StrawberryStoleYourCookie- I'm done now! Well, almost. I still have to read Hamlet for Drama, but that project doesn't have to be done for about a month. Actually, her name is Kristina because my name is Kristina. That's the main reason, but it will eventually have a bit of an effect on plot. Not for a LONG time though. And Christine exists, Erik just hasn't met her yet. Thank you! ^_^ I love Erik's third person ranting, it's adorable! Also, unrelated question , is the picture on your profile a picture of you?

Axelion the Vampire Phantom- Erik: Smart choice girl. *hugs Punjab lasso*

Me: Hehe. Rikky. What a cute nickname!

Erik: Don't even think about it!

Me: Fine. *pouts*

You'll just have to read on to find out!

PhantomWaffles-I'm sure everyone wishes they could bring Erik home with them! Lucky fictional Kristina…

SexyKnickers- That was my intention. Just give Kristina a while, she'll fall for Erik in no time =P

Little Luxa- Me too! *squees together with Little Luxa* I love RM too! I'm honoured that you'd compare my phanfic to that ^_^ You have a stuffed Mephi? *is REALLY jealous* When I first read that part of RM I begged my mom to get a bunny so I could name it Mephi! But all I have is an eraser that looks a bit like Mephi…

YES! WAFFLES! MY LIFE IS COMPLETE!

Missfine1997-Thank you! I hope you enjoy this chapter too!

Also, I just realised I forgot something. Something that should be fairly obvious, but I'll say it anyways:

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Phantom of the Opera. He just lives in my basement and steals my food. But his story, and all other POTO references belong to the brilliant Gaston Leroux. Except anything related to the movie or musical. They belong to the not as brilliant but still not bad Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Chapter 4

For most of the walk back to the girl-Kristina's, Erik corrected himself- home Erik stared at his hand. The hand in which he had held this strange girl's warm hand and she had not recoiled in fear. He looked from his hand to hers. Next to his pale yellowy skin, hers was like ivory. But softer. Like white silk perhaps? And warm, like…like life. Her hair looked just as silky as her skin, but it was made of soft golden curls. It was as full of life as her bubbly spirit, flowing in the wind as she walked, bouncing with each step she took…and her eyes…

"Um, Erik?" she questioned, snapping him out of his reverie. "We're here!'

~X~X~X~X~

The whole walk home Kristina was nervous. The Phantom of the Opera himself was going to be living in her house! It was all she could do not to giggle and squeal like the phangirl she was. The journey back home was silent. Erik didn't break it and she couldn't think of anything to say. At last, they reached Kristina's street and stopped in front of her driveway.

"And here's my house!" she said, turning around to look at Erik, but she stopped when she saw the look in his eyes. He was staring at her. Looking into her eyes in wonder. "Um, Erik?" she called to him, feeling her face burn. He seemed to snap to attention and his earlier dreamy expression disappeared. "We're here!" she announced, pointing to the small house in front of them. While Erik examined the house, she pulled out her watch.

"Oh great, we've only got about 10 minutes before my family gets back! Hurry up, no time to look at the view!" she said in a panicky tone, holding open the door for her visitor. He calmly walked past her into the entrance hall.

"It should be safe to leave your shoes up here. There's so many, I doubt anyone will notice an extra pair," she explained, quickly throwing her shoes onto the shelf. Erik nodded and did the same, then started to head up the staircase to the main level of the house.

"Where are you going?" Kristina asked, looking at him curiously. She answered her own question before he got a chance too. "Oh, my room isn't up there."

"Then where is it?" Erik asked, confused. Kristina smiled.

"A place I have a feeling you'll like a lot better," she told him, opening the door to the basement. She had always hated having her room in the basement, but now she thanked her parents for practically forcing her to sleep down there when her younger sister was born and took over her upstairs room. She knew Erik would like the basement room a lot more.

"I highly doubt I'll enjoy it. Erik would much rather be in his home on the lake," he scoffed. Kristina rolled her eyes.

"I know, but this is the best you're going to get," she said. She hesitated as she reached for the doorknob. "Could you wait here a second?" She dashed in before waiting for an answer and quickly raided her bookshelf. It should be here somewhere…There it is! Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux! She took it off the shelf and looked around for some place to hide it. She couldn't have Erik finding it and reading it! Eventually she decided on the generic hiding place, under the bed. The book was soon joined by the CD soundtrack and the 2004 DVD. Once her room was officially de-Phantomized, she opened the door to Erik. "Ok, you can come in now!" She saw him straighten up a little, seeming to try and hide his happiness.

"It's in the basement and it has no windows?" he asked, calmly. Kristina nodded.

"That's not all, it gets better!" she exclaimed, flicking on the light switch.

"That makes it worse not better," Erik grumbled, bringing a hand up to block the light from his eyes.

"Just wait," she said, sliding the bar on the switch down. The lights slowly dimmed to half the brightness. His eyes lit up and she smiled. "I thought you'd like that. Feel free to choose how bright you want it." He nodded.

Erik stood staring at the light switch, and Kristina watched him awkwardly from the centre of the room.

"Before my parents get back, we've got to set a few rules if you're going to be staying in my house," she started, but Erik cut her off.

"No need. I'll be gone by morning," Erik informed her. Kristina looked at him in shock.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She frowned. There was no way she was going to let Erik-the real Erik!-leave. She had found the real Phantom of the Opera, how could she let him slip away?

"I couldn't possibly force my company on someone who's been as kind as you. Once Erik is well rested, Erik will find somewhere else to stay. An abandoned building perhaps. Erik does not want to stay when he is not wanted," he explained, his glowing yellow eyes fixed on the floor.

"I do want you here though. Why else would I have invite you to come back here with me?" she pointed out.

"There is no one who wants Erik's company, only people who are smart enough to know when they shouldn't refuse it," he said sadly.

"I don't see why you would think that," Kristina argued. "You don't seem like too bad a person to me, minus the slight…okay, major anger issues, but that-" She felt herself slam against the wall with a thud! She looked up and saw Erik leaning over her, pinning her against the wall.

"You don't know me," he said in a low growl. He pulled away, leaving Kristina wide-eyed against a wall.

"No, I don't…" she said slowly, realising he was right. She had read the books, seen the movies, and memorized the songs, she was a huge phangirl, but she only knew Erik the character, not Erik the person. She didn't know him. "But I'd like to." She decided, smiling at him. Both were silent for some time. Finally, Erik spoke.

"We'll see if you still think that tomorrow," he said.

Before either could speak again, they heard a door open and a jumble of voices pour in.

"We're home!" One of them called down the stairs, making both occupants of Kristina's room freeze.

"Um…" Kristina looked around wildly for a place to hide Erik, but it was impossible. "Just…stay here! Stay here, and stay silent!" she advised quietly. With that she slipped out the door, leaving the Phantom alone with his thoughts.

~X~X~X~X~

She wanted his company. She wanted to get to know him. She wanted him. Erik had never been wanted before. Even the daroga, the only man he might possibly consider a friend, merely tolerated him. Never wanted him. Kristina did.

But she didn't know him. Even she admitted it. But she wanted to! Only because she didn't know him. If she knew him she would wish she didn't. Or would she…?

He mentally cursed the confusing girl for giving him hope that someone might accept him. For giving him hope that someone as warm, as soft, as alive as her could like him and get to know him as if he was just a normal person. It wasn't possible. Because Erik wasn't a normal person, he wasn't like anyone else. He was different, and he always would be. But maybe this girl was different too?

Is Kristina different? Will Erik be the Phantom that he is and be gone by the time morning comes? Will Erik and Kristina manage to keep Erik's presence in her bedroom a secret from her parents? Stay tuned dear readers, for the next chapter of Phangirl or Lover?

Authoress Note: Here's the next chapter! Hope you guys enjoy, and REVIEW!

Erik: Erik doesn't like it when you read and don't review. Erik has a tendency to Punjab people he doesn't like. Review, and save yourself the feeling of fear and not being able to sleep at night.

Me: Erik! You can't threaten people into reviewing!

Erik: I just did.

Me: *face palm*