Recommended Music: "Teaching Mathematics Again" by James Horner (A Beautiful Mind, 2001), or "My Edward and I" by Dario Marianelli (Jane Eyre, 2011).

Enjoy!

~SealedHearts

Salty Sweetness

"Mademoiselle," replied the young man, kneeling on one knee and pressing a fervent kiss on the diva's hand, "I am the little boy who went into the sea to rescue your scarf."

Christine again looked at the doctor and the maid; and all three began to laugh.

—excerpt from Chapter 2; The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

My heart is beating so fast! Could it be? Truly, Raoul?

You silly boy, how could I forget you?

I cannot easily dismiss the bright hours we spent seeking shells, the dreamy afternoons we filled by spinning our castles in the air, nor the enchanting nights when we would listen to Father's tales.

Now I remember the day we first met.

You did rescue my scarf, didn't you?

I can still taste the salt in the air, feel frigid spray of the waves. You were completely soaked, driven by your boyish chivalry to aid a young creature in her distress.

I remember how the brightness of your eyes made me feel giddy inside, and the shy innocence of your smile made me want to dance.

Dear, I hope you can forgive me for this harsh treatment. I must appear so heartless after all we shared and, indeed, I despise myself for such unseemly conduct!

I wish you wouldn't look so crossly at me. If I could relieve you of your embarrassment, I would in an instant.

But I must cause you pain for both our sakes.

He is watching.

And when he fastens his deathly gaze upon you, he peers into your soul and gleans everything he needs to know.

So you see, I am scorning you in order to protect you, my dearest.

In time, you will understand.

For now, please remember me fondly, as we used to be, just us two.

One day, you will thank me for this temporary cruelty.

For you will still be free.

Only upon rereading this segment of the story, I realized Christine hasn't met the Phantom yet and still believes in the Voice. So...technically this poem is inaccurate, unless you consider this poem also explaining Christine's actions towards Raoul later on. Well, either way, I hope you liked it! ^_^