Chapter 3: Masquerade: Unmasked and Exposed

2 Years later

Antoinette looked at her lavender dress and held it up to her. She danced around the dormitory with it.

" She's been like that since last week," one of the other girls said

" Let's find out who she's excited about," another said

They walked in and commented on Antoinette's dress and she thanked them.

" So, who is he?" one asked

" I'm excited about the ball," Antoinette said, " It's a masquerade, I've never been to one."

" Your such a silly girl Antoinette," the other said

" So, who's the young man?" the first said

" Alice, Isabelle, there's no one…I told you I'm just happy," Antoinette said

Alice and Isabelle looked at her and smiled and then sat down. Antoinette looked at them and then laid out her dress for the evening events.

" He's got to be something else," Alice said, " She's to happy."

" I think it maybe the young Patron," Isabelle said

" Ha that's funny, I thought he was seeing the young soprano," Alice replied

Isabelle shook her head and said, " That's right, well there's Monsieur Friar's son…and there's Monsieur Giry. He's quite the handsome one."

" Someone a simple chorus girl can't have," Alice sighed

Erik stood in front of a mirror and looked at himself. He traced the black mask that covered most his face. He removed it and tried a different mask and tossed it to the side. He slipped the half faced mask on and walked to another room, there he pulled out his attire.

" What is there to wear?" Erik questioned

" Perhaps you should wear something of a different color," Antoinette's voice broke his question

Erik turned and looked at her, he wore his usual attire and shook his head.

" There are no colors," Erik said, " I only where black."

Antoinette looked at him and walked over then looked at his attire. She walked into another room and then looked at his attire.

" So, dark" she whispered

" Why do you think I wear such dark clothing?" Erik questioned

Antoinette sighed and then turned and faced Erik, close to her. She slipped away and Erik turned to her.

" Erik," she said

Erik looked at her as she traced the 6 different mask Erik had. She lifted a gold one and then turned around. She removed the one he had and slipped the gold one on, she tied it behind.

" This one, I like this one," she said, " Then let's see."

She grabbed a velvet dress coat and smiled and placed it up to him.

" This one," she said, " This one matches the mask most, a different texture and I can line it with gold trim. I can do your vest too…it will be wonderful."

Erik had not chance to say anything and she walked to the stairs.

" Antoinette," he called

" Don't worry Erik, it will be perfect," she said

He sighed and watched her vanished and Erik turned away.

" I love you," he whispered

That evening Antoinette brushed her hair and put her hair up. She hummed an unfamiliar tune and Alice and Isabelle looked at her.

" Who is this mysterious young man?" Isabelle and Alice said

" There is no one," she said

" Your lying, your humming and you don't hum Antoinette. You don't even dance in the dormitories," Alice said

The two girls danced around and mocked Antoinette. She looked at them and shook her head.

" What have you been hiding?" Alice sang

" Who is this stranger?" Isabelle sang

Antoinette looked at them and shook her head. She grabbed her dress and slipped it on then tied it and Alice and Isabelle looked at her. Antoinette powdered her face a little and then placed the rest of her make-up on then placed her jewelry on last.

" He's no one," she quickly said

She was off grabbing her fan and heading downstairs to where the celebration was taking place. The other girls followed behind soon after and Antoinette watched them take a suitor's hand. She leaned against a pillar and watched as the girls danced with the gentlemen.

She walked about and continued to watch, Erik was not there yet and nor was the young suitor she had fallen for. Antoinette sighed and watched as she drank a glass of champagne.

Antoinette looked in the distance and saw Erik enter, she watched him from afar. His long black velvet dress coat looked wonderful on him, his vest shimmered with the golden touch, his ascot accented his mask and trimmed sleeves. People stared at him as he walked in, his long black gold trim cloak followed behind him. Some of the girls smiled and walked over to him and he became uncomfortable. She smiled and walked over to him.

" Where in the world have you been hiding, really you look perfect," she sang softly

Erik smirked and kissed her hand and the other girls gave a sigh. They walked off and Erik took Antoinette to the dance floor as the music played a perfect waltz for them. She smiled and Alice and Isabelle looked at them as they glided across the floor.

" Where have I seen him?" Alice questioned

" In your dreams," Isabelle sarcastically remarked

" Shut up, he's someone familiar," Alice said

" Perhaps the ghost," Isabella laughed

Alice smirked and said, " The ghost, yes of course a mortal ghost."

As the evening went on Antoinette looked at Erik, she smiled at him. Erik tucked a rose behind her ear and kissed her cheek. Monsieur Friar watched Antoinette with a mysterious young man and she was smiling. Madame Trotter shook her head at the young ballerina's actions.

" Who is that man?" she asked Monsieur Friar

" I don't know," he replied

A young man walked in and Antoinette looked over. She smiled a little and kissed Erik on the cheek, then walked off. Erik watched her walk towards the young man that just walked in. He felt his fist ball up into a fist and narrowed his eyes. The young man kissed Antoinette's hand and asked her to dance. The two danced and Erik walked towards the shadows.

" Excuse me," Alice called

Erik turned around and looked at the young girl. Alice, is a fair skinned young woman, with blue eyes and reddish brown hair, she usually was the one who always seemed to attracted the finest of the suitors. She folded her arms there in front of her and Erik sighed as he looked at her. She was very pretty and yet there was something about her he did not like.

" Monsieur, if you don't mind, may I have a dance with you. It's near the end of the ball and I have not had one dance. I wish to share the last dance with you if that is not a problem," Alice said

" It is alright," Erik said

He walked over and presented his arm to her and she smiled, then wrapped her arm around his. He walked her to the dance floor and a beautiful waltz began to play. Erik began to dance with her and he watched Antoinette with the young man.

" Who is that man?" he asked

Alice looked over her shoulder at the young man and turned back to Erik.

" Monsieur Giry, he's the lawyer for the Opera Populaire, Antoinette is his fiancée," Alice said

Erik looked at Alice and Alice saw a sudden change in his eyes. She laughed in her mind and then stroked his cheek.

" She's been with him for a few months," Alice said

" Only," Erik said

Alice nodded and reached her hands up behind Erik's head. She found the silk ribbon that tied behind his head and held his mask.

" Let's see who you really are," she thought, " Antoinette really can't be in love with this guy."

Antoinette looked over and saw Erik dancing with Alice and saw her reaching up. Antoinette looked at Monsieur Giry and broke away from him, she ran towards them.

" Alice no!" she shouted

Alice untied the mask and removed the mask as Antoinette shouted. Alice looked at him and Erik stared at her. He became motionless and then Alice screamed, everyone turned and looked at Erik.

" It's that freak," they cried

Monsieur Friar looked and laughed.

" Look who decided to show," he said

" I knew it, he's that boy from the freak show," Madame Totter said

Antoinette pushed through the gathering crowd and grabbed her shawl. Erik narrowed his eyes at them.

" What a freak!" People exclaimed, " What does he want with normal people!"

The started to throw things at Erik and Antoinette wrapped her arms around Erik. She covered his face with her shawl and led him the back way. Monsieur Giry broke through the crowd and ran to Antoinette.

" Let me help," he said

Antoinette looked at him and slightly felt tears fall from her face. People continued to shout out names of disgust. Once Antoinette opened the door she removed her shawl and looked at Erik. He fell to his knees and she came to her knees and wrapped her arms around him.

" Get away from me," he cried out

" Shh, no," she whispered

" Is he alright?" Monsieur Giry asked

Erik leaned against the wall and covered his face with both hands. She looked at him and stroked his face.

" I don't know why she did that to you," Antoinette said, " I'm sorry Erik…I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. I know you never want to go out now."

Monsieur Giry knelt down and looked at Erik and looked at his face.

" You're very brave my friend," Monsieur Giry said, " You took an unexpected hit."

" Are you hurt?" she asked

" No," Erik replied

" Let's get him back to where he is staying," Antoinette stated

She helped Erik up and both guided him down the cellar stairs. She removed Erik's coat and undid his ascot and vest. Antoinette removed his shoes and looked at Erik as he sat there.

" Erik," she whispered

" Leave me alone, go away," he said

He fell into the comforts of his bed and she looked at Erik.

" Erik," she said

" I said leave me alone!" he shouted

Antoinette looked at him and then turned away. Monsieur Giry walked with her and she began to cry. He took her in his arms and stroked her face.

" He is a good boy, why would they do that to him," Antoinette cried

" People are so cruel," Monsieur Giry said

" Vincent, why do they have to be cruel? Why!" she cried, " Erik doesn't deserve this…he never did."

" One day Antoinette, there will be a world without judgment," Monsieur Giry said