Part 7
Ah… class flew for the two, and soon, a week's practice was up, and Erik had spent a lot of time at Willow's house eating Ramon noodles and watching the movie… it had become a rather familiar thing for the two. Practice in class, go get something to eat, go to Willow's for a while, come back to the night practices, and then go back to Willow's for a while, then Erik would go home, and they'd start over the next day. The two were becoming rather comfortable around each other, even though they were both rather careful to keep it strictly friend… nothing more, lest they reveal their secrets…
Practice… uneventful for both Erik and Willow.
"Tonight people, at 9 then. I expect you to all be back here!" James shouted as they headed out the door.
"Hey!" A girl caught up with them. She had brown hair, bluish green eyes, and she was taller than Willow's 5'3 frame by three inches…
(Erik: That's 5'6 for you people who failed math –rolls eyes-)
She grinned like mad at Willow. She recognized her as Meg. However…
"I'm Sandra! I just wanted to say you two were good today." They had performed the scene where they went down into Erik's lair. Voice's were obviously perfectly in tune, and the two happily made everyone but two specific (Cough cough, fop and loud mouth) people grin.
"Well… thank you." She smiled at the rather bubbly girl.
"I think I'm in one of your other classes!" Erik arched his eyebrow at this girl… she was rather… bubbly… "I think you make a wonderful Erik." She mooned at Erik for a moment, then turned back to Willow. "Anyway, I'll catch you later!" and, with that, Sandra turned and left.
Willow and Erik looked at one another, and Willow started giggling. "She was… peppy."
Erik arched one eyebrow at her. "Yes, she was. I think she likes me." He grinned, while Willow looked him up and down, then, with a sly smile, grinned.
"I could see why." Erik dismissed it as her playing as they made their way towards the cafeteria to get something to eat.
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That night, after spending the day at Willow's apartment eating Ramon noodles (In bowls, not bowels) Erik drove them back to the school, where most everyone was waiting.
"Zat little toad shouldn't haff zee part of Christeeene… She is too short, and skinny." Carlotta boomed, as she prepped herself for her 'Think of Me' solo. Willow just shook her head while Erik planned exactly how to show Carlotta a thing or two…
"Hi!" Sandra came up beside them, once again a little to energized. "We're about to start, we were waiting for you two." She gave a half grin, then went to her place, while Erik and Willow separated.
"Okay guys, were doing 'Think of Me' Carlotta style. Obviously, we don't have a beam to drop, so I took the liberty of setting up a chair!" He nodded at Erik. "I'll have Ken drop it, you just watch, and you can do it later." Erik nodded, while eyeing the chair happily… perfect…
"Think of me… think of me fondly, when we say goooooooodddbyeee!" Carlotta boomed a few minutes later in her awful accent. Everyone managed not to cringe, as she went on. Unnoticed, Erik made a few tweaks to the chair, changing position… and…
"Oh no!" Someone shouted, as the chair plummeted right on top of Carlotta, knocking her to the side.
"Vhwat was zat! I thought eet was supposed to not eit me!" She shouted, as Rafe helped her off of the ground. Willow smothered a giggle, as Erik looked on satisfied. The two actually exchanged, 'served her right' looks, as Sandra, who was standing beside Willow, said under her breath, "Guess someone doesn't 'lahhve err.'" Willow then broke out into rather loud giggles.
Carlotta beamed murder at her. "She did zis! I know eet!" James walked to her.
"How could she have done it? She's been standing beside Sandra the whole time. Carlotta, calm down, you're okay… nothing was hurt right."
Once again, Sandra muttered, "Her inflated ego…" And Willow managed not to burst into laughter once more…
Carlotta fumed and fussed for the rest of practice, but still managed to get through it.
"Think of it… a secret engagement… look, your future bride…"
"But why is it a secret, what have we to hide."
When Rafe took Willow's hands, Erik, for a moment, saw green, and had no idea why. He didn't see what he was jealous about. Willow was simply a mystery… it wasn't like she belonged to him anyway… and yet, happily, he interrupted…
"Why so silent good messieurs… did you think that I had left you for good…" He had to keep the grin off of her face, as he saw Willow happily unattached Rafe's hands from her own.
"And as for our star… Ms. Christine Daee…"…
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"You guys were so good again. I'm just so eager to see you guys to the kissing scene, I bet you'll make everyone cry." Sandra once again caught up with them after practice. Willow grinned at her new friend, while Erik just kind of looked at her in a 'I don't know what to do here' gaze.
Sandra once again looked at Erik. "I'd loooove to be in your shoes!" She laughed at Willow. She grinned.
"My Phantom…" And she actually looped her arm through Erik's and cuddled into his shoulder with a giggle. Erik, whose entire body was suddenly lit aflame, just glanced. He was beginning to like this Sandra girl…
"Well guys, I'll see you later!" And, once again, the brown haired girl dashed off..
Willow kept herself attached to Erik's arm for a moment longer, and then… "Sorry!" she laughed, and pulled herself away. Erik wanted to tell her there was nothing to be sorry about, but instead…
"It's okay." They climbed into his car, where Music of the Night instantly came on. Within moments, Willow was lightly snoozing in the passenger side of Erik's car… Once he pulled into her driveway, he looked temptingly at her mask… he could pull it off, and not wake her…
He actually reach out to do so, and then, something washed over him. How would HE feel if someone removed his mask. He brushed hers softly, and she cuddled one pale cheek into his hand. The warmth made him once again light afire, but, it also made him pull his hand away from her mask. Oh, he would KNOW what was under there… just not while she laid there so trusting…
"Will…" he nudged her shoulder softly. Her green eyes opened in two long blinks… "We're here."
She grinned at him, nodding and sitting up. "Thanks…" She got out, and Erik instantly followed, wanting to walk her up to her door. She looked at him once they got there.
"Where do you stay exactly?" Half asleep and not thinking clearly, questions that she had been wanting to ask him just came out. He looked at her…
"I stay near the Opera House…" he murmured, since it was the truth.
"Oh." She yawned, flashing him a smile as she wiggled her door open. She gestured for him to come in. He looked for a moment, and then walked in.
"Well…" she yawned again. "I was just wondering." She sat down on the couch. After a moment, he followed. Looking at the clock, he saw that it was just a little past ten, and, since he had indeed stayed until near twelve the other night, waiting movies, he didn't feel that he had to leave. Out of sheer habit, Erik flicked on the movie, and soon, Willow was to engrossed in it to talk. However, when Music of the Night came on once again, her eyes began to droop, and, since they were indeed on a two seater couch, when her head drooped, it landed on Erik's shoulder. For a moment, he tensed. It had been… centuries since anyone had touched him… Finally, however, he relaxed into it.
Snuggling into his warmth, Willow happily attached herself to Erik's side. Erik, who was reveling in the feeling of it, promised that he would wake her and leave soon. Just a few more moments… just a few more…
Of course, he was still saying 'just a few more' when he too, fell asleep, and the two curled up together on the couch…
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