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

16. Rising Suspicions

Soon we were wrapped up into rehearsals for the new production. It took me a while to get used to my role. I wasn't accustomed to actually have lines of my own. Regardless, I made sure to practice whenever I had the spare time to do so. Instead of doing our usual lessons when I came to see the Phantom, he helped me practice my part in the opera.

"Your voice is a natural choice for the role of a contraito." The Phantom said as he paced in front of his work desk. "However, it still requires practice and control. I want you to break apart the aria and practice each set of verses." He explained.

I looked at him from my seat at his piano and nodded. "It's not even the lead role, but it's still kind of scary." I rubbed the back of my neck. "God, I can't believe this is actually happening." I buried my face in my hands and dropped back on the bench before peeking at him through the gaps in my fingers. "Why did you help me get the role?" That question had been rattling around in my head for over a week now. "I thought you said I didn't have enough ambition." I pointed out.

He stopped his pacing and looked over at me. "I figured you just needed a push." He shrugged.

I smiled and sat up. "Be careful, Opera Boy. It might sound like you actually care about me." I teased.

He rolled his eyes. "You really enjoy finding something in nothing, don't you?"

I grinned. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone." I winked.

He dismissed my comment and walked over. "Start with the first set of verses. I'll let you know what needs to be corrected." He told me, pushing me up onto my feet so he could sit down on the bench.

I frowned. "You know, someone should teach you manners, Opera Boy." I muttered before biting my lip when he removed his tailcoat and laid it across the chair nearby. I'm not sure why I blushed, but I did. Quickly I averted my gaze and picked up the sheet music I had more or less memorized over the past week. I spent the following two hours in his lair, more than a little exhausted when he finally allowed me to go.

"If I'm late to rehearsals tomorrow morning, then I'm telling Madame Giry it was your fault." I said, yawning as I grabbed my sweater and wrapped it around my shoulders.

"Get some rest. I want you back here tomorrow night at ten o'clock sharp." The Phantom told me as he organized his sheet music.

I groaned a little. "Please don't tell me you're going to drag me down here every night for next three weeks." I looked at him, hoping he would suddenly smile and say, 'Of course not!' Unfortunately, the Phantom failed to live up to my expectations.

"Practice makes perfect. So unless you wish to fail, you'll be here tomorrow at ten o'clock. Understood?" He asked, pinning me with his gaze.

I sighed. "Fine." I muttered. "See you later, Opera Boy." I waved at him, smiling as I slipped through the alcove in the wall.

*~*~*

Days passed into weeks, the new opera approaching fast. I spent nearly every night in the Phantom's lair, and nearly every afternoon practicing with the rest of the cast. I was exhausted by the time premier night was just three days away, but the Phantom didn't ease up on my lessons. After one long night of practice in particular, I found myself unable to climb out of bed in the morning.

"Just five...more minutes..." I mumbled into my pillow, waving a hand at whoever was trying to wake me up.

"Lucille, it's almost noon." I heard Christine say as she pulled the blanket off my body.

I groaned, muttering a curse as I rolled over onto my back. I then registered what she had actually said. "What?!" I shot up straight in my bed and stared at her with wide eyes. "It can't be noon already!"

She sighed. "It is." She said solemnly. "I convinced Madame Giry to let you get some sleep." She told me. "Lucille...you keep sneaking out late at night. Meg says you don't even return until well past two in the morning. Where are you going that late?" She asked.

I swallowed, quickly trying to think of an excuse. "I'm just...in the opera house. Practicing." Technically it wasn't a lie.

She raised an eyebrow at me. "You're alone in the opera house practicing for hours in the middle of the night?"

I bit my lip. Time usually slipped away from the Phantom and I. Yes, I spent most of my time practicing whatever homework he gave me, but sometimes we also just talked. Or rather I talked and he would sometimes reply. "Yes, well, I really want to make sure that I do well in Friday night's performance." I said, shrugging off her suspicion.

She held my gaze for a long moment, her eyes narrowed, but she eventually just nodded. "If you say so." She sighed before standing up. "Regardless of what you're doing, you need sleep, Lucille. Madame Giry won't allow you this luxury very often."

I sighed and nodded as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. "I know." I ran a hand through my unruly curls. "I promise I'll try resting more after the performance on Friday."

She pressed her lips together. "Okay, good." She said before smiling a little as she pulled me up to my feet. "Everyone has the rest of the afternoon off. Let's get lunch together with Meg."

I nodded and smiled, blinking away the sleep in my eyes as I changed into a comfortable dress and quickly did my hair. I tried not to think about how close the opera was getting and pushed my nerves away, simply telling myself to enjoy the afternoon with Christine and Meg.

~~~~~

This is a short chapter, sorry! It's mostly just filler for the next one.