Amber's jaw literally dropped. There in front of her stood the most drop dead gorgeous man she'd ever seen alive! He wore dark jeans that clung to his leans hips and had on a black t shirt that clung to his broad shoulders, wide chest, and... Dear lord, was that an eight pack? She closed her mouth, embarrassed and then her eyes went to his face and she froze, he had on a mask. The white mask contrasted the black clothes he was wearing. Her heart began to race. She knew his voice, she saw the gloved hands, he was standing RIGHT THERE, and yet she couldn't believe. She gaped for a few more seconds and then shook her head, "That's it; I'm utterly insane!" she grumbled.

Erik slowly walked up to her and smiled, "My angel, allow me to carry that bag for you." he said as softly as he could, one hand extended to take the bag, the other gently brushing the hair from her face

Amber tried to keep herself from blushing, "A-alright." she managed to say. She handed him the bag and then watched as he shouldered it... he felt real, and she wasn't carrying the bag anymore and it couldn't float in thin air. She deemed he was real, and that scared her, "Actually, I want it back." She claimed and grabbed the bag away from him. She clutched it like a lifeline, "You're not supposed to be real." she muttered, a little miffed, and walked past him, "I'm probably, like, a schizophrenic or something." she grumbled. Her pace was brisk.

Erik followed her closely; "You're not crazy." he said calmly and gently grabbed her hand, turning her around to face him, and then placed her captured hand on his abs, "I'm not a ghost nor am I figment of your imagination."

Amber froze; and then poked his abs experimentally. She studied his face and then scowled, "Well then why are you here?" she asked, "I thought I made you up." she realized she'd already said that, "Ignore that. Better question: How did you find me?" She glanced across the street at the sound of voices; there was Monica Drulo and her crew of friends. Beasts more like it. They had been the bane of her existence since she started middle school. Monica would humiliate her, one of the boys would comfort her and then humiliate her, and it was an endless cycle of hurt and pain. She grimaced and locked her eyes on the so called Erik, "So?" she prompted.

Erik followed her gaze briefly to Monica and looked back at Amber, "It took me a long time to get here" he answer and then - making sure Monica saw - gently kissed Amber's forehead, "I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner" he said honestly.

Amber started to say something when Monica's shrill voice cut in, "Hey John! Who's the freak with the freak?" she asked haughtily. The group laughed at her pathetic joke and Amber turned rigidly, "Let's go." she whispered, ducking her head as if to make herself smaller. Monica crossed the street the rest of the way and stood about two yards in front of Amber and Erik, "Where ya headed loser?" she asked. A few of her friends murmured similar questions with the same mocking tone of voice, a few throwing in other comments. Amber's eyes glanced up for a moment and then dropped back down, if possible, she shrunk even further, and whispered "Nowhere."
"What?" Monica shouted, "I didn't hear you loser!"
Amber cringed, "I said nowhere!" she snapped.
A few friends chuckled; others let out kindergarten OH's, "What?" Monica advanced, "I know you did not just raise your voice at me!" Monica growled. Amber grimaced; there was no way she was going to win, so she stayed silent. Not looking up.

Erik stepped in and pushed Monica back, hard. He stood in front of Amber protectively, "We're going somewhere far away where we need not be bothered by you heathens." he practically spat in her face.

Amber bit her lip softly and tugged on Erik's arm, "Come on." she whispered. Monica's gang was ready for a fight; the only thing that stopped them was the cop car cruising down the street. Amber walked away safely with Erik, "Thank you." she whispered to him after a few moments.

Erik entwined their fingers as he took the lead, "Why do you let them do that?" he asked with a tender note in his voice that Amber had never heard used before. She was used to people snapping at her, yelling, cursing, but never tender, and then to her utter astonishment he pulled her to the side right up against him and took a deep breath, "Are you okay?" he asked softer, concern in his voice and then released her hand, brushing his fingers over her cheek.

Amber bit her lip, "I'm fine." she answered, ignoring the first question. Why DID she let them do that? Well, she supposed it was because she was weaker than them and there were more of them than her. It had been happening to her throughout her whole life so that now she just rolled over and took it.

Erik sighed and stepped closer to her, wrapping his arms around her, "Do you have to go back to your house?"

Amber frowned, "Well, yes." she answered. Then she really thought about it, did she *really* need to go back? Would her mother even notice her absence? Would anyone even... She shook her head, clearing away the thoughts.

Erik sighed again but this time lighter as he leaned down and pecked both her cheeks, his mask brushing against her skin. "Mind if I join you?" he asked softly

"At my house?" she asked, confused. She lived in the lower parts of town. Her mother stayed out until about 1 am and then came stumbling in drunk and passed out in her room. Amber saw no reason why he shouldn't. It wasn't like they'd get caught or anything. She shrugged, "Sure.

Erik smiled and gently entertwined their fingers, "Well then my angel, lead the way." he said and then kissed her knuckles

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