I've finally found a use for the T, besides toast. Mild- ish language on the principals' behalves. And the Phantom. Hope you like it anyways!

Narrator's PoV:

Principal Jaeger was in quite a bit of trouble.

Upon coming to the school that day, he'd been informed by the attendance office that a Charlene Williams' parents had called and said that their daughter had not returned from karaoke night the night before.

"That's odd," he said.

"Oh, Mr. Jaeger," a student from attendance said. "The… he left a note for you."

Mr. Jaeger shivered. The Phantom.

He picked up the letter with the red skull wax seal. Sitting at his desk in his office, he opened it, reading,

Principal Jaeger,

Inform Miss Williams' parents that she had spent the night at her friend, Alexis Webber's house. Her cell phone's battery died before she could call to tell them, and she had left a message for them on their home phone.

Also, my salary has not been paid. Send the usual $100 to the first seat in row 5 of the auditorium, where I shall pick it up.

Your humble and obedient servant,

J.G

Jaeger sighed. He got out another envelope, stuffing the usual $100 inside, and told one of the attendance students where to put it. At first, the student froze in fear, but reluctantly complied. Jaeger sat back at his desk, wondering, as usual, about the Phantom.

"Damnable!" co- principal Birgin boomed. "This is all damnable!"

"Birgin," Jaeger reprimanded. "There are students out there, you know. What is it this time?"

Birgin pulled out a letter with a red skull wax seal, handing it to Jaeger. With a sigh, Jaeger opened it.

Co-Principal Birgin,

Last nights karaoke was a huge success, thanks to the wonderful Charlene Williams. Compared to last years, with Brooklyn Mulheim, Charlene is another Christine Daae. Must Miss Brooklyn still gain all the large parts, when she's clearly past her prime? A silent role would fit her best.

Your humble and obedient servant,

J.G

"Where is she?" new student, Chase Hudgins, asked.

"Who?" Birgin asked.

"Charlene, Charlene Williams, where is she?"

"How should we know?" Jaeger asked. This new boy was certainly concerned with the girl's safety.

"I want an answer," he demanded. "I take it that you sent me this note."

"What note?" Birgin asked.

"She's not with you then?" he asked.

"Of course not!" Jaeger said.

Chase, annoyed, handed the principals' the note he'd received.

Mr. Hudgins,

Do not fear for Miss Williams. The Angel of Music has her under his wing. Make no attempt to see her again.

"Where is he?" Brooklyn Mulheim screeched. "That-a new boy!"

"What is it?" Chase asked.

"I have your-a letter," she huffed. "Which I'd rather not-a have received."

"And what is it that I'm meant to have sent?" he asked, taking the note from Brooklyn.

Miss Mulheim,

Your days in the limelight are numbered. Charlene Williams will be singing on your behalf in 'Beauty and the Beast'. Expect a great misfortune, should you attempt to take her place.

Brooklyn, outraged, clutched at her boyfriend, Noah Kelsh's, jacket.

"Far too many notes," Birgin said. "And in every one Charlene Williams is mentioned!"

Paige Mallory, another student entered the office.

"Charlene has returned."

"Where is she?" Birgin asked.

"I thought it best she was alone," Paige answered. Her little sister appeared behind her.

"She needed rest," Hayley added.

"Can I see her?" Chase asked.

"No, monsieur, she will see no one." Might I add that Paige had French ancestors, so she will speak French often.

"Will she sing?" Brooklyn demanded.

"Here," Paige said. "I have a note." She produced a letter with a red skull wax seal out of her backpack.

"Let me see it!" they all said.

"Please," Jaeger said. Paige handed him the note.

Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature, detailing how my school is to be run. You have not obeyed my orders. I shall give you one last chance.

Charlene Williams has returned to you, and I am anxious her career should progress. In the production of 'Beauty and the Beast', you will therefore cast Brooklyn with the silverware, and put Miss Williams in the role of Miss Belle.

The role which Miss Williams plays calls for charm and appeal. The role of the silverware hardly speaks, which makes my casting, in a word, ideal.

I shall watch the performance in my normal seat in row 5, which will be kept empty for me. Should these commands be disobeyed, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur.

I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

J.G

Now, my friends, what happened when Charlene woke up?

Why don't we let her tell you?

~0~0~0~0~0~

Charlene's PoV:

Before you read on, I didn't mean to! You'll see.

I woke up, no, not in my bed, but in the Phantom's. I could hear him playing the piano outside. Before I could say anything, I heard a music box. And tiny cymbals.

I looked over at a music box in the shape of a barrel organ. Sitting on it was a monkey, in Persian robes, playing the cymbals, to the tune 'Masquerade'. Déjà vu.

I reached for a rope near the monkey, tugging it lightly. The curtains surrounding me rose. I was stunned of how much I felt like Christine right now, but quickly got over it. Without a thought, I began to sing.

I remember there was mist

Swirling mist upon a vast, glassy lake

There were candles all around, and on the lake there was a boat

And in the boat there was a man…

As if on cue, the Phantom turned from the piano, the masked side of his face turned toward me. My gaze locked with his. He was afraid.

I walked towards him, still singing.

Who was that shape in the shadows?

Whose is the face in the mask?

I placed my hand gently on his unmasked cheek, stroking it softly. The Phantom relaxed a bit, leaning into my caress. My hand accidentally bumped into his mask…

And it fell off.

Before I could see any of his face, his hand was covering it. He knocked me over, towering over me, anger flashing in his eyes. I whimpered, scared stiff. His mask fell to the ground as he stood up, and before it could shatter, I caught it.

Damn you! You little prying Pandora! You little demon!

He stormed up to a mirror, looking at himself with disgust. I still couldn't see his face; tears had blurred my vision.

Is this what you wanted to see?

Curse you! You little lying Delilah! You little viper! Now you cannot ever be free!

Damn you, curse you.

I stayed where I was, sitting on the floor by the piano, shaking. If the Phantom looked mad in the movie, this Phantom was beyond furious. My head throbbed, my arm, where I'd landed, was sore.

As if on cue, he realized what he'd done. Head bowed in shame, he turned to me, hand still covering his face where the mask should have been. I could tell he was disgusted with himself, utterly horrified at what he'd done.

Stranger than you dreamt it, can you even dare to look, or bear to think of me?

This loathsome gargoyle who burns in hell, but secretly, yearns for heaven

Secretly, secretly… Charlene…

He had made his way to the other side of the lair now, and was looking at my mannequin self. Tears were flowing down my cheeks. I clutched his mask desperately, to keep me from full-out sobbing. He looked so pitiful, so horrible, and yet, so wonderful. He was apologizing for his actions, in his own way.

Fear can turn to love, you'll learn to see, to find the man behind the monster, this

Repulsive carcass who seems a beast, but secretly dreams of beauty, secretly,

Secretly… oh, Charlene

He knelt beside me, then scooted himself away, still ashamed. I held out his mask for him to take. Tears flowing down both our faces, he took it. He stood up, replacing the mask, then stood over me.

"Come," he said. "We must return. Those two fools who call themselves principals, and your parents, will be missing you."

Reluctantly, I took his hand.