip into a simple green dress, and pin up her hair before joining Christine. The two women left the opera house. Christine took Raoul's arm, and Martin offered his to Clare, who accepted rather shyly. They began to walk casually into the city- unaware that they were being watched from above, by none other than the phantom himself.
On the rooftop, Erik's heart was dying a little as he watched the two couples walking, carefree and happy. Clare looked happy- he wondered if she had forgotten him completely. He despised the man she was strolling with, but couldn't help thinking how he would never be able to walk with Clare like that; in public, together. She was talking, laughing, and having fun. He sighed. She belonged to this world- not to his realm of dark tunnels and eternal cold.
And yet, in his mind, there was still a fervent hope that somehow, someway, Clare might still care for him.
He wished that with all his soul.
The four of them were seated at a table in a very fancy Parisian cafe, making light, merry conversation, sharing gossip and jokes. Clare actually found that she was enjoying herself- which was seldom true in social situations. Raoul's friend Martin turned out to be welcome company- he was handsome and friendly, and altogether charming. And, Clare noticed, he actually seemed interested in her, to her surprise.
"So do tell us, ladies," he said at one point. "Have you heard anything from the opera ghost?"
Clare said nothing, but Christine said lightly, "Of course not. I myself don't even believe that he exists."
"What about you, Clare? Do you believe in the 'opera ghost'?" Martin asked.
She felt Christine give her a small nudge under the table, and she shook her head. "It's mere child's play, Monsieur deCroix."
"Please, call me Martin," he said with a grin.
"Well, if there is an opera ghost," said Raoul thoughtfully, "we'll make sure that he doesn't get in the way of your performance next week." His voice was cheery, but the look he exchanged with Christine made her blood run cold.
Aside from mention of the 'opera ghost' the rest of the evening passed happily. Afterward, Christine and Raoul returned to the flat that they owned in the city while Martin escorted Clare back to the Opera House.
"So," he said, by way of conversation, "are you excited about performing next week?"
"Oh, yes," said Clare. "But nervous."
"Is this your first time on stage?"
"I've had some smaller roles- mostly in dance before. This is my first time as a lead."
"I'm sure you'll be wonderful," Martin said.
"Are you coming?"
"Yeah," he replied casually, glancing over at her with kind eyes. By this time, they had reached the steps of the theatre.
"Thank you for escorting me back, Martin," Clare said politely.
"Sure thing." He smiled. "I'm glad to have met you, Mademoiselle Darnier."
"Call me Clare," she replied with a smile.
Martin returned her look with his own slow, easy smile. Then, he kissed her hand gently, and bid her goodnight.
Clare returned to her own room, disregarding the rose from Erik, changed into her nightclothes, and went to bed.
Down in the labyrinth, Erik had given up hope of Clare returning to him that night. He cursed himself mentally, feeling especially lonely. He began to play his organ, pouring his broken emotions into the music.
A/N: Next chapter: will Erik and Clare get back together???????
