Pulse (Phantom of the Opera Fanfiction)

Chapter 10- Confessions

Chapter 10- Confessions

"Ok, how much are you going to practice that song? Seriously, you've sung it at least 50 times by now. You need a break," Meg said, marching into the room of the Kodak Theatre Christine was using to practice in.

Christine just wasn't in the mood to stop. "I'll practice until I think it's good enough to get me through. Let's face it Meg, I'm lucky to still be here. I should've been kicked off last week." Just the thought of it made her want to get back to practicing.

"We've been through this Christine. You still sang beautifully. You put everything you had into that performance. One mistake is sometimes a good thing. It makes viewers realize that you are a 19-year-old girl who isn't always going to get everything right."

"I guess they might have pitied me," she reflected.

Meg sighed, frustrated. "Nobody pities you. You're so talented, they envy you."

"They can't envy that performance." Christine shook her head. "Anyway, I'll be done soon." That was a lie. "I'll find you later." That too was probably a lie, as her friend would probably be in bed asleep by the time she was finished practicing.

Sighing again, Meg left the room. She wasn't about to practice her routine anymore. Too much practice could be a negative thing...

———-

Erik entered the Kodak Theatre looking as inconspicuous as he possibly could. He had a full-faced black mask on and a hooded jacket covering his upper body and head.

Perhaps he looked like a burglar, but oh well.

He just had to know if Christine was practicing. Something told him she was probably practicing a lot and that she'd most likely chosen a room in this building. Other contestants practiced here. It only made sense that she would do the same.

It was nearing 11:00 pm, which was rather late, but still he had a feeling she would be here. She was a dedicated performer. It showed that she practiced constantly.

He slid around a corner rather glad that the hallways were fairly dark. There were a line of rooms down the hall that could be considered dressing rooms. For Pulse, however, they served as practice rooms.

Everything was very quiet as he walked, and he was sad and disappointed to realize he couldn't find her.

But then, the most radiant sound filled his ears. It was her, and she sounded amazing. Erik slowed to a stop when he was in front of her practice room.

Then, he stood still while thinking. I'd planned on simply knocking on the door and greeting her when she opened it, but would that be wise? It would look as though I am stalking her. He knew that was exactly the case, but for her to know could present problems.

And what if she didn't want visitors? What if what Nadir had said was true, that she thought of him as an acquaintance and nothing more?

Erik sighed. Such conflict. He knew what he wanted, but he also wanted to do what was best for her. He wouldn't know what was best for her if he didn't find out for himself, though.

It was decided.

He lowered the hood from his head and determinedly reached out to knock on her door. At the last second, his hand hesitated slightly, but finally he went for it.

Christine was surprised by the knock, but she fully expected it to be Meg. I'm almost done, she thought, prepared to tell her that when she opened the door.

"Meg-," she began, but her words came to a halt when she saw who it really was. It was Erik! True, the full-faced mask should have made her question his identity at first, but that wasn't the case. Christine immediately knew who it was based on the air he gave off. "Erik," she squeaked in shock.