Remember a day before today
A day when you were young
Free to play along with time
Evening never comes

Sing a song that can't be sung
Without the morning's kiss

~ Remember A Day, Pink Floyd

"Out of my way, you filthy rodent!" the soprano hissed as she stepped on the chorus girl's foot. The latter yelped in surprise and pain and scurried as far away from the prima donna as possible. Across the stage, her friend gave her a sympathetic smile.

As she sang, Laure couldn't help but admire the lead male dancer of the Opera Populaire. Alexandre Levesque. She nearly swooned at the sound of his name. He was a chocolate-haired boy with deep, ocean blue eyes and a smile that could (and did) melt the hearts of most women at the opera house. Laure was snapped out of her thoughts as his eyes met hers. He shot her one of his dazzling grins as he danced, causing a deep blush to spread across the chorus girl's face.

The rehearsal was halted when the lead tenor, a heavyset, bearded man by the name of Ubaldo Piangi, was unable to pronounce "Rome." Letting out a soft sigh, Laure crossed the stage to gossip with her friends while the conductor attempted to correct him.

"Mon Dieu, that woman is getting on my last nerve," Laure huffed as she reached her sister's side.

"I can hardly wait until she retires," agreed Meg.

"If she ever retires," chimed in Christine. Laure let out a soft giggle. She had always held a special bond with Christine. Although she was by no means antisocial, her circle was constantly evolving, with Christine, and, of course, her sister, being the only constants. Laure often mused that it was due to the understanding and sympathy of losing their fathers.

"I bet she's some sort of spirit who exists only to torment us," Meg tittered.

"What if La Carlotta is the Opera Ghost?" snickered Laure. The trio couldn't help but laugh at the idea of the buxom Italian skulking through the shadows of the opera house.

"Girls." The sound of a cane hitting the floor startled all three of them. "If you haven't noticed, we are still rehearsing."

"Sorry, Mother," said Meg and Laure in unison. All three girls bowed their heads until the ballet mistress walked away. Although she had always been strict, Madame Giry had become far coarser since her husband had died. Raising two daughters and an additional child alone had placed an enormous burden on her shoulders.

"Everyone, may I please have your attention?" The entire theatre fell silent as the voice of the current manager of the Opera Populaire, M. Lefevre, filled the room. With him were two other men whom no one recognized. A short, stocky man, joined by a taller gentleman of medium build stood next to the beloved manager. "Thank you. As you all may know, rumors regarding my retirement have been spreading. These are all true, and I now would like to introduce my successors, M. Richard Firmin and M. Gillis Andre."

Although everybody applauded, there was a tangible sadness that filled the room. While new management was certainly exciting, M. Lefevre was a kind, understanding man who appreciated all of the hard work put into the operas performed.

M. Lefevre's chest heaved slightly in a sigh as Carlotta sauntered to him, an obvious hint to introduce her to the new, unsuspecting managers. Laure twirled a blonde tress around her finger, tuning out the new managers' patronizing tone and Carlotta's shrill voice. She winced as Carlotta began to sing Act III's aria, resisting the urge to cover her ears. She let out a small scream at the sound of a piece of scenery clattering, instinctively gripping Christine's arm. No matter how often strange occurrences such as this one happened, they never failed to startle and frighten the company, particularly Meg.

"He's there, the Phantom of the Opera!" Meg cried, clinging to Laure. She hugged her sister as M. Lefevre cried for the Joseph Buquet, a filthy stagehand with an affinity for booze and ballerinas who were half his age.

"As God's my witness, I wasn't there! No one was!" he cried. "If there was anyone, then it was the Opera Ghost!" He bumbled back to his post, presumably to drink more.

"Signora, these things do happen," M. Andre, said, attempting to soothe the fuming diva.

"These…things do happen?" she repeated in a low voice. M. Lefevre tensed, preparing himself for the approaching uproar. Sure enough, Carlotta began yelling. "You haven't been here for five minutes! These things have been happening for the past three years, and you," she pointed a chubby finger at M. Lefevre, "haven't done a thing! Until somebody stops these things from happening, this thing does not happen!" She pointed at herself dramatically and grabbed Piangi's arm. As she stamped off, the latter glared at the three dumbfounded men.

"Amateurs."

The entirety of the room remained silent until M. Lefevre spoke. "Good luck, gentlemen. I must be on my way."

"La Carlotta will return," said Firmin flippantly after M. Lefevre had left.

"Do you believe that, monsieur?" asked Madame Giry, holding up an envelope with an ominous red seal. "The Opera Ghost has given me a message."

"Oh God in Heaven, you're all obsessed," Firmin cried in agitation.

"He merely welcomes you, commands that you leave Box Five empty for his use, and reminds you that his salary is due."

"His salary?" Firmin questioned indignantly.

"M. Lefevre paid him twenty thousand francs a month, but perhaps you can afford more with the Vicomte de Changy as your patron." Laure noted Christine's gasp.

"What is it?" she whispered, careful not to draw her mother's attention.

"Raoul…" she smiled. "We played together before my father died. We were childhood sweethearts." Laure's jaw dropped.

"Christine! A chorus girl having a love affair with a vicomte? How scandalous!" she exclaimed in mock disappointment. Meg let out a giggle.

"Laure," her friend whined. "It's not like that!"

"Is there an understudy for La Carlotta?" Andre asked, eager to change the subject from the Opera Ghost's finances.

"No, monsieur, the production is new!" cried M. Reyer, the conductor, in a frantic tone.

"Christine Daaé could sing it, sir!" Meg said hurriedly. Christine visibly tensed,

"A ballet girl?" asked Firmin skeptically.

"She's been taking lessons from a great teacher!" added Laure. Christine was very secretive in regards to her lessons, but Laure had heard her sing, and it was what she imagined an angel would sound like.

"From whom?" asked Andre curiously. Christine began trembling slightly, and Laure regretted saying anything. The last thing she wanted was to put an unnecessary burden on her friend.

"I don't know, sir," she forced out.

"Oh, for the love of God, you as well?" Firmin sighed, clearly exasperated and probably regretting his decision to work at the Opera Populaire.

"Let her sing." Laure glanced at her mother in surprise. She would've assumed that the ballet mistress would have opposed the concept of Christine starring in an opera. "She has been well taught." The new managers regarded Christine's meek form for a moment, before Firmin spoke.

"Very well," he said curtly. M. Reyer began the song from the beginning, and the Swedish soprano began. Her clear voice took everybody by surprise, the way each note seemed to flow from her. After singing only a few measures, she was stopped by Andre, who gushed over her voice, and Firmin, who all but begged her to perform. After glancing at the Giry girls, who smiled and nodded encouragingly, she agreed.

"Oh, Christine, I'm so excited for you!" Laure exclaimed as she helped Christine get ready for the opera.

"Are you sure you're not upset?" Christine asked. "I know that you always wanted to have a lead role. I feel like I'm fulfilling your dream." Laure paused before answering.

"Well, I suppose you are, in a way, but you deserve this. Though I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn't jealous," she admitted. "And it's not just my dream. You wanted this too!"

"Maybe someday we can perform together!" Christine smiled. Laure giggled.

"That would be so much fun!"

"Five minutes, Miss Daaé," called a stagehand. Christine's smile faltered.

"What if I can't do it? What if I…What if I disappoint him?"

"Who? Your teacher?"

"I…I'll explain later. After the show. I don't have time." Laure smiled reassuringly.

"Christine, you're the greatest singer I know. You'll be amazing. And, I don't know much about him, but I know you won't disappoint this mysterious tutor of yours."

"I hope you're right." With that, the curly-haired brunette stood and waited for Laure to follow her out of the dressing room.

"Good luck, Christine, though you won't need it."

Laure watched as Christine took her place on the stage, and as the curtain rose, she was certain she felt another presence, aside from the dancers and actors, watching Christine as well.

Author's Note: Hey, everyone! Hope you all enjoyed the first chapter! I'm hoping to update every week, but I'll be sure to let you all know if I can't for some reason. Have an amazing day/night!

~ Belle