Sooooooo sorry that I haven't updated. Writers Block for soooo long. School takes up way too much of my mind. That's what you get for being a Sophemore…Okay, here's the long awaited chapter.

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Chapter Twelve: Another Patron and a New Friend

Meg woke to a haunting melody coming from the main room. She got up out of bed and walked over to the door, opening it only a crack to see the source. As she suspected, Erik was sitting at the organ trying to compose his new work. He had been working on this for the past week and she had heard the same song over and over again until today. This song was new, and extremely powerful. It beautiful music held sadness and pain in each note that was struck. Meg shook her head and came out of her trance when Erik stopped playing and turned towards her. She saw him looking at her and quickly shut the door. 'That was close' she thought. 'Now to get ready for rehearsals.' She hurriedly washed and dressed, making her way out the door a few minutes later. Erik was waiting for her at the gondola, ready to take her to the other side.

"Good morning, Erik," Meg whispered. Erik just nodded in acknowledgement. This wasn't odd behavior for Erik. He was normally like this around people. Meg got into the boat and Erik rowed across the lake in silence. Once they hit shore, Erik helped Meg out of the boat and started to row away again.

"Erik, is everything alright?" Meg asked concerned. Now this wasn't like him; not to speak to her before she left. He stopped and turned to face her.

"Everything is fine. Just go to rehearsal. I'll be here for you when you return." With that said, he rowed around the corner out of sight.

"I wonder what's irritated him," Meg thought out loud. She just shrugged it off and made her way up the stairs.

Every one was warming up for practice when Meg entered the stage. She took her place at the bar when she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned and saw a girl about one or two years younger than her.

"Excuse me," said the girl. "I was wondering if I could share a spot at the bar with you. It appears to be the only area open," she said shyly. Meg looked over the bar to find that what the girl had said was right. There was no space left.

"Of course," Meg said with a sweet smile.

"Thank you," she said, returning the smile.

"My name is Marguerite Giry, but you may call me Meg."

"Pleasure to meet you, Meg. My name is Chelsy Lynn. I just moved here from London."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Chelsy. Anytime you need help with anything, just ask me."

"Thank you, Meg." The girls stretched for about fifteen minutes when the managers walked in, clapping their hands loudly to gain attention. A few moments later, the stage fell silent.

"Le bon matin tout le monde. J'espère que vous êtes tout puits reposé. Commençons le jour d'avec une bonne repetition," the managers spoke. "Today we have a special guest. I would like you to meet out new patron, Trevor De Changy," Andre said, gesturing for a young man, about twenty, to come and stand next to him.

Megs head immediately shot up at hearing the De Changy name. She saw a young man wearing black pants and a white shirt standing with the managers. He had shoulder length blonde, curly hair, tan skin, and the most beautiful deep blue eyes that Meg had ever seen. Only a few moments later did she realize that he was staring at her as well. Meg turned away, a light blush appearing on her cheeks.

"Thank you for your attention ladies and gentlemen. I'll now leave you to your rehearsals and expect a great performance tomorrow night," Trevor stated. He took one last look at Meg before walking out of the auditorium with the managers.

"What do you think of the new patron?" Chelsy asked.

"He's alright," Meg said.

"Are you positive that he is only 'alright'?" she asked, trying to find the truth.

"Fine, he is a very handsome man," Meg said excitedly.

"I knew you would think that. He was staring at you the whole time!"

"Really?"

"Yes! I think he may like you. Maybe he will become your suitor," she said, walking away from the bar as Madame Giry came out. Meg followed quickly after her.

"I only said he was handsome. I never said I liked him. I haven't even met him!"

"Marguerite Giry, would you please be quiet or would you like to come up here and teach the class, hmm?" Madame Giry asked.

"No, Madame, I will be quiet," Meg said quietly. Madame Giry nodded and started to instruct the class.

"Madame Giry is your mother?" Chelsy said, somewhat shocked. Meg nodded and went about with the steps along with Chelsy. About three hours later, practice was done and they were excused.

"Where's your dorm room?" Chelsy asked.

"Um," Meg said nervously. "Come with me for a minute," she said, dragging Chelsy down the hallways and into a small closet.

"Why are we in here?" Chelsy asked confused.

"Can I trust you?" Meg asked.

"Of course."

"Alright, but you can't tell anyone. I don't have a dorm room. I live with the Opera Ghost."

"What? Don't be silly," she said, half laughing. Meg gave her a serious face. "You're not joking are you," she said. Meg shook her head.

"I wouldn't joke around with something like this," she said, "but you have to promise me that you won't tell a soul."

"I promise. You're secret is safe with me. So, does this mean we're friends now?" Chelsy asked excitedly.

"Yes! Of course we're friends!"

"Am I able to meet the Phantom?" Chelsy asked hopefully.

"Not yet. Maybe later, but not yet. I have to go now. He is expecting me," Meg said opening the door.

"Alright, I'll see you later then?"

"Yes. Would you like to go for dinner tonight?" Meg asked.

"That would be great! Does seven sound alright to you?"

"Yes that's perfect. I'll see you at seven then," Meg said heading towards Christine's dressing room as Chelsy went her own way. She was at the door when she saw Trevor turning onto the same hallway. She gasped and burst through the door, slamming it shut behind her. She didn't even notice Erik standing in the room until he spoke.

"That was uncalled for. Is something wrong?" he asked amused. Meg shrieked and turned around, seeing Erik standing by the mirror.

"Must you always do that?"

"Do what?" he asked confused.

"Sneak up on people like that!"

"It's what I do," he said simply. "How did rehearsals go?"

"Fine, fine. We have a new patron," Meg said, walking towards Erik.

"I know. Another De Changy," he said with hatred.

"Erik, will you tell me what happened that night?" Meg asked curiously. He looked at her with cold eyes, but softened soon after.

"Not yet, Meg. Sometime, but not yet."

"I understand," she said, heading through the mirror, having an idea. "Erik?"

"Yes?" he asked following her.

"Well, it's going to be Valentines Day soon, and I was wondering if we could do something special that day." Erik pondered about this for a moment before answering.

"I don't see why not. I don't usually do anything, but maybe we could think of something," he said with a smile.

"Oh, that would be great!" Meg said excitedly. "Also, tonight I'm going out to dinner with Chelsy, alright?"

"Who's Chelsy?" Erik asked curiously.

"She's a new dancer here. My new friend. Is it alright with you if I go out with her tonight?" Meg asked hopefully.

"You don't have to ask my permission. It's your life. You do what you want with it. I don't control what you do."

"Thank you, Erik," Meg said, hurrying to her bedroom to get ready.

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Yeah, cheesy place to leave off, but I ran out of ideas for this chapter. The dinner is saved for the next chapter. I have something planned for Valentines Day too. Okay, please review and tell me what you think!