Chapter 3

Kristina Daae

"Come, Kristina, Mother's going to work!" Meg shakes me awake. I quickly run to the bathroom and wash up.

"I... I am sorry," I squeaked, "did I keep you?" Madame Giry laughs, "No, dear. Not at all. I will be quite busy, though. So, Meg will help you." I nod quickly, "Of course. Thank you." Meg jumps up, "Yeah, I can't wait to introduce you to the movie making place!" I give Meg a small but sure smile, "Thank you, Meg."

"So, you're the new girl." a blonde girl with blue eyes smirks at me. I nod, squeaking, "Yes." She looks me over, which is clearly meant to offend me.

"I can't believe we can't do any better then..." she eyes me again, "Pipsqueaks like, well, you!" A redhead girl comes over, "Hey..." her voice trails off as she looks to me, "Oh, thisgirl." she whispers something in the blonde girl's ear. The blonde girl nods, "Yeah, totally. Well, let's go practice our dancing recital, then?" Meg jumps up and waves, then frowns at the girls, "Are they bothering you?" she whispers.

"No," I quickly look away, unable to look at Meg. Meg whispers, "Oh, don't be so afraid, Kristina." Then, loudly, "You're better than them." She grabs my hands and we walk away.

Eric

I think of Kristina, to distract me from my dreams. Yes, I had watched, quietly behind the wall. I'd barely kept myself in control. Oh, the poor dear girl. That stupid blonde girl! Thinking she was the best. I laugh, the stupid blonde girl had kept on insulting and pestering Kristina. Finally, Little Giry-Meg approached Kristina and comforted her. Oh, poor girl... her parents gone and to where... I didn't know. Alas, I could still see Kristina suffering... I cringe, because it reminds me of my own-in the past. All behind me, I remind myself. I promise myself, I will see to her tomorrow again.

I yawn, exhausted from my making a new song about Kristina. I've decided to visit her today. I choke down some food, although I cannot taste anything... because... I wince, remembering. I put on a gray shirt, black pants, and a black cloak. I enter, early, through the tunnel. I wait for the girls...

Laughter and singing fills the air as the girls dance and chat. I look for Kristina. She's with Meg. I smile at them, glad Meg is there to support Kristina. They start dancing. Meg has a lot of practice... she's been a background dancer for five commercials and three movies. I look towards Kristina. She stands out, with her pale skin, besides, she's the only one there with honey brown hair, and also the only one with dark blue eyes. She dances alright, she's just a bit clumsy. I frown, as the blonde girl with blue eyes and red hair with green eyes girl approach Kristina.

I softly say, "Oh, Kristina..." No one hears me... however Kristina looks around. The girls laugh at Kristina, and the redhead looks her over again, "Look at you, stumbling all over yourself! Ha. I suppose Alisa was right, judging you yesterday." Alisa smiles, "Yes, I always am, right? But, forgive and forget, Christine. I'm sure you'll be out of here soon." she laughs as she walks away. I tremble, fury blinding my vision. I quickly walk away. I walk to my lair, swiftly.

I take out a pen, dip it into red ink and start:

Alisa,

I DO NOT forgive and forget. Kristina will be staying... but you are right about one thing... perhaps someone will be leaving? I hope you understand, clearly.

Watching,

Phantom of the Set

I laugh at the new nickname I'd created... I seal the letter in an envelope with a red stamp.

Kristina Daae

"Are you alright, Kristina?" I sob a quiet, "Yes."

"Oh, Kristina." she hugs me. I stiffen, only used to Daddy's big bear hugs. When she stays, I give her a hug back.

"Thank you." I softly mumble. Meg nods, "I am sorry about those girls. I'm afraid I can't do anything... besides, you can't stay home while Mother and I are gone. Are you alright with going, though? Perhaps we can-" I shake my head, "No... it's alright. I like dancing, anyways." Meg smiles, "I'm glad... but, don't let the girls offend you... they're just like that." she squeezes my hand and we exit with Meg's Mother.

As soon as we arrive, I hear a girl's squeal and then a loud scream. Meg turns to Madame Giry and squeezes her hand, "Mommy, what's wrong?" Madame looks at both of us, "I... I promise I'll keep you both safe. Come and shush." Meg and I are arm in arm, and we tread quietly and and carefully through the movie set.

"Mommy, isn't this early?" Meg asks, whispering.

"Yes, darlings." she reassured us by grabbing our hands, tightly.

"Alisa." Madame speaks, looking at Alisa-the blonde girl who was mean to me. Alisa is trembling, the redhead behind her.

"Madame Giry..." she breathes, gesturing to the letter on the locker. Madame gestures to the sofa, "Sit, girls." and shuddering, they sit. Madame quietly reads the letter, then drops it on the floor. I take a look at it. I point out the letter to Meg, but by that time, Madame Giry has put the letter back into the envelope.

"Girls, calm down. I'm going to call security, alright?" Alisa gasps and I turn right in time to see the swirl of black cloak.

"The black cloak... the phantom." Alisa's eyes get wide, "I saw it, I saw it, Madame!" she shrieks and she keeps on repeating this. Madame Giry attempts to comfort Alisa, but she keeps on repeating something about the phantom and the black cloak. Madame Giry announces, "I must fetch security now. Please, Tiria, calm Alisa down." I take look at Tiria-who is the redhead, but she seems frozen.

"Mother, Kristina and I will watch over them, go." Madame Giry nods, patting Meg and my head, then, she disappears. I sit down, "Alisa," I started. Alisa keeps murmuring the same thing.

"Yes. I saw the Phantom too. You're right." She stops, "Phantom of the Set… he… sent…" Meg approaches, "What did he write?"

"He wrote that he doesn't forgive or forget," she wept, "that Kristina will be staying… however I… will be leaving… I don't know who this is…" she wheezes. Then, she stares at me, as if realizing that I was sitting here, just now, "Why are you here? Did you send this person? It's all your fault!" a scream erupts from her throat as she pushes me off the sofa and turns to run. Tiria unfreezes and after a few seconds of looking towards where Alisa disappeared, she runs off. I pant, lying on the floor, my eyes welling up.

"Kristina, dear, it's alright." Meg drops to the floor, next to me. Tears start to drop onto the floor. Meg grasps my hand, "Kristina, Alisa and Tiria... they're just mean girls-always like that. Please, Kristina, listen to me." Madame Giry runs in and spots us, "What happened? Is everything alright?" Meg gulps, "Mother, Kristina was trying to comfort Alisa when she ran... and Tiria ran off with her."