The next day I head down towards the laundry room with a basket in my arms. As I opened the door I heard something overhead. I looked up just in time to see a black shoe and pant leg disappear from the ladder leading up to the attic. That's weird, nobodies supposed to be up there. I thought. I quietly put the basket down and climbed up the ladder. I went slowly, not sure of what I'd find. My head peek through, then my shoulders. Nothing. I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. Just as I did, someone grabbed me, clamped a hand over my mouth, and pulled me up so that my back was press against them. Someone must have heard my short cry. Because I heard them call from below. Whoever it was came up the ladder, and peeked in, the man holding me covered me in black clothe. Satisfied that no one was there, they went back down. Unfortunately, they closed up the ladder while they did. The man uncovered me, and spun me around. I found myself staring into the intense green eyes of the Phantom of the Opera. His anger burned into me. "You shouldn't be up here." he whispered harshly. Shocked into silence, I only nodded. He softened slightly. Surprisingly gentle, he lifted us both to our feet. "Come I will show you the way out." he lead me down a hidden staircase, and into a tunnel. After ten minutes of silence he opened a panel, leading to my room.

"How..?"

He put a finger to my lips. "You would do well to keep silent, young Janice." he slipped back into the tunnel, and shut the door. I thought about what he said, and realized that he had not been talking about my question. Rather he was warning me not to say anything to anyone else. Janice, no one had ever said my name like he did, that is no one but my parents. The 'I' was not supposed to be short, but more of the long 'e' in eat. Like Janeece. But no one ever pronounced right. I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," I said, putting my thoughts to rest.

Emi came in, carrying my clothes. "You forgot these in the laundry room"

"Oh, I forgot, the washers were all full when I brought them down."

"I'll wash them with my clothes then," she said, filling the basket with her clothes. "Chris was at the performance last night"

"I know, he brought me those flowers."

Emi dropped the shirt she was holding to pick up the flowers, "oh, Jace, I think he likes you."

I could hear the hint of disappointment in her voice. "Don't get excited, they don't mean anything." Emi looked lost, "Sweet William means 'Grant my one smile'. The chrysanthemum means, you are a wonderful friend. And the zinnia mean 'thoughts of an absent friend'. So they all are symbols of friendship."

Emi still looked slightly lost, "And he knows this, how"

"What his mother didn't teach me about flowers, he did." I busied myself fixing my hair.

"Surely you must feel something for him?"
I thought for a bit, "Yes, I do. I always have, but what I feel for is a memory. People change a lot in six years, I know I have"

Emi sighed, "Do you always have to have such a thought out answer"

I smiled, "Let's go, I don't want to be late again."