Wow! Thank all of you for reviewing! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! squee lol.

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Even though I was still hacked off at Christine, Erik was being a little pig-face, and The A's had lost three games in a row (I found this out the last time I was back in the hospital room) it was easy to stay bright and cheerful. Why?

We were preparing for the Masquerade.

I was invited along with Meg and Christine to be out in the foyer having a grand old time dancing, but of course, I was to be in the little routine dance thing on the stairs along with Meg. I had suspected that Christine wasn't going to be in the dance because she was going with Raoul. Fie.

But, it was exiting nonetheless. I was being fitted for my costume within the hour, and I got to pick what it would look like! What fun!

Meg had been practicing the dance with a few other ballet girls, and Christine was off God-knows-where, most likely with Raoul, so I was left on my own. Gee, how normal it was becoming.

Just as I was thinking this, a figure swathed in Black appeared in front of me. "Hello." I said dismally. Even if I was still miffed with Christine and Meg, bad company was better than no company, and I was feeling lonely.

"What, no formal 'Good Evening'? Where have your manners gone to." Erik said tauntingly.

I glared at him.

"Ah, something must be wronged in the world of Miss Fleur Delacour. I don't see what, that pitiful masquerade which you set such a store by is coming up, and in fact you're on your way to be fitted for a costume (which knowing your taste in things like that will wind up hideous)" He said, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh ha ha." I said grudgingly.

"Ah I see," he said meanly "Things not going well with your precious fop boy?"

I gave him the foulest look I could. But inside I quaked. How the heck did heknow?

"Well you know my deal." He said, ignoring the fact that my face clearly shone with hatred.

I paused. Would it be worth it to accept his offer? I stood in silence, and Erik's eyes scanned my face for any sign I would agree.

"No. And Good day, I'm late for my appointment." I said briskly, whisking around him and toward the dressmaker's room down the hall and to the right.

"Damn her…" I heard Erik mutter softly, and I smiled. It felt good to be in control of a madman.

"Fleur!" I heard an angry voice say urgently from behind me. I gasped.

It was Madame Giry.

I slowly turned around, fear written across my face. It most likely wasn't good to have Madame Giry know that I was on speaking terms with Erik.

"Fleur, how do you know that man." She said, more a demand than a question.

"I… met him… a month…or so… ago…" I said cautiously.

"Fleur Delacour I must forbid you from speaking to him ever again." She said in a rush.

I opened my mouth to automatically ask why, but shut it. Ha! I wouldn't have to see Erik ever again! Except for the fact that Erik listens to no one and would scoff if I told him I was forbidden from seeing him again, and then 'accidentally' bump into me more often just to make Madame Giry mad.

"Yes Madame Giry…" I said ashamedly, hiding my joy.

"And you are late for your fitting. We shall have to hurry." And with that she took my arm and practically dragged me down to the dressmaker's studio.

Thankfully the dress lady, Madame Breton, was a little behind from another costume order (Carlotta's, gee, what a surprise) and was just finishing up when Mme Giry had dragged me in.

An hour later I had been set up with a beautiful gown that was a sweeping floor length gown with gold and black gossamer and gauze, the bodice was gold with little black sequins making flowered lines, and an amazing mask. It a half-mask from Venice Italy, and was black with intricate swirls of silver and gold glitter. Well, the mask wasn't from the dressmaker; Madame Giry gave it to me.

She said that she had tried to give it to Meg, who refused, saying that she was wearing all white. To this I chuckled. They were going to be handing out red punch that was most likely going to wind up spiked by the end of the evening. So Madame Giry, who was wearing a shimmery green oriental gown and a fan with a painted on mask, gave it to me, declaring she would have no other earthly use for it except as firewood for her stove.

So I took it. I always feel a little odd about taking things from people, especially from 'older' people, because I know that it means something to them. But, I did think it would be a shame to see such a thing be used as firewood (don't be going and thinking that I take things too literally, but when Madame Giry says something, she means it) and besides, it reminded me so much of the one my mom had as a souvenir from when we went to Italy that I just had to have it.

I was all ready for the Masquerade. Well, all ready except for one crucial element.

I needed a guy to go with.

I could have easily gone with Fredrikk or Richard, but I didn't want to take them, and besides, they already had dates somewhere else. I could have gone with Meg, but I discovered she was meeting a man there, so that was out of the question. A stage hand? No, by the night was over he'd have had tried to feel me up many a time. A random stranger off the street? Risky, but it could work… No, I might as well just go alone. Which would suck.

But wait... what if….. No, Madame Giry would die of shock… but all the same… it wouldn't give him time to… yes, it would have to work… I didn't have any other option…

So, half an hour later I was headed down an empty hallway. The perfect spot.

"Phantom!" I didn't want to risk saying his name. It would bring up too many uncomfortable questions. 'Phantom!" I called again.

"You screamed?" Erik was now standing beside me, after having jumped out from some random hiding spot of his. How the heck does he do that…? I wondered.

"Yes, see, I need a favor of you." I began.

"Ah, I see, you refuse to grant my task, but now I must answer your beck and call? Hmm, well, out with it."

"Well…" This was going to be harder than I thought. And the way he was giving me that piercing stare wasn't helping much either. "Well, you know the masquerade? Obviously you do, but… you know how you're supposed to go… you know… with someone?"

I was cut off by Erik's rude laughter. Curse him.

"You think that just because you can't find anyone else to go with you, I will?" he laughed again. Loudly.

"Oh hush your cackling. Yes, but see, you're my last option, so don't get thinking all high and mighty of yourself." I said, crossing my fingers behind my back.

"Trust me, my dear, I won't be."

There was an awkward pause. Erik seemed to be appraising me.

"Well?" I asked, hoping for a yes.

"No, I don't think so."

"Aw come on! It will be loads of fun, and… you only have to show up and I don't know… and you only talk to me every once and a while, even if it's just to make death threats or whatever. Just please go with me!" ok, I was begging. So what? If it got him to go with me, we're cool.

"No thank you. Although it's quite tempting" nice sarcasm "I shall have to decline." And with that he left me standing in the middle of the hallway.

"If I look like a total outcast just because I don't have anyone to go with it's your entire fault!" I called after him. I could hear laughter coming from the rafters. "Oh curse you!" I said louder, and I turned on my heal and left in a fury.

I stormed into the dormitory to find the other ballet girls all yelling about who they were going to the party with. True most of them would be at the rough party backstage, but they still had dates. I appeared to be the only one left by myself.

"Fleur, what's the matter? You seem angry." Meg asked, emerging from the noisy throng.

"Oh… nothing." I said, flopping down on my bed.

Meg sat down next to my stomach. "If it were nothing you wouldn't have that expression on your face."

"True…" I said, nodding my head.

"Well?" Meg asked a little impatiently.

"Well, I'm just a little jealous of all you girls talking about how you all have men to go with, but here I am without anyone to go with."

Meg leaned down and hugged me rather awkwardly. "Oh Fleur, I'm so sorry… I've been thoughtless! I should have found someone for you… but I didn't want to barge in…" She tried to make excuses, but I stopped her with a smile.

"It's all right, besides, I don't like ball room dancing anyhow." Meg knew I was lying. She pursed her lips, hand on chin, and brows furrowed, as if trying to think of someone to go with me.

It took her a moment, but she eventually exclaimed "Ah! I know someone who you'll adore!"

I silently disagreed. 'Ha, I bet' I thought, but I cocked my head to one side, as if saying 'who?'

"Andres Bertrand." She said triumphantly. I stared at her blankly.

"Who?" I asked, not knowing who he was.

"Oh you'll absolutely love him; he's so kind, and thoughtful and handsome…" Meg said, overflowing with happiness at having found such a 'perfect' match.

"Um, alright." I said, hoping he wasn't offending in any shape or form.

Although it may not be Raoul, at least I was going with someone. And that's all that mattered. I didn't really even have to dance or associate with him, really. I could just sort of 'disappear into the crowd' and never see him again.

And besides, at least I wouldn't have to go with Erik.

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Yay! I'm actually updating! It's a message from the Lord above!

Or not.

Maybe I just decided to make you happy. Either one works with me.

Anyhow, please review or I won't update!

Well, I'm not that mean, but I'd really love it if you would.