Chapter 8

The day of the Masquerade was here. Everyone was hustling and bustling to have the opera house prepared for the ball. Ashley was currently modeling her dress in front of the mirror. The dress was absolutely gorgeous and made her feel like Alice when she was going to her own engagement party, minus the exhaustion and slight snappiness. She was still deciding what she should do with her hair. She started playing with the wavy tresses and sighed. She thought about maybe curling them but she didn't know how. She could pin some of it back. She just threw her hands down and threw herself on her bed.

"Something wrong?" Ashley turned to see Christine waking in.

"I don't know what to do with my hair." She whined. Christine laughed.

"I guess even you can act like a girl every now and again." She teased.

"Hey! Just because I'm not one for dresses and all that crap doesn't mean I don't have those split seconds of femininity!" But that didn't stop Christine from laughing more.

"Why don't I help you find a style?" She pulled a chair out in front of the mirror and gestured for Ashley to sit. She got up from the bed and sat in the chair. "How do you want it?"

"I don't know." She replied. "Just surprise me."

"Very well." She said and began work on her hair.

"ARGH!" Ashley grunted sitting in front of the mirror. "I can't keep the stupid pin in!" She tried pushing the hair pin onto the strand of hair under her finger but it only popped back out again. "This is not working at all."

"You're worrying too much." Ashley looked into the mirror and saw her masked man standing in the shadows.

"I have to worry. Tonight we're having a big party and the dress code is formal attire. Man, I hate when I have to dress up all pretty." She barely noticed that he had made his way over to her until he took the hair pin from her hand and let the stray hair fall down.

"Let me see if I can help." He said before taking the strand and finding a place where the pin wouldn't pop. Ashley felt her cheeks heat up as she felt his hands on her head. It's been a little close to a month since she arrived and also since they had begun their secret voice lessons for the competition. She wouldn't deny, at first she was very afraid of him. But as they spent more and more time together, she began feeling warm and fuzzy whenever she saw him. "There, that should hold it."

"Thanks. Will you meet me at our special place?" She asked.

"If you wish." He replied. He suddenly noticed the slight color on her face and he brought his hand to her cheek and turned her to face him. "Are you feeling well? Your face is red." Ashley nervously brought her hands to her face.

"I'm alright. Just a little… you know?" She gave an anxious laugh then lent over to put on her shoes. "I suppose I should go. Being one of the finalists, I'm expected to be down there before people arrive." As she got up to leave, she felt him grab her hand and she turned to him. When she looked into his eyes she saw something that she'd noticed for a couple of weeks now. But she couldn't seem to place what it was.

"Come to the roof at eight. I'll be waiting for you." He said and Ashley's heart skipped a beat. She could feel herself trembling slightly, but in a good way. He always seemed to have a way of making her so nuts.

"'Kay." She said and he reluctantly let go of her hand.

"Until later then." He said and Ashley turned to leave. When she exited the room she leaned up against the wall with her hand holding onto her heart. She could feel it pounding so fast she thought it would burst.

"Is this what love feels like?" She thought out loud. Her heart pounded every time she saw him, his voice was always the most beautiful sound she had ever heard, just the way he would say her name made her feel giddy, and he was constantly on her mind. She was in love with the Phantom of the Opera. But did he love her?

"Ashley, there you are. Everyone's been waiting for you." She began being pulled down the corridors by one of the previous contestants.

As the party commenced, all Ashley did was stand near the wall and keep checking her watch. In a few more minutes she would make her way up to the roof to meet with her beloved Phantom. But before that, she had to wait until people started dancing and distracting themselves.

"Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to the Finalist Ball." One of the judges, Reagan, stood atop the stairs in the foyer addressing the throng of people. "We have had a very productive month here in this world and competitors have come and go. But, tomorrow will be the final show, where one of our finalists will win the ultimate prize! Their greatest wish, no matter what it might be, would be granted to them!" The crowd erupted with applause. "Enjoy your evening. Dance the night away, listen to the enchanting music, and let your cares drift away with the hours."

Now was Ashley's chance to escape to the roof. She snuck out one of the side exits and made her way through the hallways. She finally found the familiar stairs that led up and began her climb. When she finally reached the roof, she first peered through the window on the door to see if he was waiting for her. Sure enough, he was. She opened the door and he turned to her with a smile on his face.

"I'm not late, am I?" She asked. He came over and took her hand and brought it to his lips.

"Right on time." He said. Her face turned red at his gentility but tried oh so hard to keep herself from jumping into his arms and kissing him senseless. He brought her towards the center of the four statues and bowed to her. "Mademoiselle, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" Ashley felt so much like giggling but did her best to keep her composure.

"Monsieur, the honor would be entirely mine." She said and offered him her hand. He took it and pulled her towards him placing his other hand on her back while she placed hers on his arm. "I must warn you, I can't dance to save my life."

"Just follow my lead." He said before sweeping her away in a slow waltz. They could barely hear the music playing from inside but they weren't really listening to it. They were listening to their own music. Even if there wasn't anything playing, even if the music had changed from a slow song to a rock-and-roll song they only heard their special music. Ashley felt like she was a princess dancing with her dark and mysterious rouge instead of a boring old prince. After a while, they had stopped dancing and simply stared at each other.

"Ashley, are you happy here with me?" He asked.

"More than I've been in a long time." Ashley said. "This time I've spent with you, it's been the happiest moments of my life." She leaned her head against his chest and he brought his hand to rest on her head. Ashley soon felt something cold land on her nose and looked down to see a white flake slowly melt into a drop of water. She looked to the sky and saw it was overcast and more flakes were falling upon them. "It's snowing." She pulled away from the Phantom and started dancing among the snow as it gracefully flew around them.

"Ashley." She turned her head back to face him and saw that look in his eyes again. Only now did she realize what it was. Before she knew exactly what was going on, they began moving closer to one another and he leaned his head down towards her and she stood on her tip toe to meet him with a heart melting kiss.

My first kiss. She thought. I could never have a more perfect kiss than this.

They pulled away after a few seconds then looked to each other with absolute love and devotion written in their expressions. Then they came back together for another kiss, only this one filled with untamed passion. Ashley could feel him coursing through every part of her body from her head all the way down to her toes and she knew that no one else could give her such a wonderful sensation. He lifted her up into his arms and swung her around causing her to laugh uncontrollably until he caught her with another kiss.

"I love you." He whispered in her ear before pressing his forehead against her own. Ashley felt like crying now. He DID love her!

"I love you too."

"Ashley."

"Huh?" She looked up at the young brunette in confusion.

"I said I'm finished with your hair." Ashley looked in the mirror and saw that Christine had brought some of her hair back into a small bun with some curled strands hanging down. The rest of her hair she had dampened a bit so that it would become wavier and also placed a fake white rose in the bun. "What do you think?"

"Christine, it looks great." She said happily. "Thanks a lot." She got up from her chair and hugged her.

"Now, grab your mask. We should make our way downstairs now." She said and began leading her from the room.

The masquerade was now in full swing. Everyone was dancing and singing and music was playing.

Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade
Masquerade!
Hide your face, so the world will never find you

Masquerade!
Every face a different shade
Masquerade!
Look around there's another mask behind you

As all the dancers gracefully made their way on the dance floor, Ashley just kept her eyes open for any signs of the Phantom. The thought of finally seeing him face-to-face was exciting her. For the longest time she had dreamt of meeting him and now her dreams would be realized. She almost felt like having a fangirl moment when she saw Meg and Mme Giry making their way down the steps.

What a night!
What a crowd!
Makes you glad

Makes you proud!
All the crème
de la crème!

Watching us watching them!
And all our fears are in the past!

Six months…
Of relief!
Of delight!
Of Elysian peace!
And we can breathe at last!

No more notes!
No more ghost!
Here's a health!
Here's a toast: to a prosperous year!
To our friends who are here!

And may its splendor (Six months!) never fade! (What a joy!)
What a change!
What a blessed release!

"And what a masquerade!" Ashley decided to add in.

"Are you having fun yet?" Meg asked.

"It's hard to have fun when you're in a crowd of people." Ashley retorted.

"Try to at least have a little fun." Then she grabbed her and dragged onto the dance floor where they began dancing with each other.

"Can't I go back to my wall?" Ashley pleaded.

"Nope! You're not getting out of this so easily!" Of course, with all the dancers around them, it would have been hard for her to escape either way. After a moment, Ashley noticed Christine and Raoul appear a short ways away from them. So far, everything seemed perfect. Everyone was enjoying themselves, the music was energetic, and there was no sign of a Red Death anywhere.

Now they were coming to the climax of the event. Just about everyone gathered onto the steps for the final number and Meg went to join her mother while Ashley went to join Christine and Raoul.

Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade!
Masquerade!
Hide your face so the world will never find you!

Masquerade!
Every face a different shade!
Masquerade!
Look around, there's another mask behind you!

Masquerade!
Burning glances, turning heads…
Masquerade!
Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you!

Masquerade!
Grinning yellows, spinning reds…
Masquerade!
Take your fill let the spectacle astound you!

But as quickly as the joy and excitement began, it was only a matter of time before it went to hell. For on the top of the steps, dressed in crimson with a skull-like mask, was the Phantom. Everyone in the room gasped and the managers' faces became pale. Christine moved closer to Raoul and Ashley could only stare up at him feeling that twinge of fear begin to grow.

Why so silent, good messieurs?
Did you think that I had left you for good?
Have you missed me good messieurs?
I have written you an opera!

Here I bring the finished score
'Don Juan Triumphant'!

He tossed the leather bound score to the managers and Andre managed to catch it.

Fondest greeting to you all
A few instructions just before rehearsal starts
Carlotta must be taught to act
Not her normal trick of strutting round the stage.

Our Don Juan must lose some weight
it's not healthy in a man of Piangi's age.
And my managers must learn
that their place is in an office, not the arts.

Ashley could feel her heart race as he descended the stairs, bashing the people who had crossed him before he disappeared.

"And… speaking of which," He began looking over the crowd as if looking for something, or someone, "I believe that in my absence, you allowed an inexperienced singer upon my stage and let her do as she pleased… without my consent." He practically growled the last few words.

"Monsieur le Phantom, please don't be angry with her!" Andre pleaded. "It was completely our doing! We pressured her into singing when she knew there might be consequences and-"

"But I still agreed to it!" All head snapped in the direction of the young lady next to Christine Daae, dressed in a blue and white ball gown and wearing a blue mask. "It's true; they did press me to go on stage. In the beginning I wanted nothing to do with singing here because I knew you would not approve. But I knew that I could not deny it much longer. I wanted to sing. But I settled on only singing once a month, monsieur."

"Is that right?" The Phantom said with a bit of sarcasm in his tone. He drew his sword and pointed it at her. "Remove your mask." He ordered. "I want to see your face, little girl." Being called 'little girl' made Ashley want to shout something not too pleasant back to him. But she held her tongue and made to take off the mask. She held onto it as she undid the tie in the back the slowly revealed her face to him. And when she did, he gasped a little then backed up the stairs and dropped his sword. This surprised her since she wasn't expecting such a reaction.

"Impossible." He whispered and everyone began chattering confusedly. Ashley just looked up at him holding her ground. He reached down for his sword then replaced it into its sheath. "State your name." He said in a more monotone voice. Ashley was still in a bit if shock at his reaction and didn't hear him speak. That is until he shouted. "Tell me your name!"

"Ashley." She hastily replied.

"Your full name." He growled and Ashley jumped slightly at his tone.

"Ashley White." She stated. She saw the look in his eyes go from anger to fear, confusion, hope, then back to a raging fury.

"I don't believe you!" He shouted.

"Why not? It's my name so why do you not believe so?" She shot back.

"Because Ashley White died six year ago!"

Ashley felt her blood run cold. She could not believe what he just said.

Died? Six years- Six years ago…

"You may have her face" he began, "but I know she's gone!"

He turned and made his way back up the steps then evaporated into a flaming vortex brought on by a trap door, sending the room into a frenzy. But this time, Raoul did not go after him. Ashley was still in shock.

Six years ago? His words continued to ring inside her head. She felt as if she had entered a nightmare. She suddenly felt pressure on her shoulder and looked up to see Madame Giry looking down at her.

"Ashley, I need you to follow me." She grabbed her by her upper arm and hoisted her to her feet. "I need you to come with me. I can explain everything."

The song used in this chapter was Masquerade from Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.

So, I only slightly tweaked this chapter. Like instead of having Ashley looking at shooting stars she watching the show fall. Why? Because snow is pretty! So, you'll begin to see more of the changes I talked about int he chapters to come. Get ready!