Christine

I stayed in my room all night, thought I didn't want to. I wanted to go and be with Erik, to yell at him immediately. But I could not, I had to plot and plan. To figure out how exactly I would make Erik follow me, then accidentally lead him to where I would be flirting with Erik. How to do it...

Ah!

I would leave a letter for him! I would say that I would be waiting in the gardens behind the Opéra Populairé, and to meet me after I finished work at the Opera.

I actually did not have to work today, so I would go to Mme. Giry's, write my letter, and have Madame deliver the letter to Erik.

I left, trying to look as dejected and hurt as I possibly could with the thought of what I was about to do.

I barely looked at Erik during breakfast, said a short goodbye upon leaving, and only gave him a brief peck on the cheek in parting. He was the picture of heartbroken, which made me almost abandon my cause. Then I thought of Charmaine and I resolved to accomplish my task.

I waved to his retreating form, then walked to the surface.

"Christine." Mme. Giry greeted me with a curt nod. "Madame. How have you been?" I asked, hoping she'd let me in. "Fine, and you? How has your new friendship fared?" She had stepped aside so I was able to come in the house. "Fine enough." I sighed. "Oh? What is the matter? Has he harmed you?" Mme. Giry took my shoulders and pulled me closer, perhaps searching for sings of abuse.

I sighed again, "No, only—" "He acted clueless and made Christine jealous." Meg interrupted, standing beside her mother. "I do not understand. I think you shall have to explain the situation to me, Christine." Mme. Giry said.

So I did, with Meg's eager help.

"Ah. So you wish to 'get him back' as you put it. I will help, for I think The Opera Ghost deserves to be knocked down a few pegs. But I also warn you: Be careful how far you go. He is very dangerous when he is jealous or heart-broken. Do not try him."

What an ominous sentence. Was the Erik I knew really so dangerous?

I did not really think so, but would heed Mme. Giry's warning.

"Write your letter and I shall deliver it.

I began to write:

My dear Erik,

Meet me in the grounds surrounding the Opera Populaire,

The little garden area.

I have something I wish to tell you,

---Christine

I handed the letter to Mme. Giry. "Could you give it to him in two hours? There is someone I must visit." I asked as I handed her the letter. Mme. Giry acknowledged my request with a nod of her head.

"Who are you visiting?" Meg asked cheerily. "Mme. Valerius. I have not seen her in a while, and I would hate for her to think I have forgotten her." I explained. "May I accompany you?" Meg asked.

"I think this is one visit I should make alone. I am sorry Meg. We must get together soon, though!" I gushed, and hugged her. "Yes, we must!" She giggled and we parted.

I left in search or Mme. Valerius.

I opened the door to her room, "Christine? Christine Daaé? Is that you? Come here! Where have you been?! I thought you had forgotten me!" She exclaimed. I rushed to her side, knelt down beside her, and took her frail hand in mine. "Mama Valerius, I could never forget you! I promise. I'm sorry I did not visit sooner; but I was occupied with the Angel of Music. I was not sure how long he would let me stay on the surface. He can be very possessive of me, and worries excessively when I m away." I explained, fibbing a little—Erik was not usually overly possessive...

"Oh! Well, why did you not say so! Oh, my little Christine—Spending time with the Angel of Music!" She gushed, terribly excited for me; I smiled.

"I know! Oh, it is so wonderful. We sing like angels in heaven—At least that's what the Angel says. He thinks we are glorious together. He says I still need some improvement, but that I am so very close to being perfect." I giggled, so very happy and glad to share it.

"It is wrong to fill Mme. Valerius's head with such things. How could you tell her lies, Christine, how could you?" Raoul's voice accused me.

I turned from Mme. Valerius and faced Raoul de Chagny.

"I am not lying, Raoul. I have met the Angel of Music! He did say that I was almost perfect in my singing abilities." I said indignantly. Raoul stepped closer, a scowl on his face, "It is not right to mock the elderly, Christine."

"I am not mocking her!" I snapped, standing up and facing him. "If she says she saw the Angel of Music, she did!" Mme. Valerius, glaring at Raoul. Raoul sighed.

It was then that I remembered I had to flirt with him—Ew.

He started to walk out the door. I stood, muttered a goodbye, then chased after Raoul.

"Raoul, wait! I need to speak with you!" I called. His back went rigid.

"Oh?" He turned with a scowl,"What do you need, Christine?" "I want to apologize for my earlier behaviour and ask if we can take a walk in the park..." I trailed. Raoul brightened, "Oh, that would be lovely."

He linked his arm with mine and we headed toward the garden areas.

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Erik

Madame Giry gave me the letter and I set off running. I reached the garden and waited.

Ten minutes passed, then Christine came around the corner, her arm resting on Raoul.

RAOUL!!!!!

He said something and she giggled, leaning in closer.

My heart was breaking.

Christine looked my way, and her face went pale, why was that?

She muttered something to him, and they parted. She came over my way, stopping a few feet short of me. "Erik." She stuttered. "Christine," I said stiffly, " Why were you with that Fop? He has no right to spend time with you. How dare you?!" I snapped.

Christine grinned, "You don't like it when I spend my time with another man, do you? No. And you don't like it when I laugh at what that other man has to say. You don't like it when another man pays attention to me, do you? Or compliments me, or is just being polite."

Now I understood. And I deserved that.

"You truly don't wish t spend time with Raoul? Was that all an act?"

"No. I hate spending time with him, he is so self-centered! And yes, that was all an act—Even the part where I went pale upon seeing you." She giggled, "I thought you were going to drag me down to your lair and force me to stay with you until you trusted me!" She laughed, clutching her sides.

"I will never do that." I promised, hoping that would be true. I hoped I would never do what she had said.

She linked her arm with mine, and we headed home, Christine still chortling at her prank.