Useful information: The main character's name is Anna Dubois. She is a Junior at Winds Burrow High School. This story takes place somewhere in Upstate New York, not far from the Big Apple.

Dear Reader,

I do not own any part of Phantom of the Opera. I hope you enjoy this fan fiction. Please read and rate.

Sincerely,

Serafimo's Pretense

I hopped into the backseat of my friend's corvette and said, "Good Morning! I missed you so much!"

But I was really only talking to two of the three people present; my best friend, Natasha and my long time crush, Richard (or Rich as most called him). But, Sarah who just so happened to be there and thought I was also talking to her, replied as she turned around, "I missed you so much too!"

I smiled sweetly at her as I thought, 'Yeah right'. Natasha stifled a laugh. Sarah gave her a mean look and turned back around.

"Why are in such a good mood?" Natasha asked me, nodding suggestively towards Rich. I shook my head discretely and held up the latest issue of "Stagehands".

"Can you believe it? The Opera Populaire is going to be opened here of all places!" I said.

"I know!" Natasha squealed.

"Hey if you're so excited, I could probably get you in free. You know, my family being the patrons and all," Rich chimed in.

"He speaks," I joked.

Rich's eyes twinkled at me in the rearview mirror.

"You're so generous," Sarah purred and stroked his arm.

My face scrunched up in disgust and I changed the subject.

"The best part is that Mom and Dad are letting me audition."

"That's great!" Rich exclaimed.

"I'm so happy for you," Natasha said, pulling me into a hug.

Sarah remained silent. She has always been jealous of my singing talent.

"But anyway, enough about me. Natasha, you look like you have something up your sleeve," I said.

"Indeed I do," she responded and seemingly produced a newspaper from her sleeve. I laughed, as did Rich.

"Listen to this," she began, "Georgio Moreau moves to Upstate New York. Moreau was convicted of the attempted murder of Victor Morales in Paris, ten years ago. He was recently released this June. Moreau along with his wife, Julia and son, Markus, now live in a small house just outside the New York City."

The car was dead silent. All of us looked to Rich, sympathetically.

"That monster deserves to die," Sarah said, breaking the tension.

"Deserves to die? Who are you to be so quick to judge? How can you say such a thing?" I said with a fiery passion.

"How could she not?" Rich burst out, "That bastard tried to kill my uncle. My uncle."

I was too shocked to speak. For the first time in my life he took her side and not mine. We rode in silence for the rest of the time.