Chapter 3

When Christine returned to her dorm room, she was still worried about her feelings from the practice room.

She walked into the room saying, "Meg, I need to talk to you." But, when she saw her friend, she instantly regretted entering the room at all. Meg was locked in a passionate embrace with Chad on her dorm bed.

The couple immediately disentangled themselves when they heard her enter, and Meg let out a disgruntled sigh, obviously not liking that Christine had entered the room so suddenly.

Christine's cheeks turned the color of a red rose. "I… I'm sorry," she stuttered. "I- I'll just go.." She turned and headed back out utterly humiliated.

"Wait," Meg began, but Christine was already gone. She turned to Chad who was watching her with lust-filled eyes. "She said she needed to talk to me.."

"Oh, you'll talk later, baby," Chad huskily reassured before moving towards her lips once more.

Meg gave into his words and said, "I guess you're right," before they embraced and sank onto the dorm bed again.

Outside, Christine began walking the streets of her college campus. She gave no heed to the setting, which would cause most people to turn back. It was dark and there were only a few other students out. They weren't walking alone like she was, though.

Ignoring her inner worries, she continued walking until the sound of her cell phone ringing stopped her. She jumped at the loud sound of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. I don't recognize this number, she thought while studying the caller ID. Nevertheless, she answered on the second ring. "Hello?"

"Christine?" a male's voice came through.

"Who is this?"

"It's Raoul. Do you remember me?"

Recognition came and a huge grin lit up her features. "Raoul, hey! Of course I remember you. How are you doing?"

He smiled into the phone and replied, "I'm great. How are you?"

"I'm doing really well," Christine said while looking around skeptically. She was now becoming aware of her shady surroundings. Actually, maybe I'm not doing too 'well' at the moment, but he doesn't have to know that. I'm sure I'll be fine out here if I'm talking on my phone. "I heard you moved here."

"Yeah, I got accepted to Harlow University so the whole family decided to move to be closer."

"That's great! How are you liking school?"

"It's pretty cool." He smirked saying, "The parties are better than classes, though."

Christine laughed at that. "I'm sure they are. What are you majoring in?"

"Business management. I guess I'll be taking over the family business someday, so I figured that was the major to choose. I heard you're majoring in vocal performance. No surprise there. You always did have such a good voice."

She found herself blushing at his compliment, and she twirled a lock of curly brown hair. "Thank you... It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

"I know. I've missed you, Lotte. We used to have such good times together."

She smiled at the familiar nickname he used to call her. "Yeah, I remember."

There was a pause before Raoul softly said, "I never got to tell you how sorry I am about your mom..."

Christine visibly tensed at the mention of her mother's death before replying, "Thanks, Raoul. We moved away too quickly to really talk about it, I guess." She cleared her throat uncomfortably. "So, do you live with your family or in a dorm?"

"Dorm life, definitely. I think I'd die of boredom if I lived with my parents. What about you?"

"Yeah, I'm living in a dorm too." Although it's currently off limits… "Are you in a single room, or do you have a roommate?"

"I have a roommate. He's cool, but I'm kind of thinking he'll drop out by the end of the semester since he parties so hard. But, oh well. What about you? Do you have a roommate?"

"Yeah, she's majoring in dance." Deciding not to be mad about the situation that happened earlier, she admitted, "I really don't know what I'd do without her."

Throughout the conversation, Christine had managed to make her way halfway across campus. She was unaware of just how far she had walked.

They began reminiscing about the past and all of the fun times they'd shared together. The picnics on the beach, Christine's father's stories, singing, and even their first kiss while playing spin the bottle. The talk made Christine feel like and wish she really was back in that past. It was just so full of innocence…

-Meanwhile…-

A tall man clad in formal black clothing, a black cloak, and a black fedora was walking the streets of Ballad Conservatory, as well. It being past 11:00 pm, he assumed very few students would be out.

It was tradition for the man, Erik, to walk the dark streets every night. He found he rather liked blending with shadows…

He walked with the grace of a cat and was just as silent. Past experience had taught him well. 'Invisibility' was the only way for one such as he to survive.

However, his stroll was cut short by the sound of laughter. It was the most beautiful feminine laugh he had ever heard, and he hid against a wall of the nearest building in order to stay away from such beauty. Once his incredibly good hearing picked up the sound of the female's speaking voice, however, he immediately knew who it was. Christine…

Erik moved forward ever so slightly in order to catch a glimpse of her angelic form. His light blue eyes, which were usually so cruel and cold, softened at the sight of her. What on earth are you doing out here at this time of night, young one? You should be resting your lovely voice..

His ears easily picked up the girl's phone conversation, and he listened carefully.

"Oh Raoul, I always thought you were so brave! Remember when you got my scarf after I thought I'd lost it in the ocean?" There was a pause. Then she declared, "Of course it was a big deal! You were soaked! I remember your brother being so angry with your immaturity, but I thought it was the cutest thing ever."

Once again, the he heard the sound of her laughter. He closed his eyes basking in its sound but quickly opened them again. His eyes were no longer soft... they were cold as ice. Who is this 'Raoul'? She calls him 'brave' and 'cute'. I do not like what I am hearing…

He continued to listen until he thought he would go mad. Who is this boy who makes her act this way? She is dwelling on the past and behaving very childishly because of him... Christine, you need to focus on your music and the future! From what I am hearing, this boy is hindering that. He wished to take the cell phone from her precious grasp and destroy it. She does not have time for him! I am in the process of making her a star, and she is in the process of ruining it! And it is all because of this 'Raoul'…

Before he was able to be driven to complete insanity, he heard her say, "Ok, so, you'll pick me up at 5 tomorrow?" A pause. "I can't wait. It really has been way too long, Raoul." Another pause. Then, "I've missed you, too." Yet another pause. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye."

Erik watched as she put the cell phone in her purse with a dreamy smile upon her face. How can this boy take away the sorrow I am always seeing in her features? He watched as she began to walk away. Even from his distance, he could tell she was becoming nervous. He assumed it was because she was out at night… all alone. Can she feel my presence? His lips curled upward slightly. I should follow her back to her dorm. I cannot allow her safety to be put in jeopardy. I shall forgive her behavior on the phone. She is far too important.

He watched as she continued her rather long walk back to the dorm at a quick pace.

Loving the feeling of power he felt he had over her, the man called Erik followed Christine back to her residence hall before returning to hisown residence- the Ballad Conservatory music building.

Christine let out a sigh of relief upon entering the building. She had felt so frightened out there... Remind me never to go outside at this time of night alone again!

The fear finally vanished when the knowledge of reality swept through her. I'm seeing Raoul tomorrow! I haven't seen him in four years!... What will I wear? There was only one solution to that problem- Meg. She headed to their dorm room hoping Chad would be gone.

Much to her luck, Christine entered the room to find Meg alone with her lap top. As soon as she entered, the blonde rushed forward and hugged her. "Christine, thank God you're ok! I was starting to worry. I'm so sorry about earlier.."

Christine shook her head. "No, Meg, it's ok. Really, I understand." She grinned deciding to jump right into it. "Meg, I've got huge news! I have a date tomorrow night!" Before her friend could speak, she continued, "Ok, let me explain.. Before I moved here four years ago, I had this friend named Raoul. I guess you could say he was my boyfriend, but, anyway, he's going to Harlow University!"

Meg squealed with delight. "Are you serious? Harlow's really close to here!"

"Yeah, I know! I've been talking to him on the phone for the past hour."

"That's awesome! Christine, this will be so great! You and him can get back together and we can go on double dates!"

"He's coming to pick me up here at 5 tomorrow."

"What are you two going to do?" She raised her eyebrows suggestively. "You're going to have to give me all the details!"

"Whoa, whoa, I doubt there will be any details like that. I haven't seen him in four years, Meg. I'm sure we'll just catch up and talk."

Meg walked to her mirror and brushed her hair. "Yeah, that's what you think. I'm sure he'll be all over you."

"Raoul wouldn't do that! He's a good guy!"

"Did I ever say he wasn't?" she asked casually.

Christine rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I need something cute to wear. Nothing too dressy or revealing, but nothing too casual, either. I thought you could help.."

Meg placed her hands on her hips. "You only thought I could help? You should know that!"

She laughed and sarcastically said, "Ok then, you're the only person who can help."

Putting on a sweet smile, Meg said, "That's more like it," before turning to face her closet, which was full of clothes. "Let's see…" She began browsing. "You should definitely wear something green.. or maybe black.. Dress, skirt, or blouse and pants?"

"Blouse and pants, I think. I told you, I don't want to overdo it."

"Yeah, you did say you don't want him all over you, so I guess a skirt or dress would be entirely out of the question." She shuffled through her nearly endless amounts of clothes before pulling something out. "Hey, what about this?" It was a green and blue satin top with sequins. She pulled out some black pants, too. "You'd look great in this!"

Christine held the outfit out at a distance and grinned. "Meg, you really do have great taste in clothes. This will be perfect.. I think."

"Oh come on, Christine, be more sure of yourself. Of course this will be perfect! He'll love it!"

"I don't want him to like me for my clothes, though. I want him to like me for me…"

Meg laughed hysterically at her innocence. "Man, Christine, that's precious."

Christine only shrugged and replaced the clothes in the closet before getting ready for bed.

Once both girls were ready, they climbed into their respective beds and relaxed for a while in silence. Finally, Meg softly said, "Christine, you said you needed to talk to me earlier. What was it about?"

Christine's eyes widened as she remembered. "I can't believe I almost forgot." She sat up in the bed and began playing with the material of her sheets nervously. "Have you ever felt like you're being watched, Meg?"

Meg's brow furrowed slightly. "Well, yeah, of course I have. That's part of our lives. People watch dancers and singers perform."

"No, I know that. But, it's just, every night when I'm practicing in the music building, I feel like somebody's watching me. And no, I'm not just imagining it. I can literally feel someone watching me."

There was a long pause before Meg seriously said, "Christine, I believe you."

She stopped playing with her bed sheets and looked at her friend. She certainly hadn't expected Meg to believe her. She expected her to start laughing at her foolishness or something. This reaction was surprising. "You believe me?"

"Yeah, I do. And it's best that you believe what I'm about to tell you, even if it sounds silly." Meg paused while gathering her words before saying, "Christine, have you heard anything about the ghost that haunts Ballad?"

Christine blinked, confused, before becoming angry. She crossed her arms and huffed. "Meg, this isn't funny! I'm serious about this feeling! Don't start making fun of me!"

Before Christine could continue yelling, Meg jumped over onto the end of her bed and said, "Christine, I'm being serious. I'm not making fun of you. Seriously, there's a ghost that haunts this place. People have seen it. People have heard it! I'm not kidding!"

Christine suddenly burst out laughing. "I would have expected better from you. You're honestly telling me you believe in ghosts?"

"Yes," she whispered. "I am. And it's not just me! Everybody believes in it. I'm telling you, weird things have happened. I mean, of course, nothing really bad or anything, but there have been odd shadows and weird sounds.. and creepy voices! Please believe me! I wouldn't lie about this!"

Meg was actually shaking. Christine began feeling ashamed of herself and placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I believe you I guess. It's just, I haven't believed in ghosts since I was probably six years old." There was an awkward pause. "Ok, so there's a ghost. But why would he watch me?"

Instead of answering her question, Meg asked, "Why would you refer to it as a 'he'?"

"Well, I- I.. I don't know!"

"...But you're right. It is a 'he'."

"How do you know?" Christine asked with a furrowed brow.

"Well, ever since I was a little girl, I've hung around here because of my mom's job and all. Christine, I've witnessed some of the weird stuff that goes on because of this ghost."

"Wow, you're serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious. Letters have appeared out of thin air at my mom's feet! It's the weirdest thing!"

"So your mom knows about him, too?"

"Well, no. Every time I try to bring him up, she just frowns and ignores me. It's always been that way."

"Hmm.. I wonder why she chooses to ignore it…"

"I don't know. I've always wondered that, too... Anyway, what you're feeling is normal. Everybody feels it around here. And for some reason, I think that's part of the reason this conservatory is so popular. People think the ghost is cool or something."

"Well, all I know is, I don't like the feeling of being watched... I guess I'll have to get used to it, though. You're sure nothing too bad has ever happened? Because I'm not so sure I want to practice alone anymore…"

"Nothing really bad has ever happened. People have dealt with it for years." Meg could no longer stand the tension and returned to her side of the room. She smirked and slyly added, "But, I'm sure if you're too scared, you could always drag Raoul to sit in the practice room with you!"

Christine rolled her eyes. "Oh Meg, you're too funny." She then looked at her clock and yawned. "Well, I I'm going to try to get some sleep." As the Phantom says, I need to give my voice rest. "Goodnight, Meg."

"'Night, Chris."

Both girls eventually fell asleep, but unfortunately, they couldn't take their minds off the ghost of Ballad Conservatory.