A/N: I do very much apologise my fellow readers for not updating for a long time. Soooory! Well anyway I have finally updated. I hope this chapter makes up for my long absence and that it is what you've been all waiting for! I will be updating the next chapter pretty quickly, so keep an eye out. Thanx! Oh and please R&R! They are appreciated!
Virginie: I'm glad you liked the previous chapter. I know you don't like Jacques. Oh but we will have to see! He will make the story fun! Anyway I hope you enjoy reading this next chapter!
ally: I'm glad that you took a liking to my story. Yeah I thought it was very sweet aswell! I hope that you enjoy this chapter!
RowanMayfair13 : Yeah it is quite like Gone with the Wind. Gosh I didn't realise. lol. I'm glad that you enjoyed the playful moments between Erik and Meg. I enjoyed writing them very much! Don't worry about their relationship, it won't move too fast. I apologise that I wasn't able to write from Erik's POV from the previous chapter, but I already had something planned for this chapter. Sorry! Anyway I do hope you like this chapter!
A week had passed since Meg had last seen Erik. At present she had been busy with practice sessions for the upcoming performance, and time on her side was very limited. She barely had any time to herself.
The performance of Swan Lake would be held in the main box in two days. Meg played the main role of Odette, which required a tremendous amount of work and practice. She had been practicing very hard for this performance for a while now, making sure that she would play her role to the best of her ability, so she could please the audience, and especially the people she cared about; her mother and Erik.
Meg hurried through the corridors of the opera house, her mind whirling with agitation. How could I sleep in? she thought terribly. Mama is going to kill me if I am late. She tried not to imagine this certain circumstance though.
Meg hurried around the corner just in time to find that her ballet classmates had just started their warm ups. Her mother wasn't there yet, which Meg was thankful for. She heaved a sigh of relief, pleased that she had made it.
Meg began her stretches when abruptly a girl next to her interrupted. "So if it isn't sweet little Meg" the girl commented, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Meg's head lolled up to look her in the eyes.
"Yes Sorelli. Do you have a problem?" Meg inquired heatedly. A flash of anger crossed through the young woman's eyes. "Let me tell you exactly what my problem is Meg Giry!" Sorelli snapped. "You took my part! I use to be lead dancer, and you took it from me. You don't deserve to be prima dancer!" Sorelli finished bitterly.
The other girls in the class were half way into their warm ups when they stopped practicing to examine the fight. Some girls shook their heads disapprovingly, others gave Meg a look of pity, and those who were friends of Sorelli laughed spitefully.
Meg could here their cruel laughter, but as always she ignored them. At the moment she had Sorelli's emotions to deal with. She knew she was jealous, and in a way, she felt sorry for her. She had occupied the position of prima dancer for years, but now she had to learn that she could not always have her own way. "I never intended to take the title off you Sorelli, I just got given it, I didn't ask for it, but all of us know, it is mama who decides which of us is given the title" Meg replied straightforwardly.
Rage crossed Sorelli's fair features. "You Meg will never be good enough for prima dancer! I have seen you! How in the last month you have looked so distant. I hate you!" she cried angrily and she slashed Meg across the cheek, driving her nails into her skin.
Meg winced slightly. She could feel her cheek stinging sharply. She lifted a finger to her cheek and traced a line over the wound. She felt hot liquid on her finger tips and she quickly removed her hand to stare at the crimson liquid gleaming over her fingers.
Meg glared up at Sorelli, her eyes full of fury. Sorelli stared back, looking stunned, as if half of herself had not believed what she had done. "M-Meg….I-I am s-sorry" she stuttered in disbelief. "Silence" Meg spat, cutting her off. "I don't want to hear it" she added, her voice slightly sadder.
"Meg!" one of her classmates cried out, running over to her. "You are hurt. We need to take you to get that cut mended. I'll take you" she stated seriously. "Thank you Josephine" Meg responded appreciatively.
The other girls looked at Meg sadly. "Nice one Sorelli!" one girl called bluntly. Sorelli looked up sadly, while her friends came to her side trying to comfort her.
Madame Giry suddenly walked through the entrance of the corridor. "I hope you girls took the initiative to-". She stopped as she saw the two groups of girls on either side. One group comforting Meg, and the other standing beside Sorelli.
Madame Giry gasped when she saw the wound on Meg's right cheek. "Meg what happened?" Madame Giry asked concerned. "I struck her Madame Giry. In my jealous rage I struck her" Sorelli admitted guiltily before anyone else could say anything.
"Sorelli" Madame Giry said gravely. "I am appalled by your behavior and now you must face the consequences. I forbid you from---". Madame Giry was cut off by Meg. "No mama! Please? I forgive her….." Meg said quietly, looking over at Sorelli's bewildered face.
Madame Giry's eyes met Meg's. "Are you sure? Would like me to give her one more chance Meg?" she asked slowly. "Yes mama" Meg responded lightly. "Very well" replied Madame Giry. "Sorelli you have one last chance, and you have Meg to thank for it" said Madame Giry sternly. "Girls resume practice" Madame Giry called out. The girls nodded and they all went back to their warm ups.
Josephine accompanied Meg to her dressing room. When they finally reached it, Meg turned around and gave Josephine a look of true gratitude. "I thank you Josephine. You have been most good to me" Meg said gladly. "My pleasure Meg, I'll leave you to clean yourself up" Josephine replied cheerfully, and with that she gave her one last smile and descended back down the corridor.
Meg smiled to herself as she went inside. Josephine was a lovely person. The two of them would probably have been really good friends had not Christine ever arrived. Meg sighed. She missed the friendship she once had with Christine, but she could not forgive her because of what she had done to Erik.
Meg walked over to the cabinet and took out a clean white cloth; she then went over to the basin and filled a bowl with warm water. Meg closed her eyes. Her life was so muddled up at the moment.
Her only friend, Christine, had left with no indication of her whereabouts what so ever. She didn't know how they were or what they were doing, though she supposed she didn't really want to know anyway.
She had made the phantom of the opera some part of her life not long ago, though she didn't regret it at all. She truly valued his friendship and would not give it up for anything, but the uncertainty and loss that lied between them only made things confusing and hard.
Also now she was in a row with one of her classmates when she was offered the title of prima dancer. She knew jealousy when she saw it, she had even been a victim of it wrath, but for someone to fight with her over a position that she held was distressing. She never imagined her and Sorelli fighting, at least not like the way they did. Would the ballet team spirit be one again? Or would there just be further conflict in the future?
Meg was truly stressed and lost inside. Her life had reached the point where she wanted something more, something not as confusing or boring. Something that would set her spirit free.
She truly loved staying and dancing for audiences here in the opera house, pursuing a career in dancing was something she thoroughly enjoyed. Nevertheless she had no one really close to her here now other than her mother and Erik. Erik, he played a major part in her life already, more than he knew, or more than she even thought possible.
She wondered if she would marry one day, or would she stay here all her life, to grow old. A family was something she truly wanted, and someone to love was what every girl dreamed about. She guessed that she was like every other girl, waiting for a fairytale.
Meg stood there her eyes closed, letting her thoughts wash over her, like a wave. She smiled when she found hope and love. It was comforting, and those two emotions were able to withstand any battle.
Meg slowly opened her eyes when she felt warmth and moisture over her face. Only then when she came fully to her senses did she realise who it was.
Erik stood there; bowl in hand and the white fabric lay over the gash on her cheek. Meg smiled calmly. "Erik" she acknowledged quietly. "That is quite a cut you got there" Erik said plainly. Meg nodded. "I saw what Sorelli did to you" he told Meg calmly, as he continued to clean her wound.
"Yes I'm afraid she's finally given into her held in jealousy" Meg replied matter of factly. Erik nodded slowly. "It was very generous of you. What you did for her. Not many people could do what you did Meg" Erik said kindly as he dropped the cloth into the bowl, now finished cleaning her wound. Meg smiled.
Erik helped her up and walked over to the mirror with her by his side. Meg looked at her reflection and growned. The cut was clean now, but it was still inflamed, looking very angry and highly noticeable. "Oh no, how am I going to perform with this" Meg asked in horror. "The performance is in two days, and there is no way that this is going to be healed in time" Meg said fearfully.
Erik looked at her face and noticed a certain fear in Meg's eyes. He took her hand gently. "Meg relax" he told her softly. "I am sure it will be looking better in a few days and that make up will do most of the job. The audience won't really mind if it's a tiny bit noticeable anyway, they will be too busy concentrating on your extraordinary dancing talent" he said comfortingly.
Meg looked up and grinned. "You are right" she said lightly. Erik grinned back and tickled her neck. "Am I ever wrong?" he replied teasingly. Meg giggled. "No. The phantom of the opera is never wrong" she said shying away from him, giving him a mischievous look.
Erik moved towards her slowly. "What makes you so sure?" he inquired continuing to keep the same playful manner. Meg's eyes widened as she saw him coming closer. "Because I just know" Meg responded, moving around him quickly trying not to get trapped when he got too close.
Her attempt, however, was futile. Erik grabbed her arm just in time before she was able to get away. Meg laughed and her eyes watered. "You are unbelievable. You know that?" Meg cried playfully. "Am I? Really? I was always under the impression that I told the truth" Erik mocked in fake wonder.
Meg elbowed him lightly in the shoulder. Erik laughed, and then turned to face her. "You need rest little Meg" he said serious now. Meg nodded. "You're right, I do feel tired. I do not want to miss anymore practice sessions" Meg said, yawning. "Goodnight Meg. Rest well" Erik said pleasantly. "Goodnight to you also Erik" Meg replied happily. Erik gave her one last smile before he slid open the mirror and walked straight through the other side, vanishing instantly.
