AN: This story takes place during the Phantom of the Opera. It is mostly based off of the Broadway show and movie, as I have never read the book. I have read a bit about the book though, so I am using some information from there. I am not sure how close I will stick to the movie. There will also probably be flashbacks and time jumps.

I've always loved Erik as a character and shipped him with Christine. (I have never really liked Raoul). This story is pro-Erik/Christine. Erik will be somewhat less of a psycho stalker/killer to make the relationship with Christine more realistic. I am combining the assertive Erik in the Phantom with the vulnerable Erik at the end of the film and in Love Never Dies. In other words, I am letting Christine see the "human" side of Erik earlier on.

This chapter is from the POV of Christine, but I will also tell the story from the POV of Erik

Christine:

It was the final rehearsal before the opening night of Hannibal. As per usual, the famous La Carlotta was the star. She was the prima donna of the Opera Populaire after all. I was never a huge fan of La Carlotta. I have to admit that she is talented, but Meg and I always referred to her as the she-devil. Let's just say that she is your stereotypical diva. La Carlotta thinks she is so much better than everyone else and should be treated like loyalty. She loves to cause a scene and step on the little people. During rehearsals, it was pretty much expected that she would yell at either a stagehand, a dancer, or a member of the chorus. She also frequently threatened to leave the Opera Populaire when she did not get her way.

Part of me always wished that she would actually leave. In addition to not liking her, part of me always dreamed of being the leading lady. Not that her leaving would have guaranteed me a shot as the star. Despite receiving lessons from an amazing tutor, I was just a chorus girl after all. Also, I've never been one for fame and glory. I've always been the type of person that likes to blend into the background. Music, however, is the one thing in this world that I truly love. It was a passion that I shared with my father. I used to love singing while he played along with his violin. Ever since he passed, I have felt like music allows me to communicate with him. I know that he's gone now but, when I sing, it feels like he is standing there next to me. I was devastated after my father passed away, and music gave me another shot at happiness. I want to sing in front of a full house so that I can share this gift with the people of Paris.

This rehearsal started out like any other. After going through a couple of numbers, however, Monsieur Lefevre walked onto the stage looking slightly flustered. He was closely followed by two men I had never seen before.

"Monsieur Lefevre! This is a closed rehearsal," Monsieur Reyer yelled, throwing his arms up in exasperation.

M. Lefevre looked around anxiously. "My apologies Monsieur Reyer, but I have an announcement that I must make. Ladies and Gentlemen! Everyone, can I have your attention please?" He waited for everyone to quiet down. "I know that, for the past few weeks, there have been rumors that I am going to retire. I am here to announce that these rumors are, in fact, true. I am also here to introduce you to two gentlemen, Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles Andre," he stated, indicating the two men following him. "They are now the proud owners of the Opera Populaire."

After everyone finish applauding Messrs. Firmin and Andre, M. Firmin cleared his throat. "We are also honored to introduce our new patron, the Vicomte de Chagny."

I recognized him as soon as he walked onto stage. Though it had been many years since I last saw him, he still had the same charming smile that made his blue eyes twinkle. I turned to Meg and whispered, "That's Raoul. We knew each other before my father passed."

"You were friends?" Meg asked, looking surprised.

"Well," I said feeling my cheeks reddening. "I guess you could say we were childhood sweethearts. He used to call me Little Lotte."

Meg giggled. "He's very handsome."

She was right. When I had known him, Raoul was definitely a cute boy. But now, as a man, he was extremely attractive. You could tell that he was the type of guy that girls constantly fawned over. In fact, I began to notice that a lot of the female performers were batting their eyes at him.

Raoul, however, seemed oblivious to this fact. He was quickly introducing himself to La Carlotta and Piangi. "I believe I am keeping you from rehearsal. Please, continue. I look forward watching this performance tonight," he said before walking right past me to leave the room.

I could not help but feeling disappointed as Carlotta exclaimed, "He love me. He love me. He love me."

I turned to Meg, disheartened. "He wouldn't recognize me."

She placed a comforting hand onto my shoulder and said, "He didn't see you."

This cheered me up a little, but I wasn't entirely convinced. Unfortunately, I did not have time to contemplate my love life, or lack thereof. We were supposed to be rehearsing. Meg and I joined everyone else on stage to practice the ballet.

"We take pride in our ballet Messieurs," Madame Giry stated, showing Messrs. Firmin and Andre around as we rehearsed.

"I can see why. Especially that little blonde angel," M. Andre replied, indicating Meg. I saw her grin next to me. Meg was a very talented dancer.

"That is Meg Giry. My daughter," said Mme. Giry.

"What about that beauty?" asked M. Firmin, pointing at me. "No relation I trust."

I'm still not sure if he meant this as an insult to Mme. Giry. I could tell Meg was wondering the same thing as we exchanged quick glances.

Mme. Giry, however, seemed unphased by his comment. "That is Christine Daae. She's a very promising talent. She was the only child of the famous violinist, Gustave Daae, and she inherited his gift in music. She was orphaned at 7 and has been living at the Opera Populaire ever since."

La Carlotta was never one to tolerate being in the background for too long. "Excuse me!" she loudly interrupted. "But I am sure Messieurs Andre and Firmin are getting bored of your mediocre dancing. I think, Monsieur Reyer, that they would much rather hear me sing the aria from act III. Don't you agree?"

M. Reyer looked shocked for a second, but quickly recovered. Since that night was opening night, they could not do anything that might irritated La Carlotta. "Um, of course!"

La Carlotta smiled concededly. "Get out of my way," she spat at me as Meg and I ran off stage.

As soon everyone left the stage, she began to sing Think of Me. Meg and I rolled our eyes at each other. I was just thinking how nice it would be for something bad to happen to her when BAM. Out of nowhere, a backdrop came plummeting onto the stage right on top of her. Everyone started screaming. When I glanced above the stage, I could have sworn that I saw a glint of something white and the swish of a black cape.

"It's the Phantom of the Opera," Meg whispered next to me.

M. Firmin ran to La Carlotta to help her up. He looked above the stage and yelled, "There is nobody up there! It must have been some kind of accident. Accidents do happen."

La Carlotta glared angrily at him. "Accidents happen?! I could have died, and all you say to me is accidents happen! I cannot take these horrible conditions anymore! I am leaving! Goodbye!" She stormed out the door.

Everyone simply watched her leave. We were accustomed to her dramatic exits by now. She would come back eventually. Messrs. Firmin and Andre exchanged glances, dumbfounded. I could tell that they were not used to this kind of drama. Good luck running this place, I thought to myself.

After a couple of seconds, Mme. Giry stepped forward, holding a piece of parchment in her hand. "I have a note from the Opera Ghost. He welcomes you to his opera house. He asks wants to remind you to keep box 5 empty and that his salary is due."

This seemed to break M. Firmin out of his trance. "His salary?! And how exactly are we supposed to pay him any salary when we just lost our star? We shall have to cancel the show and refund a full house!"

"Christine Daae can sing it. She has been taking lessons from a great tutor," Mme. Giry said quickly. I looked around confused. Me? Replace La Carlotta? Sure, I had dreamed of this, but I never imagined that it would actually happen.

"She is quite beautiful," M. Andre said to M. Firmin. "Who is your tutor?"

This was the question that I feared he would ask. I thought for a second. I can't say that it is the Angel of Music or they will all think that I am crazy. "I don't know his name," I said embarrassed. I realize that this was a weird answer. Who doesn't know the name of their tutor? But it was better than saying that an angel had been visiting me regularly since I was a child and giving me singing lessons.

M. Firmin seemed satisfied by this answer, however. "Alright, why don't you sing for us then."

I stepped to the center of the stage and began to sing.

AN: That is the end of Ch 1. Please, let me know what you think! I know that I am not much of a writer, so if you have any advice let me know!