The Righteous Path

Phantom of the Opera

A week had passed since the night Lilith saw Ghost. Halloween was coming up and fall term was in full swing. This also marked the beginning of her junior year; she was in the middle of a rigorous Chemistry major and still loving it. She sat in the same coffee shop as she did a week ago, watching the bustle outside as she sipped a coffee. People were doing shopping for holidays and winter break college parties as the street hummed with life. She, however, chose to stay in and forgo the stress and hassle of any parties. Most people who majored in Chemistry made it to their third year of study because of their lack of social life. Additionally, having grown up in a small town, the size of this city was also still overwhelming to her despite her years here. This made her a recluse of sorts. Sam had also decided to forgive her boyfriend, so she was without a party partner even if the mood to go out did strike her. All these reasons had made her decision to go to bed early and study for midterms easy.

She found her mind drifting to last Saturday and all its glory. Though she did not attend the party after the concert, she felt she got her fill of enjoyment. Plus, the thought of having to see Alpha again made her anxious and flushed. It was not every day that she let a random man take her on the floor of a theater lounge and she was still struggling with the idea that she had allowed it. She had taken up listening to the band, whom she was shocked she didn't know about before. Their sound was like a therapy to her now, it calmed her and energized her all at once. When she listened to them, she pictured how they moved and hypnotized their audience. How their hands worked their instruments, her cheeks flushing as her mind ran away.

Her dirty daydreaming was rudely interrupted by someone loudly pulling out the other chair at her table. Lilith's eyes darted from the window to who she was going to berate when she was meet by a familiar pair of green eyes. Her heart stopped, her breath catching in her throat. Swallowing hard, she tried to keep her face unchanged.

"Why hello." He said with a smile as he sat, setting his coffee down.

"Yes, hello" She said, pretending she didn't recognize him. It didn't sound very convincing. If anything she sounded like a bitch. He grinned and sipped his coffee, his eyes locked on hers.

"Did you enjoy the concert last weekend?" He asked very casually, though his eyes were devious.

"Oh, yeah. It was fine." She acted casual but could feel her cheeks start to burn. She had been trying to suppress the memories of that night all week, though still relived it in her dreams and daydreams. Every morning since, she had woken up wet and breathless. During dull lectures, she replayed the experience despite her best efforts.

She looked out the window again and saw that it had started to snow. The traffic on the street had slowed. He cleared his throat and placed his elbows on the table, folding his forearms in front of him. She met his gaze once again and was surprised to see he was still grinning. She couldn't help but smile back. She didn't even know his name but she was overcome with joy that he was sitting here talking to her. The feeling was frustrating.

"Well, I am sorry it was not as exciting as you might have liked." He sighed and pulled a letter out of his jacket pocket. "Are you free tonight?" She stared at him, trying to determine if he was being serious.

"I'm busy, sorry" She grew upset by his offer, anger and embarrassment welling up within her. He must think I'm a fool, or a whore. Maybe that is what he does, he goes around and gives girls 'special tickets' to concerts. "I have to go" And with that, she stood up and left the coffee shop, the heat of her flushed face burning in the cold air outside. He watched her walk out, then laughed and turned back to his coffee.

***********

It was about 3:30, she had changed into oversized sweatpants, a sweater and some fuzzy socks. Classical music was softly playing in the background to aid in her studying, which was not going well. She had just stood up to get some food when there was a knock on her door. She lived in a quad apartment where she and three others shared a kitchen and shower, but they each had their own room, half bath, and door to the courtyard. She walked to the door, assuming it was one of her roommates who often locked themselves out. As she swung open the door, she was greeted by a dark, brooding figure. He stood about an inch shorter than Alpha, with broader shoulders and a larger frame.