Finding Love

Chapter 8

*I don't own poto*
Rose's Pov
I got to the stage just in time for curtain call. Tonight was a disaster!  First Carlotta loses her voice, then Buquet is hung and nearly hits me in the face, and now,  I trip during bows! Luckily I didn't completely fall,  but I did hurt my right ankle. I don't think it's anything too bad,  but it will definitely be sore. As I was making a fool of myself I heard a faint chuckle. It was as if you told a joke that was only a little bit funny and you could only get a few laughs out of it.  Even though I could barely hear it, I could tell no one around me made the sound. It was so melodic,  and I only know one person that could possess such a voice. The Phantom.  I look up in hopes of seeing him,  but to my dismay,  I found nothing. I finished curtain call with a sigh and swiftly walked back to my dorm. When I got there, I sat on my bed to look at my ankle. It's swollen,  but doesn't look broken. I took off my pointe shoes,  and wrapped my ankle. After I changed and put my flats on, I took a walk around the opera house.
Christine's POV
I saw Rose trip during bows and the way her ankle rolled. It looked really painful,  I hope she's okay! On another note, the Masquerade is in a few months!  I'm so excited!! Rose,  Meg,  and I have to go shopping for our costumes! I go to our room and find it empty. I groan, deciding to change and go find Meg. Before I can even get my shoes on,  Meg bursts through the door.  Well that was easy.  "Christine you were amazing!" I smile and reply with a small thank you. "Meg,  can you believe that the New Years masquerade is only in a few months?!" We went on and on for what seems like hours talking about it, but we eventually grew tired and went to bed.
Rose pov
I don't know where I'm walking to,  I'm just walking to clear my mind. 'Why did he kill Buquet? What's behind his mask?  Why do I keep having that same dream over and over?  What's his name?  How do I truly feel about him? Why is he hurt-' I get pulled from my thoughts when I realize where I am. Box 5. 'why do I always come here?'. I enter and sit in the seat I normally do and close my eyes and hum. I know he's here, I can feel his presence,  but I keep my eyes closed and don't stop humming. "Hello again, Rose" his deep voice rumbled behind me. "I never told you my name,  Monsieur Fantôme. How is it that you know?" I replied,  slowly opening my eyes. 
"Have you forgotten?  I know everything in this Opera House. Now may I ask,  why are you drawn to my box?" I turned to face him "I don't know,  I was deep in thought and just let my feet carry me and I ended up here. I guess it...soothes me."
"Soothes?  In what way?  Why do you need soothing?" Oh no, I said soothes?  Now how I have to tell him about my past,  and I would prefer not to. "Well, I,  uh.. It's a story I would rather not share at the moment. It's extremely painful for me... " I trail off at the end and wipe away a fallen tear.
"It's okay,  I understand-"
"Do you understand? Do you really?!  Everyone always says that they 'understand' but none of them do!  They all have perfect lives.  Lives that include loving parents,  living parents.  Lives without heart break,  without pain... " I'm sobbing now, just thinking about my early life.
"I truly understand,  I've had a terrible life. I've been cast aside by everyone,  just because of my face. So don't tell me I don't understand pain. " he said anger laced in his voice.
"I-i'm sorry.  I shouldn't have snapped" I say wiping my tear stained cheeks "it's just a really sensitive topic. " I bite my lip to try to not cry again. I wrap my arms around my body and start pacing back and forth.  Why do I keep thinking about it?  Why can't I let it go?  Why do I over think everything?  Before I know it I'm hyperventilating. I'm panicking,  I don't know how to stop. I feel like I can't catch my breath.  I feel dizzy.  I wanna cry. I can't think clearly. I feel myself slowly sinking to the floor. Why won't this stop!?
"Rose,  you need to calm down. Match your breathing with mine. Inhale through your nose,  and exhale through your mouth. Slow it down. " I do as he says and it helps. Just the sound of his voice is soothing to me. I have stopped crying, breathing is a bit easier, my mind is still jumbled but better. "Thank you" I manage to whisper and I pull him into a hug. The Phantom is stiff and tense at first but seems to melt at my touch all at the same time. But there is still a question that is bothering me.. "What's your name monsieur? " he pulls away from the hug and is thoroughly confused.
"M-my name? " why is he so unsure?  It must be his past... "Yes..  But if you don't feel comfortable sharing that's okay.  I understand. " I look up at his golden eyes and wait for an answer.
"Erik...  My name is Erik"
"That is an amazing name! I love it!  Erik... " I say it to test it out.  I love how it rolls off of the tongue. "Well,  Erik,  thank you again for helping me.  I truly appreciate it! I should probably be going to bed now,  as it is very late.  I do hope we will meet again soon. Goodnight!" I kiss him on his unmasked cheek,  leaving him shocked,  and headed to my dorm.