Chapter 18

It was not a hard kiss, nor a passionate kiss. It was just a lip on lips kiss. Or at least that's how it started. Erik turned it in to so much more. Poppy of course, couldn't resist kissing back as hard. Erik pulled away same time that Poppy did. They both looked at each other, or well, Erik stared at Poppy shocked, as Poppy stood there, feeling shocked as well. Well, here comes the awkward part. Poppy thought. She wasn't disappointed.

"Poppy-"

She shook her head, "No words right now. I believe that it will confuse us even more."

Erik nodded relived. He had no idea as to what happened. He did, but why? It was his first kiss. And he couldn't help but feel like a different man. When he focused his thoughts, Erik saw Poppy walking in a daze to her room. He let her go. He'll talk to her latter. Instead he went to Christine's room, to see how his little diva was. Erik knocked on the door. Christine peeked out, saw it was him, opened the door wider.

"Oh, Angel. Why did she do a thing like that? And why is Poppy down here? How does she know you?"

Erik ignored her questions, "You was going to take my mask off?" Anger radiated off of him. Christine shrank back. "Never touch my mask. It doesn't concern you. As for Poppy, she's a...guest as you are."

Christine opened her mouth, but could find nothing to say. She ended up nodding.

"Good. Now come, we must return-those two idiots who run my theater will be missing you."

Christine nodded eagerly. Happy to be getting out of the hellhole that God and this...man had stuck her in.

Erik held out his hand, but Christine ignored it. He let out a small sigh and led her up to the dark hallways of the Opera house. Nether said a word. Erik stops at the top of a staircase. Mme. Giry was passing below, locking the doors to the dormitory. She looked up and saw Erik and Christine silhouetted by the moon. Christine walked down towards her and collapses into her arms. Mme. Giry looked up at Erik. He stares back, daring her to say anything. Mme. Giry looked away and sighed. When she looked back again, he was gone. As Mme. Giry led Christine away she were unaware of Buquet, the nasty, sceneshifter watching them. And Buquet himself were unaware of Erik watching him.

XxX

Back in her room, Poppy was trying to sort out her feelings and emotions before Erik came back. She tried to figure out want made her kiss him. Of course she had always wanted to kiss him. Who want not? But at that moment? Poppy picked up a pillow and threw it. Damn hormones! She sat down on the bed. Now what happens? She tried to remember what happened in the movie. After Erik returns the twerp, he'll send a bunch of notes. Notes! That's it! Poppy hurried to his stationary. She felt around for paper and every thing she needed. Concentrating hard, Poppy wrote down a sloppy note. She then sealed it with his red seal, burning herself in the process. But she grinned and bared it. She slid the letter into her corset. Poppy then ran up the tunnel. She hurried to the dorms and ran right into someone.

"Poppy! What are you doing?"

Madame Giry.

"I'm...running an errand."

"Child, is something the matter? You look all flushed and..."

"Flushed?"

"Never mind," her voice dropped," Do you know what happened to Christine? She looks and acts strange. Did Erik do anything to her? Hit her? She has a few bruises."

Poppy smirked," No, he didn't touch her. She tried to lift his mask, and I got all over- protective. I hit her."

Mme.Giry gasped, "You hit her!"

Poppy nodded. "Yes, I hit her. If you tell me, she needs to be hit more often."

"Poppy, I don't know how you are so... free spoken."

Poppy started to walk away, "I have always been this way. Now I have a lot things to do, so if you excuse me, I'll be going." She disappeared around the corner, leaving Mme. Giry shaking her head.

Poppy walked to the manger's office. She listened closely if anyone was around. There was no one, so she slipped inside. She placed the letter on the manger's desk, and slipped out again. Feeling mighty proud of herself she didn't pay any attention as to where she was headed. Again she ran into someone.

"Hello there. I was wondering when I'd meet you again."

Great. Raoul.

Poppy smiled falsely at him, her being as tall as he, "I wasn't."

He didn't catch it.

She sighed. Idiot. "Did you enjoy the opera last night?"

"Non. I had other business to attend to."

Poppy froze. Didn't attend the opera? Then he didn't..."Excuse me, but, did you meet the new diva?"

"No. Had not the pleasure."

Poppy's mind began racing, "Would you like to met her? She's really nice." What a lie.

Raoul thought for a minuet, "Why not. I'll love to meet your friend." He went on as her followed her.

Poppy held back a snort. "Yeah, sure." She mumbled in English.

She led him though the hallways. She felt uncomfortable having Raoul follow her, so she was relived when they arrived to Christine's dressing room. Poppy turned to Raoul. "Wait here." With that she knocked on the door.

Christine's tired voice called out. "Who is it?"

Poppy grimaced, but in a false sweet voice answered, "It's me, Poppy. Can we talk?"

"Poppy? Yes, let's talk. Come in."

Poppy waved to Raoul to tell him wait a minuet. She then went in. Poppy tried not to make a face at the chocking smell of lilies. A sound from a corner, called Poppy's attention.

"Poppy, how do you know Him?"

Still didn't know his name. Well, she didn't deserve to know it. "He's a dear... friend of mine. He allows me to stay with him. But, enough about that. I met an old frie-someone you must meet."

Poppy walked to the door and opened it, "Ok come in." She stood back. "Christine, meet Raoul de Chagny. De Chagny, met Christine Daae, our...diva."

Shock sounded in Raoul's voice, "Christine?" he let out small laugh," Little Lotte let her mind wander..."

"Huh?..."

Idiot.

"Little Lotte thought: am I fonder of dolls...or of goblins...or shoes..."

"I remember...you was the little boy that saved my scarf...."

Poppy heard them hug, and felt like gagging, but was proud of herself. She slipped out the door, leaving them alone. Once out in the hall, Poppy let out a giggle. It was cut off when she felt some one grab her. She let out a squeal of fright.

"I thought you was to help get Christine to love me, not make it worse by interduceting that...fop to her," an angry voice hissed.