Author's Note: I hope everyone enjoys my new fanfic please read and review. I want to thank everyone who has read, reviewed, followed & even favorited. I didn't expect such a quick response I am touched & ecstatic. I love all my lovely readers & I hope I keep your expectations & won't disappoint. This is a bit of a short chapter well most of them are as I'm writing them on the spur of the moment on notes on my iPhone while I'm at work bored (shush tell no one) so on there it seems long but here not so much. ;) If you guys would like them longer let me know, so I'll start combining chapters & line page break them to make it easier to read if not they'll be about this length to a little bit longer around 1,000-3,000 words. Well I'll let you get on with the story.

Inspiration: None other than loving the phantom.

Upcoming Trip

She got two glasses of ice water and brought them into the living room. Once again, she stared at the broken air conditioner with pure hatred and she was grateful that the fan worked. Normally New York summers were hot especially during her birthday month but this year was ridiculous it was the middle of September and the whole week topped at 100 degrees and also the week when her air conditioner decided it was on strike. As she put the glasses on the coffee table she dropped down on the couch and looked over at her best friend since high school. Her friend and her were similar in many ways and different in just as many. Her friend was an olive complexion, tall, slim, could eat anything without gaining a pound, and had a cooler temperature even in the winter much to her chagrin. While she was a pale peach complexion, short, hourglass shape, had to keep track of calories, and had a hot temperature even in the summer much to her own chagrin. Her friend looked over at her sympathetically while she downed the ice water and fanned herself. As if she knew a distraction was in order she spoke.

"I still can't believe you're traveling to Paris for vacation for a month. You must be so excited."

"I am it's the first time in years that I will be taking a real vacation, there are so many places I want to go. Plus I'm hoping the weather will be much cooler than it is here."

She nodded. "Are you going to any of the museums? Sam can probably recommend a few places to go." Their friend Samantha had traveled to Paris when they were in high school and raved about the experience of seeing the city of love.

"Yeah she told me of a few places and gave me a list of some French phrases in case I get stuck. So I'll probably check out a few but my first stop is definitely the opera house."

Her friend Laine rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly. "Dude, you're seriously going to look for the Phantom aren't you."

"What? It was a real story they found his body in the underground cellar with the ring Christine was supposed to give him. I just want to see what the place looks like in person."

"You've read the book, dragged me to the shows and have seen the movie more times than I can count I doubt it'll be any different from that." Laine really didn't understand why her friend was so obsessed over the story but it made her happy so she left her to it, but couldn't help teasing her about it.

"It might not be but I'd still like to find out. I could use a little adventure. Besides you didn't mind when I dragged you, you even enjoyed it." She stuck her tongue out at her friend who rolled her eyes.

Then she looked at her with big pleading eyes. "Hey come help me finish packing. I can probably get it done faster if you helped me."

After the packing got done, Laine headed home which left her to her thoughts. She hated to admit it but she knew Laine was right she was obsessed with the story every since she first saw a cartoon version of it and later learned it was a true story. She always felt bad for the Phantom and was heartbroken when Christine walked out on him to be with Raoul a little fop. He was probably one of her least favorite characters although she did respect the fact that he never gave up on his love for Christine.

The other person she couldn't stand was Carlotta she was such a snooty, arrogant, spoiled diva. She was a back stabber and a schemer. She didn't have any redeeming qualities at least not that she noticed. What surprised her about the movie that Piangi could stand her let alone be in love with her. But it had been her experience that men usually went after bitches, women who treated them poorly or were constantly complaining. Sometimes she wondered if maybe she should act like one when she found a guy she liked but knew as much as she could be a bitch to people she didn't like or who deserved it she couldn't see doing it to someone you liked or wanted to be with.

But she hadn't had much experience in relationships. She only had two long-term relationships since high school, a few first dates, and even fewer second dates. Usually she was too busy to find a date or keep up a relationship. Plus she seem to scare the men away usually because she was brainy, or strong or independent or a combo of the three. She knew she needed someone equally smart or smarter, strong or stronger. What she really needed was someone who could keep up with her, which brought her thoughts back to the Phantom. He was the type of man she needed he was a musical genius and while she barely knew the difference between notes of music or between soprano and alto she did appreciate the art behind it. It would also be great if he would take an interest in her activities as well.

The Phantom was strong willed and even though he went about things in a bad way he knew what he wanted and went for it, he had goals and he accomplished them. Men back in that era were the type of man she needed. Plus if the Phantom looked anything like he did in the movie she'd snatch him up in a heartbeat since Christine obviously didn't want him. But as much as she wanted the Phantom she still thought that if he went about things differently he could've not only gotten Christine but they would have been happy together. Christine was beautiful and so musically talented it was no wonder the Phantom fell head over heels for her. She was also kind hearted and sweet albeit a bit naïve and gullible. If only things happened differently if someone could've talked sense to the Phantom made him do things differently or stop Christine from singing the first night that Raoul was there he would've never seen her then left on his expedition, or told Christine the truth earlier. Her mind ran a mile a minute ideas spewing forth until she finally fell asleep.

The next morning she awoke excited for the trip. She got everything together for her trip, luggage placed near the door, purse set up with her passport, airline ticket, snacks in case the airline food was inedible, which was most of the time. Checked the flight times and checked in for the flight. Now all she waited for was her friends to come pick her up so they could head to the airport together. Soon a knock was heard at the door. It opened to reveal another of her best friends and former coworker Mimi.

"Is this all your bringing?"

She looked down at her luggage she had one large check bag, a carry-on and her purse was the extent of her bags.

"What? I didn't feel like paying ridiculous baggage fees and I'm only going for a month I've learned from past trips I always end up taking too much clothes. So I decided to pack light and take only what I know I'll wear. And unlike you I don't need a separate check-on just for make-up." She gave her friend a teasing look.

"Shaddup. Now come on let's get this in the car."

She laughed as she closed the door to her apartment and got everything downstairs and to the car. Her keys were past off to Emily who was to feed her cat Smoky while she was gone.

"You got your tickets and passport?" Laine asked before she started the car.

"Yep, got them in my purse. I got the phrases Sam emailed me too."

With that they took off and got to the airport in good time. After checking her bag and getting her e-ticket printouts she headed over to her friends.

"What time does the flight leave?" Mimi piped in.

"In about an hour so I should probably be going, security's going to be a pain in the ass."

"I know that's right." Emily agreed with her she had taken her vacation a few months earlier back home to Georgia.

"I will miss all of you but I'll try to email you when I get the chance." She hugged each of them. Emily whom she had known for less time than her other two friends but she was just as close to her since they were both originally from the south and went to heavy metal concerts together. Her hardcore friend started getting misty eyed.

"Don't worry sweetie I'm going to come back. I'm not going to stay there forever plus if I did my boss would probably go there and drag my ass back." Her friends laughed and nodded.

Before she walked away, she heard her friends shout out in unison. "Bye Jen have a safe trip. We love you!"

Jennifer laughed as she walked away from her friends to head off to her flight. She made it through security mostly unscathed. While she waited for the staff to announce, the boarding calls she decided to reread Phantom of the Opera again. While she was really getting into the book she heard the boarding call, quickly got her luggage, plane ticket, and headed to the gate. She got into her seat, fastened the seat-belt, on the plane that was to take her to her new adventure.

A/N: Are you still intrigued? If so please review.