Chloe sat down at her computer and turned it on. She was so tired, but relieved that her tests were over. This college thing wasn't as fun as she'd expected. Her computer loaded and she went to check her email. She was happy to see a message from Belle in her inbox. She really missed her friend. She clicked on it and read it. Then she typed her response.

________________________________________________________________________________

To: tinkerbelle@ucla.edu

From: phantomdiva@julliard.com

Subject: Purple Hair? Are you serious?

Belle,

Hey, having fun is part of college, but don't start failing! I'm sure you and your roommate will work things out. I agree that it was good not to live with anyone your first semester but maybe you, Mimi, and Philip could get apartment next semester or something. Joining a sorority will lead you to meet a lot of people and maybe you'll move into the sorority house. But they may not take you if you have purple hair.

Speaking of purple hair and a piercing, you do realize you have to go home sometime right? Could you imagine what your father would do when he saw you? And you are right, Shawn would never let you live it down. But if you were going to dye your hair, purple wouldn't go well with your complexion. You should do blue or something but I wouldn't recommend it. I know it's different from high school and is considered a time to "reinvent yourself" but I disagree. I think it's more about learning who you really are, you know? You are on your own for the first time and don't have anyone there to hold your hand so you have to make your own decisions. You have time to see who you are outside of the Salem Belle. Does that make sense? That's what you have to keep in mind about the whole Shawn situation too. You have been "Belle and Shawn" for a long time, even before you were actually going out. It's for the best that you two broke up because you will learn what it's like apart. And remember, if it's meant to be it will happen.

Chloe looked at what she had just written and tried to make herself believe it. 'When?' she thought. 'I know it's meant to be but when will it happen?' That brought her to...

I'll definitely e-mail Brady soon. Is it news to you that we think alike? That reminds me. I get to see The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway tonight. There's this little Kiosk in Times Square where they sell half price tickets. I got a mezzanine ticket (not orchestra, not balcony) for $27. That's cheap for a ticket. I'm really excited. I wish Brady was here to see it with me. You know what's funny, I know how different we are but this email made me realize it anymore. Here you are talking about going to a football game, like a normal college girl, and I'm going to see a Broadway Musical, yet we are equally excited. But I love you Belle, you are still my best friend.

Keep me updated on your and Philip's experiences with Rush. I know you will both get in. It's good for you because you can go to functions with each other so you don't have to deal with some sex-driven fraternity boy.

Let's see, what else? Well, I think my tests went well. I'll see when I get my grades back. I could actually see you as a broadcast journalist. It would be funny. Tomorrow I have auditions for the fall recital they have. I don't know what to sing. Maybe I'll ask Brady when I e-mail him. I've heard about the traffic you have in LA. It's bad in New York too...but then again, I don't have a car. I usually take the subway, what a wonderful invention. Well, I'm going to go get ready for my night at the theatre. Tell everyone I said "Hi!"

LYLAS,

Chloe

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Chloe hit the send button and then opened a new composition. In the To: box she typed phantomblack@yahoo.com. 'No, I'm not ready to tell him.' She closed out her e-mail and got ready to leave.