Disclaimer- I sadly do not own phantom of the opera, the book or movie. I do own the lyrics to my very own song that I beg you not to use; you may email and ask me though.

Chapter 12: Getting along

Amber's POV

Sometimes I wonder if the world hates me. I mean, I know I'm a complete moron at times, ok, all of the time but I don't deserve this kind of torture! Nobody asked me to become a member of the opera house; nobody said I was going to be in an Alice in Wonderland opera this Friday!

Ok, so Chase did ask me, but I said no. Then he flipping got me drunk, without me knowing and had me sign a contract to make me work here until said so! Otherwise I would be sued.

Life sucks.

And also I knew after the whole drunk contract singing and becoming a member in the opera why of course I would have to be in an opera. But the thing is, I didn't exactly want to be lead role. At first that sounded like a lot of fun. Now the thought scared me to my utter core. Me, the lead role, and the one person everyone was going to pay attention too.

I loath- no I absolutely without a single doubt hate- attention. I didn't like attention from my friends who, whenever they gave it to me, I would try to not say anything. I didn't like it from my family, and I most certainly didn't want attention from an audience of strangers. It was my pet peeve when people gave me too much attention when it wasn't needed. It's not like I wanted to be ignored but I didn't want everyone listening to me like there was no tomorrow.

That would be a tad...how we say...STRANGE!

Ok, so I'm dwelling on the fact that I don't like attention. Deal with it; I personally don't care how you feel about me raving on. It's my thoughts, and my mind, back off why dontcha.

Back to my main point, wait did I have one? Oh well, I'll try to make it seem like I did.

Chase had come by this morning and said that practice was indeed canceled because of something and then invited me to come over to his place and hang out. I'm not sure if he meant it like he asked it but it sounded like a date. A DATE! Disturbing for the mind to even dare think about. It was just plain dirty actually.

But you know what's even scarier? I accepted. The only reason of course was I wanted to get away from the madhouse my friends created and to see what his place looked like. I bet it was humongous! So then he said he would be back in an hour to pick me up and we could go out to lunch first or whatever.

As expected, as soon as the door shut behind him Jennifer screamed with a giggle. "HE LIKES YOU!"

I rolled my eyes and said, "As if."

I mean, why in the world would he like me? I'm not exactly pretty, or gorgeous enough to surpass any of the thousands of girls he has already dated. I didn't really have any redeeming qualities. I guess I was an ok person but I was nothing special to get him to like me. Even if he did, I don't like him back, and most likely never will. I'd like to emphasize the last two words, never will.

"Amber, give it up, you two are simply perfect for each other." Liz says with a grin before taking a sip of her Dr. Pepper.

Perfect for each other? Pashoo. I was most defiantly not perfect for him nor him to me. Nothing can be perfect anyways. Perfect is a completely meaningless word.

"Ok, first off, I hate the word perfect. I am most definitely not perfect and neither is he. Also I can barely stand him for about five minutes." I said rolling my eyes.

Liz only grinned wider and said, "Yeah, sure, whatever you say."

I growled in my throat and got up to go into the bathroom to fix my hair and make-up. Not that it mattered any. Making sure I locked both doors, just in case, I turned to the mirror and grimaced at my reflection. My hair was an utter mess; it being naturally curly became frizzy easily. Under my eyes were light blue half moons, my skin looked a horrible peachy shade, and my clothes where ridiculous.

Sighing, I pulled out my hair brush and pulled it through, making it loose the curls, then sprayed it with de-frizz. Getting a cold wash cloth, I dabbed the end under my eyes making the half moons disappear and then at the same time make my skin turn a slightly different shade.

Last but not least, I got out of my pajama bottoms and black t-shirt and into dark blue jeans, my blue zip sketchers, and a tight but loose fitting green tank top. Now I looked at my reflection, I smiled before brushing my teeth and putting on cherry flavored lip-gloss. I also grabbed a black hoodie since it was cold out.

A knock came from the guy's side of the bathroom door and I turned and opened it, surprised. Nathan came in with a smile and then jumped to sit on the counter.

"So you are going on a date, eh?" He asks with a grin.

"Ugh. No, I'm not. I'm just going to hang out with him." I say hopefully, pressing it into his mind.

"Sure. Well, I hope you have fun, and be careful he seems like a...interesting guy..." He says, trailing off for lack of words.

Nathan, speechless? SOMEONE GET A CAMERA THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN! But how could he be speechless? That doesn't make any sense.

"Acting like an older brother...creepy," I say, looking at him with raised eyebrows.

"Hey, I am your friend."

"Very true. How many years now since we have been friends? Seven, I believe." I say with a smile, remembering all the good moments I had with my friends.

"That smile sort of scares me. Don't smile so manically when talking about friendship." He says chuckling.

"I wasn't smiling manically...I was smiling like I always do." I say crossing my arms.

Me, smile manically. As if.

"Then don't smile." He says, grinning again.

"Oh please. Was there something in specific you wanted?" I asked, raising my eyebrows again.

"Yeah...to go to the bathroom, I got to pee." He says grinning wider.

"Oh, I didn't need to know that. Later." I said hitting the back of his head and practically running out of the bathroom.

In the living room Liz, Jeron, and Tiff sat comfortably on the small couch, watching some type of French soap opera. Jennifer was pacing back and forth, clutching her cell phone with a determined look on her face.

"What's up with her?" I asked, sitting down on the arm of the miniature brown plush couch. The brown completely clashed with the entire suite, might I add.

"Alex is supposed to call her in like...five seconds."

I blinked and looked at the clock, and immediately after five seconds it rang. Jennifer immediately ran into the bedroom to answer.

"You're good." I said grinning at Liz.

"I try." She says, blowing on the top of her fingernails with a grin back.

Silence enveloped us as we watched the old time French soap. Luckily, it had an English translation, so we didn't have to decipher every single word. I looked at the television skeptically, but then watched it anyways.

"I did not make love to him! My heart only beats for you!" Samantha, a blonde haired, blue eyed woman, cried, leaning against a man who had wavy dark brown hair and brown eyes.

Both were wearing clothes from the French revolution era... the late seventeen hundreds. I knew this because of my mad skills with remembering the French revolution better then the American one ((that is my specialty –Liz)). Also, I got usually B's in history class.

"Then why does it seem like he is so nearer to you? Why would I find him inside your room and you only in a sheet from your bed? It seems my lady you have betrayed the love I have given you." The man says pushing away from her.

"No, I love you! I love you with all of my soul!" She said, crumpling to the ground

"Then prove it and make love to me under the stars! Under the heavens! Kiss me with such passion you would kiss the man you gave your innocence too!" He says pulling her up to him before letting his lips crash over hers.

Liz glared and switched off the TV quickly.

"You can't do that! I need to know what happens!" Jeron said grabbing the remote back and switching the TV back on, only to find the ending credits and a few scenes for tomorrow's episode.

"God. European people always stereotype us about things but look at their soap opera's! Look at their fricken fashion! It's pure evil!" Liz says rolling her eyes and getting up. Amber nodded, eyeing Jeron's dark glare at Liz. Tiff snickered silently.

"Americans, though it seems, are walking soap opera's and psychiatrists." Says a voice from the door way.

They all turn to find Chase swinging the loop full of keys around with a smile.

"You know, we need to eventually get rid of those." Tiff mutters with a glare. Jeron nodded with a grin.

"Chase, you always seem to show up at the wrong times." I say crossing my arms and getting up.

"Ah, well, you still love me for that." He says, putting an arm around my waist.

Does he seriously have a death wish here?

"Not in this lifetime." I say removing it, then putting a hand on my hip. Jennifer suddenly entered the room, dragging Nathan by the ear with her, glaring with a deep hatred.

"What'd he do?" Jeron asks.

"He was trying to listen to my phone conversation. He was rather bad at it." Jennifer says, finally letting go of his ear and rolling her eyes.

"Oh, was it getting hot and heavy over the phone Nathan?" Tiff asks, raising her eyebrows suggestively with a grin.

"It could have, if she didn't stop him in mid sentence to try and kill me with her shoe!" Nathan says dodging a kick from Jennifer.

"A shoe?" Liz asks laughing. Jennifer nodded with a grin.

"Nice." I say patting her shoulder.

"I know."

"Are you ready?" Chase asks interrupting.

"Yeah." I say turning to him with a smile.

"Shall we?" He asks holding out his arm.

I looked at his arm like it was infestation, but then nodded linking my arm with his, glaring at Jennifer who snickered. See if she snickers when I get her back. Oh, what now? Hehehehehehehe.

Chase opened the door and let me go first with a smirk. Ugh him in his chivarly-ish ways. Normally I would have objected but then the thought of it made me laugh. Most guys wouldn't open a door for a girl and let them go first. It was just weird, but very sweet.

"Ready to have the greatest day of your life?" He asked smirking again. I rolled my eyes and giggled.

We made our way out of the lobby and to the parking lot where I was very surprised to see that there was no Smee or limo in sight. "Where's the limo and Smee?" I asked raising my eyebrows. Chase smiled at me and took my hand and lead my to a far parking spot with a vespa occupying it.

A vespa? Wasn't their a vespa the first day they arrived here and decided to drive around randomly? Right before they found the Paris opera house.

"Wait a minute! You own a vespa? I remember only seeing one vespa so far around here and I blew a kiss- Oh my god!" I said with my right eye twitching madly as I stared at Chase at shock.

He smiled and said, "Yeah that was me. I knew I recognized you when you jumped off the stage. You're very flirty." I looked at him annoyed but then started laughing. Chase joined in and eventually we were holding each other up, laughing so hard.

"I never thought I would see you again. I just did it because I knew it would disgust Liz." I said looking up at him, giggling silently now.

"Well I guess fate brought us together to become closer." He says with one last chuckle.

"Or maybe so I can annoy the hell out of you." I said straightening up.

"Come on." He says, dragging me over to the vespa and sitting on it with his legs stretched out to lean to one side. I nodded seriously and got behind him, a little nervous and then wrapped my arms around his waist. I felt little shocks run up my arms but ignored them. Chase seemed to notice because he looked back and asked, "Are you alright." I nodded.

He started it up and set his feet on the pedals. I brought my knees up, making sure I didn't lean towards the ground. He pulled out of the parking spot and then into traffic at a quick rate. I held on tighter, feeling my heart rush as I realized that we were close together, and more sparks were going through me.

Static electricity, right? Yeah that's all it was...static electricity.

"Do you mind if we eat at my place? I actually cook pretty well!" Chase calls over his shoulder, making a turn.

"Yeah!" I said into his ear as I fell further towards him on the turn.

"Getting close, eh? I know I'm everything you ever wanted, but try not to ravish me!" He says chuckling.

"Shouldn't I being say that?" I called to him, leaning away.

"Oh, I promise not to ravish you! Yet at least! We haven't even made it to my place." He says. He was smirking. I could tell.

"In your dreams." I muttered, elbowing his back with a glare.

"Oh, I know." He says chuckling more.

"How do you turn so perverted within seconds? It's disturbing!" I said rolling me eyes.

"It's all apart of my charm."

"As if, grow up."

"Oh, I am grown up, wanna see?"

"Shut up, you pervert."

He turned one more time and then pulled up in front of the garage of a large, expensive looking flat. It was two stories and painted a off white color with peach colored trim. Around the large flat were evergreen grass and a small little garden of red roses near the porch. All together the house was simply adorable.

"I thought you lived with your family." I said getting off the vespa and un-tangling my hair.

"Nope, I moved out last year. The family mansion is a little out of town, so I moved closer to the opera house. Like it?" He asked chuckling.

"Yeah, it's cute." I said smiling.

"Just wait until you see the inside. I think you'll like it." He says taking my hand in his and walking to the door. Digging through his pocket he brought out a small key and unlocked the door. "There's another key under that little gnome statue hidden in the roses." He says ushering to it. I jumped away from it, giving it the evil eye in distaste.

Gnomes were the true sign of evil! EVIL I SAY! My neighbor had a garden with a bunch of gnomes in it, their beady little eyes staring towards my window…until I used that paintball gun…Hehehehe.

"Why are you telling me though?" I asked curiously as we entered.

"Just in case you need somewhere to stay or you're trying to get away. My house is always open to you." He says flashing a grin again.

"I'll be sure to remember that." I said nodding.

It was a tad weird thinking that he was offering me a place to hang out at whenever, especially when he knows I despise him with my very being.

Then why are you at his house? Why is it that every time you touch him you feel a shock go through your body and your heart beats faster?

Stupid annoying voices in the back of my head. They had no idea what they are talking about! I'm only here because I wanted to do something other then be bored out of my mind. Honest to bob, that is the truth! Heehee, I have always wanted to say that line since I watched Rugrats years ago. They were such cute, little, adorable, monster, cartoon children.

Darling, you are a freak…

Shut up, you.

Chase led me into the living room and I nodded in approval. The carpeting was black, by the looks of it was velvety soft, the couches where a vine red and faced a plasma screen TV on the wall, in front of the couches was a small round oak coffee table with glass in the middle. The walls were checkered with vine red and black, and on one of the walls was a painting of the opera house and news clippings on the side.

To the side of the living room was a white door that led to a clean and orderly kitchen with a large white refrigerator, a dinning table off to the side with a vase of roses on top, and the rest was like every other kitchen.

He then led me to a small orderly bathroom, a room full of gaming stuff and then smiled and said, "Ok, now the upstairs." I jumped at that but followed him.

It's not like he was going to go all rapist on me. He wasn't like that...right?

"This is the guest room." He says opening a door to a bright sunny room with large windows that led out to a small balcony. I nodded and smiled.

Pulling me out of there, he showed me the master bathroom, which was large with a glass shower and a bear claw tub, perfect for soaking in. The room smelled like fresh lemons and roses.

"This is my room." He says opening the door with a warm smile. I blushed almost at the way he said it, making him smirk at me and wink. I rolled my eyes and looked inside.

His room was the largest almost so far. The carpeting was a dark azure, like his eyes, a window looking out to the east was covered by light blue shear curtains, the walls where painted a heavenly white, off to the side was a large cheery wood desk covered with paperwork, pens and a pencil holder, a walk in closet, and in the middle of the entire room was a his large king size bed covered in light blue sheets. All silk of course. The entire room smelled like vanilla and rose.

I blushed, realizing I was staring at it and backed away.

"You can try it out." Chase says, shrugging with a grin. I glared and hit the back of his head. "I didn't say let's try it out! I said you can try it out! As in jump on it or whatever, you have a dirty mind." He exclaims rubbing his head glaring.

I stared at his bed and then turned to him, and said, holding onto his shoulders "There's something I always wanted from you…"

"Yeah…?" He asked, his eyes going wide.

"I want you, and I…" I glanced towards the bed. "To have…"

"Passionate sex!" Chase exclaimed excited.

"Nope."

"A threesome!"

"No, I want us to have…a pillow fight!" I exclaimed, running into the room and grabbing a pillow, launching it at his head.

And so we had a huge pillow fight. As you can guess, I won.

Leaving the bedroom they were both flushed and laughing.

"What's in there?" I asked pointing to the door across.

"Open it and see." Chase says crossing his arms.

"Um, I don't know if I want to..." I said, edging away from it.

"There's nothing dirty. Why are you afraid? It's not like I'm going to try anything." He says into my ear and putting an arm around my waist. I looked down at the arm and stepped away and turned the knob of the door and threw it open gasping.

The room was awesome! The floor was black and white checkered tile, the walls white; in the middle of the room was a black piano that looked slightly aged, but absolutely beautiful. On top of it was a binder of sheet music and a flute, on the far side there were windows covered by white lace curtains, and a large painting of a masquerade scene, similar to the one in the Phantom of the Opera on the left wall.

"My music room." Chase says, smiling brightly and ushering to the room.

"It's beautiful." I gasped.

"I made it that way, but the only thing is I know something much more beautiful than all of this." He says with a sigh.

"What?" I said, snapping my head to him, interested. I tried not to crack up when the top of his ears, barely visible under his dark messy brown hair, turned a slight pink.

"You, my Ange." He says looking at me and then abruptly turning back to face the room. ((Angeangel))

"Such a compliment from the playboy Chase." I said with a small nervous laugh.

"Only a playboy to the public. I refuse to stay with anyone who can't understand me and like me for who I am, not what I own." Chase says shaking his head.

I looked at him intently to make sure he wasn't joking, then smiled and patted his shoulder. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all; he actually seemed to have a brain at the moment.

"Anyways, how about I play a song and you sing?" He asks walking over to the piano and lifting up the piano lid.

"Sure...what song...?" I ask, trailing off.

"Sing something you know and I will follow." He says smiling. I nodded and remembered he said the same thing when I didn't know I was auditioning.

I thought about every song I ever made myself and picked out the best one. The one I made when I was 14.

"Ok, this song is called...From This Moment On." I said, walking over to the piano and leaning on it. He nodded for me to sing and I stopped leaning and began.

Everything's so hard...

The worlds so deep...

Emotions collide

And all I can think...

Is about you...

From this moment on.

Life has became true

You are the one and only

In my heart I know.

I can't live without you...

From this moment

I have become one...

I have lasted on...

I have held on...

From this moment

I have become one...

I have lasted on...

I have held on...

I will treasure you...

I will love you...

I will hold you...

I will vow to the stars...that all I know is you

From this moment on...

I kept my eyes closed for a few seconds, thinking about the song, and then opened them to find Chase in front of me with a smile.

"What?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

"That was beautiful." He says before kissing my cheek softly. I pulled back touching my cheek, surprised and then smiled and said thank you.

"You're very welcome. How about I make something to eat and we can watch a movie?" He asks pulling away and walking to the door.

"Sure." I said smiling and walking after him.

"You know, ever since you and your friends came to Paris nothing seems the same at the opera." Chase says going down the stairs with a smile.

"Maybe because we brought madness." I said with a grin.

"Most likely, everyday I wonder when the madness will cease." He says turning and going to the kitchen.

"Not until we go back to California. Then to college." I said shaking my head.

"You shouldn't go back. Stay here in Paris. You can live with me. The opera needs you and Jennifer, both talented singers." He says turning to me with pleading eyes. I smiled and shook my head, and he continued looking at me, then turned to walk over to the fridge.

"Whatcha going to make?" I ask, trying to shake off the sad feeling.

"Not sure. What would you usually have for lunch?" He asks, turning back to face me.

"Um, Pop Tarts and a Pepsi...weird but I can't cook. Tiff can but she's too lazy. Nathan can I think…I know my friend Annie in California can. She makes the best cookies." I said shrugging. He raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Heck I can't even make toast." I said laughing, he joined in.

"How about some pizza?" He asks looking back to the fridge.

"Sure." I said shrugging.

"I also have some Pepsi." He says pulling out a can and handing it to me. I smiled and said "Thanks."

"Pick out a movie." He says pointing to a stack of DVD's on the table in front of the couches. I nodded and walked over there and went through them. Bring It On...Sleepy Hallow...Scream...Underworld...PHANTOM OF THE OPERA! Heck yes!

"Phantom!" I yelled holding up the DVD with a smile. Chase rolled his eyes and put the pizza into the stove and then walked over, turning the TV on and putting the disk in. I smiled like an idiot and sat down on the couch, crossing my legs.

A small timer went off and Chase jumped over to the stove and pulled out the pizza with a grin. From where I was, the pizza looked simply delicious. It was all cheesy, and warm, and covered in pepperoni with no peppers and onions...ahhh heaven.

Grabbing two plates and a fork for himself he set the pepperoni pizza that was on a large pizza plate, he handed me my plate and then asked if I had enough to drink and I nodded.

"Thanks." I said before taking a sip of my Pepsi.

"You're welcome." He says nodding and starting the movie before leisurely sitting next to me.

Five minutes after starting the movie Chase said, after helping me get a piece of pizza "So, I have been thinking..."

"How unusual." I said with mock shock.

He rolled his eyes and continued. "I think you should go to college here in France and make the opera your lifetime job." I almost choked on my pizza, but with the help of two long gulps of water I managed to choke it down. Chase stared at me as I breathed in heavily then turned to him.

"Chase, since I was little my dream was to go to college in Ireland. And no matter what, I am going to stick to that dream. I love the opera and everything, but I could never give up Ireland." He smiled at me, but his eyes showed utter and complete sadness. I wanted to hug him and tell him I was sorry, but I turned back to the movie.

"I won't stop you." He says watching the movie.

Then a thought hit me. Why in the hells was the opera not so popular anymore? Well it's obvious that nowadays people spend their money going to rock concerts, rap concerts, and pop concerts and have their heads up their asses, but still. Wouldn't people appreciate good music that sounded way better?

"Chase, I have a question." He motioned for me to continue and paused the movie.

"Why did the opera need more singers? Why isn't it as famous as it used to be?"

"Well...promise not to get frighten..." He says running a hand through his hair. I looked at him annoyed with the suggestion. "Not to long ago...when I first began running to the opera house, there were several rumors that the Phantom was back and a bunch of superstitious things. I didn't believe any of it. Not until the box keeper was killed and left at the front of the opera."

My eyes went big and I nodded for him to continue. Why in the world would anyone kill the box keeper? He just dishes out a ticket, that's not important at all.

"So, then several dancers quit and the lead soprano went with them. The opera was closed for two years for inspection. They looked top to bottom and found not a trace of anything. So, they locked the lower parts away for safe keeping and the opera was back in business. Since then people have been superstitious of the opera. Some have claimed they have gotten notes from the ghost that they could not enter the opera house."

"That's weird...I wonder who's doing it all."

"As do I."

"Are you alright?" I jumped and turned to come face to face with Chase, who looked concerned. I nodded slowly, realizing I could feel his breath on me, which smelled like peppermint oddly, and how our noses almost touched.

He leaned in and closed the gape between us. My eyes stayed open for a few seconds and then closed as I began to feel utter bliss. The kiss started feather light, like a small meeting of our lips, then moved into a deeper, hotter kiss. I moved my arms around his neck as his arms encircled my waist and pulled me closer to him. I could feel him falling back against the couch and me coming down with him but I didn't care. I gasped as his grip tightened around me, which allowed him to deepen the kiss.

I started weaving my hand through his hair when my eyes went wide and I realized who I was kissing. CHASE ANDRE! The selfish, annoying, perverted playboy, also known as my boss! GAH!

I pushed myself up and away from him and turned the other way. I couldn't have just done what I think I just did. I did not just kiss him back. I did not basically make out. None of this is happening.

"Amber?" He asked in barely a whisper.

I felt chills run down my sides and I turned back to him quickly and said, "Take me home. Now." He looked at me, his eyes boring into my mine and then nodded getting up and grabbing his cell phone.

"I'll have Smee come pick you up." He said dialing a number and talking to Smee.

He didn't even wave goodbye when he shut the door. I didn't look back as I got into the limo.

The ride was silent and Smee kept glancing at me with a worried expression but I only gave him a half smile.

At the hotel nobody asked me anything when I came in and went into the bathroom. No, I did not sob or anything. I just sat crumpled on the floor, my nails digging into my legs.

A/N

Next chapter it will be Amber's POV and the plot will be more evident. Yay I finally have a plot! Anyways please now review and do not flame or else!