A/N: I've decided to update sooner! Thanks for my solitary reviewer… That really helped! I've decided on names for my characters: Christopher, because it means "Christ-Bearer" and starts with a "C". Seraphine (Sara for short) because it means "burning" (not really a Hell reference, but the others were WEIRD!) and starts with an "S". Now that that is cleared up, on with the story! Please review! No flaming, just let me know what you think.

Chapter One: The Call

Seraphine Higdon:

I stepped out of the steamy shower, absently humming a few notes from the song "Elephant Love Medley". I glanced automatically at my blank TV screen, deciding that instead of moping around on Single's Awareness Day (more commonly known as Valentine's Day), I'd pop in Moulin Rouge and watch it. Nope, I wouldn't complain and whine about not getting any flowers or cards. Not at all.

I swung the bathroom door shut, closing me off from the rest of my room. I flicked my damp red hair out of my face and over my back, pulling on a pair of sweats and a Moulin Rouge shirt. I left the bathroom, switching songs, and singing the Cell Block Tango instead.

"Carter!" I called, breaking off mid-verse. "Do you know where the Moulin Rouge DVD is?" I didn't expect an answer from my older brother, so I wasn't surprised when I grunt was all I got in response. "Never mind, then." I searched around the large house for the DVD, finding it at last under Carter's bed. Sighing contentedly, I went back to my red room and popped the DVD in.

Christopher Davis:

I browsed around the store, looking for a journal to write my stories in. I could've used my laptop, but I preferred the old-fashioned way of writing it down. Sure, it was harder to edit, but using a journal made the story more private.

I searched up and down the aisle, looking at journals of all shapes and sizes, leather-bound and not, rings and a proper binding. After a few minutes, I found a small red Italian leather notebook tucked away behind its larger companion, a bright pink monstrosity of a journal. Shuddering, I plucked the red notebook from the shelf and hurried to the checkout counter, ignoring the faint tune from Moulin Rouge that was coming from my pocket. I'd answer my phone later.

Seraphine:

I was halfway through the movie when Alex called. I sighed and paused the movie, giggling slightly at Christian's expression, mouth open wide to sing, eyes screwed up. "Y'ello?" I answered.

"Sara!" Alex squealed, making me wonder, not for the first time, how a girl that acted like a five year old had made it into the prestigious and popular drama club. I idly examined one extremely pale hand as Alex chattered away about some audition for the Spring Musical.

"Alex," I interrupted. "It's summer. The Spring Musical is next spring. We don't hold auditions until fall of next year. You know, the next year when we will be seniors, not juniors."

"I know! But since this musical, I mean we're talking freakin' Moulin Rouge, is so huge, Mrs. Adams said we needed all summer to prepare."

"Wait… Moulin Rouge? We're doing Moulin Rouge?!" I stared straight ahead, shocked.

"Yes! That's why I called, idiot! Anyways, you should totally try out for Satine! I mean, you look almost identical to her! You have the same vampire-pale skin, the same piercing blue eyes, the same golden-red hair, and your voice is way better than Nicole Kidman's." She stated matter-of-factly.

I shook my head in denial. "No one has a voice as good as Nicole's. She's amazing. I mean, I may be just as gorgeous as her, but I don't have her voice."

"Whatever. Promise me you'll try out!" Alex begged. I could imagine her doing the puppy dog pout, her violet eyes looking at me beseechingly.

"Okay, Al. I'll try out." I decided, feeling the familiar buzz of excitement fill me from head to toe. "Wish me luck!"

Christopher:

I hung the phone up, feeling my nerves clench at the thought of the upcoming tryouts. My friend, Sam, had been calling, leaving several voicemails and texts about the school play. I would go to tryouts, of course, hoping to get the role of Christian. After all, he was a writer, so was I. He wanted to write love stories, so did I. We even looked the same, sort of. I had his features and hair color, though I was a tad bit tanner than him. My voice was good enough to get me into the exclusive drama club, though I was never going to get a leading role like Sara would. Sara…. I sighed. She would get the role of Satine. It was inevitable that she would. I would love to play alongside her as Christian, I would love to love her and have her love me back. But that would never happen. I wasn't popular or good enough to get the role and for Sara to notice me, I had to be popular.

I stared down at the blank notebook on my desk at home and scrawled a message on it, leaving my mark on the stark white pages.

Seraphine and Christopher, a tragic love story.

I had no idea then how true those simple words were. After all, who could've known?

A/N: Well, that was the first chapter, which takes place a year before the prologue. Did you like it? Please review, and remember, no flaming, please!