A/N: No reviews on chapter 5...:(. Please, please review...
Chapter 6: Childhood Sweethearts
Rehearsals for Hannibal started exactly one week after Christine's sixteenth birthday. The ballet girls had give her a small party with presents and sweets, but she couldn't help but feel that the most special part of the day was the bouquet of 16 roses, blood red in color, tied together with a black ribbon, that had been left on her bed. After so many months, she still longed to be near her mysterious angel, though she knew not why.
She liked the ballet that they would be preforming for Hannibal and she loved the music, so she would have enjoyed rehearsals, but La Carlotta's voice was less than pleasant, and her daily temper tantrums sent even the most patient men on their last nerve. Christine and Meg chatted while making their way from the dormitories to the stage. They waited off stage, but through the music and talking, they could still hear Carlotta's complaints.
"Ah me, not on my dress! Why?" Before the ballet began rehearsing, they could hear the manager speak.
"May I have your attention, please everyone?" Everyone became quiet, so every word was heard. "As you know, there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. I can all tell you that these were all true, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire: Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles Andre." Everyone clapped, out of politeness. "I'm sure that you have read of their recent fortune in the junk business..."
"Scrap metal, actually," Monsieur Andre interrupted. Christine stifled a giggle as she saw Meg roll her eyes. These men do not know what they're getting themselves into.
"And we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron," Monsieur Firmin announced, although Christine really was listening to Meg speak. "Le Viscomte De Chany!" Meg's voice drifted from Christine's mind as she heard this name be announced. 'Could it be?' Christine thought. 'Could it be him?' Christine, Meg, and more of the ballet girls moved in closer to get a better look at this handsome new patron.
"It's Raoul," Christine whispered. This boy, who was now a man, that Christine knew from so long ago, approached the new managers, as Meg gave Christine a questioning look, so she continued. "Before my father died, at the house by the sea..." Christine smiled, her mind flooded with memories. "I guess you could say we were childhood sweethearts. He called me Little Lotte."
"Christine, he's so handsome!" Meg exclaimed, and Christine smiled. Memories flooded her mind as Raoul spoke: those of him diving into the sea to rescue her scarf ensnared by the wind, and of how he used to love to watch the imagination spark in her eyes, and try to guess what she was daydreaming about. She had thought little of him since she came to live at the opera house. It was like she had two different lives: before and after her father died, and they never crossed paths, until now.
"My parents and I are deeply honored to support all the arts, especially the world renowned Opera Populaire," Raoul's voice snapped Christine back into the present. Everyone rolled their eyes as he was introduced to La Carlotta, except for her mother, who cheered for her as always, but plugged her ears when she sang. After a few more introductions, Raoul left, passing Christine without a word.
"He wouldn't recognize me," Christine stated disappointedly to her friend.
"He didn't see you," she consoled. Their minds though, were to be put on the ballet as rehearsals began. Christine and Meg became completely lost in her dancing, as always, and Madame Giry bragged to the new managers of the ballet.
"We take a particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, monsieur."
"I can see why. Especially that little blonde angel." Monsieur Firmin pointed Meg out.
"My daughter, Meg Giry," Madame stated, defensively.
"And that exceptional beauty! No relation, I trust?" He motioned toward Christine, hoping she wasn't another daughter.
"Christine Daae. Promising talent, Monsieur Firmin. Very promising." Christine heard the mention of her name, but continued to dance.
"Daae, you say? No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?" Christine nearly stumbled as she heard them mention her father, so decided to discontinue listening, as not wanted to embarrass herself.
"His only child. Orphaned at 7, when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitory."
"An orphan, you say?" No more could be heard by anyone, through the loud music, but Carlotta decided to throw another temper tantrum, because the new managers were paying more attention to the ballet girls than herself. She decided to leave, but was persuaded not to, by the opportunity to show off by preforming an aria from Act 3 of Hannibal. No one really, had been listening, but everyone saw what happened next.
"...when you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free-" A large piece of set came crashing down upon her. Christine sighed. It's Him. It has to be. Who else?
"He's here! The Phantom fo the Opera!" Meg exclaimed, and Christine remained silent. Really, it was, but not in so many words. Carlotta again threw a fit and left, causing the new managers to nearly have a heart attack, and Madame Giry reading them a note that Erik had sent didn't help much. Everyone else was used to it. Christine and Meg talked some with the other ballet dancers. Christine's attention though, was caught by Madame Giry mentioning her name.
"Christine Daae could sing it, sir."
"What, a chorus girl?"
"Don't be silly." Christine hoped that Madame would convince them, which she was good at.
"She has been taking lessons from a great teacher."
"Who?" Christine didn't know what to say. She couldn't tell them the truth, they would think her as insane as anyone else.
"I don't know his name, Monsieur."
"Let her sing for you, Monsieur. She has been well taught."
"All right." Christine was flooded with fear and shyness, but she was confidant in what Erik had taught her, so she began. She finished the aria flawlessly, and the managers were quite impressed. They offered her the lead - Carlotta's role - and she gladly accepted.
They continued to rehearse furiously for the remainder of the day. Early morning when they started, to an hour before the show they rehearsed, for they only had that one day to prepare. Christine was allowed an hour of rest before she was to begin getting ready. In her dressing room, she and her angel spoke.
"Oh Erik! Were you watching did you see!"
"I did, my beautiful. You did very well. I am quite proud of you." Christine blushed.
"Master, without your training, I would be no where. You alone inspired my voice. You are by far the most excellent tutor one could ever hope for." Erik couldn't help but feel the way he did for her. He wished to reach out and embrace her, but he was sure that she could never feel the same way. If she did for a moment, she wouldn't after she saw him. His mask alone would frighten her, but underneath...he couldn't bear to think of it.
"Thank you, Christine. I have a wonderful student. You have a long night ahead of you though, you should get some rest."
"Please promise me that sometimes, you will think...o-o-o-o-o-of! Me!" Thunderous applause resounded throughout the audience, and Christine stood smiling. In her mind, she was only hoping to please Erik, and her father. She was happy though, to see her childhood friend standing and clapping - grinning widely. He had finally recognized her.
After the show, while the party was going on, Christine escaped down to the room where she and Erik had first met, to light a candle for her father. She hoped that he was proud of her. She smiled slightly, in remembrance of him, when she heard Erik's voice.
"Bravi, bravi, bravissimi..." She looks up, but Meg entered the room, and she knew he would remain silent.
"Christine, Christine!...Where in the world have you been hiding? Really, you were perfect. I only wish I knew your secret. Who is your great tutor?"
"Oh really, Meg. I told you it's a secret!" Christine giggled, and so did Meg.
"Fine...You really must join the party though, Christine! You are the star!" Meg walked out of the room, and Christine followed, and in the doorway, Christine turned around and blew a kiss, before following Meg down and joining the party.
All of the attention overwhelmed Christine, so she whispered to Madame Giry that she would like to return to her room. Without a word to her, she helped her fight off the crowds and make her way to her dressing room. Once in her room with her, Madame spoke.
"You did very well, my dear." She picked up Erik's customary rose - deep red with a black ribbon around the stem - that he had left on her table. "He is pleased with you." Madam Giry left, but Christine remained, lost in thought, as she fingered the black ribbon tied around the rose. All her feelings for him pulsed through her, and so did the pain of the distance that he had kept.
Erik smiled as he approached the mirror to see Christine holding the rose that he had left her, with such a look of enchantment in her eyes.
"Bravo, my sweet." Christine whipped her head up.
"Erik!" She set the rose down on her dressing table, and sat down, smiling.
"You did wonderfully, Christine." Her door opened suddenly, and Erik became silent. In walked Christine's childhood friend, looking quite handsome, with flowers in his hand, but Christine didn't notice until he spoke.
"Little Lotte let her mind wander." Christine looked up and smiled. "Little Lotte thought, am I fonder of dolls or of goblins or shoes?"
"Raoul..." He continued.
"Or of riddles or frocks?"
"Those picnics in the attic..." she remembered aloud.
"Or of chocolates?" He finished with a smile.
"Father playing the violin,"
"As we read to each other, dark stories of the North..."
"No. 'What I love best,' Lotte said, 'Is when I'm asleep in my bed, and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head.'"
"The Angel of Music sings songs in my head." they finished together.
"You sang like an angel tonight." Erik winced as they embraced. They continued to converse, and Raoul insisted that she join him for dinner.
"No Raoul, the Angel of Music is very strict."
"Well, I shan't keep you up late." His sarcasm really was offending.
"Raoul, no."
"You must change! I'll order my carriage. Two minutes, Little Lotte."
"No, Raoul, wait!" The door closed behind him and Christine sat down. 'Did he even hear me?' He was being awfully pushy. He expected her in two minutes, although she declined. She sighed.
"Are you still there, Erik?"
"Of course, my love. Who was that?"
"He was my friend before Father died. He dove into the sea to fetch my scarf, and we played almost every day before I came to live here. He really was a charming child."
"Apparently things change...slave of fashion..." Christine heard him say under his breath, and she laughed out, surprised. Was he jealous? Christine smiled at this thought.
"Christine, darling, are you..." Erik tried to choose his words properly. "Fond..of him?"
"Oh yes! He was my friend, so long ago, I am happy to see him again." She paused, and continued, thinking he probably meant something else. "Only as that though. Nothing more, I assure you." Erik smiled in silence, and Christine spoke again. "Erik. My angel, my love..." His heart melted. "Come to me please. Hide no longer, my darling." Erik sighed. He could deny her nothing. Forgetting the mask he wore, he sang out to her.
"Beautiful Child, you shall know me,
See why in shadow, I hide,
Look at your face in the mirror,
I am there inside!"
Christine turned to her mirror, and stood in front of it, confused. Her mirror, which apparently was a door, slid open, and his figure appeared. She finally understood. There he stood in front of her, more amazing and mysterious than she had dreamt it. He wore dress clothes, his black hair was slicked back, and he was incredibly handsome, except for one side of his face, which he wore a white mask. He held his hand out to her, and with her stomach and knots and her heart pounding wildly in her ears, she shuddered as she grasped his outstretched hand.
A/N: I know that followed the movie a lot, but the events will be changed quite a lot. :) Again, please, REVIEW!