Sorry this took so long. I've been busy with my own dull life and just a number of days where I didn't want to do anything. Forgive me.

A couple of new characters are being added; won't say who, because that would ruin everything. A new semester has begun and new challenges await our freshmen. Will they finally calm down or will they go insane? You be the judge. Also Raoul has gone with curly hair at a request of my friend.

Chapter 22: New Challenges

Snow blanketed the campus as the students made their ways back to the dorms to start a new school semester. It surprised many of them that it took so long to get the white stuff this year.

Brittney was scared for a different reason. The release of the Phantom movie drove her to worry about someone mistaking Erik for a movie actor and taking him away from her. So far that hadn't happened, but there was a chance.

As Brittney went back to the car to get her small television set to put in her room, so she could play her new Gamecube whenever she wanted to, she looked up to see Meg and Nadir come down along the parking lot.

"Oh, Brittney I missed you," Meg exclaimed wrapping her arms around her and giving her a warm hug.

"I missed you too Meg. Did you have a nice Christmas?"

"If you exclude Christine it was great. I'll show you what Nadir got me when we get inside."

"Well here's what Erik got me," Brittney said zipping down her jacket a bit to show off the rose necklace.

"Aw, that's so beautiful Brittney. Well we'll meet you inside then," Meg said walking past the front of the car with a bag in hand. Nadir nodded a hello before following Meg inside.

Brittney watched them go then remained where she was watching as the snowflakes flew around her and landed on her jacket. She cupped the necklace in one hand and stroked the ruby petals.

"Are you coming in?" someone asked as they grabbed her shoulder gently.

Brittney lifted her eyes and looked into Erik's icy blue ones. "Yeah I'm coming just give me a moment."

"Well Meg and Nadir had come in saying you were still out here. Did you need any help?"

She shook her head and gazed up at him causing her heart to soar. How was it he had this power over her feelings with just a look? She giggled a bit and lifted up her television and started heading out of the parking lot towards the dorms. Erik locked up the car and followed her laying a hand on the swell of her back.

Once inside Brittney set down the television on the desk and hung up her jacket on the post of the bunk bed. Tucking her shoes under the bed she began going through her duffel bag. Yet at one point as she stood up she got a nasty dizzy spell.

"Wow, I haven't had one that bad in awhile," she said quietly as she put her clothes away.

She wondered if she should talk to Erik about it, but thought against it. Everyone got dizzy spells, but since the accident hers had been at very random points during the day and seemed to be more forceful than a normal spell. Whenever she mentioned it to him he would cuddle her in his arms or have her take a nap to rest up a bit. Finished with her clothes she decided to go to Erik's room and just relax.

As she closed her door behind her and stepped into the hall she nearly missed bumping into someone. "Oh sorry," she muttered quietly leaning against the wall.

"Oh think nothing of it. I was going to fast down the hallway," a shorter girl with short blond hair and glasses said to her.

"Oh hi Andrea; haven't seen you around much this year."

"I've been really busy with my history classes and my theatre classes, so sadly I haven't had the time to indulge in a social life."

"Sorry to hear that. Will you be able to hang out with us more this semester?"

"I'll sure try."

"BRITTNEY!" an excited voice exclaimed as Brittney was tackled from behind. "Oh my god it's so cool finally being here."

Brittney looked down to see her friend, Gwen, clinging to her waist. "Wow, Gwen you give me quite a scare there."

Gwen pulled back and looked down at her shoes. "Sorry," she mumbled.

Brittney smiled. Gwen had been going to another college when the two friends meet and she had been one of the few Brittney had trusted with information about her and Erik. "It's no big deal really Gwen. I'm just as glad to see you too."

Gwen lifted her head and smiled. "Cool, now I have to get all my stuff into my room."

"How about I help you and then we can get dinner with the rest of the guys?"

"Oh I can't wait to meet Erik and the others. You made them sound so interesting. I'm so excited to be here with you," Gwen said unable to hold back another hug.

Brittney was going to have to wait on telling Erik about her dizzy spell for now and went back to her room to get her shoes and jacket. Across the hall Raoul had just arrived and was putting some things away. "Hey Raoul," Brittney called out to him.

He looked up and smiled. Gwen's mouth fell open at this and Brittney could have sworn the poor girl was ready to faint. It was obvious to Brittney that Raoul had gotten his hair done over break, because now it was curly and looked rather nice. "Hey Brittney, did you have a nice break?"

"Yeah, it was nice, but I'm glad to be back. Nice hair style."

"Thanks. I felt I needed something different."

"What brought on the change?"

At the question Raoul looked to the side and cleared his throat. "It has to do with Christine, but I'd rather not say what it was that went on."

Ready to go back outside, Brittney passed Raoul and put a hand on his shoulder. "I understand what you mean. You can tell me when you're ready to tell me what happened. We're still friends."

"Thanks," Raoul said quietly then saw Gwen for the first time. His heart nearly skipped a beat. "Good afternoon to you fair Mlle. Who may I address the greeting too?"

"My name is Gwen, good Monsieur," Gwen replied her face turning a bright red.

"May I assist you in bringing in your stuff?"

"Sure if you'd like," Gwen said unsure of what it was she was agreeing to.

Raoul went back into his room and grabbed his jacket and closed the door behind him. Brittney closed hers and started down the hall.

xxxxx

It didn't take long till everything had been moved into Meg's room, where Gwen would be staying for the semester. As they organized a few things Erik finally stepped into the room causing Gwen to drop her jaw once again. "Oh wow you do look just like the Phantom!" she exclaimed.

It's what Brittney had feared only this time it was her best friend, who was likely to steal Erik away from her. Erik however only rubbed his temples a bit and laughed. "Do you have any idea how many times I've heard that since the movie came out? People think this is a continuous costume that I wear and I'd like them to continue thinking that."

Raoul, who was standing off to the side, suddenly put a hand on his stomach. "Hey guys I was thinking we should go down and get some dinner before they close up the cafeteria for the night."

Everyone agreed and headed down to the cafeteria. Brittney stopped outside the restroom door and said she would catch up.

"Brittney you okay?" Erik asked kindly.

"I'll be all right. Just needed to use the bathroom," she said caressing his cheek.

He nodded and followed the others down to the cafeteria. Brittney did what she needed to then stood in front of the mirror. She felt weak again and grabbed the edge of the counter. She was ready to say screw it and go back to her room and go to sleep, but Erik was waiting for her. Splashing some water in her face then wiping it off, she headed out and made her way to the cafeteria.

Taking up a tray she got some food and sat down with the rest of the group. Erik leaned over and kissed her cheek. She smiled a bit then began picking at her food. She wasn't exactly hungry, but she didn't want anyone asking her questions. Looking up she saw everyone was busy talking. Raoul and Gwen were having a cute little conversation across the table.

She had finally taken a bite of food when she suddenly saw something that caused her to choke. Gwen came over and helped her out seeing as Erik had grown pale. Everyone looked to see someone like Carlotta come into the cafeteria followed by someone, who looked like Piangi.

"Well that's not as bad as it can be," Erik said quietly. "As long as we don't get anyone like Andre and Firmin I'm just fine with that. They weren't the smartest individuals in that movie, neither was that Vicomte character."

Gwen looked up rather annoyed. "He wasn't that bad. Sure he had a few moments where he wasn't going about the situation the right way, but Patrick Wilson has a good singing voice."

Raoul blushed and smiled a bit. Gwen didn't seem too bad after all. After Christine had made it quite clear that she never wanted to see him again he finally realized the bond between them had been severed. It still hurt deep inside, but he wasn't about to give up on love just, because Christine had changed.

He also forgave Erik for what happened. It stunned everyone when Erik finally came clean about what had happened that night. Halfway through it Erik had broken into forceful sobs, but continued reciting his night of horror. The tale made it all clear that Erik had no interest in Christine anymore.

"Raoul, hey you awake?" Erik shouted waving a hand in Raoul's face.

"What?"

"You were gazing into space again. You feel all right?"

"I'm fine. Just thinking that's all," he replied taking a few bites of his dinner.

Brittney looked down at her food and felt awful. She sat there quietly surprised no one was questioning her on her behavior. But after a few minutes she couldn't take it and stood up taking the tray in her hands. "I'm heading back up," was all she said as she quickly put her tray away and hurried out of the cafeteria.

Taking a shortcut she hurried up the stairs and unlocking the door to her dorm she was relieved to find her roommate wasn't there yet. She closed the door and slid down it as tears fell from her eyes. Crawling across the floor she went to her bed and climbed into it feeling very tired.

Moments later a knock came at the door and Erik pushed the door open. "Brittney, talk to me what's wrong?"

Brittney didn't speak. She felt awful for just leaving like she had and curled herself into a tiny ball as she let out a sob. But she soon felt herself being lifted up off the pillow and pulled against Erik's chest. He took off her glasses and she buried her face into the black fabric.

"I'm sorry," she whispered over and over again.

"Why my kitten?" he asked her quietly while rubbing her back.

"I was on the way to tell you earlier I had another really bad dizzy spell, but never did. I've felt bad since and just feel so tired."

"Is she okay?" Brittney heard Gwen ask as she and Raoul stepped into the room.

"She'll be all right. She had another dizzy spell and it sucked away her energy. It happens now and again since the accident. All she needs is some sleep and she'll be all right."

Brittney felt Erik lift her up again wrapping her tiny blanket around her and heard him ask Gwen to grab her glasses and key, which she did quickly. Then she was led to Erik's room and placed tenderly on the black comforter. "A nap will be good for you," Erik said looking down at her.

Reaching under her he pulled the comforter up under her chin and wiped away the tears with a tissue. "Stay with me," she said quietly as he went to get up and throw away the tissue.

Quickly dropping the tissue in the wastebasket he came back and sat beside her. "I will. You're safe now."

"Erik do you need anything else?" Gwen asked quietly as Erik caressed Brittney's cheek.

"No, we'll be all right. Thanks for your help earlier though. She just needs a good night sleep and she'll be just fine for classes tomorrow."

Gwen went into the hallway closing the door behind her. She felt a bit upset that Brittney had never mentioned her dizzy spells before, but she realized she couldn't be mad forever. Brittney was her best friend and she would do anything to help her out.

"Will she be all right?" Raoul asked quietly as Carlotta and Piangi came down the hallway nearly plowing both of them over.

"Erik said she only needed some sleep."

"That's good. She's had those quite a few times since the accident. I feel so bad for what happened even though she forgave me and so has Erik. Yet sometimes I don't think he's too happy about it."

"It was an accident Raoul. You didn't mean to hit her."

"Yes, I know. Well I have to be ready for class tomorrow, but I really hope we get to see each other again maybe for lunch or dinner."

"I'd like that," Gwen said with a smile. She liked Raoul and hoped she would be able to get to know him better. But she wondered if he still had feelings for Christine or not. "Well I'll see you tomorrow Raoul," she said offering her hand.

Instead of shaking it he took and kissed her knuckles like a noble Englishman would then headed off down the hall. Gwen went into her room to find a note from Meg saying she was hanging out with Nadir. Taking some Phantom pictures out of a folder she began hanging them up, but right in the middle she put one up of the Vicomte, because there was always a little hope.

TBC…

Finally the chapter is done and ready to go. I wish to thank Serena Fae and Phantomsqpants for their impute on the story and from all my readers their patience while I went through some crazy writer's block. Also I recommend everyone watch Dear Frankie if you haven't. It's an excellent movie.