Hello!

Due to some really awesome reviews, I am updating rather early. So please enjoy!

Thank you to my new followers and those who have favorited the story. Y'all are the best.

And I have great news! So the first chapter talks about Nicolette trying out for college. Well that was based on my experience with trying out for college and I got accepted to the vocal program as well as received a full ride! So yea!

Grapejuice101: Yea! I'm glad it was good. I was a little worried about it. At the current moment, I'm not planning on having them sing that together but I wasn't planning on the last chapter happening either so maybe!

PhantomFan01: I wish I was Nicolette there too.. AHHH! She's so lucky.

PumpkinKitten: I woke up and saw your review this morning and I was like, that's it. I'm posting today. YOU ARE SO DANG SWEET! THANK YOU SO MUCH! You have like made my life. I hope you enjoy this update!

Once more, The Phantom of the Opera does not belong to me. I only have Stephen and Nicolette.

And onto the story! Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Love Letters

Nicolette:

Christine Daae dares to wake me up a little too early the next morning.

"Nicolette, where were you last night? Stephen never found you! He was so worried," she chirps away.

I turn over and groan into my pillow. "What time is it?" I manage to get out without sounding too angry. She smiles in response.

"The sun has just risen but Madame Giry wants to start teaching you and Stephen the ensemble part so you can be in Hannibal!"

"Yea," I mutter sarcastically.

Christine laughs. "And Madame Giry said that if you don't get up at a reasonable hour, that she will come and pour cold water on your face until you do."

At that threat, I drag myself out of bed and start getting ready. I have like three dresses to choose from so choosing what to wear only takes seconds.

I miss my jeans. They were so much more comfortable and easier to move in.

So I get ready and probably looking like a zombie, I go down to breakfast with Christine. Christine leaves to go sit by Meg and I join Stephen. Stephen looks relieved to see me. "How late did you stay out last night?"

I don't want to answer that question at all. The opera got over around eleven and I didn't return from the Phantom's lair till one or two in the morning. At best I'm going on three hours of sleep.

"Late," I reply with a glare. "I'd kill for Starbucks right now."

"But you don't even drink coffee," he laughs.

"It would put me in a good mood, unlike you," I joke back.

Breakfast is then put out at the table and we begin to grab our food. "So, where were you last night?" Stephen questions.

I look at him and then my hand and point down. His eyes follow mine and he nods.

"Why?"

I blush. "This is going to sound crazy but I'm giving him advice."

He lifts an eyebrow. "Advice?"

"On how to win Christine."

"Hmm," he hums. "Well, she did go out with the Vicomte last night."

"I expected that but it's unfortunate. He won't be happy."

"No, it's not likely he will be." He grabs my hand. "Why are you doing this?"

"I believe in happy endings?" I say slowly, an edge of uncertainty glazing my tone. "So did you hear we're joining the ensemble? So we have much more training ahead of us."

"Ah yes, because Carlotta hasn't come back. Do you think she's gone for good?"

I hesitate. "No. She likes the stage too much."

"So I assume we're just going to be in rehearsal all day?" he groans.

I nod with a sigh.

Stephen

Halfway through the day, Madame Giry decides that Nicolette is simply too exhausted for any more rehearsal and sends her to bed. She doesn't have to perform tonight. Lucky her.

Around dinner, Madame Giry releases me and I eat a quick dinner before returning to my room.

For some reason, I decided to follow Jarred's advice. My heart hasn't forgotten his words and since Nicolette is not pining for the Phantom, I feel like it's acceptable to go after her.

This news that she wants to help the Phantom, not date him, is kind of a surprise to me. She always used to tell me that, while she enjoyed the idea of the Phantom and Christine together, she preferred a pairing between him and an outside character.

"They have too much of a history," she would say. "I think his experience with her would have shaped him and taught him what was okay and not. The Phantom deserves to be loved but Christine just isn't the right person to do it."

I push such thoughts aside and focus on the letter.

I pick up the neatly sealed envelope that sits on my nightstand. I've decided to use the Phantom's favorite method- notes. Except I won't be signing them.

I sneak into her dorm and make sure she's still asleep before creeping over to her nightstand and placing it on the nightstand. Then I turn to look at her. A piece of unruly hair lays flat against her cheek. I almost move to push it away but decide I should probably leave before she wakes.

I can't wait for her to find the letter.

Nicolette

I wake up halfway through Hannibal. It's dark outside and the stars twinkle. A cool voice greets me. "So you're finally awake."

I start. "Phantom?"

"Yes, Nicolette. It seems you've slept through the show. The managers won't like that."

"Madame Giry allowed it. And Stephen and I still can't perform anyways."

"I shouldn't have kept you out so late." Do I hear regret from the Phantom? "However, it was important." His voice trails off for a moment. "Nicolette, what is on your table?"

I blink. "My table? The nightstand?" I reach over and look at the crisp, heavy paper. "It's a letter?" I pry it open and begin to read. I gasp. "It's a love letter actually."

"What young man could be so forward as to begin trying to court you already?" His voices takes on an edge of malice. "Should you figure out who it is, stay away from him Nicolette."

I nod but then look up. "Oh, but this could be a marvelous method for you, Phantom!" I smile. "It's so sweet and romantic really. And I'm sure you have quite the way with words."

He is silent for a while and I figure he is thinking. I begin to look over the words of the letter, trying to figure out who this could be from. Suddenly the paper is yanked from my hands and the Phantom stands before me, looking over the letter quickly. He studies me for a moment and then his eyebrows crease in anger. "You should destroy this. It's nothing more than a symbol of impropriety."

"But I've never received such a nice note before."

"Nicolette, focus," he roars. I gasp and try to pull away from him but he grabs my wrist and yanks me forwards, towards him. "You are but a child, Nicolette. Such things shouldn't be said to you. Who ever it is probably wants something from you. Something you may not be willing to give."

I look down and nod. "Yes. I'm sorry."

He releases my wrist slowly. "So you wish me to write love letters to Christine?"

"I think she would like them. You should sign them with your name. Erik."

He winces at the use of it but nods. He begins to walk away but I grab his wrist.

"But Erik, you shouldn't confess all your feelings in the first. Be gradual about it. Your passion can be terrifying at times."

He nods once and then stalks away, pulling from my grip.

Stephen

I look up and see Nicolette descending from the dormitory, probably in search of dinner. It's late but she still seems exhausted. Her face is pale too.

"Are you alright?" I question as I come up by her.

"Yes," she replies distractedly.

"You look rather pale."

"I'm fine. Just tired still."

"Some might say you'd seen a ghost."

She freezes in her tracks and turns to look at me. "Don't joke about such things, Stephen." She sighs. "I'm a little rattled. There was a note left for me on my nightstand. It was sweet but the Phantom does not approve of it." She smiles tightly. "But I guess it doesn't matter because it was anonymous so I don't even know who left it."

"Why does the Phantom disapprove?"

"Something about impropriety and boys wanting things I can't give." She rolls her eyes. "Whatever."

I shiver slightly. To proceed with this, it must be in caution because should the Phantom find out, I could become the enemy.