AN: This is getting hard O_O It's like trying to force idea toothpaste out of an almost empty tube.

CHAPTER 20

Christine made her way to the ballet dormitories as discretely as she could, avoiding any person she heard or saw coming her way. When she found the large room, she took a moment to take it in. It had been a long time since she had even been in the dormitory full of bunk beds, ribbons, dusty pointe shoes and powder puffs, let alone slept there as she used to for so many years. Sitting on one of the thin mattresses alone, she sighed.

Meg should be along any moment now…

For a moment, she held her breath at the realization that ANY ballet girl could also come in, and that Meg and herself would have no privacy. Absolutely no one else could know what had happened.

Then, she heard a creak above her head, followed by a tiny yawn. Quickly covering her mouth so as not to gasp, Christine realized she hadn't done more than just glance over the top bunks. There was nowhere she could run or hide without whoever it was seeing her.

A foot perched on the top rung of the bunk ladder, followed by another. Carefully, dainty feet climbed down until the entire, skinny, chemise covered body stood firm on the floor. Then the face turned to the curled up Christine, and great blue eyes widened in shock.

"Christine!"

"Meg…" the brunette girl sighed thankfully, scooting off the bed and embracing her friend.

"How..where did you…what?"

"It's actually a long story…"

"I have all the time in the world! Enough time for afternoon naps, as you can see," said Meg as she gestured to her bunk. Taking Christine's shoulders, she pleaded, "Tell me where you've been!"

So she did. And Meg, being even more superstitious than her mother, ate the information up without question. Well, with a million questions, but no doubts as to Christine's answers.

"You must be VERY torn now, then," she said. Christine furrowed her brows in confusion.

"Why would I be torn?"

"Well, you said what was mainly preventing you from returning the Pha—Erik's…love was his soul, not his appearance. But this man, Gerry, is actually a good person."

Christine rolled her eyes at that.

"He's a pig."

Meg gasped and then laughed. "Christine! I've never heard you speak a harsh word about anyone…"

"I've thought it plenty of times, believe me," said the other girl bluntly. The blonde grinned.

"I should probably disapprove, but this change is probably good for you. May I ask what brought it on?"

Shrugging slightly, Christine shook her head. "I don't really know. There has been a lot of changes in my life these past months. A lot of frustration. I almost had no other choice than to change with it."

The blonde nodded, understanding entirely. "I think you need a break."

Christine looked as if this was a foreign word to her. "A break?"

"Yes, you know, to get away from it all."

Shaking her head, Christine sighed. "I can't. Not yet. I have to see this through. And after that, I have to settle the issue with Erik and Raoul. And once I choose, then whomever it is will most likely wish to be married as soon as possible and spend months of uninterrupted time with me…"

Meg had to force herself to look sympathetic and be a good friend. She had been initially jealous when the Vicomte came to fancy Christine rather than her, but she understood since they had been childhood friends. Then when he persisted in fighting for her as yet another man fell in love with her (insane and frightening though he was) Meg had to tell herself that she would never want to be in such a dramatic and risky situation. And now there was yet another man involved, making the choice not as obvious as before. And not just any man, he was one who shouldn't even exist! From another world entirely…who could even imagine that? And with him came the sadness of parting, as he didn't belong in their world. But deep down, Meg knew she had always wanted something similar to any of this to happen to her. Didn't every girl? Ghost stories whispered amongst the ballet and the tragic, romantic operas performed were popular for a reason, after all.

But it was always Christine who could experience, love and suffer through all of that. Not Meg. She should be content to find an ordinary, average man with an average salary whom she could live quietly with for the rest of their average lives.

"Maybe you shouldn't switch him back…" said Meg slowly. "If you want Erik to be happy but you can't give him what he's asked of you..."

"You mean he would be happier in a normal—well, even above average life without me? Because he would have a fair chance of actually being happy and loved?"

Meg nodded. "Yes."

"Oh Meg…I would love that for him, but it is Gerry's life, not his…."

"But what if Gerry would be content in Erik's life?"

Christine gave Meg an incredulous look. "Why on earth would ANYONE want to be Erik?"

The other girl paused then gave a sheepish smile. "That's a very good question."

AN: I'm so sorry it was this horribly short but I really can't come up with what to write between now and the next big scene. Feel free to leave any suggestions in a review as well as your overall impression. Ideas would be great.