Thanks for the reviews guys! Heres another chapter.. Hope it's not too horrible! Please continue to review for it makes me want to continue writing...man, I always worry that a chapter sucks. I'm like all paranoid that all of my reviews will be "oh my God this is terrible! you fail at life!" So, nice reviews make me feel better.
I'll try and update as quickly as I can!
Kim-Macafee
The Masquerade Ball (cont'd)
Christine's POV:
"Hello, Erik," I said softly. He stared at me in disbelief. His eyes scanned my dress up and down, making me nervous. Why wasn't he saying anything? People behind him stared at him...I felt like I could read their minds. Everyone was wondering if they should get the police here to whisk Erik away. I wouldn't let them do that. I've been without seeing him for too long.
Madame Giry squeezed my hand from behind me. She whispered in my ear "The managers have no intentions of calling the police. They are relying on your behaviors around him. If you seem calm, they will be too." I turned around and smiled. She grinned back and then left me and Erik alone.
He looked delectable in his matching red costume. The clothes fit him perfectly; the only scary part about the outfit was his shiny (and sharp too) sword hanging off of his side. That made my stomach turn inside of me as I pictured him killing me. I shook my head and ignored the logical part of my brain. He loves me...he wouldn't hurt me... why wasn't he saying something?? Hearing the softness of his voice would stop these thoughts!
"Erik...I missed you..." I finally spat out slowly. He looked like he was about to cry.
"Why...why did you pick such a dark dress?" his voice cracked. My heart sang! He finally said something to me! I tried my best not to squeal and smile.
"I thought...I thought you would like it," I answered honestly. Erik snorted.
"Why should what I think matter to you?" he snarled. He swallowed down tears, I could tell. He wanted to look tough.
"Everything about you matters to me," I stated. Erik stared at me again.
"I am a monster, Christine..." he hissed.
"I don't want to talk about this, Erik. Please?" I begged.
"Christine--"
"Erik...please...can we dance? After that, I will grant your wishes and leave you alone," I said sadly. He nodded and brought me out onto the dancefloor. My body felt 100% perfect next to his. His hand and my own fit together like a puzzle.
So I lay my head back down,
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours
I pray
To be only yours
And I know now
You're my only hope
I felt a few wet tears slide down my cheeks as I buried my head into his chest. We stopped dancing in the middle of the floor.
"Christine--what's the matter?" his voice changed.
"Nothing... I-I'm just happy they're playing my song! I g-g-guess Madame Giry found it somehow," I lied, not showing him my face.
"You are the world's best actress, Christine--but the worst liar. Tell me the truth," he said.
"No," I refused. Do not give into him, Christine...do not...
"Please?" he asked. I've rarely ever heard him use manners.
"I...I don't...I don't want you to leave again," I admitted quietly. He bit his lip.
My song ended and another song began. The introduction sounded so familar to me. Erik's eyes widened as he listened too. Now, it dawned on me, the song playing was "Music of the Night."
"Christine--I must go..."
"Why? Do you turn into a pumpkin or something?" I laughed.
"Everyone unmasks at midnight! I cannot be here for that...goodbye... but I will speak to you again. Be in the chapel around 2:00 this morning," he said and rushed off, leaving me in the middle of the swirling colors.
I moved to a comfortable looking bench and watched the lovers hold each other close.
I sang outloud, "You alone can make my song take flight...help me make the music of the night..."
The clock dinged loudly as the new year began. I was the only one who wasn't kissed at midnight. Even Madame Giry was kissed by a very drunk Monsieur Reyer... I tried to not let this bother me. Erik would be waiting for me in the chapel.
.....................................................................
The ball ended and I moved to the chapel as quickly as possible. I lit a candle for my father and prayed. I heard water dripping somewhere in the dark room.
"Christine?" a voice came from behind me. I turned around to see Raoul standing in the doorway. "I saw you talking to the Phantom at the party...why no one had him arrested I'll never know."
"That's terrible, Raoul!"
"He deserves it."
"No, he deserves love and compassion! He is a human just like you are," I said calmly.
"Whatever you want to believe, Christine..."
"Why did you come to see me, Raoul?" I jumped straight to the subject.
"You weren't at the ball for a very long time. Meg and I didn't get to speak to you," he began.
"You were too busy courting her, I didn't want to disturb you two!" I teased him. He flipped his hair behind his shoulder and blushed. "So, is that all? Sorry to sound rude, but I want to be left alone some."
"You're always alone, Christine!" Raoul jumped up and protested.
"Raoul, maybe I want to be alone..." I said.
"Christine, you worry me sometimes. Listen--you haven't left this opera house unless you HAD to...Meg and I are going out for lunch on Friday. Would you like to join us?" he offered.
"I don't want to bother you two on your date...." I tried to say no politely.
"Come on! Meg would love it if you went along...she hasn't got to talk to you much lately!"
"No, thank you..."
"You're coming. I'm telling Meg you're coming... she'll be so happy!" Raoul insisted and left the room quickly. I sighed deeply. I couldn't just skip, I cared too much about Meg.
"Good to see you, Christine," a voice boomed over my thoughts. It was Erik.
