Erik
       
It was New Year's Eve, and the whole city had gathered for a festive night in order to celebrate at the park.
   
Christine, being part of a rich family, had been invited to reside in the VIP seating to watch a live performance of famous singers. She was allowed to invite certain guests, and I was one of them.
   
For the special occasion, I dressed in a black suit with my nice dress shoes. Tonight, I was going to make an impression on Christine and confess my feelings to her.
   
Once I had made it inside, my eyes constantly searched for a glance of Christine. There were many actors, directors and singers surrounding me, as well as photographers.
   
At last, my eyes rested upon the most beautiful sight. Christine was sitting at a table, conversing with some people. She stood, making her way through the crowd.
   
It was my chance. My feet strode in her direction, when our paths crossed. "Good evening Christine."
   
She turned, finding my eyes. "Bonne Destler mr soir et une heureuse nouvelle année," she spoke in that beautiful language.
   
"Happy New Year. How are you this evening?" I asked politely, feeling a little nervous.
   
"I am merveilleux. Usually, I am not one for parties, but I am enjoying myself tonight," she smiled.
   
I nodded, "That is good. So, how does a sixteen year old get invited to a party such as this?"
   
Her shoulders shrugged. "Well, you have to be sixteen, filthy rich and in the performing arts."
   
My lips released a chuckle at her statement. "Also, I wanted to thank you for inviting me. This was very kind of you."
   
"You're welcome Monsieur. After all, you are the one who has helped excel me in my talent of music. It's the least I could do."
   
My eyes suddenly fell upon a silver charm dangling around her neck. It was the necklace I had given to her, she was wearing it. "That is a beautiful piece of silver you are wearing."
   
She looked down, touching her hand to it. "Thank you. It was a Christmas gift from a secret admirer."
   
Inside, I chuckled with amusement. "It is quite lovely. Whoever the secret admirer is, he must be very interested in you."
   
"Yes. I have been admiring this necklace for awhile. This admirer also knows how to flatter a girl," she blushed.
   
It was the time to leak out a hint of my secret. "Well, sometimes, the one who admired from afar, is nearer than you believe they are." My hand took hers.
   
She shifted uncomfortably, pulling her hand away. "Um... I must be-"
   
"Hold it right there," commanded a photographer. "Come on sweetheart. Christine Daae and her inspirational teacher."
   
I put an arm around her waist, she put one around mine. Once the pictures were complete, she rushed off to her friends standing nearby.
        
My hint must have frightened her a bit. Obviously, something had been going through her head to make her a little on edge. Of course, I was no mind reader back then, so I was unaware of what went on in her head.
        
Her friends were trying to comfort her from what I saw. But there was one boy that I didn't recognize. His arm was rubbing her back while her head was on his shoulder. Judging from the position of the two, they were close.
        
The group took a seat at a table near them, and food was served. My place was at the same table they resided at. It was going to be awkward if I decided to seat myself at the same place.
        
My next idea was to sit off to the side and watch others dance.
        
Hours upon hours passed. Midnight was nearing, and I wanted to confess my feelings at midnight. If I hid my feelings for her any longer, I would probably implode from the heart.
      
My eyes glanced to the dance floor, and the most hurtful sight was in front of me. Christine was with that boy, her arms around his neck, and his on her waist. They gazed into each others eyes, smiling endlessly.
        
I felt my heart shatter into one thousand pieces. My Christine was dancing with another boy, and she seemed to be enjoying it. A photographer met them, capturing photos of the couple.
   
My eyes began to burn from the scene. Not wanting to see more, I rode to the roof in the elevator. A thin sheet of snow covered its surface. My prints were left behind, but were covered easily by a light snow drift. Tears fell from my eyes as the vision of Christine dancing with that boy replayed over and over in my head. The torture was almost too much for me to bear.
   
The sudden sound of two voices echoed in the night. One of them I knew to be Christine's. Not wanting to make things weird, I ran behind a statue, but made sure I was within earshot.
   
"And then there was the time we stayed up past curfew. My parents were outraged with me," I heard an unfamiliar male's voice.
   
"Yes, and my father was laughing, because he saw the love between us," her angelic voice spoke in the night.
   
The boy chuckled. "I was grounded for a week. But, I snuck out of the house."
   
She gasped, "You never told me that. I can't believe you," she giggled at him.
   
"Well, I couldn't just stay away from you." I saw them walk to the edge together.
   
Christine released a sigh. "I can't wait til I graduate. This city has become so dull."
   
"Really? In what ways?"
   
"For years, I have lived here in the same city. Not once have I ever left its boundaries. There are so many places to go and things to see out there. I have never had the chance to go and see them. But, when I graduate high school, the first place I am going, Paris. Then, London, Germany, Ireland, Africa, everywhere. Of course, I will be off to college first."
   
Hearing my love talk about her dream made me sad. She didn't want to stay in LA. The only thing she desired was freedom. In my mind, I knew she was going to leave, but that was when I realized my feelings for her were stronger than ever. I didn't want her to leave.
   
"Sounds like you have some plans. Are you going to go with anyone?" asked the boy.
   
She shook her head, "I don't know. The thought of taking my friends along has crossed my mind. But I think they have other plans."
   
"Well, what if I went along with you? I can show you all of Paris," he said excitedly.
   
"Oh Raoul. That would be wonderful!" she threw her arms around him.
   
"Raoul. So that is the dirty boys name," I mumbled, scowling at the boy called, Raoul.
   
"Are you cold?" he asked her.
   
"A bit yes," she shivered in place.
  
Raoul removed his jacket, then left for the elevator. "I will collect your shaul."
   
Once he left, Christine and I were the only ones left on the roof. According to my watch, it was five til midnight. It was an option to do it sooner or later.
   
From my hiding place, I emerged. "Christine," she gasped, turning towards me, "What a pleasant surprise."
   
The fear in her eyes and movements were obvious. "Mr. Destler. What are you doing up here?"
   
"I was just taking a pleasant stroll along the roof, admiring the view, watching a lovely couple," I looked to her for a reaction.
   
Those eyes grew wide, and her mouth dropped. "You were spying on Raoul and I?"
   
A chuckle escaped my lips. "Well, I couldn't help but overhear the memories that you two shared as children."
   
She began towards the elevator. "Excuse me please."
   
I put one arm out, blocking her path. She looked up at me, and began to back away as I stepped towards her. "Christine, you don't deserve him. He is not worthy of your heart."
   
"Who are you to say whether he is worthy of my heart or not?" She raised her voice a little.
   
"Christine, I know you. You are talented, smart, outgoing and absolutely brilliant." It felt good getting to tell her what my thoughts were. "But Christine, I came up here for a purpose."
   
"Really? And what is that exactly?" she kept those glinting eyes upon me.
   
"Christine Daae, my love, my inspiration." My hands ran down her arms, slowly, ending upon her waist. "My feelings for you are strong, and I have loved you for the longest time."
   
"Why are you telling me this?" her eyes were filled with confusion.
   
"Christine, you love the music that I write, and you love to sing it. You are the angel, and I am the music. Together, we will rule the world with music that has never been discovered before."
   
The reaction from her startled me almost. "You're insane! You are absolutely insane!"
   
She tried to run again, but I stopped her. "Christine, you must understand. We belong together. You belong to me! Together with our musical talents combined, we can rule the world."
   
"NO! I don't love you!" she continued to try and run. I wouldn't allow it.
   
"Christine! Don't fight our love!" I held her waist as she still tried to escape my grasp.
        
"Get off of me! Help! Please someone help!" she creamed.
   
I cupped my hand over her mouth, yet she still struggled.
   
Without warning, Raoul appeared, a bit shocked by the scene. "Hey! What are you doing to her?"
   
Realizing I was hurting my love, my hands released her immediately. "Christine, please, forgive-"
   
"You're a maniac! Why would you ever treat a woman like that? You CREEP!"
   
My love and her idiot boy rushed down to the party once again. How I regretted everything that I did to Christine. My feelings had gotten the best of me. I was so desperate for her love, that I had forgotten what I was doing with my movements.
   
"What have I done? What have I done to my Christine?"
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I'm sorry for the wait everyone!! With Thanksgiving, my illness, audition for Oklahoma and grandmother in the hospital, I have been busy. Anyways, I will post the next chapter ASAP!!