A/N: Hello, my loves!!! I missed you all and I really hope you like this chapter. Unfortunately, writing may be a tad slower than usual because of the start of school. Rest assured, that I am slaving away between homework assignments. O.K. here's Ch. 4. ENJOY!

Chapter Four

Erik at the moment was lying on his bed looking out the window. Christine sat in the middle of her bed in a tank top and mini boxer shorts reading a book. The scene was such a beautiful picture, he just couldn't look away. He also didn't expect her to be reading for pleasure. This aspect of her sparked his interest even more.

He could tell she was into the book with all the emotions written across her face. At one point she was laughing hysterically and actually fell off her bed. Even though no one was in the room, she blushed bright red and then laughed at herself. However, when the book didn't go the way she wanted it to, she actually threw the blasted thing across the room yelling, 'NO!'. Right now, Christine held the book gently with a slight smile and tears running down her face. He assumed everything turned back to normal with a happy ending.

Once she finished, she set the book on her side table, wiped her tears, and started to turn down the bed. Erik loved her yawn. Even coming from over there, it was still contagious as he too yawned and turned down his own bed. They would go to sleep together, even if she didn't know it.

Tomorrow would be a day to remember.

Before Erik drifted off into dreamland, he reminisced on the evening.

Flashback

After the voice lesson arrangements with Christine had been made, she and her father left to help serve some barbeque, leaving Erik and Ralf alone.

"What are you trying to get at?" Ralf sneered at him.

"Pardon?"

"You trying to get 'music lessons' with Christine. You're probably trying to get her to hit a different kind of note, you sick bastard." He was glaring at Erik with disgust.

"Well, I think she would prefer my music lessons over your perverted advances. I'm helping her achieve a goal; you on the other hand, are just annoying her." With the insult, Ralf stormed off fuming. How did that masked freak known I tried to make out with Christine? Freakin' stalker, Ralf thought. Honestly, Erik just assumed with the revolted look on Christine's face.

Now Erik was all alone. He stood around for a while and then decided to get a beer. At the cooler, the man handing out the refreshments noticed Erik's discomfort and engaged him in conversation.

"Hi, my name's Bob. You live around here?" Erik took the hand held out to him gratefully. He still had jitters from meeting people, but felt better knowing someone was at least trying to talk to him.

"Erik Desmond. Yes, I live in the black house next door."

"Oh! So you live in the haunted castle!" Bob exclaimed enthusiastically with a broad smile.

"Haunted?" What was this about?

"Oh, ya, my kids are scared to death of your house. I bet it's just cause it's black and dark. Pretty intimidating to little kids, you know? Your dog's pretty ferocious, too! Scared me half to death when I jogged by." Erik had to smile at this statement.

"Yes, Caesar can be quite a monster sometimes." He was really enjoying himself. Erik never knew that mingling in a normal atmosphere with normal people could be so pleasant. It was easier than he thought.

"Erik!" He snapped his head around, almost giving himself whip lash, at the sound of Christine's voice.

She squeezed herself between her guests until she reached her destination. Once she was face to face with him she asked, "Hey, Erik, do you mind helping us out with the corn? There are way too many people in line. I think we need more hands."

Of course Christine could have asked someone around the serving table to help, like Ralf, who was about a foot away, but Erik handing out corn was one brilliant picture.

"My pleasure." Just the sound of the word 'pleasure' in his voice sent chills down her spine. "Excuse me, Bob. Christine needs my help with the corn." He grinned and turned to follow Christine through the crowd.

Once they served practically the entire house, Christine, Erik, and George got their own portions. They looked around for a place to sit, and finally found a table outside.

"Well, Erik, where are you from?" George asked with curiosity.

Erik glanced at him confused.

"Your accent gave it away," Christine explained with a glorious smile.

"Oh, I lived in London until I was eighteen, but I went to boarding school in New York, so I've basically lived in America my whole life," Erik said.

"And how does such a young fellow like you, get off to such rich start?" George asked pointing to Erik's massive house.

"I studied hard." Erik didn't want to get into detail.

"That's what I've been telling Christine, but she loves her music too much. I guess she wants to follow in her father's foot steps," George gloated.

"Erik, I really can't thank you enough for helping me out with this audition. You really are a wonderful person." Just that short gratifying statement from her lips meant more than a thousand praising words. She thought he was a good person. He could die a happy man.

"It's my pleasure." He was gazing into her green orbs with intensity so thick, even George noticed it. Of course, George thought it was just thankfulness.

End Flashback

Over all, the party was a breeze and he kicked himself for making such a big deal about it. He actually enjoyed it.

Erik had to admit, parties weren't all bad. Maybe he could live in the world. Maybe he could even find love.

Sunday morning came and Erik woke up feeling happy and refreshed, not something he was used to feeling. He could live with the change, though. Today he would spend two hours with Christine… alone. Get control of yourself, man!

Lazily, he looked over at Christine's room from his bed. She had just started to rise out of bed with an exquisite stretch. In her bathroom she brushed her teeth, fixed her hair into a high ponytail, and applied a modest amount of makeup on. Looking fresh, she grabbed some clothes from her closet and laid them on her bed. With her back facing Erik, she pulled her shirt off.

Erik's body temperature and pulse shot through the roof. The smooth, bare skin of her back was shown to him and he only wondered what the other side of her looked like. He groaned when he saw her secured her nude colored bra in the back. She then pulled her dress on over her head and removed her boxers when in completely covered her tall frame.

Erik looked at the completed project, now fully aroused, and took in her elegant figure. Her sundress today was a navy blue flowing just below her knees with sleeves covering her shoulders. It was too nice for an everyday occasion.

She was in her church clothes! Erik had been thinking naughty thoughts while she was getting ready for church. I am going to Hell. How could he do that? He was betraying her privacy all the time, when she was just this innocent creature. Was she religious? He assumed she had excellent morals. Erik was beside himself and scolding his weak self control.

Then she moved over to her overflowing book shelf and grabbed one of the bigger, worn down books. Christine held it close to her chest protectively and walked out with her purse.

A quarter of an hour later, Erik watched Christine and George leave the house in a forest green BMW.

He still sat in his bed starring out the window, left alone with his thoughts, which of course wasn't the best idea. Christine is a pure, faithful angel… I'm a demented horn dog. Ralf was right, I am a sick bastard.

But Christine said I was a good person, argued his other half. Maybe I am… deep deep deep deep down.

Christine's words gave him hope and a blissful feeling in his gut. She was his hope.

Christine sat in the tenth row next to her father trying to listen to the pastor's sermon. Usually on Sundays she was alert and listening intently to what Pastor Bleu had to say. However, usually on Sundays she did not anticipate a voice lesson with an extremely alluring next door neighbor.

What was he going to teach her? Was the information going to be helpful? Does he think I'm pretty? Christine, what kind of question is that?! He is your adult neighbor! Who would approve of that?! She scolded herself.

Trying to shake the thoughts out of her head, she focused her attention on the hem in her dress to distract herself. Of course that never helped, so she sat through church tortured with unanswered questions.

In the car, her dad started to talk about the service.

"Wasn't that just so moving? What do you think, Sweetie?"

"Ya, Dad, it was fantastic. Really inspirational." This was how she felt most Sundays so it wasn't a complete lie.

Erik saw the BMW drive up to their house from his kitchen window. After Christine and George got through the doors, Christine started making some grilled cheese. He could almost smell it from where he was sitting.

When she finished her meal, Christine disappeared up the stairs where Erik followed her. From his window, he watched her face-plant her bed and he couldn't help but grin. Her characteristics were so full of life. After a moment, Erik saw her shift around and pull the blanket on the end of her bed to cover her body. She fell asleep within minutes.

The rest of the day for Erik was trying to tidy up the house more than sparkling perfection. He cleaned the piano about five times. All the while, Christine lay peacefully on her bed.

Suddenly the sound of the doggy door flapping entered Erik's ears and he ran to the back. Just as he expected, there stood Caesar, muddy feet and all, lapping up some water. At least cleaning would keep his mind off of tonight.

When every inch of the house was clean, even Caesar, Erik went to the music room to pull out some sheet music. He had no idea what she liked or what her range was, so he got a little bit of everything. As he gingerly took out his music, his hands began to shake with nerves. Get a hold of yourself, Erik! She's not going to bite you. If only…

Christine woke up from her nap fully rested and sat up to stretch. With a curious face, she remembered the strange dream she had:

Christine walked through a mirror holding Erik's hand, and they began a journey through dark and winding catacombs. All the while, they sang a haunting duet. When they reached a lake, Erik gently placed her in a beautiful black gondola and steered them through elaborate archways. Suddenly, they came upon habitual land covered in sketches and paintings as well as sheets of music. Erik then helped her out of the Gondola starring her down with magnetizing eyes…

Looking at the clock, she jumped and realized it was six o'clock already! Quickly, almost tripping over her rug, she scurried to the bathroom to freshen up and prepare. How to prepare for a voice lesson, Christine had no idea. Hopefully Erik would teach her everything she needed to know.

After showering and towel-drying her curls, she applied a light amount of make-up and slipped into some jeans and a blue blouse. She then hurried to the kitchen to grab a quick bite to eat. Eating, however, seemed to be quite a difficult task when her stomach is in a bunch. When she was done with her sandwich, she headed out of her front door at exactly 6:55.

Christine finally reached, Erik's door after what seemed like five miles. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her hand to knock.

A/N: Hello again! Please review. Monday, I start public school for the first time in my life and I'm really scared. Reviews would help my pulse rate slow down. Reviews really do make an authors day. Crazy as it sounds.

Erik: Yes, review the poor girl! She's transferring to a big school in the middle of high school! How stressful does that sound? Please, bring a smile to this poor girl's face.

Christine: Yes, bring smiles!

Erik: Christine! What did I tell you about interfering in my comment space!

Reviewing will also keep them from fighting ;-).