The Phantom's Melody (The Phantom of the Opera)

14. A Dance To Remember

I showed up late to rehearsals the next morning, feeling extremely drowsy and tired. I had a hard time falling asleep that night for whatever reason. I refused to entertain the idea that it was because of the Phantom. We were friends, yes, but definitely nothing more than that. Nor did I want us to be, of course.

However, I couldn't seem to keep the tired smile off my face when I walked into the backstage area where the other chorus girls and ballerinas were collected. We were all adorned in our stage costumes, since premiere night was just a few days away. I saw Christine across the stage, adorned in her own costume. She wasn't the lead sapprono, but her role was significantly important. After all, the citizens of Paris had become enamoured by her beautiful voice, much to Carlotta's dismay.

Christine noticed me and smiled, waving me over. I glanced at Madame Giry, who was busy getting everyone situated, before quickly slipping off to see Christine before rehearsals began. "You look beautiful." I smiled.

"So do you." She grinned before taking my hands. "There's actually something I wanted to speak with you about." She said softly.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "What's it about?"

She shook her head. "We'll talk after rehearsals." She promised before Madame Giry knocked her staff on the ground. I glanced back at the Madame before looking at Christine again and nodding. I returned to the other ballerinas, but I couldn't help wondering what she wanted to speak about it.

After about two hours of rehearsals, and a brief break to allow Carlotta to scream about her wig, we finally finished. Madame Giry let us collect among ourselves to talk while Reyer prepared the music for the final act that we needed to rehearse. I slipped away from the other chorus girls and met up with Christine on the opposite side of the stage. "Hey, so what was it that you wanted to talk about?" I asked as I pulled her aside.

She smiled at me. "Raoul and I were out last night for dinner and I met this wonderful man that he knew from his time in school." She explained. "I was thinking that perhaps I could introduce you to him."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Introduce me to him? As in...a date?" I asked carefully.

"No! Of course not. I just thought it might be good for you to get out and spend some time with someone. It seems like you're always cooped up in the walls of this opera house."

You have no idea.

I stared at her for a second before shaking my head. "I'm really not interested in courting anyone, Christine." I told her, a certain masked man popping into my mind at the idea. "Besides, I'm really busy these days."

"With what? I know you have rehearsals, but no more than the rest of us." She pointed out.

I pressed my lips together, wishing I could tell her what I was really up to most of the time. "Christine...I appreciate your concern, but really I'm okay." I reassured her.

She bit her lip for a second before nodding. "Okay. I understand." She smiled a bit. "Just let me know if you change your mind, okay?"

I smiled and nodded. "You'll be the first to know." I squeezed her hands.

She returned my smile, and then we were both swept back off to practice.

*~*~*

Rehearsals ended up running later than usual today. I cursed under my breath as I removed the ballet slippers from my feet, sighing as I examined the bruises and sores that covered my feet. I rubbed the tender muscles, wincing a little before I dropped them to the ground and forced myself to stand.

Madame Giry had kept me later than the others due to my tardiness this morning. The other chorus girls had already returned to the dormitories and Madame Giry had just recently left me after deciding that my punishment had been good enough. Unlike Christine and Carlotta, I didn't receive any special treatment.