The Same (A PotO Phan-fic)

Chapter 7

.Layla.

I sat up in my bed and quickly started getting ready for todays rehearsal. It has been a week since my encounter with the 'Opera Ghost' and all the people at the opera house seem to have calmed down since the incident. Life seemed pretty fair here at the Opera Populair, most of the people were nice. A few were a bit mean like Justine and Carlotta but other than them, no one was mean.

I quickly changed into my dance clothes which consists of a white leotard, pink tights (they look white when you put them on), and my pointe shoes. I hurriedly scampered to the kitchen and picked up a small breakfast and went to the stage. Luckily I was there before we had to so I quckily finished the fruit I chose for breakfast and began stretching with Meg.

"So Layla, some of the dancers want to go out and eat tonight, want to join us?" Meg smiled warmly.

"I will think about it!" I replied cheerfully. Madame Giry walked on the stage and all the dancer immediately went to their places. The orchestra began playing the music of our first dance of the opera almost instantly. I began doing to techniques Madame Giry had taught to us. Gratefully I was a fast learner and got the moves down quick enough to be put in the performance; that inspired me to be better

After hours of practicing, it was presumably around six o'clock. A small group of us planned to go to a small restaurant near by. They group all laughed and chattered as we changed into regular clothes before our outting.

"So do any of have a idea of what you will order?" A dancer named Jasmine smiled. A chorus of different answers filled the area as we began making our way to the exit.

"Ah sorry ladies, I don't feel all to well, I think I will be staying." I lied and placed a hand on my stomach.

"That is a shame. Well there will be a next time." Meg gave a sympathetic smile and all the girls said a get well and left. I sighed and headed back to the dormitory, feeling slightly guilty for lying. After giving the idea of going out to a small restaurant a thought, it wasn't all to 'fun' sounding to me.

'Drawing sounds much much better than a loud restaurant.' I sighed and grabbed my sketchbook and supplies and headed towards the stage to draw once more. I didn't think much of that silly Ghosts threat. If all he could do was drop sandbags and blow out candles... Surely he couldn't harm a person. I quietly climbed uo to the stage and sat in the same spot as I did the week before. I pondered on what to sketch out this time, lightly tapping my pencil to my chin. 'Ah, I remember seeing a pot of roses left for Carlotta, I'll draw those!'

I took off my right glove and began to sketch out the extravagant pot that held the red roses, starting humming 'Think of Me' as well. I smiled softly, things around mr begin to fade as I got lost into my drawing. 'I'd much rather be an artist than a dancer, but I need a place to live.' I sighed silently at my thoughts but continued on working on the drawing. 'I wonder if I can survive on my own out-' My thoughts were cut off by the snapping of rope that was behind me. I quickly craned my head back only to find nothing behind me. Honestly, I thought my father had found me.

"Did I not worn you about wondering mh Opera House at night?" The deep voice that belonged to the Phantom boomed around me. "Are you looking for trouble, ballet rat?" I simply sigh and turn back towards the front of the stage, only to hear an angry muttering of words.

"I heard that, silly ghost." I mused, smirking slightly until I felt rough rope wrap around my neck. Immediately, I reach my arms behind me to latch onto my attackers legs, trying to at least injure their legs. I roughly dug my nails on my right hand into his shin- making the man hiss out in pain and kick my hands off him. I rushed my hands up towards my throat attempting to pull the constraint off so i could breathe again. The rope around my neck only tightened even more, causing me to kick out my legs and making me struggle more; my sketchbook could be heard landing with a thud near by. Small ragged gasps were escaping my throat and tears sprung to my green eyes as painful memories began to rise in my mind. Forcefully, I threw my head back and with wide, fearfull eyes; I finally met the face of this Phantom of the Opera and the rope loosened.

Half of his face was covered with a white, porcelain mask. The uncovered side showed a rather handsome face but in this moment; a very frightening face. His eyes were a strange yellow with a slight glow to them. In a flash, he whipped the rope from my neck leaving a stinging aftertaste. My body shook greatly as coughs came quickly; my hands cover my throat. Air wasn't coming quick enough to my lungs and my vision was slowly fading to black. Only thing I remember was falling to my side and being lifted up into two, strong arms.

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A/N: Thank you everyone for your patience with this chapter!