See, I told you it wouldn't be too long! Here you go, chapter 10! Here it is my tenth chapter! If you read this, you get a virtual smile. :) There you go, enjoy this next chapter. I've never made it this far on a fan fiction, so I'm pretty pleased.

Discomfort awoke her. There was something by Audrey blind side, her left, and it was stirring her very being. Blinking her one eye open, Audrey swiveled her head to see who, or what was. Recent events began to blur together, mashing into one another disorientating Audrey. Endlessly restricted air circulating about her head didn't help Audrey any. At last, everything came to her.

Hours ago, Audrey had left Erik behind at the opera house. During her journey back to the dormitories, she had bumped into a gentleman, Henry Bertolette, and they talked about art after a brief argument. Henry then offered Audrey a ride to the dorms. Along the trip back, Audrey must have fallen asleep.

Now, Henry's rich brown eyes studied Audrey as she slowly awoke. Like a young child, Audrey stifled a yawn and rubbed her eye. Sleep still weighted down her expression which made her look rather bored with life. Monsieur Bertolette patted her shoulder. His laugh bounced around the confined carriage, "Wakey, wakey Audrey! Were at the dormitories, you're stop."

"Right," Audrey's jaw parted wide releasing a thundering yawn, "okay. How long have I been asleep?" Emancipating a soft chuckle, Henry rubbed his head with embarrassment, "Funny thing, Audrey… Well… uh… you see I was… You look so cute when you sleep, so I didn't wake you. The thing is it's been about two hours." Before she could say anything, Audrey pitched herself from the carriage onto the streets. To keep the door from closing, Henry extended his arm onto to the door. An apologetic look engulfed his earnest russet gaze. "I'm sorry, Audrey," he swung his feet down to the stone street to follow his new acquaintance. Huffing and puffing, Audrey revolved around to oppose the man, "It is a ten minute drive from the opera house to here! For two hours I have been asleep, and you don't even wake me! Just go, Henry."

"As you wish, mademoiselle," Henry bowed. Cross by the exasperating fellow, Audrey draped her head into her hand.

Hearing the slam of a door followed by clopping hooves, she returned into the building. Everything seemed different. The scent was more forest over river, and there was the sound of exuberant reminiscences tinting the atmosphere, not tender isolation. Feminine voices corrupted the extent of the wooden structure. Audrey's feet sashayed over the floorboards taking her even closer to the voices. Once reaching the door, Audrey peered through the small gap into the illuminated room.

At the other end of the room, the black haired woman cocked her head. She rose to her feet and began to journey across the room. Panic swelled Audrey's chest. Thinking quickly, Audrey backed away into the wall willing that the others wouldn't find. Creaking ricocheted in Audrey's ears as the girls approached. Before she knew it, a swarm of women swarmed around Audrey. Even Vivian held an expression of astonishment. Flabbergasted voices mixed together:

"Look, it is Audrey!"

"Where did she go?"

"Oh, it's her…"

"Yay! Audrey's back! Group hug!"

Feeling overwhelmed by the crowd, Audrey put her hands up to shield her face from the bombarding questions. Finally, a voice broke through the others. It was Odette, "Audrey… Is that... Is that really you? Wh- Where have you been?"

"I- I- Let me exp- I…" Audrey gasped for air. Pressure was filling her lungs. Panic made her tremble. She was suddenly aware of how tired she was. Odette must have noticed this. Reaching to grab Audrey's hand, Odette began to lead Audrey to her bed, "Alright everyone. She's tired, so be off with you."

All of the other girls stayed in the hallway discussing what they just experienced. Their excited murmuring reverberated off the walls chilling the air. Meanwhile, Odette settled Audrey onto her bed for the night. Both friends sat in the darkening silence. At last, Odette broke the hush, "I know you were with him." Audrey knew very well who Odette was talking about, but just in case, Audrey played it dumb, "With whom?"

"You know whom I speak of: none other than the infamous and murderous Phantom of the Opera!" Odette raised her voice at her dearest friend. Panicking that someone would her Odette, Audrey glared at Odette, "Hush up, Odette. Do you want everyone to know? But, alright, I'll tell you… in the morning." Anger flared in Odette's blue gaze as she rose up from her seat on her own bed, "You will tell me right now! Now spit it out, were you with it or not?"

"He is not an 'it!' He is a wonderful person," Audrey snapped at Odette. How dare Odette judge Erik even if she didn't know him?! Unfortunately, Odette retaliated, "He? That thing doesn't deserve any compassion. I was there at Joseph Bouquet's death! I know that the Phantom killed him. I was also at Don Juan that night. You don't know how horrifying that was. My arm was burnt in the fire. You can't call the Phantom a 'wonderful person.'" Both spat back and forth at each other until Audrey finally turned away. Her voice was growing hoarse, "Alright, alright, I'm done! You wouldn't understand."

Audrey drew her blankets over her shoulders trying to warm her chilled body. All the candles had been recently blown out. Even in the gentle tune of snores and darkness, sleep refused to overtake Audrey. She was happy to be in her own nightgown, her own bed, and with many warm souls, but it was missing one thing. Erik. For about two weeks, Audrey was in the care of Erik, and now that he was gone, it felt like part of her heart was gone. That night, lying in the serenity of her bed, Audrey realized something that she refused to believe. There was no denying it now. Audrey sat up in her bed, her voice snaking through her throat, "I love Erik."

Oooh... Truth comes out, but how will Odette react when she learns the truth... I alone know. I'll try to be better about updating, but expect this one to finish.