"Meg! I am so tired! Who knew that it would take so long to shop?" I complained.

"Well, it was totally worth it. So stop complaining! You look gorgeous in your costume!"

"Thanks, but the stupid corset makes it so hard to breathe! I can't believe I have to wear one! And I don't know if I really look like Christine. I mean, it's a very Asian dress, and she never wore one like it."

"Well, it's white, and she did wear several white dresses. Besides, once you stand beside Erik (who I assume is going as the Phantom), people will know who you're supposed to be. Or they're morons. So no worries!" Meg replied.

"Okay, that's true. And I did manage to find that ring that looks just like the one in the movie. Plus, I can do my hair to look like hers. But, I mean, isn't it a little weird that we, well I'm, going to go to a dance with a guy I've known for all of an hour?"

"Oh please! Who really cares Kris? So what? Enjoy yourself. That's why we came to Paris, to get away from everything, and everyone, who has been annoying you lately. And this Erik fellow doesn't seem to annoy you at all. So let it go and live a little."

I just gave up arguing with Meg. I never win anyway, so most of the time I know when to quit. But really, was it really smart to be going out with this guy I didn't even know? It had been just plain stupid of us to go with Tony this afternoon, for all we knew he could have been a creepy murderer guy. And, let's face it; those guys are, well, creepy! But really, what if Erik was just taking me to get me into bed? I wouldn't put it past a guy. What if he thought I was no better than that witch? What if he just thought I was some gold digger? I don't think I'd be able to stand it.

"Kris," Meg said, interrupting my thoughts, "Shut up. I know what you're thinking. What if he's just trying to fuck me? What if what if what if? Just drop it! Take a chance for once in your sheltered little life! Give the guy an opportunity to prove that he doesn't just want to sleep with you. And if that's all he wants, kick him in the balls. I guarantee that will make him think twice before trying to get a reputable girl like yourself to have a one night stand with him."

I laughed at her for this, "Meg, love, do you even know what reputable means?"

"Oh shit, don't tell me I just insulted you again?"

I laughed even harder, "No, no you didn't, I was just checking. That answered my question. Thanks."

"But of course my dear, you should know by now that it is my goal in life to make you laugh. You don't partake of that simple joy nearly often enough to have a healthy sense of humor."

I just blew this last comment off. I was used to it. Meg was always telling me to laugh more. But if I laugh too much, doesn't it lessen the worth of the laugh? Doesn't it make it somehow cheaper? I mean, I smile easily enough when I'm happy, and Meg makes me laugh real easily, but should I really have to laugh around other people?

But I quickly cut these thoughts off, knowing Meg, she would have figured out what I was thinking about before too long.

"So what time do you want to get up tomorrow Meg?"

"Er, around three?"

"Are you sure that's going to be enough time? I mean, you'll probably want to get some sightseeing in before we go to the party, right?"

"You're the one into doing all the sightseeing remember? Not me."

"But I don't want to do it all by myself! What's the fun in going to see the Eiffel Tower if you can't have your soul mate there with you?"

"God Kris, if Erik heard you talking like that he'd think you were a lesbian. And how many times do I have to tell you? I am not your soul mate!"

"Are you sure? For all you know, we could be." I said jokingly.

"I'm sure. There's a slight problem you see. You are not into girls like I am, so it would be difficult to be soul mates."

I mock sighed, "I suppose that's true. And I don't really want to see the Eiffel Tower in daylight, so I guess I won't go tomorrow. However, I am going to go to the Louvre, do you want to come there with me?"

"Nah, that's ok. You go ahead and have fun. I'll hang out here or do some shopping. Or look for some chicks. I don't know yet."

I smiled indulgently at Meg, "Ok dear, whatever you say. I'm going to go to bed now, so if you decide to stay up and watch TV, try and keep it down, ok?"

"Yes mom."

AN: Has anyone else noticed that my chapters are shorter lately? Lol. My muse has decided to take a vacation, so my story is suffering. Buta little bit of story is better than no story at all, right? Well that's what I thought at least!