Disclaimer: If I owned Erik, I would be a very happy girl and I will spread all the love and joy. Then again, since I don't, I'll settle with the old I-just-don't-own-him-so-lets-get-this-over-with torture.

A/N: Thanks again for all your feedback! It really makes my day! I have a SNOW DAY today and so I had the time to work on this chapter! In case if anyone don't knows, I found out the Phantom is coming out on DVD in May. Yea!

Chapter 8- Lesson 4: Confidence Self-Esteem 101

Throughout the day, Stephanie was trying to figure out how she was going to go about with Erik's next lesson. It was the last lesson for Erik to work on himself. The rest she figured would be the traditional dos and don'ts in dating along with how to be a perfect romantic. By the time she was through with him, Christine is going to be one lucky gal.

But confidence…

Stephanie never saw herself as a "confident" person. Well, she was confident in certain aspects such as her classes or current events, but when you throw her into a party scene then it's a disaster waiting to happen. But this is not for me, she told herself. This is for Erik. I'm the one who is helping him find the strength inside. God help me.

When she came home she quickly looked around, making sure her parents weren't home. Satisfied, she went to her bedroom where she found Erik at her computer. She regretted ever showing him how to work the Internet for he spent a good deal of time on the movie's official website. He watched the "Swordfight" and "The Point of No Return" clips over and over. He was in the middle of watching the fight scene.

"You know, I'm easily picking out his weak points but I wish to know the outcome of this battle," Erik said, pointing to the screen and turning his head to acknowledge her.

"You cut Raoul's arm, you drop your rapier, and Christine stops Raoul from stabbing you in the heart," she answered with indifference.

"Such enthusiasm," Erik muttered. "So what does my beloved tutor have for me today?"

"Well," she drawled. "Your beloved tutor wants to know if you're interested in having a beer before we go on a little ride."

"And why would I want a beer?"

"I'm taking you to the park to work on your confidence and boost your self-esteem."

"All right and-"

"Without wearing your mask," she interrupted.

Erik paused and then answered, "I think you should make that two."

It took a few beers to get Erik into the car, which she was going to have Erik help her replace later. He told Stephanie he would go, but he will not take off his mask. When they arrived, just as Stephanie suspected, there weren't many people out.

"Come on Erik. Five minutes okay?"

He shook his head. "I'll walk but the mask stays."

"I'm telling you no one is going to even notice you! You might get a few stares but that's all!" she insisted.

"No."

Stephanie groaned. "Erik! You have to do this or how else are you going to feel about yourself? No one cares about your face! Once you get use to not wearing that mask you could live normally!"

"I care and I don't want no one to look at me."

She threw her hands up. "Fine. But we're going to keep coming here until you eventually take off that damn mask."

"Then be prepared for a long wait!" Erik replied stubbornly.

For the next several days that was what exactly Stephanie did. She drove Erik to the park and every time he remained glued to his seat. Stephanie couldn't get over his behavior. Erik was a grown man and yet he's acting like a spoiled child. She knew she was asking a lot from him, just to do this simple task, but he had to face his deformity head on. He had to accept he's different and go with the flow! She tried bribing him, which proved fruitless, and they always ended up screaming at each other.

Enough was enough.

Stephanie stormed into her bedroom and Erik was, of course, on the computer.

Gritting her teeth, she went over and turned off the monitor. Ignoring his protests, Stephanie gripped his shoulders and forced him to look at her.

"Okay Erik I've been patient with you for the past week and this is getting old. I know you don't want to do this, but be a grown man and act your age! Do you love Christine?"

"Wha?"

"Answer the question. Do you love Christine?" Her grip tightened on his shoulders and Erik winced.

"Yes I love her!" he cried.

Stephanie let go and pulled his face closer to hers. "Now listen to me. How will you be able to let her love you when you do this? If you can't feel confident about your face then what makes you think she'll accept it as well? Or what if she does and you don't believe her? Are you going to remain cynical about this?"

"It's my business!" Erik's voice grew. "Why should she accept? I have a face of a demon!"

"Stop that now Erik! You don't! Besides, it doesn't matter what you look like. True beauty is found within and that's going to make her attracted to you. If she can't find that then she's not worth the effort. But you can't let your face be an obstacle in this relationship. How can you guys be strong if you insist on using your face as an excuse? Trust me, she won't hang around long so you better make up your mind on what you want Erik. No one can make that decision except you," Stephanie said, her voice growing softer. "So what will it be? The girl of your dreams or a world of loneliness?"

The car slowly inched into a spot and parked. Stephanie turned to glance at Erik, who sat still his hands on his lap twitching nervously. He stole a quick glimpse at her before taking his shaking hands and removed his one source of comfort from the outside world. His eyes slid closed to hide the shame of what laid behind. Erik knew Stephanie told him that his face wasn't horrific, but he had a hundreds of scars to prove her wrong. The cool air felt good against the confined cheek and Erik drew a few deep breaths before opening his eyes.

Stephanie couldn't help the pleased look and the swell of pride for Erik. She didn't flinch or scream, as what she knew what Erik "expected" from her, but continued to smile at his bravery. His right side wasn't to badly deform as Stephanie noticed. Around his right eye was the worse of his defect with part of his cheek sunk in and a small part of his white bone protruding out of the flesh. The skin was a patchy red, no doubt, after being covered without air to breathe. The flesh under the eye drooped a little and the different bumpy textures went to the temple due to the lack of hair on the side.

Overall, she noted, he looked like he had a major burn. She threw him an encouraging smile as Erik went out to the world. She stayed, watching his movements as he strolled down the little cement path to some empty benches. Like she thought, no one looked his way and those who did didn't make a face or gawk at his features, well, except for two little boys. She chuckled as their mother gathered them up and mouthed "Sorry" to Erik. She didn't scream, cry, or faint and Erik turned to Stephanie with a shock but happy look. He sat down and allowed the world to take him in.

Stephanie checked the clock and realized ten minutes passed and he was still alive. She leaned into her seat watching the Phantom as now and then a person would come by and chat with Erik and leave. She could tell the amused expression that was plastered on him from the questions he was receiving. When a half hour passed, Stephanie felt he had enough and called for him.

He practically floated all the way over and once inside he jabbered all the way home about his experience.

"Remember the older gentleman with the dog? Well, he told me he used to be a firefighter and had some major burns to prove for it. Naturally I went along but that had to be the first time anyone paid any attention to this with sincerity and respect. Miss Larson I can't even express my joy! And I've been having no nightmares of the past thanks to you. My dear, you can call me 'One Happy Phantom'!"

"I'm proud of you Erik, honestly," she told him. "You have made great progress."

"How about you?" he asked.

"What about me?"

"Miss Larson, I don't mean to sound forward, but I couldn't help but notice your lack of feeling towards yourself. I appreciate you helping me and all, but have you ever put your own advice to the test?"

"Yes, of course, I do. What makes you think that?" she answered quickly.

He shrugged. "Just doesn't look like it to me."

The rest of the ride Stephanie was dumbfounded. When they returned to the house, neither spoke to the other and went their separate ways.

Even while Stephanie was eating dinner with her parents, Erik's words echoed in her head. She knew she lied to him and it was apparent he knew also. Stephanie didn't know why she tried hiding in front of him. Erik was too smart and if he was dumb he still could have seen right through her. Wait, she thought. If he knows then why is he still following what I say? Maybe he's trying to tell me something?

Then her earlier thoughts of her confidence came into picture and she knew he was right. Perhaps helping Erik will help her with her situation with Dan. It was a long shot, but this might help her as well. Look out how the tables had turned, she thought with amusement.

TBC…