Chapter 2
The girl awoke to an empty house, as usual. Her father had to leave every morning to get her things, such as food, clothes and maybe some new toys. She quickly changed from her nightgown into her ballet dress and her ballet shoes. She walked out in the kitchen and grabbed her lunch her papa made her. She grabbed her cloak and draped it over her shoulders and headed to the boat at the dock. She jumped in and shoved off with her smaller ebony staff. Her father had a staff just like it, but it was much, much taller. She reached the other side, and mounted her horse, Midnight. She rode him to the staircase and tied him to the pole. She ran up the many flights of stairs, and just barely made it to rehearsal. "Mademoiselle, I thought you weren't going to make it. What took you so long?" Madam Giry said as Rose took her place at the stretching pole.
"Papa didn't wake me this morning. I got up late."
"I see. Well, today is James birthday, so we will not have rehearsal, but a party for him. I want you all to return to your rooms and change into your best. Meg will come and get you. Except you Rose, I want you to come with me."
The other girls left, and Madame Giry took Rose to her apartment in the Opera Populaire. "Rose, this is the Eighth time this has happened this season. I can't stall rehearsals, and I don't want to lose my best dancer. Promise me you'll come on time from now on."
"I promise. It's just papa and I got in late last night and I couldn't get Midnight to go any faster. I'm sorry."
"It's alright. Your father will be here tomorrow to watch you dance, and I know he'll be proud. Now, let's get you something else to wear to the party huh?"
Madame Giry grabbed a beautiful red gown for Rose to wear. She let her borrow her diamond pendant and earrings, and a pair of Meg's old red ballet shoes, that she wore once. They arrived at the party as the others came with Meg, Madame Giry's daughter.
"Rose! Come here!" young James called pulling his parents arms as he ran to her. "Rose, these are my parents, Count Raoul and Countess Christine de Chagny."
She gave them her hand and said, "Bonjour, James has told me so much about you both. You are a really good singer Madame. I admire you for it."
"Thank you Rose. Do you sing?" Christine asked.
"Yes, my papa teaches me every night before bedtime. And then in the morning, I come here and dance. I love to do both."
"Who is your father Mademoiselle?"
"Rose! Come, I need your help." Madame Giry called.
"Excuse me. Yes, Madame Giry?"
"Come, your father calls."
"Uh-oh. I'm in trouble, aren't I?"
"I don't know. He's waiting up on the rafter."
"Okay. I'll go see him." Rose said, climbing the staircase. "Papa? Are you up here?"
"Rosalyn…Come here." He said very sternly.
She walked up to him and gave him a hug. "What did I do papa? Am I in trouble?"
"No. I don't want you to talk to Christine. You can play with James, but don't talk to his mother. Understood?"
"Yes papa. I'll see you at dinner okay?"
"Tres bien, amante. Je amour tu."
"Je amour tu aussi papa." She said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.
She walked down the stairs and made her way about the party for James, trying to avoid Madame Christine. The party ended, and James and Rose said their good-byes. She walked through the corridors to the main hallway; not realizing someone was following her. She walked through a secret passageway, and let it close. She headed down the passageway, taking a lit torch with her. She made her way to Midnight and untied him from the post. She gave him some sugar cubes, and then mounted him. She rode him back down the many ramps and made it to the lake. She boarded her boat and went home. She entered her home, smelling dinner cooking in the kitchen. She walked in, and looked in the big pot. "Mmmm, piment! My favorite soup!"
"I knew you'd like it. Chili's always was your favorite since you were wee little. I remember you would eat it, and end up having it all over your face. Hmm, you were such a cute baby. And now, you're growing into a fine young lady." Her father said, pulling her up off the ground.
"He-he. Come on papa, I'll set the table, and you can serve. Then, I'll clean up, if you wash the pot."
"All right, sheesh! You're so bossy!"
"If I'm the bossy one, then what are you?"
"I'm the one who makes you laugh! Come here you!" he said, pulling her close to him and tickling her madly. Her laughter filled the house, and ran through the caves around them. A knock came to the door. They both looked at it, she in fear. He set her down and whispered, "Rose, I want you to hide. Get under the table and stay there."
"Okay." She climbed under the table and lowered the tablecloth around her. She heard the door open.
"What are you doing here?" she heard her father say.
"Erik! I've missed you so much!"