Hi everyone! Thank you all for the reviews they are all so sweet! So I'm excited to begin this chapter because I really don't have a plan for it I'm just letting whatever happens happen, so I am rather excited for that!
Please review I love hearing from all of you and I hope you enjoy chapter 10!
"I had a funny feeling I would find you here." May found Erik at his piano scribbling down random notes and lyrics; the day zoomed by quickly. Once May got home last night she attempted to sleep but tossed and turned all night long with thoughts of the day prior. When she finally fell asleep she awoke late in the morning, went to a quick rehearsal, widow shopped down town, and then ventured down to Erik's lair early.
Erik jumped at the sound of her voice. Quickly he turned around to face the young lady clad in a light purple dress, decorated with wild blonde curls dancing around her face and a bright grin upon her full lips. "Miss. Daily, you are here early."
May glanced down at her feet then back up at Erik and began walking towards him. "Yes, well I had nothing to do so I decided to make my way down here."
Erik turned his body in the direction she was walking. "Well that is quite alright, I'm just finishing up here." He motioned to the piece of parchment he was writing on. May gave a small ok then sat on a chair that was seated by the piano.
May watched Erik as he returned to his writing. Every now and then he would play a few chords or differently melodies then write down some more notes. The entire time she watched him she was transfixed on one thing; the stark white mask that sat smoothly on the right side of his face. She was so intrigued by this object. What could possibly lie beneath it is it that terrible that he needs to hide it away like this? Many thoughts flew through her head. Deciding to avoid the topic she turned in her chair resting her head on her hands which were upon the top of the chair. Clearing her mind she decided to study the dancing flames of the candles that burned in front of her on the numerous extravagant and rather large candelabra's that decorated the space.
"So how was your date last night?" Erik's beautiful golden tenor voice snapped May out of her haze. She turned swiftly to face him; upon turning she noticed that Erik had a wicked look upon his face and a cocky smile.
"It was not a date and it was very nice, thank you for asking." Erik held up his arms defensively, as he did so May laughed at him. Standing on sturdy feet May began to walk to the piano, once there she leaned forward on her elbow watching Erik as he worked.
Erik glanced up at May quickly then looked back down grinning. "So was he the proper gentleman you imagined him to be?" May looked at him quizzically but Erik looked back at her with the same expression.
"Well, I mean I guess so. He is very sweet and we had a wonderful time." She replied.
"Did you now?" He responded jokingly.
"We did." She spoke sure of herself now. There was a short pause.
"Did you kiss him?" Erik asked quickly just to joke with her, when really he knew the answer and knew May would get riled up.
May stood straight and glanced down at him with wide eyes. "What; no I did not kiss him and he did not kiss me. Erik it was just a friendly get together."
Erik gazed at her. "Maybe to you but was it to him?" May was confused; was that more than a walk in the park in Jacks mind? What if he meant for it to be more? Oh God what have I gotten myself into. She thought. Spinning out of her haze she was about to respond to Erik's comment with a cocky yet refined answer when he spoke up changing the subject. "There, now I'm done."
May came over and met him at the front of the piano where he sat. "May I hear it?" she asked.
Erik looked up at her from where he sat. "Maybe one day," he stood, "But not today, we have some work to do." Erik walked to a small table behind them and set down the music then returned to standing in front of May.
Even though May was rather tall Erik still towered over the young girl. Glancing over her Erik noted the change in her appearance from the other night when he studied her in her sleep. She looked a bit taller but maybe because of her shoes, her eyes appeared to be greener and had a sparkling glow to them. Her cheeks had a childish pink tint to them, her dress was more formal and elegant than the other night, and she seemed to be happier and more energetic than had ever seen her. Dear God what is this boy doing to the poor girl? He thought; Erik already knew how quickly one person can change when they have found a certain someone who they are falling for, and although he hardly knew this young women standing before him, he knew for sure that he did not want that change happening to her.
Pushing aside all thoughts that ran rapid in his mind he turned from May and walked to a bookshelf full of song books and sheet music in search of a new song for May. "So have you heard of the new opera for this season?"
May followed him closely and leaned up against the book shelf. "No I have not, do you know what it is?"
"Il Muto, and you will be auditioning for it." He responded confidently.
May was thrilled. Il Muto was one of her favorite operas, but she was also confused; she was already in the ballet corps she had no reason to audition for anything. "Auditioning? Auditioning for what?"
Erik turned swiftly and smiled at her. "Why auditioning for the chorus of course!" May was shocked. Thoughts flew left and right inside of her mind. The young girl could hardly stand up right she was so confused.
"Me auditioning for the chorus, how is that even- how could I- Erik am I even ready?"
"Ready, of course you are ready. Now not only will you have a featured role in the chorus but you will still be featured as the shepherdess in the ballet." He spoke completely sure of himself. Turning away from May he made his way back to the piano. May scurried behind him swiftly.
"But Erik how can you be so sure?"
"I have my way's madam." His voice suddenly changed into a deep haunting tone that bellowed all around. He gazed into May's eyes with a look that told her he meant business. With Erik seated now at the piano bench May assumed that there conversation was through. "I will prepare you for the audition the next time we meet, but for now we must work on your site singing ability." Turning from May he spread out sheets of music across the piano. "Now I want you to try your best to sing from measure sixteen through thirty one without stopping, do not worry about the words for now just sing on La." Without any further question or discussion Erik began to play the beautiful piece.
Once it was time he counted May in and helped her with the first note then let her continue on her own. Listening intently Erik noted that May was having a lot of difficulty; there were times when she would go a full measure and sing every note spot on but there were also times when she would miss every note in the measure and Erik would have to help her to get back on the right track. Finally after a while they reached measure thirty one and both stopped at the same time.
Erik sat for a moment without saying a word as May looked at her feet trying to hide the blush of embarrassment upon her cheeks. Finally Erik broke the silence. "Ok, that was not that bad. Why don't we try it all again but this time I will sing along with you."
With Erik's assistance May was able to get through the entire piece without fail. The rest of the evening went fairly quick; there time was mostly spent on site reading but towards the end Erik began teaching May the Il Muto audition aria. May was already one step ahead of Erik because she knew the aria by heart already.
The young girl was completely oblivious to the plot forming in Erik's busy mind the entire time. Not only was he going to give the managers strict instructions on casting Christine as the Countess, but he was also going to demand May to be casted as a maid alongside the Giry girl and the shepherdess in the ballet, giving the young women her first ever chance to sing with the chorus. Erik knew that by doing this May would be absolutely thrilled, but the managers would not. But the managers were not his main concern.
As time passed Erik decided that a short break was well needed. May wandered over to the couch she fell asleep on a few nights ago and sat down upon it; the many layers of purple fabric from her dress flowed in a waterfall of material off the side of the couch. Erik followed her and sat on his thrown like chair that was a short distance away from her. As the two sat there seemed to be a beautiful silence surrounding them. Neither of them wanted to speak and disturb the silence.
Erik directed his attention away from May but May's attention staid transfixed on him. She noted how his amber eyes glistened in the candle light, she noticed his breathing ,deep and low, she noticed how thin he was but yet how built he appeared to be. She scanned her eyes over her face and took note of his lips how his upper lip seemed bigger and more bloated than the bottom, she also scanned over his perfect and pristine hair. As her eyes roamed over him they would always come back to his mask. She had to know what was underneath but did not want to be rude.
Working up some courage May decided to let her curiosity lead her questioning. "Erik may I ask you something?"
Erik turned his attention back to her. "I suppose."
"Why do you wear a mask?" Erik's heart stopped, everything around him froze. He had been dreading the day she would ask that question ever since he met the girl.
Not knowing what to do or how to respond he stood quickly and turned away from the young ballerina. How can I possibly tell her about my face, what if her curiosity gets the best of her like Christine? I can never have her see this dreaded sight; she will surely abandon me, or expose my secret to the world. He backtracked on what he had just thought. Would she do that though? She's different. I hardly know the girl and she's already been nothing but kind to me. No she still can never know about my cursed face.
Turning back around to face May, who now had a very anxious look upon her face, he responded with a dark, serious tone. "Maygan, you have your secrets and I have my own. My mask should not be of a concern to you." Erik watched as May gave a shy nod. "Please you must not confront me about my mask again do you understand?"
"I-I understand… I am terribly sorry." Silence; Erik sat back down and took a deep breathe to try and calm himself down.
"It is alright." May was scared for a moment. The only other time she had ever seen him get uptight like that was when she brought up the Vicomte de Chagny. "Well then, shall we get back to work?" May nodded.
During the rest of the lesson May was not herself and Erik could tell. Her volume was softer, her pitch was getting thrown off and her posture was horrible. Erik could tell that she was either mad about something or too caught up in thought to realize that she was still even singing.
Erik was right. May was completely wrapped up in thought. What is he hiding beneath his mask? It cannot be that horrible and that dreadful thing looks terribly uncomfortable. But whatever is underneath must be odd because of how he reacted to my question. As she sang May scanned the line of his mask looking for anything that would give her hint to what lies beneath. Her eyes caught back on his lips again. She gazed over his top lip seeing that it was mostly bloated towards the right side where his mask lay but other than that there were no other signs of anything underneath.
Another thought popped into her mind. What did he mean by him having his secrets and me having mine? Of course I have secrets and I understand he does too but why is this one so horrible. I know I shouldn't be bothered so badly about this but why will he not just tell me.
As Erik came to the last chord of the current song May's voice cut out and only the echo of the piano was heard bellowing through his lair. Still glancing at the music in front of him Erik began to speak. "Well good lesson this even. Tomorrow night we can…"May cut in before he could finish.
"My full name is Maygan Louise Daily, although I am 15 I sometimes still sleep with a stuffed dog, I despise vegetables, I keep a journal although you already know that, my least favorite color is green even though it is the color of my eyes and I have lots of dresses that color. I am not the biggest fan of cats…"
"May what are you…" He was cut off again.
"I cannot stand Carlotta, I tend to be very insecure, I hate public speaking, I get very uptight in big crowds and small spaces, I am jealous of Christine Daae, I miss my parents very much. I hate wearing tights, I don't like to think of the opera house as my home, I love to paint and draw but I never have time, I love the French language, and dream of traveling the world someday, oh yes and when I was 10 years old I broke one of the foot lights on the stage and blamed it on you." Taking a deep breath May gazed deep into Erik's eyes.
It took a moment for him to speak. "May, what was that?"
"Now you know my secrets, I hope one day I can know yours." Silence; Not a word was spoken. "I will see you tomorrow night Erik, then Good evening Monsieur." With that May spun around swiftly and was on her way back to her dorm.
Meanwhile in his lair Erik was left completely dumbfounded. What am I to say to her? I'll just have to tell her and hope for the best. But that is risky. "Erik you fool!" he yelled to himself slamming his fist down on his desk in the study, he fumbled through the clutter of papers upon it until he found a picture. It was a drawing he had done of Christine. He glanced at it for the longest time but could only think of May while he was looking at it.
How can a girl so young be as strong and courageous as she? He thought about her being all alone when she was young, then he thought of her all alone now. He also thought of her and Jack. In some ways Jack was just like the Vicomte which wasn't good for May at all. He realized that as he thought he was scared for the girl, more scared than he was for Christine. Sure Christine was all alone but she has Madam Giry and Meg, May has no body.
She's truly all alone, he thought. Just like me.
At that moment Erik realized that May was something special, something so special that he couldn't lose. May was his friend. His actual friend and no matter what happened in the world Erik couldn't lose her. He had to protect her and he had to watch out for her.
"No harm or pain will ever come to this girl for as long as I live."
YAY, well that was Chapter 10 I hope you all enjoy it! Please leave a review I love hearing from all of you! Thanks so much!(: