A/N: Thanks so much for supporting me, readers! I've been a little busy within the last week, because I had a bit of a family emergency. But here's the next chapter up for your enjoyment, after these little shout outs:

CelestialGlowEquivalence: See, I told you the Phantom would show up! It was a bit brief, I know, but you'll see a lot more of him in time.

Sarah/Phantomfan1911: I'm glad you enjoy the story! Please keep reading.

Norma Jean the Dancing Machine: Yeah, Poptarts do that, don't they? Haha.

KitsuneRW: I'm glad you like it!

Silent-Eyes-of-the-Night: Oh dear! I hope you get your internet back soon.

And now…the next chapter.

I arrived, as I'd feared, several minutes late. I didn't even bother trying to sneak in, because this rehearsal was crucial, and the normally laid-back schedule had been tightened.

I burst in the door. The cast, sitting with their backs facing me, turned around immediately.

"Miss Way, you're late." Our director, Ms. Jones, a short young woman, greeted me with impatience.

"I know. I'm really sorry, I lost track of time…" Words fumbled awkwardly out of my mouth. She held up a hand. "Just sit, please."

I did so, finding a place next to another member of the corps de ballet, a blonde freshman named Sophia. "What's up?" I asked her, as the director went to meet with the crewmembers. She nodded towards our Phantom and Raoul. "Elizabeth came down with some really weird form of laryngitis. She won't be able to sing for at least a week— at least that's what her mom told us. Jones is freaking because we don't have an understudy, and you know that the show opens in two weeks."

I nodded gravely.

"Aren't you a Phantom fan?" she asked me, hope suddenly filling her eyes. I nodded again. "Maybe you could fill in for Elizabeth," she suggested.

My eyes widened. Would I be allowed?

I've got to at least try…

I approached a shaking Ms. Jones. "Um…Ms. Jones?

She turned around. "What is it, Annabella?" she said, irritation lingering in her voice.

"…I could sing the role of Christine for today."

"Oh, Annabella…" she trailed off. Then she shook her head, as if dismissing any negative thoughts about the idea. "Very well. We'll start with Don Juan." She looked around the theatre, then called out, "Two minutes till the top of Don Juan!"

"Thank you, two," everyone called back.

She forced a smile at me. "Sophia knows Meg's lines, so she'll fill in for you when we start the run through today."

I nodded once again, then smiled in Sophia's direction. She smiled back and gave me a thumbs-up.

"Top of Don Juan!" our stage manager Chloe yelled. I ran off stage left. Our Piangi, a chubby junior named Michael, made his way on the stage with Sophia. I watched her pirouette gracefully and catch the money bag that Michael threw to her.

She's so perfect for this role.

I glanced up at the fly rail. The crew, other than Chloe, was on a break. So why did I see something up there?

"…if I do not forget myself, and laugh…" Michael gave me my cue line. I had to go on and prove that I was capable of the role.

I walked on stage slowly and began to sing.

"No thoughts within her head but thoughts of joy!

No dreams within her heart but dreams of love!"

I hit the notes perfectly. I looked over at Ms. Jones, who had just seated herself next to Chloe. She looked surprised. Satisfied, I continued the scene with confidence.

The whole cast seemed to be astonished with my sudden improvement. While my voice had always been good, no one had ever heard me sing like this before, not even myself. As the song continued, my voice grew stronger and more elegant.

"We've passed the point of no return…"