Been a while since I've updated, I know, and I'm sorry. My band had the biggest competition of the year and I've had so many rehearsals and stuff that I haven't been on the computer much at all.

But hey, at least all of the extra practices and time off from writing paid off! We got First Division, Best in class and Best Band Overall. And just so you know, there were over a hundred bands also competing.

I know, go us!

And now back to the story.

---------------------------------------

I had tried to stay awake on the journey back to the Opera House, but it was hard to keep my eyes open. I was loosing an awful lot of blood (yea, thanks Erik) and was so exhausted that I felt like my old Raggedy Ann doll. My head lolled from one side to another with ever bounce and jounce that we went over, try as whoever I was riding with suppress might it.

After a few minutes of this treatment I decided that I couldn't stand being so cold and having that bizarre sensation of knowing that you were loosing the bodily fluids you need to keep you alive, (Trust me, it feels so creepy when you feel like you've sprung a leak.) I allowed my eyes to close, and let myself fall into an uninterrupted sleep.

-

I had no idea what time it was, I hadn't any clue to where I was, dimension wise that is, and my arm felt incredibly sore.

All I knew was that I was in that weird state when you're still partially asleep but yet you aren't, and you haven't yet gained your awareness for anything, and I wanted to keep it that way. Unfortunately that stupid part of your brain that makes you wake up didn't want to stay clueless and in a sudden rush I remembered all that had happened the last time I was awake, and why I was sore.

I groaned as I thought of seeing the steel blade poke through both sides of my skin, and tried to shove it away. Thankfully it went away with the new awareness that people were whispering somewhere above me.

I opened my eyes slowly, and was nearly blinded with a bright light.

For one heart stopping moment I thought I had finally died, but as my eyes quickly adjusted I realized I was back in the dorms. The cheerful winter sunlight was streaming though the window and there was a small crowd of people above me. Some of whom were guys. How they were allowed in the GIRLS dormitories was beyond me. Obviously Madame Giry wasn't here or, wait no, there she is, right next to Meg and Christine, Ok… she must have lost it or something. The chorus was also there, same with the ballet girls, and to my surprise, Raoul.

I felt like glaring at him for just abandoning me with Erik, but I too exhausted to even move my eyelids.

"What are you all doing here?" I asked. They couldn't all be here just for me, some of them I had barely spoken to.

All at once they started talking. Things like "Did you really fight the Opera Ghost?" "How did you hurt your arm?" "What happened?" were spouted at me, and I had no way of answering. When I tried replying, I was asked instead about a thousand more questions.

"One at a time!" Madame Giry said sharply to the people in the crowd.

They quieted down a little bit, and one guy came up to my bedside and asked, "Did you really fight the Opera Ghost?"

The peoples in the crowd went silent, all staring at me, waiting for my answer.

I hesitated. "No." I said, speaking truthfully. It wasn't a fight; it was Erik trying to kill me, and me trying to get away from him.

I was asked dozens of questions, all about what had happened after Raoul and Christine had left, and before I was found two miles away from the graveyard, and answered every one. It was a laughable about how many out-of-whack things they had come to conclusions about, and I wondered who had come up with these rumors.

After a little while Madame Giry shooed the chorus members, the ballet girls, and Raoul out, insisting that they were a nuisance and were annoying me, but let Meg and Christine stay.

After we watched Madame Giry shut the door behind her, Christine immediately broke into apologetic sobs. She blamed herself for going to the grave yard alone, and cried that it was all her fault that I had been left behind. "I should have made him stop… but I was so afraid of Him…" she said, trying to stem the flow of tears from her eyes.

I gave her a smile. "It's alright. You must have been scared senseless, and I don't blame you."

"But what about the Vicomte. He should have stopped and made sure you had your horse and were alright." Spat Meg, sounding discussed with the very thought of Raoul.

"He was worried about Christine." I said simply. The jealousy that had existed between Christine and me over Raoul had vanished with the upbringing of Francois… and right now I wished he was with me.

"Not very good excuse for not making sure you were safe." Meg sniffed.

Christine and I remained silent. It was true.

There was a long pause.

"What time is it?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Christine walked over to the window and squinted at the position of the sun. "A little after noon."

I nodded. It was difficult to bring up something to say, what with Meg seething about Raoul being a pig head, and Christine so upset about Raoul being a pig head, her Angel was a crazy man, and I was hurt because of the former and latter.

After a little bit, I stopped wondering about what to say to break the silence, and started thinking about the upcoming of Don Juan Triumphant. 'Oh boy… isn't that going to be a load of fun…' I thought, remembering Christine rips off the mask, making Erik pissed, so he takes her down to his lair, nearly kills Raoul, and then has an emotional breakdown. I wondered just how it was going to be, seeing as I had just made a weird twist in the plot.

Before, Christine knew that he had hurt Raoul just a bit, even though he wanted to kill him, but now, now she knew that he had almost killed me, and would have if Meg and the others hadn't shown up.

'Jeez, what a soap opera… I am gonna need some serious therapy after this.' I thought.

-

It was only weeks after Firmin, Andre and Raoul had become intent on putting on Don Juan Triumphant, and after I had accidentally walked in on Raoul and Christine in the Chapel as they were singing my personal favorite song (You know the 'Twisted every way, what answer can I give?' one?) that I had a stunning revelation.

For the past weeks I had seen Christine insist in walking in groups to avoid being taken by Erik, and her positively shaking during the rehearsals when she sang Aminta's part as she dreaded having to be onstage, knowing that something bad was going to happen, and it wasn't until during one of these practices that I had an idea.

What if… what if I switched roles with Christine?

I was just a part of the chorus, and after all, Christine and I looked something alike. We could probably be passed off as sisters. The only major difference was that her hair was brown and mine blonde. But it was a darker blonde, darker than Dirty-blonde and if the light was dim enough could be passed off as brown. And I didn't need the time to practice her part; I already knew the lyrics thanks to my CD and Movie back home, and the rest of it from, ahem, borrowing the music from Christine.

Sure it would be a pretty dumb move, considering that Erik was ready to rip my arms off last time I saw him, but hey, I can afford to take risks. I still have another life, so HA.

So after rehearsals I cautiously approached M Reyer.

"Monsieur Reyer?" I asked nervously.

"Yes?" he replied curtly, turning from where he was getting all his sheet music together.

"Monsieur, I had been thinking and I thought that instead of Christine I could be Aminta." I said hurriedly.

"And why would you do that? Being a chorus member not good enough for you?" He said rudely.

I lowered my head and spoke to the floor, wishing that I had kept my mouth shut.

"No Monsieur, I… I know how afraid Christine is… and… instead of using her to bait the Opera Ghost, if I could take her place." I braced myself for what he would say next, but after a moment of silence I looked up to find him appraising me.

"You do look like her except for the hair, but do you know her part, and can you sound like her is the question."

I breathed a sigh of relief that he had not shunned me for thinking of such a thing.

"I know the part, Monsieur, and I sound very close to her."

"Then go on and show me." He said, gesturing for me to sing.

I bit my tongue softly, took a breath and sang a few bars for him.

He looked mildly impressed, and gestured for me to continue, and I did.

As I finished the final con slancio and he nodded.

"I'll speak with the managers, you stay here."

When he disappeared from the stage to go get the managers, I smiled. My plan was working. If Reyer approved of my voice, Firmin and Andre would definitely approve.

I waited for only a few moments before Reyer returned with Andre and Firmin in tow.

"Is this her?" Firmin asked, gesturing to me.

Reyer nodded.

"Go ahead and sing then." Andre said, looking to a pocket watch.

I again took a breath and sang Christine's part del capo.

Once I finished Andre and Firmin were looking as if they received a million dollars, or in this case, francs.

"Brilliant, Mademoiselle! I think you will do." Firmin said, looking over to Andre, who nodded his head vigorously in agreement.

"Thank you Monsieurs, I will go tell Christine." I said, smiling. My plan was working.

------------------------------

Shortie chapter, don't hate me! It seemed ok to cut off here, you know? So yeah, next chapter will be up in less than a week. Most likely. Mkay?

PRETTY PLEAZE REVIEW YOU GUYSIES!

Yes, I do happen to be hyper. I'm listening to my fav song that isn't from a musical.

Missy Elliot, We Run This.

It's on my pimped up myspace!

Go see it! I'm Kelly Susane, OR Kellyroxtotally