Meg and I walked into the prop room to get our costumes when one of the younger ballet girls came in, and told us we needed to get to the stage quick. Considering the conversation I had with the managers yesterday and what Erik and I had talked about last night I wasn't sure what to think. As soon as we got there I didn't want to be called out again so Meg and I found a place in the back to stand. The managers wanted to wish us luck on the performance and to introduce their generous donator. They motioned to a young man. He was tall with short light brown hair about my age, and I immediately recognized him. My stomach started to turn and I felt like I was going to be sick. Meg looked at me and asked what was wrong. I turned to her and whispered "Do you know who that is?" she looked at him then studied him up and down.

"A really handsome rich guy?" she guessed playfully. I rolled my eyes at her and looked at him.

"That's Raoul De Chaney. Before I came here he was my best friend. He and I use to get into all sorts of trouble together. In a way I guess you could say he was my first crush." She looked at me as the managers introduced him and I stared at him. My little Raoul had definitely grown up. So many times I had wondered since my father died if we would ever meet again. I figured if we did it would be long after one of us or both of us were married. But I will admit I was happy it didn't work out that way. I asked myself if he would recognize me; it had been so long and we had both grown up.

Meg tried to convince me to get closer to the front, but now that Raoul was here I knew for a fact I was going to try my hardest not to draw any attention to myself. So after a three minute argument with Meg I decided it was about time that I leave. I went off stage through one of the tunnel exits praying not to run into Erik while I was in there. I still know all the tunnels like the back of my hand. The part I was in let out near the entrance of the opera house. Little did I know that Raoul was heading to that same spot. I exited the tunnels thinking I had just done the impossible by avoiding both Raoul and Erik at the same time. I hurriedly crossed the foyer trying to avoid anyone and everyone at this point. Then I was stopped by a voice, the exact same one I was trying to get away from.

"Christine? Christine Daae is that you?" I stopped and turned around, then I saw him standing there, just staring at me with those two brown eyes of his.

I looked at him and smiled then perked up and said "Who do you think you are coming here without knowing for sure if you're going to run into me?" we both laughed then he ran up to me and gave me a big hug. He picked me up off the floor and spun me around. When he put me down he kissed my cheek and I honestly felt like the happiest girl in the world. We stared at each other and laughed.

He just said my name he was shocked to see me so it seemed that was the only thing he could say "Well my Little Lottie's not so little anymore now is she?"

I looked at him and said "No, no she's not. I can see that my little trouble makers not so little anymore either, but the question is whether he's still a trouble maker or not."

"What do you think Christine?" he asked with a laugh. We laughed because we knew the answer. I noticed from the corner of my eye that some of the stage hands and performers were watching us. I nudged my head that way so Raoul would notice them too. No one but Meg, her mother, Joshua who's traveling at the moment, and Erik knew about my past. So when everyone saw me talking to the Viscount they would want to hear every little detail. He slightly turned his head, cleared his throat and said "Friends of yours?" I giggled and said it was best we catch up some time we didn't have audience. He agreed and asked me if he would see me tonight at the performance.

"Well I should hope so. After all I am the lead." I don't think I had ever really wanted to say that with confidence around anyone but Erik.

He took my hand, looked me in the eyes and said like a pure gentleman "Well then until tonight Miss Daae." He kissed my hand and bowed as if I were royalty or something. He stood up and winked at me, right then I knew that Raoul hadn't changed all that much. He turned around and walked out the front entrance. I just stood there not believing what just happened.

I pulled myself together and looked at everyone that was hiding in the corner spying on us then announced. "You all do know that I can see you right?" they all scattered. I laughed and rolled my eyes. I started walking to my dressing room and began to think of what everyone one would say. I thought of everyone but Erik he was the last person to go through my mind. My giddy extra girly mood had now softened, my footsteps slowed, and my thoughts that were racing not even a minute ago had now stopped. All my thought went to Erik. He and I have known each other for what seemed like forever, we have never kept any secrets from each other so I knew this would be hard. If he were to find out that I might be in love with someone outside of the Populaire walls or better yet other than him, it would tear him to pieces. I knew that he couldn't know because I could never hurt Erik like that. But the more I thought about it the more I started to lean towards Raoul rather than Erik. As I slowly walked to my dressing room I pondered the idea of telling Erik about Raoul and even telling Raoul about Erik. I didn't know what to do. Then I realized that I wasn't even really 'in love' with Raoul and I wasn't even sure if he still liked me in that way from when we were kids. Four hours till show that meant only a few more hours until I would hear from Erik, and a few more hours until I would see Raoul again. I walked into my dressing room and found a note with one red rose. I picked it up and read the letter. It read:

"To my dearest Christine,

Please take my word when I say you will do absolutely amazing tonight. You will look beautiful as always and sound even more radiant than ever before. Tonight you shall take your rightful place at center stage. I hope to see you after the performance, but until then let this be the first rose from your many admirers to come. Doubt you shall need it but I will say it anyway. Good luck tonight. I know you will make me proud, because you already have in so many ways.

Your Angel of Music,

Erik"

He always has had a way with words. He's always been able to find a way to make me feel like I'm the only girl in his life who actually matters to him. But I know that's not true although I probably mean more to him than either of the Giry girls, I know that I'm not the only girl he cares about though he would probably argue with that. I sat there in front of my mirror and reread the letter about twenty maybe even thirty times. Then it was it time to start getting ready. I slipped into my dress and then sat down to do my hair and makeup. There was a knock on my door.

"Come in!" and the door opened. I was expecting Meg or Gerard to walk in but instead I get a De Chaney.

"Christine Daae as beautiful as ever." I stood up and there was Sophia. I could hardly recognize her. I ran up and hugged her.

"Sophia it's been far too long my darling." I said in a playful way. We giggled then sat down to talk.

"You know it seems I could not get my brother to stop talking about you this afternoon." She said as we sat down.

"Really?"

"Yes Really. He walked in the room and said to me 'I bet you can't guess who I saw today.' And you know how much I hate guessing games so I just told him to tell me. When he said you I honestly thought he was joking, but I stood corrected. Then he just started going on and on about how much you had grown, how successful you are now, and how your father would be so proud.

As she said the last part my smile disappeared. She stopped talking for a minute and asked if I was alright. "Yes, it's just that I'm not as successful as you all would like to believe." I said.

"What do you mean Christine?" she asked with a concerned face.

"Sophia, can you keep a secret? And I mean from everyone epically from your brother."

"Of course Christine you can trust me with anything." I looked into her eyes and new she was sincere. I told her about the incident with Carlotta and how it happened. I knew that Erik was nowhere near my dressing room so I figured this would possibly be my one and only chance to tell her.

"Really? Ok well then, I defiantly think it's very safe to say that, you have had a very interesting life so far." She said with small laugh. She knew I was serious though. I had never told anyone about Erik before, but I knew I could trust Sophia. I asked her where they were staying she responded by saying the Liveria house. Which just happened to be my foster home that I stayed at every now and then. There was another knock on the door.

"Twenty minutes Daae!" said Giry as she walked in. She almost immediately noticed Sophia.

"Who's this?" she asked.

"Giry, this is the Countess Sophia De Chaney. Sophia, this is Madame Jessica Giry." Sophia got up and reached her hand out to greet her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Madame." Said Sophia

"Likewise Countess."

"Oh please if I wanted to be greeted like that I would have stayed in the foyer with Raoul. Call me Sophia."

Giry smiled at her and reminded me that no one was really aloud back in the dressing room area so close to curtain. "I know. We lost track of time. Sorry it won't happen again Giry I promise. Besides Sophia was just leaving." She wished me luck and we said our farewells. Giry then helped me get into the rest of my costume. After that I was escorted to the side stage where I was supposed to enter. I was so nervous I felt like I was going to faint. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and tried to clear my head. I began to think of the letter Erik sent me I had read it so many times I now knew it by heart. I then felt a change in the air. I looked around I knew that Erik was there somewhere. I looked around to make sure no one was watching me and I slipped behind one of the sets that was in front of one of the tunnel entrances. I pushed my ear up to the hidden door and whispered. "Erik? Erik are you there?"

"I was wondering how long it would take you before you noticed I was around." He replied in a whisper.

I laughed softly then said "Erik I'm scared. What if, what if I mess up and sing the wrong note or my voice cracks? Maybe, maybe this was I bad idea,"

He stopped me by saying "Hey stop talking like that. I told you, you're going to do fine Christine. It's not like you don't know any of the songs. You and I have rehearsed them over a million times. You can do this I believe in you Christine." I smiled and heard the curtain start to rise.

"Ok. You'll be watching right Erik?"

"I'll be in box five like always."

I nodded "I have to go, but first tonight I sing for you. I just need you to know that." Then I ran off to get into my position. When I finally entered the stage and began singing I glanced up at box five to see Erik's face to calm my nerves. But I didn't see him. He wasn't there; instead there was a lone Chaney in Erik's box. I looked up to see Raoul smiling at me. Trying my best to stay in character, I began to panic on the inside. After that scene I tried to find Jessica but found Meg instead.

"Meg where's your mother?" she then motion toward the tunnel door. Meg only uttered one word and it struck horror into me.

"Erik."

The show went on though. When I returned back stage Jessica was there and I asked her what was going on. "Don't worry about it Daae. He said he will keep his promise to you, and that he may not be in box five but he is still watching you. Alright?" I nodded, and before I knew it, it was time to take the finale bow. The feeling you get when you take that bow is unlike anything in the world. I don't think I could even begin to describe it. After the curtain closed everyone started to celebrate, but after my first performance I just wanted to be alone I don't know why I just did. I was able to sneak past the overflowing crowd and made it to an empty dressing room hallway. As soon as I got to my dressing room I locked the door and changed into my usual clothes. I knew Erik would be coming to congratulate me soon, but what I didn't know was that Raoul was looking for me. Just outside my door down the narrow hallway was Raoul and exiting her dressing room was Meg.

"Excuse me Madame can you help me?" said Raoul as Meg began to walk down the hall. She turned and asked what she could do for him.

"I'm looking for Christine Daae." Meg looked at him and then she realized who he was.

She laughed and said "You must be Raoul." He looked at her strangely; he was shocked she wasn't sure who he was. She reached out her hand for an introduction. "Allow me to properly introduce myself; I'm Meg Giry close personal friend of Christine." She said proudly.

Raoul shook her hand "You're Madame Giry's daughter aren't you?"

"The one and the only." She said with a smile and a bow. "Christine's dressing room is just down this hall on the right. It has her name on it so I don't think you can miss it."

"Thank you Meg, it was a pleasure meeting you." Then Meg took off down the other end of the hall to return to the celebration. Meanwhile I sat in my dressing room the door still locked awaiting for my Angel of Music, and admiring all the flowers in almost every corner of the room. Then the same change in the air I felt backstage I felt once again.

Before he could even say a word I spoke "You know, you can't always sneak up on me." I said playing with his rose.

"Well it's worth a shot." He said. "I was thinking the other day we haven't seen each other face to face in a while." I began to wonder what he was planning. I studied the room trying to find him or at least figure out where he was hiding.

Raoul arrived outside my door and before he could knock heard me speak. "True. We have spoken but you have an unfair advantage my dear Erik."

"How so?" Erik replied as Raoul began to wonder who this Erik was and why he was in my locked dressing room with me.

"Because you can see me but I can't see you."

He agreed "Well then guess where I am, I promise I will play fair this time."

I looked around the room "There are not many places to hide in here Erik." I got up and walked to the center of the room in front of my full length mirror.

"I'll give you a hint. How do you look at your own face?" I turned around, looked into the mirror and then I remembered it was a two way mirror. As many times as we had played this game I have guessed right maybe four times.

With no question about where he was hiding I said "The mirror." I walked up and placed my hand on it as a light began to show through. I saw him as clear as day. The mirror slid open, and there he stood. He wore a black suit with a gold colored vest, his black hair slicked back. His blue eyes lit up as he saw me standing there, always the last thing I notice but the first to others. His white mask. Tall and confident he stood then he reached out his black gloved hand to me. Our eyes meet and I gave him a sweet smile. I took his hand and he led me down the tunnel. The mirror shut and the rooms now like a tomb; dark, silent, and empty.

Raoul stood waiting outside my door, wondering who Erik was. Questions raced through his head, but it didn't take long for him to notice that the room had grown silent. He began to twist the knob and soon realized it was locked. He began to worry. Then down the hall Sophia was looking for him asking everyone she saw "Have you seen my brother?" eventually she found him in front of my room. "Raoul! There you are I've been looking everywhere for you." Sophia glanced at the door and asked what he was doing.

"I swear to you I just heard Christine and some guy named Erik in there. And now, now there's nothing." She looked at him like he was crazy but then again that was the look Sophia normally gave Raoul. She walked up to the door and twisted the knob all the way, then opened the door. Raoul stood there feeling really stupid. They walked in.

"Raoul there's no one here."

He walked over to the vanity mirror and looked at his reflection then stated "I must be losing my mind." At that point Erik and I were so far into the tunnels there was no way they would find us even if they tried.