hello!i am giving my faithful readers a treat!two new chapters!lol, i like to update everyday, but i don't get online during the weekends much, so i thought giving two to tide you over would be best!so enjoy!

Chapter 10

Nicole waited impatiently for her chance to leave.

That night after supper, Anne accompanied Nicole to her room. Her sister was in a talkative mood, and was curious about her afternoon with Jacques.

Nicole was happy to talk with her, voicing all her doubts and sorrows to her. Anne was her only friend, aside from Belle.

Anne had always been there for her. When there were younger things had been wonderful. Mamma had shown no favoritism, and loved both of her daughters. Then she heard Anne sing one day and a light went off in her head. It was no secret that their mother had once wanted to be an opera singer. And now that Nicole was grown, she knew that Mamma was living out her dreams through Anne. Once Anne showed her natural talent as singing, Mamma focused all attention on her. Nicole had learned to dance to try and get some attention, but when she realized that it was never going to be good enough that she could dance, she stopped trying for her mother's love.

Even though she wanted it terribly. At nights she would think back to her early childhood and remember times when it was just her and Mamma. Reading a book, making a cake, or simply enjoying being together. She would cry thinking of it. What child doesn't want to have their mother's love?

So even now when she was twenty-two years old she was learning to sing, to try to earn that love back.

Anne and she were in her room, talking of nothing important.

Nicole couldn't help but to compare herself to her sister and always finding herself lacking. Anne had long blonde hair, which sparkled like gold in the sun. Her eyes were blue and her skin was a natural tan.

Nicole's hair to her, looked dirty and was neither brown nor blonde, but something in between. She always wore it in a bun, because it was long and unkempt, to her, when down. Anne had often said it was more beautiful down, but she couldn't believe it herself.

Anne was quiet, gentle and sweet. She never raised her voice or said anything inappropriate.

Nicole would often shout, and grow very furious, or say something crude with Jacques present.

She was brazen and stubborn and didn't think of the consequences to something until too late.

She wanted so badly to be sweet and quiet, but somehow couldn't.

With all these differences between then Nicole wondered how that had gotten so close. She knew she wouldn't have been able to make it without Anne always encouraging her. She loved her sister so much. So much so that she had the urge to tell Anne everything about her lessons. She had trouble keeping things from Anne.

She is my sister I can trust her! But what if she told someone else about Erik on accident? What if she told Mamma? Or Jacques! No, I must keep this to myself.

Anne noticed Nicole was acting strangely all day, ever since she got home from being with Jacques.

"Did Jacques say something to you today? Something that would make you act like you have been sitting on glass all day?"

Nicole smiled, Anne knew her so well. Nothing could get past her. But she still couldn't tell her about Erik.

"He said that he was going to try to earn my love. I just don't know what to say to him."

Anne knew that wasn't what was making Nicole act oddly.

"Something is up with you, and you're not telling me."

Nicole paused, worry lining her face.

"But," continued Anne, "I know that you would only keep something from me if it was very important. And whenever you are ready to talk to me, I will be here for you."

Nicole threw her arms around her sister and hugged her tightly. No one but Anne could be this understanding to her.

"I want to tell you so badly but, it's so very complicated."

Nicole was biting her lip, as she always did when she was nervous.

Anne gave her a understanding nod, and got up to leave.

"That's all right," she said, "And if you go out tonight, try not to make so much noise sneaking downstairs!"

Anne giggled and left, leaving a amazed Nicole behind.

She knew I was sneaking out? Am I really that loud?

Nicole then got up and looked in her vanity mirror. She was starting to get a headache so she removed the bun from her hair and let the long tendrils fall to her shoulders. She brushed threw it a few times, trying to make it presentable, when she heard the door to her mother's room open and close.
She got up and put her heavy cloak, and opened her door just a crack.
Mamma's room was just down that hall and she could see no light underneath it. She slid down the stairs on cat's feet and went out the back door. She then broke into a run, which made her hair fly wildly behind her. She ran in the darkness, loving every second of it. At night, with no one around, with no etiquette to follow she felt free. She started dancing to the opera house, her ballet perfect even in her red dress with it layers of fabric.

This life for her was filled with nothing. Anne was the only person that really loved her, but she needed more than that. She wanted more.

These lessons proved to be her escape from her life, something new, something exciting.

As much as she tried to push her feelings for Erik aside, she found herself thinking of him as more than her teacher.

He was so different from the men she had known in her life. He was mysterious, dark, and dangerous.

Yet there was something about him, that was gentle. He seemed broken, and was trying hard to fix himself. If she touched his arm slightly or placed her hand on his shoulder to get his attention he jumped, and acted as if she burned him. His eyes would betray his hard exterior and show how broken he was on the inside.

She wanted to be the one to help him, to make him whole again.

Before she knew it she was in front of the opera house. She looked over her shoulder just to double check that no one was following her. The Paris streets were as quiet as a graveyard. She smiled loving the darkness that surrounded her.
She walked into the opera house, and started to ascend the steps in the grand foyer.
She looked around saddened by the state of the Opera Populaire. It was once a beautiful place, but now was a charred skeleton filled with debris and dust. She stood still looking at all the burnt statues, when she heard a noise behind her. She turned assuming it was wild animal, instead she found Erik.
He was wearing a black suite, making it appear as though he was made out of the shadows. His mask shown brilliantly in the moon light, and her heart pounded. The way he looked at her made her feel as if she was all that mattered to him, as if without her had nothing.

I am being so silly. He does not care for me in any other way than that of a student. Clear you head Nicole focus on your lessons not on how handsome he looks!

"How did you know I was here?" she asked.

"I didn't. I came upon you by mere chance."

His voice rang smoothly in the empty foyer, and it made her shiver. His voice was rough and smooth, and was filled with power. Anything he said to her gave her chills, and she so badly wanted to hear him sing again.

He extended his gloved hand to her, and said, "Are you ready to begin your lesson?"