Wow its been legit forever since I've updated :(

You guys mean so much to me and I hope this will make up for the waiting!

Love you all enjoy!

"That-That couldn't have happened." She shook her head, her arms embracing herself in comfort. "This-This isn't happening." Carmelina murmured to herself, racing down the entangled tunnels of the opera house, needing some time to think; sometime to fully grasp what she was feeling.

Erik had done something somewhat heroic, something very much unlike him. You could say that he saved her even when she knew he couldn't stand to hear her sing. There was guilt for some reason Carmelina couldn't quite understand but this guilt was unimaginable.

Had she really screwed up so much that Erik would do such a thing?

The confusion was unbearable. She couldn't find an answer in the pain of her feet or the dark stairwell in front of her yet she knew the joy was close to immeasurable. She didn't want to admit it but the feeling was there and the feeling was turning her insides out. The feeling was pushing through her stomach and breaking into a smile. The feeling bloomed the roses in her cheeks.

"You did spectacularly." Victoria chimed sinisterly, sarcasm hidden in her tone. Carmelina spun around and remembered to hold in her gasp at the last second. She hadn't realized she was being followed.

Victoria noticed her shock and put that point to play.

"Shocked to see me? Too caught up in your little crush?" She smirked walking towards the frozen girl at the edge of the lake.

"What?! No! No-of course not. Just a bit lost thats all." She easily lied. She might have fooled her parents time and time again but she wasn't exactly sure if Victoria was buying it.

"Really?" Victoria teased, biting her thumb. "So you don't claim master? I can take him?"

"No!" Carmelina screamed on impulse before forcing herself to regain composure. "I mean- he's in love" she paused to accept that fact. "with someone else."

"Really?" Victoria laughed. "Too bad. I bet you could have won him over."

"I don't like him." Carmelina said not only trying to convince Victoria but herself as well. "He almost murdered me from the beginning! Almost killed you on contact! Forces me to work all day-! How could you-? I mean- I certainly can't."

Carmelina turned away, trying to soak in her disappointment. It was all true. It all had to be true. Erik had to be in love with someone else and she would be insanely masochistic to like him. She didn't. Yes. She couldn't.

Carmelina began pulling the boat to shore, remembering when she had first ridden in it a few months ago.

"Let me help-" Victoria added, taking the rope and in unison, pulled with Carmelina.

"Do-do you like master?" Carmelina stuttered, bracing herself for an answer. She knew if Erik was in love with anyone, it was Victoria.

Victoria snorted "Of course not! He's a music genius but I heard he kidnapped Christine and planned to make her his bride! Can you believe the nerve?"

Carmelina only sighed in reply and continued to pull in the boat.

"Besides," Victoria continued "I'm seeing someone." She giggled.

Carmelina met her eyes and saw joy in them. She wondered what it must be like to be in love.

"How'd you meet?"

"I'd sneak up after practice for a few nights to chat with the ballet girls-"

"But master asid we needed sleep for better vocals!" Carmelina cut her off.

"Well- it doesn't matter. He owns a vineyard and provides the wine here. He was shipping in his goods and fancied me. We had a few late nights together and I suppose he wants something more intimate."

"I'm so happy for you." Carmelina cheered tapping her shoulder but inside she knew this was just another thing to add to the list of why Victoria was better at everything than her. "What's his name?" Carmelina continued to conversation hoping to alleviate her bitter feelings.

"Gascon. He's taking me to the opening night ball next week! You should come and have fun! Enjoy yourself for once!"

"Well Erik has been pulling our strings a little hard this month-" Carmelina paused to consider this. She remembered when she has ruined his vest and he already threatened to kill her, imagine what sneaking out and breaking his rules would get her?

"Nevermind- I can't. I have so much work around the lair and we aren't supposed to-" Carmelina tried to explain before her voice was cut off sharply.

"What are you not supposed to do?" Erik asked, hand gripping his lasso.

Victoria shut her eyes knowing someone wasn't in a good mood. "Oh this can't be good."

I know this is short but I promise to make it longer next time! :))

I have so much planned for whats going to happen and I hope you stay to find out!

PLEASE REVIEW IT WOULD MEAN SO MUCH TO ME :)

((A thousand red mnms for you if you do!))

Mwah!