Erik

I watched my Christine as she sang her heart out on stage. Tears trickled down her rosy cheeks. Memories were playing through her head as she sang. The tears represented every one. As she finished, a roaring applause broke out from the audience. Everyone loved her. Especially me.

Suddenly, that Jackson kid stepped on stage with her, and wrapped his arms around my Christine. She hugged him back. My anger was already at its peak before I decided to follow her. One could not even imagine the pain I felt at that moment.

Her eyes found mine as I watched. All sadness was gone and replaced with fear. I smirked, lowering my head.
"I see the fear in your eyes my dear. You should be afraid," I whispered, looking down at my menu.

Eventually, Christine and her group left. All of them went home, except for Jackson. He decided to walk her home.

I continued my stalking journey, hoping nothing else was going to happen while they were together. To my relief, nothing did happen.

At the entrance of her building, they parted with one hug. Thank goodness she didn't kiss him, or do anything more. My love disappeared into her building, safe and sound. The lovesick boy started walking along the street, lost in thought as his feet scraped the ground.

I wanted no more to do with him. I started towards the school, thinking about my love. "She is falling in love with that boy. I can see it in her eyes. Why does she not see that we belong together? It's meant to be. I know it is."

As I entered the theatre, that voice I had heard a few weeks before returned to my head. "That Jackson boy is getting in the way of you and Christine."

"I know," I replied sternly. "I know he is. Now I have a new problem."

"You must separate the two of them before it's too late," it continued.

"But how?"

It chuckled maliciously, sending a new feeling of hate all through me. "Reveal yourself to her. Take her down to the lair," it started.

My head shook as I put my hand to my deformed face. "No, I can't. She can't see my face, and what it has become."

"Make yourself beautiful. Hide the hideousness you possess upon your face." It hissed in my ears.

There was no way to hide such a face as mine. "It's impossible. What could possibly make my face beautiful?"

"What about a mask?" Mask echoed over and over again in my head. "A mask would hide your hideous face."

A smirk crossed my lips. "A mask."

"Yes, Erik. With that mask, she will forever love you and never know of your secret," the voice hissed once again. "Make a white porcelain mask, and fit it to only the deformed side of your face."

I nodded, making my way down to my lair. "That is just what I shall do."

The task was not easy, but, it was worth it. I was doing it for my Christine. For hours, I worked on a mask to fit over my deformity. My goal was to finish before morning. I made the front of it handsome, so it matched the other side of my face.

Around the time of three A.M, it was complete. I stood in front of one of my many mirrors, placing the mask over my deformed side. It covered and fit perfectly over my deformed face.

"Perfect," said the voice. "Now you are beautiful. Christine will never deny the love you have for her, and for you."

My lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Yes. She will love me forever, and we will be happy together. Nothing will stand between us. Not even that boy, Jackson."

For the remainder of the night, I ordered special pieces of jewelry I wished for my Christine to wear with her dress. It was arriving just in time, since I insisted on paying more if they delivered it early. My Christine's dress was complete. It would easily turn from rags to a beautiful blue ball gown, as I had intended it to. Her shoes were also being delivered. I knew her size, and knew with her tights, her feet would slip in easily, considering how small they were.

The night turned to day. Slowly, the sun climbed the sky, lighting up the dim city. I set her dress and jewelry on a mannequin in her dressing room. The theatre had many dressing rooms, and I made sure she had the best one with her friends. I wasn't entirely unfair with her.

Next to her dresser, I placed the dress, jewelry and shoes. Even the little hair accessories I had made for her myself. She and her friends approached the theatre, as well as the rest of the cast.

Christine was talking to an unfamiliar woman. "So, what is the soonest my dress can be ready?"

The woman shook her head. "My apologies Christine. But, a dress that turns into another is a very difficult process. It will take too long."

She ran her hands through her hair. "Show is next week. What am I supposed to do for a ball gown? I have a dress to turn into the gold one for the banquet, but not for the ball."

Ella rubbed her shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll think of something. Perhaps, we could change the blocking."

Jesy protested, "There's no time. Mr. Ryan is already flustered as it is. He's not worried about you, Christine," she explained, "He is only flustered about Alyssa not leaving him alone, and the Phantom."

The few of them made their way for the dressing rooms with a flustered Christine. She was in for a big surprise. I hid behind the glass of the tallest mirror in the room, right next to Christine's dresser. Even better, the dress was in front of the mirror. The perfect view of her face.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, as well as chatting. Christine was still flustered about her dress until, the handle turned.

"I'll call a few of my friends and see if-" she froze as soon as she stepped in, "Oh... my... gosh... What a beautiful gown."

She stepped in further, admiring the beauty of my work. The woman was impressed as well. "Christine, did you make this?"

"No. I didn't even... Wow." My love was so in shock, she couldn't finish her sentence properly.

Jesy closed the door, joining the rest of the girls. "Chrissy, that's a beautiful dress. Who made it?"

"Je ne sais pas," she replied. "Is there a note, or a notice?"

The woman examined the dress carefully, astonished by such work. "Wait a second. Christine, this dress can change."

All exchanged confused glances.
"Here. Christine, you remember Cinderella from Broadway when you saw it at the Ahmanson right? You saw how Cinderella changed from rags to the ball gown right? She never left the stage, and you knew how she did it," the woman exclaimed. "It's the same thing."

Christine beamed with excitement. "Seriously? But, those dresses are the most advanced of sewing and patterns. Whoever made this must be a genius in sewing."

Ella picked up the jewelry I had for Christine, mesmerized by its beauty. "Girls, look at this. These are real diamonds."

My love took them in hand, gasping at such beauty. "Wait, these are the earrings and necklace I wanted at the jewelry store. As well as the tiara."

Jesy took one of the earrings, gaping stupidly at it. "Girl, these are ridiculously expensive. How could you afford these? Forget I asked that."

Christine picked up the crown, placing it on her head. "I didn't purchase these because it's a waste of money. When else would I be wearing these?"

Ella held up the shoes. "Christine, look at these slippers. They're multi colored, like the opal."

Jesy took them in hand, setting them on the floor. "Try them on."

She removed her shoes, slipping her tiny feet into the slippers. "They fit perfectly."

I smiled, seeing my Christine happy once again. "You're welcome my dear."

The woman started folding the dress into the rags. "Ella, you're helping Christine with costumes correct? Let me show you how to do this."

After a brief folding lesson, my Christine slipped it on and went on stage. The director watched as they performed the transformation. As did I. Christine was already a master. She then practiced the dance, and the transformation with the other dress. Finally, the scene where she lost her shoe. Everything was moving smoothly. The director seemed satisfied with rehearsal.

"Wonderful! Wonderful! Everything is perfect. The transformation, the ball, missing her shoe. It's perfect! We have a full dress rehearsal tomorrow everyone. Only three rehearsals until opening night! That's a wrap!"

Christine made her way to her dressing room to change. Speaking of opening night, I had plans. After the show, I was going to reveal myself to her.