From What I've Heard - Sanders Sides

Chapter Five

Logan arrived at the college's theater space exactly at 6:45 pm. The lobby was packed with excited friends and family of cast and crew members. The student stood in line, waiting to purchase a ticket. Just as he began to slip his wallet out to purchase a ticket, someone yanked on his arm.

The shock swept over Logan as he tumbled to the side. He looked up to see both Virgil and Patton had pulled him out of line. Logan chuckled, "There are easier ways to get my attention you know?" He joked, putting his wallet back.

"Yeah. But there are also better uses of your time than standing in line when you already have a ticket." Virgil retorted handing Logan his prepaid ticket.

"I'll pay you back," The student offered, struggling to pull out his wallet again. Patton shoved his hand away from his back pocket. Instead, he offered his friend a wide smile.

"This is our treat. Enjoy it. And don't fight back!" Patton playfully threatened. Logan scoffed as he and his two friends followed the crowd into the seating area. The student's eyes glowed upon seeing the stage. The ruby-red curtains were drawn with blue lights blasting at it. There was a balcony adjacent to it that looked connected to a fake door. Not to mention the beautiful and intimidating chandler that haunted the place.

Reaching their seats, Patton and Logan sat between Virgil. The student couldn't help but notice his friend visibly relax once he knew he wouldn't have to sit next to any strangers. There was a program for the show underneath his seat. Logan picked it up, deciding to read through it to pass the time.

The Phantom of the Opera it read. Flipping it over, Logan could see the amount of work gone into making this entire show happen. The pit of fully packed, he could hear them warming up their instruments. All the crew was listed in order of importance, along with the special thanks. Finally, Logan turned to the cast.

Christine Daaé - Valerie Torres-Rosario

Raoul de Chagny - Terrence Williams Jr

Phantom of the Opera - Remus Royal

Logan did not have time to finish reading the rest as the lights went black and the audience fell into a hush. The student put the program down, watching as both Virgil and Patton put their phones away and locked their eyes on the stage.

The curtains drew up, revealing the auction scene. Like it or not, Logan couldn't help but get himself sucked into the story. The effects with the chandler, the music, the costumes, the lighting. All of it was blowing his mind. Perhaps his friends were correct. Perhaps this was exactly what he needed.

The opening scene faded out as the main story swept in. The audience was first meeting Christine who was played by someone with an incredibly elegant voice. She began into the Angel of Music bits when suddenly, The Phantom showed up.

Logan slid to the edge of his seat in surprise. His costume was absolutely breathtaking. His cape was lined with black sequins giving him an unnatural glow. His main outfit was a white blouse with black pants, royal red gloves, and a daunting white mask that covered at least 75% percent of his face. The only parts Logan could see clearly were his left eye and mouth.

It was only when The Phantom began to sing, did Logan's eyes grow wide. It was as if the whole theater just stopped when he sang. Like nothing else in the world mattered. The Phantom wasn't just enchanting Christine with his voice, he was enchanting Logan as well.

Virgil seemed to notice Logan's starstruck look. The emo scoffed slightly, giving his friend a smile. It became a bit more obvious to his friend as whenever The Phantom was gone, Logan would sink back into his seat disappointedly.

The first act came to a close. Many people getting up to use the restroom, buy water bottles, or donate to the program. Logan rested back in his seat, releasing a lovestruck sigh. Patton excused himself from the row to use the bathroom. As soon as he left, Virgil leaned over to Logan, mischief written on his face.

"Enjoying the show so far?" The emo innocently questioned. Logan lit up like a firetruck, sinking further into his seat with embarrassment. Virgil quietly chuckled to himself, holding his stomach as barrels of laughter escaped him.

"Is it that obvious?" Logan remarked.

"Duh! You're not fooling me; I see how your eyes sparkle as soon as The Phantom comes on stage." Virgil joked, calming down from his laughing fest.

"Maybe I just think he's doing really well," Logan suggested, seating correctly in his seat again.

"Maybe you just want to be Christine right now," Virgil muttered, earning a punch in the arm from his friend. Patton came back to his seat as the overhead lights began to dim.

The second act opened, starting with the song, Masquerade. It was super peppy and a wake-up call. Everyone was on stage. Well, almost everyone. Logan's eye scanned the stage back and forth. Alas, The Phantom was not there.

However, Logan would not have to wait long. The Phantom appeared and continued the story along. Yet again, Logan was on the edge of his seat from start to finish.

At the end of the show, the entire cast came out for the bows. When The Phantom came out, everyone went crazy. He bowed dramatically, his smile glowing under the theater lights. The lights went up and the cast vanished backstage. Patton looked to his friends, trying to judge Logan's facial expression.

"Did you enjoy the show?" Patton asked.

"I-I did. Thank you for this, Patton," Logan said, trying to calm down his rapidly growing blush. The three exited the theater, walking through the campus to get back to their dorms.

"What was your guys' favorite part?" Patton wondered, skipping through the campus next to his friends.

"The opening. That's the best point in the music where everything starts to pick up." Virgil answered, looking at his phone.

"What about you, Logan?"

"Oh, I-uh..." Logan stuttered, flooding red again.

"He liked The Phantom," Virgil replied for him.

"Y-Yeah." The student admitted. "Remus did really well."

"Maybe a little too well," Virgil flirtatiously joked, giving his friend a light push. This, of course, sent Logan's face pooling with red. Patton giggled as he looped arms with his two friends.

Logan walked his friends back to their dorm hall. As he waved goodbye and watched them disappear inside, his heart swelled. It took a lot for the student to admit it to himself, but he left with no other choice. As he walked back to his own dorm hall, he hummed the tune of "Angel of Music," his lovesick heart pounding heavily in his ears.