Thanks so much to L.G./ Christine Daae! You have really encouraged me to keep writing this story, and I always await your reviews! Thanks to everyone else who reviews, also! Sorry I take so long to update my terribly short chapters, but I do have a very busy life. So… Chapter 7.
Meg didn't want to back down, but she knew that the results would be disastrous. Sitting calmly on the piano bench, the Phantom said, "Now, just hum along to the melody I'm going to play as best you can. We'll warm you up a bit; then we can start." Meg nodded, but she didn't say a word.
A soft melody began from the piano. The tune wasn't difficult, but Meg had trouble staying with it. Afraid to upset the Phantom, though, she kept going, plunging farther and farther into failure. Finally stopping, the Phantom looked up at her. Casting her an odd face, he said, "Let's just try to start out with a song. I trust you know several of the songs your acquaintance Christine Daae has sung?" Meg nodded. "Then we will begin with 'Think of Me.'" Taking a deep breath, Meg waited for the music to begin.
A few minutes later, the Phantom was practically smashing his head on the keys, and Meg was nearly in tears. She had attempted the high note seconds before, and it had gone atrociously. The Phantom stopped playing and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his forefinger and thumb. "That'll need some work," he said quietly. Meg winced.
"I'm… really sorry…" she began, but the Phantom cut her off.
"Do not be sorry. You are a dancer. Christine was… special. I have expected too much of you." The Phantom grew quiet, and Meg saw a deep longing in his eyes, accompanied by an ever greater sadness.
"Do you miss her still?" She ventured.
The Phantom looked startled. "Christine? Of course I miss her! She was everything to me! Her hair, her eyes…. she was beautiful! And now… she is gone."
Meg was quiet for a few minutes. "Perhaps…. perhaps you… what I mean to say is…." Meg took a deep breath. "Maybe all you need is a friend."
The Phantom looked up at the girl. "And who exactly would you suggest? I'm hideous, girl! Hideous! No one wants to be my friend! NO ONE!" The Phantom erupted on those last words, his voice full of emotion. As he grew silent, Meg could hear sobbing.
"Phantom… Erik…. oh, whatever you wish me to call you….. I could….be your friend…"
The Phantom stared at her. Meg stared back. Staring into each other's eyes, Meg hoped that this man could see that she was completely serious. She wanted to help him. It wasn't his fault that he was bad. Her mother had told her that many years ago. And now, her childhood fantasy might very well come true.
Smiling now, Meg said it again. "I could be your friend. I'd like to be your friend."
The Phantom stared even harder. "Will you be my friend?"
Meg smile widened. "I am your friend."
Thank you to all of my reviewers! I'll try to update really soon!
