Hi all.

School is going pretty well, and I must say I am totally psyched at my painting that I'm doing in my Advanced Art Class. I have to do a copy of a quote "Master Painting", meaning that I just have to do a painting just like a famous artist did. Wow. Yay for originality…But I am glad that I'm doing a piece by Degas (he was the one who painted ballerinas) and so, lo and behold, my painting is a picture of ballerinas. It's actually quite pretty, the original, and I'm very glad to be painting it. I'm using pastels (which are, for a better word, chalk; and let me tell you…it gets EVERYWHERE when you use it) but everyone says it looks identical to the painting, so that's fine with me. So yeah that's been taking up all of my art classes for the past couple of weeks.

Other than that (and the fact that my next singing solo is a GERMAN song…ugh, I can barely pronounce it…) school is really starting to not be as torturous as it is most of the time. Which means I can update more! YAY!

Oh, yes, and if anyone thinks it's taking too long to update, well I have a confession to make. It seems that I have been reading fanfiction far more than I should be writing. I JUST CAN'T STOP READING THEM! I've mostly been reading Harry Potter fics lately (I never before realized how great they were). And so I've had trouble writing when I get onto the computer instead of reading. It's usually the other way around; when I'm writing, I usually don't have much time to read. But now that I am again…my mind is going into a full throttle reading addiction. And since it is mostly Harry Potter I'm catching up on, I have the strangest urges to search for the oddest and hardly-ever-heard-of-pairings, and then end up loving them! Dang, I'm getting weirder by the day.

Hanbags- you have all the songs? NOT FAIR! I would kill to have those (well, the voice parts on them at least, I think you know I'm in a choir, and I would so love to use it). If you can play them on your keyboard, then you must be pretty good. I wish I could play piano, it's just so pretty! You want the script, do you? Well, I got mine unintentionally. My two-disc soundtrack from the Broadway original cast (the ORIGINAL…yeah, the musical was first made in 1986, with the first ever Phantom and Christine, and they're really really good) has the script on the inside. It's pretty long, I'll have you know, but I've got it. That's how I know the exact words to all the songs. I'm so flattered that you like it so much! Thank you!

Melody of Melodies- yes, it's a sweet song, but you have a love? Lucky you…I wish I had one, but for now I'm going to settle with ordinary boys that have no love potential.

Nova Beam- thank you! I'm glad you like it, and I hope you like the next chapter, rest assured it took me forever to post!

You Lick Snape's Balls- Uuum…I'm awfully sorry, but I have no idea what you just said and/or meant in your review. I do recognize that you typed in the first chapter of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", but I'm terribly sorry to admit that I don't understand why you put it in your review. Please help me understand, I'm sorry again if my stupidity is annoying you.

Wylkin- you're so nice! I wasn't sure if readers would consider it a long chapter, but longness is good for some, so yay! So glad that you still love my story!

Jackalobe- OOOOH, I get a gummy bear! WOOOHOOO! I love gummy bears. I just love boy fights, they bring out the…um…manliness in guys. Very fun to watch.

Sexylilsis- e-mailing you is so fun, I hope you update your stories soon!

GS Dragono- haha…glad it wasn't a sigh of frustration…lol…but yes, the lake was creepy.

Angel saiyan 22- POTO/Dragon Ball Z? I've never heard of such a crossover. Wow, I congratulate you for your individuality. I guess most people who like DBZ aren't much fans of Phantom. Oh well, I hope to read it sometime soon. You saw POTO in New York! That's so cool! I didn't see it in New York, though, I saw it at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri. And when I saw it, I was on the floor and kind of close to the stage, but I was super far off to the left, so it wasn't a perfect view. It is a great show, though.

Smart One- your sea monkeys fell over too? Wow, I guess it's more common than I thought, I mean considering the container is pretty darn easy to topple over. You haven't seen the Phantom movie? Well, I think it would be okay for a ten year old to see it. I myself, like I said before, HATE horror movies, (because of my skittishness, of course) and it wasn't all that scary for me. The fact that I'm fifteen years old myself shouldn't be that big of a factor. The movie itself has mostly suspense in it (and a few quote "frightening images", but we all know that it's not that bad). I think you would like it!

TTHPfan- don't worry, I wasn't confused on your view on the way I viewed it…lol. I agree with you on the suddenly feeling obsessed with Harry Potter feeling (I know that you informed me of this long ago but I mean to make a statement of it now). I'm becoming a bit obsessed with HP myself. This enveloped after I read the sixth book. Darn J.K. Rowling and her horribly good writing skills! I so can't wait for the seventh book. I know this is quite unrelated to my story, but I just felt the urge to say it.

Laurashrub- your favorite genres aren't weird, I like those kinds, too. A lot of comic-based movies seem to catch my interest more than usual. How did your auditions go? My school choir did a "Les Miz" medley last year, and it was awesome! I like a lot of Disney songs, they are usually of very good quality to be sung to. If my chorus teacher would let me, I would sing Phantom, but they don't have any music that I can use to sing it with! It makes me so mad!

Strodgfrgf- I know how it feels to have a lifelong friend turn preppy…it's a real disappointment, really. Actually, now that I think of it, the boy who I had been friends with in eighth grade (the one who I mentioned last chapter) is now all preppy and barely talks to me anymore! I was so mad at first, but I just go run to my real friends for comfort and they make it all better.

Okay, now, I hope I'm not making people mad by doing this, but I want to describe fully what the play "Don Juan Triumphant" is really about. None of my friends (except one, who had already researched this very opera and knew more than I did) knew or understood completely what the entire plot of the play was about, and I had to explain it to them. If you understand all the double meanings and are appalled that I would ever think you wouldn't understand, then just skip this. But if you only understood just the jist of what it meant, then read on.

The play starts off describing a young girl (Aminta, the main character) who stole food to survive. Then Don Juan, a rich (and quite sexually active) man catches her stealing and forces her to become his slave in repayment for her not to be turned over to the authorities. After being her master for a short time, he makes up his mind to seduce her. He plans to do this by dressing up his other servant like him, and sending him away, to make her think that her master had left the house. He then pretends to be the servant, and plans to have dinner with her, make her drunk, and have his way with her.

This is all revealed in the lines that the chorus sings at the beginning of the play. It starts off as "Here the sire may serve the dam, here the master takes his meat. Here the sacrificial lamb utters one despairing bleat." This is saying that his entire motive is to take advantage of her. Next, the chorus describes the girl, saying "Poor young maiden! For the thrill on your tongue of stolen sweets", implying of her life of 'stealing sweets' meaning she took food. "You will have to pay the bill, tangled in the winding sheets," clearly states that he expects her to let him do whatever he wants with her, since she is obviously 'in his debt'. The next lines, "Serve the meal and serve the maid. Serve the master so that when tables, plans, and maids are laid," mean that he is planning an elaborate plan to get her into bed, which we will see later. "Don Juan triumphs once again," obviously means that the plot ends up with her surrendering to him, causing him to 'triumph once again' over her.

The rest of the story should be obvious with the lines that the characters say from then on. Sorry if you thought that the things above were obvious and well known, but everyone I knew didn't understand, so I'm just trying to help.

OKAY…on with the story…

It was the grand opening night of the spring musical, as the light nights of late April had come at last. The auditorium flashed lavishly at passerby as to beckon any who did not indulge the theatre. Jump City High was known very widely for it's thespian excellence, therefore teenagers (and parents) from other schools filed endlessly through the school doors.

It was nearly an hour before the production, and literally hundreds of people had arrived. The high school itself was quite larger than average, holding about six thousand students merely within the school walls. This explains vividly the massive size that the auditorium would provide. Its large student body obliged for many of the finer décor to be used in the physical attributes of the place. Velvet lined chairs covered the floor and carved stone etched the walls, with shaded decorations to darken the atmosphere, yet make obvious the importance of the night. It was considered one of the most important nights of the school year, and for good reason.

Richard glanced nervously from left to right. Gar and Victor stood stock still at his side, ad if waiting for him to say something; but in the midst of the growing crowds, said nothing. To the boys' far left a group of the high school's security guards and policeman huddled ominously. They had black coats that looked creepily like a warden's uniform, but gave off the same effect. They consisted of a branched off police group who usually took charge if there was outrageously unwanted student conduct. Sharp-looking walkie-talkies were held in each hand. If you looked close, and only close, you could see deadly weapons held notoriously in their hilts. The chief of police was among them, and after long painstaking minutes of whispering, spoke.

"You all know your instructions?"

"Yes," came several replies.

"When you hear my whistle," the chief began, "take your positions. When I give you the signal, lock all the doors. It's extremely important that all exits are blocked off."

Gar looked worriedly to Victor, a belittled look on his face.

"Dude…are you sure we should be doing this? I mean, it doesn't seem very…"

"Foolproof?" Victor asked, "No, it doesn't. You got any better ideas?"

Gar was silent. His blank stare had seemed to spread to Richard, for he seemed at loss for words as well.

"Grayson?" said the police guard, "Do you want me to give the order now?"

Richard snapped out of his reverie, looking as if being spoken to caused him to stern up a bit. His eyes turned cold as he turned to the direction of the guards. If one didn't know him, they would think he was glaring, with obvious malice dripping off his voice.

"Yes," he rasped, "give the order."

The chief guard signaled to his colleagues, who in turn fanned out the proximity of the auditorium. In the giant throng of people they were hardly noticed as each took their given position. Richard followed one of them in and leaned forward so bystanders could not hear.

"Do you have a clear view of the balcony?" he said, pointing to a specific corner where he knew it was told that the Phantom sat.

"Yes," came the dull reply.

"Remember", Richard said lowly, "When the time comes, shoot."

"Shoot?" the drone replied, "This is a school, Grayson, and you're just a student…"

"I know what I'm doing," he said icily, "I have permission to give such orders. The man you're searching for is a murderer."

"But with all these people here, that could be extremely…"

"I know," he said, "but this is an emergency; you were called for a reason." He saw the man's face harden in understanding and obedience.

"How will I know?"

"Oh, you'll know." He said, looking back up at the balcony with intense anger. When the guard started to protest, Richard spun on him, very insistent to make his point clear.

"If you see movement, sir," Richard made a contemptuous sound as he pronounced the word 'sir', "Shoot." He saw the look on the guard's face. "Only if you have to…but if it comes to that, then shoot. To kill."

And without another word, without a chance to let the drone protest, he briskly left the auditorium, leaving the now unwary man in his wake.

He reached Gar and Victor in the hall, with the chief of police with them. Gar approached Richard with a look of helpless defeat written on his features.

"Richard," he said warily, "are you sure this will work?"

"No." he said steadily. "But it's the best we can do."

"But is Kori even going to sing?"

"Don't worry, Gar, she will. Vic, you've barely said anything all night. Are you okay with all this?"

"Definitely." Victor's voice was even, but his eyes deceived him. But before Richard could be sure, the chief spoke up.

"Everyone's in position, Grayson."

"Go ahead, then."

The chief blew his whistle again, surprisingly unheard of by the crowd, but the guards heard.

"Are all the doors secure?"

One by one the guards answered in the affirmative. For the first time that night Richard felt slightly relieved. Victor tapped him on the shoulder.

"Dude, the curtain's gonna open in ten minutes, we'd better get our seats."

"You're right," he said, "You guys go ahead, I'll be there in a sec."

"Suit yourself." Gar replied. He just so happened to have a very nice view of Raven from across the way. She was handing out brochures at one of the entrances to the auditorium.

"I'm definitely going through that door," Gar said happily. He then practically skipped to the entrance where Raven stood. She looked very becoming in an all black dress with long sleeves.

"Hey, Raven," Gar said merrily. He wasn't the only one who had noticed that his voice had gone up an octave higher. He was positively beaming at her; he couldn't help it. It was obvious he was happy to see her.

Raven cocked an eyebrow, handed him the brochure and said stonily, "Enjoy the show," but only Victor noticed the dull pink that had flushed her face as soon as Gar had walked on.

Richard stood near the entrance in the far corner of the vast room. He was right beneath the balcony, strategically right beneath the very spot where the Phantom was supposed to be. Although the night was noisy, he listened intently from his standing point. A shiver ran down his spine when he noticed a sound that was unlike the crowded disposition. Someone was whispering in the balcony above. Before panic could clutch his insides, he swerved his head toward the guard who was watching the balcony. The man was doing as he was told, and he did not look alarmed. Richard wondered if it was only he who could hear the whispers, but could have sworn that one of the things he heard above him was:

"I'm here…the Phantom of the Opera…"

Without realizing it, Richard shivered. He suddenly felt cold as he heard the husky whisper sweep down to him yet again. The sound seemed to be taunting him.

"I'm here…the Phantom of the Opera…"

He tried to ignore it. Why he tried, he personally had no idea. But he found himself becoming overly fascinated with trying to clear his thoughts. He did not want to visibly show his weakness: that fear was beginning to claw at his mind. His eyes were straining from being held as wide as they were for such a time without blinking. The calculating whisper floated into his eardrums for a third time, causing him to inhale violently.

"I'm here…the Phantom of the Opera…"

No matter how much he wanted to, Richard could not move. He stood stock still, afraid, yes, afraid, to move a muscle. The way the voice carried itself to him personally terrified him. The fact that no other person could hear it unnerved him even more. He refused to let himself show that he was as scared as he was. He did not look up; he didn't even fix his gaze anywhere but at the stage, lest he would notify to the Phantom to how mortified he had become.

Even though his blood still remained frozen, the whispers had stopped. He did not allow himself to relax, for he knew that the Phantom wasn't finished toying with him. He remained where he was, and sure enough, he heard a soft sound sweeping down the balcony and into his mind. The specter was singing, soft and heard only by Richard, and he was sure that the ghost was highly pleased with himself. He was bluntly making fun of Richard right in the midst of public, yet no one knew. The soft song blew into Richard's ears like a deadly smoke, and Richard shuddered violently at the sound.

"Seal my fate tonight…
I hate to have to
Cut the fun short…
But the joke's wearing thin,
Let the audience in,
Let my opera begin…!"

At that very moment, Richard jumped, for a giant wave of music had startled his blood flow. The orchestra pit had become alive with music, as to forewarn the opening of the curtain. Richard slowly unclenched his fists, where he noticed that his knuckles had gone stark white. At coming back to reality, he shakily walked to his seat next to Gar and Victor.

At coming to his seat, he dropped into his chair like a lifeless rag doll. He didn't even notice when Victor spun his bald head around and inspected his peculiar actions.

"Yo, Richard…" he looked as if he was about to wave his hand in front of Richard's face. "Dude, Gar, I think he's sick or somethin'…"

"Really?" Gar had to make an extreme effort to be able to see around his tall friend. "Hey man, what's up? You look awful," Gar cocked his head. "You look like a zombie, Dick."

"I'm fine." Richard spoke roughly, after clearing his throat, "I'm just…tired."

Victor and Gar exchanged glances that clearly read 'I don't wanna ask him, do you?' They shrugged it off as moody and focused their attention to the curtain that had still not opened.

"Man, when is this thing gonna start?" Gar said.

As if on some ironic cue, the lights began to dim, and the remaining people who hadn't sat down hustled and bustled to their seats. The velvety scarlet curtain swept across the stage, opening up to reveal the first scene. The lights flashed on, the props were in place, and the play had begun.

For the first half of the play, Richard was far from bored. Although nothing of any importance was occurring, he was in total anticipation for the very last scene. Nothing abnormal was to happen until then. The first half of the musical went perfectly; Kori sang to the greatest of her ability, impressing many, the entire cast did everything in perfect order, of which all was expected. Nothing was going wrong. 'Then again,' Richard thought, 'it's not supposed to yet.'

When the lights of the auditorium brightened as to signal the intermission, Richard looked down to see that he had been clenching the armrests like his life depended on it. He relaxed his muscles, loosened his shoulders, and released the armrests in a way that seemed to restore his circulation. He looked over to his two friends, who had already begun to stand up. Gar seemed to be preparing for a beeline to the concession stand. Richard went with them, seeing as some candy might do him good. When Gar got to the counter, though, all he could do was roll his eyes and betray a small smile.

"DUDE," Gar said, excitedly holding a ten-dollar bill in one hand, "I'm gonna get three bags of M&M's, one Snickers bar, a box of Milk Duds, a super large order of popcorn…well FINE, Vic, you can have some of it…a bag of gummy worms, a pack of Reese's PB cups, a slushy, and…" Richard couldn't help but grin, "…a DIET coke."

Victor practically pushed him out of the way when Gar had finally gotten everything he had ordered. Victor actually considered getting as much as his little friend, but looking back at the short junior, and seeing as how hyper he'll be in a matter of minutes, said, "Y'know, I'm just gonna get some Twizzlers."

Richard followed the two back to the auditorium, where the two boys were bickering over how much candy Gar was going to share. It was finally absolved that Gar was going to give half of his popcorn to Victor, but proclaimed, "Don't even think about touching the slushy."

Two minutes later, when Gar handed the senior a small handful of popcorn and began walking in the other direction, Victor looked furious. Richard just rolled his eyes and returned to his seat.

Finally all three of them were seated, and just in time for the second half of the play to continue. The temporary relaxation of the intermission that had soothed Richard had now been frozen over with raw anxiety. If he had been an impulsive nail-biter, Richard would definitely not have any nails left to chew. As planned, the second half went as smoothly as it should have been. If one didn't know the situation like Richard did, they would think that the night was a guaranteed success. And then, after the entirety of the whole musical, came the moment that Richard was waiting for: the final act, the final scene.

The curtain opened to reveal a huge hall with a stone arch that went the width of the stage. Behind the large arch were crimson curtains shaded with black, behind which was a bed. It was an extraordinarily adorned canopy bed with scarlet silk covers and black velvety pillows. It was the furthest back in the scene, but it could be seen perfectly, for the curtains covered the area stylishly, as to purpose a very rich household. In the front of the scene lay a fine table set for two, with gourmet dishes placed all around.

Those who could be seen were the chorus, who were playing as the staff members of Don Juan. All were dressed as if in the sixteenth century. The staff had an evil look about them, which of whom consisted of ruffians and hoydens who were proud of their master's sexual reputation. The staff members crowded around the area, making the room ready and joking with themselves. They sang their introduction song with pride and arrogance, flaunting around with gay smiles and inappropriate banter.

"Here the sire may serve the dam,
Here the master takes his meat!
Here the sacrificial lamb
Utters one despairing bleat!"

For the first time Richard identified Kiona as one of the chorus members of the staff. She was well blended with the others, so it was hard to tell them apart. Their song then began to take a turn to cruelty and vengeance. The sound turned into a calculating taunt that sent chills down the spines of the audience.

"Poor young maiden!
For the thrill on your tongue
Of stolen sweets
You will have to pay the bill,
Tangled in the winding sheets!"

The chorus grinned malevolently, and Richard suddenly became scared for Kori. He reassured himself that it was only a play; they were only acting. But something about it seemed horribly real; something seemed to foreshadow an event that no one would want to live through. He tried to reassure himself again and again. But the sickening feeling wouldn't leave his stomach every time he heard the words that poured maliciously from their mouths.

"Serve the meal and serve the maid!
Serve the master so that, when
Tables, plans and maids are laid,
Don Juan triumphs once again!"

Steven, as Don Juan, swept gracefully from behind the arch and curtains. He was dressed in magnificent clothes, rich in color, and had a black mask around his eyes. Alan, who was playing the role as his servant Passarino, followed him onto the stage. As soon as they emerged, Jinny pirouetted onto the stage as a gypsy dancer, twirling graciously around the boys. Steven took something out of his pocket and threw her a purse. The girl left promptly afterward.

Steven strutted around the stage and turned on Alan, with a mischievous grin on his face. He clapped his hands together, as if getting ready to start some sick game.

"Passarino, faithful friend,
Once again recite the plan."

Alan, who was dressed even more extravagant than Steven, only with a cloak covering his head and a scarf over his face, suddenly seemed to earn more confidence. They skinny boy smiled wickedly.

"Your young guest believes I'm you,
I the master, you, the man."

Steven approached him congenially, as if merely chatting with an old friend.

"When you met you wore my cloak,
With my scarf, you hid your face.
She believes she dines with me,
In her master's borrowed place!"

He smiled devilishly, causing Richard to squirm in his seat. But Steven seemed to be progressing in interest the further his lines went.

"Furtively, we'll scoff and quaff,
Stealing what, in truth, is mine.
When it's late and modesty
Starts to mellow, with the wine…"

He rubbed his hands together anxiously, and one would have to look close to see that he had licked his lips at that very moment. Alan smiled and sang on after him excitedly.

"You come home, I use your voice,
Slam the door like crack of doom!"

Steven enthusiastically ran up to Alan and almost yelled from anticipation.

"I shall say, 'Come, hide with me!
Where, oh, where? Of course…my room!'"

By now Steven looked like he was about to go insane with lust. He was truly a great actor. Alan almost laughed, as was his part, and he chuckled merrily.

"Poor thing hasn't got a chance!"

Steven almost threw off his belongings and tossed them to Alan.

"Here's my hat,
My cloak and sword.
Conquest is assured,
If I do not forget myself and laugh…"

He and Alan laughed maniacally, causing Richard to shiver momentarily. Steven then put on Alan's servant cloak and disappeared behind the red curtains. Alan promptly walked off the stage, leaving it empty.

Offstage, Kori slowly walked into the scene. She had on a skimpy yet becoming dress of laced red and black. The top half was a tightly fitted lacey material that tugged at her midriff and had loose spaghetti strapped sleeves that were held feebly atop her shoulders. Her long, flowing skirt was beat red and was lined with lightweight lace. She was barefoot, carrying in flowers with an obvious cheer on her voice. She happily sang out into the silent distance.

"No thoughts within her head,
But thoughts of joy!
No dreams within hear heart,
But dreams of love!"

She sat down in the middle of the stage, plucking tenderly at a white rose that she had picked from her basket.

Alan slunk back into the scene, checking behind the curtains to see if Steven would emerge.

"Master?"

But the voice that answered back was not Steven's. It was darker, heavier, and more menacing. A tall man that familiarized Steven emerged, with his face covered. He looked the young girl up and down from behind her, and his eyes glinted his approval of what he saw.

"Passarino—go away!
For the trap is set
And waits for it's prey…"

Uuuuuuum...yeah, agian with the updating thing...SORRY! I still blame school!