Yaaaaay! Happy day:) Good reviews! Just so ya know, the reviews signed by "swordofblackroses" are not by me...they're from my friend Nikita who was over here and didn't want to have to make her own account. She just...didn't put her name afterward.

Phantom : Yes...she's very...

Me : -glares-

Phantom : -clears throat- so, shall we begin?

Me : Yes. -pets Phantom- after I make a few more comments!

Phantom : -shudders-

Me : Sooooo anywho! Thanks, Slina for your constructive criticism. Can you point out a few of those times when I wasn't trying too hard? -sweatdrop- I'm afraid I'm not too sure when people laugh...Oh, and I love the comment from Darth Phantom -hugs- you rock! And Mrs. Malfoy, thanks for your enthusiasm! It made me smile and come on here and write more! And thanks Tart Phan! I'm so glad you like it! -smile-

Phantom : Are you done yet?

Me : Yes! -punches the air- let's go!

"You're unharmed, correct?" Christine says breathlessly, grasping your arms when you walk into the foyer after scrubbing the makeup from your face in her dressing room.

"Yes, he didn't hurt me at all," you say, tilting your head to the side. You would have told her the details of your short adventure if it wasn't for the man that had just walked up beside the diva.

"Oh, how rude of me. This is Raoul De Changy," Christine said, introducing the two of you. "Raoul this is...why, I don't believe I've caught your name, dear."

"Katherine," you spout after a moment of registering that she wanted you to say so. "Well, but I prefer Katie."

Raoul stepped forward, taking your hand and placing a soft kiss on the back of it. "Oh, please, allow me the privilege of naming you M'lady Katherine."

You blush a little, brushing your hair behind your ear. "I-If you wish."

Christine seemed a bit tense. She cleared her throat. "Yes, well, we were just about to go out for the evening. Do you have plans?"

"Oh, no, but I'll return to the lodge with the rest of my academy classmates," you say.

"Academy?" Raoul seems interested.

"Oh, I'm just from America. I'm here for the summer to view the Opera Populaire's famous ballet." You mingle with the tie of your cloak nervously, remembering how Phantom's gloved hand had also mingled with it earlier.

"I hate to cut the conversation short, but we really will be late for our reservation, dear Raoul..." Christine said quietly. "Please, Katie, you should speak to Madame Giry. I'm sure she could get you a dancing part for an up-coming opera."

Your eyes widen. "Oh, no, I could never..."

"You're staying for the entire summer, correct? We spend about three weeks practicing the opera. Surely you'll have time, considering your academy is simply touring?" Christine said with a smile. "Well, if you won't ask, I will. Adieu."

You stand, watching as she and Raoul leave the opera house. "Well what now? I guess I'll go back to the lodge..." you say to yourself, sighing as you also step out of the opera house.

Phantom steps out from the shadows, watching Christine with Raoul. 'If this little game of Christine's makes her happy...I'll continue it. For her sake and hers alone.'

The next morning, your teacher called you and your classmates into the lodge's dining room for breakfast.

"As you know, the next opera to be rehearsed is Il Muto. Madame Giry has been kind enough to give us programs of the acts – they'll be passed around shortly – summarizing the story of this play. She has also graciously invited us to view the rehearsal of act III's ballet this evening," she explains, handing a stack of programs around the table.

Excited whispers fill the room, but are silenced shortly as your teacher continues.

"Until then, you are all free to roam about Paris. But!" She paused and eyed everyone before they could take off. "You must be accompanied by a partner."

Soon everyone was changing from their nightgowns into their best dresses, blouses, and skirts, excited to see the sites. It's rather hot outside so you opt not to change into one of your long-sleeved dresses but rather into your white billow sleeve blouse. The modesty rule of the academy was that the only things that could not reach your wrists were your leotards, which were required to cover the shoulder at least. You pull on your black corset and floor-length black skirt, then tie your hair up in a normal messy bun, several of the shorter pieces falling down around your face. There really isn't much your hair-doing skills allow.

You weren't sure why, but no one at this academy had really grown very fond of you. Possibly because it was your first year. Another possibility was that this school costed an arm and a leg for your family to allow you to take, but it was pocket change for the other girls. Sure, your family wasn't poor, but it certainly wasn't rich.

Stepping out into the foyer where girls were coming in, picking partners, then leaving together, you look around sheepishly. You still couldn't remember most of their names. You'd put on a great big smile and lift a hand, about to speak as someone walked past, but she ignored you, or she was walking to the person behind you, or she 'couldn't hear' you.

After a while of trying and failing, you walk near the door looking forlorn. Suddenly, a familiar face catches your eye. Two, in fact.

"Well hello Madame Katherine!" Raoul says as he spots you, making Christine turn and look that way. Both of them make their way to the entrance of the lodge, where many of the girls stop and watch, gasping, whispering about how handsome Raoul was, or that it was amazing that the actual Christine Daaé was standing in their presence. A few gave you the jealous eye, wondering how exactly they knew your name.

"Oh...Hello Monsieur...Mademoiselle..." you murmur, bowing to each in turn, face becoming red.

"We saw a flood of girls about your age coming around the corner and I thought we might find you here," he said with a small smile. "Christine agreed to come."

Christine gave a weak smile, but in her eyes you could tell it really wasn't what she had had in mind for this morning.

"Perhaps you'd like to accompany us for brunch?" he asked happily.

"Oh-no...I really couldn't...I mean, bothering you two. I wouldn't want to ruin your fun," you say, glancing at Christine who was trying to look pleased at Raoul's sudden idea.

"Nonsense. We go out to eat all the time! And it would be much more fun if you came along with us. It would be our honor." He bowed, and Christine let out a awkward quiet laugh.

Some of the younger, more humble girls of your academy prodded your shoulders and back, whispering, "What are you waiting for? Go, go, go!"

You tilt your head to the side. "Alright, but I can't promise that I'll be with you the entire time. I'm here to tour, so I may break off at any sudden moment," you warn as though you're some dangerous animal just waiting to be turned loose.

"We'll accompany you anywhere," he promises and holds out his left arm to escort you, the right arm already taken by a slightly disappointed Christine.

Stopping at a small bakery on the corner of a street, Raoul takes the two of you inside to order some fresh bread.

Glancing out the back door, you notice three small dining tables across the road next to a restaurant in a shady area. There are more shops back there, but it seems less crowded, a few people walking down the side of the street, no carriages spotted at all. You point this out to Raoul and he seems pleased with your find.

"Come, sit, make yourself comfortable," he says, pulling out a chair for Christine, then pulling one out for you as well.

"Oh, I was just...looking around," you say, staring around at everything, your eyes finally resting on a jewelry shop.

Taking note, Raoul smiles. "Christine, dearest, would you mind if I were to escort Lady Katherine to that shop over there? I'll be back in a jiffy!" he promises, standing before Christine can reply.

You feel horrible for leaving Christine behind, but Raoul has already pushed you along towards the shop. "So tell me more about yourself. Your family," he suggests. "Any brothers and sisters?"

You laugh a little, knowing that anyone who had gotten on this subject would be surprised. You cough then say, "Seven children, including me."

Raoul stumbled over one of the curbs. "You don't say?"

"Yes. It's a wonder my parents were able to afford for me to go to this ballet school. It's surprising how well we've actually done for so many children. Some of the poorest families we know only have one or two children. I'm not quite sure how we've made it through," you say, shrugging.

Christine shivered as a cold breeze drifted past. But...there was a certain feeling about it that not just any air would carry. "You..."

A black cloak sweeps across the table, the tall man sitting down on the side of the table. "...Me."

Yaaay! Weeeell, there's chapter 3. Sorry it took so darn long. I'm thinking of changing the genre because it's not turning out as funny as I had planned -sweatdrop-

Phantom : Don't blame yourself. A writer's work is constantly changing.

Me : Awww, that's so sweet. You're actually not spiting me for once!

Phantom : -cough- yes...well...

Me : -tackle/hug/squeeze- Please review! It'll gimme more inspiration and the drive to keep writing! Plus it only takes...what...two seconds? -Points to the 'send review' button below- Even if it just says, "cool!" -sniffles- pleeease? -watery eyes- Plus, I might say something cool about you when I write the next chapter XD Oh! And tell me whether or not I should change the genre -sighs- I dunno if I should or not. It really isn't turning out that funny XP Sorry to all those who were expecting more laugh out loud moments. If you like those, you should read my Super Smash Brothers : Melee fic I wrote when I was like...13 XD Everyone loved that, plus it's got bloopers! -nyuck-

Phantom gasping for breath : Shut up...already...