Chloe went to the subway station right by Julliard and swiped her Metrocard. She hopped on the 1 to Times Square. She was so excited, one of her dreams was actually coming true. She was going to see The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. She got off at the right station and climbed the stairs. She entered the Majestic Theatre and stopped, just staring. 'I'm actually here!' she thought, well she thought she'd thought it. In truth she'd said it out loud and heard a voice in response.

"This your first time seeing the show?" Chloe was startled and turned around to see a male about her age standing there dressed as an usher. "Hi, I'm Peter." he stuck out his hand and Chloe took it..

"My name's Chloe, and yes it is my first time. I have wanted to see this my entire life."

"I love it. It truly is an amazing show. I get to see it every once in awhile but even from out here I can hear the music. Are you waiting for someone?"

"Huh? Oh, no." She almost said yes, because in truth she was waiting for Brady. She had always associated Phantom with him since that night he'd sang "Music of the Night" for her. "I'm just taking this all in."

"Do you live here in New York?"

"Yeah, I just started at Julliard."

"Wow, that's amazing. I go to NYU. Are you an actress, singer, or dancer?"

"Singer. I hope to do opera someday."

"That's great. I got accepted in the theatre program at Julliard but didn't have the money to go. So I work her and a few other places saving my money."

"I'm so sorry. Hey, here's my number," she said pulling out a piece of paper and a pen form her handbag. "Why don't you give me a call and we can hang out sometime."

"That'd be great. You could show me the insider look at Julliard. You better go inside now, though. The show starts soon."

"You're probably right Peter. Nice meeting you."

"You too."

Chloe walked to the door to the seating area and handed the usher there her ticket. Chloe had thought she was in awe of the lobby but it was nothing compared to the viewing area itself. She walked toward her seat which was close to the back. It would be a little hard to make out faces but Chloe was just happy to be seeing the show. Finally the lights flickered, signaling five minutes to curtain and then it started. Chloe sat in shock throughout, completely in awe of the performance. By the end of the title song she was amazed. 'I will do this one day' she thought determinedly. Then she heard the opening strains of "Music of the Night." As she listened she was transported back in time to that night with Brady. Instead of the man onstage she heard the voice of Brady Black, singing to her. 'If only I'd realized then how much I loved him.' She began to cry silently and kept it up through the rest of Act I. When the lights came up she applauded enthusiastically. 'I must look like crap,' she thought. 'Time to make a bathroom run.' She left her seat and went back into the lobby in search of the restroom. She looked around but couldn't seem to find the bathroom. Then, once again, she heard a voice behind her.

"What are you looking for, Chloe?" She turned around and saw Peter standing there. "Wow, are you okay?"

"Yeah, can you tell me where the bathroom is?"

"Sure, it's right over there...but are you sure you are okay?"

"I'm fine, the show just brings back some painful memories."

"I'm sorry."

"Me too." She turned and walked in the direction he'd indicated. She fixed herself up in the bathroom and then returned to her seat. As she sat there she began to look at the program. She read the credits of the actors and was surprised to see a few of the chorus members where Julliard students. She had only just started the first page, the cast members with last names starting with "A" when the lights lowered and the second act started. Her tears had dried by now and she was able to watch with unblurred eyes. At the end she joined the rest of the audience in a standing ovation. The show was just as wonderful as she'd imagined. As she walked with the crowd towards the lobby she decided to get some souvenirs for her friends. She got in line and then resumed looking at the program to help pass the time she would have to wait since everyone in the theatre seemed to want some memento and the line was extremely long. She read through the rest of the "A" section and got to the "B"'s. Then she gasped. 'No, I must have read that wrong.' She looked again and sure enough it said Brady Black: Men's Chorus 'Oh my God' she was in shock. Could it really be Brady. She read the bio and was even further shocked to read "I would especially like to thank Chloe, for keeping me inspired. I love you, Diva." She stepped out of line towards one of the benches and sat down hard, one hand covering her mouth. The tears from earlier returned full force. Out of nowhere Peter appeared and sat next to her.

"OK, now I know you aren't okay. What's wrong?"

Chloe looked at him and surprised herself by asking "Do you know the cast?"

"Kind of, why?"

"I need to see Brady Black. Have you heard of him? His in the chorus."

"The name doesn't ring a bell."

"Is there anyway you can get me into the backstage area? This is very important."

"Not tonight I can't. Tomorrow I'm in charge of dressing room clean-up after the matinee. Meet me behind the theater at 5 o'clock and I will see if I can let you in."

"Thank you." Chloe hugged him and left. She decided to walk back. Julliard was on the corner of Broadway and 65th and the theatre district was a walkable distance away. She needed to clear her head but all she could think was 'Brady's in New York...and he loves me.' She entered her dorm room and checked her email. Belle had already written back, not surprising. 'I can't tell her yet, not until I talk to him. There must be some reason he hadn't told anyone.' She wrote a reply wishing Belle were there to truly talk to. Her throat tightened again.

______________________________________________________________________

To: tinkerbelle@ucla.edu

From: phantomdiva@julliard.edu

Subject: You'll be Ok

Hey,

Wow! The show was awesome. I'll mail you the keychain soon. ('OK' Chloe thought, I don't have one but I can get one.') I am still up on Cloud Nine. It was amazing. I'm really tired though so this will be shorter than the last few. I'm glad you are enjoying the College Life and Philip is watching out for you. I'm sure Mimi is just getting used to her freedom. Don't you dare go and hook up with some random guy. I don't want you to become a slut.

Now, in regards to your question of "What's wrong with me?" the answer is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! You are in love, sweetie. It is hard being away from the one you love but as I said before, what's meant to be will be.

I know what you mean about not sleeping. From the time on the e-mail you just got off...and I'm willing to bet you aren't asleep. you are most likely lying on your bed, listening to *NSYNC and thinking about Shawn. I need more rest too but I have so much work all of the time. Tomorrow is Friday so I have my first class at 8 am. It is terrible. So I will go now. LONGER LETTER LATER I promise.

LYLAS,

Chloe

@--------

______________________________________________________________________

She shut down her laptop and then got ready for bed. She laid there, listening to her Phantom CD and thinking about Brady. Slowly she cried herself to sleep.