KRISTA'S POV

The next day, I couldn't stop thinking about Erik's visit last night. I still can't believe that he and Madame Giry heard me singing and they're saying the same thing. I should try and audition for the main cast but, they're not doing that right now. Plus, Erik wants to give me lessons and train my voice. I know I have a natural singing voice but still...can he help me find that spark again? I mean, I love musicals and I love singing too but, can I really do it?

"Krista...Krista!" Annette shouted which made me snap out of my thoughts.

"Huh? what?" I mumbled before I looked at Annette.

"Are you okay? you've been sitting there with that skirt in your hand for a while now."

I looked down and she was right I had stopped mid stitch since one of the ballerinas asked me to fix her tutu.

"Oh...sorry. My mind was elsewhere," I told as I got back to work.

"You seem a little out of it, what happened?" 

"Oh nothing, just been thinking about a lot of things. I need to stretch my legs for a bit, I'll be right back," I told her as I left the workroom.

I got to the stage and I watched the cast members sing and dance on the stage as they rehearsed the acts that are going to be performed in a few months time. I got me thinking about the old days when I would perform on stage during the musicals that I loved so much. Can I do it again? can I perform on stage without my mother beside me? I know I swore that I wouldn't do it again but, a part me thinks that...I might be able to perform again...

"Okay everyone take five!" The director shouted before everyone stopped to take a break. 

Carlotta was being her usual diva self. I looked for Christine and she was with Meg having a break from their dancing. I approached her and asked,"Hey Christine, can I talk to you...alone?"

Meg got the message and then she left us alone. We headed into the little chapel area where Christine and I prayed for my mother and her father. 

"So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about alone?" Christine asked after we prayed in silence.

"Well...I've been thinking about what you said from before...."

"You've changed your mind?" She asked with a surprised look.

"Well...not exactly..."

Christine looked confused before I explained to her.

"Someone said that they can help me train my singing voice. They know that I have a natural talent but...I don't know...I'm not even sure if I should give it a go. I mean...I don't even know if my singing voice is good enough, even if they did held the auditions again. I guess I'm worried how everyone is going to react."

"You want my opinion? I think you should go for it. I don't know who this person is or why they want to help you but, you should go for it. After hearing that singing voice to help me with my lesson, I can tell that it deserves to be heard. Krista, I know you miss your mother and you want her beside you but, I know she wanted you to be on that stage singing and performing. Just like how Father would be proud of me after he sent the angel of music to me," Christine smiled as she looked at the photo of her father.

'Christine...you are going to hate me so much if you ever find out who my teacher is...' I thought to myself.

"So you think I should do it? even though there's a high chance you and I will be rivals?" I asked her with a smirk.

"Rivals? friends? I don't care. You deserve to be on that stage, Krista. Even if I don't get selected when they host the next auditions, you deserve a spot," Christine smiled as she rubbed my shoulder.

I smiled back at her before we made our way back to the stage. I knew that Christine was right, I deserve to be on that stage. But, I'm still unsure if I can do it. I guess there's only one way to find out and that's to see how Erik can help me gain the confidence to sing on the stage again.

Later on that day, I was in my room and sitting on my bed tapping my foot in nervousness. I didn't know what kind of lessons that Erik had in mind or what he intends to do after I give him my response but, I guess I'll find out soon.

"Krista..." I heard that soft tone from the walls.

"You're here," I smiled a little.

"Of course, I'm always here with you. Have you made up your mind?" Erik or the angel asked me.

"I have...I thought long and hard about it and the answer is yes."

"Fantastic! what made you decide this?" Erik asked in a happy.

"I guess, a part of me missed being on stage and seeing everyone's reactions after the performance. Plus that, and I want to show Carlotta who can sing without sounding like a cat being strangled to death," I joked that last part which made Erik laugh.

"Excellent. Now, shall we begin?" Erik asked as I stood up from the bed.

"Just one thing though, where are you?" I asked him before the mirror fogged up and I can see Erik's silhouette among the fog of the mirror.

"I'm right here," He told me and I smiled at him.

"Shall we begin?" He asked and I nodded my head.

"Now let me hear you sing so I can figure out what we're working with."

"What shall I sing?" I asked him.

"That song you sang last night," Erik suggested and I nodded my head before I started singing.

"Somewhere down this road. I know someone's waiting. Years of dreams just can't be wrong. Arms will open wide. I'll be safe and wanted. Finally home where I belong. Well, starting now, I'm learning fast. On this journey to the past," I sang to him but before I could continue Erik interrupted me.

"Okay, that's enough."

"What's wrong? didn't you like it?" I asked him with a worried expression.

"Oh no, you were wonderful. But, it sounds like you need to work on your pitch. Have you ever sang in a high pitch before?" Erik asked me.

"I used to, but I haven't sung a high note in a while. If I'm being honest, I probably sound like a cat that just got their tail stepped on," I told him which made Erik chuckled.

"It can't be that bad. Try singing Act 3."

"I'm not sure..." I trailed but Erik spoke in a stern tone.

"Sing!"

I gulped a little before I started to sing Think of me. When it got to the climate, I tried to sing the last part but, I ended up coughing in the middle of the climate.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine...I think..." I told him while trying to catch my breath and rubbing my throat.

"I don't think this is working. Can't I try my own style instead of trying to sound like a professional opera singer?" I asked him.

"What did you have in mind?" Erik asked before I sang that climate part again but in my own style and it suited my voice better. I knew I wasn't a professional opera singer but this was much better.

"How's that?" I asked with a smile.

"It sounds different but, amazing at the same time. Way better than Christine's singing voice," Erik spoke in an impressed tone.

"Hehe, thanks."

"I still have so much more to teach you but, we will stop there for tonight, Christine awaits me."

"You're not going to tell her about us, are you?" I asked with a worried expression.

"Why? should I tell her?"

"No! I mean, no, not a good idea. Christine adores you and well, she'll hate me if she finds out that I stole her angel of music from her. She'll hate me forever," I told her.

"Then it will be our little secret," Erik spoke and I think he was smirking at me.

"We shall resume our lessons tomorrow night at the same time, okay?"

"Yes sir," I spoke with a smile before he disappeared from the mirror.

I giggled and laid down on the bed. I couldn't believe how happy I feel right now. Being with Erik and his lessons made me feel like back to those days when my mother was teaching me how to be a performer on Broadway. I started to feel that spark that I felt once more and this time I have my angel of music with me. Even if he is the phantom of the Opera.

'I know I'm in a musical and I'm from a different time period but...wow, he's amazing. I guess being sent into a musical does have its perks,' I thought to myself with a grin on my face.