"Brava!" The crowds stood up with polite claps and smiles for the ballerinas on their performing night. The prima ballerina smiled, gathering the flowers thrown on the stage. The teenagers pranced around, trying anything to catch the attention of any well suited gentlemen. The younger ones tried to suppress the elation they felt on their presumed first performances in front of the rich Parisians. Antoinette smiled as warmly as she could, the pain in her feet painful and her head dizzied with everything that had occurred. Ushered off the stage by the ballet mistress, the flirtatious teens waved off to the crowds. Antoinette brushed against Alexandre as tried to apologize, then realizing it was only her.

"Ann,"

Suddenly all the anger she had was regained as she walked off as fast as she could.

"Ann----

"Don't you dare call me Ann again, you three headed dog!" She paused to give him a sneering look.

"You were wonderful tonight." He called out as Ann started out on a run to the dormitories. She swore she could see him smirk that dimply smirk of his.

Upon entering the dorm rooms, she saw a huge parcel on her bed. Confused, she looked at the plain brown box on the bed, only sealed with a red ribbon. With confusion, she shook the box and heard a light sound inside the box. Slowly undoing the ribbon, she opened. A gasp escaped her mouth as she pulled out the beautiful black ballet shoes. Brand new ballet shoes in her exact size. Her excitement started as she practically ripped off her old ones and began prancing around the room in her new shoes. Sighing, she proceeded to throw away the box as a note fell out. In an elaborate cursive, it read:

"My dearest Antoinette,

You were surely a sight to see tonight. You clearly out shined the other girls in skill and in beauty. I am looking forward to see you dance in the new shoes which you so undoubtedly require. My dearest compliments to you.

The anonymous letter made her blush and confusion spread. Who could have sent this? Her toes made little flutters against the wooden floor. She was numb to the pain of wearing new shoes yet she couldn't complain. Everything was falling in place.

Meanwhile, Alexandre stood nervously outside girls' room and cautioned himself. He needed to talk this over with Antoinette. Clearing his throat, he silently hoped no one else was inside. He hesitated and then took a sigh, knocking on the door.

Antoinette opened the door with a wide grin that quickly faded when she saw Alexandre.

"It's you," She whispered.

"Let me explain, look. I'm leaving!" He blurted out.

"What?" She opened the door further, as Alexandre ran a hand through his hair.

"Well, I'm going back to the school, and I hope you got my note," He winked, referring to a note he instructed his mother to give to her after he left.

Looking down at her shoes, she cursed herself. He sent it! After all, he was the only one to have noted the conditions of her shoes. Her reluctance sank in and she tried to think, was he that bad? He vied for her attention and forced herself to look at him. Really, what bad was it for his persistence to be some kind suitor, why should he deserve such hostility?

"He's arrogant and vain!" She thought.

"Annie?" His voice rang out softly in concern," I'll really miss you,"

Closing her eyes that filled with tears, she walked up to him, and her lips softly fluttered against his. Taken back and somewhat enjoying it, he pulled her with a gentle force. She was startled at the perplexity of it all. When his lips parted from hers, he could only boyishly smile.

"So that means I'm taking you out to supper tonight." He took one of her hands, as she suddenly felt it was all right.

"Why not?" She did a flimsy tip on her toe.

"Well, take your time. I will be right here," He bowed curtly. With a beam, she closed the door. Changing into her dress she reserved for special events, she felt a sudden guilt. What about Erik? Oh well, if he really did care, he would have came right? Dashing out, she took notice of a bouquet of red roses on her drawers. Telling herself she would take care of all this later she rushed out the room.


"I really want to see Amsterdam, Rome, Berlin," Alexandre listed out a few of the places he wanted to visit. They sat across each other in the crowded restaurant. Sipping champagne slowly, she listened to the vanity of his words," What plans do you have?"

"Well, um, I just, well, I have no clue," She laughed.

"And another thing I really want," He stared intently in her eyes; the startling blue gave her goose bumps." Not now," He chuckled softly as she attempted to ask him exactly what. "You were quite a spectacle tonight,"

"Thank you," She smiled.

"Antoinette, remember how I told you I was heading back to medical school?" He continued," I am leaving next Saturday."

"Ohh," She was confused at how she felt about this.

"Would you like to accompany me?" He blurted out.

"What?"

"Yeah, I mean, I know," Alexandre took one of her hands, "Exactly what I want."

"Excuse me!"

"No, Annie," Alexandre went on," I can't spare to leave you." He looked as if he was truly in pain.

"What makes you think I would leave everything behind," Ann retorted.

"All you have is shelter and food. I can give you those as a husband." He stated.

"Alexandre, just leave me alone, please." Antoinette told him.

"I'm truly sorry, mon cheri," He stated.

Ann looked at him.

A/N OKAY...Long time no update... School has been hectic and so much writing! I am trying hard to update and this is a shorter chapter but I hope you'll like it... Thanks to my reviewers, for you motivate me! Thanks for reading...)