Terribly sorry for letting you all wait so long. My internet was done for awhile but today it is working again. The first thing I did was put up this new chapter! I hope you all like it! And thank you to all my reviewers! You guys rock! And a special thanks to Charlie Quill..I enjoyed your first review!
Chapter 6- Two Odd Meetings
'Knock Knock'
"Crystal, wake up! It's Meg."
Crystal slowly opened her eyes and rolled onto her side, facing the door.
Yawning, Crystal said, "Yes Meg, come in."
"I cannot. The door is locked!" Meg called through the door.
Crystal, quickly remembering why she had locked the door last night, jumped out of her bed and rushed to open the door.
As she reached for the doorknob, she noticed she was wearing her evening dress from the previous night.
She had been too busy crying, that she had completely forgotten to change into her nightshift.
"Are you going to let me in or not?" Meg asked Crystal.
"Uh Meg. I am indecent at the moment. Can I meet you at breakfast?" Crystal asked while changing out of her dress.
"It is too late for breakfast. All musicians are to meet in 10 minutes at the auditorium." Meg cried out.
"It might have helped if you had told me yesterday. It matters not though. I will be ready. Thank you for informing me Meg. I shall see you at lunch then." Crystal said falling to the floor from tripping on her skirts.
"Ok then, Good-bye Crystal." Meg said.
She could hear Meg running down the hall as she got up from the floor.
She then finished unbuttoning her dress and hung it in the closet before walking over to her suitcase pulling out a white blouse and a dark blue cotton shirt.
As she was about to pull her blouse up over her arms, she heard a familiar 'swooshing' sound.
Crystal turned and faced the mirror to see Erik stepping out.
"Must you come in as I am dressing?" Crystal snapped at him.She realized she was only wearing her corset and white undergarments and suddenly became embarrassed. She covered her chest with her arms.
"I merely noticed you were about to change before loosening your corset. It is not wise to sleep in a corset my dear. I shall loosen it, for you surely cannot do it on your own." Erik said, reaching out with a gloved hand.
Crystal thought and then said, "Oh alright, but only under one circumstance. You leave when done!"
She walked towards him and turned having her back face him. She pulled her hair up away from her back.
"Of course." Was all he said.
He took off his gloves and placed them on the dresser next to them.
Erik gently began undoing the laces of her corset.
Crystal was surprised at how gentle Erik was after being so forceful with her last night.
She had turned her head back about to give him a smile before remembering that he had caused the tears she had cried the night before. She quickly turned her head from him.
Once Erik had finished untying her corset, he re-adjusted it and began doing it back up.
A few moments later he finished tying the last lace. The corset was still tight yet much more comfortable. Crystal placed her hair back down and turned around to thank him. All she saw was the mirror slide close.
"Thank you Erik." She whispered to the mirror before grabbing her skirt and blouse and dressed into them. She pinned her hair half up as well as brushing her teeth and washing her face. Once she was satisfied, she ran out the door only to find Pierre Gratton standing on the other side.
'How had he found my room?' Crystal thought to herself.
"Ah Crystal. There you are my sweet. I did not see you at breakfast. You must have gotten lost again no? Come, I shall take you." Pierre said smiling as he held out his hand.
Crystal looked at the mirror before answering.
"Thank you Monsieur Gratton. I am actually making my way to the auditorium. Some other time perhaps." Crystal said shutting her door and began walking down the hall.
Something stopped her though.
She felt a tug at her arm and turned around to see Pierre holding it.
He pulled her towards him saying "Please Crystal." He said slowly pulling a piece of hair from her face and placed it behind her ear. "Call me Pierre."
Crystal smiled nervously while squeezing her arm from his grasp and ran down the hall to the auditorium.
Meg sat waiting in the cafeteria alone. Crystal was yet to return from the auditorium.
Once Crystal walked in, Meg politely shouted, "Crystal, over here."
Crystal turned to see Meg waving at her. She smiled and made her way to Meg,
"With a few wrong turns here and there, I managed to find my way on my own." Crystal said sitting down.
"Well good for you." Meg said laughing. "I took the liberty in getting your meal for you. Hope you do not mind."
"Not at all Meg. Thank you very much." Crystal said eating some of her salad.
"You welcome. So tell me. How was your first practice?"
"Wonderful! The conductor, Monsieur Reyer, gave us all pieces of sheet music to practice. We played beautifully. You have quite the talented orchestra here!" Crystal said taking a sip of water. "How was ballet practice?"
"The usual. All we really did was learn some new stretches and such. We have not yet learned an new pieces for the new production." Meg said swallowing a few grapes.
The rest of their lunch together was spent talking about the new production.
When they cafeteria started to empty, Meg decided to go to the ballet room to practice on her own and Crystal was heading back to her room to unpack. She never had a chance to do so yesterday.
Crystal found her room without a problem, but when she reached to open the door, it was locked!
"Damn. I left the key inside." She paused. "I wonder if Madame Giry would have a spare?" Crystal said biting her lip.
With that, she turned on her heel and was off to find Madame Giry.
Crystal was walking down the dark empty halls when suddenly, a hand wrapped about her waist and pulled her into the shadows hitting a warm, tall body. A mans no doubt.
Crystal could see nothing, only black.
She moved her hands slowly up the man's chest and made her way to his face, only to touch a mask.
Just so you all know, the cafeteria and the dining hall are the same place! REVIEW!