Chapter One

It has been  nine years since I came to live at the opera Populaire. I have made lots of friends in the Opera house. But I only have two best friends. Meg Giry, she is the only daughter of the ballet instructor Madame Giry, and Christine Daae. Christine was sent here for the same reason I was. Her father died around the same time that my mother died. Meg was very nice to both of us when we came here. Meg is practically my sister. But christine almost has a different bond with me that is hard to put into words. We know each other so well and could read eachother like a book.  Meg,Christine,and I are now part of the ballet corp. for performing in the Opera's. The opera we are working on is called 'Hannibal". Madame Giry was working us to the bone to get the second act perfect. While Carlotta 'sang' her part of the song the ballerina's were dancing gracefully around Carlotta and the huge elephant came in from  backstage.  After finishing the second act the manager stopped us with an announcement. "As you all know. Rumors have been spreading around about my retirement..they are true." Many people gasped in surprise and started whispering. I am not really that surprised to find out this news.

"These two gentlemen, monseigneur Firmin, and monseigneur André. Are now the new owners of the Opera house." the old manager said. I wasn't paying attention to whatever they were saying next. some kind of shadow dashed out of box 5. I had a feeling that there was no maid or stage hand that was up there. Back a couple of years ago I met the Phantom of the Opera by accident. I was singing on the stage one night and he heard me singing and showed himself to me. He brought me down to his  lair and taught me how to sing better. It is just like the way he is teaching Christine how to sing but he tricked her into thinking that he was her 'angel of music'. after all these years I have felt feelings for him that I grow jealous of Christine sometimes because that is all that Erik can talk about is her.  He tossed me aside like I was second best, not caring about my voice saying I was better off as a dancer. Christine did have great potential as a singer. Her voice was pure and light. The only way I could describe it is like a cool refreshing breeze on a spring day. Even though I am happy for her being taught, I still want to improve as well.  I would have the chorus girls teach me how to read music after rehearsals in exchange for the pies I make in the kitchen. It worked out quite well until I was found out by the manager and told to put a stop to it. “You are a ballet girl not a chorus girl, so stick to what you are good at mademoiselle” he said. The nerve of that man! But if I wanted to keep staying here and not get thrown on the streets, I'd have to stop and do as he says. So here I am. Dancing my life away. 

I was jerked out of my deep thoughts when Christine grabbed my arm and whispered into both of mine and Meg's ears. "that is Raoul! We used to be childhood sweethearts. He would call me his little lotte." she kept her eyes on him the whole entire time.

"How cute! little Lotte!" I said Christine blushed and hit my arm in a not so playful manner. "Ouch!" I rubbed my arm and stopped bothering her and paid attention to what Raoul was saying "Thank you. Now I would hate to keep you from your rehearsal!" Raoul clapped his hands and then walked right past us, not paying attention to Christine at all. Meg tried to cheer Christine up by saying "He just did not see you" "and patted Christine's back. she half smiled at us.

 To demonstrate to the managers how 'GREAT' a singer Carlotta is she began to sing. Think of me. She was hitting all the wrong notes ,and I felt sorry for the new managers because they got front row seats. "Think of me..Think of me fondly!!!!!" Carlotta screamed when she was cut off by  a back drop falling on top of her. I was trying my best to look worried for her, but I was laughing and covering my mouth instead.

An ear splitting wail erupted from Carlotta's mouth as they got the backdrop of her and she continued to wail and scream at the new managers. They tried to make a logical explanation about the sudden backdrop falling and the diva shook her head looking like she was about to burst into tears. “These things happen all  the time! And you have been here for only five minutes, what do you know!! But I have had enough, this isn't happening, not to me!” " Carlotta stormed away in toe with her followers and assistants, which consisted of the prima ballerina and Piangi. The prima Ballerina stuck her nose up looking at us with disgust. “Amateurs. “ was all she said as they walked out.  Christine, Meg and I blinked in confusion at the sudden outburst from her. I knew that was going to come eventually since she always thought that she was the better dancer, she had Carlotta's favor and the previous manager wrapped around her dainty finger. Good riddance. 

Andre and Firmin were freaking out about that they did not have a leading soprano. "We are going to have to refund a full house! Now that our lead soprano AND our lead ballerina is gone there is no show!!" Andre said while running his hand threw his hair. . Madame Giry walked up to Andre and Firmin and said in a confident voice,"Christine Daae could sing sir." The two managers looked shocked at what she said. "A ballet girl!?" Andre said. "She is a wonderful singer!" I spoke up in her defence and put my hand on Christine's shoulder. "Christine has been taught by a magnificent teacher." I knew she could do this. I knew it because she is taught by the Phantom himself! He is a musical genius! "Who is your great teacher then?" Firmin said with sarcasm laced in his voice.

 "I do not know his name monseigneur." Christine said in a shy voice.  "Well, show us what you can do." Firmin rolled his eyes and groaned.  He  ushered Christine into the center of the stage. Christine prepared to sing. Both the managers jaws dropped at the sound of her voice. It made my heart skip a few beats from just hearing it. Her voice was so soothing and natural.  After she finished singing they announced Christine as the new Prima Donna. That was surprisingly fast.

Christine all of the sudden said "Monseigneur! I know the perfect ballerina who can fill in for the role of Evangeline!" Firmin nodded and said "Well who? Do tell us!" I think Meg is going to get this role because she is really good. But to my surprise she smiled at me and said. "Emma Silver can do it." They asked me in a rather impolite manager to show them how good a dancer I was. "Make room please" I say stiffly to them and people backed away as  I showed the managers one Dance from what the phantom taught me long ago. I instantly got the part which was shocking. I mean, they weren't going to let anyone else have a shot? I felt suddenly so bad, because Meg also deserved a chance at the part. But they wanted no one else. Meg looked a little depleted as everyone continued their rehearsals for the performance. I went to go comfort her but was pulled away by Madame Giry so she could teach me the part. “Ladies continue scene one, if i catch anyone slacking there will be consequences.” madame said and led me away to another dance room to practice.