Chapter 1 (Luela's POV)

I stared at my mirror. I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed hard that Erik appear. But it didn't work. It never did. Three months. I

t's been three months since my life changed forever. Ever since I came out of the hospital, I've been cooped up in my room staring at the mirror. My parents are getting worried about me.

So are Siobhan, Ethan, and Frankie. Frankie is an old friend from middle school I managed to contact. He's sweet and funny, but he's no Erik. I've never been this depressed in my entire life.

Heck, my 18th birthday passed and I didn't even notice. My parents have even thought of getting me a personal therapist. Thank God Siobhan managed to persuade them I didn't need one. I can't tell ANYONE my reason for depression which, of course, leaves Frankie clueless.

I wish I could tell him though. He's one of my best friends and I can't stand keeping such a huge secret from him. So I decided to tell him. I called Ethan, Siobhan, and Frankie up and got them to meet me in town later this afternoon.

My parents were going out for a bit so I invited them over after as well. I brushed my hair, grabbed my bag, and got into my car. I turned the ignition on and pulled out of the driveway. I dug through my song list on my iPhone and settled on three songs, "Say Something", "Halo", and "Apologize". Man I am really depressed.

I parked at the bookstore and walked to a pizzeria, where I saw Frankie, Siobhan, and Ethan standing around and talking. "Hey guys" I mumbled, trying to sound cheerful. Well, aren't I the jolliest little figgy pudding? The guys smiled at me and Frankie stepped forward.

"Ok, listen guys, Frankie needs to know," I was interrupted by Frankie.

"Luela we need to discuss something!" He exclaimed. Oh god! Did Siobhan already tell him? I looked at him worriedly.

"Okaaaay go on" I said. Frankie took a breath and continued.

"Luela listen. I've noticed that you've seemed depressed lately. I think the solution to that is for you to get a boyfriend" I'm sorry WHAT DID HE JUST SAY!? I clenched my teeth and balled my fists.

"Frankie, I don't want a boyfriend" I said through gritted teeth. But Frankie just babbled on.

"No seriously. You're 18! Time to get a move on! Siobhan's a cheerleader right? She could give a football player a word or two about you. I mean 18 and never had a boyfriend? That's just sad really… UGH!" Well I was getting pretty darned annoyed and that last thing he said made me snap. I swung my fist at his face and he fell back.

"What the hell was that for!?" He exclaimed. Siobhan and Ethan looked at each other worriedly.

"NEVER. SAY. THAT. TO. ME. AGAIN!" I shrieked. And with that I stormed off. I went to the place that usually calmed my nerves. The town library. I pushed open the large doors and made a beeline to my favorite section, "Romantic Classics".

I brushed my fingers over a couple books and made a stop at the most ironic book in this situation. "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux was sitting right in front of me.

My mind was blindly beating against it, but my soul gave in. I opened the covers and allowed myself to be soaked in the book's plot. As I read, I thought about what happened earlier.

Maybe I did overreact but I couldn't control myself. And at the moment, I just wanted to go home. I put the book back and drove to my house. I was sick of everything.

I pulled into my garage and walked up to my room. There, I plopped my behind on my bed. I heard my mom's voice from downstairs. "Luela, your father and I are going out shopping! Be back soon!"

"Ok!" I yelled in response. Thank God I was alone. I stared at all the Phantom merchandise around my room. Drawings hung from the wall, a large poster on my ceiling and, finally, a necklace with a golden rose.

They all made me remember of the times Erik and I had. I went through my file cabinet of memories and settled on one moment.

Don Juan Triumphant. Just the way he looked at me was intoxicating. My mind was spinning. I couldn't be reminded of him anymore. It would be the best way to heal myself. Erik had to be erased from my mind.