Disclaimer: Me? Own this swellness? –bursts out in hysterical laughter-
Christine could've done a little dance. No, really, she could have. After all, she was at a party where such actions were not gawked at. And she was with there with the local outcast, whom she had coaxed out into the crisp night air. And danced with.
He's a good dancer, she thought with girlish excitement. I never would have expected that.
She also wouldn't have expected to hear him laughing, but laughing he was. They were seated in lawn chairs, facing each other and exchanging jokes and Christine was silently patting herself on the back.
"What's your favorite movie?" she asked.
Erik shrugged. "I like…well…" He looked embarrassed. She grinned.
"What?"
"Don't laugh," he implored her. "But I…" He finished in an indistinguishable mumble.
"How can I laugh if I don't even know what it is you're saying?" she asked, gently socking his arm.
"Musicals…romances…," he muttered.
At first, she thought she'd misheard him, but no. He was staring down at the ground, head bent. She reached over to his chair and lightly lifted his chin with her hand.
"That is so sweet," she gushed. "I would've thought you'd say science fiction, personally. Or horror."
His mouth, which had been curved in a shy smile, tightened. "I've seen enough horror in real life, thanks."
She blushed. "I'm sorry. I'm just…I don't understand why you get picked on. You're such a sweet guy."
His cheeks, what she could see beneath the usual shadow, reddened. "It doesn't matter," he told her hurriedly. "I don't want your pity."
"I don't pity you," she told him firmly. "Erik, if we're going to be friends, we have to be honest with each other. I want to know."
"No, you don't." He sighed, bending over as if in prayer. Christine got up from her chair and sat beside him, laying her head on his shoulder and wrapping an arm around his waist, ignoring the way he stiffened.
"I'll listen whenever you want," she told him quietly. "I'm always here for you, Erik."
He nodded, though she could tell that he didn't really believe her words. She snuggled against his warmth for a moment, then started when he suddenly stood up, taking her hands and pulling her up as well.
"May I have this dance?" he asked bashfully. She grinned, recognizing the music for once.
"Savage Garden?"
He nodded. "One of my favorites. One of the only recent bands I really listen to."
She leaned against his body, allowing his surprisingly-strong arms to envelope her. The thought that he would forever protect her struck her wildly, then danced away before she could fully grasp it. Closing her eyes, she let herself fall into the gentle beat and soothing lyrics.
When you feel all alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please to tame your wild wild heart
I know you feel like the walls are closing in on you
It's hard to find relief and people can be so cold
When darkness is upon your door
And you feel like you can't take anymore
Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone
When you feel all alone
And a loyal friend is hard to find
You're caught in a one way street
With the monsters in your head
When hopes and dreams are far away and
You feel like you can't face the day
Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone
Because there has always been heartache and pain
And when it's over you'll breathe again
You'll breathe again
When you feel all alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please
To tame your wild wild heart
Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone
Erik let the last words fall around him. You're not alone… Could those words actually be true for the first time in his life? The thought was so peaceful that he couldn't quite imagine why he'd been so worried to begin with.
Then something large and heavy cracked him in the back of his skull and the moment was completely shattered.
Disoriented, Erik stumbled, releasing Christine with a cry of pain. His vision was spinning; he tried to blink and shake it off. Something else, something smaller, collided with his back.
Beer can, he registered dimly. Beer cans and a football. Oh God, I should've known better…
He couldn't quite meet Christine's horrified eyes. There would be sympathy there, he knew, and anger; worst of all, there would be pity, so much terrible pity that he would surely drown in it. No, it was best to keep his eyes focused on the grass, to try to climb to his feet and ignore the jeers and shouts that his peers were throwing his way.
"Who invited you, Freak?" one cried.
"Are you drunk?" another screamed. "You must be, to think we want you here."
"What the hell is your problem?" Christine shrieked, coming to his side and placing her body protectively in front of his own. Erik closed his eyes in shame; now he needed a girl to rescue him from these people?
"Christine, get away from him!" he heard Raoul yell and within seconds the football player was dragging her away. "He's dangerous!"
"Dangerous?" Christine screamed back, her voice raw with emotion. "What the hell are you talking about? How is he dangerous?"
The handsome young man seemed at a loss for words at this; Erik wasn't sure if this was a natural lack of wit or a side effect of the drinking he'd been doing. Either way, he decided he didn't care. Coming to this function had been a complete waste of time; he was only glad that he had come to his senses before he got too used to this compassionate treatment.
Shoving his hands into his pockets and disregarding the ringing in his ears, he turned and set off at a hurried pace. If he got home quickly and quietly, perhaps he wouldn't have to deal with his father…
No. Not home. I can't deal with that shit tonight.
Where then? Where else could he go, without having to worry about human interaction—the room. Of course; Madame Giry had offered him a key for that specific purpose. She was the only one, it seemed, who understood…the only one who cared.
What about Christine? She's calling you, you idiot. Go to her.
And risk getting pelted and humiliated again? Fat chance.
He blocked out her cries and kept moving. He could stay in the room until Monday. It wasn't as if anyone would miss him.
A/N: Can you tell I like incorporating song lyrics? –grins- So…all you folks who were excited about the happy Erik, I can only apologize. You knew it couldn't last. I mean, this is poor Erik we're talkin' about here.
Review Replies:
erik'sangel527- Never read that one, is it any good? I think E/C's pretty much a given now. If I were to change, I'd have a thousand people coming after me. –laughs-
MadameAngel- Aw, you're proud of me? That's so sweet! And I don't mind that you say that every time, it actually makes me really happy.
Aki T- Woah, spazzing. Don't spaz; here, another chapter! With angst! Yey! And I'm really sorry I didn't reply to you, I got all mixed up in my system…there were a whole bunch I didn't thank. So I think I'll thank them all right here. Ready?
THANK YOU EVERYBODY! I LOVE YOU ALL!
There we go. A bit generic, but heartfelt all the same. I'm almost at 100 reviews! My God, that's like…95 more than I usually get! –cheery expression-
Oh, and the rating's going to go up. I just thought I'd mention it because it's….going to go up. To at least a PG-13. By this chapter or the next, I think.