NEW YORK BROADWAY.

"What? Oh yeah a bit, but now that I have the hot chocolate, I'm happy."

"Do you want to go back inside, where it's warmer?"

"No, it's fine!" Antonio said shrugging. "I mean, you can go back in, but I'm fine out here."

"No, I'd rather stay out here." she said stoutly. "And listen to your wonderful stories. What was your school like, Antonio? Or do you want me to call you Tony?"

"Call me Antonio, please. And, it was a nice school! I had good friends."

It was christmas. Their main show was going to be up on January the first, and they were busy practicing, practicing, practicing. Antonio was really tired from the lack of sleep- nonstop practicing until one am every night, then starting up again at nine. But he didn't care, it was worth it... They were all becoming closer. He felt like they were all family! His singing had gotten better, he learned acting tips, and personally, he felt like he was doing great. They were all relaxing together drinking hot chocolate, and a friend brought over some green and red caramel popcorn which he popped before practice began that morning. And so they were all sitting in the middle of the stage, talking and laughing together and it was a great christmas, and it was quite cold, so they were all wearing big wooly blankets.

"Merry Christmas, Tony!" chirped Helen, in the AMURAKUN way. She then shoved a box brightly wrapped in light blue paper, with little snowflakes on it. "This is for you!"

Antonio grinned happily. He took out a small box wrapped in red Christmas-themed paper and gave it to her. "Same for you, Helen," he said and he fought down to opening the box.

Inside Antonio's gift was a hand-knit scarf, that was about four feet long and was made out of a rather ugly olive green yarn. But it was still made with lots of love.

"I made it myself!" she said proudly. "I made it when I was watching TV at night... and I thought that the color would bring out your eyes."

"Really?" Antonio laughed. "My eyes are gray, though!"

Her gift was a thin silver chain that glittered beautifully and had little rhinestones hanging from it. He at least chose it with love.

"Oh Antonio!" she gasped happily. "It's gorgeous-and it must have cost a fortune!" Helen immediately put it on, and gave him a big smooch on the cheek to show her thanks. Not out of romance.

Antonio shrugged. "It's Christmas, we shouldn't worry about money!"

"Well, you may not. I have too, though. New York is an expensive city! At least I'm not in school anymore, I'd be in a rut if I was-I had to leave college to be in this production, so I better get a new show when I'm done here and..." She began to babble.

"Really? Well, in a way it's better since we're working fulltime now."

"I guess you're right, but I can't stay with the Phantom forever! I want to do something more upbeat after this. I'll be COMPLETELY dreary if I perform in this play for too long. Dreary is an English word, right?"

"We'll probably be performing for a while, then go our own ways, right? I hear they're going to film the broadway version with us."

"I guess..." she said with a sad shrug. "I don't know if I'll want to be in it though. Besides... I have some plans in mind soon."

"Nah, they'll be filming us while we perform it and make a disk out of it."

"Oh." Helen seemed relieved. "I thought they were going to make a feature film with us in it! I'd be terrified." She smiled again at him. "What are you going to do next after this?"

"I... I'm not sure. I think I'll stay in Broadway, though!"

"I have an audition in April or May-that time of the year." Helen said proudly.

"Really?! For what?"

It had been a couple months since the show opened, and everything had been running perfectly smoothly. But Helen looked a bit nervous, as she approached Antonio one evening after a big show.

In fact, the show had gotten quite famous.

Antonio was in his changing room, staring at himself, just looking slightly dazed. He looked lost in deep thought.

"Um, Antonio... what are you doing?" inquired Helen politely when she came in.