Hey guys! So, if you have read the latest chapter of Ties of the Heart, you can skip over this because it's basically the same thing. For those of you who haven't yet, I sincerely apologize for the lack of updates. My computer decided to be stupid delete my stories, including the over half of a chapter I had written for this update. So, after a little while, I finally remembered what it was going to be about and have rewritten it. Please let me know what you think in a review...maybe two...oh, and one more thing...HAMILTON IS ADDICTING AND LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA IS AWESOME! Okay, you may continue to the latest update. Enjoy!

Chapter 38

I was standing in the hallway of my school, surrounded by everyone from my past...or my present. This time thing is really talking a toll on me... I thought. Everyone from my home town and my school was there, including Emmy, looking as cheerful as ever. Even...no...how could you be here?!

I heard my name being called behind me. I turned from him to find my parents, looking at me with big grins on their faces. Suddenly, they dissipated like smoke, leaving only an empty space where they were. They drifted away with the mist...Mandy, this is NOT the time for musicals!

I turned back around and realized that where Emmy was, Christine now stood. In the place of my favorite teachers were Madame Giry and Monsieur Reyer. Then I turned to him to find Erik there, beckoning me to come closer.

Everyone else forgotten, I strode to him in a trance-like state, only to have him disappear as smoke, just like my parents. As a matter of fact, everyone else did as well. I was completely and utterly alone in the long and spacious hallway...

I woke up in a cold sweat, though I didn't know why. It took a bit to realize that I was back in the lair and even longer to realize that the opposite side of the bed was cold and empty...and one more moment to have a beautiful, and somewhat familiar, melody wind through the still halfway spun web of unconsciousness clouding my head.

I got up stiffly (I left my dress and corset on last night because I could focus on nothing else but sleep...way to go, me...) and walked out of the room into the living room to find Erik playing his violin in front of the fireplace, his back facing me. As I got closer, the song he was playing became clearer. It was one of my modern songs...one I definitely didn't remember letting him listen to...

"My, what a beautiful song..." I said dramatically, effectively startling Erik into hitting a sour note.

He had a guilty look on his face when he turned around. But one thing he didn't have on his face was his mask. "I apologize."

I raised my eyebrow. I wasn't going to let him get out of this so easily. "You apologize for what, exactly?"

He sighed. "I apologize for going through your things-"

"Again!" I interrupted.

He sighed again, deeper this time. "Yes, again, and going through your music. But you don't understand! Some of the music you have is absolutely exquisite! Especially some of them in the folder named...Film Scores, I believe."

I feigned thoughtfulness. "Well, I don't know. Even with how awesome the music is, you did trespass through my things. I don't know how easy it'll be to forgive you..."

His eyes widened greatly, and I couldn't help but laugh. "I'm joking, ghostie. Oh man, your face! You should've seen it..."

My laughter died slowly as I saw the anger in his eyes. "I do see my face. Every day, in fact. I fail to see what is so humorous about it. Would you care to enlighten me?" he said in a sarcastic tone...but in the deadly kind of sarcastic tone. It was at this time that I realized one major thing: I screwed up mentioning his face! It's become such a part of my everyday life now that I don't even notice his disfigurement...

"U-um..." I stammered. "I just meant the shock on your face. Mostly your eyes. I didn't mean anything bad about it. I-I'm sorry..."

I began to tremble as he slowly stalked towards me. "You're sorry about what?"

I didn't even realize that he threw my words back at me. "I'm sorry for mentioning your face. I meant no harm by it."

He sighed as if in deep thought, bringing his hand to his chin. "I don't know. No matter how beautiful or talented you are, I may just have to punish you by not letting you go back up to the opera house. You would have to stay here for the rest of your life."

It was then that I knew he wasn't serious. Me thinks my neck is saved for another day... "Would you be down here as well? Making sure that I don't escape?"

He came behind me, his lips so close to my ear that I could feel his breath. I shivered. "What if I was?"

I smirked. "Then I don't think that would be a punishment."

"No?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Well, not a punishment to me. To you maybe, that would be a different story."

He gave me a look that was confused yet amused. "And how would that be a punishment to me, mademoiselle?"

I almost snorted, but stopped myself. "Because you would have to put up with my annoyingness and randomness."

He scoffed. "Like I don't already?"

I laughed and untangled myself from his embrace that I had no idea he had instigated. "Alright, alright, I get it. No more teasing." After a smirk spread on his face, I murmured, "For now..."

"What was that?" he asked.

"I said that the music that you mentioned is very special to me. Especially the one you were just playing. Even though it takes place in a really sad part, it speaks volumes to me."

He nodded, all the earlier playfulness nearly forgotten. "I can see that. Although, if I'm not mistaken, it does have lyrics, does it not?" The playfulness made a quick return.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, it does. Let me guess, you would like me to sing it?"

Although I had no idea what time it was, we spent the rest of the night (or day) singing and playing, reveling in the new feelings we were finding together in the music.

I later found out that I had spent most of the late AM hours down under with Erik. When I went back topside, the sun was already setting. "Geez, that man can make me forget anything." Of course, I was referring to both the time and the dream (which still confused me beyond belief).

A few minutes later, I was confronted by a very irritated Antoinette. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"

Wow, you sound just like my mother... I thought, but definitely kept it to myself. "I'm sorry. We sort of lost track of time-"

"We?!" she exclaimed, but not too loudly. "You mean he didn't even think to tell you to come up here at a reasonable hour? Especially when all of this is going on?!" Okay, now she sounded perturbed.

"While all of what is going on?" I asked, obviously not knowing what she was talking about.

Antoinette huffed. "Carlotta's back and, of course, wreaking havoc on the entire opera house! I'm surprised you couldn't hear her all the way down there! She certainly screamed loud enough!"

It looked like she was about to blow a gasket. "Antoinette, please calm down. I'm sorry, we really didn't know. But I'm confused. Why would she be back? I thought Erik took care of that little problem."

"Apparently, she saw how well last night went and became jealous. She came back a few hours ago, demanding her job back, stating that we would be nothing without her."

I snorted. "Yeah, we're definitely suffering."

Antoinette finally cracked a little smile, but it soon went away. "I'm afraid the managers will be pushed into hiring her back, though. They can be quite prissy for men."

"Antoinette, I'm afraid you've been hanging around me too long because that's exactly what I was going to say. But, have no fear, Mandy shall save the day!" I said, striking a hero pose. Silently, I added "Hopefully..."

We made our way to the managers' office, hearing nothing but an angry Spanish woman's screeching voice. Well, at least it was better than her singing...

I made a grand entrance by shoving both doors open, promptly shocking Andre, Firmin, and Carlotta. "I have arrived! Now we can get down to business." To defeat the Huns...I swear, Mandy, if you make one more reference...

So that's how the rest of my evening went: a screaming diva, two sissy managers, a ballet mistress who could (in my opinion) kick some serious butt, and a musical-addicted me, all of which were arguing about singing arrangements for the next opera, which was (unfortunately) Il Muto. At nearly 9 PM, we finally came to an agreement. I definitely didn't want to sing in the opera, but I knew that I had to do something. I wanted Christine to be in it, too, but not as the pageboy. Carlotta, of course, wanted the main role. So, we compromised.

I was to do a post-show, of sorts, with Christine (they made a point that, much to Carlotta's displeasure, if Christine and I were to sing before the opera, most people would leave right after that and not even see the opera itself). Carlotta would be the Countess in the opera and Meg would be the pageboy. Talk about changing things up!

I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do for the post-show. I just had to ask Christine about her opinion and Erik for his help. I would definitely need it for my plan to be successful.

So, there you have it! I hope I didn't bore you or turn you away from this story. I know it seems like it's really slow now, but it's about to pick up. I just have so many ideas in my head for this story, but it takes me forever to get them out. But, fear not, my friends, for I shall pick up the pace! By the way, the song that was mentioned was supposed to be Nothing I've Ever Known from "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron". I know it's not supposed to be sad, but I can't help but get the sadness vibe. I don't know, it may just be me being weird, which happens all the time. So anyways, thank you, I hope you loved it, and please let me know what you think!