I smile at the crowd before me, trying to seem as doll-like as possible. Even though I was not cast as the star of Il Muto, the Countess, I try to make the most of the silent role I am the face of: the pageboy.

"Serafimo- away with this pretense!" Carlotta twirls my apron/skirt like apparatus off as I yank the hat away and turn back to her. An easy wardrobe change compared to the others I have and will have to go through, "You cannot speak, but kiss me in my husband's absence!"

Opening my mouth with a wide and rather shocked expression, I lean in to air kiss Carlotta as she leads me up stage to the flamboyant bed set up there. The music's tempo shifts slightly as the violins speed up their staccato notes.

"Poor fool he makes me laugh!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Time to get a better half!"

The whole time Carlotta and I are sitting on the bed we make dramatic movements of air kissing and adoring smiles. Ha, too bad in the musical Carlotta hates Christine. Luckily, Michelle McConnell (who plays Carlotta) and I are friends in real life. 

"Poor fool he doesn't know!"

We hold hands.

"Ho ho ho ho ho!"

I rub her back, as I was told during my quick rehearsal that it would seem more affectionate. 

"If he knew the truth, he'd never, ever go!"

We lean in for another air kiss. 

"Did I not instruct, that box five is to be kept empty?" the Phantom- I mean Jeremy Stolle's-  voice booms throughout the theatre.

The repetitive notion from before dissipates to show a rampage of craziness and  horror. As soon as I jump off of the bed and run forward, gazing about the auditorium, Meg runs up to me and grabs my hands:

"He's here! The Phantom of the Opera!" she wails.

I don't look at her though. Instead, I keep my eyes transfixed on the ceiling. Almost as if I know he is up there hiding and watching...waiting... but of course he isn't, Jeremy Stolle is just offstage.

"It's him.." I sigh, my cheeks hollow with fear, my eyes stunned with curiosity, and my heart aching with want. 

The quick clicks of heels coming up from behind me eventually breaks the spell, "Your part is silent, little toad!" Carlotta screeches in a stage-whisper fashion.

"A toad madame? Perhaps it is you who is the toad..." the Phantom sneers. 

And then he's gone.

Almost awkwardly, we stand next to each other as she holds her hands outwards, "Serafimo- away with this, uh, pretense." She mimics taking off my apron again, this time with a forced smile upon her lips. With stiff movements I pretend to through my hat off again as well.

"You cannot speak, but kiss me in my husbands abse-"

Suddenly a huge croak erupts from her perfectly lipsticked lips. 

The crowd gasps in horror as the opera singer frantically covers her mouth with her hands. However, the violins restart their staccato beat and Michelle's cue approaches. Frantically, she tries to recover.

"P-poor fool he makes me laugh, ha ha ha h-"

Another toad-like croak explodes through the air. But the diva keeps up a desperate charade of singing and croaking. Eventually her struggle ends as she gives up the fight and runs off stage in a messy case of tears and anger as the curtain comes to a close.

As I was told to do, I hop off the bed and look at the craziness about me. Christine is supposed to look overwhelmed; I am overwhelmed.

The whole scene is a blur, and it isn't completely acting. My head is swarming with thoughts and instructions. So as the managers do their lines, I take a moment to compose myself behind the velvet curtain. Quickly sending a prayer to the man above, I ask that I may make it through the show. How do people do this eight times a week? Giving myself a much needed slap on the face, I wait for one of the managers to yank me through the curtain. And yank they do, very forcefully I may add.

"-by Miss Christine Daae!" I hear them announce to the crowd. And the audience, bless their souls, clap as if they are part of the show. That is partly of why I believe Phantom is so popular, since it is about a play in a play (yes I know it's a musical), the audience also has a very important role in the whole scheme of things.

The managers keep up their charade as I am whisked away off stage, barely having time to breathe before three dressers surround me. One dresser goes to work on removing my blouse while another works on untying my wig and fixing its' placement. The next one readies the skirt for me to step into.

I should be the one readying the skirt, not the one stepping into it. What am I doing here? I'm destined to be behind the scenes, not a performer. Part of me wants to take this silly costume off, like a girl playing dress up. But- it isn't silly, it's my life. For tonight, I am Christine Daae and people will know who I am. For tonight I am not feathered green with envy. For tonight, I am the one in the spotlight. 

It's all so.. satisfying. 

And terrifying.

"Annaleigh you're doing amazing! When you sing, everybody back stage stops to listen," Sarah Snyder, a fellow dresser and co-worker of mine, gushes, "Your voice is exceptional."

I blush beneath the dim lights of backstage, "Thanks Sarah, it's... a lot of work."

Once my blouse is removed, the dressers waste no time before sticking my arms through the sleeves, tying the corset, and zipping up the purple countess dress. They hold my hand while I step into the skirt. With quick and precise movements, they tie the skirt as well. The bustles on the side, where my hips are, make me feel at least thirty pounds heavier. 

The final touch is the light green cape, which they drape over me elegantly. With another coat of pink lipstick, I'm thrown back onto the stage, Jeremy Hays right at my heels.

- - -

"But, his voice filled my spirit with a strange sweet sound. In that night there was music in my mind..." I sigh, taking a deep breath, "And through music my soul began to soar!"

The audience and orchestra is silent as my voice rings throughout the theatre. And based on what Sarah said, the backstage area should be silent as well.

I let out a shuddering breath, "And I heard as I'd never heard before..."

"It was a dream, and nothing more!" protests Raoul innocently.

Ha. Ha. if only he knew.

"Yet," I croon softly, "In his eyes, all the sadness of the world.. those pleading eyes, that both threaten and adore..." 

"Christine, Christine," Raoul- I mean Jeremy Hays- repeats, taking a cautious step towards me.

"Christine...." a voice so sad it hurts my heart, ripples through the air as soft as a mouse's breath.

I bite my lip, glancing about the theatre and gripping my cape for dear life. Finally, I lower my head in defeat, "What was that?" I ask in defeat. Raoul stands there and looks at me, offering no explanation. He opens his mouth to say something, but no words come out. He doesn't have an answer.

I cry out and kneel down on the stage, my head held in my hands.

The music plays, sounding surreal atop the stage of the Majestic Theatre. I cry softly into my forearms, hoping it sounds and looks the least bit realistic.

"Christine.." Jeremy sighs and walks over to me.

I don't look up at him.

"No more talk of darkness, forget these wide eyed fears, I'm here, nothing can harm you. My words will warm and calm you. Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears. I'm here, with you, beside you; to guard you and to guide you.." he sings, gently prying my hands away from my face and standing me up slowly.

I offer a small smile, "Say you'll love me every waking moment; turn my head with talk of summertime. . Say you'll need me with you now and always; promise me that all you say is true, that's all I ask of you.."

We walk around the stage, hand in hand. If I wasn't playing a part, this would actually be a really cute date idea.

"Let me be your shelter," Jeremy smiles at me warmly as we glide around in unison, "Let me be your light! You're safe, no one will find you; your fears are far behind you.." He twirls me, and I take a step away from him, running up to the front of the stage.

"All I want is freedom, a world with no more light! And you," I turn back to look at him excitedly, "Always beside me, to hold me and to hide me.."

He runs closer to me, "Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime!" He seemingly exclaims to the world, holding his arms out- waiting for me. I walk up to him, "Let me lead you from your solitude! Say you need me with you here, beside you; anywhere you go, let me go too.. Christine, that's all I ask of you.."

I glance down, but he cups my chin and raises my lips to his. I kiss him back as he hugs me close. Then, as the music picks up, he puts his hands around my waist and twirls me around in the air. We break the stage-kiss, and laugh against each other's lips, our forehead's leaning against each other for support. I don't have to act for this, my fit of girlish giggles are all real. 

When he sets me down, the adrenaline flows through my veins, and I hit the high notes without even noticing their difficulty :

"Anywhere you go let me go too!" we sing in unison, "Love me, that's all I ask of you.."

We kiss again, and when the applause dies down and the music begins again, my smile is brighter than ever, "I must go," I shake my head foolishly, the smile never fading, "They'll wonder where I am. Wait for me Raoul!" I beg joyfully, and turn to run off the stage.

"Christine!" he calls after me and I stop to look back at him adoringly, "I love you!"

I bite my lip and jovially run towards him, "Order your fine horse, be with them at the door!"

"And soon you'll be beside me.."

"You'll guard me, and you'll guide me..."

---

[Author's Note: I really should update this more often! How did you guys' like that I included the actual dresser, Sarah Snyder, in this chapter?? Also, Annaleigh is getting so into character that she actually feels like Christine Daae! I'm so jealous of her! And I totally know that Jeremy Hays is married, but him and Annaleigh are cute buddies :) I hope you guys are enjoying this phanfic, and as always, comments and likes are greatly appreciated! I love everyone of you!]