Wellllll I didn't really get much updating done did I…..But hey I have an excuse! During the time of day I normally write, I had to go look for a car…My FIRST car! Haha I'm so excited, and happy that I finally got one. yall better watch out for me on the road, I'll probably be the one to accidently put a dent in your car, woopsies :p

Anyways, I'm leaving to go help with the fiddle camp on Sunday so I'll try to get in some updating but no promises, I might have to help out with organizing registrations and stuff, we are so behind on things.

I need to stop babbling now, so here's the story! Hope you all enjoy :D

Christine POV

I felt my heart pound harder and harder in my chest with every step I took. Oh God I did not want to sing. My head was filled with anxiety sparked by what ifs…what if I forgot a line, or sing flat? Or what if froze on stage? My knees went weak from thinking of all the things that could possibly go wrong.

My foot caught on a small bump in my path down one of Erik's tunnels and my heart stopped its frantic beating and froze. I put my arms out in front of me to catch myself but instead, I felt two sturdy hands around my waist, preventing me from hitting the ground.

"My goodness Christine, You're not yourself this morning." Erik said in his angel like voice.

I just shrugged my shoulders and started to walk again. I grabbed onto his arm, though he didn't offer it to me, and cuddled closer. Why couldn't I just stay here with Erik? I would much rather sing for him in our lessons than for an audience.

I did my best to slow down our pace with small steps, but I could feel Erik resisting. His strides were long and purposeful, and he was practically dragging me now. I wanted to put off getting there for as long as I could. There would be one quick run through of the play real fast, then an hour to get ready for the performance. I knew that the faster I got there, the faster time would go by, and then before I knew it I would be waiting in the wings for my cue.

I unwrapped my arm from Erik's in frustration and stopped walking. A thought came to my head to just turn around and walk in the other direction to Erik's home, but the idea was stolen from my mind as soon as I felt Erik's hand on my upper back.

"What is wrong, Christine? You're going to be late." He spoke in a slight chuckle as he gently pushed me forward, with his hand.

I pulled away from his touch and stopped walking again. He stared at me for a second, confused, and his eyes held a hint of annoyance.

"Could we go a different way? Maybe one that's longer?" I asked childishly.

"You asked that before we left, my child. This is the longest way." He looked somewhat amused now but that quickly faded when he pulled out his pocket watch from his jacket and looked at the time.

"Christine, you are going to be late. Stop this foolish game, and come on." He started to walk without me and I just stood there for a second contemplating what he had just told me in my head. He thought I was playing some foolish game?! It hurt a little hearing him say that. I thought that maybe since he was just a man now, I wouldn't feel the urge to always conform to his high standards and aspire to impress him so he would stay and teach me, but for some odd reason I never felt more compelled to please him than I do now. His words stung and I felt regret fill me for being so doltish.

I had to practically run to catch up to Erik. He was now walking in a hurried pace and I wished only for him to slow down.

When we got to the hidden entrance to the chapel I stopped a short distance away from it and looked down at my feet. Erik was already about to open the wall to enter but he stopped when he noticed me sulking.

"Truly my dear, you are cutting this way too close. You only have about five minutes until you are expected to be on the stage with the rest of the cast rehearsing before the show." His words made my stomach twist and my bones go weak. He waited for me to speak but no words came out of my throat that now felt like it was closing.

"Christine, is there something wrong? You have been acting different this morning."

"Um…I'm just nervous." I said while letting out a breath I wasn't aware that I had been holding. I saw Erik visibly relax, I didn't realize he had been so tense.

He put his hands on my shoulders and I found myself looking into his eyes. I wanted to just stay there and stare into them forever, which would have been a wonderful alternative to performing. They were very warm and full of comfort.

"There is no reason to be nervous my dear. I have all the confidence in the world that you will be sublime." I wanted to hang onto every one of his words but I found that I couldn't. How would he know? Of course he would say that, anyone would say that, even if he did think otherwise he would still lie to be polite.

I pushed his hands away from my shoulders and took a step away from him. I fixed my gaze on a random spot on the floor and began to say something, more to myself than Erik.

"If I mess up, I will disappoint you and my papa." When I fully grasped what exactly I had said aloud, I was automatically filled with embarrassment. I looked up and saw him studying me intently with his mouth partly dropped open. I didn't want to wait and hear his reply. I was filled with anxiety over what he might say, so I turned around and started to walk in the direction we had come from.

I only got about two steps though, before Erik's hand grabbed my wrist and gently pulled me back over to him. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, preparing for more embarrassment but when I opened them, I saw Erik's face a few inches from mine.

"There is nothing you can ever do to disappoint me, and if your father loved you as much as you let on, I'm sure it would be impossible for you to disappoint him." His eyes showed that his words were beyond sincere and the smooth tone in which he had spoken in sent a shiver up my spine.

I just stared into his mismatched eyes for a few seconds, reveling in their silent words of sympathy and comfort until I noticed Erik moving in closer to me. I was confused at first until I felt his surprisingly warm lips delicately press against my cheek. It wasn't slow, and it wasn't fast. I didn't know what to think of it. It wasn't like the affections that you see in the street that mean nothing, but it wasn't quite like the kisses me and my father have shared. It was different. And something about it caused my skin to tingle and my heart beat faster.

I stood there in a daze reliving the small kiss over and over in my mind. A little smile crept its way onto my lips and I all I could think of now was Erik. He said I couldn't disappoint him, but he didn't entail that it was possible for me not to make him proud when I sing. Suddenly, I found myself wanting to impress him more than I ever had. I felt the strong urge to sing on stage…only for him. I wanted to make him happy.

I wasn't fully functioning properly now because of the feeling Erik had induced in me and all I could think to do was grab his arm again and walk out into the chapel. I gave his arm a good squeeze before I let go, making sure to take in as much of his sweet sent as I could in one breath, then began to walk through the chapel door. I looked at him once more and I could feel a beaming smile on my face, stretching so wide it almost hurt, then shut the door behind me.

I still felt nervous, and for some strange reason, vulnerable without Erik at my side anymore, but I held a new found confidence stirring at the center of my core. I would sing only for Erik and my papa, and do my best to make them proud.

Erik POV

After telling Madam Giry to make sure the managers knew Christine was ready to sing, I made my way down my tunnels to give my angel a singing lesson. We worked for hours and I could tell she was a little off; I figured it had something to do with nerves since the performance was so close. I wanted to work all through the night with her, mainly because I wanted to be in her presence and I didn't want to give Christine up to her bed, but I knew she needed her rest and I didn't want to be responsible if she were to tire her voice out.

I gave her a hot cup of tea to sooth her voice and then sent her to her bedroom to retire for the night. After drinking a small glass of tea myself, I decided to try and get some much needed rest. I couldn't remember the last time I got a full night of sleep, and it was especially hard to sleep the night Raoul ventured down to my lair; I was practically filled with regret that I didn't kill him, but it was for Christine's sake.

I laid in bed for a few minutes but I could never keep my eyes shut long enough to fall asleep due to many thoughts buzzing around in my head. I knew that Christine was fully capable of singing and acting during Faust the next day, however I was concerned for her mental state. The words of Madam Giry still echoed in my mind about how the lead role might be a burden for a girl so young…how old was she? I guessed probably around her mid or late teenage years since she was dancing with the ballerina's who were about sixteen. She was very small, and I suddenly felt bad about putting her in the lead so soon. I wished that I had conditioned her better for dealing with nerves or at least given her more rehearsal time with the cast.

It was apparent that I could not get any sleep with a restless mind so I got out of bed and decided to go get some fresh air. It would be dark outside which would make it easier to enjoy my walk a little more without degrading stares or skeptical people watching me.

When I went to grab my cloak I noticed it wasn't where I normally put it by the door and it took me a minute to realize that I had let Christine wear it on the lake. Did she not give it back? I searched my living room to see if she laid it down somewhere, then checked my room to see if maybe I had drug it in there for some odd reason.

When I came to the full conclusion that Christine still had it in her possession, I went to her room to silently get it without waking her so I could leave. As I slowly opened her bedroom door, I hoped that she would be asleep by now; the last thing I wanted to do was awkwardly walk in and have to ask her for my cloak.

Thank god she was a still lump in the covers, sleeping.

I swiftly scanned the floor to see if she had carelessly tossed it to the ground like I noticed she did with some of her dresses which were splayed across the room, but to my disappointment I did not see it.

I decided that it would not be a good idea to go through her things to look for it, especially now when she could wake up and see me, so thought it would be good just to read a book instead of going on a walk and I would ask her for it tomorrow.

Just as I was about to exit her bedroom, I took one look at Christine to see her bewitching sleeping form but was surprised with what I saw. Was my brain just conjuring up a cruel image? I slowly walked over to Christine's bedside and stared down at her in amazement. She was fast asleep with my cloak wrapped up tightly in her arms. I smiled warmly at the sight in front of me.

I sat down in a small sofa chair against the wall and continued to lock my gaze on Christine. I liked the idea of her wearing my cloak, and on the lake I felt a small since of pride that Christine was being warmed by my cloak and not that damned Vicomte's jacket, but this was an entirely different emotion and I couldn't figure out what it was. Her hugging my cloak as she slept was almost intimate looking, and I had an urge to lay beside her and feel her brown curls.

But I resisted. That wouldn't be right, and I tried not to entertain such thoughts…for too long. I was content sitting where I was and I had even fallen asleep like that until I rose early the next morning before Christine.

It was now time for the cast to do a quick run through on all their problem spots and warm up independently when it was not their turn to be on stage. I was watching Christine from above, backstage. She was singing her lines quietly and kept fidgeting with her dress. She still looked nervous but didn't seem near as bad as she was when we were walking through my tunnels to the chapel.

Her actions in my tunnel did not make me feel any better for putting her in the lead role at such short notice and only caused me incredible guilt. She hadn't said one word to me the whole morning until we walked out of my front door, and then she only asked if there was a longer way to the Chapel.

But what made me feel the worst was when she told me if she messed up she would disappoint her papa and me. That had caused my core to knot up in pain and sadness. Had I put so much pressure on her that she really felt trapped like that?

I tried to tell her that she couldn't disappoint anyone and when I saw her eyes searching me, looking for proof that my words were valid, a strange instinct over took me that I couldn't stop…didn't want to stop, and acted on. I kissed her cheek. Would that show her I cared? Is that what normal people did in situations like this?

I was pleasantly surprised how good it felt to perform such an act. It felt different than when Christine had blessed my cheek with her lips, I decided that I liked it just as well. I hoped that she would not yell at me for such a bold act, and that I would be able to give her many more kisses in the future.

I was ecstatic at how her face beamed after I kissed her. Did she enjoy it too? Excitement filled me and coursed heavily through my veins. Even though she didn't say anything as she left, I could tell something about the way she held herself had changed. She seemed more confident.

I was brought back into reality and away from my thoughts when I saw Meg come up to Christine. It made me a little mad, but what could I do? I knew that I told Christine she was to come straight to the chapel after rehearsals to keep her from others who might tell her of the opera ghost or push her to Raoul (Like Meg) but during rehearsals was a different story. Instead of doing anything about it, I was forced to watch the two girls talk uncomfortably, hoping Meg would leave soon. How I loathed not having full control of the situation.

Meg POV

I was stretching with the other girls when I saw Christine singing in a corner backstage. I decided to go talk to her and find out if my mother ever told her about where to meet Raoul once the masquerade starts.

"Christine, are you excited about the performance?" I started the conversation as I approached her. She took a deep breath as I said that and wiped her hands on her dress.

"Honestly Meg, I'm nervous. I think I can do it, but I just-I don't know."

"I bet you'll do really well, Christine. I know the Vicomte is anxiously awaiting this performance, or that's what I've been hearing." I said with eyebrows full of expression. I hoped to get a positive reaction from her, but instead she just put her head down and stared at her feet as she rocked back and forth.

"I forgot about Raoul." She said in a whisper.

"Well that's not good, you're going to the masquerade ball with him after all, you know." When I said that, I could tell she was thinking hard about something but I couldn't tell what, and since she didn't say anything in response I spoke up again.

"Did my mother ever tell you that Raoul is planning on meeting you by the stairs when the masquerade starts?"

"Oh. No. I never really told him if I was going or not though."

"Just go with him, why are you acting so hesitant about it all? People have seen you two together and expect to see you on his arm at the dance. And what's the harm, Christine, really? He is rich and so handsome, it would be foolish not to go with him."

"Maybe."

"Now is not the time for a maybe, the ball is tonight, and besides, you need to be more social. You have disappeared and stayed to yourself for several days now."

"Ok. I might go, but no promises. I still don't have anything to wear." I immediately became excited once she said that. There would still be a few hours left after the performance before the ball and the idea of helping Christine find a dress sounded wonderful.

"I could help you find a dress after the performance!"

"I have somewhere to be, Meg, I'm sorry. I'll try to figure something out." My excitement was crushed when she said that and I couldn't help but feel a little angry. I hadn't gotten a chance to be with Christine for days now and I missed when we used to be inseparable.

"Right, I forgot. You'll be spending the evening with the opera ghost." As soon as the words escaped my lips, I covered my mouth with my hand. I wanted to take the words back. It was evident that they had rubbed Christine wrong way and her face was twisted in confusion and betrayal.

"What?! The Opera ghost?!"

Christine POV

I had heard the ballerinas whisper about the opera ghost before but I never believed him to be real and I didn't understand what Meg meant behind her words. Has she seen Erik? Did she think he was the opera ghost? I didn't know how to feel about the situation and my cheeks went hot with a bold crimson red.

"You think I spend my afternoons with a ghost?" Megs face was filled with regret as I said this.

"Well no, but-" She took a deep breath and collected herself. "Sorelli and some other people believe that's why you've been disappearing. They think the opera ghost sent a note to the managers telling them to cast you in the lead role." I wanted to laugh, a ghost put me in the lead?! It sounded absurd.

"And you believe that to be true?!" I said with a hint of a smile.

"No. I was just mad because you never spend any time with me anymore and-"

"Maybe I can tell the opera ghost to leave me alone for the afternoon and you and I can go look for a dress that I can wear after all." I jested. I honestly did want to go to the dance and get a dress with Meg but I was unsure how Erik would react. I decided that I didn't care though. I respected Erik a lot, and it hurt thinking about going against his words, but I came to the conclusion that it was more important to spend some time with my sister than sit in the living room with Erik.

"Oh great! I'll meet you in the lobby an hour after the performance then?" Her smile was huge and I couldn't help but return it. Her excitement was infectious.

"Sure Meg."

"Meg, come on! The performance is in forty five minutes and you need to finish stretching!" A ballerina called over to Meg from a corner where a group of dancers were warming up.

"Christine, I can't wait to help you get a dress, but for now I do have to go. If I don't see you before you go on, good luck!" She gave me a quick hug then went on her own way. I now found that most of my nerves were gone and I was simply just looking forward to spending the afternoon with Meg.

It was now only about ten minutes until the performance was to start and my palms were sweating. My stomach housed many butterflies and found that I couldn't stop pacing. I was going to sing for Erik, I knew nothing would go wrong if I did just that but for some reason, my body still felt physically nervous. I stopped walking back and forth and did my best to calm myself by taking deep breaths, but was interrupted when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Christine!"

"Raoul?"

"You look lovely." I blushed as he said this and looked down at the costume I was now wearing.

"Thank you."

"I have something for you." I felt my curiosity take over me once he said this and I saw him digging in his jacket pocket. He pulled out a long black box and my heart stopped once he opened it. It was a gold chain necklace with one simple diamond at the end and it sparkled slightly in the dim backstage lights.

He went around behind me and pushed my hair gently over my shoulder.

"I had this made for you. It would make my night very grand if you wore it tonight at the masquerade ball while you spend every moment with me." The tones of his voice were soft and smooth like he was trying to be romantic, but for some reason I wasn't feeling…in love with him for it.

"Raoul…" His name just barely escaped my lips before I found myself speechless. I couldn't accept his gift, I had no idea how I felt about him yet and felt strange just going to the dance with him as it was.

"You will let me escort you to the dance tonight, won't you?"

"Uh, yes. I will let you." My voice wavered and I couldn't believe what I was saying. I put my hand up to my necklace and grabbed the diamond that now laid across my chest. It was very gorgeous and I felt guilty about just wearing it.

"Good. Did Meg tell you about where to meet me once it starts?"

"Yes."

"We could just meet there, or now that I know you're going, I could take you to dinner first at a fine restaurant."

"I'm afraid I need more time to get ready. I'm going dress shopping with Meg, so I can't go and eat with you. I'm sorry." I was actually glad I had an excuse to not go to dinner with him, especially since I still felt a little guilty about hardly touching the soup he wasted his money on last time.

"Very well then, I'll meet you by the stairs when the masquerade starts." After he said that he bent down and placed a quick kiss on my cheek. Embarrassment filled me and my cheeks were hot as I looked around and noticed that some stagehands had seen. "Good luck, Christine, you will do great, I'm sure." He assured me as he started to walk off.

I clenched my left hand and felt the rose ring around my ring finger. As incredibly beautiful the necklace Raoul had given me was, it was nothing in comparison to Erik's ring.

My heart fluttered as I thought of the kiss Erik put on my cheek this morning. Behind the small gesture was something…amazing, something Raoul's didn't have. My mind went back to yesterday on the lake when Erik said he loved me, I still wasn't sure if I fully believed him. Surly he meant that in a fatherly way, he was much older than me, wasn't he? I was suddenly curious to know what his age was.

But there was no use contemplating how he loved me since I was supposed to love Raoul, it was the smart choice and people would expect it…and besides, what would Erik think if he knew I was thinking such thoughts about him. He would deem me foolish for sure. Maybe he didn't have a lover in heaven, but it did seem possible for him to already have captured the heart of a girl on earth and loved her instead. I was still just his student.

Soon I heard the orchestra begin to play and announce the start of the show. I tried to focus my mind on what I was supposed to do for my role. When it was my cue, I filled my head with images of Erik and my Papa being proud of me and went on to try to do my best.

Tell me whacha think! And I understand if you gave up on reading my story by now since I stink at updating…especially when I'm tempted to go drive my car instead…..

Yall ready for the Masquerade yet? Have your masks yet?! Well if not then ya better hury up and get them because the ball may or may not be the next chapter!

Thanks :)