Chapter 3: The dance

Erik was beyond nervous for the dance. Christine had helped him learn, but he still hated crowds of people. He was scared that his usual bullies would be there and make fun of him. Christine had agreed to meet him at the dance since Mrs. Giry would drop off both her and Meg. People hardly noticed him, they gave him a few looks of surprise that he'd actually showed up, but all their attention from him was diverted when Christine came walking in next to Meg. They were greatly contrasted since Meg went with the common blue dress that all the girls were wearing, while Christine walked in like a ball of fire. Their eyes followed her as she walked up to Erik and gave a little curtsy. Everyone was shocked, especially the boys who had been turned down by her, that she was there for Erik.

He smiled at her, "You look beautiful." He had a corsage for her and put it on her wrist. She blushed hard and pinned a red rose on his lapel.

She leaned over to him and whispered, "I think we sufficiently got everyone's attention, my Erik."

"G-Great…" He hated being center of attention. She knew of his discomfort and took his hands.

"Come on," she grinned and pulled him onto the dance floor. There were hardly any slow songs, but when there were, she would pull him close and have them do their simple slow dance. She murmured to him, "I like it, how they can see us together. We make a beautiful pair of misfits."

"You are beautiful…" He blushed hard saying that. She didn't say anything back, but her bright blush and sheepish smile was answer enough. He made her feel important, unique, and cared for. They danced all night long until they were the last couple there. He didn't want to let her go. "Hmm, they're cleaning up the streamers now," she murmured against his chest. "Maybe we should go."

He sighed, "Okay." He took her hand and they went outside. He didn't want to take her home yet. She stopped them just by his car, Meg had long since left with her friends, and they were completely alone. She took a seat on the curb with him, neither of them wanting to be without each other's company. She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes; the stars and moon above them were glowing brightly. It was entirely romantic and peaceful. "Thank you for coming with me. I actually had a really great time."

"Me too," she smiled meekly down at her lap, playing with a gem on her dress.

"So...Do you want to go get something to eat?"

"Not right now, thanks," she said softly and turned his face towards hers. She moved up and kissed him boldly. He gasps and doesn't kiss her back; he had never kissed anyone before. She moved her hands around his face and cupped his cheeks, deepening the kiss. Christine had kissed boys before, so she knew what she was doing.

He blushed hard and very slowly pressed his lips against hers. This was the best night of his life. It took a few minutes before he got the hang of it and he held her close. He pulled back and looked at her, "I...I think I love you."

"You belong to me," she mumbled and kissed his nose. "You are my best friend and I know I love you very much."

"You love me...as a friend? Or something more?"

"More," she breathed out. "There's just something about you, Erik. I don't know what it is, but from the moment I met you, I knew that I needed to be with you. I needed to be with you in any way I possibly could. I feel as though you belong to me."

"I feel the same way…" He couldn't believe she was saying this to him. No one had ever felt this way towards him before. Now that they had both confessed their feelings, he had no idea what to do next.

"So," she trailed off. "Dinner?" She let out a sheepish chuckle and got up from the curb. She was a tad bit flustered and didn't know what else to say or do. She was in the same awkward predicament.

"Yeah, dinner." He smiled and they got in a car to take them to a diner. She nervously kept fidgeting or playing with her dress. She had kissed him, danced with him, and confessed her love to him; there really weren't many more moves she could make now. All her cards were in his hand.

They had dinner but they took a while there so that they didn't have to leave one another's company. She held his hand underneath the table and couldn't help but grin. She was very pleased with how tonight went, it excited her for how future dates would go with him.

"Does this make us...boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"I would say that it does, yes," she giggled. "Is that okay, my Erik?" He grinned and nodded eagerly.

They went to a diner that Christine felt comfortable eating at. She wouldn't let Erik take her out to a fancy restaurant like he had wanted to. She insisted that she pay for half of her meal as well. She hadn't ever been taken care of like this, so she made sure to be humble.

"If I'm going to be your...boyfriend," he grinned at the title. "Then you'll have to get used to me paying for stuff. It's my job."

"Noooo," she whined. "Erikkkkkkk!" She pouted adorably. He grinned at her.

"I can't wait to spoil you." Christine grinned sheepishly down at her plate and blushed hard. She couldn't find an argument for how happy he was making her. She couldn't wait to be spoiled. They spent as long as they could together, but Mrs. Giry had a curfew for her. He walked her up to the front door. "I had an amazing night."

"I did too," Christine said sheepishly. She was waiting for a kiss most anxiously. She bit her lip and slowly looked up at him flirtatiously from underneath her eyelashes. He cupped her cheeks and slowly moved towards her, gently placing his lips on hers. She closed her eyes in delight and the door opened, they heard Meg's horrified gasp behind them.

"Oh HELL no," she chided behind them. "Christine, that's disgusting. You don't know where that's been." Erik pulled back and took a step back in fear.

"Shut up, Meg," Christine snapped and brought Erik close again. She kissed him deeply again and pulled back, murmuring softly. "Goodnight, my Erik," she whispered before going inside.

Erik rubbed his neck but couldn't help the grin come across his face. He went home but he couldn't sleep. He was too happy.

Christine disappeared inside the Giry house and went to bed with a smile on her face. Meg took the honor of telling the entire school that Erik and Christine were dating now. They didn't seem to mind though; Christine was far too into Erik to care. They loved each other so much that it actually made some people jealous.

Every day Erik brought her little presents. Whether it was flowers, chocolates, drawings or something he made by hand. Christine tried her best to do the same in her own way. She would often sing for him, kiss him, and show him affection. She was the sweetest girl in school and it was impossible for anyone to be mean to her, which meant they couldn't be mean to Erik either. That is everyone, but one jock, who made Erik's life a living hell: Raoul.