As I looked around the crowed of people everyone seemed so used to her fits. Some of the ballet girls giggled and the actors stared concerned as she started to walk out.

Wait she's walking out? No she can't! The opera will be ruined!

I ran to where my father and Andre were trying to calm her and bring her to her senses. Father spoke to her literally gravelling. "Isn't there an aria in act three?" Andre said trying to get her to stay.

"Yes, yes, but no! Because-a I have not my costume for act tree because-a some-abody did not finish it-a and I hate my-a hat!" She said in her thick accent.

"But sure you can honor us with a private audition?" Andre said practically beaming with relief as she agreed.

"Monsieur Reyer?" Carlotta's voice rang.

"If my diva commands." He said reluctantly.

"Yes-a I do!" She said as she made her way to center stage. I prepared to cover my ears but decided not to. The last thing I want to do is to be seen as the manager's rude daughter. "Think of me-a Thinnk of e-me think of e-me fondly when we've said good-bye, remember-a me once in a while please-a promise me you'll-a try!" I grimaced at the noise that filled my ears. This was supposed to be a beautiful aria but, Carlotta ruined it's grace and meaning, as she does with most of the songs she "sings".

As she was about to finish the second verse a sense of fear came over me. As I turned to look at my father the scene change and a backdrop fell from behind Carlotta, almost crashing right on top of her.

The ballet girls practically screamed bloody murder! One girl with blonde curls tucked into a tie behind her head merely whispered to her friend, a girl with brown hair much like mine. Hers curled into little ringlets down to her elbows whereas mine was wavy and only reached about half that length. The blonde ballet girls lips mouth the words it's the Phantom of the Opera, he's here. I was instantly fixated on her eyes I followed them up to the rafters of the opera house. I looked into the darkness above me and saw nothing but a cape swish around and disappear.

He is real! He's here the phantom of the opera!

"Madame these things do happen." I heard Andre say. Carlotta gawked at him; she had her mouth hanging open and everything! Then came her frustrated anger.

"These things do appen?" she spat out. "Ugh, these things does not appen! Abaldo aniamo! You see now this time I am really leaving!" I glanced at my father who was terribly disappointed. I on the other hand, knowing it was wrong, felt utterly happy that Carlotta was gone. Finally after a moment of thanking the Phantom in my head, I realized how horrible this really was. I now heard father telling Madame Giry how horrible this was.

"I have a letter from the Opera Ghost." Madame Giry stated.

Really? He sends letters too!

I was so excited!

"Oh God in heaven your all obsessed!" My father never was very bright. I couldn't understand why he was so unbelieving of the obvious truth.

"He welcomes you to his Opera House."

"His Opera House?" This upset my father greatly.

"And commands that you leave box five empty for his use, and reminds you that his salary is due." This astonished my father; he nearly snatched the parchment from the ballet mistress' hands.

"His salary?!" He bellowed as he read the note.

"Oui, Monsieur Lefevre used to give him twenty-thousand francs a month." She said this as if it was no concern.

She can't be serious! He can't be serious! Twenty-thousand francs?

I was truly confused if he is a ghost a phantom, why did he need so much?

"Well that doesn't help our dilemma." I stated bluntly. Not knowing what had gotten into me. I rarely spoke out about anything.

"Yes, yes surely there must be an, an understudy." Andre spoke up.

"An understudy? There is no understudy for La Carlotta!" Monsieur Reyer objected.

"A full house Andre, we will have to refund a full house!" My father was at his wits end.

"Christine Daae could sing it!" The blonde girl shouted out.

"What a chorus girl? Don't be silly" Andre said.

"Let her sing it for monsieur; she has been well taught." Madame Giry stepped in.

"I'd like to hear her sing." I said.

What was wrong with me today. Why did I keep having sudden out bursts like that?

"Oh darling don't be silly; why hear a chorus girl sing when you my dear could easily do it better?" Great now all eyes are on me! Why did my father have to embarrass me so?

"Oh, no father I couldn't.. I.. I," Think you foolish girl come up with an excuse!, "I don't know the words!"

"Oh don't be silly this is your favorite song!"

"I.. I...,"Fear flooded by body, I felt so stiff and uneasy. Could I really sing this? True this really was my favorite song I knew every word by heart.

I sighed defeated. "From the top Mademoiselle?" I haerd the music strated and reluctantly waited for my cue.

Think of me,

Think of me fondly,

When we've said good-bye,

I sand soft and timidly, like a scared child.

Remember me once in a while,

Please promise me you'll ty,

I then realized I was shaking. Out of pure horror or out of excitement? I was excited to be singing. It was strange, all eyes on me. I recalled my mother's words when I was a child.

Emily, do what you love, don't be afraid of what others think of you.

And when you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free,

Please promise me that sometimes you will think of me!

This time I sang as if I were alone on the stage like it was just me and mother there together once more.