Disclaimer: The only person I claim ownership is Stephanie and Dan. Dang! I wish it were Erik…

A/N: I hope you all had a great Easter! Spring Break is great. I'm loving it! Thanks to all my readers and here's Chapter 19!

Chapter 19- Words Just Hurt More

Erik couldn't get back to sleep. His mind was still focused on the images of his nightmare and Stephanie's grief-stricken face. He spent the rest of the night trying to figure out how he should apologize for his rude outburst. He didn't mean any of it, but once again he let his temper get the best of his emotions. That was what Stephanie told him exactly what would happen.

I pushed her too far, he thought. Curse my anger!

When the morning dawn came pouring in, Erik quickly dressed and waited for her to bring him his breakfast. That was his opportunity to explain himself. The minutes past and still she didn't come.

Of course why should she feed you with after you said? She was only trying to help you and look how you repaid her!

There came a knock and a thin package slid out from under the door. Curious, he went over to pick up the foil wrapper that contained his meal- Pop Tarts.

He sighed. Obviously she wasn't going to come in. Well, I'll tell her when she gets home.

Anxiously, he counted down the hours and periodically checked the window. "Soon soon," he said aloud. Finally the familiar red Mini Cooper pulled in.

Erik dashed down the stairs, not caring whether or not if her parents were home. He needed to talk to her now.

The front door opened and before he could say anything, her state of appearance stopped him.

Her entire left cheek was badly scraped with peels of skin beginning to break, exposing spots of blood coming out of her pores.

"What hap-?"

"Leave me alone," she said sternly. She started to move past him, but Erik held her in place.

"No I will not!" he stated firmly. "Tell me what happened to your face."

"Why should you care?" she scoffed, her voice cracking. "Let go of me now!"

His arms dropped to his side but Erik refused to budge. "Not until you tell me."

With a brute force that neither one knew she possessed, Stephanie pushed him into the wall and ran to the bathroom.

Once getting over his shock, Erik followed her. She began splashing hot water on her face, not paying any heed to the stinging of flesh. Her eyes were swollen and red and he noticed the missing contact. She didn't…?

"If you think I went to school without it, you're wrong," she answered wryly. "Though it would explain this easier."

"Miss Larson, if someone hurt you, please tell me!" he pleaded. "I can't help but feel this is somehow my fault-"

"It wasn't!" she snapped. "This is normal! I was wondering when it would happen soon."

"Normal?" he squeaked. Shaking his head, Erik tried again. "Miss Larson that is not normal."

"And this is coming from a man who's been tortured all his life." Her voice dripping with sarcasm. She was obviously trying to upset him, but Erik held his ground. He knew he deserved anything that came from her mouth.

"If this is about the other night, I profusely apologize for my belligerent actions. You didn't deserve that and I wasn't thinking properly at the time-"

"You're damn right!" Stephanie interrupted. "But then again, anger always seems to bring out the truth. And you did big time. Hey, since we're on that topic, do you want to hear some more truths? All right. This is why I'm all scraped up like this!"

It was halfway through the day and Erik's words were still on her mind. It came as a shock to her. She never saw it coming, though he probably didn't see that coming either. But what was said was said; there was no going back now.

"Hey cutie! Wanna go out?" A jock called out.

Ignore him. Don't look back, she told herself.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!"

She closed her eyes and willed him to leave, but it was no use. He stood next to her, his arm now unwanted, draped over her shoulder.

"Come on baby go out with me," he said. "Don't be rude. That won't bring you a guy."

She shook him off of her and quickened her pace. "Please leave me alone," she spoke in a timid voice.

He raised his hands is defeat and smirked. "Fine."

But it didn't stop.

He was still following close behind, telling others loudly of Stephanie's refusal. She blinked back tears and hurried to get away. This served to fuel him more.

"Woof! Woof!" he snickered behind.

Then without warning, he ran up and slammed her into the brick wall.

"Sorry," he told her. "I didn't see you there since you broke my heart and all. No hard feelings, right?" Then he left Stephanie in a huddle, laughing all the way.

Erik's blood boiled. The audacity of that boy! But this didn't stop her. She was on a rampage.

"And you know what? Guys do that! They do that because they know it will hurt a girl by making any pestering sounds and such. I hate it when men say personality means so much to them. If that was the case then any girl has the chance to have a decent man! Looks and personality- those are the only two things you men only care about!

"I have nothing against Christine, but let's say there was another girl thrown into the picture, hmm? She's a wonderful person, smart, a good sense of humor, but she's not pretty. Do you think Raoul is going to notice her? Or how about you? You can relate to her loneliness, but you still try to get an unattainable woman who is out of your league. So she's ignored! No one cares about her. And you know what? I'm that girl! You may tell me I'm pretty and such, but we both know that's not true!

"And, yes, I do lack the courage to talk to Dan because I'm afraid I'll get rejected. Can you only imagine a popular guy like him having an outcast ask him out? He's a nice person, but I don't know if he'll laugh at me or if his buddies will harass me about it.

"I have no chance in making my dreams come true. The only girls who are lucky to find someone is if the guy actually sees the beauty within. And I'm only staying positive to help you get Christine because I know, deep down in my heart, that the two of you are meant to be.

"So excuse me for being too much of an 'expert'. And I do know what it's like to love someone so much and it does hurt. It does knowing I could never ever get the chance of having him unless it's a miracle.

"Save your petty excuses to someone who cares Erik," she cried out in frustration as spiteful tears streamed down her swollen face. "They mean nothing to me."

She spun on her heels and ran to the comforts of her bedroom. He winced at the slamming of the door before he went back to his own room. The only sounds heard were her sobs, the next thing he hated to hear besides Christine's.

Erik was mad at himself for doing this. For bringing this wonderful girl down than ever. Perhaps, it would be best for him to leave. At least, Stephanie couldn't get hurt anymore.

And where do you propose to go? His mind asked him. You have nowhere. Here is your home.

It was true. Erik had no other way to escape. But the worst thing he loathed more was how true her words were.

If there were another girl, she would most likely be ignored by everyone. Erik, himself, wouldn't pay attention to her and neither would the Vicomte. But how he wished he could take it all back!

He wanted to throw that door opened and tell her what a horrible creature he is for bringing her shame and hoped she could forgive him. But it was going to take a lot more than a mere apology.

TBC…

Hmm… I wonder what Erik will do? Please review!