I apologize, but this is just another overused concept of a phan-phiction for all those Phangirls (including myself and best friend) out there!
Erik *enters with bag of Ruffles chips in hand*: What's there to apologize for, my dear? Every Phangirl loves these kinds of phan-phictions!
Me: I don't know, I was just trying to be formal!
Erik: Chip? *offers me the bag*
Me: No, thank you, now get out of my introduction before I get my hands on a certain Punjab lasso! And take your chips with you!
Erik: Okay, I'm going! *hastily flees from my sight and sneakily hides his lasso*
This particular story features me and my very best friend, Mary Frances. So, we're just two different teenagers, living together in a freaking huge house with everything two girls could ever dream of having. No parents and no rules, but, unfortunately, we do have school… BUT—we also have two awesome cars, licenses, passports, and imaginations, so what could possibly go wrong?
Erik *idly strolls back in*: Sounds rather dangerous… And to answer your question, A LOT could go wrong!
Me: ...does it look like I care?
Erik: Well, when you turn your head a little to the left— *I slap my hand over his mouth to shut him up*
Me: Babe, this is a freaking phan-phiction! It's supposed to be random, hysterical, and "dangerous", now get lost and let me finish! *Erik hangs his head and walks off again*
Anyway, I'm sorry the beginning is kind of slow, but once our special guests come into the picture—
Erik *jumps right back in*: Meaning yours truly!
Me: THAT'S IT! *goes after him with another Punjab lasso that I conjured out of thin air*
Erik *sprints in the other direction*: AAGHHHH! Okay, I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me!
Me: Wow, this turned into quite an introductory… Well, enjoy the first chapter!
The Phantom of the Opera is Here…On Our Doorstep
It was supposedly just another regular Saturday morning, like any other. I sleepily open my eyes and I am in my queen bed, as usual. Pure, bright daylight is shining in through the blinds of the windows and French doors to my right: nothing odd about that. I peer over at the alarm clock on my nightstand to discover it was 8 in the morning, the usual time I manage to wake up.
I sigh and roll over, trying to think of what's on the agenda for today. I then notice my little black cat, Spooky, at my side. I absentmindedly pet her and she lazily stretches before falling right back into slumber. My thoughts are then interrupted by faint sounds coming from the master bathroom in the next room. I turn my head and study the sounds.
Mary Frances… I instantly confirm my own theory. Mary Frances is my housemate and very best friend in the entire world. There is no one else like her. She is like my little sister and is absolutely amazing. We have so much in common and never ever disagree over anything.
She was already up, readying herself for the day and such, with full knowledge that I take much longer to get ready than she does.
It's not that I'm a slowpoke, I just…dress differently. Mary Frances is what you would call a 'normal' girl, while I'm considered a darker, rather elegant Goth, kind of girl. She wears regular everyday clothes, while I'm entirely dressed up for any little occasion and I utterly refuse to wear certain colors (such as pink, yellow, and green.) We listen to entirely different music and are interested in different things, but somehow we always agree on everything.
I sit up and decide to get started on the day. As I stretch and slide off the side of my bed, something falls along with me and lands by my feet. It's a little book. But not just any book, my favorite book: The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux.
Mary Frances and I are both obsessed with anything having to do with The Phantom of the Opera. We know the whole movie and all of the lyrics by heart.
I smile slightly to myself, pick up the book, and set it on the nightstand before realizing I must have fallen asleep reading it the previous night. Sure enough, I look over into the hanging mirror and the dark makeup around my eyes is an absolute smudged mess. I was also wearing a flowing white nightgown. My long, dark chocolate, voluminous curls are quite tangled and literally everywhere.
I cross the room to my dresser and pull out a black, Evanescence band tank top, grey sports bra, and a pair of sweatpants before heading into the bathroom. Needless to say, Mary Frances was sitting at the vanity, applying her makeup. She smiled at the sight of me.
The mature fourteen year old was wearing a simple purple shirt and a pair of jeans. Half of her straight brown hair was pulled up while the other half flowed past her shoulders. She seemed to be halfway finished with her makeup, as one eye was done up while the other was still plain.
Mary Frances *immediately stands up and embraces me *: Good morning, sleeping beauty!
Me *hugs her back*: And good morning to you, wide-awake beauty!
Mary Frances *eyes my simple clothes*: Going for a jog?
Me: Indeed, but not for long… *I set the clothes down on the counter and begin washing the old makeup from my face* And it's your turn to make breakfast!
Mary Frances *turns back to her own makeup*: I know, do pancakes sound good?
Me: Excellent! *continues scrubbing* I really hate it when I fall asleep with my makeup on…
Mary Frances: Yeah, so do I, 'cause I'm the one who always gets to scrub all the smudges out of the comforter and pillowcase.
Me *rolls eyes and dries face*: I promise I didn't get it on the pillowcase this time… I fell asleep reading.
Mary Frances: Again? What were you reading?
Me: The Phantom of the Opera. *walks back behind the changing screen with jogging clothes*
Mary Frances: Of course…
I giggle at her response, but stop short upon remembering a segment of the dream I had had last night.
Mary Frances *after a moment of silence*: You okay?
Me: Yes… *hangs nightgown over the side of the screen* I think I had another dream about it last night.
I can almost hear her roll her eyes.
Mary Frances: Something about the Phantom?
It's true, I have the strangest dreams, but it's not rare to hear about me having one involving our favorite Phantom.
Me: Yes, but I don't remember exactly what it was about… *finishes dressing, comes out from behind the screen, and dumps nightgown into the dirty clothes hamper*
Mary Frances sighs and smiles: Oh, Narnie, you and your dreams…
'Narnie' was my unique nickname she had come up for me so long ago. In return, I call her 'May Princess'. She finishes with her makeup and stands up.
Mary Frances: Well, I'm going to start the laundry and then get breakfast cooking! *heads out of the bathroom*
I sit down and brush my curls before pulling them up into a pony tail. I let my rattail (which a small, braided section of hair set apart from all the rest) fall over my shoulder. Then I quickly apply my dark, heavy eyeliner. Once I finish, I stare at my reflection for a second and smile as my hand jumps to the single charm on my simple necklace: my Phantom mask charm.
I then leave the bathroom, slip on a pair of sneakers, and grab my iPod.
I leave the house through the front door and start off with a walk down the driveway. Once I reach the road, I put in my earbuds and shuffle the entire library. Evanescence immediately begins to play and I take off up the first street.
I love this time of morning. The sun is shining fully in the sky, the birds are singing (even if I can't hear them at the moment), and there's no one in sight.
When I reach the end of the street, I take a right to walk along the side of the neighborhood pond. By this time, the song is about to change and I am walking to catch my breath. When the next song begins to play, my eyes widen in excitement and instinct opens my mouth as I begin to sing along.
"Think of me… Think of me fondly when we've said goodbye... Remember me, once in a while; please promise me you'll try… Then you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free, if you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me!"
A voice suddenly booms out of nowhere: CHRISTINE! SING TO ME, MY ANGEL!
I immediately stop in my tracks and look around for the source of the voice.
And, as long as I live, I will never forget the sight that met my eyes… There, on the lake to my left, was a dark, cloaked man, poling a little gondola towards the shore. And he was wearing a white mask that covered half of his gorgeous face…
Me *shrieks, too shocked to move*: OH MY GOD! Wha—holy freaking crap, what are you doing here?
Erik *confusedly*: Christine? *continues to pole his gondola towards the shoreline* What in the world are you wearing?
Me: Uhm, I could ask you the same question, buster!
He's dressed up, as usual, in his tux, cape, and mask.
A random car drives by behind me and Erik nearly topples out of his boat at the sight of it.
Erik *in astonishment*: What was THAT?
Me: You have got to be kidding me… *groans as I smack my palm against my forehead*
But can you blame me? How often do you come across the Phantom of the Opera, poling around in his gondola in your neighborhood lake?
Apparently, he thinks I'm his Christine. I can't just leave him here, out in the open; he'll attract too much attention with his awesomeness…
My thoughts are interrupted when another car passes by and I notice the people inside the vehicle are staring at us like we're a pair of morons. I turn back to the Phantom to see that he's already pulled the boat up onto the shore and is strolling up the slope towards me.
Me: Alright, Erik, you know what? Come with me, we should be getting a move on, people are starting to get weirded out. *leads him down the street*
Erik *hastily following*: Where are we going, angel? And, again, what are you wearing?
Me: We're going home, and, um, it's a workout outfit.
Erik: Where's home? Well, I must say, it's quite, er, flattering on you…
Me: Uh, yeah, thanks… Home is at the end of this street.
He falls silent for a couple of seconds before gasping in shock.
Erik *points excitedly at my necklace*: My dear, you're wearing a little replica of my mask around your neck!
Me: Yes, it's one of my most cherished possessions… *lightly touches it with my finger*
He finally shuts up, but continues gaping as we walk back to the house. Once we reach it, Erik is quite fascinated by its exterior and size.
Erik *in astonishment*: You live here…?
Must be quite extravagant compared to what he's used to.
Me: Yes, along with my housemate.
My housemate… oh crap, what's Mary Frances going to think of this?
We approach the front door.
Me: Um, wait here…*I slip inside and shut door*
Me *shrieks at the top of my lungs*: MARY FRANCES!
Mary Frances: OHMYGOD, LAUREN? WHAT'S WRONG? *dashes into the front parlor, armed with a frying pan and her two little yorkie puppies, Ginger and Lil' Man, yipping on either side of her*
Me *sounding ridiculously insane*: The Phantom of the opera is here…on our doorstep!
Mary Frances: Lauren, what in the world are you talking about?
Me: He's out there, I found him poling around in the lake, so I brought him back here!
…can we say 'loony'?
Mary Frances: Narnie, I think you've officially snapped… Come and have some breakfast, it's nearly—
I cut her off by sharply opening the front door, revealing Erik, who is standing there with one of his gloved fingers extended towards the doorpost, preparing to push the doorbell button. He immediately jumps back upon noticing me and Mary Frances and the puppies, who took off into the kitchen at the sight of him.
Mary Frances, however, faints on the spot and crumbles in a heap on the floor at my feet.
Me: Oops…
We gape at her in a dumbfounded manner, unsure of what to make of such a reaction.
Erik: Well, then… *turns back to me* Christine, what will happen if I push this?
Me: Erm, go ahead and find out for yourself!
He does so with the enthusiasm of a young child and is astounded when the chime rings out inside the house.
Me: Alright, now that you've discovered what the doorbell does, could you please help me get her into the living room?
Erik: Yes, of course… *steps inside and effortlessly lifts Mary Frances in his arms*
I lead him across the way into the living room. He lays her on the couch. The scenario reminds me of the point in the movie when Christine faints and the Phantom is so kind as to let her use his bed for the time being.
Me *in my best commando voice*: Alright, now take a seat and don't touch anything! *goes into the kitchen and quickly runs water over a cloth*
Me: I SAID NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING!
I come back to find him indeed sitting in an armchair, but fiddling with a little ballerina figurine on the table. He jumps at my shout and automatically takes his hands off the statuette.
Mary Frances *bolts upright*: Holy crap, what happened?
I apparently startled her out of unconsciousness.
Me *makes her lie back down*: Whoa, take it easy! *places the cloth across her forehead* Let me explain…and please stay conscience this time: while I was jogging, I found the Phantom of the opera sailing in his gondola on the lake and brought him back here with me.
Mary Frances peers over my shoulder at Erik and smiles uncertainly, not knowing exactly what to think.
Me *mumbles to her in a low tone*: He thinks I'm Christine… *turns around to face Erik* Erik, please come over here and properly introduce yourself to Mary Frances!
He obediently jumps up and kneels down next to the sofa.
Erik *takes her hand in his and gently kisses it*: Pleased to meet you, Mademoiselle; I am Erik, or more commonly known as the Phantom of the opera.
Mary Frances can only gape in awe.
Me *annoyed that I did not receive such an introduction*: Alright, lose the charming act before she passes out again!
Erik *looks up anxiously*: …is something burning?
Mary Frances *bolts upright again*: Oh no, the pancakes! *takes off into the kitchen*
Erik *downright confused*: …pancakes?
Me: More commonly known as 'breakfast'.
He follows me into the huge kitchen. He is speechless at its size. Mary Frances is frantically making more pancakes, since her last batch was burned to a black crisp.
Me *pulls out a chair at the island bar*: Here, Erik, make yourself at home. *offers chair to him*
He climbs up into it and sits excitedly while I pour him a glass of orange juice. I hand him the glass.
Erik *takes a sip and gags in disgust*: What is this crap?
Me: It's orange juice! What'd you expect, some extremely discolored wine?
Erik continues to complain about the 'vile, revolting beverage' while I leave and get dressed for the day. I decide to wear an azure lace top and a long flowing, black skirt. When I come back, I find Mary Frances dividing the new pancakes among three plates. I assist her by spreading the butter across the cakes and pouring the syrup.
Erik has finally shut up about the orange juice and is watching us with a look of extreme curiosity displayed on his face.
Me *sets a plate and silverware in front of him*: Here, try this, Erik. They're called pancakes.
He cuts a little piece and tastes it cautiously. His eyes almost immediately widen in bewilderment and he continues eating enthusiastically.
Mary Frances *quite humored*: Who would have the thought the Phantom of the opera loved pancakes so much?
Erik: And thus, my love of pancakes was born!
Me: Yes, yes, we know…
Erik: So when does my REAL Christine and her stupid fop, Raoul, come into the story?
Me *screams*: ERIK! The readers and Phangirls weren't supposed to know that they were coming, too!
Erik: Ohhhhh…well, my bad!
Me *rolls eyes*: Thank you for nothing, you useless, pancake-loving Phantom!
So, yes, Christine and Raoul are both going to arrive in the next chapter, so be sure to stay tuned! Plenty of crazy, Phantomness coming your way!
I hope you all enjoyed and please leave a review! Thanks for reading!