It is opening night. I am unbelievably nervous about my part that is coming up in about ten minutes. I kept taking deep breaths as I did my stretches in my dressing room. I was dressed in my costume and ready to go. It was a deep red leotard with gemstones embroidered all over it, including a tutu that was extended out to just above my knees, with a very gorgeous beaded bodice. Madame Giry knocked on my door and walked in with a single red rose. I took the rose and took notice there was a black ribbon tied around it, it was from Erik. I smiled at it. It smelled like him. Roses, ink, and candle wax. My love for him is growing stronger each passing day.

"He also wanted me to tell you good luck." She smiled at me and gave me a hug. "I am nervous. What if I do not please him?" I said I am really scared. What if I mess up and he will not be pleased and won't talk to me again, Or be my angel of music anymore? "My child. You will do wonderful. You are one of the best ballet dancers in this Opera house!" I loved how Madame Giry would try to cheer me up and comfort me. She is like a mother to me, her family had always been close friends with my family since I could remember, we used to spend holidays together, go on picnics, it was always such fun until...I mustn't think such sad thoughts, I'm almost on! I set the blood-red rose on my vanity and raced to the curtain and waited for my cue when the music started. 'Mother I hope you are watching me right now. and I hope that you are proud of me.' I said a little prayer and finally, the music started. 'It's now or never' I thought to myself.

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I did not sit in my usual seat inbox five for the opera because that vial viscount de Changey decided that he would sit there despite my warnings. Instead, I watched the opera from the rafters where no one could see me. Christine's final number ended and caused an uproar in the audience. My beautiful Christine smiled with grace as the curtains closed. She truly is an angel of music! Before the opera began I made sure to give a rose to both my students Christine and Emma. the final act of the opera began and the curtains opened to reveal Emma in her costume. As the music began to start Emma kept in rhythm with the music. She danced with grace in every movement. As the act came to a close Emma bowed and smiled. Several men and women stood and clapped. She did very well for her first time performing. I left the rafters to Emma's dressing room and placed a letter on her vanity. Now I have plans with my beautiful Angel of music.

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As the curtain closed and I struggled to catch my breath. Christine and Meg ran over to me and hugged me. "You were great! I wish I was as great a dancer as you are!" Meg said and Christine nodded in agreement with Meg. "Oh no! You are a magnificent dancer as well Meg! and you too Christine! You both did wonderfully!" they both smiled at me and we walked arm in arm down to our dressing rooms. "I really wish I knew who both of your great tutors are!" Meg said. Christine looked at me and I knew right away that she wanted to tell her who our teacher is. I sighed and nodded. "I know you won't believe us but...Meg. Both Emma and I have been visited by an angel, an angel of music!" Christine said to Meg. "What!? you must be joking!" Meg said. Christine shook her head and started singing. As they sang about the Angel I took the time to slip away.

I walked into my room across the hallway from Christine's room. As soon as I got in the room I went behind the changing screen and peeled off my itchy warm costume and placed it neatly in my closet. I easily changed into a black nightgown with sleeves that go down to my elbow, but have ruffles that go down to my for-arm. The nightgown reaches up to my knees. I grabbed my cotton robe off the changing screen and wrapped it around me tying it closed. I sat down at my vanity and saw a familiar object on my vanity. A letter with the phantom's signature wax skull on it. I picked it up and held it close to my heart. ' I hope to god that it is not bad news!' I thought to myself. I closed my eyes and opened the envelope and read the letter.

My dear Emma,

You made your angel of music proud tonight. You were truly beautiful on stage tonight! Naturally, I would invite you to visit me at my home, but tonight I can not have you stay over. I am taking Christine down to my home to convince her that she should be with me. And of course, you will be welcome to live with us too. You are my only friend. I am sorry to disappoint you that you can't go and visit me tonight.

sincerely,

Erik

He is...going to make her stay with him forever? He has been talking about this for days. I have tried so hard to talk him out of it but he would not listen to me! Tears silently ran down my face. I don't really cry as normal girls do. the ballet girls cry silent tears, their makeup does not get ruined, and don't get a runny nose at all. I'm the complete opposite of all of that! I hate it because all of the other girls make fun of me. I just sat there and stared at the letter...Why am I so stupid? I just had to fall in love with him...The Phantom of the Opera.

Out of all the men in France! It had to be a masked man who acts like a ghost and lives under an Opera House! Out of a small fit of frustration and anger, I ripped the letter in half. Tearing it as i cried and making sure it was no longer legible. I need to just get over him, it will hurt so much but maybe it could be good for me. He loves someone else, I can't just pine over him forever. I wiped my tears and sighed, looking at my face in the mirror and looking at all the imperfections I had. The black stringy, unmanageable hair, the babyface...ugh! I went and flopped on my bed and laid there in defeat until the next morning.

I woke up to Meg pulling covers off of the bed. I groaned. "meg why did you do that?" I curled up more and tried to grab the blankets back since it was so cold. Letting out a huge yawn. "Christine is gone! No one can find her and the viscount is on a rampage looking for her! Mother sent me to come and get you to help her calm him down." I rose an eyebrow. "what do you mean Christine is missing?" I got up in a flash and disappeared behind my changing screen and got dressed in a blue day dress and left my raven hair down. "She was taken! Last night! The viscount said he heard a man's voice in her room and the door was locked!" I grabbed her hands in mine. The phantom took her to his home last night. How wonderful! (Note the sarcasm.) "She is going to be ok meg. Don't worry she is very brave! And she might be back in a couple of hours or so." She looked confused. "How do you know that Emma? She was kidnapped." Aw man. Me and my big mouth! I mentally hit myself in the head. "W-well...I know Christine like the back of my hand! I know she will be back!" We walked to Christine's room and saw Raoul pacing the floor. "Good day m.De Changey. It is very nice to meet you. I'm Emma Silver. A close friend of Christine's." He made a move to kiss the back of my hand but I took his hand instead and shook it. I hate how men kiss the back of my hand like that. It makes me uncomfortable. He of course gave me a weird look as I did this but shrugged it off. "Yes nice to meet you as well, miss silver. Now I don't mean to be rude but can you tell me where Miss Christine is?" He took a step closer to me. "M. De Chaney I'm sorry but if I did know anything about her whereabouts I would tell you." He then sat on Christine's bed and put his head in his hands. I feel guilty for him. He has no idea what's happening right now. I crouched down and placed my hand gently on his back. "I'm truly sorry sir. Why don't you come with me and we will talk over a cup of tea?" He slowly looked up and sighed "yes...yes that sounds like a great idea! Thank you, Miss silver." He stood up and I took his arm and led him to the kitchen...(little did we know that we were being watched)....