A boring chapter, but one that is important to the rest of the story. I apologize.

Why So Silent?

"Christine, I was looking all over for you!" I heard Meg say breathlessly as she ran up to my side. I just smiled at my old friend. It was the day before the Masquerade Ball, and I was leaving the Opera Populaire in search of a dress for the ball.
"So, where were you during Christmas? I didn't see you anywhere!" she inquired, looking a little concerned. I knew that she would ask the question, but I had hoped desperately that she wouldn't.
"I was visiting with a friend," I replied evasively. I saw a flicker of understanding in her eye, but I knew she assumed wrong. She thought I had been with the Viscomte, which was inaccurate, but the excuse was convenient, so I decided not to correct her.
"Where are you going?" Meg asked. She was always so curious; that was her only flaw.
"I am going to shop for a dress for the Masquerade." I replied, a little embarrassed that I hadn't been shopping earlier.

"But I thought you had one already!" she exclaimed. What? Where had she gotten that idea?
"No, I don't." I said.

"But I saw it! It was in your room!" she told me. She must have thought me crazy! Well, that made two of us. Of course I didn't have a dress…

"No, I never got a dress." I said. At the look of utter confusion on her face, I added quickly, "But we can always check my room." With that, the both of us sped on down to my dressing room, practically running. Was it possible that Meg hadn't been hallucinating?

We arrived at the door, and I turned the knob. To my disappointment, there wasn't a dress on the bed. I had kinda hoped that someone would do my shopping for me. I heard Meg's groan of embarrassment, and I could sympathize with her entirely. I had made a fool of myself before, and I knew how it felt.

I started to turn around and head back out the door, when I saw a crimson rose on my dresser. Enchanted, I walked over to pick it up. Only Erik leaves roses. Raoul tends to leave tulips, thinking that they are my favorite type of flower. Of course they aren't. I think that nothing is more simple and beautiful than a blood-red rose.

Next to the rose was a note. The scripture was slightly childish and was written in an ink to match the rose. It simply said, "Go to your closet." Of course, I went to my closet. Meg was staring at me like I was insane. She must have thought me a schizophrenic. Ah, well. I am so misunderstood. Oh, woe is me.

I reached the closet and pulled it open, and almost fell over is shock. There, in my closet, was the most elegant, the most gorgeous, the most sensational dress I had ever seen in my life! It was a crimson gown that matched the rose necklace that Erik got me. Oh, God, would that man ever stop showering me with expensive gifts? The dress was tightly fitted at the top, and it had an intricate rose design. The bodice was cut low, lower than anything I had ever worn, but it was still decent. The bottom was long and flowing, and literally seemed to be made of liquid. When I reached out and touched the dress, I discovered that the bottom was made of silk! Holy shit! This was probably the most expensive dress I had ever seen, and I had often walked down the upscale shopping district in Paris.

Meg tapped me on the shoulder and said smugly, "I told you so!"

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Raoul held my hand in his gloved palm. We stepped into the brightly lit foyer and stood at the top of the grand marble staircase. I barely heard when someone announced our names, for there was a string quartet playing and many people gossiping. Honestly, I didn't enjoy the din of the Masquerade party. I could tell that the noise went down a few decibel levels when I entered the room, but it was still overwhelmingly loud!

Raoul and I enjoyed a few waltzes, and even though we were close together, we could not have been more distant. He had been so domineering, so arrogant when he picked me up to go to the ball. He had also been an utter bore! I was just glad that I wouldn't need to share the rest of my life with him. That is, I wouldn't if I could summon the courage to reject his offer.

The opportune moment came when there was a lull in the music. The quartet had gone to enjoy the refreshments offered, so many people were using the break to chat idly. No one would notice the quick disappearance of the Viscomte and the star soprano.

When one of Raoul's friends left to go gossip with another random nobleman, I managed to drag Raoul away from the ball and into a secluded area in a different room. I sat down rather heavily in a plush armchair and gestured for Raoul to do the same. I didn't want my knees to weaken and give out when I broke the news. Okay, deep breath. This was the moment I'd been waiting for.

"Raoul, I need to tell you something," I started, shakily. He just looked at me questioningly, so I continued. "L-look, Raoul, I don't r-really know how to p-put this." I managed to stutter. So this was how it felt to reject someone. Well, I hoped that I would never have to do it again. "Raoul, I don't love you." I said bluntly. I could not meet his eyes, afraid of what they might hold. To emphasize my decision, I slowly slid the gaudy diamond ring that Raoul had given me off of my finger and placed it in his hand.

When I finally looked at him, all I saw was regret. He wasn't sad because I turned him down, he was only upset that he could not have his trophy. Me. Apparently, I hadn't meant as much to him as I should have. I guess all he ever saw me as was a prize to be won, and not a person to love. Not like Erik… No! Now was not the time to be thinking about Erik!

Without another word, I got up and left the room as quickly as my feet would carry me. I didn't look back, but I could hear one muffled sob before I left. A sudden, symbolic realization dawned on me. I had successfully let go of my final link to my past. I was no longer a slave of my history, as I now also realized that the future was far from set in stone. Maybe life didn't have to be a tragedy, at least not for two people in this world…

I reached the grand foyer once more and joined the Giry party without explaining anything that had occurred between Raoul and me. Somehow, Madame Giry seemed to know what had happened. I knew I shouldn't have been surprised, but still!

The lights dimmed for no apparent reason, and the room was filled with absolute darkness for a few moments. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a light shone on a new figure standing at the top of the marble staircase. He was clad in all red, and wore a skull mask. A rapier sat in the palm of his hand. It was Erik, and, might I add, he looked smashing in red!

Erik walked slowly, dramatically, down the staircase. You know, if it hadn't been for his face and the past he had endured, he could have been a marvelous actor! Why so silent, good messieurs? Erik was now addressing the idiots that we called managers. Really, those two had absolutely no common sense! Erik was basically just badmouthing them and a few of our actors. It was nothing they didn't deserve, however.

Then Erik fixed his gaze on me, and I involuntarily shuddered. His eyes burned with fury, and I hadn't even done anything! What had I done wrong?

Without warning, Erik seemingly disappeared. I knew he had gone through a trapdoor, but the disappearing act was still rather impressive. The rest of the ball was tense, and conversation was strained. Everyone was afraid that they would be prey to the Phantom if they did anything wrong. Oh, how little they knew of the man they called the Opera Ghost!

The Masquerade ended, and I went back to my dressing room. I looked straight at the mirror and said, "Alright, Erik. Come on out." The mirror swung open, and Erik, still dressed in his costume, stepped regally into my room. I could tell that he was furious, as he made no effort to hide it. "Erik, why are you so mad?" I asked. I didn't intend for it to come out so childish.

"Why were you with the Viscomte?" he asked, his words dripping with venom. Oh, shoot! I had forgotten to inform Erik that Raoul would escort me to the ball. I also failed to mention that I had declined Raoul's proposal.

"Raoul asked me to go to the Masquerade before Christmas. I, of course, agreed, since Raoul had proposed to me. I wish you wouldn't jump to conclusions, however." I said, seeing the anger ignite in his eyes all over. "I told Raoul at the ball that I would not marry him. I think that it is safe to say that he will no longer be courting me. I don't think he ever properly courted me in the first place!" I could see a look of relief cross Erik's face, and then I could see regret. Oh, what a fool he had made of himself. Ah, well, I couldn't help it if I was best friends with a man who occasionally made a fool of himself.

"Erik, I do wish that you would trust me, though." I said sadly. I couldn't expect complete trust from him, as he was sure to be slightly paranoid with the life he had led. Without explanation, for I didn't need any, I kissed him softly on the cheek. This time, when I kissed him, he did not shrink away. Instead he embraced me and held me tightly, lovingly, for a very long time.

When I stifled a yawn, Erik said, "You need your sleep. I shall see you tomorrow." With that, he left.