HIEE :D So here we are, back again! So Katia is instructed by the Phantom to not buggar up his plans for Christine... well does she? Let's find out!

Chapter 6: Everybody hates Carlotta!

The close encounter with death stayed with me all through the night. The Phantom of the Opera, was indeed inside my mind, and refused to leave. He appeared to be everywhere and nowhere all at once. I could not escape him through my dreams, so I refused to sleep the whole night. Though sleep did not cure me of his wrath, flashes of his anger and outbursts plagued me still. Nothing seemed to rid me of him. He made me scared to the bone, scared for my safety and scared for poor Christine. She had no idea of the fate that befell her: the Phantom loves her, and he was certain that she is to be his, no matter the price.

I am regretting keeping myself awake, as I play the aria for 'Poor Fool, He Makes me Laugh', Bess curled around my seat. Carlotta bounces across the stage in her ridiculous lavish costume, assuring the empty room that she is the leading soprano. Oh why they allowed her to return as leading soprano, I was not informed until I had seated myself at the piano and Christine was in the wrong costume. They had made her change!

Carlotta throws another one of her 'diva episodes' and I cannot take another! If it is not her 'ill-fitting dress' it's her 'vocals needing refreshments'. I close the piano and head for the back stage door. I don't care if I get in trouble, nobody will make me endure that for a moment longer.

I rush away and hide in the stables with Bess. I am very grateful for working here and having a place to stay, I am! But it is very trying at times. Especially now that I have lessons with the Phantom at 3 every day. I hate leaving Bess alone here, well not really alone but with strangers. I had gotten to know them well though, especially Henry. He was quite handsome and he had a charming smile. He always placed Bess beside him whilst tending to the horses. I liked that he treated her well and well, I suppose like a gentleman he always greeted her as Miss Bess. That I admired in a man.

Henry himself appears out from behind a horse, with a brush in one hand and the horses mane in the other. He smiles and drops the brush, rushing over.

"Good afternoon, Monsieur Henry." I blush, curtsying to him.

"And to you, mademoiselle." He bows back. His eyes never seem to leave me, blue oceans...

"Are you busy at all? I just... need to converse with someone who understands me." I take a seat on the bench near the stable door.

"Yes of course, do tell me. Is everything alright?" Henry sits beside me, concern covers his features. Bess jumps out from under my feet and rushes to the brush, chewing on it.

I take a breath. Do I tell him of the Phantom? Of my encounter with him? Or would it be endangering his life? The last thing I wanted was to cause harm to anyone that I held close to me! I decide to place the blame on Carlotta and her shrill shrieking voice.

"Well, you see. Carlotta has returned and well, now she has replaced Christine and I don't think I can play well tomorrow night if all I will hear is her dreadful vocals!" I hope I sound convincing, who am I kidding: nobody liked Carlotta's singing. I doubt even she thinks so highly of herself, it must all be an act, surely.

Henry bursts out laughing. "I knew it, your face tells all. No one likes her 'singing'. They just have to accept that she is the star of the show. I assure you, you are not alone in your opinions" he holds my hand in his.

I look at his hand and then his eyes. Does Henry, like me? I mean I would not mind, not at all! It would be nice to have a male companion of my own, but I am not sure that I would manage to juggle courting, rehearsals and the Phantoms secrets.

He leans toward me, his eyes closing... Oh my! He means to kiss me! What shall I do?

Just as I lean toward him, I hear the clock tower. I do not think of it, until the third strike. Oh No! I am late for the rehearsals with the Phantom!

I sit up abruptly, causing Henry to snap out of his trance. He stands quickly, facing me.

"I am sorry, I moved too..." he begins, but I cut him off.

"No! No, you are... you were perfect, thank you for cheering me up, but... I-I must be off! I have rehearsal! I mustn't be late!" I gather my dress and before he has time to reply I slam the door behind me.

My shoes batter the stone steps down into the lair, oh Lord, I hope he is not angry! What shall I say?

I turn the last corner before the lake, to find the Phantom standing in the boat with the oar, his eyes downcast. Oh dear...

"You are late,"...

Oh plamph, Katia, look what you did now! No Christine in this chapter, I am sorry! This wasnt very long either, but I have been chasing health problems and getting them sorted this past few days, so sorry bout that. But what about Henry and Katia? eh? nah this is an erik/oc story. But this is now an obstacle! and how will she do next chapter with the phantom?! I have been thinking about a face claim for Katia and all I can imagine, is Nina Dobrev, but season 2 of TVD nina not the older in season 6 right now, coz Katia is supposed to be 16. and i always thought Nina looked much prettier in season 2, dunno why. but yeah hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one will defos be longer. Thanks for reading! :D