Author note: I'm sorry for the irregular updates, and that all the chapters (especially this one) are pretty short. This, as you can probably tell, is my first fanfiction, and until I get more confident and used to the writing, they will probably be short. Thanks to everyone who's reading!

"Erik, can I come to your lair again? I've only been that one time, and it was so beautiful. Pleeeease?" I begged him like I was a toddler. It was true, I had only been to it once, and I'm not really sure it counted because all I did was sleep down there.

"Christine," He huffed, obviously annoyed at my whining. "you've asked me this everyday for the past month. What makes you think I'm going to change my answer? If I want you to see my lair again, I'll take you."

I sighed. Erik would only come to my dressing room to visit me, and he would either come very early in the morning or very late at night, there was never an in between. I just wished I could see him whenever I wanted, not when I was half-asleep. But he always said he didn't want to risk me getting in trouble. I had no idea what kind of trouble he meant, but he would never tell me.

"Fine," I grumbled. Right at that moment, there was a knock at the door. I looked over at Erik, who immediately ripped open the secret passage in my mirror, and dove inside. I waited a moment to make sure the cost was clear, then opened the door to reveal Raoul.

"Raoul!" I cried in a fake cheerful voice. He wrapped his arms around me in a hug, as I suddenly realized Erik would be able to hear and see everything we did or said. I ended the embrace as quickly as possible, and went to sit on the edge of my bed. "What're you doing here?"

"More importantly, who were you talking to?" He asked with an eyebrow raised. "I thought I heard a man in here. There's no man in here is there?"

"O-of course not!" I stuttered. He thought I was cheating on him! What kind of woman did he think I was? But I actually did have a man in my room….but Erik didn't count, did he?

"So you were talking to yourself?" Raoul asked me, looking at me as if I had three heads.

"Yes!" I said, a little too enthusiastically. "I was just thinking aloud."

I guess I fooled him, because he stopped asking me questions and changed the subject. "My father is dying to meet you, Christine. He arranged a supper tomorrow night at our palace. He normally wouldn't approve of me courting a common singer, but he remembers you from when we were children and is delighted to meet you and-"

I cut off Raoul from his excited ramble with a laugh. "Of course I'll go, Raoul. You can tell the Comte I'm looking forward to it."

Raoul pulled me into a tight embrace, which quickly turned into a kiss. I could feel my cheeks turn hot as I realized Erik would be able to see mine and Raoul's action. I pulled away suddenly, and smiled into Raoul's confused eyes.

"Well," he said taking my hands in his. "I better get going. I'll tell my father you'll be there. I'll come by your dressing room tomorrow night to pick you up." He leaned in and kissed me quickly again, before turning around and exiting my room.

I counted to ten before calling out to Erik. "It's safe to come out now, Erik," Erik came out from his hiding place in the mirror, double checking to make sure it was safe. He ran his hand through his fake slicked back hair, before looking down at his feet.

I could feel my heart being torn in two when I saw how sad he looked. Why was he so gloomy? I walked over to where he was, and put my hand on his masked cheek. "What's wrong, Angel?" I asked. He brought his dark eyes up to meet mine, and when I saw how much sadness they held, my heart seemed to shatter.

"It's nothing," He sighed. "I-I better go. Would you mind if I returned tomorrow morning? We can have a singing lesson. We'll go over those new songs you've been trying."

I grabbed his arm. "Can you be back tonight? Please? After everyone's asleep, so then I can come to your lair and no one will notice!" I was proud of myself for coming up with that idea. There was no way he could get out of this.

Erik rolled his eyes, and looked at me annoyed. "Fine. I'll come back tonight and I'll take you to my lair. Are you happy?"

"Yes! Thank you Erik!" I smashed him in an hug, and I felt him stiffen for just a second before wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. The hug lasted much longer than it needed to; much longer than two friends would hug. "I'll see you tonight, Erik,"

He turned to leave, but I put my hand on his shoulder and he turned around. I leaned in and softly pressed my lips to his cheek. What possessed me to do that, I have no idea. He looked shocked, and put his hand up to where I had kissed him. His mouth was hanging open and he looked as if he had seen a ghost.

He left through the mirror before I could say anything else.