Hi!I just wanted to say thanks to those that have reviewed. It really keeps me going on this story, knowing that if I didn't update at least a couple of you would be upset! So this is for my reviewers! And to all those that lurk, please review, lemme know if there is any thing that I can improve on!

Chapter 8

Nicole was leaving the opera house, smiling with thoughts of Erik in her head, when Jacques appeared out of the darkness before her.

Nicole's smile vanished as she asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Now don't get angry with me! Your mother told me to follow you!"
"You followed me? Because my mother told you too? And you listened to her! Grow a backbone!"
Jacques lowered his head in shame, and blushed. Instantly Nicole wished she hadn't been so quick to snap at him.

Why am I always so rude to him? He cares about me; I should be nicer to him.
"I am sorry, Jacques."
"No, you're right, I shouldn't have followed you."
"Why did she want me followed?"
Jacques shrugged, "I am not sure. She must be worried about you."
Nicole snorted, "Yes, she is worried about me, and pig's can fly! She is only worried I am out tarnishing her name. Or Anne's name."

Jacques smiled at her unladylike snort and she blushed in spite of herself.
"Well what were you doing?" Jacques asked.

He thinks I was with a man. Well he wouldn't be wrong.
"I was exploring the opera house, as I always do."
He nodded unconvinced.
"Doesn't Belle usually come with you?"
"She doesn't like it here at night, and that's when I like to come."

Nicole was getting defensive.

He has no right asking about my business. After all he isn't my husband.
"Why do you come at night, it's dangerous out at night."
He would never believe me if I told him why I love darkness.

"I like it when it's dark. Is there a problem?"
"Nicole, I have to say your story is very questionable."
If he asks if I was with anyone I can't lie. I will have to tell him.
But Jacques didn't ask anything more.

He merely shrugged his shoulders and said, "Come I will escort you to your home."
Nicole relaxed and said, "Thank you, Jacques."
He smiled at her, and she put her arm through his.

As the returned home Nicole couldn't stop thinking of Erik.

The way he would say her name, or grumble over something that couldn't be found. Even in their lesson when he would scold her for doing something wrong she liked it. The lesson had gone well enough, even if she hadn't sung much. He taught her basics, of notes and how to breath when singing. She blushed when she remember him showing her how to breath. He had placed his hand right on her stomach.
She shook her head slightly trying to clear it.

She wasn't acting like herself. She was acting like a silly girl with a crush.

And that is all this is, a crush! A silly crush!

At least that what she tried to convince to herself. She would stop day dreaming while they did their lessons. She had to stop thinking of him this way.

She had too.

Nicole woke to the sunshine spilling through the window. She grunted and pulled the sheets over her eyes.

"Nicole you must wake up!" said Anne as she pushed Nicole's shoulder.
"Why?" shouted Nicole.
"Jacques is here to see you!"
Nicole moaned.

I just say him last night! Why is he here so early?
"Fine, I will wake up."

Nicole uncovered herself to find her sister already holding out a dress for her to wear. It was blue, with simple white trim.
"You always look good in this one!" Anne said excitedly.

Nicole smiled.

Anne is always so kind and supportive to me. I am so glad I have her as a sister.
Nicole got out of bed and hugged her sister.
"I do love you, you know that, right?"
Anne hugged her back.
"Yes, I know."
The two sisters stood there, wishing that things could be different.

Anne wishing that she couldn't sing, and Nicole wishing that she could sing.

Anne was given everything her heart desired, but somehow never became spoiled or rotten. Nicole was rejected and not loved and somehow never became hateful of Anne. Both were sisters that loved each other and nothing would ever stop that.

"Well come now you must get ready, he is waiting for you!" said Anne as she pulled away from her sister.

Nicole rolled her eyes and said, "You do know I don't love him."
Anne said, "Of course I know, you're still in love with that masked singer you saw in the opera house that night! The night you snuck in! Oh, Mamma was worried, she knew you and Belle were there and when the smoke started to rise she thought you were hurt!"
Nicole stared at Anne.

How does she remember that? I told her about my fantasy man over a year ago!

Anne looked at her and said, "What you thought I forgot about your obsession with that man? Ha! A sister never forgets those types of things!"
Nicole laughed, slightly nervous.
I wish I could tell you that I know have spoken to that man, and that my obsession has resurfaced.

"It's a shame you will never get over it! Now, Jacques has waited all morning for you so get dressed!"

Anne threw the dress at Nicole and ran out of the room.

Nicole quickly got dressed and brushed her hair. She didn't have time for full bath so she washed her face, and sprayed perfume all over herself to hide the dank smell of Erik's lair.

She hurried to the kitchen and was greeted with Jacques, her mother, and Anne smiling happily at her.

Jacques rose from his seat, took her hand and kissed it. Nicole smiled politely, but quickly pulled her hand away.
Jacques said, "I was hoping you and I could walk through the park today."
Nicole smiled.

I must not be rude to him. He has never been anything but kind to me.
"That would be lovely."

As she said that Nicole felt guilty, as if she was betraying Erik.

She had obsessed over him for two whole years. Just a month ago she forced herself to think of other things, but now that she had finally met that man she had dreamed of for so long, she could think of no one else.
"Let me run to my room and get my cloak."

Nicole turned and went to her room.

Jacques had come into her life a year ago. They had meant at a mutual friends ball. He had walked right up to her and asked her for a dance, and she agreed. They talked and danced the night away and Nicole left thinking she would never see him again.

Much to her surprise he showed up at her house a few days later. He said that after she had left he was so taken with her that he asked a few people where she lived and had to come and see her.

At first she was flattered and decided to let him take her on a few dates but slowly she came to realize as nice as Jacques was she could not love him. Something didn't click with him, she felt no spark between them. He on the other hand had felt something with her and had been in her life ever since.

Once again her thoughts turned to Erik, and the sparks she felt whenever he was in the same room with her.

She shook her head to clear her mind.

No more of that you silly girl! Keep your head above water!

As she approached her room, she felt a cool breeze coming from her open doorway. She rushed to the door and looked in. Her window was wide open, which was odd. She hadn't opened it this morning. She shrugged and went to close it when she noticed something on her pillow. The breeze had wafted onto a note sealed with wax. She picked it up, and read the letter on the front written with perfect penmanship.

"E" she whispered aloud.

Then she heard Anne heading her way, "Nicole what's taking you so long?"

Nicole quickly hid the letter under her pillow, hoping it would be safe.
"I am coming!" she ran out of the room, knowing exactly who the letter was from.
Erik!