The next two weeks passed quickly, and it was the night of Prom. I agreed to go with Drake, since we had already made plans to go together while we were still a couple. I got into my pink gown with help from my mom, having to wear a hoop under it because the skirt of the gown was enormous and had a small train with it. As I looked in the mirror, I saw myself as Christine once more. The dress reminded me of the one that she wore to the masquerade ball for the New Year, and how beautiful it looked on her. When Drake got there, I came down the stairs, slowly so I wouldn't trip. Mom was snapping pictures with her camera left and right. I didn't tell her that Drake and I broke up. I looked at him curiously when I saw that he had to masks in his hand, one was silver with some sequins and was in the shape of a butterfly and the other was just a simple black mask. He helped me with my corsage as Mom continued to snap pictures, and I discreetly rolled my eyes.

"Drake, what are those for," I finally asked as he helped me the rest of the way down the stairs. He looked at me, eyes wide as he put the butterfly mask on me, and then laughed.

"Don't tell me you forgot what the juniors planned for our prom," he said, laughing still as he put on his mask. "The theme is Masquerade."

I felt the color drain from my face as I looked at him. With everything that had happened in the last couple of weeks, I not only had forgotten about Prom, but I had forgotten it's theme as well. I looked at myself in the mirror again, swallowing nervously as I looked at my reflection. It didn't seem real; I pinched myself to make sure that I wasn't dreaming. And I wasn't. Shit, I thought, a Masquerade themed Prom. How awesome is that? And if I know Erik, he's going to be one of the chaperones, jumping at the chance to see me once more.

Erik and I hadn't spoken since the night in his basement after the final performance of Beauty and the Beast. In the two weeks that I hadn't spoken to him, Buquet's autopsy revealed that it was a suicide, and he was buried at a quiet funeral service. Even though we both knew the truth, we didn't dare speak of it. I felt bad that I wasn't speaking to him, but I couldn't face him after I knew the truth. For me, he was too much like the Phantom that he had descended from. He was the cold and heartless Phantom, not the Phantom that was caring and compassionate to me. Drake pulled me outside and helped me into his car, the skirt of my gown barely fitting into it as he shut the door. He got in on the driver's side, driving off down our street towards the hall that had been rented for our Prom.

"I think you look beautiful tonight," he said softly, reaching over to take my hand. I slowly opened mine, his hand fitting perfectly with it. However, something didn't feel right. "I guess this is as good of a time as any. I have something that I want to say to you."

"And what's that?"

"I want you back, Sophia. I miss you. If you love me, please say that you'll have me back."

I thought about it for a moment, thinking about if things were going to be different now that Buquet was gone, the trial was over, and so was the musical. Then, I thought about something else, sighing softly. It was time to come completely clean if we were going to get back together. "I'm going to tell you something that I want you to take into consideration before you ask me that question again."

"You can tell me anything. You know that."

"I might as well brace myself because you're going to slam on the breaks," I said, putting my hands on the dashboard. "I kissed Monsieur Destler."

Just as I predicted, the car came to a halting and screeching stop. I lurched forward, the seatbelt and my hands catching my weight as he threw the car into park, turning and looking at me. "You did what? How could you do that to me?"

"Okay, first off," I began, turning and facing towards him, my voice angry and hard, "you were always jealous of him for no reason. At one time, I cared for him only as my teacher, but something changed between us and we just couldn't deny it. So if anything, the kisses, which there were three by the way, just happened and I would be thankful that we didn't have sex. He said it himself in court; I was the only adult in my life that I could trust. Secondly, we were on a break! It was your idea to take a break from this relationship until all of this shit was over, and the only reason I accepted was because I couldn't handle being in a relationship at the time that the trial was starting and we had the musical too! Yes, I kissed him. Yes, he's my teacher. And yes, I love him! But no, I will never be with him unless I want to be and right now, I don't want to be! And quite frankly, I'm not sure if I want to be with you either." I adjusted myself in my seat, crossing my arms as I looked towards the road. "Tonight before we leave Prom, you think about what I just said and what you just asked me and I'll think about it as well. When we leave, you tell me what you want and I'll tell you my decision. Got it?"

He looked at me. I could feel his eyes piercing through me. I had never talked him like that before, and I believe that it caught him off guard. He didn't say anything more, putting the car back into drive, resuming our journey to the hall for Prom.

When we got to the hall, it was beautifully decorated in rich, vibrant colors of reds, blues, violets, and black. Drake and I walked in arm in arm to our table, pulling out my chair for me and helping me to sit down. Our table was full of the main cast members from Beauty and the Beast. Jay, Chrissy, and two others as well as their dates were all seated with us. Dinner was provided and as I ate, I looked around at the other juniors and seniors that were there, and then I took notice of the chaperones. They had dressed accordingly to the theme as well, which was very unusual. I turned back to my Caesar salad, eating slowly as I glanced around. I nearly choked on a crouton as I watched the door open and one of the chaperones come through the door.

There he was, just as he was in the dream, dressed as Red Death. Every detail of his costume was exact, from the mask and the make-up around his eyes, to the vibrant red suit and black boots. He even had a rapier attached to his belt, which was sheathed, of course. Drake patted my back as I coughed into my napkin, his face showing concern, thinking that I was choking. I raised my hand up, letting him know that I was okay as I took a drink of water, panting softly. I continued to eat, slowly and carefully, avoiding eye contact with him and Erik throughout the rest of the meal. After a while, I decided to make a venture to the bathroom, standing up from the table and holding my skirt as I walked to the bathroom. I kept looking straight ahead, making my way between tables and finally to the main doors, going out into the foyer. What I didn't realize was that he had followed me. He grabbed my arm just as I got to the bathroom, pulling me into a vacant office, shutting and locking the door.

"We're going to talk this out, and we're doing this now," he said with a hard voice, grabbing me by the arms and sitting me on the desk. I looked up at him, my hands folded in my lap, knowing that there was no way I could get away from him, not in his huge dress. "Why are you avoiding me?"

"I've been avoiding you because you're a murderer, Erik. How can I be around someone that murdered another person?"

"James Buquet was not a person. He was a piece of shit that was going to get away with raping you."

I looked up at him, blinking. "What did you just say?"

He sighed softly. "I know that ADA Nolan told you that he was going to be found guilty for what he had done to you, but he didn't want to tell you the truth, Sophia. I guess he wanted to put your mind at ease so you would finally get some counseling about what happened. I went to the courthouse the day before the performance to talk to ADA Nolan about something. I got lost and somehow found myself outside the room that the jury was in. They were arguing; I listened to their voting for a while, and discovered that ten out of the twelve jurors were voting not guilty. They couldn't get pass the kiss between us." He slowly placed his hands in his pockets, looking at me with gentle and apologetic eyes. "I couldn't let him get away with that. So I took him and convinced him that he wanted to die because no one could ever bear to love him and he had already been planning on it. I made him tie the noose around his neck, but when he didn't have the courage to actually do it, I pushed him off of the catwalk. If anything, Sophia, I only did it to protect you because I knew if he had the chance, he would come after you again and there wouldn't be anything that I could do to stop it. He would have done away with me. So, I'm sorry for hurting you so badly." He turned back to the door, unlocking it and opening it, turning to look at me one last time. "I hope that in time, you will forgive me." With that, he left me there, going back out into the dance. I left the office sometime after him, using the restroom and going back to my table. I could feel the tears in the back of my eyes, but I fought them back. I felt a warm hand on my back, turning to look at Drake.

"Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost," he said, rubbing my back softly.

"You have no idea."

It was 11:00pm. The dance was waning and most of the students had left to go to one of our classmate's after party a couple hours before. My table was all still there; we were having a good time just dancing by ourselves. I stopped after a while, going out to the balcony to get some air. My mind was still on the conversation that I had with Erik, and what Drake had asked me earlier. I sighed heavily as I felt the warm night breeze against my skin, stiffening up as I felt someone behind me. I slowly turned my head, seeing Drake with his hands in his pockets, watching me. I turned the rest of my body, resting against the balcony railing as he stepped closer to me, eventually standing beside me, looking out at the town.

"I've been thinking about what happened in the car earlier," he finally said after a few minutes of silence, not looking at me while he spoke. "You were honest with me. You came clean about what you and Monsieur Destler did, and I feel that I should probably come clean too."

"Okay," I said reluctantly, unsure of what he was about to say.

"When you told me about the dreams that you were having about Christine Daae, I didn't want to believe you. I thought that you were just telling me a story and that the tour of the Paris Opera House had got into your subconscious. A couple of weeks after we got back from Paris, I started having dreams too, and I think you know who I was."

I slowly turned my head to look at him, studying his face to make sure that he wasn't lying to me. And he wasn't. He was being completely and honestly serious. "Well, now you know how she struggled back then, just as I was struggling."

"I felt empathy for him and for you two as well, but with all of that drama that was going on a few weeks ago, I just couldn't handle it." He turned me to me, taking my hand just as he did in the car. "Sophia, I forgive you for everything, no matter what your decision is. I love you, and I always will. Will you take me back?"

I thought for a few more minutes, gently stroking the top of it with my thumb. I glanced over, seeing Erik peering through the window, watching us. I swallowed a small lump in my throat, and then looked up at Drake, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Drake, I love you. You're my best friend, but…I can't be with you romantically. I feel that at this time, I need to concentrate on the help that I'm getting from group, and they recommend not being in a relationship is best for me until I feel that I'm ready to be in one. I'm sorry."

He looked at the window, then back at him. "Are you lying to me just to be with him," he asked in a whisper, his eyes searching for the truth in my face.

My gaze traveled to the window before I answered. "No, because I'm going to tell him the same thing as soon as you give us some privacy. He's waiting for you to leave."

He squeezed my hand again before he pulled his away, backing away and taking off his mask. "I'm going to get our things and get ready to go. I'll meet you down at the car."

I nodded, watching him go. I turned my back towards the doors again, taking my mask off as I heard them close. I didn't look at him at first, and then I turned slowly, looking up at him. I slipped off my shoes, my bare feet standing on the cold floor of the balcony, revealing my actual height against the over six foot tall Erik Deslter.

"Are you choosing me then," he asked quietly, not moving as he looked down at me.

I shook my head. "I don't want to be in a relationship right now, Erik. That's what I just told Drake, and he understands. I just hope that you can understand it too."

He nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. "You know, Sophia, I still believe what I said about our dreams. No matter what happens, or where we go, we will always find each other."

I nodded, picking up my shoes and holding them in my hand. "It's late. We should be heading home."

He nodded, walking me back inside. "You should rest up. Graduation is next week, and I'm sure that you're really excited for that."

"Yeah, and in three months, I'm leaving for New York. I'm leaving this place behind, and I can't wait."

He chuckled softly after he got his coat, walking me outside to Drake's car. "You'll do well. I believe in you."

Drake got out of the driver's side to help me into the passenger side. Chrissy was standing outside, waiting for us for a ride home; her date suddenly ditched her to go to the after party. We all looked up as Drake opened the car door to let me in, knowing that Erik had something else to say.

"You guys go straight home. That party is not where you should be tonight."

We all nodded and I got into the car, looking up at him as Drake got in and started the car. We slowly drove away, my gaze fixed on Erik the further away we got from the hall. I sat in the car quietly, thinking about everything that had passed within the last few months, and how it was all going to be forgotten after next Saturday night. I looked down at my mask, letting out a quiet sigh as I heard a soft song in my head.

Masquerade

Paper faces on parade

Masquerade

Hide your face so the word will never find you…

Then, something clicked in my head. Something that we could give Erik from all of us at Graduation and it was something that he would love and appreciate for the rest of his life, no matter what we did. I turned to Chrissy and Drake, my face excited and ready to share my idea.

"Guys, let's go to my house. I have the perfect parting gift for Monsieur Destler."

With Chrissy's help, since she was our class president and with the help of Drake getting copies of the score to the orchestra, the seniors' gift to Monsieur Destler was nearly ready. I was giving him my copies of Think of Me from Hannibal that I had gotten from the Paris Opera House. The only thing that we needed was to surprise him with the score and for him to play for me while I sang. That was something that we had to go to the superintendent for. We arranged it where he would have a little something to say, I would remove my cap and gown and join him on the stage, present the music to him and ask him to play for me. It was a near perfect plan; the only glitch was how we were going to keep Erik from finding out what was going on before the ceremony.

The Graduation ceremony began and everything was going smoothly. We all received our diplomas after the orchestra played. As we all sat down, the superintendent came up and introduced Erik to the crowd and announced that he was leaving the school. She asked him to say a few words. He nodded, stepping in front of the microphone, clearing his throat.

"Well, first off, I would like to thank the superintendent and the school board for giving me the opportunity to work here at this wonderful high school. There are many talented students here…"

As he continued with his speech, I quickly removed my cap and gown and grabbed the score with the piano music on top, having tied it all together with a beautiful red ribbon. I made my way to the stage slowly, holding the music behind my back as I came up on stage, just as he finished his speech.

"…I thank all of you for being so supportive, and I shall never forget you." He turned and looked at me, chuckling. "And here is one of our talented students now, ladies and gentlemen. Miss Sophia Day."

I curtseyed to the audience as they applauded me. I turned my attention back to Erik, smiling sweetly. "Miss Day, what are you doing up here," he asked me with a smile, his hands folded behind him.

I cleared my throat, stepping closer to the microphone. "Monsieur Destler, on behalf of the senior class, I present you with this gift just as a small goodbye for us." I moved the music to show him, holding in both of my hands. "This is a copy of the score from the opera Hannibal that was stored at the Paris Opera House, with full orchestration for the aria Think of Me. I was hoping that you would accept this gift and play it for us?"

He smiled, taking the music and untying the ribbon slowly, looking at it. He looked back up at me, speaking into the microphone once more. "I will play only if you sing with me."

I smiled broadly. "I would be honored."

He smiled. "Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Sophia Day," he said, moving back over to the piano, getting the music where it should be. I took my place in front of the microphone, listening intently as he began to play. I breathed deeply, and began to sing.

Think of me
think of me, fondly
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me once in a while-
please promise me you'll try.

When you find that
once again
you long
to take your heart back
and be free-
if you ever find a moment
spare a thought for me...

Right on cue, the orchestra came in, playing the interlude with Erik. He looked back at them, then at me with a smile, shaking his head. He knew I had planned this. I smiled back at him, and then turned my attention back to the audience. For the first time since that first night in his basement, us composing music together, I felt whole once more. I felt Christine, Raoul, and the Phantom were with us, inside of us and within the words of this song. I let the music fill my soul, and I continued to sing.

We never said our love
was evergreen
or as unchanging as the sea-
but if you can still remember
stop and think of me ...

Think of all the things
we've shared and seen-
don't think about the things
which might have been...

Think of me
think of me waking
silent and resigned.

Imagine me
trying too hard to put you
from my mind.

Recall those days
look back on
all those times
think of the things
we'll never do-
there will never be
a day, when
I won't think of you...

The audience applauded for me during the second interlude as I tilted my head in thanks. Then, suddenly, he came in with words of his own while he continued to play.

Long ago

It seems so long ago

How young and innocent you were

You may not remember me

But I'll remember you…

Flowers fade

The fruits of summer fade

They have their seasons

So do we

But please promise me that sometimes

You will think…

Ah-ah-ah-ah-aaaah-of me!

The music ended with a thundering note and the audience erupted with applause and a standing ovation. I closed my eyes, curtseying on stage, my only thoughts now of music and of my future as I acknowledged my audience. Erik came over from the piano, taking my hand and kissing it ever so softly just as he had always done after I performed, mouthing 'thank you' to me as he turned me to face my audience once more.