Chapter Two

The next day, Kristen couldn't wait for Choral Class to begin. She had somehow managed to get through her other classes, but her impatient side was getting the best of her. She couldn't wait, because tryouts were going to start that day. Kristen pondered her teacher's words from the day before.

"If at all possible, I would like us to perform, as accurately as possible, Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Phantom of the Opera' musical. I know many of you are fond of it's music, as I have heard some of you singing bits and pieces of it before practice."

Prof. Debbiene had looked squarely at Kristen when he said that last remark, which had caused her to blush. She was proud of her voice, and the extensive training she had undergone to bring it out to its fullest. Her daily regimen had been the same since she was 16.

She would wake at 5:30 every morning, and drink 8 oz. of water to clear her throat. The water was set a certain temperature so as not to shock her larynx. Then after about an hour of scales to stretch her arytenoids and loosen the thyroid cartilage, she would sing parts of a few opera songs to ensure her larynx was fully warmed up. During the day, she would drink plenty of water to ensure her vocal chords stayed moist. She had done this every day and during her last check-up with her doctor, he had pronounced her as perfectly healthy.

Kristen was shaken from her reverie by a voice. She turned to see Michael jogging down the hall towards her. She waited until he caught up with her and caught his breath before starting down the hall again.

"You shouldn't run like that," she admonished, lightly. "The last thing you need is to strain the muscles of your diaphragm right before try-outs."

"Sorry," he panted, "I was running a little late. What part are you going to try for?"

"I'm trying for Christine, but I'm a little worried. Caroline said she was going for that part too. I'd be mortified if she showed me up."

"But she does have a good voice, Kristen. Granted, she probably doesn't have the same professional training that we've had, she's doing pretty well for herself."

Kristen didn't feel like talking about Caroline. "What about you, Michael? What part are you trying for?"

"Erik," he said simply.

Kristen knew then that he was a true Phantom Phan. Any other person would have said "I'm trying for the part of 'The Phantom'," but Michael had called Erik by name. She was glad now that she was absolutely sure.

They made it to the classroom with time to spare. When they arrived, the room was buzzing with eager anticipation. As usual, Caroline was showing off by hitting some fairly high notes... rather well, much to Kristen's chagrin. Michael noticed this, and leaned over in his seat.

"If she keeps that up, she'll have no voice left to use for the try-outs," he whispered.

Kristen smiled, gratefully, and opened her mouth to say something when someone suddenly shouted her name. Swiveling around in her chair, Kristen saw a young, blonde-haired man scrambling madly over the other chairs in a desperate attempt to reach her.

When he did finally reach her, his face was flushed, and he looked quite disheveled.

"You DO remember me, right Kristen?"

Kristen wracked her memory, trying to remember who this young, flamboyant individual was. Suddenly, it hit her like a ton of bricks.

"Roger? Roger Chandler? What are you doing here?"

Roger didn't seem to notice that her question was said in a slightly accusing tone. Instead, he merely wrapped his arms around Kristen, lifted her up and swung her around.

"You do remember! Oh, I'm so glad! It's been so long, I was afraid you had forgotten about me!"

Kristen was too shocked to do anything at first. When he stopped swinging her around and put her back down, the first thing she noticed was the look in Michael's eyes. It was a look of pure jealousy. Any icy stare fixed on Roger, so cold, Kristen was half expecting Roger to turn into a human-sized ice cube. And looking around, she also noticed the curious stares of the room's other occupants.

Luckily, she was spared any further embarrassing situations when Prof. Debbiene entered the room and called for order. Kristen was mortified when Roger kissed her hand and returned to his seat. She glanced over at Michael, who sat there fuming. She wanted to say something to him, but she dared not interrupt Prof. Debbiene. She simply had to wait.

'I hate waiting,' she thought.

Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long. Her choral professor began calling out the names of his students in alphabetical order, and asking them which part they wanted to try out for. As the first student got up and took is place on the small stage, Kristen scooted her chair closer to Michael's.

"Michael, I..."

"Who is he?"

Before she could answer, the first student finished her song and sat down. Prof. Debbiene called Michael's name next. Confused, Kristen watched as he stood, told the professor his part, and prepared to sing. 'What's wrong with him?' Kristen thought. 'Why did he look at Roger like that?'

She thought about those questions until Michael finished his song and returned to his seat. He sat there a moment, and then spoke.

"So, who is he?" He whispered.

Kristen was shocked at his tone of voice. It was hard and biting. "His name is Roger Chandler. He's an old friend."

"He seemed a little too friendly if you ask me."

Kristen fought to keep her emotions in control. "Michael Cranston, I don't see what business it is of yours who he is to me. How dare you?! What gives you the right...?" Kristen stopped, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks.

She moved away from him and focused instead on the student who was singing now. 'Perfect. It's Caroline.' She was singing "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," and doing fairly well at it. Kristen knew she was next, so she tried her hardest to compose herself.

When her professor called her name, she desperately tried to swallow the chocking lump in her throat as she stood. She heard some whisper "Good luck." It was Roger. She didn't acknowledge it, but steadily made her way to the front. Prof. Debbiene smiled when she got there.

"What part are you trying for, Kristen?"

"Christine, sir."

"Very well, what song are you going to sing?"

"Think of Me."

"Alright, start when you're ready."

Kristen nodded and the professor hummed the introduction. As she sang, Kristen became aware of a change in her larynx. It was strained. She remembered holding back her tears earlier and realized that was the worst thing she could have done. Now that her vocal chords were strained by that effort, she wouldn't be able to make it through the song.

'But if I don't, Caroline is sure to get the part.'

Her thoughts in turmoil, Kristen continued to sing. Prof. Debbiene hummed the song as she sung, allowing her to keep time and to ensure she stayed on the right notes. She was approaching the last part, and was still unsure of what to do.

'I have to do it,' she thought. 'I have to make it.'

Kristen took a deep breath and prepared to hit the last note. But what came out of her throat was not a graceful note, but instead something hideous. It sounded like a sick frog. The color drained from her face as she realized what happened.

'I'm so stupid. It broke. My voice cracked.'

A shocked silence permeated the room. Her voice hadn't done that in years, and it certainly hadn't done it in public. Kristen could sense everyone's stare and the stage lights seemed so oppressively hot. She opened her mouth to apologize, but no sound came out.

'It can't be! Oh please no! Please don't let it be gone!'

Kristen began to wobble as she stood there in silence. To her, it all seemed to happen in slow motion as she crumpled to the stage. The last thing she saw was the look of triumph on Caroline's face. Then, she spiraled into a state of dreamless sleep.

Author's notes: See? I put a Raoul-ish character in there. You all just had to be patient. Thanks to all of you who reviewed. I really appreciate it. Here are my replies to your reviews.

BalletRat: Umm, it actually IS possible to hit a High C at around 7:30-ish in the morning. I personally can't get that high anyway, but I've come pretty darn close to it. So, I know it's possible. But for your benefit, I put in Kristen's practice schedule.

erikorlando'sgirl: Thanks for all of that, I think. I had to read your review a couple of times to understand what you were saying. Yes, I love Erik too, and it's also my dream to find someone who also likes POTO as much as I do. Thanks again.

Nomi-clawskull: I'm afraid I don't quite know what a "Mary-Sue" is. Like I said, I'm still new at this fic writing thing. This story was actually based on a dream I had a long time ago, so I'm writing it as I remember. And as for who gets what part... don't get ahead of me. I tend to throw in surprises here and there.

And last, but certainly not least...

Phantoms-angel1: I updated!