Disclaimer: ..........

Guardian Angel

Michelle chatted a while longer with Christine and Meg, but soon they had to go back for rehearsal and, in Christine's case, make plans to leave. So she was alone when Erik returned.

She had already cleaned and put away her China, so she found a book to read while she waited for Nadir to return with her things. Erik came in and was headed straight for his room. Michelle looked up and smiled at him. "Welcome back," she said.

Erik sopped abruptly and turned to look at her. Actually, 'glared' would be more appropriate. Michelle was taken aback. Was he angry? "I'm sorry I was so pushy earlier. It's just that sometimes when I get an idea, I push and shove until I get it done." She smiled apologetically. "Forgive me?"

Erik answered in a cool, hard voice. "Someday, little girl," he said, "you will learn that you don't always get what you want." With that, he turned, entered his room, and shut the door. Loudly. The echo resounded off the walls like a death knell.

Michelle sat stunned, staring at the door. What was that all about? She knew she had been rude, but she hadn't been that rude, had she? Of course not.

It was so quiet. Like a cemetery in front of an old, abandoned church. Not peaceful. Just ...dead. Dead silence. Michelle shivered. How was it that she never noticed how dark and cold and empty this place was? She chewed on her bottom lip. Erik was angry with her for some reason. And it didn't seem as though she'd be finding out any time soon. But without knowing, how could she save this friendship?

Or was it already doomed?

* * * * *

Erik stayed in his room for the rest of the day. Nadir had come and gone, leaving the yarn, fabric, and other things he had brought, but Erik hadn't even stepped out to see his friend.

Michelle had cut the fabric Nadir had brought, and then started dinner. She prepared ginger baked chicken and greens, one of Erik's favorites. She brought a tray to his door and knocked. "Erik?" she said meekly. "I've brought your dinner. Ginger chicken. Your favorite."

There was a long moment of silence, then Erik answered from behind the door, "No, thank you."

Erik never missed a chance to eat ginger chicken. *He must really be angry with me,* she thought. Hurt, she placed the tray on a small table next to Erik's door and left, head down and heavy-hearted, to eat her own dinner at an empty table.

When she had finished her meal, she went to try to convince Erik to eat. But when she got there, she saw the tray exactly where she had left it, only devoid of food. Knowing Erik still enjoyed her cooking but not her company somehow hurt more then thinking that he didn't want either. She took the tray and returned to the kitchen, completely ignoring the tears running down her face.