Hi there... I'm still here! This story really just has a few chapters left, which is good and bad. Good because you must know by now that I am going to finish it. Bad because it will be coming to an end... so sad! But... it's not over yet! So enjoy this chapter!
Jealousy
A few days later, Amelia sat at the usual table, eating her breakfast alone. She was glad, relieved even, to be by herself for a while. It seemed like she was always with someone doing something. She had almost considered going out for breakfast to be away from everything, but she wasn't quite ready to be that alone. Amelia sighed softly. She wasn't sure if she liked the reason why she was alone; this was not how it was supposed to be.
The day before, Lucas had asked if she would go to François's party with him. She'd immediately thought of Erik. He wouldn't want to go; he wasn't a very ostentatious person. But Giselle was. And Amelia figured she would beg or possibly convince him to go. So Amelia said yes. Lucas had been so ecstatic. And it was at that moment Amelia realized she didn't have anything special for the party... no dress, jewelry, accessories... nothing. She'd mumbled briefly about going shopping and Lucas gave her the day off. He offered to take her shift and still pay her. Amelia just let him take her route.
She stared at her breakfast. Shopping wasn't really at the top of her list of things to do, especially if she had to go by herself. Perhaps she would just wear one of her nicer dresses and borrow some jewelry. She could almost convince herself that that plan would work. Almost. Amelia bit her lip as she thought.
"You'll chew them raw, you know." As if on cue, Caitlin sat next to her.
Amelia smiled. It was good to see her again. "Hi. I've missed you."
"I've missed you, too. How are you feeling?"
"Okay, I suppose." Caitlin felt a pang of remorse for not being there for her friend... and for making it slightly worse recently.
"Why aren't you doing your mail route?" she asked, easing back into their normal relationship.
"Oh, um, long story short, Lucas took my shift."
"Why?" Caitlin was genuinely interested. It was like old times.
"Well... he asked me to go to François's party with him," Amelia smiled again.
"Really? Oh, great! So you're definitely going?"
"Yes."
Caitlin looked at her for a moment. "I'll bet you don't have a dress." Her friend didn't respond. "You don't, do you!"
"No... will you go shopping with me?"
"I'd thought you'd never ask!"
Caitlin and Amelia walked down the street and looked for just the right dress shop. They decided on a smaller store that helped you create your own ball gown. The seamstress met them at the door. Then the two girls were measured and certain colors were matched with their complexion, hair, and eyes. The seamstress said that each of their colors would bring out the best qualities in all three of those areas. Amelia's match was green, Caitlin's was violet.
Amelia found herself having fun for the first time in over a week. She really had missed Caitlin and her personality and sense of humor. The two were either giggling or telling the other how pretty they looked in each gown. After an hour or so, their dresses were designed and starting to be tailored. Amelia's was olive green with pickup skirts, a figured bodice, and off the shoulder sleeves. She would have to wear a corset with it, which was something she was not looking forward to. Caitlin's was violet with a full skirt, figured bodice with accents of cream lace, and elbow-length sleeves that flared and also had more lace.
As they left, Amelia felt both relieved and concerned. She was relieved that she had finally bought a dress and that she could attend the party and not stick out. She was concerned because she had bought the dress. It had cost her over two month's salary. But when did she go shopping? Never. This was her time to splurge. It wasn't like she really needed the money for something.
The entire shopping trip took about two hours, making it lunch time when they returned to the Opera House. Caitlin and Amelia took their newly bought items to their separate dormitories and then met up again for lunch.
"Do you want to go out for lunch?" Caitlin asked as they walked to the dining hall.
"I actually promised Lucas we could eat together since he wasn't here for breakfast."
"Oh. Do you mind if I sit with you?"
"Of course not!" Amelia smiled and linked arms with her.
Caitlin was hoping to comfort Amelia a little and make sure she didn't do anything rash. Erik and Giselle were coming to lunch together today. She also was dying to hear what she thought about Erik now, but that wasn't something Amelia would say around Lucas. When they reached the dining hall, Caitlin tensed slightly. Her eyes swept the room and found neither of them; she relaxed a little.
They sat at the table where Amelia had been eating breakfast earlier that morning and talked. A few minutes later, Lucas sat next to Amelia.
"Oh, hello, Caitlin."
She had to restrain herself and be nice, even though this was the young man that was helping to ruin everything she and Erik had worked for. "Hello."
"Caitlin will be eating with us today," Amelia said nicely.
As the small group began their meal, a strange silence enveloped them. Although pieces of various other conversations disseminated throughout the dining hall, it appeared as if there was a bubble of quiet around their table. None of them liked it, but for different reasons. Amelia had sensed a little bit of tension between her two friends and wished for them to like each other, or at least speak. Lucas wasn't sure what to say to Caitlin - she had completely abandoned her friend when she needed her most. He had nothing to say to her. And Caitlin simply refused to speak to Lucas when she wasn't required to.
Caitlin ate carefully, waiting for Erik and Giselle to enter. When they did, she just decided to watch and see how the situation would unfold.
The couple walked into the dining hall hand in hand. That was new. Giselle's sleek, black hair was hanging down her back. That was new also. Erik's expression wasn't much, she could tell he was restraining a grimace. But he was a good actor. Amelia looked up and then shifted her body away from her and toward Lucas. Caitlin raised an eyebrow and looked back at Erik. He actually looked at Amelia. His eyes softened - no, melted - from their harsh coldness. He didn't smile, but his eyes did a little. Caitlin liked that. She looked at Amelia again. Her eyes softened as well. And although her hand was placed in Lucas's, her eyes belonged to Erik. Her lips parted ever so slightly. Their connection lasted for mere seconds before their partners stole their attention again.
"Amelia," Lucas said softly, closing his hand around hers. She looked away from her real love into her fake one's eyes. The contrast between their emotions made Amelia feel uneasy. She pulled her hand from his and continued eating as if nothing had happened.
"Erik," Giselle whispered into his ear. He tore his gaze away from Mia to look at his substitute lover. Her intense eyes held his for a long moment. Erik knew she was going to kiss him, so he began walking and dragged Giselle with him. Caitlin watched as his eyes froze over yet again. It was simply amazing how he could shift moods so quickly. She'd have to congratulate him on that later. Caitlin looked over at her friend. Amelia could also change moods very quickly. She'd have to talk to Erik later; they needed to figure something out fast. Caitlin wasn't sure how much more her friend's emotions could take.
Erik grunted as he pulled himself over a passageway. He'd stolen some picks and shovels and was now creating more stable corridors for himself. A few rocks and chunks of dirt fell from the newly-made ceiling onto his white shirt. He didn't have many of those...
He removed his shirt and began digging and shaping the earth into more secure forms. He'd been doing this a lot lately. Erik needed a way to channel his anger and frustrations through something other than music. Music only reminded him of Amelia. And whenever he thought of her... well, he never accomplished anything. Giselle constantly annoyed him, irritated him. When he finally was free of her at the end of the day, he was so tense. Erik had to do something and lately building passageways seemed to work best. More dirt fell and hit his mask. Erik sighed in frustration and threw it atop his shirt. He was definitely going to need to bathe after this.
After observing his stable creation, he was satisfied. Erik walked down the corridor, meeting almost absolute darkness. He counted his steps and then turned to his right. Then he lit the gas lamp on the wall. He walked a bit further and busied himself with another entrance. While he worked, his mind drifted. To Giselle, unfortunately, and to what she had said to him earlier that day. She talked about François's party. Well, first she'd mentioned the party and then said a few vicious things about him. Then she went on and on about her dress and how he should buy a new jacket and other things that would match.
"It's a beautiful deep blue that goes wonderfully with my hair. I think you'd look good in that color as well. Anyway, the dress just fits me perfectly, you'll love it." She kissed his ear and kept her lips there, "It looks just as amazing when it's not on me."
Erik tried to ignore her insinuating comment, "So we're going to the party together?"
Giselle simply stared at him for a few moments. "Of course, Erik. Why wouldn't we?"
He shrugged and tried to look away.
There was a slight pause and then Giselle continued, "You should buy a new jacket, one with lapels, and new trousers, and a necktie - one that matches my dress. Do you think you can do that?" her voice was very demeaning. He didn't like it, so he didn't respond.
Giselle touched his shoulder softly. "Erik, this party is important to me. The Populaire doesn't have parties like this often. Could you get those clothes?" He still ignored her. Suddenly, her dainty hand shot in front of his face, holding a wad of cash. "For me?" Erik took the money only because he knew he had no choice but to buy the clothes. He also barely had any money to buy clothes with.
That money was currently sitting on the table next to his bed. He'd shop later. Perhaps he could get Caitlin to help him. He knew nothing about clothes or matching or what the hell a lapel was. All Erik knew was that he had to work on these passageways.
Hours later, Erik sat at his piano. Not playing. Just staring.
He finished a few more passageways and called it good for the day. He bathed and changed clothes, still thinking about the outfit he needed to buy. He tried to sleep, but that was of no use. Sleep was a rarity now. So Erik lay on his bed for quite some time, looking at the rock ceiling. Then he looked at his drawings. Then his compositions. And now he stared at the piano.
He poised his hands to play numerous times, but always pulled them back. He hadn't played the piano since kissing Giselle... and losing Amelia. Erik's heart thudded uncomfortably. There was a reluctance with music now; he was always afraid something bad would happen. Perhaps that was an exaggeration. Maybe it was just with the song. He longed to play it, but if he even thought about it, something in his mind stopped him. Erik scowled then adjusted his mask. He would play it soon. Just a little more time.
"Erik?" came a very distant voice.
Caitlin had decided to come from the side entrance and was most likely lost now. He'd have to explain how to maneuver around the labyrinth he created.
"Coming!"
He ran swiftly through the catacombs, seeing perfectly in the utter darkness. A few moments later, he saw her silhouette.
"Erik?" she asked again.
"Right here." Then he reached over her and lit a gas lamp.
Caitlin blinked a few times and looked up at him. "I had no idea this was such a maze..."
"I'll show you how to get around some time."
They began walking toward his home, Caitlin touching his arm every so often for guidance. They talked a little about the past few days. Caitlin mentioned something about him not eating supper. Erik was relieved when he got her to change the subject. After a few minutes, they reached the grotto.
"You've done nice things with it," Caitlin noted.
"Thanks. You said you wanted to talk about lunch today...?"
"Yes," she paused, reminiscing in a memory. "What a stare down! Do you realize the effect you have on her?"
Erik shrugged and sat on the edge of his bed.
"Well, I do. Her emotions are running wild. And I think it's time to go in for the kill," she said softly.
"What exactly does that mean?"
"It means that you're taking Giselle to the party next weekend and Amelia is going with Lucas. It means that this whole jealousy thing will reach its climax then. And then something will happen. Something between you and Amelia will fix everything."
"How can you be so sure?" Erik asked in a pained voice.
"I don't know. But I do know that I have never been more sure in my entire life."
They dropped the subject of jealousy and tried to talk about other things. Erik had been tuning out one of Caitlin's stories when he glanced at his side table. And saw the money on top of it.
"And his music fell all over -"
"Sorry to interrupt, but I have a question," Erik smiled awkwardly. "More of a favor, actually."
Caitlin raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Could you buy me new attire for the party? Giselle was bugging me about it earlier and I hate shopping. I don't know anything about clothes. And you know that I can't go out..."
"Whoa! Buy? I just spent more than enough on my dress today."
Erik went to his side table, grabbed the money, and handed it to her. Caitlin took it and shrugged. Then he explained everything that Giselle had told him to buy. A nice jacket with lapels, a matching necktie, new trousers, and Erik decided to add a vest into the equation. Caitlin agreed and decided that she wanted to get measurements just to be sure the clothes would fit perfectly.
After she wrote all the measurements down, she made to leave.
"I just have one more question," Erik said. Caitlin turned around and looked at him expectantly. "...Do you know what lapels are?"
Amelia stared at herself in the mirror. She'd never been this dressed up in her entire life. She was wearing her olive colored dress with heels and a corset. She had makeup on and she'd allowed Caitlin to do her hair... a little. Amelia decided that she didn't like dressing up.
"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" She saw Caitlin coming in the mirror and turned around. Uncertainty escaped Amelia's features, even with the makeup on. "What's wrong?"
"I... I have to wear this all night?"
Caitlin laughed and took her arm. "Yes. You'll regret it in a little, but it will be worth it. He'll think you're so gorgeous!" She decided to let Amelia decide who she was talking about. "Come on! We have to get down to the ballroom soon!"
"You go ahead. I want to take what few breaths I can before I go down there. Besides, I'm sure Thomas will want to see you," she smiled as Caitlin blushed. It was about time they got together. He was the 'stuck-up trumpet player' her friend had wanted to kill so many months ago. Her friend smiled and left.
Amelia sat on her bed and took a few light breaths. She really wanted to think about the dream she had the previous night before she went to the party. It had left her with strange, confusing emotions.
She was crying. Locked in a room, trying to escape. Something was on the other side of the door, something important. She needed to get on the other side to be with it... No. Him. To be with him. Something was wrong. She had to save him. That was her purpose for getting on the other side of the door. They had to escape together.
She cried more. She couldn't get out of that room. Her hands clutched her face and then moved to her hair in frustration. Then her fingers felt a pin. She removed it from her hair and tried to pick the lock. It worked.
She opened the door and ran to him. He was surrounded so she couldn't see him. But screams and laughter filled the air. That didn't make sense. Something else echoed as well... "The Devil's Child! Come and see the Devil's Child!"
She shouted his name over and over. She loved him. They needed to escape, but the others were closing in on him. They beat him... whipped him. Called him names. She cried more. What could they do to escape?
"Nothing." one said. "You can do nothing. Leave him."
Leave the Devil's Child.
Amelia blinked a few times, hoping the tears wouldn't escape and ruin her makeup. She wanted to sort her emotions first. Fear was obvious. There was a sense of urgency. She'd also felt helpless; at first in escaping the room and then in helping him. Love was a fleeting emotion, but it was there. Then finally... completely powerless, like she wasn't in control, like she had no choice but to leave him.
Who was the Devil's Child? She had called his name, but now she couldn't recall what it was. That was frustrating. It had been a while since Amelia had a dream like this. So long, in fact, that she wondered why she was dreaming it again. What triggered this dream? She thought for a while. Perhaps the changing scenery of people and the stress that came with it caused the nightmare.
Amelia gave a little sigh. It was just her hyper-active subconscious getting worked up.
She stood and walked to the vanity again. Although she hated the feeling of getting dressed up, the product was nice. Amelia smiled slightly at her reflection. Perhaps she could enjoy this night. She looked away from the mirror, knowing that her expression contradicted that last thought. There was no way she could enjoy the party if she was with Lucas and Erik was with Giselle. She bit her lip for a moment. Then she became angry. Did he not realize that his actions were killing her on the inside? That she was decaying? Amelia's jaw clenched and she looked at herself in the mirror once again.
Her expression was no longer anxious, it was now determined. She was determined to make him feel the same.
Erik stood next to Giselle as she talked with Colette and some of her other friends. He was distant and hoped to stay that way until Amelia showed up. He looked over at his date, appraising her for the hundredth time. The bodice of her deep blue gown clung to the perfect curves of her body. A plunging neckline left almost nothing to the imagination. She wore long white gloves and large sapphire earrings. Erik looked away again, hating how grandiose she was. How on earth was he going to survive this party?
He felt his question being answered as she descended the grand staircase.
Amelia looked absolutely stunning. She embodied perfection. He couldn't look away. The olive-colored dress accentuated her eyes and even her hair. The color was flawless on her. Her caramel hair had loose curls and a few were pinned up. As she walked closer, Erik noticed the makeup. His first instinct was not to like it. Her face was perfect without it. But when he saw her eyes, cheeks, and lips... he loved it.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, Lucas met her there. When he saw her smile his heart stopped for two reasons. One, she'd surpassed perfection. Two, she was smiling at Lucas. Now was the time for the jealousy to climax. It was time for this whole thing to come to an end. Erik leaned closer to Giselle and whispered a request to dance into her ear. How could she resist? She smiled and eliminated the space between them. His breath caught at her proximity. It had been a while since someone had come so close.
Giselle took his hand and walked to the dance floor. A few couples were already dancing. As they waltzed, Erik tried to find the source of the music. After whirling around a few times, he saw the orchestra seated on a balcony. Monsieur Reyer conducted as usual. Seeing the orchestra made him think of Amelia yet again. He tried his very best not to let his emotions show, but the mere thought of Amelia not playing the violin cut straight into his heart.
"Erik?" Giselle asked.
He took a breath and looked into her eyes. God he hoped she was watching. Giselle glanced down at his lips. Her gloved hand moved to the side of his neck, ready to pull him in. Erik placed his hand against her cheek and guided her toward him. They kissed in a gentle, simple way. She wasn't overpowering him like he had expected. It was a pure closed-mouth kiss. He pulled away when he realized that he liked the softness of her lips.
"Would you like a drink?" Erik asked softly.
For once Giselle was speechless and merely nodded.
He walked over to the bar without looking for her. He just hoped that she had seen it because there was no way he was doing that again. He completely and absolutely loved Amelia, but he was a man. Resisting Giselle after a kiss like that would be difficult.
Erik asked for two drinks and glanced in her direction. She and Lucas were standing together, facing the dancing party-goers. Amelia was looking at neither Lucas nor Erik, but Giselle. There was a strange expression on her face that he couldn't quite identify. She looked sad, but eager. Annoyed, but excited. He figured that she'd seen their kiss, but he didn't understand why she was experiencing these emotions.
"Monsieur."
Erik turned and around and took the drinks. Then, as he walked back to Giselle, he noticed Amelia watching him. Her face held no emotion now, reminding Erik of his own face. When he passed her, both looked away. As he handed Giselle her drink, he could feel his heart pounding.
Amelia gazed at him. It was amusing to see him so dressed up, but then again he looked very handsome. He wore a black evening jacket over his white shirt and vest. The vest was a deep blue that matched Giselle's attire. She noted his silver necktie as he walked by. And his pants... they fit him perfectly! She'd especially noticed this when he was walking away from her. Amelia blushed and looked at Lucas. He smiled faintly and placed his hand on the small of her back. She could barely feel it through the corset.
"Would you like to dance?"
"Yes," she smiled as they walked out onto the ballroom floor.
They danced amongst dozens of other couples. As the night wore on, more and more people arrived. Amelia recognized many, but others she saw for the first time. She kept an eye on Erik and Giselle throughout the entire evening. Fortunately, they shared no more kisses. Close to the end of the celebration, Monsieur Reyer stopped the orchestra. He stood above the party on the balcony and spoke about François. He talked about the Opera's success under François and many of his accomplishments.
When Reyer was done, François himself decided to talk. He had a little too much to drink and gave a quick, slippery speech. He thanked everyone for working every day and playing now. Reyer helped him down the stairs when he was done.
Shortly after that ordeal, the orchestra started back up. Amelia dragged Lucas off the dance floor and asked him to get drinks. She waited impatiently, eager to get this over with. She was sure to place herself perfectly in Erik's view. When Lucas returned, Amelia took a few sips of her drink and then set it down.
"Lucas?"
"Hmmm?" he responded while drinking.
"There's something I've been wanting to do."
"And what's that?" he asked, completely oblivious.
"This."
Amelia took his drink and set it down as well. Then she took both of his hands and wrapped them around her waist. She placed one of her hands against his cheek and looked into his eyes. Lucas looked down at her and slowly leaned in. When his eyes closed, she hesitated. But then she closed her eyes as well. Their lips met gently. Lucas began kissing her harder, one hand moving to the back of her head. Amelia returned the kiss, hoping it wouldn't get too heated. Moments passed and she realized that she needed to end it.
She gently pulled away and blushed. Lucas smiled and kissed her forehead. Amelia stayed close and fiddled with his neck and collar, dragging out the affection. She hoped that he had seen. She hoped that in that moment he was feeling what she had felt the last couple weeks. She placed a delicate kiss on his neck.
"D- do you want to go out in the hall?" Lucas stuttered. Amelia was almost disgusted with his insinuation. Couples go into the hall for privacy. They did not need privacy.
"No, Lucas!" She glared at him and tried to walk away. He took her hand.
"I'm sorry, Amelia. It's just that the signals you're sending me are confusing." She looked up at him disbelievingly. "No, really. You kiss me, but it feels like that's the last thing you want from me. You stand next to me and try to cuddle, but it feels like you wish you could be miles away from me. I don't understand what you want!"
They both became silent and stared at each other. Lucas released her hand.
"What do you want, Amelia?"
Tears came to her eyes as she looked away. This was not turning out as she hoped.
"Not me." Lucas nearly whispered.
She looked up and reached for him. "No, Lucas, I-"
"I waited for you to like me, but it didn't work because you were fixed on another. I waited for you to recover, and you did... a little. I waited for you to come closer to me, and you only grew further away. Amelia, I know you don't want me. So please stop pretending."
Lucas kissed her forehead once more. Only this time he did not smile or pull her closer. He turned around and left her alone.
Erik sat on his bed, undoing his tie. He had already removed his shoes, jacket, vest, and mask. Once he pulled the silver snake from his neck, he fell against the pillows. This night did not go exactly how he thought it would. It was very anti-climatic, he realized with a smirk. He saw Amelia and Lucas kiss and that had cut him much deeper than anything else that night. But he had also seen Amelia hesitate. That gave him hope.
After their kiss, he tried to ignore them for the rest of the evening. But when he did look in their direction, he noticed that Amelia was alone. She didn't stay much longer. Once she left, Erik really felt no reason to stay. He'd bid Giselle goodnight with a kiss on the cheek and came to his home. And now he had a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. What was going to happen now? Nothing climaxed at the party, this whole thing didn't end. With a sinking feeling, he realized that Caitlin had been wrong.
Erik sighed at glanced at his side table. The velvet box sat atop it, waiting to be moved. His jaw clenched. That box would not be moved until the jealousy ceased. Until they all stopped throwing it in every direction. Until everything was resolved, there was nothing Erik could do with that god-forsaken box.