Hey, I'm back with a new chapter, and more on time this time. Thank you all for your reviews. A couple of people have asked about how Christine can manage her schedule with nursing and everything else, and I thought other people might be wondering too. She might be a little busy but she would be able to manage, nurses get paid pretty well so she could support herself on less hours if she needed to. But I also want to say that I'm not trying to diminish how hard nurses work. They are essential to keeping our health care system running on all levels and are even more important in the wake of COVID-19. Although I will also mention that there will be no coronavirus in Christine's world.
The time leading up Christine's audition passed in a blur, or at least it seemed that way to her. She continued her lessons with Erik and she felt like she progressed with every lesson. She also enjoyed spending more time with Erik, they had become friends before but this gave them a chance to grow closer. Her schedule was pretty busy at times but she managed fine. She had less free time than she used to but not none, and she liked being more productive.
It was the day before her audition and her and Erik had just had their final lesson before their audition. Christine wanted to do something to thank him.
"Erik I can't tell you how grateful I am for all of your help with getting me ready for my auditions" she said.
"It was my pleasure, Christine" Erik assured her.
"Still, I wouldn't be anywhere close to ready to audition tomorrow if it weren't for you, let me repay you somehow" she implored
"I've told you I don't want any payment, I already have more than enough money, I won't take yours" Erik insisted
Christine raised her hands in mock surrender "Fine, I won't try to give you any money, but at least let me buy you to dinner. I'm off of work today and you're my friend and you've done so much for me, it's the least I can do"
Erik's heart beat a little faster at her offer, he accepted before he even knew what he was saying "Okay Christine, that sounds good"
"Great, I'll pick you up later tonight. I know a great place" she said with a smile.
It was evening and Erik was pacing nervously up his hallway. He was dressed for dinner and Christine was due to arrive soon. He had on black dress pants and a dark red shirt with a grey tie. He was wearing his white porcelain mask securely on his face. He could not believe he agreed to this. He was sure to make a fool of himself in front of Christine somehow. But how could he refuse her? The doorbell rang, cutting off Erik's thoughts and he hastened to answer it.
He opened the door to a stunning Christine. She was wearing a flowy jade green dress that hugged her body in all the right places. She was wearing a golden chain around her neck with a golden pendant. Her beautiful golden hair was down it flowed beautifully around her face. He wished he could touch it just to see if it felt as beautiful as it looked. He swallowed hard and reminded himself that she was his friend.
"Good evening Christine, you look wonderful" he complimented. Friends would compliment each other, right? and she did look beautiful.
"Erik, you don't look too bad yourself" she returned.
Erik followed Christine out to her car "You really didn't have to do this, you know. I was happy to give you lessons, no payment was necessary"
"I wanted to do this, and besides don't think of it as payment, think of it as a friend thanking a friend" she said.
The car ride to the restaurant was pleasant. Christine played show tunes which she sang along to. He loved the sound of her voice, especially when she sang.
The restaurant was nice, it was a local place so it wasn't too busy. Christine walked up to the host table.
"Can we have a table for two please" she requested. The host looked at Erik's mask and hesitated before offering them a table. They followed a waitress to a cozy table tucked in a corner.
"Your server will be right with you" the waitress informed them cheerily before walking off.
"So, have you been working on any new compositions recently?" Christine asked
He had been. He had actually written many more compositions since Christine had become his student, inspired and driven by her voice. Although he knew she would not likely sing most of his compositions her couldn't help but write with her in mind, imaging her voice singing his music.
He didn't say all this, instead, all he said was "I have been, my music has been coming along well. Inspiration seems to have hit me". Not untrue, just not the whole truth.
"That's great, I'd love if you'd play some for me sometime" she said earnestly.
"I will, tomorrow after you're audition as a celebration" he promised.
She smiled amusedly "How do you know it will be a celebration, I could do terrible"
"You won't, you will do very well. You are very talented and that will speak for itself at your audition" he assured.
The waitress came and took their drink orders.
"Hey, Christine where's Meg tonight? And who is this fine man?" she asked
"Hey Katie, this is Erik. He's my friend, and my voice instructor". Erik held out his hand nervously and Katie shook it.
"Nice to meet you Erik", she took their drink orders then left them alone.
"I guess you must come here often" Erik commented.
"Yeah, I do. I usually come with Meg, she's my best friend. It's a nice place, not to fancy and not too casual, and I like to support local businesses" she explained "And the food here is really good"
Erik had to admit the food was amazing, he was not surprised though. Christine had good taste.
"Where would you sing, if you could sing anywhere in the world?" Erik asked.
"Hmmm, I don't know. Maybe New York, or somewhere in Europe, I've never really traveled much. What about you? Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the world?"
Erik thought for a moment before answering "I would go back to Paris, it is truly an extraordinary city for art, music, and architecture"
"Back to Paris?" she asked quizzically "You mean you've been there before? Have you been anywhere else amazing that you've been keeping from me?"
"Well, I've been to many of the countries in Europe" he answered. He paused before continuing on "I also have been to many parts of the Middle East when I joined the military" he finally said. "I joined when I was much younger and much more idealistic, I thought that by joining I would return a soldier with respect instead of a deformed freak"
Cristine reached across the table and grabbed his hand. He was shocked by how warm it felt in his. "You're not a freak Erik, your an amazing person. Don't diminish yourself". She squeezed his hand lightly before letting go of it. To Erik, it was much too soon.
Later that night after Christine had brought him home her pondered her words. All his life he had been deemed a freak, or a monster by his mother's words. But with Cristine it was different. She had seen not just his mask, but his marred face, and was still willing to be friends with him. Still willing to touch him. And she treated him like a normal man, which was not something he had experienced often. He composed late into the night, inspiration striking him even stronger than it had before.
End of chapter. So, there's the chapter? How'd you like it? What did you think about Erik and Christine's little friend's night out? Did you like the little glance into Erik's past? This chapter turned out a lot differently, and hopefully better, than it originally was in my head. Please review, I love every review I get. Also remember, my inbox is always open so feel free to PM me if you would like to.