A/N: I've always wanted to try a modern-day Phantom story. My mind was actually hurting trying to think of an idea that wasn't plagiarizing some other story I've read before. And then the strangest thing happened. I had a very vivid dream, where I dreamt the perfect story for me to write, and would be fun to write too. So…I'm writing it. Hope you all enjoy. Please read and review (support the addiction).

I don't own Phantom of the Opera.

Courtney

Chapter 1

"Christine?"

She closed her eyes when she heard her friend speak from the doorway of the bathroom. Worry etched in her voice; it was obvious. Why wouldn't Meg be worried if she had come to pick Christine up for work and instead found her kneeling in front of the toilet, one hand holding her brunette hair back and the other steadying herself with the seat rim?

"Meg…whatever you're thinking, I'm not anorexic. I didn't do this on purpose." Christine smiled in spite of herself. She had woken up that morning feeling fine, but just as the coffee had finished, a wave of nausea had hit her. She had gone running into the bathroom of herapartment and made it just in time. She had sat there for a solid half an hour, throwing up when the wave of sickness hit.

Meg ran over to her, squatting down next to the sink.

"Oh, Christine, I would never think that! It's just…for the past few days I've been coming here and you've been in front of the toilet throwing up. How can I not be worried about you?"

Christine sighed and stood up. She flushed the toilet and went to the sink to wash her hands.

"We have work today."

"I know…"

"Are you going to be okay?"

Christine turned around and let out an exasperated sigh. All she needed was caffeine and some work to get her mind off things.

"Meg, I'll be fine! Now, give me ten minutes to get ready. We'll go to work just as soon as I'm done."

"Alright. Be quick; we don't want Firmin getting angry with us again for being late."

Christine laughed. "Meg, we're always late. We're late right now! And we still have to get coffee."

Meg shrugged off her purse and set it down. "Well, what I'm saying is that we should at least try to not be late as often. We're not the best employees, are we?"

Christine shrugged andtugged on a dark red shirt and threw her nightgown into the laundry hamper.

"Meg, he wouldn't fire us. We're too good to let go, and he knows it. But maybe we're taking this advantage a bit too far…"

She trailed off and stared out the window. Christine could tellMeg was agitated; she didn't like being late often. She was the type of person who would get nervous quickly and got clammy and cold when she was yelled at by a higher being. At the moment, that certain higher being was Firmin, their boss.

She pulled on a black skirt and slipped on some heels. Meg turned back around just as she was tying her hair back quickly. Christine grabbed her purse and keys and followed Meg out the door. She locked it and headed towards the elevator.

"Shouldn't you get something to eat, Christine? You've thrown up everything in your stomach."

Christine glanced at Meg as the elevator door began to open.

"I'll get something when we get coffee," she replied lazily.

"Do you really think we should stop for coffee this morning? We're late enough as it is. We can always have some coffee at work…"

Christine laughed and pressed the main floor button. "Meg, we both know that the coffee at work isn't good for you. And I need something to eat. Firmin won't get mad, and even if he does, I'll take the blame."

Meg relaxed considerably at this. Finally, she caved. "Okay, we'll go get coffee. But café mochas aren't good for you either. And you shouldn't be drinking anything like coffee anyways! You've been throwing up all morning. You should be drinking something like water."

Christine held up her hands in defeat. The elevator slowed to a stop at the main floor, and they stepped out.

"Miss Daae?"

Christine froze, causing Meg to shoot her eyebrow up into her hairline.

"Christine, isn't that your landlord? You know…he looks angry."

She turned around to come face to face with a furious Andre. Her landlord. Oh joy.

"Miss Daae, I haven't gotten your monthly rent. I need it! When am I going to get it?"

"I'll get it to you as soon as I can, Andre! I promise. We're getting our paychecks this Thursday. I'll pay you then, okay?"

His red face died down a bit and he slumped his shoulders. Christine felt guilty; this happened every month. She had been living at this apartment house for 2 years, in the same room, apartment 7B. She knew that she put Andre through lots of stress, but the short man put up with her. She was surprised that she was still living here, and not living with Meg.

"Alright, Miss Daae. I'm expecting it from you no later than Friday! Can you promise me that much, at least?"

"Of course. Now, if you'll excuse me, we're kind of late." She turned around to point at Meg who was standing awkwardly by the door. She adjusted her purse and tapped her foot a little to exaggerate.

Andre sighed. "Go, Miss Daae. Have a good day at work, and say hello to Firmin for me."

Christine put on a smile and started to walk over to Meg.

"You have a good day too, Andre, and I will say hello to him for you!" She called back over her shoulder and waved a little with her keys still in her hand.

Meg closed the door and Christine heard the lock clicking into place. She saw Meg's car waiting for them in the same spot as usual; not right in front of the door, but about 20-foot walk to the right.

"So…" Christine said with the most cheerful voice she could muster as she climbed into the passenger seat. "Starbucks or Manhattan?"

Meg just laughed and started the car.