A/N: You didn't think I'd left you, did you? Well, I hope not, but I do admit, it has been a while. I do apologize, but remember, I promised I wouldn't stop this story until it is really over, and I'm very good at keeping promises. I just need to take breaks some times because I've been so busy. I really am sorry, but hopefully since summer's coming updates should be quicker too. Thanks for being loyal readers! And please review!

Chapter Fourteen: Nicolette

Madame Giry walked swiftly, almost gliding, as if moving her feet never troubled her. Claire had to lengthen her steps to keep up. With every step she took, Madame Giry left a slight imprint of sound as her soft ballet slippers drummed delicately upon the carpeted floor. Claire swallowed hard as her guide came to a halt at the foot of a certain door labeled with ink, room number 24.

There were several labeled doors on either side, but Mme. Giry seemed content opening one, just one…Claire's.

"This is where you will sleep," she said smoothly, turning the knob, and cracking the door open.

Claire peeked inside and with another simple push, the door opened. Mme. Giry walked inside first, at a much slower pace, and Claire soon followed. The young woman's heart nearly dropped, and then she suddenly realized how selfishly vain she was. Her first thought upon entering her room was in fact a vain one: She can't expect me to live here. I am no orphan to live in these conditions! She bit her lip with embarrassment and continued to stare, wide-eyed at her new quarters.

Two beds, I must not be sleeping here alone. A single and solitary gaslight lit the side of one wall, the wall against the two beds, well, more like cots actually, and there was a small table or desk in one corner. There were no windows, no sofas or pianos, or a breakfast table and chairs. But there was a small mirror that sat on the desk and was propped up against the wall. This is where I shall live, Claire thought, biting harder into her lip and then letting go for the pain was getting to her. But it will not be my home.

For the first time, Claire noticed a little girl sitting on the floor behind the bed farthest from her. It surprised Claire that she had noticed the girl, but then again, she was small, and practically impossible to see behind the cot.

"Nicolette," Madame Giry called to her.

The little girl stood, slowly, and began to walk over to Claire, as if she were being punished. "Hello," Claire tried to sound warm and friendly.

For the first time, Nicolette looked into Claire's eyes, but only for a fleeting moment. "This is my niece, Nicolette. Her parents could not afford to keep her, and unlike some folk in Paris, they refused to sell their little girl to the highest paying gentleman." Madame Giry frowned as she spoke, and her words were bitter, as if she had memories of a similar experience. She sighed. "So I took her in."

"That was kind of you," Claire complimented quietly, not completely sure of what to say. Then she turned to the petite brown haired child. She could only have been eight or nine. A forced smile broke upon her lips. "It's nice to make your acquaintance, Nicolette."

Nicolette turned to her aunt, as if for permission to speak and when Mme. Giry gave her a slight nod, she dropped her head and gave a polite curtsy as a kind greeting. "And the same of you," she half-whispered.

"Aunt," she asked of Madame Giry. "May I resume stretching, please?" Madame Giry cast a fleeting glance toward Claire as if to explain how she sympathized for the girl, and then nodded her head, telling her niece that she could, indeed, resume with her stretching.

"Claire will only be here for a little while, Nicolette," she assured the little girl as she disappeared again behind the cot. "She will be your guest here until her father is well enough to take care of her. I know you will make her feel welcome, Nicolette." Nicolette nodded, but Claire could hardly tell.

She gripped her bags tightly and looked to Madame Giry like a sad, frightened puppy one would catch a glimpse of in the streets of Paris.

"Well, I must be off, girls. Dinner is in an hour," Mme. Giry added. "You will come to the dining hall for that, Claire. Nicolette will show you the way."

She left at once, closing the door behind her. Well, this is awkward...

Claire stepped forward and found herself at the foot of her cot. She quickly lifted her two bags onto her new bed and began to silently unpack.

"My parents didn't want me either," a small voice said all of a sudden.

Claire stopped her work to gaze at the girl, first with anger, then with pity, though she wasn't sure who it was for. She almost felt as though she would cry, then she reminded herself that everything would be all right, just as her father had promised when she had left home earlier that day.

"I don't think that's why we're here," Claire said, walking away from her cot and beginning to approach Nicolette, who was still stretching behind hers. The little girl's stout legs were stretched out in front of her and her arms reached out to grasp her wiggling toes. When she spoke, Claire could see a missing tooth on the top row of her teeth, clarifying her age once more. Such an innocent age for most…Claire recollected. It's a shame for those who lose it so fast.

"How long have you been here?" Claire hated the silence.

"Two months," the girl replied, keeping her eyes averted. Her fingers wiggled as she reached and reached further towards her toes, but she could never quite grasp them. "Mother says this isn't much better than living on the streets for men, but Daddy says it's better, even though I won't make money till I'm older."

"I'm sure your parents would rather have you home," Claire offered, taking a seat on the cold, damp floor beside her.

Acting as if Claire had invaded her personal space, Nicolette recoiled, nestling her legs into her chest. She glanced at Claire, almost giving her a terrified look, and then glanced down again.

"I'm a nice person," Claire said immediately, somewhat offended. The little girl refused to reply. "You're aunt is kind as well, to have taken you in." Still no reply. "I'm looking forward to dinner. I am so hungry at the moment. Can I sit next to you at the table?" she added with a smile.

Nicolette instantly turned her head, and Claire felt sad to see that the girl was clearly surprised. She still said nothing however. Claire pursed her lips, uncomfortably. "I know what it feels like to be alone," she said, comfortingly, hoping not to offend her new roommate.

As though she were a viper, Nicolette shouted back with venom spraying from her tongue. "I'm never alone!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Claire stood, uncomfortable once again. "I didn't mean-"

"He's always with me," Nicolette muttered so quietly that Claire did not hear her. "He is my friend…I don't need you."

A/N: Hmmm, Nicolette's kinda weird…I wonder why she is so mysterious? And who is this, he? You will find out I guess…please review and let me know that ppl are still reading my story! Thanks!