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Chapter Eight: The Difference

What is this strange obsession

That's tearing me apart?

Some strange deranged expression

Of what's in my heart?...

-Jekyll, Jekyll & Hyde

I first saw Leonora as the dance instructor, Meg Giry, led her down the hall to her dormitory after she had found her on the steps of the opera house. Her head was cocked to the side but her eyes were fixed ahead, staring vaguely down the hall at the manager's office door. The dance instructor reasoned with the manager to let Leonora stay in one of the dormitories there, participating in every show as any other company member there would. I waited outside the door and talked with a few ballerinas until she emerged from the room.

"May I take her to her dormitory?" I asked Meg. To my surprise, Leonora didn't blush like the other girls did when I approached her. She just looked at Meg with a pained expression and shook her head.

"No, monsieur," Meg replied. "Leonora is tired and needs her rest. You will see her tomorrow." And with that, they both disappeared down the hall.

I later heard from the manager that her parents had abandoned her there because of some deformity. I pushed the thought of her being deformed from my mind, knowing well that if she was deformed, she would have been a monster. On the contrary, she was far from it, with her misty eyes, skin as pale as the virgin snow, and raven hair; only monsters are deformed.

As I went to sleep that night, I only had one thing on my mind; Leonora. I no longer cared for the ballerinas that I could snap my fingers and have instantly. No, I only wanted her and I would not stop till I had her.

The next day, I met with her as Meg had said and talked with her in the privacy of her dormitory. She was very quiet and oddly uncomfortable with the whole situation. She still didn't blush; I thought that she just might have been scared the first day and I just shrugged it off, but this was frustrating me a little.

"How do you like the opera?" I asked her, trying to create a conversation. She just sighed and looked to the floor.

"It's alright," she replied softly. "It's just that some of the girls are mean to me. The only friend I have is Annette and she's too young to be cruel."

I honestly didn't care about how she felt. She was being incredibly dim, not knowing that a wonderful man was standing right in front of her. But, I continued, trying not to lose my patience and telling myself that she'll come around.

"Oh, the ballerinas are always like that," I reassured her. She looked at me, curiously. Well, that didn't take very long, I thought.

"Do you have a deformity?" She asked, quietly. I laughed at her teasing and took her hand.

"Leonora," I chuckled. "Surely you must know that only monsters are deformed!"

I laughed and she just sat there with an angry expression upon her face, glaring at me. She snatched her hand away and stood up, pointing to the door and I stared at her, confused.

"Get out," she said through clenched teeth. I suddenly felt a strong sensation sweep through me and I grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her close to me. I held her struggling form with one arm and stroked her hair with another, imagining me and her together. She let out a cry and slipped from my grasp, threatening to call the dance instructor. I smiled at her and left the room, knowing what she truly wanted…

She is just a scared little girl, afraid to take a chance or make a commitment. I know she wants me; who could blame her? I am what all the women want- a rich, powerful, young, and handsome man.

As the days passed and my other attempts to seduce her failed, I took an idea to the manager about having a November Ball in honor of the new management. If there was a ball, she would surely attend it and, who knows? Maybe she'd fall for me then, even if it meant a little wine and lies. William was delighted at this and arranged it as soon as he could, announcing it later that day to the company.

Everyone started to get excited as the date drew nearer; the men of the company began to ask the ballerinas and the women were collecting money to but gowns. I noticed Leonora as Cornelia was practicing her solo at center stage. Annette was pulling at her skirt and asking about a dance step but Leonora just smiled and gazed into the house, blush entering her cheeks. I didn't want to admit it but she was changing; going from an innocent, shy girl to a happier, but still as innocent, girl. Her beautiful pale skin was collecting a bit of color and her eyes sparkled like the most glorious of jewels.

No matter. Tomorrow night at the ball, she will fall for me…Whether I have to force her or not…

Erik's Point of View

How can I earn your love?

I would swim oceans,

I would move mountains,

I would do anything for you.

What do you want me to do?

-Hinckley, Assassins

Leonora visited not too long ago, talking excitedly about the November Ball that is to take place tomorrow night in honor of the new management. She begged me to come, but I just gazed at her sadly as she talked, remembering the last time I had decided to attend a ball. I couldn't bear to see her dancing with the patron. I loved her too much for that to happen…

Yet, I found myself having still not confessed my love for her. I seemed afraid to ask her, like I might drive her away if I did. After all, that's what happened last time I gave someone my heart; they acted as if they cared but turned around and stabbed me in the back. I just kept silent about love each night she came and often, there have been awkward pauses and I feel like I'm bound to burst if I don't tell her. I feel like falling to my knees and opening my heart up to her, but I mustn't.

Tonight, after we had talked about the ball, she yawned and told me she had to get sleep if she wanted to attend. She started to walk towards the lake, but I grabbed her hand, gently, and led her into the boat. As I rowed, I noticed her smiling at me and I smiled back, faintly. Yet again, there was a moment I could have told her my love for her…but I let it slip, pulling my gaze from her and looking to the lake waters, uncomfortably. I saw my reflection staring back at me…but it wasn't mine.

Well, it was mine but for a beautiful moment, I was no longer deformed. I looked like a regular man with no scars or drooping eyelid or anything. But, all good things never last…

The boat bumped the rocky shore and the vision left me. All I ever wanted was lost in a ripple of dark water as I closed my eyes and leaned on the paddle, trying to hold back sobs that were forcing their way through my throat. Leonora stood up in the boat and put her hand on my shoulder.

"Erik?"

I opened my eyes and turned towards her, a smile appearing on my face like an instinct whenever I see her. She smiled back as I took her hand and led her off the boat to the shore. Her eyes stayed locked with mine like some invisible cord was between them, keeping them open. Her hand touched mine and the spell was broken as silent tears emerged from her eyes.

"Oh, Erik…" She whispered and ran into the hallway, leaving me alone with my tears. I kicked the boat with viciously, emitting a cry of frustration at my stupidity. What was wrong with me? All I need to say is three words.

I love you.

I must tell her. I will tell her! Tomorrow night I will attend the November Ball…but, in the shadows…

A/N- Okay! I'm donw with Point of Views for a while! R&R!