Chapter III: Rumors
The Opera Populaire Nouveau was comprised of multiple people of many different ages. Many of them were seniors, having sung most of their lives. Others were young adults, around twenty and thirty years of age. Raphael and Chouet, among a few other girls and a few other boys, made up the few teenagers in the opera. Yet these few teenagers created quite a tight nit community that didn't accept oddities very quickly. Youth today are the same way. Difference is unacceptable.
So, when Raphael began disappearing for hours at a time in his room, rumors naturally began to arise. What was he doing in there? Why was he suddenly locked in his room all afternoon and all evening, if his schedule allowed?
Chouet was talking with two of the other chorus girls, Maria and Desiree, one afternoon after rehearsals were finished. It was one of those rare moments when everyone was able to wear their casual clothing. Chouet wore a white dress with a blue ribbon acting as a sash, a matching blue ribbon in her hair, and the other girls wore similar attire.
Maria was laughing. "Did you hear Monsieur L'Vitoun? His voice was cracking!"
Desiree smiled. "Indeed! I do hope that his voice improves for the ball this evening."
Chouet nodded. "Of course."
Desiree's eyes went wide. "Oh, but girls! Girls! What do you think Monsieur Giry is doing this very moment?"
Maria snorted. "He's up in his dormitory, no doubt."
Desiree's eyes were still wide. "But what do you think he's doing?"
Chouet seemed to become slightly uncomfortable. "Honestly, Desiree, I have no idea."
Maria looked suggestively at Chouet. "But you should know! After all…" She left the statement unfinished.
Chouet looked at Maria curiously, slightly confused. "After all…? Do finish your statement, Maria. I am eager to hear what in the world you are blathering on about."
Maria looked at Chouet with mock surprise. "Oh, Mademoiselle Chouet, surely you must know what I am reffering to…?"
Chouet was starting to become agitated. "Honestly, I have no earthly idea."
Desiree started to giggle. "Well…we all know where you were that night when Jacques told us that scary story…"
Chouet was still puzzled. "Monsieur Giry escorted me to my room immediately after we left, and I retired immediately."
Desiree and Maria both looked at Chouet oddly, then looked at each other, then looked back at Chouet. Maria spoke first. "Mademoiselle…we all thought…"
Chouet was still confused. "Thought…? What exactly did you think, Maria? Surely you didn't think…?" There was a silence during which Maria and Desiree simply looked at Chouet. Suddenly Chouet became quite red in the face. "Oh, my! Of course not! Raphael would never…I would never…you were all terribly mistaken. You shouldn't listen to such nasty rumors." Chouet then turned away from them all, marching away indignantly. She could hear them changing the subject as she walked away. "So, who is escorting you to the masquerade ball tonight, Maria?" "Oh, I'm going with Jon Paul! And you?"
Chouet sighed, proceeding up the stairs to her room. The ball, of course. They had even canceled the Sunday evening performance of Griselda just to hold this ball. She had refused all of the offers from other men to accompany her so far, simply because she had expected a certain somebody to invite her. So far, he hadn't asked her yet…maybe he wouldn't ask her after all…
"Chouet?"
Chouet jumped as she heard a voice behind her. She spun around, and immediately relaxed. Raphael was walking out the door of his room. He was holding a large book underneath his arm, but his arm conveniently covered the title. He was dressed in a dark brown suit with a black vest and a white shirt. His black shoes were polished and shining, and he looked very elegant. Chouet smiled at him. "Hello, Raphael. Where have you been all afternoon?"
Raphael fidgeted uncomfortably. He still hadn't told Chouet what he had done that night about a week ago, all the amazing things he had discovered…but she didn't need to know. "Err…nothing, really."
Chouet looked at the large book underneath his arm. "What is that?"
Raphael looked at the book as if he wasn't aware he had been carrying it. Obviously, he hadn't been aware, as he suddenly leapt back into his room and reappeared a few moments later, the book disappeared. He shut the door, breathing deeply. "Oh, nothing…" He laughed nervously. "Just…a book I was reading. Anyways…" He shook his head, recovering from his minor shock of almost revealing what he had been doing to Chouet. "…How are you?"
Chouet looked at him oddly for a moment, but dismissed the odd happening quickly. "…Fine, I suppose…"
Raphael looked at her with mock surprise. "Only fine?" He had his hands at his sides, and began to fidget with the hem of his coat. "Well…I might as well ask you something…" Chouet's heart leapt as Raphael continued with some difficulty. "…You know, I'm probably too late to ask you this…" ("You'd be surprised," Chouet thought to herself.) "…but…you know the ball tonight? Well…I was wondering…might I serve as your escort?"
Chouet smiled at him. "I accept your invitation, Monsieur Giry." She curtsied, utilizing every last manner her parents ever taught her.
Not too far away, at the bottom of the staircase, Maria and Desiree listened. Maria rolled her eyes, and then began imitating Chouet, making her voice much higher pitched than necessary. "'I accept your invitation, Monsieur Giry.' Of course she accepts."
Desiree nodded. "And of course she denied our assumption so quickly. It's because it really did happen, and she's embarrassed."
Maria laughed. "Of course she's embarrassed! I would be, too, if I was going to the masquerade ball with Raphael Giry!" The two of them laughed as they walked away, not unheard by Raphael.
Next Chapter: Masquerade Ball
Jacques continued to dance with Chouet. After a moment, he spoke again. "You shouldn't associate yourself with someone like him. It's bad for your career."
Chouet looked up at Jacques suddenly, her eyes having trailed to the ground. "Excuse me, Monsieur?"
Jacques simply watched her every move. "It's not very wise to be seen with people like…like that phantom…"
