The Phantom Diaries Read Online Free PDF

one who can bring each song to life.”
    Unable to hold his gaze, I glanced sidelong at the piano.
    “Have I given you any reason to believe that I do not know the heart of this music?”
    “No.   On the contrary.”
    “Then, trust me.”
     

 
    Chapter 6
     
     
    November 17th, 2009
     
    Dear Diary,
     
    New York is splendid and every day is a discovery. Central Park is a far cry from the bayous, but it has a charm that is irresistible. The temperatures have already dipped down more than I’m accustomed to, but I’m looking forward to the new season to come.
     
    No replacement has been found yet for Marie, and I’m beginning to feel a surge of hope at my chances of actually winning the part. My voice is growing stronger every day, as is the tension between Eric and me. I know he has no romantic interest in me, but my dreams continue to put us in romantic scenarios night after night.
     
    It’s ridiculous and adolescent, I know. But how am I to control my dreams?
     
    With a blanket draped over Chace’s shoulder and a basket of goodies hanging on my arm, we headed to the heart of Central Park to catch an outdoor concert. I had no idea who was playing or what they’d be playing, but it didn’t matter. Chace had me laughing all the way and it was just nice spending time with him.
    The differences between the halo of light that consistently rayed about Chace and the doom of darkness that shrouded Eric left me wondering how I could find such distinctive looks and personalities equally appealing.
    In the darkness that forever accompanied Eric, I felt small as I constantly looked to him for guidance and wisdom.
    But with Chace; we were like two new, shiny green peas discovering the great expanse of this huge pod. He had a childlike curiosity for everything the city had to offer and he dragged me along on his quest to learn more. I giggled like a child, laughed until my stomach cramped and, at times, howled so loud, walkers-by turned to me in wonder.
    “This good?” Chace stopped at a sunny, grassy spot near The Lake and let the blanket fall to the ground. “We can move closer to the stage after we eat.”
    “Perfect.” I set the basket down and took up the far corner of the blanket.
    Though our stroll through the park had been peppered with interesting bits of conversation, now that we’d settled down, that sense of tension I’d felt with him the night of the movie returned.
    “How are you keeping nimble throughout this break in show rehearsals?” I hoped to break the ice and have him talking again.
    Chace offered me an amused smile. “Don’t mind my awkward silences. I’ve become so accustomed to being around adults all my life, that I sometimes find myself speechless when I’m left to carry a conversation with someone my age.”
    “I don’t mind,” I said with a playful nudge.   “I’ll just poke you out of your silence.”
    The silence resumed and I wondered if it was deliberate. He was chewing on a bite of sandwich and seemed miles away for a second before he glanced sidelong at me and smile.
    “I’m constantly breaking my neighbor’s ear at home,” he said, finally getting around to answering my question. “I wake up and play, have lunch and play, come home for dinner and play.   And, for good measure, just before going to bed I play.”
    I laughed, believing he was pulling my leg, but quickly realized he was serious.
    “I didn’t get where I am today by simply fiddling around a bit, no pun intended.”
    “I have to admit that while singing often offers challenges, I don’t think I’d have what it takes to keep it up if I had to work at it quite as much as you do on the violin.”
    “Yeah, Judy told me you’ve been working hard to try to audition for Marie’s role.”
    “I have.”
    “With some Eric dude?” His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, and his lips had trouble forming Eric’s name.
    “Yeah.”
    “So, who is he exactly?” He shifted away and tension scrunched up