I own squat, ok? Hope you all like this chapter!
Chapter 3 Meet the Phantom
The next morning, Erik watched dance rehearsal. April had formed a routine. After each practice, she would stay by herself. And he would watch her dance alone. This time it was a bit different.
She stopped right in the middle of her little 'performance'. Talking rather loudly she said, "Alright, come out. I know that somebody's out there. I've heard you for the past three days now!" Silence. He was stunned. The Phantom of the Opera was caught. "Come out, damn it!"
Erik stood up and jumped out of box five. April was actually looking on the other side of the theater. She turned towards him. She didn't really think somebody would come out and show themselves. This man dressed in black slowly walked towards her. His head was down so she couldn't see his face.
"Wh-who are you?" she asked quietly.
"You dance beautifully," he replied with a mysterious voice.
April's green eyes looked down at her toe shoes from embarrassment. After a moment, she looked up to find that he was on the stage. He stopped where he was.
"You still haven't answered my question," she said taking a step back. Erik finally looked up. He figured that she would be able to tell who he was from his mask. His eyes were closed and he heard her gasp. There was silence. Erik's icy blue eyes met her green gaze. Her lips mouthed 'Phantom of the Opera'. Reluctantly, he nodded. The silence was unbearable for both of them.
"He's standing in front of me. The Phantom of the Opera killed innocent people." Her heart was pounding. She was scared.
Finally, she spoke. "But- How?" Everyone said…."
"Said what? That I was dead?" Erik took a step forward, holding his arms out, as if to show himself to her. "Well, here I am," he said coolly. He walked towards her. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. What was he going to do?
When he was right in front of her, he took her shaking hand. Bowing down, he kissed it. Once he straightened up he said, "Most people call me the Phantom, but y name is Erik." She was rather surprised from him being so open to her. Meg had told her that he was so secretive.
After thinking for a moment, she curtsied and said "And mine is April." Then he told her, "Mademoiselle April, you are the most wonderful dancer I have ever seen." Erik looked straight into her eyes. Smiling shyly, she looked away, feeling her face turn pink.
They both noticed that they were still holding hands. Almost immediately, his hand and hers let go of each other. April's small blush had now gotten bigger. Erik's face, on the other hand, stayed its normal color, though he looked slightly embarrassed.
Hating the awkward silences, she said, "So, Erik, what happened?" He looked over at her, confused. "What?"
"Why does everyone think that you're dead?" His face returned to normal, for he understood. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Well, I suppose it's because I stopped sending the managers notes." April nodded trying to keep the conversation going.
"And, some people are just ignorant, or believe every rumor they hear, especially in this place. I swear, you ballerinas gossip non-stop!" He threw his hand over in her direction.
"Hey, I don't gossip as much as the other girls," she replied crossing her arms. He smirked at her. They were acting like old friends. Then she looked at him with an accusing face.
"So, have you been eavesdropping on us dancers?"
"Maybe, maybe not," he replied simply.
Shaking her head disapprovingly, she said, "It's one thing for you to be listening in and watching us, but being caught! The infamous Phantom of the Opera was caught by a dancer!" Her arms were still crossed and she had a satisfied smirk on her face. He sighed.
"Yes, I suppose that is rather sad. Maybe that's why everyone thinks I'm gone, I've lost my touch. But that gives you no right to talk about me that way," he pointed at her. She let out a small laugh.
They continued having these little chats after the rehearsals for a couple of weeks. When he was leaving, she would always say, 'When will I see you again?' Erik replied with either 'whenever you wish.' or 'Tomorrow.'
Today she asked the same question and he gave her the same answer. "Whenever you wish, April." Just when he was almost out of sight, she called, "Tomorrow." He left her with a nod.
La Romantique Perdu: yeah, I didn't really think of that. Great point! I made her a little more scared of him in this chapter.
Nixieharpest: thanks!
Pardon the Silence: thank you! That really means a lot to me!
I hope you all liked this chapter! It's longer of course. Hopefully, the rest of the chapters will be this long or longer. Please review and tell me what you think!