Strange Angel
Disclaimer: The Characters in this story don't belong to me, they belong to Gaston Leroux, Andrew Lloyd Webber and others associated. If I had the chance to own anything from Phantom of the Opera it would be Erik…. sighs if only dreams could come true.
AN: Thanks for the reviews! Keep'em coming!
Lyrics
Indicates the Phantom/Erik speaking
Thoughts
Chapter Three: Learn to be Lonely
That morning, Christine rose from her bed and gazed around slowly. It took her a moment, but she finally remembered where she was and why. Sighing, she tossed back the covers only to find something most curious… fitting nicely to her body was a delicate silk nightgown, but problem was she hadn't remembered ever changing out of the clothes she had worn from the Hospital. But then again maybe she had and just didn't remember it… yes that had to be it, after all she was desperately tired last night. Finally convinced, Christine headed to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready for school.
Annette had offered to drive the girls to school, but Christine had quickly insisted the usual way of traveling, walking to the bus stop… mostly because she needed to speak with Meg alone.
Once they were out of the Giry's front yard, Christine cleared her throat, " Meg… I, um… I need to tell you something." Her stride slowed a bit as she glanced at her best friend.
" Okay, what's up?" Meg stared curiously back with clear blue eyes, her mind worried gravely for her dear friend.
" I… I had the strangest dream last night." The brown haired young woman glanced to her friend taking note of the worry upon her French featured face, " I heard a voice, it called to me… called my name. It seemed so real, you don't think--"
"Christine you've been through so much…" The worry in Meg's face increased, had her dearest friend become delusional, "You were so tired, you probably were dreaming and imagining at the same time."
Inwardly Christine let out a long sigh, it was plainly obvious that Meg thought she was going nuts, but then again she really didn't blame her friend either, " Yeah…" She agreed sadly, " I'm sure you're right."
By now they had reached the bus stop and barely in time as they quickly boarded the bus meeting a small assemble of curious stares, most of them directed towards Christine. Meg however wasn't as passive as her troubled friend and glared at those who dared to entertain the idea of even looking at her, " Come on Christine, there's a place in the back." Taking the girl's arm, Meg seemingly became possessed by her Mother's take charge attitude and the ride to school was a somewhat pleasant one.
The first half of the day passed strangely well. Sure she had some various looks tossed her way, but nothing remotely worth time and worry on her part. But Christine knew why the day was so far going smoothly, after all her and Meg shared the same classes… but now in the second half of the day the young woman found herself alone in the world because Meg was a dancer and she was a songbird and thus the two friends would see little of each other until the final bell.
Begrudgingly Christine made her way towards her choral class, but without Meg to shield her, her peers became a little bolder with their stares and whispers as Christine kept her eyes glued to the movement of her feet as she walked.
"She tried to kill herself…"
"I heard it was an overdose…"
"She slit her wrists…"
"You're kidding…"
Her brown eyes quivered, tears threatening as she studied the movements of her feet much more. Soon she made it to her class and entered quickly, her body pressing back against the door as she tried to catch her breath. Once her breathing was normal and her lungs didn't feel as if they were going to burst forth from her chest, Christine lifted her gaze and found the room to be relatively empty except for her choral teacher, " Afternoon Mr. Andre"
Slowly the man's gaze rose and he smiled slightly and then stood, " Miss Daae it's so good to have you back." And then his smile faded, " However, I must give you this and excuse you from class today."
Taking the folded note from her teacher's hand, Christine opened it slowly and frowned, "Thank you Mr. Andre." Turning with vigor, the young woman stomped out the door and passed once again her snickering and whispering peers and towards the school's main office almost running into Meg.
" Whoa… Christine are you---"
" No. Meg I'm not fine, or okay or anything else." The usually even tempered teen shoved the note at her friend to read.
" You're kidding… the school counselor?" Meg's eyes met her friend's which held not only anger, but hate and sorrow, " Don't go."
" Excuse me…"
" Don't go. Skip it, play hooky, skip the meeting." Meg offered perhaps a little to knowingly.
" I…" For half a second Christine fought with herself, " Okay, will you come with me?"
" Yeah right." Meg laughed sardonically, " I got dance next and who teaches dance? My mother. No way, sorry Christine you're on your own." At that moment the bell rung giving students their five minutes to get to class, " Gotta run!"
Watching her friend leave, Christine felt dejected and not to mention abandoned. Turning she eyed the door of the office just a few steps away, but then she eyed the door leading to her freedom outside and found herself moving towards that instead as though some invisible force was causing her to move in that direction.
Resting her hand on the silver colored handle which would let her out, Christine hesitated when suddenly the door opened as if by it's own accord and the brown haired teen stumbled forward as she felt two hands about her, " Let me go." She looked up with a look of determination planted on her face that slowly faded, " Please…"As did all her anger as she beheld the owner of the two hands.
End of Chapter Three
