Part 10: Practice makes Perfect

Erik realized that this could indeed be his first kiss since Christine. He didn't know exactly how he felt, but he knew that he didn't want it to stop.

And Willow, whose heart was throbbing in her mouth let her lips flow towards his in an almost dream like state…

"Hey guys!" the door flew open, and Sandra burst into the room. Her eyes widened. "What? Did I interrupt something?" She started to back out….

"NO!" Willow said…. "WE were… ahh… practicing the end scene." She blushed again. "I makes me nervous to practice in front of people. This scene that is…" She smiled, and Erik nodded in agreement.

"I was helping. Sorry I stormed out." He managed a graceful smile, and Sandra's face brightened up a notch, like changing a 75 watt to a 100. Willow realized that Sandra liked Erik.

What crazy person wouldn't?

However… Willow would happily help Sandra find another guy, because she suddenly realized that SHE wanted Erik.

She gave a smile, and then Sandra grinned, as if she knew, and pulled at her arm.

"Pardon us Erik, but we must have a small, private conversation."

Once she has pulled her aside, she grinned at her. After what seemed an hour, but was only a few seconds, Willow broke.

"What?"

She smiled. "You like him…"

A brief pause, and then… "Yeah… so?"

A laugh. "Well, obviously, I have to help you two get together."

"What?"

"Well, I want you two to get together, it's perfect. "A mad glint came into her eyes. The sign of a true E/C fan…. "It'll be just like Christine and him… ah, Erik, got together. Not to mention you two look perfect together, and I don't want Miss Lahhve Me to thinks he can get him."

Giggling at her perfect Carlotta accent, Willow glanced over Sandra's shoulder at Erik, who was gazing a sympathetic smile and returned to the conversation.

"You'd really help me? The way you looked at him…" she trailed off, blushing.

"OF, it doesn't bother me…. I mean…" She stopped, and then changed directions. "I'm a liar. I'm green with it. Doesn't he just remind you of Erik!" Willow gave a secret smile.

"More than you'd know."

Sandra took a breath. "Anyway, it's obvious he's infatuated with you, and I've always wanted to do something to help Christine and Erik.' She saluted Willow. "Sandra at your service. I'll have the two of you together by opening night!"

Willow surprised Sandra by throwing her arms around her and giving her a quick hug.

"Thank you!" She laughed. They both did.

"Finally, the girls turned back to Erik. Willow realized that Sandra looked like a shark circling its prey. And then she realized, with a hardly contained smile, that Erik was that prey.

"Come on you two. Let's go for a walk."

XXXXXxxxXXXXXX

By the time they got to Vocal , Willow had tears pouring down her cheeks from laughter, and Erik had a completely mortified look on his face. Willow still had the conversation in her mind.

"SO Erik… how are you?"

"… Ok…"

"You know, that scene you two were practicing?"

"Scene?"

"The kissing scene!"

"Oh… Yes?"

"Well, I think that you two should practice that one… a lot."

"SANDRA!"

"Yes Willow?"

"SHH!"

"No. Anyway Erik, I think that you should make sure and practice that. Make sure you get it right."

"…"

"In fact… You're going over to Willow's pace after school today."

"…"

"…"

"It's settled then. I expect you two to show improvement.!" And then she skittered off in her absent-minded way.

Willow had managed not to start laughing until she was out of range of Sandra. Those few seconds had made it worse. She doubled over.

"She seemed… determined… and to think, I thought she was a nice person." That just made her laugh worse. She had kept laughing all the way to class.

XXXxxxXXXxxx

"Well…" Erik grinned, making his way to his car. "I suppose I'll have to come to your house now." Both smiled.

"I guess, since we are forced. About the other ting, I'm sorry, she shouldn't have insisted…." HE cut her off .

"No Willow, I should have apologized…" He leaned over and unlocked her door, and briefly looked at her. "When I kiss you, it will be the perfect time…." Her eyes widened as he made his way over to his side of the car.

Did he say what she thought he said? WHEN I kiss you…? Did that mean that he intended to. And if he did… perfect?

She signed and got in the car, for her, any time would have been perfect. However, if he wanted to wait… she could wait. It lifted her heart just to know that there would, hopefully be a when. Maybe he would never REALLY know the woman behind the mask, but he could know the girl inside!

Now that she knew who he really was, she had lost the fear of worrying about having to take off her mask. If anyone could understand about the need to keep such things private, then he alone could. He knew how it felt to have his mask ripped off, and there was no cover story for what laid beneath her mask. No… she wouldn't remove it, but, oddly, she wasn't worried that she was going to have to.

The drive proceeded to her house with neither of them talking. Instead, they both listened to the Music while thoughts drifted through their heads.

While Willow thought about her safety behind her mask, Erik irreverently tried to decode what it was that lay behind her mask. What was it that could mar her face to such an extent that she thought she had to hide? 'Not for any mortal sin, but the wickedness of my aberrant face!' Surely this woman could not be scarred with something so awful and yet the pain in her eyes that so mirrored his own spoke different. Still, he would not believe that the woman who possessed her voice was scarred, even though the curiosity nearly drove him to the point of reaching over and ripping her mask of just so that he could confirm his belief about her face.

And to think, he had been angry when he and thought that she lied about wearing a mask! He would give almost anything for the surety of her perfection, and not for his own preferences. He did not want to know that her face was ruined simply because he knew the pain and self loathing that one went through when such deformities were present and HE couldn't stand that thought that SHE had gone through such things. HE knew now that his affections towards the angel beside him were simply greater than such terms as 'friends' 'classmates' or 'co-star'. He didn't think he could ever experience love again… and yet…

Staring into her green eyes, he knew he was wrong.

XXX

Amanda: Lahhve!