Natalie stared at the essay prompt. If you could rewrite the ending of one book, what book and how would you change it? What the hell kind of question was that? She didn't read. Well not much anyway. Finally she settled on the last book she had read and began to write. If I could, I would change the ending to The Phantom of the Opera. Erik and Christine belonged together and…

"So what did you think of the essay?" her best friend Shelby asked.

Natalie shrugged. "Could've been worse. Remember that essay we had to write in history? How did Darwin single handedly start two world wars?"

"Actually I think it was how did the writings of Darwin impact the world leaders' mindset leading up to World War One?" Shelby corrected.

"Who cares? I got a D on that essay." Shelby snickered at her. Natalie rolled her eyes. "Anyway, what did you write about?"

"I said I would change Twilight and make Bella go with the hunk rather than the sparkling fairy."

Natalie gagged. "God I hate that book. Destroyed any and all respect I had for vampires. Dracula, Anne Rice, all of them ruined."

Shelby pursed her lips. "Alright then, what did you write about?"

"The Phantom of the Opera. It was the last book I read," she said with a shrug. "It beats Twilight. If I had to write about it, I would make them all die."

"I loved Phantom."

"You only saw the movie."

"Touché. But I liked the way it was. What did you change?"

"I hated Raoul. He was so fake."

Shelby laughed. "A fictional character was fake? Would have never guessed."

"You know what I mean. He was too goddamn perfect. Christine should have gone with Erik. Raoul was a plastic Barbie. Erik at least had flaws and a personality."

"Erik?"

Natalie groaned. "I thought you said you liked the story. Erik is the Phantom's real name."

"When did they say that? I don't remember that in the movie. You made that up."

She smiled smugly. "It was only in the book. True Phans know that. Duh. Obviously you're not a true Phan."

Shelby stuck her tongue out at Natalie. "Anyway, we're still on for tonight right?"

"Johnny Depp's new movie? I'd die before I'd miss that!" Natalie squealed. "Of course I'll be there. Seven right?"

"See ya then!" Natalie skipped off humming the soundtrack of Sweeny Todd. She couldn't wait for the movie.

"C'mon," Natalie muttered, glancing at the clock. 6:55. "Why isn't the light changing? It's my turn! I am running oober behind! I refuse to be late to Johnny's movie." As soon as the light turned green, Natalie floored the gas. She knew it was icy outside from the snow, but she wasn't slowing down for anything.

She flew down the road, going faster and faster. All of a sudden, Natalie hit a patch of ice, and she screamed as her car spun out of control. Her head slammed into the steering wheel as the car slid into a ditch, knocking her unconscious.

"Mademoiselle," a voice called. "Mademoiselle are you alright?"

Natalie stirred. "Huh?"

"Madame Giry! She's waking up!"

Natalie blinked. "Who are you? Where am I? What happened?"

A girl about Natalie's age was kneeling next to her. "My name is Christine Daae. We found you outside the opera unconscious. We were wondering what happened ourselves."

"Opera? There isn't an opera in town. Where am I?"

"You're in Paris."

"PARIS?" Natalie screeched. "As in France? How did I get to Paris? How did I get in France? I have never been to France in my life! Hell, how did I get to Europe?"

"What do you mean?" the girl asked in alarm.

"I. Do not. Belong. In. France." Natalie said slowly. "I am an American. A-M-E-R-I-C-A-N. Not French. Not even remotely French."

"Do you know how you got here?" Christine asked.

"I don't have a clue. The last thing I remember was crashing my car, and then I woke up here. I was on my way to the movies to go see Johnny Depp's new movie."

"I'm sorry, you what? Car? Movie?"

"Christine!" A woman in a black dress swept into the room followed by a man. "I have a doctor."

"Mademoiselle? Would you be able to tell me what happened?" the man asked as he began cleaning a cut on Natalie's head.

Natalie sighed. "I crashed my car on the way to the movies in America then woke up in Paris, France. Or at least that what she's telling me."

"You did what? Going where?" the doctor inquired.

"Crashed my car. Going to the movies. What about that is so hard for you people to follow?"

"I'm sorry, but what?"

"A car. You drive it, to go from one place to another. I crashed mine. While going to the movies. You know a moving picture with sound that you see in the theater."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about," the doctor said. "I suppose that it's possible that your head injury is confusing you…"

"For God's sake!" Natalie screamed. "It's basic technology! Honestly people, what year is it?"

"1881," Christine replied.

That was not the answer Natalie was expecting at all. "What? No! No it's not! It's 2012! Whatever joke this is, it isn't funny!"

"Mademoiselle, calm down," the doctor said. "I'm sure you're just a little mixed up from your injury. Amnesia and confusion are common with head injuries. In time you should recover. Don't worry."

"You think I'm crazy don't you?" Natalie demanded.

"No, no I never said that," the doctor insisted. "I'm saying that you need rest and in time everything will clear up."

"Yes, you think I'm crazy. But I'm not." Natalie burst into tears. "I'm not crazy."

A dark haired man was hidden in the shadows of the opera house. He had heard the shouts that they had found an unconscious girl outside so he came up to check it out. This girl wasn't like any other he'd seen. She was wearing pants like a man and her blonde hair was streaked with blue. And she was insistent as hell that the year was 2012. In other words, everyone was convinced she was insane. But something about her intrigued him. He signaled Madame Giry, who moved closer to his hiding spot.

"Yes?"

"She's interesting. Keep her around."

"Um, okay. I'll see what I can do."