The Choice (POTO Highschool AU)

Music To My Ears

Once school was over I rushed to the Opera Populare where I worked. I did odd jobs there and played the piano for the ballet classes when needed. I knew the Opera Populare like the back of my hand. I went there when I was little. There I grew close to Madame Giry. I always wore a white mask at work ever since I was a kid. There I learned to play the piano and have been doing the ballet job ever since. I was a musical prodigy. I found a little house on a lake in the catacombs of the Populare. I have gotten people renovating the Opera house to put new electricity there and get wifi down there. I plan on living there once I'm done renovating it. It has a beautiful fire place. It's a two bedroom two bathroom place that looks straight out of 1853. All I have to do now is get new appliances. The furniture can come later. It's hard working, going to school, and having to pay my way. Luckily I can renovate while at work as long as I do something productive before I clock out. I like to do a special task to earn extra money. Then I could live without paying rent or utilities. I would pay a little each month. I'd have to be sneaky because I don't want them to know that I live there. I remember seeing Christine for the first time at ballet. I didn't know who she was until I saw her at school.
I ran through the people-filled streets and reached the Opera Populare. I put on my mask before going in the back door. I walked up the grand marble staircase getting to the ballet corps wings. When they renovated it they restored it so there is all the beautiful gold statues. It became a concert hall. The fire never reached the catacombs where I will soon live. I snuck through the door to the practice room and sat myself down at the piano. I noticed Christine instantly. I watched her as she gracefully pranced around the room. Madame Giry nodded at me and I started to play. Sadly the time went by quickly and she gave me the cue to leave. I noticed Christine looking at me constantly while I was there wondering why I looked familiar. I looked at her once more like I always did before I exited.
I rushed down the hall and through a secret entry to my "lair." I began to do some painting. As soon as I was done I looked at my phone and saw the time. I quickly did a small task back stage and clocked out. I took off my mask as soon as I got outside putting it in my bag and ran home. I was having my childhood friend Nadir come over. I was worried that he would be waiting outside for me.

"There you finally are." Nadir says as I walk up to him.

"Sorry." I scratch the back of my head. "I got carried away painting the house."

"And when will I get to see?" Nadir asked with a raise of his eyebrow.

"When it's done, remember?" I answer. I unlock the main door and we walk up to my room. "Coffee or tea?" I ask Nadir from the kitchen once we are inside.

"Tea. I'll. be up all night with coffee and I don't want to screw up my sleep schedule yet." Nadir answered sitting down on the old grey couch.
Once I finish making tea I sit across from him on the love seat.
"So." Nadir asks. "Anything new happen?"

"Well yes, actually. It involves Christine."

"How? You've never spoken to her before."

"Well... she's in choir. That starts tomorrow and I'm in it too now. And today... She talked to me! To ME! She sat beside me at home room. Then we made plans for lunch. Sadly she didn't sit with me the whole time because of Raoul." I scoffed after I said his name. "Then at lunch she talked about how Raoul only wanted to be with her for eye candy, which I already knew, and how she only wanted to be with him to feel special. I told her that she didn't need him to feel special and she was very happy after that. And did I mention that we hugged?! And the best part? Sadly Raoul took her away again but she called me angel. She gave me a sad look but made no attempt to stay. She said: "see you tomorrow, Angel." This is so exciting!"