Author's Notes: Hello my lovely readers. After... four months, I believe, I am back with a new chapter. Rejoice, my friends, rejoice!

Disclaimer: Not in a million years.

x-twilight-x: Holy shit. You're still reading this, too?! I thought that this fanfiction was kind of stupid, actually. Kekeke. I love you to death. Yes, yes; the Cookie thing was unexpected in my opinion. Even I am not that demented. xD

.heart.angel.93: You find it amusing? Thank you. I like Rhayne as a character. She's the best one I've ever created, huhu. It's terribly difficult to create interesting original characters. My Math teacher used to be that boring. Now, since I'm a freshman and all, my Math teacher's just strict. Dude. She like... slams her foot on our mini stage so freakin' hard! Just to get us to shut up!

sailorsw: I love you with all my heart and all my soul for continuing to read this like a loyal reader would. TTTT Anyway. You think I should make a prom chapter someday? Hehe, it'd be fun to type down Erik's attempts to dance.

The Musician: Ah-some! A new reader! –Tacklehugglomp.- I heart you. ;D

The Dark Waltz: Well, Erik was given a second chance to live, if you know what I mean. It'll be made clear in future chapters. More or less he's a reincarnation, get it?

I think not. xD Thanks for the comment! And he knows Christine, of course. Just that he has a second chanceee. As I mentioned earlier.

With Love and With Lip-gloss (Even if I don't wear any.),

Reona-chan

"Cooookiiieee!"

Erik groaned, covering his face with his palms and trying to move away from the source of that voice. Alas; all his efforts failed him as Rhayne had thrown a pillow towards his chest, causing the male to shout a little and fall onto the floor harshly. He opened his eyes (eye?), directing a steely gaze towards the female who just loved to torture him. Rhayne simply grinned at him, patting him on the head as though he were a canine, and handing him a glass of milk.

"It's snack time! I got you some milk and cookies!" She exclaimed with such glee and vigor that Erik thought it was a little bit cute. He slapped himself, however; to forget about whatever it was he was going to say, be it a compliment or a swear word, both were bad to speak of in the presence of this migraine-inducing female.

"Th-Thank you," Erik mumbled, looking towards the plate of cookies on the table. They were always so good, and (although he would never admit this in person) he couldn't quite resist them at all. He walked over to pick up the confectionaries, examining them first for any trace of bugs or of those sort, before nodding; it had his approval now.

The Phantom bit into it, taking in the pleasure of the chocolate chips, the sweet sugary taste seeming to forever imprint itself onto his tongue. He continued to bite, before it was completely consumed, and drank his glass of milk.

Rhayne, apparently, had been watching him with a happy sort of look. Perhaps she was hoping that he would enjoy it, or compliment her? It was, after all, his third week here. It was only expected for her to want his praise. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to say that they tasted like heaven on a platter, would it?

"So? How do you like it?" The female asked, looking at Erik with a cheerful face. She had been doing this for the past three weeks, too, and was most likely expecting a happy, tear-inducing compliment from the genius.

Erik tried his best.

"It's delicious. It's much better than the things Madame Giry used to give me."

That didn't come out quite right, did it?

Rhayne blinked, her eyebrows furrowing. "What do you mean? Who's Madame Giry?" She asked, poking Erik on the back of his head. She could be such a pest sometimes. The male of the two sighed, running his fingers through his platinum-blond locks and spinning around in the chair (he had never imagined there would be chairs that spun like ballerinas in the future!).

"Well... she was the one who took care of me, sort of like a step-mother, if you would like to call her that," He said, using his index finger to tap his arm; his eyes (eye?) closed. Rhayne said a small "ah" in comprehension.

He didn't have real parents? Wow. Not very surprising, is it? The female thought to herself and grinned. "Weeeell..." She started, her hands now resting on her hip.

Just think bossy bitch, Rhayne. Bossy bitch.

"... since you didn't have real parents, you've gotta listen to me now! I'm your new mommy, okay, Cookie?" She said, a smile upon her face.

Erik opened his mouth to retort.

Rhayne promptly raised her middle finger.

And Erik shut up.

"Good. Now," She started, looking at the clock, "since today is Sunday, and you and I have nothing to do, why don't we do something productive, Cookie?"

Rhayne looked at him with a fake smile that practically screamed: "Listen to me or I'll rip your face off."

Erik shivered. He never knew that this girl could be so heart-attack inducing. Nonetheless, he complied. It was the least he could do. Then again, first he compliments her, and suddenly starts to listen to her? What the hell was wrong with him?

The Phantom stood, looking at her with his steely azure hues.

"I am not, will not, and will never do your bidding, Rhayne!"

Erik grunted as another jar of peanut butter was placed in the pushcart. He watched as the girl continued to walk along casually, ticking things off her list once they were purchased. She started to skip, and the male had to run a little bit to be able to catch up with her. It was sad that he had gone away from his word.

But Rhayne had a way of making him do whatever the hell she wanted.

That did not include her lovely assets; it simply included that personality of hers that always screamed at him to do whatever she desired. Why couldn't he resist her? Perhaps it was because she was so, well, innocent?

No; those amazing lavender hues of his always did attract his attention. It sent shivers up and down his spine when he thought about it, but it reminded him so much of… her.

He didn't mean Christine, oh, no; he wanted to forget all about her. He meant his mother, or whoever had carried him during the first few days of his life. He remembered that loving, warm smile; those beautiful amethyst hues that held so much affection for him. He couldn't recall the last time he had felt loved, but that woman who had carried him in her arms—he was completely convinced that she was the one he had come from.

"Hey, Cookie!" Rhayne exclaimed, holding a medium-sized canvas and a box of oil paints; seeming to be beaming with such happiness that Erik though he would need sunglasses. "I got you those paints you wanted, but the colors you picked were so dark! I thought that maybe you'd need some lighter hues, you know?" She continued, placing the items in the pushcart as well, though separating them from the food items. Food poisoning was something she wanted to avoid.

Erik nodded; as long as he could paint. It would be fine with him.

"I understand. Thank you, however, for putting up with me."

If he was going to live with her, he could at least be polite, right?

Rhayne looked up at him and pouted. "Stop talking so formally. You're with me now, and we're gonna be best friends! Best friends are not formal with each other, okay?" She looked at him with those eyes of hers, and he shivered. "V-Very well," Erik replied, following the girl towards the cash register.

Author's Notes: This is SO short. I'm totally sorry if you guys are disappointed with me. D: I mean.. it's really hard to continue this thing if there isn't really a set plot. I love all of you for reading this, though. It warms my heart from head to toe.

By the way, just for those who read 'A Summer Getaway', I lack ideas. xD Any suggestions? If my next update takes as long as this, please forgive me, too! I have a life.. well, sorta. –grins-

Much love!