Well, this month is going to be a very busy month for me. It's already quite a busy month. With Christmas coming up, and school projects, these next couple of updates might be rather short.

I didn't get as many reviews last chapter, so I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint as much. But it's not real interesting, in my own opinion. xD But I wanna say a special thanks to Fantasma for their very nice review! I was so flattered!

Erik: *Hugging them* Thank you for reviewing. You made the author smile like a moron.

Me: Erik! That's not nice!

Well, anyways, I do not own the Phantom of the Opera. Only my OC's; especially Clare! Annnnd I don't have any songs for today.

Enjoy!

. . .

Clare's POV

"You didn't ask him out on a date?" Veronica ask in disbelief next to me, in the passenger seat.

"No." I retorted, trying to focus on traffic. I wished that I could drive comfortably, like a normal adult. Like the rest of my friends. Though I knew that I would never be able to possess the same nonchalance demeanor as anyone else, after being involved in a car accident. . .And a very odd car accident, as well. Not everyone had ever heard of being abducted, only to be stranded in a car, that sunk in a lake. But of course, out of everyone in the entire world, it had to be me, who had been caught in such an unusual incident.

"Girls aren't supposed to ask guys out, anyways." Mina said from behind me, yanking me out of my cold, and unnerving memory of the accident. I was actually glad that they had brought up a conversation. It distracted my troubled mind, with a far more simple issue. I actually was a good driver. I knew that I was. I just didn't enjoy having to drive, because I was uncomfortable with the drivers around me. I also wasn't real fond of it, simply because my mind kept replaying that terrible day that happened years ago, whenever I got behind the wheel. And talking with my friends sometimes helped ease my mind from wandering back into fretting, and brooding over that car accident. It helped me relax a little, without being too distracted from driving. . .At least, as long as they didn't start arguing. I saw Veronica frown from Mina's remark, and her mouth dropped open, looking overly offended. I knew then, that an argument had just begun.

"That is not true!" She argued, turning around, so she could argue with Mina. "I asked Alex out!" I heard her say. "And look where we are, now!"

"Yeah, well, guys are supposed to ask."

"Maybe in your hoard of books, they do. But this is reality."

"Well I like the fictional world more. It's more romantic." I had to admit, as much as I had agreed with Veronica, I also agreed with Mina. The fantasy world always seemed far more intriguing. But that was, of course, what made it a fictional world, as bitter as that sounded.

"Well, you can't wait around, hoping that a guy is gonna ask you out. He's not gonna wait around forever, you know."

"But-" As soon as Mina opened her mouth to protest, my patience had worn thin.

"Hey!" I raised my voice, trying to get them to stop arguing, which was successful. "Listen, that has nothing to do with it. I don't see anything wrong with a girl asking a boy out on a date. I just. . .Didn't." I suddenly felt so incredibly stupid, once I spoke it out loud. I was mad at myself for not taking up the opportunity, but still terribly exasperated by the whole conversation. It caused my energy to feel drained; something that I didn't need before starting my day. I really should have asked Erik out. He seemed very nice. Just my luck, my chances with him were probably already ruined, because I never attempted to be brave enough to ask him on a date. Why did my shame just now truly seep in? Had I assumed that I would see him again soon?

"Why?" Veronica asked very gently, pulling me away from my thoughts. "Is he not your type?"

"No," I moaned, mentally kicking myself inside. "It's not that. I just didn't think of it at the time." Which was quite true, actually. We had been so caught up in talking, that the time had whisked by, before he had to leave abruptly.

"Didn't think-?" She echoed, sputtering in great disbelief. "Oh, come on, I'm sure there's more to it than that."

"Veronica, leave her alone." Mina warned. She almost sounded like a mother scolding her child.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Veronica sighed. She leaned back in her seat, giving up on the whole blunder, which was probably for the best.

I was glad that the conversation had died down; or at least the argument, because it became far too distracting for me. Sometimes if a matter became too distracting, my mind would block it. Though other times, my mind could not do the same thing, for some reason. I found myself irritably wishing that Mina had decided to drive today. She was a perfect driver. My mind glowered over why she couldn't do it, but I already knew the answer. My two best friends were trying to help me overcome my fear of driving. Really, I should have appreciated that they were attempting to help me, but it still felt like a punishment for me, at the same time. I couldn't blame them for trying to get me back into the habit of driving, for I knew that if Mina was willing to drive everyday, I would avoid driving all I could, and lose my touch at it.

The two of them still drove a lot. Veronica had her own car, and would drive to work on her own, as well as Mina. The two of them were comfortable with driving; even when we lived in the city. It was utterly nerve wracking for me. I couldn't understand how they could even tolerated it, though then again, they weren't the ones who had nearly been driven into their deaths.

I realized just how quiet the car had been without the radio on. Sometimes silence was welcoming, while other times, it was overbearing. But I knew that right now, a little bit of music would help me relax my nerves. I debated over what to listen to, that everyone could at least withstand in this car. Before I could reach over for one of the knobs on the radio, Veronica's soft voice stopped me.

"Sorry for being nosey, CC. . .I was just curious, that's all. But if you ever want to talk, I'm here. . .And Mina, too!" She added in, rather enthusiastically. She turned in her seat, with a smile on her face. I glanced in the review mirror, and saw a small, friendly half smile, creep onto Mina's face, before she resumed reading her latest book.

"Thanks. I appreciate it." I said sincerely, finally feeling a little at ease. "And I would tell you more about it, but to be honest, I'm really tired."

She looked at me, despite the fact that I wasn't going to peel my eyes away from the road. "Didn't sleep well again?"

"No. . .I don't know." I admitted.

"Well, that's alright. Just try to catch up on sleep tonight. I'll even drive home if you want."

I couldn't stop the awkward laugh that slipped from my mouth. It came out sounding strained, but I was partially amused by her suggestion. She giggled by my dry laugh, anyways, though.

"You know how I feel about you driving." I stated, nearly shivering at the idea of the sharp turns she made while behind the wheel.

"Oh, come on, I'm a fantastic driver! Aren't I, Mina?"

"If you say so." She muttered lowly.

Veronica gasped, which caused Mina to chuckle evilly from the backseat. For once, Mina was joking, without her coffee.

Mark the day on the calendar. My mind teased. It's a day to remember.

It didn't take long to arrive at the main campus. Before I knew it, I was waiting for Mina to get her coffee, while Veronica sat down to study. I stood beside Veronica, where she was parked at a small table. She was studying for her Marketing class. Once Mina had her coffee, I would leave with her to go to Psychology.

"I have an hour before class." Veronica stated, twirling a pencil in-between her fingers. "And I hate studying. You know I get distracted easily."

"Then stop visiting with me, and start studying." I suggested, sounding drier than I intended to sound.

"I can't. With you standing here, I'm tempted to talk."

"Then I'll go."

"No, please don't go!" She begged, obnoxiously.

"Veronica!" I scolded. "You need to study!"

"I know. . ." She admitted, glumly. However, instead of looking down at her notes, her eyes drifted up. For a second, I thought that she was staring at the top of my head, as if my hair was sticking up. Though I quickly realized that she was looking past me.

A familiar, deep voice suddenly spoke directly behind me, whispering my name, grasping my full attention.

Shocked, I turned around, and was met with astounding topaz blue eyes; and only one person I knew had those eyes. It was the boy I socialized with at the bar. When I remember just how charming he was, I felt a fluttery sensation at the pit of my stomach; especially when he smiled sweetly at me.

"Oh, hi!" I greeted, smiling back at him. I was just positive that the smile I envisioned was on my face, was actually something entirely different. Most likely, I had a sheepish smile on my face. Curse my shyness!

"Hello. I was hoping that I would see you today, Clare." I felt my face turn red when he said that. What a charmer he was! I couldn't help but to smile broadly, like a fool. My heart felt like it was floating in pure bliss from his compliment. I had heard far worse "compliments" directed towards other women, that immature, and distasteful boys had said. But it had been quite a long time since I had been paid a compliment by a guy at all. Especially from such a handsome man like him.

I glanced at Veronica; I almost couldn't help but to look away from Erik, feeling like an utterly bashful fool. Why was I feeling overwhelmed? More odd feelings, that I couldn't identify entirely, were swelling up inside me, due Erik's nice words. What was wrong with me? I must had been flattered far too easily. How embarrassing it was to be affected so much by such a simple, and innocent, compliment. Surely, he would be the death of me!

Maybe's he's actually just a player. My mind whispered. My smile nearly disappeared entirely, right then. It only made sense. It seemed as if the only time a guy ever approached me, it was simply because he hadn't flirted with me yet before. I could only dearly hope that those days of guys being tempted to date every girl around him, were over. Of course, there would always be that one stupid boy, who would never fully mature mentally, but hopefully most guys around me, had finally began to think far more maturely.

But as sad as it was, I was very convinced that I had never been loved, let alone even liked, by any boy, for who I truly was. To most guys, I was just another girl. I was simply just there, and that was it. I often feared, that I would never be reserved for anyone's heart. Even though I knew that that was a silly thing to fret about, it always lingered, nonetheless.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Veronica trying to hide a smile. She must have sensed that Erik wished to speak with me, because she politely excused herself. "I'm gonna go get coffee, too."

She stood from her chair, and went off to get in line, leaving Erik and I alone. His intense stare was settled, and fixed upon my eyes, never flickering away, even as Veronica left. That itself, reassured me that perhaps he wasn't a player after all. If he really was, he probably would've been far more interested in Veronica, rather than me. I felt myself turning redder, the longer he stared, and I knew that it was time to break the ice. Though as soon as I began to speak, he did as well, causing both of us to abruptly stop.

"Sorry." I muttered, diffidently.

"No, that was my fault, forgive me. Please continue."

He's such a gentleman. My mind swooned. I nearly lost my train of thought, but quickly grasped it, before it fled from my mind.

Veronica was right. My mind said. I should just ask him out.

I knew that that was true. It would be best to ask him on a date. What harm was there in that? Absolutely no harm. And if he did end up being a player, then it's not like I had to keep dating him.

If you think he's a player, then don't even bother! Another part of my mind hissed. Though, I also knew that I had an issue for being overly cautious. Any guy who would ever show even the slightest interest in me, I would instantly assume that he was just another player. If I kept thinking like that, I knew that I would never meet any guy. It was time for me to push aside my doubt, and just dive in.

But he's so handsome. My mind sighed. So sweet. What would he see in you? He's probably only nice because he's merely an old friend of yours. That itself, would be ridiculous, for he already seemed to flirt with me. Unless if he was merely attempting to be nice, rather than flirtatious. Believe it or not, it had happened to me before. It had left me completely dumbfounded. Why did I have to feel so terribly self-conscious around men? If I kept acting this way, I would get no where in life.

Veronica's voice floated through my mind as I remembered what she said earlier in the car.

Well you can't wait around, hoping that a guy is gonna ask you out.

She was right. Again. I had to ask him for myself. What was I for feeling so afraid? An immature school girl?

I tried to shake away my doubt in myself. How irrational I was being. Why did I had to be cursed with such self doubt? Surely, most people must had already outgrown such things. Everyone around me always seemed so much happier. I wanted to relish that wonderful sensation, as well. My mind was made up. I would ask him. And if he said no, then it was simply never meant to be. And that was that.

"Well, I actually wanted to ask you something." My heart was already pounding in my chest, despite the self-confident boost I had attempted to sedate my mind with. It never did seem to work, anyways, so why did I ever try?

"Yes?"

Oh goodness, now you have his attention, for saying such a stupid thing. Look at what you've gotten yourself into, foolish child! My mind screamed.

Just spit it out. The other, blunt side of me, said.

"Would you. . .Would you be interested in going out on a date sometime?"

There. I said it. No going back now. I hadn't realized that I had long ago, averted my eyes down to my hands, that fumbled with a random loose thread on my sleeve. I had to nip that anxious behavior of mine. . .And that distracting thread that hung from my sleeve.

I waited, for what felt like an eternity, and I was convinced that he could most likely hear my pounding heart. I waited for an answer, and lifted my eyes to his, when I didn't hear one. If it were possible, I swear that my heart pounded even harder than before. I half expected to find disgust settled deep within his eyes. However, to my surprise, I found him smiling at me. And for once, it wasn't a sly smirk. If my eyes didn't deceive me, I was convinced that he held some sort of loving warmth in his beautiful blue eyes. His eyes nearly glowed. The acceptance in his eyes, made him even more beautiful, than before.

"That would be delightful." He whispered, in a smoky tone. For a moment, I could have sworn that he had spoken it directly in my ear, but I knew that he hadn't shifted in his spot since he had arrived here. I had to suppress a shiver, due to the voluptuous tone he had used. "To be quiet honest, Clare, I came here to ask you the very same question."

"Oh." I blushed. "Well I suppose I beat you to it."

He chuckled, and it surprisingly sounded deep, and somehow delicious. What was wrong with me?

"I suppose so." He agreed. "Where do you wish to go?"

I thought about it for a moment. There certainly wasn't anything interesting playing at the movies. I was most certainly not bold enough to even suggest going to his house for a date. I had heard enough stories of girls going to a guy's house for a date, only to stay there all night, and not arrive home until morning. I wasn't scandalous enough to sleep with someone on the first date. Unlike other girls of my age, I was still a virgin. And I wasn't planning to lose my virginity until I met the right person.

"Perhaps dinner somewhere?" I suggested. It seemed appropriate for a date.

"That would be perfect. Any place in particular?"

"Well, there's a new restaurant that opened up not long ago. It's called La Shay's, I believe. . .I've heard that it's good."

"That would be fantastic." He responded in a soft, yet resonant tone.

. . .

Yeah, I know, not a real interesting chapter, as I said earlier. I wanted to write more, but if I didn't post this portion, then you all would've had to wait another week. And that's just mean.

Gah, so she's going on a date with this Erik, hmm? What do you guys think of this? What do you think will happen? Share your thoughts through reviews!

Thanks for reading! :)