The deal

I do not own P.O.T.O

Christine sat by the water and threw stones in. She watched the ripples as the stones hit the water. 'What will I do for money?' she thought. Her thoughts drifted from that and onto her singing lessons. She liked Erik. He was mysterious and kind of cute. Christine smiled when she thought of him. She heard someone walking towards her. She turned around and saw that it was Erik. He walked over and sat down next to her.

''I saw what happened, today.''

''What am I going to do? I have no idea where to go, now.''

Christine didn't notice Erik smiling slyly.

''Well...you could always be a singer. An opera singer. I know that you love opera from the way you sing it.''

Christine let out a small laugh and looked at him.

''You're right. But, how am I going to do it? I have no idea where to go to do that.''

''I know where you could go. But, let's make a little deal, first.''

''Alright. What do you want in return?''

''I want you to come to this club with me. It's kind of like a nightclub. It's really fun.''

Christine smiled.

''Of course I'll come. It sounds like fun!''

''Great, It's Friday. I'll pick you up at six.''

''Ok.''

They stayed and watched the stars glisten for a little while and then both of them went home. Christine leaned against the doorway when she got home and sighed. Then, she went over to the couch and read some of her book.

The week had gone by quickly and Erik had told Christine where she could go to audition for an opera singer. She had went on thursday and auditioned. The people loved her and had said to come back the following week. Christine was so excited. It was Friday and Christine was picking out her outfit. She chose a white tank top and a black skirt. Then, she had a black jacket and a pair of black shoes. She added alittle makeup and she was ready. She curled her hair and waited by the door. After a few minutes, she heard footsteps on the stairs and a knock on the door. Christine waited a second, so it wouldn't seem like she was desperately waiting by the door. She opened it and found Erik, wearing a black shirt and black pants. 'He looks so cute!' Christine thought.

''Hello, Erik.''

She noticed that he was staring at her and she blushed.

''Hello, Christine.''

He reached out his hand to her and she took it. She locked her door and they started to walk down the stairs and go outside. Erik's car was nice. It was a black sports car with red flames on the side. He oened Christine's door for her and she got inside. He closed it and ran over to his side and got in. Christine looked around the inside of the car. The interior was a dark shade of red. Erik started up the car and they pulled out. Erik kept his gaze both between the road and Christine, when she wasn't looking. She gazed out the window almost the whole time while they were driving there. When they arrived, Erik opened Christine's door for her again and led her inside. There were flashing lights everywhere and people talking and dancing. Christine blushed when she saw a couple kissing.

''Come on.'' Erik told her, leading her out to the dance floor. He took Christine's jacket and flung it onto a table. He took Christine's hand and they started to dance. Christine recognized most of the songs that they played. Erik knew most of them too. Most of them were really fast, but there were also a few slow ones that they danced to too. During one of them, Erik and Christine started to talk.

''So, how has the singing been?''

''Oh, great! I love it so much!''

''Your voice is perfect! You sing like an angel!''

''Oh, thank you!''

''You look beautiful tonight too.''

''You look very dashing yourself.''

They both laughed and Erik spun Christine around so that her back was pressed up against him. She closed her eyes and listened to the music. He spun her back around and pulled her closer to him. She looked into his amber colored eyes. Then, she leaned in and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her waist. They pulled apart and he took her off of the dance floor. It was almost closing time so Christine grabbed her coat off of the table and they went out to Erik's car. They both got in and sat there for a moment. Christine looked at Erik shyly and he smile at her. She smiled back and Erik started up the car. They arrived back at Christine's apartment and she invited him in. He walked into her apartment and sat with her on the couch. He stared at her for a moment and then she leaned in and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her and then pulled back.

''Do you want to come back to my place? I know that you haven't seen it yet.''

''Yes, I really want to see it.''

They left and drove over to Erik's house. It was a big house that was black with grey trimmings. Christine stared in amazement at the house.

''You live here?''

''Yes.''

''It's just so amazing!''

''Thank you.''

They walked inside and Christine found that there was a beautiful crystal chandelier hanging in the main room. There was a staircase in there too. Erik took her coat and put it on the coatrack. He took Christine over to the sofa and they sat down. He leaned over and kissed her. She caressed his cheek and he wrapped his arms around her. Suddenly, he felt the cold air hit his face. His hand instantly flew to the right side of his face and he looked at Christine. She held the mask in her tiny hand. He pushed her onto the floor and she let out a shriek.

''Damn you!''

''Erik, what's wrong?''

She reached up for him, but he turned around and started to shake.

''Erik, are you...crying?''

He sunk down to the ground and nodded his head. She moved over towards him and put her hand on his back. He pulled away.

''Erik, tell me. What's wrong?''

He inhaled deeply before replying.

''I'm hideous beneath the mask. Please, Christine, don't make me show you.''

She put her hand on his back again and this time he didn't pull away.

''Erik, just let me see.''

''Christine-''

''Erik.''

He slowly turned around and uncovered his face. Christine's eyes went wide and she turned away. She heard him let out a sob and fall over. She turned back around and faced him. He was laying across the floor, crying harder this time.

''Give me back the mask.''

She handed it to him without hesitation and he grabbed it. He turned around and placed it back onto his face. Then, he stood up and grabbed her hand.

''I'll take you back to your apartment.''

The ride back was quiet. Christine thanked him quietly and ran inside. Then, she ran up the stairs to her apartment and opened the door. She rushed inside and locked it behind her. Then, she ran over to her sofa and cried into the pillows.

The next morning, Christine woke to the ring of the phone. She reached her arm across the sofa and answered it.

''Hello?''

''Christine, it's Ralph.''

She sat up and brushed the hair out of her face.

''Oh, Hi. What's goin' on?''

''Well, I just wanted to see if you would like to go to the movies tonight.''

''Oh...that's very nice of you. Sure, I'd love to go. What time?''

''I'll pick you up around 6.''

''Ok, see you tonight.''

She hung up the phone and dropped back down onto the sofa. Visions of the previous night flashed through her mind. She shook her head and tried to forget. Then, she walked over to her closet and picked out some clothes to wear.