So I just sort of spit this chapter out over the course of countless months. Again, I apologize for keeping y'all waiting. It definitely was not my intention to do so. Life has been so crazy and writing hasn't really been a priority lately. But, I have finished (it may be crap, but at least it's finished) and I shall let you enjoy!

(P.S. I will catch up with my shoutouts at a later time)

Chapter 36

I had gained hearing back in my ear by the time the performance was to begin. Since I wasn't performing, the managers allowed me to pick any seat in the house. You can imagine the shock on their faces when I told them I wanted to be in Box 5. When they started sputtering, Erik's voice boomed through the room, demanding them to let me sit there as his honored guest. Of course, Andre and Firmin agreed.

So there we were, Erik and I, sitting in Box 5, waiting for the performance to begin. Well, more like I was sitting and Erik was hiding behind the box curtain, still visible to me. I felt all fancy in the dress I was wearing. Madame Giry had taken me into the costume rooms to let me pick out a dress for the night, so of course I picked the only red and black one they had in there. Against the complaints of Madame Giry and the costume mistress, saying that red was 'too contraversial a color'. But did I care?

Not a wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey bit.

I could barely keep my excitement hidden. I was basically bouncing in my seat. "I can't believe I'm about to watch an actual opera with the Phantom of the Opera and Christine Daae is singing!"

Erik chuckled. "Mandy, calm down. I'm sure it's not all that exciting."

I scoffed. "This being said to a girl from the backwoods where the closest thing to an opera she ever got was Bugs Bunny in a wig."

He looked over at me. "Excuse me?"

"Well, you see...never mind. I'll explain later. It's about to start." I squealed.

Since there was next to no time for Christine to learn every single line and song, not to mention it would be cruel to make the costume mistresses alter all of my costumes, we decided it would be best for her to perform that one infamous song...

"And I was really looking forward to wearing that dress..." I mumbled to myself. If Erik heard, he showed no sign.

The curtain slowly opened to reveal a dolled-up Christine, looking beautiful as ever in the flowing white dress. It's almost the same as the one from the movie, but I made a few alterations to the design, such as adding rhinestones to the corset and replacing the original off-the-shoulder sleeves with sheer long sleeves made with a single layer of tulle taken from the inside of the skirt. Maybe I could wear it to a gala...or a masquerade...

The moment she started to sing, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye in the box next to us.

It was Raoul, the wonderboy himself...and he looked quite taken with Mademoiselle Daae.

I couldn't help the little spark of giddiness I felt when I saw his face. I motioned to Erik and pointed at Raoul. He didn't seem the least impressed or amused, but never voiced his opinion. Our attention was drawn back to the stage as the orchestra reached the crescendo. It never ceased to amaze me how everything sounded in there. It was as if the music was so loud, it went all the way through your body and straight into your soul. I never wanted to give that feeling up for anything.

I was so lost in my own head that I didn't even realize that Christine was done singing until Erik tapped my shoulder and pointed to the stage. By then, the whole audience was on their feet, applauding. Of course, I jumped up and joined in, cheering. Maybe shouts of "Whoo!" and "You go, girl!"weren't very appropriate for the 19th century time period, but I didn't really care at the moment. The look on Christine's face told me all I needed to know: she loved it.

I knew exactly how she felt. It was the way I felt every time I performed. The feeling of love and acceptance from the audience. The feeling of euphoria every performer gets when they perform. That was also another feeling I wouldn't trade for anything.

A hand gently took my arm. "Don't you have a reception to go to?"

"Oh, you're right! I should probably get going. I'll head down to the lair in about an hour or so."

"I'll see you then." He said as he kissed my cheek. "Or maybe before..." He whispered as he pulled away.

Soooo...make that three feelings I would never give up: music, euphoria, and love.