Another request for IAMTIEBROUS

It was another cruel night at the circus. Poor Erik didn't deserve the abuse and cruelty that our master was serving to him. Erik and I were both just children and didn't ask to be where we were. I was just a runaway and Erik's own mother, his flesh and blood, left him here. We were captured by the Persian circus man and struggled to make it from day to day. We weren't served much to any food, but I always shared what I could find or receive, to Erik. 

"Here Erik. It's not a lot but it will hopefully satisfy your hunger." I told Erik while handing him a half slice of bread. 

"Thank you Heather, you're too kind to me."

"Somebody has to look after you and keep you safe. I pray we will get the chance to escape here one day. I can't take this anymore." I told Erik while keeping my eyes focused on the floor. 

"We will get out of here. I don't know when, but we will." Erik replied back to me, throwing his arms around me. 

I hugged him back not too tightly because of the fresh whip markings he had. We had a few moments to spare until more people arrived for the show. I was suddenly ripped away from Erik and thrown to the side. 

"Here he is folks! The devil's child!" The Persian man yelled out while laughing and taunting Erik. People joined in at laughing at him, tossing coins on the ground. The crowd started clearing out except for one girl, maybe a couple of years older than us. I watched as Erik grabbed a rope from the ground and snuck up behind the fat man while he was picking the coins up. I watched in satisfaction as Erik wrapped the rope around the man's neck, choking him to death. Finally, we're free! I snapped out of my daze as people who lingered started freaking out. Erik frantically ran and grabbed the bag he used as a mask before taking the stranger girl's hand and he ran off with her. I had a feeling this was going to happen, but maybe it was for the best. I picked up the coins that were scattered on the ground and ran into the night, looking for a life to live. 

It's been fifteen years since I escaped from that hell of a circus and I never seen my friend Erik again. I couldn't help but wonder what ever happened to him. Did he stay here in France? Did he jump onto a ship and go to America? I sighed as I continued searching for a job that involves playing piano. I was taken in by a loving elderly couple after they caught me trying to steal some of their eggs in their chicken coupe. They became like grandparents to me and I was forever grateful for that. I still lived with them so I could help take care of them. Which is why I was trying to find a job so I could give them my money to use for bills and groceries. My prayers were answered when I heard to gentlemen speaking.

"We need a new pianist Andre!" 

"I know that Firmin!" 

"Excuse me, I can help you with that. My name is Heather and I can play the piano." I smiled stepping in front of the two men. 

"You got the job then. We will show you inside of the opera house where you will be working." The gentleman called Firmin said before shaking my hand. Andre shook my hand next before leading me in the direction of the Opera Populaire. 

"I'm sure you know it's been two years since our Prima Donna Christine Daee left and the Opera House was burnt thanks to the opera ghost." Andre explained to me while leading me in the direction of the other instrument players and performers. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Heather. She is our new pianist and will start working tomorrow with us. Please introduce yourselves and make her feel welcome." Firmin tells them. 

Everyone came up and started introducing themselves and welcomed me before disappearing back to their practices. 

"My name is Madame Giry. Welcome to the Opera Populaire my dear. This is my daughter Meg Giry." Madame Giry motioned to the blonde girl next to her. 

"Nice to meet you Madame Giry and Meg. This place is beautiful since the renovations were done." I replied to her with a smile. 

"Meg, dear, go on back to rehearsal. I will be there shortly." Madame Giry told her daughter.

We watched as Meg made it back to the stage. 

"You need to be careful around here. Don't tell anyone I said this, but our Opera Ghost isn't gone. He hasn't bothered anyone since Miss Daee left, but that could change at any given moment. I feel like I should warn you for some reason."

"You look familiar..." I told her before freezing up. 

"The little girl at the circus that night...you rescued Erik!" I whisper yelled at her. 

"You're the little girl that was with him. I remember you. Erik is the Opera Ghost so be careful because he's grown up now and became a lot smarter. There's traps all over this place." She whispered to me. 

"Can you send him a letter for me? Let him know that I'm here?" 

"Of course dear. I must be getting back to my rehearsals now, but don't hesitate to ask me questions if you need anything." 

I didn't get time to reply before she walked towards the stage once again. My heart was beating out of my chest. I couldn't believe Erik was here. Oh how I've missed him! I smiled to myself. I need to go home and tell my family that I won't be back until the rehearsals and performances are over. 

After an hour I was finally back at the Opera House. My grandparents were happy for me and we celebrated. It was now eight p.m. as I made my way inside the Populaire. All the lights were out and it was dead silent. Well this is creepy. I made my way towards the hallway where a light was still lit. I knocked on the door and the familiar face of Meg Giry came into view. 

"Hello Heather. How can I help you?"

"Hi Meg, I was wondering where I would be staying at." I awkwardly asked her. 

"I'll show you. It's a bit further away from our rooms." She told me while grabbing my hand and leading me down the hall and made a right going down a few stairs. "Here you go. It's right beside my mother's room."

"Thank you Meg!" I smiled at her. 

"Not a problem Heather. Get some sleep since we have to be up at seven a.m. sharp. Rehearsals begin at eight. Goodnight." Her soft voice spoke. 

"Alright. Goodnight Meg." I responded back to her before closing my door. As soon as I turned around I noticed a red rose with a black ribbon and a letter placed on my bed. Curiously, I made my way to the bed picking both things up. I tore the envelope open and opened the letter. 

"My dearest Heather, 

I received your letter you had Madame Giry write to me. I am so glad to hear that you are safe and here with me once again. I have missed you dearly. We will have to get caught up soon.

Sincerely, 

Erik. 

My heart skipped a beat. He remembers me! I smiled before making a decision of sneaking to the stage to practice on the piano a little bit. Finally, I found it. I got lost on my way of trying to find the stage. Once the piano was in sight, I hurried over to the seat and sat down. My fingers started moving across the keys flawlessly as I read the notes on the music piece in front of me. I got so lost in the music that I failed to notice the person behind me. 

"You play beautifully, though I could teach you to excel further with it." I hear a voice tell me causing me to jump and place a hand over my heart. I turn around and gasp. 

"E..Erik?" 

"Heather, it's so good to see you again. I have missed you." Erik whispered back, tears in his eyes. 

I stood up and flung myself into his arms. After some hesitation, his arms wrapped around my waist. 

 "I never forgot about you. Every passing day I wondered if you were safe and if you were still here in France."

"I never stopped thinking about you. You have no idea how bad I wanted to come looking for you, but I couldn't." Erik explained to me. 

"I'm here now. That's all that matters. We're together again." I smiled up at him. 

It's been a month since I first came here to the Opera Populaire and accepted Erik's offer on the piano lessons. I've learned so much from him. He told me everything that had happened since he first arrived here and everything that he had done. He also showed me all of his music pieces, his singing, and other things. It was ten p.m now and I was currently sneaking down one of the trap doors to see Erik like he requested me to do. Thank God there was no rehearsals tomorrow, I mentally told myself. 

"There you are. I thought you had forgot about our session tonight." Erik chuckled. 

"I would never forget about our sessions! How dare you question that!" I grinned at him as I stepped towards the piano he had placed down here just for me. We both sat down on the bench. 

"I want you to play All I Ask of You tonight. I assume you've been practicing?" 

"Yes, Erik, I have." I answered his question after rolling my eyes. 

My fingers rested on the keys before flawlessly drifting across them and I started to sing the part that once belonged to Christine. Erik joined in with me. Our voices blended together like a perfect duet. My heart skipped a beat for the thousandth time in the past month. I've been in love with Erik since we were at that hell of a circus when we were children. He never judged me and I never judged him. We trusted and never gave up on each other. We got lost in the song and singing. I noticed that the song was ending now and I wanted to cry. This could go bad in so many ways but screw it. I turned to Erik at the same time he turned to me, his gaze meeting mine. 

"Love me, that's all I ask of you" We sang to each other at the same time.

Well this DEFINITELY went a different way. A way that I don't think either of us was planning. Without a warning, Erik's hands grabbed my face and his lips touched mine. Without hesitation I kissed him back. We pulled away to breathe. 

"Great minds think alike I suppose." I breathed out.

"I've loved you since we were kids at the circus. I never had the opportunity to tell you before I had to leave. I'm just glad that I was given a second chance." Erik whispers, his face still close to mine. 

"Kiss me again." I whispered.

"With pleasure. I've waited for you for my whole life." Erik responded before pulling me into another kiss, his hands still resting on my cheeks.