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Born Ugly: book Two	By : KassandraRamsey Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > AU/AR Views: 1617 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Chapter 7: The Ghost of the Theatre

We never spoke of the kiss afterwards. I was nervous about seeing him for my voice lesson the next day, but he acted as if nothing had happened. Part of me was relieved that nothing had changed, while another part just wanted another kiss.

The kiss was just the beginning of a crazy, emotional month for me. I started getting periods a week later, and Mrs. Peterson explained the ‘birds and bees’ much more thoroughly than they had at school. For the first time in my life, I hated being a girl.

Erik’s normally soothing voice was irritating the hell out of me during one of my lessons, and I’d yelled at him and burst into tears.

He simply smiled at me and congratulated me on becoming a woman. It was the first time I’d ever voluntarily cut a lesson short.

I really missed not having a mother during that time. Luckily, Margo was only a couple of weeks behind me development-wise, so I didn’t have to go through it all by myself.

I got my first job that summer after turning fourteen. I was the children’s chorus assistant teacher, for the summer performing arts camp at the theater. Margo got to assist in the ballet area, of course, and even Erik got his first job there. Although he wouldn’t tell me what it was that he did.

When I asked, he just grinned and replied that I’d know soon enough.

I didn’t think too much on it though. I loved my job! I got to work one-on-one with five different students, teaching them the basics of singing. I was very proud of the progress they made that summer, and was sad to see the program end in August. There was a huge recital at the end of the camp for the parents to see what their kids had learned. I was beaming with pride as my small group hit every note perfectly, and even received a standing ovation.

It wasn’t until normal lessons resumed at the theatre that I found out what it was that Erik did there.

My chorus was on stage rehearsing for the Christmas Cantata, when my attention was suddenly caught by a shadow of a man in one of the boxes.

The conductor was annoyed at my lack of attention, as I missed my cue, but he smiled when he saw where I was looking.

“Ah, it appears that Miss Carr has spotted our ghost,” he said with a chuckle.

Everyone looked up to where the conductor pointed, but the box was empty now.

“Ghost?” Isabel James, the only first soprano other than myself, asked curiously.

Isabel was a very competitive person, and so she made it a point not to be too friendly to anyone. I did my best to stay out of her way, and we got along just fine.

“Yes, Miss James. He’s the Ghost of the Theatre, and it seems he came to hear our class today. Be mindful that you sing your best, for he has the ear of the managers,” he warned, enjoying our unwavering attention.

Isabel flipped her long red hair over her shoulder and snorted.

“That’s the most ridiculous thing that I’ve ever heard. Who is he really?” she demanded.

“I’m sorry, Miss James, but I’ve said all that I’m allowed to. Now, let’s start again at the chorus…”

And class resumed.

Later that night I went down to see Erik and confront him.

“Ghost of the Theatre?” I asked, skeptically.

He laughed, a truly joyful sound that made me smile.

“Brilliant, isn’t it? I went to the managers last year to talk about job opportunities. They took to me very well, and we had many discussions of different things I could help them do. They think I have degrees in Music and the Arts, and were most delighted to hear my ideas for the theatre. They hired me as a ‘consultant’, but my unofficial title is ‘Theatre Ghost’,” he explained.

“I don’t get it. Why pretend to be a ghost?” I asked.

“I told you that I’m really just a consultant. The ‘ghost’ thing is a publicity stunt to draw in crowds. Imagine how many people will come hoping for a glimpse of the ghost!”

I smiled at his enthusiasm.

“So, you’ll make appearances during the productions? Won’t that disrupt things?” I asked.

“I will appear in box five, which will be roped off during the performances. I won’t be there at every one, and I’ll only stay long enough for a few people to notice me. I’ll also cause a little mischief. While the audience is focused on the stage, I’ll sneak around and mess with them. I’ll move a lady’s purse from one side of her chair to the other, harmless things like that.”

“But what if you get caught?”

“I won’t.”

I laughed at his arrogance.

“I can’t wait to tell Margo…”

“NO! No one else can know! For the stunt to work, the performers must believe that there is an actual ghost. I’ll play tricks on them as well. Only a few of the instructors know what’s really going on,” he explained.

I frowned and bit my lip.

“I don’t like keeping secrets from Margo,” I said.

He walked up to me, and put his hand down the front of my shirt. I tensed, but relaxed when all he did was pull out the engagement ring I was wearing on the chain.

“But some secrets must be kept, my love,” he whispered, looking at me the same way he had when he kissed me.

He leaned his head toward mine, and I swallowed nervously. He sighed and tilted his head up to kiss my forehead instead.

“It’s late, Christine. Go to bed,” he said sternly.

I felt bad. It wasn’t that I didn’t want him to kiss me, I just wasn’t ready for him to yet. I hoped he didn’t think I was rejecting him.

“Goodnight, Mr. Ghost,” I said with a small smile, and pecked him on the cheek.

He smiled back, and I knew everything was okay again.

End Chapter 7
- 6
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Born Ugly: book Two