Startling Feelings

We were sitting on the organ bench, like usual. There was an awkward silence between us that I wasn't used to. When we were younger we would always tell each other everything and there wasn't a single minute that went by that we weren't talking about something. I don't understand my feelings! It's as if I am falling in love, but that's foolish! We were like brother and sister. I haven't even seen him for ten years, so I cannot just automatically fall in love! Erik didn't seem as if he were upset at all. I thought that he wouldn't even want to talk to me after I told him the truth. I guess he also had thought I wouldn't talk to him after the death of Carlotta. I couldn't stand the silence anymore. I turned to him and gently tapped him on the shoulder. He stopped playing and turned to face me. One look from him caused my heart to race. Calm down, Rachel, you're being silly!

"You aren't upset with me, Erik? Do you want me to call you Erik or Angel?" He turned his face away for a minute, and I thought he was going to become angry again. He surprised me, though, by turning back around with a smile on his face.

"No, I am not upset with you, Rachel. I was afraid you were angry with me. I guess when I realized that you might never talk to me again, it made me realize how much I missed you. I will always be your Angel, but I don't mind if you call me Erik." I felt truly happy for the first time since I had come to the Opera House. I was so happy, in fact, that I threw my arms around Erik in a big hug. I felt him draw back at first, but then put his arms around me. Wait a minute! What am I doing? I didn't mean to hug him. I started to pull away, but Erik seemed reluctant to let go. I looked up into his eyes and saw a burning passion that I have never seen before. It frightened me a little but then, on the other hand, it excited me. He reached his hand out to tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear. My breath caught in my throat as I continued to stare at him. He leaned down until I could feel his warm breath on my forehead. I felt my eye lids closing slowly as I let the magic of the moment take over. I could feel his soft, warm lips gently brush against my forehead. They traveled down my cheek bone until they landed on my lips. He pressed his against mine as the hidden passion took over the moment. I could feel his hands untie the ribbon that held my hair up. My hair fell down over my shoulders as he ran his fingers through my curls. I was about to lift my arms up to his shoulders, when suddenly my arm hit the organ keys, and the loud sound broke us out of the moment. My breathing was labored, as I could see his was, too. He straightened his shirt and cleared his throat. I pulled my hair back up and tied it with the ribbon. I couldn't seem to look at him after that. He cleared his throat again and stood up.

"Well, I think it is time that you get some rest. You may use the same room that you were in last time. I will be paying a visit to Madame Giry while you are resting." He briskly walked away as I sat on the organ still trying to catch my breath. That was so...I don't even know what I'm thinking now! That completely left my thoughts jumbled up. Why was Erik in such a big hurry to leave? Maybe it confused him just as much as it confused me. Well, I might as well get some rest since rehearsals start tomorrow. I stood up from the bench and walked over to the swan bed. I pulled the black curtain down around me as I laid down on the soft sheets. Dreams of my childhood played over and over in my mind as I drifted off to sleep.

I awoke to hear two voices speaking softly. I pulled the curtain back up and climbed out of bed. I walked over to the door as I looked out into the lair. I saw Erik and Madame Giry standing by the lake talking. I could just barely hear what they were saying.

"You know that everyone is blaming you for the death of Carlotta because you have sent such threatening letters to us all. Why must you do this? Is it because of Rachel? I can understand that you want to protect her, but that doesn't mean murder is the only answer!"

"You don't think I know that? Of course I know that there is more to revenge than death! I cannot help the way I am. I have known nothing but sadness in my life and I can't stand when others that I care for are being saddened! I got carried away, just like I always do. I honestly don't care about those fools, Andre' and Firmin!"

"I know you care for her, maybe even love her, but that doesn't mean you should do these things! You are frightening her! Remember when she wouldn't visit you or even talk to you for a week? That was because you scared her! She was starting to trust you and you went and killed someone! You must think about these things!"

"Do you know what she told me? She told me that before you brought me here, me and her lived beside each other. She said we were best friends, almost like brother and sister. At first I didn't believe her, and I am still not quite sure about all of it. All I know is that she doesn't act like everyone else does towards me. She actually acts like she cares about me! Can you imagine that? Someone cares about me, the monster of the Opera House! I still haven't put all of my trust in her, but I am starting to realize that, just maybe, someone can care about the soul of the person instead of the outer shell. I have to take this chance! I know it's wrong to kill and I am trying to not do that when I am angry. This could be the light at the end of the tunnel for me, though, so please don't take it away from me!" I saw him collapse on the floor as sobs wracked his body. Madame Giry bent down and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"You know I wish nothing more but for you to find happiness. All I am saying is that she is innocent and needs to think these things over before she makes such a big decision. Miss Sherry is making matters much worse with her coldness towards Rachel, but there are people like that in our lives that we must face eventually. Rachel needs to fight her own battles." He finally stopped crying and stood up. Madam Giry squeezed his arm and then let it go.

"Now, I must return, but remember what I said." She allowed him to help her into the boat and I watched as they drifted back up the lake. I walked out from the doorway and entered the lair. I walked over to the organ and sat on the bench. I picked up the picture of me and Erik. We look so happy. When you're young the world seems so simple. When you get older you realize that the world is just a huge puzzle. I may never figure it out. The only thing I know for sure is that I really was put here for a reason. That reason was to help Erik break the chains that are keeping him from happiness. I placed the picture back on top of the organ.I turned around on the bench just in time to see Erik rowing back to the shore. I stayed where I sat and watched him climb out. He didn't act like he had seen me until he actually approached the organ. He stopped in his tracks and stared into my eyes.

"Oh, did I wake you up?" I didn't want to tell him that I had been eavesdropping on his and Madame Giry's conversation, so I came up with a small lie.

"No, I just decided to wake up. I feel very rested, though." He nodded and sat down on the bench beside of me. He seemed a little sad. I guess the whole conversation crushed his spirits. I couldn't stand to see him like this, so I reached out and stroked his face. He turned his gaze to me and smiled. I smiled back at him and squeezed his shoulder.

"Well, I hear that there is a new opera coming up. Let's see, I think it's called Hannibal. Shouldn't we start practicing, Erik?" This seemed to bounce him back into his normal, teacher mood.

"Of course we should! Let's begin right away. Are you ready?" I nodded and he began to play the organ again. The music was just as beautiful as always.

(Author's Note: I'm much better now! Thanks for the concern! I hope you guys like this chapter! I'll try and update sooner than last time. Okay, let me tell you guys something. My friends think that Gerard Butler is ugly! Can you believe it? I think that they're crazy! He is so hot! Anyway, enough of that, please review! Thanks!)