It was Tuesday. Day two of the trial, and I was a nervous wreck. I dressed as nicely as possible, having ridden with my parents to the courthouse for my chance to testify against Buquet. Drake and Monsieur Destler met us there, saving us some seats in the courthouse on the side of the prosecution. On Sunday, I told ADA Nolan everything about Monsieur Destler and I. He was pretty mad about it, but told me to be honest on the stand, and told Monsieur Destler the same when he saw him in the courtroom this morning. I skipped school the day before to listen to the opening arguments of ADA Nolan and Buquet's lawyer, Andrew Harley. ADA Nolan was right; he not only was a shark of a lawyer, but he looked like one too. He was an older man as well, had gray hair, a sharp jaw, and was about as tall as Buquet when they stood together. When Buquet saw me come into the courtroom, he smiled at me. I didn't look at him, keeping my eyes on the judge and the twelve members of the jury. ADA Nolan began after the judge came in, who thankfully was a woman, telling the jury how Buquet was a predator and how his actions upon me were premeditated, and he deserved to go to jail for all that he had done to me. The defense's story was much different. Mr. Harley told the court that Buquet was an innocent man, and that my stories against him were fictional fragments of a young girl's imagination, and to get the attention of my parents and other adults in my life.

I sat in between Monsieur Destler and Drake, while my parents sat on the opposite side of Drake, not even acknowledging Monsieur Destler when he said good morning to them. I watched as the day in court seemed to drag on, with ADA Nolan's witnesses being called before the court first. The first two witnesses that were called were the lead detective on my case, who told the story of when I walked into the police station to report my rape. He acknowledged that the report that I made against Buquet was accurate and correct, and it hadn't changed since day one. However, when Mr. Harley questioned the detective, he asked him how I was acting when I made the statement. He had my emotions right; I was exhausted, distraught, and hysterical at times during the time that I was at the police station and when I was at the hospital. However, that didn't seem to be the case with Mr. Harley. He prodded the detective that maybe I was acting that way because I was scared, and I accused Buquet of rape because I had sex with someone else. The lead detective stood by his word, saying that I had a legitimate claim of rape. He was dismissed, and the next witness that was called was the doctor who had examined me at the hospital. ADA Nolan presented the evidence that was taken from me during my rape kit, posting pictures of me and copies of the DNA strands that came from the kit, exam, and what they found in my room after they were searching through it. The doctor walked through the evidence that was collected, showing that the entire DNA found under my nails, the spermicide from the condom and the one found in my room was a match. There were also bruises on my thighs from him prying my legs open, and she also told the court that my hymen was torn which was an indicator that I was a virgin when I was raped. As she described the evidence, I lowered my head, rubbing my eyes. Monsieur Destler glanced at Drake and my parents before patting my hand reassuringly, letting me know that it was going to be okay. Mr. Harley contested the evidence that was presented before the court, saying that the bruises could have been caused by anything and anyone, and the torn hymen could have been caused by anyone. We took a twenty minute recess and I stepped outside of the courtroom, running my hands through my hair as I sighed heavily, knowing that my turn was next.

"Are you okay," a voice asked as he came out of the courtroom, standing in front of me. I looked up, seeing ADA Nolan.

"I'm scared," I said softly, looking up at him as my parents, Drake and Monsieur Destler came out of the courtroom, looking at me.

"I know you're scared, but it will all be over soon," he said reassuringly. "Just remember to stay calm and answer the questions honestly."

"I know…I know."

He walked away to get a drink as everyone looked down at me. I felt like Christine as everyone was trying to convince her to perform in the Phantom's opera. My parents didn't say anything as they went back into the courtroom, followed by Drake. Monsieur Destler stayed out in the hallway with me, looking down at me. Suddenly, before he could speak, we heard a voice from the other side of the hallway, evil and cold with a sly smirk in his voice.

"Why doesn't this surprise me," the voice asked, folding his arms over his chest, watching as we both looked up, seeing Buquet. "I bet you're glad that I knocked it out of you, aren't you Sophia? Now you can be with your precious music teacher while you still can."

"Leave her alone, James. You've done enough damage, don't you think?"

"Oh, no. I haven't even begun to do damage yet, Erik," he said, looking at me, even though Monsieur Destler shielded me behind him. "I will see her shed tears before she steps off of that stand today."

I saw Monsieur Destler lunge forward, grabbing Buquet by the shirt, lifting him and slamming him into the wall. I gasped, trying to pull Monsieur Destler back and he gripped Buquet by the throat. He gasped for air, holding onto Monsieur Destler's arm as court officers came running. "The crazy man defending the crazy girl! Can't you do something about this," Buquet shouted towards the court officers, just as Monsieur Destler dropped him to the ground, stepping back as I stood in front of him, panting softly.

"She's not crazy! She's telling the truth!"

"Erik…" I whispered softly so only he would hear. "Please stop."

The court officers helped Buquet up, which he shrugged off, going back into the courtroom. Monsieur Destler looked down at me, cupping my chin in his hand, his eyes soft and gentle.

Sophie…Sophie, don't think that I don't care, he sang in a whisper so only I would hear, but every hope and every prayer rests on you now…

My eyes widened as I stared up at his face, taking a step back as they called my name to come into the courtroom. Did I hear what I had just heard? That was the same song that Raoul had sung to Christine when she was struggling with her decision for the Phantom's opera. Could it be that he was having the dreams too? Thoughts began to race through my mind as I stepped back into the courtroom, walking forward to take the stand. I absentmindedly placed my right hand on the bible and raised my left hand, staring out into the courtroom before I heard the judge say, "Miss Day? Did you hear what the court officer just asked you?"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do."

"Please state your name for the court."

"Sophia Christine Day."

"Please have a seat."

I sat down behind the stand as ADA Nolan stood up behind his table, walking around as he buttoned his suit jacket. He smiled at me reassuringly, leaning up against the barrier between the floor and the jury.

"Miss Day, please tell the court a little about yourself."

"I'm seventeen years old and I attend Peabody High School, where Mr. Buquet was the principal. I'm really involved with all of the musical activities at the school, performing in the drama club, choir, and band. There is nothing that makes me happier than music."

"I see. So, how did all of this start with you and Mr. Buquet?"

"Well, I was on a class trip to Paris and we were visiting the Paris Opera House on the first day that we arrived. I was walking around in the theater, and when Monsieur Destler came in to find me, the chandelier fell and I pushed him out of the way so that the chandelier would fall on me."

"That was very brave of you. It sounds like you're lucky to be alive."

I nodded. "I woke up in the hospital a few hours later and Monsieur Destler was there, but I fell asleep not long after I woke up and visited with Drake for a little while."

"Drake was your boyfriend, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

He nodded. "When you woke up again, who was in your room to keep an eye on you?"

"Mr. Buquet."

"Was he one of the original chaperones on the trip?"

"No. When the accident happened, Monsieur Destler called him to let him know what happened and he flew out immediately. When I woke up, he was coming out of the bathroom."

"Can you tell me what happened next?"

"We were just talking, and suddenly I felt something creeping up my leg. It was his hand. He…he…"

"Take your time, Sophia."

"He began to touch me…in between my legs."

"Unprovoked? And you didn't ask him to?"

"No, sir. I even asked him to stop, and he wouldn't. He said that if I didn't let him do what he wanted with me, Monsieur Destler would lose his job and I would lose my scholarship."

"Mr. Destler? Now, he's your music teacher, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"So, what you're saying is that even though you refused his advances, you let him do what he wanted because you were trying to protect Mr. Destler's job?"

"I said 'no' every time that I was pulled out of class. This continued every day since we returned from Paris."

"What classes were you pulled out of?"

"It was always music class."

"For how long?"

"Usually twenty minutes, or until the bell rang for the next class," I said, my hands starting to tremble as I gripped the arms of the chair, not daring to look to the other side of the courtroom.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, my eyes locked on him.

"Describe for the court the night of the rape."

I took a shaky breath, looking at the jury. "It was two weeks ago. My boyfriend, Drake, and I were at my house, watching a movie while my parents were out of town. I fell asleep and Drake carried me upstairs to my room. While I slept, Drake cleaned up the dishes, turned off the television, and left. When he left, he didn't lock the front door like he was supposed to. The only thing that I can assume was that Mr. Buquet was watching the house and waiting for him to leave so he could come in." I took another breath, my eyes traveling throughout the courtroom, seeing Buquet whispering to Mr. Harley. "The next thing I knew, I felt something hard pushing inside of me and this intense pain shot through me. I woke up and found Buquet on top of me. I fought him, scratched him, and clawed him, trying to push him off of me. I even yelled and screamed, telling him to stop and that he was hurting me, but he kept going until he came. He…he used a condom, which he threw away in my room. I was in so much pain."

"So, the medical findings from your rape kit are consistent with your story; you were a virgin when you were raped by Mr. Buquet?"

I nodded softly, sniffling as I grabbed a tissue, wiping my tears away.

"Sophia, have you altered this story in any way?"

"No, sir."

"Thank you, Sophia. No further questions."

I wiped my eyes again as ADA Nolan went back to his table and sat back down. I brought my head up as Mr. Harley cleared his throat, looking at me.

"So, you say that my client raped you, after he repeatedly molested you over the course of two months?"

"Yes, sir, that's correct."

"Then how would you explain this email that was sent by you to my client the day of the rape," he asked me, showing the same piece of paper that Buquet had shown me the night that he raped me.

"I never sent that email. It's a fake, and Mr. McGregor will tell you so when he testifies."

"Uh-huh. And what about your lead in the school musical?"

"Objection! Relevance?"

"The witness opened the door when she was telling the court about her performing in the various musical activities in the school. I would like to know how she got that role."

The judge nodded. "I'll allow it."

"I auditioned like everyone else."

"Uh-huh. Miss Day, how would you describe your relationship with Mr. Destler?"

I took a breath, letting it out slowly. "He's my teacher. I admire him, and he has helped me a great deal through this mess."

"So, you didn't have sex with him to get the part?"

"Objection!"

"Withdrawn. You say that you admire Mr. Destler. Would you do anything for him?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you were with my client to save his job."

"I wasn't with him willingly."

"But you were still with him. And what about your parents? They're not home very often; isn't it possible that you could be telling and spinning this story to get their attention?"

"I'm not making this up."

"Your emotions are running high, and since they're running so high, would you care to explain this," he said, turning on the television that was in the courtroom. I turned my attention to it, groaning at the images that appeared on the television screen. Someone had taken video of the fight between Chrissy and I, and it was given to the defense to use against me. I looked down at my hands, the scabs on my knuckles and hands slowly healing as I looked back up to the courtroom, starting to panic.

"She-she provoked me," I replied shakily.

"She provoked you? Look at you, Miss Day! You're pummeling her into the ground!"

"Objection!"

"Stop it."

"And look who comes to save the day! Your very own favorite teacher! Hmm, he's holding you just a little too close, don't you think?"

"Stop it!" I sobbed, holding my head in my hands.

"Oh, but I'm not done, Miss Day. Look what else some cameras found," he said, switching the clip. I looked up, gasping. It was a clip from the same day. Monsieur Destler pinning me to the wall, and kissing me.

"Oh, God…"

"Hmm, Miss Day, I don't think you were very clear on your relationship with Mr. Destler, were you?"

"OBJECTION!"

"No further questions," Mr. Harley stated with a smug look, sitting back down at his table. The judge dismissed me from the stand and I ran out of the courtroom, sobbing as I went into a corner. Luckily, the judge called for a lunch recess and court was adjourned until that afternoon. I stayed in the corner, crying so hard that I couldn't breathe. After a moment, I felt someone's arms wrap around me. I recognized the build and the familiar scent as I cried into his shoulder, wrapping my arms around him tightly.

"Drake, I am so sorry," I sobbed as I clung to him, gripping his shirt.

"Shh…no, I'm sorry, Sophie. I am so sorry that this happened to you," he whispered, holding me in his arms as I cried. My parents walked past us, followed by Monsieur Destler. I ignored them all, only focusing on Drake for the moment. "I'm also sorry that I let this happen to you. I wish I could have stopped it."

"Please, stop. I just need you to hold me right now."

He nodded, holding me close to him as I cried. I don't know how long I cried, but his shoulder was soaked with my tears. I didn't pull away for a while, laying my head on his other shoulder. He kissed the top of my head, and then he asked the question that had been burning inside of him for months.

"Do you love him?"

I couldn't bear to hide it any longer, slowly bringing my head up to look at him. "I do, and I think I always have," I replied honestly, thinking about us in the present and Christine and the Phantom in the past.

"You know that you two can never be together, right," he asked, tucking some hair behind my ear, helping me to stand. "It won't ever work between you two. He's like, twelve years older than us."

"I know, Drake, but you know what? I need a little happiness right now. This is tearing me up, and be thankful that you're just a character witness and you're not the victim."

"Sophie…I think you may need some help. This isn't healthy for you."

"I don't need you to be patronizing of me right now! I need you to be supportive!"

"I'm being supportive, Sophie. I'm just suggesting something for the future."

"I need to be alone," I said, walking away from him, going to the stairs, sitting down on a stair a couple flights down from the floor. I sighed heavily. My case was now definitely screwed, after the tape of Chrissy getting pummeled by my own hand, and Monsieur Destler kissing me in the hallway outside of the auditorium. What was going to happen now? What was Drake going to say on the stand? Better yet, what was Monsieur Destler going to say on the stand? I sat there in the quiet stairwell, humming softly the song we wrote together. For some reason, it seemed to soothe me, even though it was only a small bit. I leaned back against the wall, humming more and more, the song echoing through the empty stairwell. Then, a voice joined in with my humming, footsteps coming up the stairs slowly. I opened my eyes, and I saw Monsieur Destler, sitting beside me, wrapping his arms around me. Our voices, low and soothing, entwining as one once more.

The trial resumed after lunch. I was in the courtroom first, followed by Drake and Monsieur Destler after Monsieur Destler held me in the stairwell. My parents didn't return, and I wasn't sure where they had gone. I guess they couldn't take it. Drake was called to testify first for my character, telling the court how I was a good person and a good girl, that I would never hurt anyone and that I was a virgin while we were together. He also told the court that we had never had sex while we were together. When Mr. Harley had him on cross, he began to pry more and more about my relationship with Monsieur Destler and how Drake felt about it. Drake told the court honestly that he didn't know the extent of our relationship until today with the video clip from the camera. He also told the court that it did make him a little jealous, but he knew that I was happy with him and Monsieur Destler. He had only hoped that Buquet would go to jail for what he had done to me. After Drake stepped down from the stand, Monsieur Destler was called up to testify. He strode slowly, moving up to the stand, placing his hand on the Bible and swearing to tell the truth. He stated his name for the record, and then sat down in the chair, waiting for ADA Nolan to begin his questioning.

"Mr. Destler, how long have you been a teacher at Peabody High School," ADA Nolan asked him as he stood up, walking out from behind the table, watching him.

"Four years, and I'm twenty-nine years old."

"I see. So, you have had Miss Day as a student since she was a freshman then, is that correct?"

"Yes, sir, that's correct."

"Describe her as a student. What was she like?"

"She was a dedicated and hard worker to everything that I put in front of her. She's a perfectionist; she wants to succeed and do well. She has that drive about her, and you can see it really shine through when she's in the school musicals."

"Would you say that drive is her downfall?"

"Absolutely not. It makes her more confident as a student."

"Do you believe that she feels comfortable with you as a teacher?"

"Yes, I do. I was the only adult that she came to when I first became aware of what Mr. Buquet was doing to her. She also came to me when she was raped. With her parents not home very often, she doesn't have good, strong authority figures in her life, so she felt comfortable coming to me."

"Would you care to explain the video that we saw earlier? Both clips, if you please."

"Well, the day was normal, but I knew that Miss Day had reported the rape the night before. I was walking down the hallway when I heard Miss Page yell, which was followed by students clamoring and cheering on Miss Day as she continued to fight with Miss Page. I was the only teacher to break through the sea of students and pull Miss Day off of Miss Page. I was only holding her so close to restrain her. As you saw in the tape, she was incredibly angry, and I had only found out later from another student what Miss Page had said to Miss Day."

"And what was said between the two?"

"Miss Page was telling Miss Day that she had given herself willingly to Mr. Buquet and was asking her questions such as if she couldn't take it or if she enjoyed it. Miss Page also flicked Miss Day's hair while she spoke to her. Miss Page provoked Miss Day, and that is why the fight started between the two."

"What about the other clip that we saw? The kiss between you and Miss Day."

He looked at me, then back at ADA Nolan. "She was upset because I canceled rehearsal so she was angry. She said that she didn't want to live anymore, and I kissed her so she would see that she wasn't alone, and that she would never be alone."

"Do you care for Miss Day, Mr. Destler?"

He looked at me before he spoke. "I do, Mr. Nolan."

"Do you believe that she's making any of this up?"

"No, I do not, especially when I was the only person that she could come to and that she could trust when this was happening."

"Thank you, Mr. Destler. No further questions," ADA Nolan said as he sat back down. Mr. Harley stood up, coming around the other side of the table, eyeing Monsieur Destler as he spoke.

"Why didn't you go to her parents when she first told you about what my client was allegedly doing to her?"

"I would have if her parents were at home long enough to know what was going on."

"Hmm…so when you say that you care for Miss Day, do you mean that you love her?"

He looked at me again. He didn't smile, but I knew that he was only going to try and protect me. "I care for her a great deal."

"But do you love her?"

"As a student…yes. As a lover…no. She is too young, and we both know that it wouldn't last if we even tried."

"So you want to try and be with her?"

"Objection!"

"Withdrawn. Mr. Destler, you said that she came to you the night of the rape. Where were you?"

"I was at home, alone."

"Oh, so you were home alone. Well, then couldn't it be possible that you were the one who had sex with her?"

"Objection!"

"I have not touched her like that."

"But does it make you angry that someone else did?"

"It makes me angry that someone else hurt her like she was hurt."

"Angry enough to hurt someone, Mr. Destler?"

He sat there silent, not saying a word.

"You have some anger issues, don't you, especially when it comes to men hurting women?"

"No, I do not have anger issues."

"Really? Then how did a window in your classroom get smashed one Saturday morning? I believe that was because Miss Day told you that my client was allegedly molesting her."

He stayed silent, glaring at him.

"And what about what happened in the hallway earlier today? Didn't you grab my client by the shirt and slam him up against the wall for him even speaking to Miss Day?"

He glared at him, sighing softly. "Yes."

"Hmm, well, looks like Miss Day better watch out if one teacher is supposedly molesting her, the other could be abusing her."

"Objection!"

"No further questions."

Monsieur Destler stepped down from the stand, leaving the courtroom. I didn't follow him at first, and then I looked at my watch, seeing that it was almost three in the afternoon. ADA Nolan turned to whisper to me before he called up the prosecution's last witness. "You can go ahead and leave, Miss Day. I know that you have dress rehearsal this evening."

I nodded, getting my things and leaving. I didn't say goodbye to ADA Nolan. I didn't ask Drake for a ride to the school. I took the elevator down, going outside to hail a cab. I didn't see Monsieur Destler anywhere, and quite frankly, I didn't want to see him. He loved me as a lover; I knew that he did. Otherwise, how could he have kissed me like he did? How could we have made beautiful music together like we did the other night at his house? I got into the cab, telling it where to go as I adjusted in my seat. When I got to the high school, I went immediately to the auditorium, getting ready for the dress rehearsal.

The rehearsal ran smoothly, and everything was falling into place for the show. I was the last one to leave, changing my clothes slowly as I rubbed my eyes. I was exhausted. It had been a long day, and my mental and emotional minds were on the brink. While rehearsing, my mind fell upon the song that Monsieur Destler had sung to me in the hallway. I was startled by it, but it made me wonder how he knew that. My mind traveled to the dreams again as I rubbed my eyes, slipping my shoes on that I had worn in court today. I wondered what happened to the Phantom and Christine. Would they end up together or would she choose Raoul? How did the performance of Don Juan go? I came out of the dressing room, shutting the door and immediately bumping into Monsieur Destler. He had been waiting for me. I tried to step around him, but he gently grabbed my arm, pulling me back to him to face him.

"I want to talk to you about today."

"What is there to talk about? You only love me as a student. I understand," I said, shrugging my arm out from his grip. "I have a long walk home, so if you'll excuse me," I said again, stepping away from him.

"I lied on the stand."

I froze on the stage, turning back to look at him. "Are you insane? If they find out about that, they can declare a mistrial!"

"They won't find out about it, as long as you don't say anything," he said, coming up to me, and placing his hand on my neck. "You need to keep this to yourself, Sophie. As hard as it will be, you need to keep this to yourself. I love you, Sophia. As a student and as a lover."

"Monsieur Destler, I –"

"Erik."

"What?"

"Please, call me Erik," he said, planting a small soft kiss on my lips. His lips moved to my cheeks, then my nose. "I love you, Sophia. I just thought you should know, even if you don't want to be with me."

"I…I need some time. I don't know what I want right now."

"I understand. Now, I know you noticed that your parents were gone. They couldn't take it, so they put me in charge of you while they are out of town."

"Did they say how long they were going to be out of town?"

"No. I'm sorry, Sophia. They shouldn't have left you like this."

"They do this all of the time. They don't care about me."

"Well, I care about you," he said, kissing my forehead. "Come on, I'm taking you home. You need to rest," he said, taking my hand and walking with me out to his car. He opened the door for me, helping me inside and shutting the door before he got inside. He drove to my house, stopping in the front, parking his car. "Would you like me to stay with you? Are you going to be okay staying here alone?"

"No, I don't want to bother you. I'll be okay staying here alone."

"Well, if you need anything, you know where I'll be and you know how to get ahold of me," he said, kissing my lips softly again. "Sophia, I love you."

"I love you too, Erik."

He smiled softly, getting out and helping me out of the car, walking me up to the front door. "I'll be here for as long as you need. I'll wait for you."

I smiled softly. "I know," I said, unlocking the door, going inside. "Goodnight, Erik."

"Goodnight, Sophia."

I watched him leave, shutting and locking the door behind me. I walked up the stairs to my room. I felt like I was floating on air. He loved me. He really loved me. And I loved him. But how could we be together, especially during this trial. I changed for bed, laying down and pulling the sheets over me, holding onto a pillow. My mind traveled to Christine again, wondering if she loved the Phantom as well as Raoul. And again, what happened next after the practice for Don Juan? I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep, slipping back into the confines of my dreams.