I know I haven't updated in a while, sorry, and actually, I wouldn't have updated again today except for the fact that I got sick of hearing my brother singing along to my precious Phantom CD's and making a general mockery of Erik's awesome voice, and making La Carlotta sound even worse than ever thought imaginable.

----

Katey's POV-

The ballet corps were stretching and practicing a few steps before we came onstage for the ballet.

Meg, Christine and I were jabbering like magpies, not giving a rip that Carlotta was trying to sing her part despite Mme Giry's repeated hushing.

"That's a mockery of good music, her voice is." Said one of the girls, commenting on a particular high note.

We all laughed, but only to be shushed by Mme Giry again.

"I don't know why M Lefevre insists on keeping that wretch of a woman. She sings, but it's bad enough to make your ears ring." Meg said, rubbing her ears.

I giggled, I had been bubbly all morning long and the early afternoon, AKA now, and I was nervous about seeing Raoul, even though that was completely stupid, seeing as he doesn't hang around for long.

"Fleur, you have been so, so happy and frothy all day! Do tell why?" Christine said, smiling at my eagerness. Though I had told them that morning in the dorm that it was because I was eager for the showing, I could tell she knew I knew something she didn't.

"Same reason as before!" I said, twirling about them.

Suddenly the Chorus walked onstage, singing their part, reliving our ears of Carlotta's screeching. We smiled at the relief, and I waited for Piangi's part, when he is interrupted by M Reyer, then he's interrupted by M Lefevre, and so on.

"Sad to return to find the land we love, Threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp…" He sang just as he had in the movie.

He took a breath to continue, but the tapping of M Reyer's baton stopped him.

"Er, Gentlemen, gentlemen, uh…" m Reyer stuttered, trying to call attention to Piangi, but before he could continue M Lefevre interrupted him.

"Rehearsals are underway for a new production of Chalumeau's Hannibal." He said, walking onstage with M Andre and M Firmin.

M Reyer gave a great sigh. "M Lefevre, I am rehearsing!" he said desperately.

"M Reyer, Mme Giry…" M Lefevre said, holding his hands up in defense. "…Ladies and gentlemen, please, if I could have your attention, thank you." He said. I looked up to see Mme Giry raise her head from where she was stretching out on the bar. I tensed, knowing that imminently He would be here.

"As you know, for some weeks there have been rumors of my immanent retirement," Carlotta stopped fanning herself and now paid more attention to what was going on.

"I can now tell you that these are all true," he was interrupted by Carlotta's triumphant Ah ha! To Piangi, who nodded in acknowledgement. "And, uh, it is my pleasure to introduce to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populare; M Richard Firmin, and M Gilles Andre." Firmin merely nodded, while Andre smiled happily and waved to them all.

I clapped along with everyone else, seeing as it was polite and all, and M Lefevre continued on. "I'm sure you have heard of their recent fortunes amongst the, junk, business…" He said, slightly lowering his volume when he said 'junk'.

"Scrap metal, actually." Cut in Andre, glancing over to Firmin.

"They must be rich." I heard a girl whisper close to us. I shook my head. Kanye West's song 'Gold Digger' came to mind, and I smiled ever so slightly. My stomach gave a twist when Firmin said "And we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron: The Vicomte De Chagny."

Everyone clapped again, all except for Meg, Christine and I. Christine got a dreamy look on her face and she said to us, "It's Raoul." And Meg turned her head from where she was looking at Him. She took another look back at him, and then turned back to Christine as she Christine said, "Before my father died, at the house by the sea… I guess you could say we were Childhood sweet hearts. He used to call me Little Lotte." She said, looking over Meg's shoulder at him. Meg looked back yet again. "Oh Christine, He's so handsome!" I silently agreed.

"My parents and I are honored to support all the arts, especially the Word Renown Opera Populare." I giggled quietly, he even sounded like Patrick Wilson.

Andre alone clapped for his speech, and Carlotta approached him with her arm out, looking as though she was going to attack him.

"Vicomte, Gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading Soprano for five seasons."

Carlotta curtsied slightly, and her waiting ladies and hairdresser shouted "Brava! Brava!" while clapping. I raised an eyebrow. Was it not obvious how they sounded ever so slightly sarcastic?

Piangi gave the gayest cough ever, and the men all turned to face him.

"Signor Ubaldo Piangi." M Lefevre said, and the clapped again.

"An honor, Signor. I believe I am keeping you from your rehearsal; I will be here this evening to share your great triumph." How right you are… I thought, looking over at Christine, whose face was hopeful. "My apologies M." Raoul said to M Reyer.

"Thank you, Monsieur le Vicomte," M Reyer said as Raoul turned to exit. "Once more if you please, Signor?" I laughed at Carlotta's vainness as she said, "He love me, he love me, he love me, love me, love me,"

When Raoul had passed us, my arm tingled as his coat lightly brushed up against it.

I smiled gleefully over at Christine with a slightly hot face, but my smile faltered a little when I saw her down trodden look.

"He wouldn't recognize me…" Christine said sadly.

"He didn't see you." Meg and I said at the same time.

The Orchestra began playing the opening bars to our ballet, and we readied ourselves to dance, and I knew that dancing would help Christine feel better, if only a little.

But me? My heart was still throbbing in my chest from seeing Raoul, and having him close enough to touch. I smiled, and leapt into the dance, completely distracted.

---

Yay! A longish chapter! I know I repeated the same phrase of "she/he was making a mockery of the music" but it seemed to fit.

I know that this chapter wasn't very imaginative and that I used the same dialogue as in the movie, but it's hard, seeing as I'm going on by the movie.

Please review!