Chapter 7 – Before the Prom

2 weeks later

The day of the prom had finally arrived. Mme Giry, along with Meg and Christine, was helping Kimberlee to get ready. Her dress had been delivered to Connie's home the night before and now sat on a mannequin waiting to be put on. Christine stared at the dress with awe, she couldn't believe the Kimberlee had designed this dress herself and now here it was. She hoped that maybe one day when she got married that Kimberlee might let her borrow the dress. Mme Giry fussed over how the girls hair had to be done up, the girls telling her one way and she arguing back.

"Maman, why don't you just let the stylist do their hair the way they want?"

"Because I know both you girls will like these styles" she said directing at Connie and Kimberlee.

"Mme Giry, I appreciate you taking on my mother's role today, but please…I really would like my hair curled and pinned up this way" Kim said.

She looked at Mme Giry with her deep hazel eyes and she finally gave in.

"Alright, but will you at least consider this beaded hair net? It will look absolutely gorgeous with your dress?"

"I think that would be good," turning to the stylist, "don't you think so?"

"Darling, you are going to be a masterpiece. Your date won't know what hit him."

"Just what I was hoping for" she remarked quietly to Connie beside her.

Mme Giry went over to where her daughter and Christine were sitting patiently. She gave each of the girls some money and told them to make sure they returned home by five o'clock, no later. Now that hair was done, it was off to have their makeup done. While Connie went first, Mme Giry took this opportunity to talk with Kimberlee alone.

"Kimberlee, I am glad that your father approved of Erik taking you this evening."

"I'm glad too Madame.

"I wanted to speak with you privately about something very important, but I was not sure how to approach the subject."

"If you want to talk to me about sex, my mother already did that?"

"Don't worry, it's not sex I want to talk about, it's Erik. I have taken care of him since he was a boy. He is like a son to me and I care about you both very much, I just don't want to see either of you hurt."

"We are not going to get hurt. We haven't made any decisions one way or another. I mean we've only been a 'couple' now for a little over a month."

"Yes, that is true, but you two have been seeing each other for two years now and have a relationship that is deeper than any I have ever seen. You two are well beyond the complications of first love, a new relationship. You both feel for each other so much more than I ever felt for my husband, God rest his soul, and I loved him very much."

"I think I understand what you are saying, that our romantic relationship started well before we realized. Our friendship was just a stepping stone to the inevitable."

"Yes and that kind of love is very rare and not always easy. Do you remember when you first had feelings for him?"

"It was that first night when I met him. I had gotten lost in the passageway and he helped me. When he bandaged up my hand and I looked into his eyes, I knew I was a goner that I could definitely get lost in those eyes."

"He felt the same way too; when I saw him shortly after that I could tell something had changed. He had the same look in his eyes that you had, like you had found your soul mate. Promise me that you will always be honest with him and allow him to be honest with you."

"I will thank you Madame."

"And most importantly, have fun tonight. I don't want to see you back at the opera house until morning, enjoy all that this night has to offer."

"We will."

Mme Giry hugged Kimberlee careful not to touch her hair. Then it was her turn to have her makeup done so she went over to the chair and sat down. When they all left the salon a while later both girls looked incredible. They had 2 hours before their dates were due to pick them up so they went back to Connie's, put in a movie and ordered a pizza.

Meanwhile, at Michael's apartment Connie's date Paul and Erik were "getting ready" themselves. Their tuxes had been delivered to the apartment the day before and they were waiting to be put on. When they arrived Michael had set up his PS2 and set out some games for them to play. They were currently trying to save Middle Earth from the Wizard Sauron and eating a pizza. Erik looked at the clock and noticed that they had just over an hour left before they had to go pick up the girls so he and Paul went and showered, combed their hair and put on their tuxes. Michael was now helping with the final touches.

"Okay boys, checklist time. Hair, check, teeth, check, protection, and I mean you Paul," he smirked, "check. Corsages for the girls?"

"In the refrigerator," Erik said.

"Alright boys, I think you are ready to go, we'll just wait for the limousine driver to call up and then you'll be on your way."

"Cool," Paul said.

Erik walked into the kitchen to retrieve the corsages. He held Kimberlee's in his hands for a moment and then felt a hand on his shoulder.

"You okay?" Michael asked

"Yeah, I'm just nervous. I've never been to a formal party before, in fact this last month is probably the longest amount of time I've ever spent away from my opera house."

"It's okay to be scared. Look as uncomfortable as this is for me, I would feel better if you had this with you" he said placing a condom into Erik's hand.

"Why are you giving me this? She's your niece."

"That's why I'm giving it to you. Just put it in your back pocket and keep it just in case."

Erik did as he was told and gave Michael a puzzled look.

"I know you two have only been 'official' for a month now, but you two are soul mates, I'm sure of it. It's bound to happen sooner or later….later would be better, but at least I know you are prepared."

"This is going to embarrass the hell out of me, but since I've pretty much lived my entire life underground with very little human contact, I feel it's a legitimate question."

"What's that?"

"How do you use one of these?"

"Oh boy, am I glad you asked me that before anything happened. Come on" Michael said grabbing a banana from the counter.

They went into the bathroom and closed the door. Paul never noticed, he was to busy fighting the Urukai to notice anything.

And that ladies and gentlemen is when the Phantom of the Opera had his first sex education class, thirty minutes before the senior prom.