Chapter 5: All is Forgiven
"Erik quick take this I'll get your mask," Brittney shouted throwing him the pillow. He quickly placed it over his face as Brittney raced over, totally ignoring Christine and picked up the mask. "Give me your hand Erik. I'll give you the mask."
Slowly his hand came down from holding onto the pillow and he held it out. Brittney placed the mask near until he had a good grip on it and snatched it up. It disappeared behind the pillow and soon he emerged wearing it. "Thanks, that was a little to close."
Brittney smiled and took the pillow placing it neatly back into place. "I was afraid you were going to be upset at me for knocking it off."
"Oh, I knew it was bound to happen. What surprised me was how quick to react you were." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
She let out a gasp and touched her cheek with her hand. Again she was blushing and she now pulled the pillow up to her face trying to hide.
"I don't believe this," Christine snapped from the doorway. "I took your mask off once before and you yelled at me, she takes off your mask and your calm. What the hell is going on?"
In an instant Erik had come up to her and pulled her into the room closing the door as he did. "Christine it's quite simple really. You pulled the mask on purpose, because you couldn't leave well enough alone. You would bug me constantly about this thing and then your little stunt of pulling it off in front of the entire lunch room. You humiliated me in front of the entire student body!" Erik roared.
Brittney lowered the pillow and pulled her knees up under her chin trying to make herself as small as possible. They had only been here two days and they were already biting each others heads off. Christine's eyes had begun to tear up as she looked upon Erik with an unspeakable horror.
"Erik I said I was sorry for doing that. I even recalling you saying it was no big deal. Obviously that was a lie. That still doesn't explain why she got off so easily," Christine said pointing at her.
"She didn't mean to swipe at the mask. I knew it was bound to fly off sooner or later during that scuffle."
"Then explain the kiss lover boy. You told me last year that you loved me and wanted to whisk me away to an enchanted land where no one could ever find us."
"You still had feelings for the fop. I knew there was no way to get past him. What are you going to do about it if I found someone new Christine? It shouldn't be any of your business if I did or not."
Brittney was shocked and gazed up at Erik. Was he actually defending his love for her; her, the little common girl? Yet, Christine had said that Erik once loved her more than anything. Did he still have feelings for her or had they been placed aside allowing him to start anew?
"He's not a fop Erik. He's more the man than you'll ever be. You're just jealous that you can't be like him."
"Why would I want to be like him? I like the way I look just fine."
Christine was startled and she fought back her tears. This was a side of Erik she had never seen before. Lost with words she hurried past him and upon opening the door disappeared into the hallway. Erik went over and slammed the door making the walls vibrate from the force. He turned around to see Brittney, now face down in the comforter, sobbing. He went over to her and placed a hand gently across her back.
"I'm so sorry you had to hear that. Won't you look at me?"
She lifted her head and sniffed. Her eyes were red from crying and her glasses were fogging up. He took them from her and placed them on the desk. Wiping away her tears he felt like crying himself, but he wasn't about to show her how weak he was. Right now she needed comfort. He gathered her in his arms and let her cry.
"Erik," she finally managed to say after awhile. "Was everything you said true? Do you love me or do you still have love for Christine?"
He ran his fingers through her hair. "Yes, everything was true. I'm surprised to say that you have opened my heart Brittney. There is something about you that is so innocent and forgiving. It seems like in a number of ways we're alike; both running from troubled pasts and with marks to show for it. The theatre and the love of music was also what drew me to you. Along with the urge to talk things out and make sense of all that has been a burden to me."
Brittney lifted her head a bit in awe of his words and how calm his voice was. She wiped her eyes with her arm and then leaned it against his chest as he pulled her closer. The smell of his cologne drifted into her nose and she fell in love with the scent. It reminded her of someone strong on the outside, but vulnerable on the inside. "I'm just glad you weren't mad at me."
"Why would I be mad? It was an accident Brittney; a common mistake that's all nothing to lose my head over. You were the first to react the way you did and I was more shocked than scared."
She pushed back a bit. "I don't think we should see each other like this. It sounded to me like Christine was jealous of me. I don't want to get in the middle of the love triangle. Count me out."
"Now wait just one minute. Every time I smile at me your cheeks started turning pink. I know the look of a girl in love Brittney; you can't hide that from me. Now admit how you really feel about me."
She stared at him for a moment and tried to find the right words to say. "Come on already girl just spit out how you feel about him and get on with your life. It's not that hard."
Instead of saying so she leaned into him and placed her lips against him and kissed him.
Erik laughed as she pulled back. "I'll take that as a yes."
xxxxx
Later that evening everyone met up in the lobby to go to the restaurant. Christine gave Erik a nasty glare as he walked up with Brittney's hand in his. "So are we all here?"
"Yep, let's get over to the restaurant. I'm starving," Meg exclaimed.
Brittney stood on her tip toes and whispered into Erik's ear. "Can I ride with you? I have a feeling I won't be accepted amongst the others."
"Of course; I was about to ask you if you would accompany me?"
Raoul took the other 4 into his car and Erik helped Brittney into his. The car was a black Dodge Neon and it looked well cared for. The interior was black leather. "Erik your car really fits your personality," she said as he climbed into the driver seat.
"You think so huh? My boss gave it to me as well you can say a goodbye present. I still had to pay three hundred dollars for it, but I'm lucky to have her. She's a beautiful car."
"Oh, Raoul's pulling out. We better follow him," she suggested looking out the window. They put on their seat belts and Erik backed out of his parking spot and followed behind Raoul towards the restaurant.
Brittney stared out the window watching the Mankato landscape pass her by. Erik glanced over at her every once and a while. "Is something bothering you Brittney?"
"Huh? Oh, no nothing's wrong. I'm just trying to get familiar with this place. It'll be my home for the next four years."
"What are you going to do after that?"
"Try to write my books and live some of my other dreams."
"At least you have a plan for your future. I still don't know what I want to do yet."
"You could compose and sell your music. I'm sure there are plenty of people looking for new talent. You could be what they're looking for."
"You really think so?"
"I wouldn't doubt it if tried. The way your music moved through me I felt as if I was a completely different person. I wasn't just little innocent Brittney anymore. I was powerful, strong, and confident with whom I was."
Erik smiled as he pulled up next to Raoul's car in the parking lot. Brittney stepped out and waited till he came up beside her. Looping her arm through his, they walked into the restaurant. Raoul assisted Christine inside and Nadir assisted Meg.
"How many of you will be dining tonight?" the greeter at the door asked them.
"Six," Brittney said when everyone was inside.
"Wait here a moment and we'll have a table ready for you."
"Thank you."
Erik took her hand into his and kissed her knuckles. "You look beautiful tonight," he whispered to her. She was dressed in her jeans with the Chinese dragon symbol on them and a beige top that was tied at the bottom of her neck. Her hair was fixed back in the ponytail.
"Thank you Erik. You don't look half bad yourself."
"You're table is ready."
The greeter led them to a table in the back corner that fit three of them on each side. Erik, Brittney, and Nadir sat on one side while Raoul, Christine, and Meg sat on the other. Brittney picked up her menu and held it up so she and Erik could look at it together.
Christine reached over and pulled it down after she heard a giggle. "If you have something to say please share it with the rest of the table. It's rude to keep secrets."
"It doesn't concern you at all Christine, so I don't see why you're worried. We were only discussing what we could have to share," Erik said calmly.
"Are the two of you going out or something?" Meg asked finally putting two and two together.
"What if we are?"
"Nothing, I was just wondering. I think it's great personally. Nothing beats young love."
Raoul took Christine's hand into his. "I found my young love and she is so beautiful to me. I'm so glad I found you Christine."
"I'm glad to Raoul." She leaned him and kissed him.
Erik made a grimaced face, which made Brittney giggle. He looked over at her with a warning look and she only returned it with a smile. Reaching under the table she grasped his hand in her own.
"Are you kids ready to order or do you need more time?" the waitress asked coming up to the table.
Erik leaned over and whispered something into Brittney's ear. Her eyes widened and she smiled. "We'll both have the pasta with tomato sauce and two breadsticks please with chocolate milk."
"I'll have a garden salad with ranch dressing and crotons with Sprite," Meg said.
"A cheeseburger please hold the onions with Coke," Raoul said.
"A steak medium well for me please with Root Beer," Nadir said.
"And I'll have a garden salad also with French dressing and water please," Christine finished collecting the menus and handing them to the waitress.
"All right I'll be back with your drinks in a moment."
Brittney rested against Erik's shoulder. "Are you tired?" he asked her wrapping his arm around her waist.
"No, just resting."
"So, what classes you guys taking?" Meg asked.
"I'm taking Beginners Horsemanship, Fundamentals of Speech, English Composition, Introduction to Theatre, and Introduction to Astronomy," Brittney said not even lifting her head from Erik's shoulder.
"I'm taking Introduction to Theatre as well. What time to you take it?" Christine and Erik asked at the same time.
"Ten o'clock in the morning on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays."
"So do I," Erik said happily.
"Here are your drinks," the waitress said handing them out. "Your meals will be done in a few moments."
"I have the night class on Tuesday and Thursday for four hours," Christine said with a sigh as the waitress left.
"All of my classes consist of business classes, along with Math 98," Raoul piped up.
"I took a couple of foreign language classes and some culture classes," Nadir said calmly looking confused at how Erik cuddled Brittney close. "How was everyone's day?"
Erik, Brittney, and Christine all gave blank stares, but luckily Raoul spoke first.
"My foot still hurts from someone dropping a bowling ball on it," he said glaring at Erik.
"My hands were sweaty."
"Erik played some really beautiful he composed, for me and then he tried to steal my sandals and keys," Brittney said changing the subject.
"It seems to me we won't be seeing much of you two anymore. You'll be to busy playing your sweet music together," Christine said smugly.
Erik glared at her. "Take that back right now, Christine."
"Make me," she challenged him.
Brittney could feel him tense up under her and she wrapped her arms around his. "Erik please, can you put your differences aside for tonight? I don't want there to be any fighting," she whispered.
He looked down at her and stroked her cheek with his other hand. "It's all right. We're finished now aren't we Christine?"
Christine said nothing and took hold of Raoul's hand much to his surprise. The waitress came back with their meals. She handed them out and Brittney sat up eager to put some food in her stomach. She took up her fork and wrapped some noodles around it. Happily she put them in her mouth. "This is really good."
Everyone else tried their meals and sounds of happiness escaped their lips as they ate. As Brittney went for a bite of pasta Erik reached up and got the end of one in his teeth. Like in Lady of the Tramp they chewed on the noodle till their lips met in the middle.
Dinner was eaten in silence and then they had light conversation. The guys put together the pay and Brittney placed two dollars in the middle for the tip. "I'm going to step outside and wait for you guys. It's getting hot in here," she said standing up and pushing in her chair.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Erik asked.
"No, that's all right. I just wanted some fresh air." She patted his shoulder and went outside.
"How can you be so in love with that girl already? You just met her no more than two days ago," Nadir asked stretching across the empty seat.
"I don't know, but I felt something different about her. She's really kind and sweet. She makes me feel loved. I'm going to go outside and see if she's all right." He stood from the table and went outside where everyone saw him go up behind her and embrace her.
xxxxx
"Are you sure your okay? You seemed rather eager to come out here," Erik said leaning his head against hers as he leaned on her shoulder.
"I don't know why, but I feel uncomfortable around Christine. I think she's hiding something."
"Like what?"
"I think she likes you Erik. I don't see how that is possible, but the way she was talking to you it seemed evident."
"Well she has her precious Raoul and I have you. We have all year to get to know each other and I'm sure by then we'll realize how much we need each other."
"All I ever wanted was someone to love me and need me," she said leaning back into his chest.
"Well I can easily take care of those if you give me a chance."
She turned around in his arms and looked up at him longingly. Taking his face in her hands she reached up and pressed her lips to his. As she pulled back she saw him smile. "I'll willingly give you a chance Erik. I've never felt so loved by anyone all my other boyfriends just didn't have that special spark that you do."
"Spark, what kind of spark are you talking about?"
"That certain something that makes me want to stay and dig deeper into the relationship. You're the only one that ever gave me the want to stay and seek out what really makes you tick. If you get what I mean?"
"To be quite honest I don't follow."
"I want to see what makes Erik; Erik. What qualities make him different from all other guys and what makes him stand out? I have plenty of time to find that out."
Everyone else came out of the restaurant drawing their talk to an end. Good nights were exchanged and they climbed into their appropriate cars.
When they reached campus and had gotten upstairs Brittney went up to Erik and hugged him. "I almost don't want to say goodnight."
"Do you want to lay with me tonight? I won't mind in the least if you do, because I don't want to say goodnight either."
She nodded slightly and he led her down the hall. He unlocked the door and went inside keeping the light turned off. Brittney sat down on the bed and took off her shoes. Erik closed the blinds and opened the window to get the air circulating. He made sure Brittney had rolled over before sitting down and taking off his shoes.
"Erik can you put my glasses on the desk for me?"
"Sure." He took the glasses and placed them on the desk before lying on his side and pulling her close to him.
In the dark she reached up to his face and felt the mask. "Do you mind if I…seeing as the lights are off?"
"Good ahead. I won't mind as long as your with me."
She slipped off the white porcelain and set it next to her glasses. Before lying back down she kissed the deformed cheek tenderly. A cold breeze drifted though the room and she shivered, so Erik drew the comforter up around them.
"Go to sleep now. I'm here to protect you from any nasty dreams and for once in my life I'll have peaceful dreams."
He felt her place a hand on his chest. "I'm glad I can be of help to you Erik. Something tells me that fate led us to each other saying that these two people need to be together and look what happens. I'm here lying with you in your bed trying to fall asleep and…"
He had silenced her by kissing her. At first she was shocked, but soon she went along with it and was soon eager to lay against his chest and let sleep take her into a world full of sweet dreams.
Okay can we say major fluff? I know Christine is way OOC, but I really like where this is going. Trust me I have a lot of ideas for this story and since I want to cover the full freshman year this story may be broken up into 4 parts to fit it all in. So night all and the next chapter will be up soon.