Chapter TEN! I'm so happy that I decided not to stop this story after finals. Hailey and I have had a blast writing this, and I'm sure I'm only half way through with it. Thank you to my reviwers/favoriters/followers once again! You guys mean the world to me! Just giving you a heads up, I will not be uploading next Friday because I have All County Chorus, so no school for me! I will, however, do what I did this time and post two chapters instead of one. Take pity on me, last Friday I had caught the stomach flu and I was miserable.

Chapter 10

After about an hour of getting Erica to keep eye contact with Erik, sing loudly, watch her pitch and stop her 'infernal blush' my sides hurt.

It was a laugh fest; I didn't laugh at her the whole time but if you would have seen her cherry red form you would understand my laughter. When she sang the very last line, repeating the phrase 'I love him,' I swear her whole body was blood red and she had once again diverted her attention away from Erik.

Apparently Erik had noticed...and boy did he get snippy. He asked her if she was a tomato or a performer, then when she answered 'a performer' he screamed, 'Then bloody act like one! Three I love him's and you're acting as if you were really professing your love to someone.'

I could tell Erica was trying to control her embarrassment, considering this was her first time singing a solo, and just when it seemed like she got it...she skipped a verse. I face palmed as she went straight from, 'And although I know he is blind' to 'I love him.'

Erik sighed as Erica spouted apologies left and right. She began to walk towards the piano and as she leaned over to glance at the music her sweaty hand slid off the side and she lost her balance. She fell to the ground, yelping before she caught herself. Instead of pulling herself up she let her arms go and pushed herself into a sitting position.

Erik's offered hand went unnoticed as she sat there, her eyes glazed a bit; from tears or zoning out to think, I don't know. All of a sudden she closed her eyes and began to sing again, which surprised Erik and I both, considering she was louder and clearer than she had been the past hour.

Erik began to play the piano as Erica slowly stood, and for a moment I heard the small accent she added to her voice that made her sound like Samantha Barks. At that moment I realized what she was doing; this wasn't 'her' voice, she was doing another one of her impressions.

Well, if it works and she's happy who am I to critique her. She sang the last note and Erik stood up, stared at her, and then slowly began to clap. Erica let a small smile escape and Erik sang, "Brava, Brava, bravissima."

Erica's smile slowly dropped then she said, "Well I've subjected myself to enough humiliation for one day; Hailey you're up."

I winced, "Do I have to?" She nodded and I stood, "I don't see why, you're basically teaching me the dance."

Erica snorted, "I'm helping you with the dance from the waist up...other than that you, my friend, are on your own."

Then I remembered Erica doesn't or rather can't, dance. "Fine, teach me how we come out."

"Okay," Erica said closing her eyes. "First, Christine sings, da da da-da, then Erik starts to sing; (chills) and the guys come out before the girls. Okay, um, they start to move their arms like...Erik would you mind playing after the phrase, 'Decided, decided'?"

Erik went over to his organ, and without even looking at the score, began to play. Erica closed her eyes and began to hum his tenor voice as her arms came in front of her in a stiff square, rose up, fell, then tucked close to her body as she twirled, and righted herself again.

She faltered after that then said, "Erik, mark that. That's where we are going to have to improvise, the dance isn't shown."

Erik nodded, and strangely I recognized the moves and began to join in. The dance was simple for me since I took Dance for years, and although Erica didn't have rhythm I saw that she seemed to flow through the dance as well. Ah, the power of the Phantom's music. Is there anything it can't do? Well, except make Christine fall in love with him. HA!

We did this for another three hours as Erica familiarized me with the gestures and I began choreographing the steps to add to it later. We only had to mark five spots where the movie didn't show the dance and that was put aside for another day.

Erica yawned as I fidgeted in my ball gown, note to self NEVER wear a ball gown longer than a few hours unless I want it to irritate my skin.

Erik looked happy, he was smiling, "I'd say for being...'show choir' performers you did very well with my Opera. I'm actually glad I chose you two."

Erica looked at me sadly before she yawned again, "I'm about to drop; Hailey I'm sure the fop, uh, I mean Raoul has returned home by now. Can I bunk with you tonight?"

I nodded, "Sure."

Erica sighed and relaxed a bit, "Thank you." She turned around to address Erik with a sleepy smile, "Good night, Erik."

Erik turned from the keys of his organ to look at us, "Good night, Hailey, Erica; pleasant dreams."

I yawned again, "Ditto. Also, it should be a month before your Opera is performed so I wanted to let you know that you should try to relax. It's going to be one hell of a night when...you perform."

Erica's sleepy eyes snapped open in sudden alertness, "Hailey!"

Erik looked at us in sudden realization, "I knew you knew about my Opera but I didn't realize you actually know what's going to happen." Erik rushed over to Erica knocking his bench down in his rush, "What does Christine think of my Opera? Does she sing well? Does she go through with it at all? Does she come back to me?"

Erik was holding Erica by the elbows and she looked miserable, "I-I...I can't tell you, Erik. The story can't be changed, and if I tell you the outcome will change...because you know. I'm sorry, but I can't."

Erik turned to me, "Surely you can tell me something, anything...please."

Okay, I have to admit my heart is breaking right now. His face is just...ugh, I want to hug him! I shook my head, "We can't. We've changed so much already, and we're not sure if the changes we've made are good or bad."

Erik released Erica, but she didn't back up. She sighed, "I'm sorry Erik, I really truly am." Erica stood on her tip toes then grabbed Erik's head and kissed him on his exposed forehead.

I rubbed Erik on the arm as Erica turned to leave and I followed her. We both walked on the small lip I had walked on earlier in silence for the longest time before Erica lost control and burst out, "Why can't she just love him?!"

I groaned, "Erica, please don't start. That's the question every Phan asks, and if you think about 'Love Never Dies' then you see she does-"

Erica cut me off, "God, don't mention that. I love it, I'm probably one of the few Phans that do, but the ending...the ending! It makes me mad, confused, and depressed all at the same time. I mean, why get them together for ten seconds then...BAM! Y'know?"

I nodded, "You dragged me to go see it at the movies with you remember? I felt the same way, and I would complain but I loved the song, "Beauty Underneath."

Erica smiled, remembering our many air guitar moves we came up with when it came on. We never listened to the Ben Lewis version because Erica thinks he's too, 'generic sounding and the Gustave in the movie is flat.' Ramin Karimloo seemed to be Erica's favorite, but I have to admit for that song he is superior to Ben Lewis by far.

We approached the steps and I groaned, "Gooooood, I don't want to walk up all those steps."

Erica stuck out her tongue, "Come on. At least it's not walking up your hill to get to your house...or my hill for that matter."

We began to take two steps at a time as I said, "I've never walked up your hill before."

Erica laughed, "Be glad you haven't, it's almost a ninety degree angle."

I laughed as we made it to the fourth Cellar and just as we began to climb to the next a wall opened and someone pulled us in.

I nearly screamed until I realized it was Anthony. Erica groaned, "Anthony what now?"

I glared at him and yelled, "I am getting tired of being pulled behind a wall into the dark by someone I don't know!" I hit Anthony in the arm, "Geez! I'm tired, I'm cranky, and I'm in no mood for these games! Why can't you just get my attention like a normal person?"

Anthony chuckled, "I'm sorry I'll try to be more obvious next time. I just thought that you two should know that Philippi is still here. Actually, he's standing outside of the door to your room Hailey."

I groaned, "I can't stand him, why can't he leave me alone? What does he even want at this hour?"

Anthony pointed to Erica, "He refuses to leave without her. He says that the Phantom is targeting his sister just to spite his baby brother. As much as it pains me to add...he also wants to 'protect' you from the evil Opera ghost and his assistant."

My eyes widened, "Assistant? He knows about you?"

Anthony shook his head, "He doesn't know that it's me...but Erik thought it would be 'funny' to add in one of his notes to Raoul that his brother should also watch his back, especially considering the fact his 'assistant' is ready to rip him limb from limb for bothering you."

Erica laughed, "Really, I couldn't tell that you didn't care for Philippi."

Anthony gritted his teeth, "If I never see that guy again it will be too soon. It may sound vile but I wish he would get caught in Erik's 'magical lasso' and quietly vanish."

My eyes widened, "Anthony, I hate the ass-wipe as much as you do but him dying is not the solution. By the way, Erik told me to tell you that you will be performing in his Opera as well. You're going to be the lead male dancer and my partner."

Anthony looked as if he were about to protest then stopped, "Have you heard the music we're dancing to?"

I groaned, even back in this time guys had their minds in the gutter. "I know what it is about, and I know what I am supposed to do." I gestured to Erica as she stepped forward, "You forget that Miss Phan here knows this Opera inside and out. My job is to just stay calm and do what I'm told until we go home."

This caught Anthony's attention, "When are you leaving?!"

I didn't answer, I didn't want to see the look on his face; but Erica jumped in, "I'm sorry to say we're leaving as soon as the Opera is done...when the last notes have been played."

I elbowed her, 'Love Never Dies' quotes are only going to make me depressed right now. I saw Anthony's face fall and sighed, "I'm sorry Anthony. We have to go home, there's nothing here that's worth us staying for. If you knew-"

Anthony cut me off screaming, "Nothing here that is worth staying for?! How about a someone?! Do you think that I would not miss you? Do you think you appearing into my life and then changing it forever then leaving just as quickly means nothing to me? It means everything!"

Erica held her hands up, "Anthony calm down, she didn't mean-"

"What?" Anthony boomed, "She didn't mean to make me think she cared about me, or that there was something between us? Well I'm sorry if I didn't understand that, you won't have to worry about that from now on. Don't speak to me ever again, 'Don Juan' is the only time you will have to put up with me...humph, maybe you can go and be with Philippi now."

My face turned red, "I would never be with Philippi!"

Anthony scoffed, "Sorry if I don't believe you." Anthony grabbed Erica and I by our arms then threw us through a doorway, "Follow the steps and you'll find yourself in your room. Good-bye."

I turned around to yell at Anthony but a stone wall was slammed in my face. I hit the wall screaming, "Anthony! You don't understand, I...you stupid, selfish jerk! You don't even care what I have to say! I hope you rot down here for the rest of your life while I'm back home living my life as happy as could be!"

I stormed off up the stairs, being hurt but not shedding a single tear. I honestly couldn't cry because I was so mad; I heard Erica quietly say to the wall, "Anthony, she doesn't mean it. Give her time and she'll cool down and then we can all talk...I don't want us to leave here angry at each other. Do you? Think about it."

Erica ran up the steps two at a time to catch up with me. We were in silence until we opened the door into my room, "God help Philippi if he says one word to me; I'm too pissed to deal with him."

Erica winced, "Just try to reign in your temper for a few moments and I'll get him out of here quickly. Rehearsals start tomorrow, right?"

I shrugged, "I guess, Erik said rehearsals were starting right away. So, probably."

Erica sighed as she opened the door to leave, and lo and behold there stood Philippi. He quickly turned around and hugged Erica, "Thank goodness you are alright, when that madman mentioned your name earlier I froze. Just because our brother has that monster's girl doesn't mean he can drag you into the fight as well."

I saw Erica's hands clench into fists and turn white, never call Erik a madman or a monster in front of her. I saw her force herself to relax her hands then clear her throat, "Philippi I am just fine. He isn't going to hurt me or whatever preposterous idea you have swimming around in your head. Hailey simply felt ill after coming face to face with him and I took her in here to calm down."

Philippi cocked his head, "What happened to your hair? It looks as if you went swimming, it is all knotted."

Erica must have had a mini-heart attack because I saw her fingers twitch, but she laughed it off, "Oh, I went to wash my face and ended up ruining the front of my curls. When I realized this I simply drenched the bunch."

That was the corniest thing I have ever heard but Philippi seemed to buy it, and goodie for me, he noticed I was in the doorway as well. He bowed politely, "Hailey. I must confess that I was also waiting for you as well. You see, when that madman wrote my brother he mentioned that I should also watch my back because his assistant is out for my head as well for being close to you."

I scoffed, more like being a vulgar prick. Philippi continued, "Since we know that there is another madman that is after you as well I kindly request that you come and stay with us until this ordeal is over."

I was trying so hard not to laugh but a giggle escaped, "I'm sorry Philippi, well no I'm not; but I'm not staying with you. I can take care of myself, as you well may remember."

Philippi blanched, "Hailey, I do not think you understand the gravity of the situation. The Phantom is a vile and wretched man, I can only imagine what type of filthy piece of trash his assistant must be."

About two seconds after he had finished that sentence I saw Erica's eyes widen unbelievably, and I realized my hand hurt...or fist. I looked at Philippi and he was holding his nose as blood began to spill. That's when I realized what I had done, I had punched him! He deserved it, he called Anthony trash!

Erica pulled Philippi away saying, "I believe you hit a nerve dear brother, and I think we'd better take our leave." Erica turned around and mouthed the words, "Good job" then disappeared around the corner.

I slammed the door shut and quickly changed out of my dress and into something more comfortable to sleep in. I was fuming, but as I lay down and tried to fall asleep the events of tonight hit me. Anthony was mad at me, Erica and I are recreating the 2004 movie version of 'Don Juan' on our own, and...I just punched a nobleman in the face. Ugh! Now, more than ever, all I wanted to do was go home.

Me: You are violent.

Hailey: Only when I need to be!

Me: (Shrugs) Fair enough, but since I won't be here this week, and neither will you, thanks to All County Chorus there will be no chapter Friday.

Hailey: Eh, I don't really think anyone will mind it. We're highschoolers; academics come first.

Erica: That is why I'm updating today, because last Friday I went to GEOGRAPHY BOWL! Whoo! I made the chapter up to you guys though. Next Friday there will be two chapters since I have ACC.

Hailey: I'm just happy I technically get a four day weekend, thank god.

Erica: Ok, I'm signing out. PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!