AHHHHHH! Yeah, I'm a tad excited to be giving you this lovely chapter. :) So excited, I just couldn't wait another day. :) Which is funny, given the way this one ends. I seem to like causing pain to my characters for some reason lol. I'm a meanie haha. :P I shall be uploading the next chapter of this tomorrow as it links onto this one so I won't make you wait too long. :) I hope you enjoy all the raw feels! :)

EriksAngel170: I know, right! :) I don't think she truly believed that everything was going to really happen in the same way because of her presence if that makes sense? So she sort of waited, expecting him to go and see her and then being like oh...well, nothing changed anyway lol. Yes, well that's Raoul for you lol. Yeah, I definitely think she's feeling conflicted about that. Yeah, well just read on and you shall see what will happen at the Masquerade. I know what you mean. I kind of wanted Charlotte to be the character to turn around and be like dude, as awesome as your entrance was, tone it down a bit lol. Anyway, hope you enjoy my chapter! :)

Erik's Guest: Aww I'm glad you did. This makes me happy haha! :) Ahh, you shall have to keep reading lol. Do you know what, I'm not even gonna lie, I didn't actually think of that. I guess it kind of just...happened haha. :) Tbh I'm still figuring how to make her time travelling plausible in the best way, without making it too cliche, if you know what I mean? Aww thank you! :) Well I hope you enjoy this chapter. There's some great angst thrown in quite a lot with this one, I think. :)

Masquerade…

Masquerade came around quicker than I thought it would. I couldn't deny I was feeling quite nervous about my chosen dress. I supposed it could be considered a little risqué here but I loved it so much that I just had to buy it.

I wondered back to the dormitories after rehearsals with Meg and Christine so that we could all help with the lacing at the back of our dresses.

As soon as they saw my dress, they gasped, their eyes roaming over the shimmering material.

"Oh wow, that looks beautiful!" Christine exclaimed.

"It is a little risqué if I do say so but I've always preferred that added touch." Meg giggled. "You must try it on though, so we'll be able to truly see what it looks like on you."

I pulled the dress on over my corset, glad that it actually sleeveless. It would leave one less place constricted when the ties at the back were laced. It had a daring sweetheart neckline but it was so beautiful! The top half was black and lacy, with shimmering crystal like decorations running downwards. In the middle was a satin belt, laced into a bow at the back, thanks to Meg and Christine's help. The skirt was black, but it seemed more of a shimmering grey underneath bright lights and the skirt flowed outwards to the floor, just like a normal gown would.

I left my hair simple, leaving my ringlet curls as they were but tucking them to the left so that they dangled over one shoulder to cascade downwards.

I paired the dress with a pair of silk black gloves that reached my elbow and a masquerade mask which only covered my eyes. It was a silver mask with black glitter on the inside and silver on the outside.

"Oh Charlotte, you look absolutely beautiful!" Meg exclaimed, making me smile

I glanced warily at the mysterious girl in the mirror, certain the reflection would change at any moment. I wasn't used to feeling this beautiful. I felt as though it was actually someone else staring back.

"Yes, you really do!" Christine agreed.

Christine and Meg were just as beautiful though. Christine had kept her hair simple like mine, though one side of her hair was clipped back with a small pink rose, matching the baby pink gown that she was wearing.

Meg looked like the angel she was, with her blonde curls pulled back into an elaborate bun and her long white gown with wings sowed on from the back.

"You both look so beautiful tonight! I cannot wait to attend the masquerade with you both tonight." I insisted with a smile.

We made our way down the grand staircase to meet everyone in the foyer.

Raoul was already waiting for Christine at the bottom of the staircase. He was wearing exactly the same thing as he was in the movie too, which I found a little strange.

A smile broke out as soon as he glanced this way and I instantly turned my head to watch where I was walking instead. I found that even looking at him angered me.

I stood beside Christine and Meg as he complimented them both. Part of me wanted to just walk away but I didn't feel as though that would be very mature of me so I stayed, having a feeling I already knew what was coming.

"You look…distinctive as usual."

I glanced back, narrowing my eyes as I noticed he was staring at me, faking a pleasant smile.

I faked the smile back before replying; "Yes and you look…charming as usual."

He smirked. "It seems that only you are able to make that sound as though it was actually an insult."

"That's because it was one and on that note, I need a drink." I grumbled, pushing my way directly past him on purpose before I was tempted to really insult him. If I wanted a chance to distract him later then I would need to try and do that as little as possible.

I didn't understand why he annoyed me as much as he did though! it was infuriating to say the least. Luckily though, they seemed to have a selection of drinks to choose from. I went for a small glass of wine, downing the alcohol in one.

"You two seem to be getting along perfectly well." Meg's sarcastic voice came from beside me.

I turned to glance at her, seeing her watching me curiously.

"It's as though he enjoys purposely aggravating me." I complained, grabbing another glass and downing that as quickly as I could too.

Meg raised an eyebrow at that. "Well it also seems that you are determined to become inebriated tonight."

"It will be the only way I can actually bear being in his company tonight."

She continued to watch me closely. "Well I presume you shouldn't have to spend any more time with him tonight now that you have both been civil enough to one another for Christine's sake."

I flushed but quickly nodded. "Yeah, yeah, of course, you are right." I smiled. "Come on, let's go and see if we can find anyone that might not have an available date tonight."

Meg giggled as we walked back towards the swarm of people, commenting with a shake of her head; "I fear I may have corrupted you."

"Hmm, or it could have been me to you." I teased her with a wink, making us both giggle again.

I found myself moving back to the side of the room later on though as Meg and Christine both busily talked to Raoul about something or other. I watched everyone twirl beautifully to the music, though my eyes kept moving back to where the three of them were stood. What could they actually be talking about that was so interesting? I doubted that he had anything interesting to say.

"Your time to distract has come around." I gasped at the familiar voice coming from behind my left ear. It sounded as though he was hiding a little back in the shadows, trying to keep his distance from the party.

I groaned, my eyes falling to the three of them again. "Oh dear, do I have to?"

He chuckled. "You were the one to have thought of the idea."

"Yes and now I'm suddenly wishing that I didn't."

"I'm sure you'll be fine."

I huffed, glaring down at the floor. "I doubt that! He is acting infuriatingly as usual and I'm sure he picks me out over everyone else just annoy me further. And if he is, then congratulations to him because it is working!"

"Yes, yes, you shall have lots of time to grumble about the Vicomte tomorrow-"

"Hey-"

"But for now, I need you to distract him. Meg should not be too much of a problem given that she has now wondered off somewhere with Madame Giry."

I glanced back to where they were stood to see he was right. I smirked, realizing the Phantom had probably set that up too. I knew Madame Giry also helped him if he wanted something done.

Christine was now finally being pulled away from the Vicomte by an enthusiastic and presumably tipsy Firmin. She had danced with him all night though. This was my chance to trick him.

"I shall wait until they begin dancing to get his attention."

"Very well Mademoiselle."

I waited until Christine was finally on the other side of the room before sneaking away to one of the other staircases to head upstairs. I rounded the hallway, heading back down the grand staircase where the Vicomte was still alone.

I took a deep breathe, putting on my best acting skills as I picked up a handful of my skirt to run to where he was stood. He glanced back at me as though I had lost my mind.

"Oh please, you must come quickly."

"What on earth is the matter?" He asked as though I was just being ridiculous.

"Well, I went back upstairs to the dormitory to go and collect something and I saw a shadowy figure sat on one of the beds! I'm almost certain that it was the Phantom himself, because I saw a flash of white! I am worried to death about going back alone because he might still be in there!"

He frowned, glancing towards where Christine was still dancing happily with Firmin before sighing.

"Oh very well, I shall escort you back to make certain that he is not still there."

"Thank you so much!" I exclaimed dramatically, biting back the smile that threatened to break out as I turned round, ignoring his bewildered stare I could feel following me. At least the Phantom would finally get his chance to speak to Christine alone.

I tried to walk as slowly as I could as we made our way back to the dormitories, stopping a few times as I complained about how uncomfortable my shoes were. But he walked too quickly. I frowned. Clearly he was a nuisance about nearly everything.

As we arrived back to the dormitories, the door was shut just how we had all left it earlier. I glanced at the Vicomte, hoping that I looked convincing. He was watching me closely though, eyeing my features speculatively.

I opened the door to before breathing a dramatic sigh as I stepped inside.

"Oh thank good ness! Well it appears that he isn't actually here anymore." I spoke in a rush. "Thank you for escorting me back but you may proceed back downstairs if you wish-"

"Do you genuinely believe that I am that idiotic?"

I turned in surprise at the sound of the dormitory door slamming closed, his irritated voice following the noise.

"Excuse me?"

"Enough with this false pretense, I demand to know what you are really up to!"

"I don't have a clue what you are talking about." I huffed.

"Allow me to clarify then. Why did you attempt to deceive me in bringing me here alone?"

"What are you talking about? Are you even attempting to talk any sense because it just sounds like utter nonsense to me?" I complained, slipping past him in the doorway.

His hand caught my arm as I turned to leave, pulling me back round to face him.

"Get your hands off of me!" I exclaimed as I took a step back, dragging my arm out of his hold. Now I was really angry with him. Who did he think he was?

"Who do you think you are, touching me in such a disgusting manner?"

"And who do you think you are, deceiving me into leaving with you when you have not even attempted to lead a conversation these last few months?"

He took a step forwards so that we were practically inches apart now. His eyes were wide, an angered look playing across his features as his hands twitched by his sides, as though ready to reach out again.

My throat suddenly seemed dry, my heart was hammering far too loudly, making it impossible to even think of a response, let alone speak it. I took a few needed steps back from him, suddenly able to breathe more efficiently and articulate what I wanted to say.

"Why would I ever want to have a bland discussion with you?" I huffed. "What interesting conversation could you of all people think up?"

He laughed sarcastically, stepping forward again so that I was practically bumping into the dormitory door now.

"And yet, you practically marched me out of tonight's festivities." He smirked. "One might begin to wonder if your hatred for me is really so genuine after all." He teased, a smirk lifting his lips.

I found my bottom lip between my teeth, catching his attention as the smirk dropped from his features.

I shook my head, snapping myself out of it as I moved as far away from him as the dormitories would allow.

"Ugh!" I groaned in disgust. "The mere thought of ever being even fond of you makes me so nauseated and also, nobody marched you out. You came with me more than willingly, so maybe you're the one who is living a pretense, given that your childish insults have been thrown at me from the moment you saw me."

He pulled a face this time. "I can barely manage to remain in the same room with you without feeling sickened."

"Oh believe me, the feeling is mutual." I bit back with a glare. "But given how decipherable you are, I knew you would come along willingly and all because of your ridiculous hatred towards the Phantom. I knew that idea would work, given how pathetic your rivalry is with him."

My eyes widened as I realized I had mistakenly slipped up on a piece of vital information. I glanced back at Vicomte to make certain he hadn't heard but it seemed he was too busy continuing with the next hurdle of insults.

"Well the next time you attempt to deceive-" he stopped mid-sentence, his eyes falling to the floor for a moment before he glanced back towards me, his eyes wide. "Wait, that is it…you know who the Phantom is."

"What, don't be ridiculous-"

"And you distracted me so he would be able to meet Christine."

"This is just preposterous, wait-" I called quickly as he pulled open the door.

I ran after him, attempting to catch up with him in my humongous dress which was pretty much a task in itself.

"You're being so silly and if you could wait a moment, you would see that for yourself-"

"I should have suspected this when you scampered over to me of all people, pretending with the false innocent act!"

"Well then more fool you-"

"How could you organize this when you saw for yourself how frightened Christine was after the chandelier dropped or have you suddenly forgotten about that?" He exclaimed in fury, turning on his heel to glare at me.

"How could I forget? I was prepared to run out onto that stage to save her myself, if you remember! And whether you like it or not, she is not happy with you! That was why I arranged this in the first place."

He shook his head, eyeing me as he spoke. "You have loathed me since the first day we met and that is fine as I am not particularly fond of you myself but at least I have attempted to stay on good terms with you. You meanwhile have organized a campaign against me since you arrived here so that Christine would finally despise me too!"

"That isn't even true!"

"Oh really, I do not believe you even understand the meaning of honesty or truth."

"But I am being honest! Everybody can tell that Christine is no longer happy with you and it is not because I dislike you, it is because she is my friend and I am worried about her. Do you really think I would have arranged her to meet the Phantom if I did not truly believe that he would not harm her?"

"Yes I do, I believe you do not care about anyone but yourself!"

I raised my eyebrow. "Well as ironic as that is coming from you given that you refuse to see Christine's unhappiness, it is not true. I arranged for them to talk to one another in public, where she would be free to run from him should she so choose. But she will not, because she is in love with him and I think it tears you up inside to know it!"

"You have been nothing but a curse since the very first day we met you and now I understand why. You are obviously determined to make everybody else miserable with your constant meddling."

"Have you not been listening to a word I just said-"

"Oh yes, I have heard all your ridiculous fabrications. Well, I refuse to listen anymore."

He turned but before he could walk away, I stepped in front of him allowing my temper to get the better of me again. I pushed against him as he attempted to move around me, instantly getting his attention as his eyes grew wide again, his face flushing with anger. But I refused to hold back this time.

"You are a coward; you are the biggest coward I have ever met! You hate the thought of not being enough for Christine. Well I hate to be the one to tell you this but you are not-"

"Why can you not just stay well enough alone?" He groaned in frustration, his hands pressing to my shoulders to push me away from him, obviously realizing that I wasn't going to move until I was finished speaking.

I gasped as he pushed me back against the wall besides the dormitories, preparing to say something thoroughly insulting due to being manhandled by him yet again. But as I glanced upwards, the glare slipped from my face. I blinked rapidly in surprise.

He was stood closer than I thought, his hands still locked against my shoulders.

My mouth felt dry again, a shiver constraining its way free at the intensity within his eyes as he stared back, though this time it was a different gaze from the angry looks we had shared a moment ago.

His gaze fell away from mine, dropping slowly across my features and I shook my head, dropping my gaze to the floor as I found enough resolve to shove him away from me as hard as I could.

I dragged my long skirt up from the floor a little with one of my shaking hands as I practically ran back to the dormitories as quickly as I possibly could.

As soon as I was locked away, I slid towards the floor, only then feeling able to properly breathe again. I grasped my head within my hands, which were still shaking from the shock of what had just happened.

A surge of emotions welled up inside and I allowed the tears to spill past my eyes, feeling like the most horrendous human being in the world. Because this wasn't right, none of this was right.

:( Sad times guys!