Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Phantom of the Opera characters, only my own.
Chapter 11: Getting the Plans
"Where are we off to in such a hurry?" Madame Giry questioned confusingly as Annabelle dragged her down the hallway. Her sleeve was latched onto by the younger woman's fingers. Annabelle had an excited gleam in her eyes, almost going into a run. Even though Madame Giry was still in good shape after all her years of dancing, she had to catch her breath when Annabelle finally screeched to a halt outside the instrument storage room.
She bounced in happily. She gazed back at the older woman happily. "So what is it that you had to show me, cherie?"
Annabelle lifted up a guitar, loosening the strap to settle over her shoulder. It was still a bit dusty from not being used. She spread out sheets of paper. She plucked the strings playfully. Madame Giry looked down at the notes. Although her profession was dancing, she new how to read sheet music, as well as properly sing. She hummed the tune as Annabelle played.
"I never knew you could play the guitar." Annabelle's smile turned into a grin.
'It's a song I wrote for my teacher. Do you think he will like it?' She scrawled out on the bottom of the sheet.
"Of course he will. I'll tell you what.. let me take this to the Maestro. He will probably let you play it on stage."
Annabelle went into thought for a minute before nodding excitedly.
Madame Giry smiled as she gathered the papers up. Annabelle sat down on one of the seats occupying the room. The guitar was now over her lap. She continued to pluck the strings. She hadn't picked up this particular instrument in a long time. Her grandfather had taught her after his trip to Spain when she was young.
She breathed out slowly, leaning back. She had not seen her teacher since hearing him sing next to the river. Honestly, Annabelle did miss him. She could still remember the shocked look in his eyes when he saw her scars.
Her eyes grew heavy. The guitar slowly slid off of her lap and onto the floor. She had the sensation of falling back as sleepiness began to take over. A warmth covered over her body and she sighed softly.
Erik smiled sadly as he placed the guitar on her dresser. His student was tucked into her bed. He had found her slumped in a chair in the storage room. Knowing it would hurt her posture, he gently picked her up and took her back to her room. His fingers lightly traced the designed on the guitar. "Hm… I wonder why she had this." Hopefully she hadn't abandoned the violin because of him.
He tilted his head back, remembering the night he sat in the rain. He couldn't remember the last time he had sang like the way he did. Annabelle shifted in her sleep. He went back to her side, rubbing small circles on her back until her breathing deepened once more.
Annabelle was awakened by Madame Giry shaking her shoulder. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, trying to think how she managed to get to her bedroom. "Good news, my dear. The Maestro was so impressed, he wants you to play your piece at the next concert!" Annabelle smiled and hugged her tightly.
Erik stayed hidden behind the curtains, listening quietly.
'Is it possible to have a singer join in? I know we don't normally, but..'
"I'll see what we can do." Madame Giry smiled and patted her shoulder encouragingly. "You're doing very well. Your teacher will be proud."
Annabelle smiled at the praise. She followed the older woman to see the Maestro. Everything was going to plan.
Author's Note: Yes, I know it's very short, but I'll try to make up for it in the next few chapters. This is mainly just a filler as I try to fight this writer's block.