Pulse (Phantom of the Opera Fanfiction)

Chapter 7- Round Two

Chapter 7- Round Two

"And here you are," Chris said with a smile while handing Christine a blue sheet of paper. "You've made it through to the next round!"

Christine smiled while thinking about three nights before, when she'd found out that her performance of Dove Sono had been a success. Meg had also made it through, so now the girls would be singing and dancing again.

And we perform today, she thought nervously while staring up at her hotel room ceiling. She'd just woken up, and as always, her mind was on Pulse.

Christine's outlook on the competition had changed after the brief but intense meeting with Erik. The more she thought about it, the more she truly did want to prove herself, especially in front of him. Maybe it wasn't right to want to look good in front of the 'mean judge', but then again, anyone else would and probably did feel the same way. She wanted to win, it couldn't be denied.

There was one thing she was beginning to be concerned about, though, and that was Meg. Her best friend more than likely wanted to win, too. And let's face it, she probably will. But, how will I feel? How will I feel if Meg beats me?

She wondered if Meg had given it any thought yet. Would their friendship change? Christine hadn't considered that until now. Of course, she would make every attempt not to let it happen, but deep down there would always be jealousy.

And, unlikely as it was, if she herself were to win, would Meg hate her? Christine knew she really had nothing to worry about there, since it would never happen, but, well, she was really good at worrying.

"I'm worried," Meg abruptly announced while sitting up in bed.

Christine blinked, not expecting the same word she was feeling to emerge from her friend's mouth. "About what?" she asked.

Meg stood up and approached the hotel room's closet. "About what I'll be wearing today. I don't think the color's right... But, I want to make a statement, you know?" She pulled her leotard out of the closet and held it out in front of her.

Christine knew for sure that Meg would be making a statement. First of all, she was going to be doing a ballet dance to a remix of a pop song. And second of all, she would be wearing a bright pink leotard with sparkles. It would definitely be memorable. "Meg, you're going to be great," she reassured.

"But, what if the whole thing turns out to be a disaster? I'll get kicked out without even having gotten anywhere."

"You aren't going to get kicked out. You're going to be the best one they see. Seriously. The fact that you're taking a risk is going to win the judges over."

Meg shook her head. "It's too risky. And you're wrong. You're going to be the best one they see."

Christine could only shake her head silently, not believing that for a second.

------- 

Nadir looked at Erik who had just emerged from his hotel suite bedroom looking sloppy, which was unusual. With a disapproving and annoyed tone, he asked, "Did you not get any sleep last night?"

Erik shrugged. "I suppose not. Why do you ask?"

"Why do I ask?" he repeated, now sounding highly annoyed. "I ask because I care. It's not good for you, Erik. Plus, you kept me awake with your incessant playing."

"Ah, as I thought. You only truly care for yourself."

Erik's voice was calm, but Nadir's most definitely was not. Not now, at least. "Erik, that isn't true! Good lord, man! I've been nothing but kind to you for almost two decades and this is what you think?" He waved his hands in frustration. "Forget it. Just get ready. I will meet you in the limousine."