A/N: Tis November 5th in the story now. Weird. Its been going so slow and yet so fast at the same time. I'm almost caught up with my note book now. Wohoo! I'm much faster on the computer but I didn't want to continue on here until I was caught up so I just had to keep making myself fall farther and farther behind. :P was just awesome. Well... You get to meet a new character today. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-seven

Nadilee the Cellist

"Violins only now," the music director said as they were having a practice for the orchestra. It was Darcey's first day and she thought she was doing very well considering that fact. She loved playing the violin. She was growing more and more comfortable with it and in time, she suspected, she would be as comfortable as she now was with the piano. She was so lost in the music that it took her a second to realize everyone else had already stopped playing. She blushed and dropped the violin from her shoulder into her lap.

"Sorry," she whispered, avoiding eye contact with the director. When the girl next to her nudged her however, she looked up and was surprised to find a big smile on his face.

"That was perfect, Mademoiselle. You have been well taught. I have half a mind to give you a solo." Darcey shyly returned his smile, murmuring a "thank you." "Hmm... I'll get back to you on that." He tapped on the stand to regain everyone's attention. Even Darcey was subconsciously always listening for that small sound. "Let's run through that last song one more time and then we will be done for the day."

When they were done, the girl who had nudged her, a cellist, turned to speak with her. "That was amazing! It isn't often that he singles someone out in front of everyone to tell them they did well. There's only about one person in each group that he likes but there are only two people other than you that have received the title of Perfect. Mark, he plays the flute, and me." She pointed him out before continuing. "My name is Nadilee. You probably think I'm crazy. Talking your ear off and we don't even know each other. I'm actually surprised myself that I feel so comfortable around you. Usually I'm fairly shy, believe it or not."

Darcey smiled as she finished putting her violin and music away. "I'm happy to meet you. My name is Darcey."

Nadilee giggled. "Sweetheart, everyone knows your name. The girl that came here as a boy and disappeared. Then was supposedly held hostage by the Phantom only to return as a girl with a different last name."

She blushed at the knowledge. She had forgotten how gossip could spread. She was tempted to tell the true story but knew it wouldn't change anything. They always believed the better story, the more entertaining and scandalous the better, even if it had no basis to it. She remembered how some people's whole reputations were ruined but a false rumor. She sighed internally but smiled at Nadilee. She could see why the director had said she was a perfect cellist. Since they sat next to each other, she had been able to hear her play and had been impressed by her skill level. She wanted to get to know this girl. She seemed like a fun girl and it couldn't hurt to have another friend. Especially one she would be interacting with often.

"What did you think about the snow we got last night? I was surprised. It was so wonderful yesterday. I guess I should just be glad that it's been warm so long."

"I know what you mean. I enjoyed the warm weather. It is usually so cold for my birthday. It's always been a downside to having my birthday on November third. I was hoping we would have at least one more day of good weather before the snow. I get so cold in the winter. Especially my hands and feet. I'm going to have to buy some more stockings and some gloves." The girls walked towards the kitchen to get some food. They had been playing all morning and into the afternoon. She was afraid her stomach would start growling if she didn't eat soon. "Do you want to eat with me today? Meg is going to going to eat with Garren, so I won't have anyone to talk to." Nadilee nodded and they proceeded towards the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Erik was pulling on his gloves and grabbing a couple notes to deliver. It had snowed and he knew it would be colder up above. His hands often got cold so he would usually wear his leather gloves, especially when going to the surface. It was a well known fact, almost as much as the mask he wore. He had loosened his control lately and the managers had neglected to give him his salary. That simply would not do. He hadn't made his presence as clear and as consequence, the managers did not fear him as much as they should.

He started towards the surface after he threw on his cloak. The closer he got to the surface, the colder it got and he shivered. He wondered if Darcey was cold. He sighed at the thought. He couldn't seem to get her out of his mind no matter how hard he tried. He only hoped his heart wouldn't suffer when she married Lionell as he was sure she would eventually do. He dropped off a note in the managers' offices and the patron's. He was walking down the hallway when he heard someone coming towards him. He ducked into the shadows a moment before Nadilee and Darcey came into sight. They stopped to look out the window opposite his hiding place and he silently cursed his luck. Why couldn't they have kept walking? Or better yet, why had he decided to walk in the hallway instead of the pathway on the other side of the wall that he was currently pressed up against. Darcey shivered and Nadilee grabbed both of her hands.

"Darcey! You're hands are freezing!" She started rubbing her hands in an attempt to warm them. Darcey just shrugged.

"They are always cold. More so in the winter." She pulled her hands away and tucked them under her arms so that her arms were crossed. "I'm going to buy some gloves today. I just got my first wages so I can buy them now." She smiled and looked back out the window. "It sure looks beautiful out there. All white and clean." She sighed sadly and stood silent.

Why would that make her sad? He couldn't think of a reason for her to be sad. He must have made some kind of sound because she looked towards where he stood. He didn't dare move in case she hadn't seen him. A look crossed her face that he couldn't read.

"What are you looking at?" Nadilee asked, turning to try and see what was there. Before she could turn all the way, Darcey grabbed her arm.

"It's nothing. I thought I had seen something but I didn't. Let's go. I could use a companion to go shopping with." Nadilee nodded and they started walking away. After they had taken a couple steps and Nadilee had started talking, Darcey looked back towards him. She waved shyly before disappearing around the corner.

He sighed with relief and hurried to enter the passage before anyone else happened down the hall. He was glad that Darcey had prevented Nadilee from seeing him. He didn't know why she had, especially after the harsh break of friendship he had put her through. He had heard she had been ill because of it. He hadn't thought their friendship had meant so much to her. It was a pity she didn't feel the same way about him as he felt about her. He knew he had no chance at changing her mind. He sighed. He wished she could care about him more than just as a friend.