Protect Her, At All Costs. (Phantom of the Opera AU)

Jealousy

Christine had returned to soccer practice and her volleyball season had started. She was getting better every day and her bruises were starting to fade. It was September 9th and she was getting used to things. She convinced herself that she was just overreacting about Erik and that there was probably a logical explanation. Christine walked home from school after finally convincing her father it would be okay. A familiar face drove up next to her and rolled down his window.

"Is your father picking you up?" Erik asked through the window.

Christine furrowed her brows.

"I'll drive you home." Erik said.

She paused.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden." Christine said.

"Nonsense. I want you to be safe."

Christine smiled and thanked him, getting into the car.

"You have a nice car." Christine said, staring at his black jaguar.

"Thank you." He said, stifling a smile. His Christine complimenting him.

They started to drive in silence and then Christine looked at the radio.

"It says you have a CD in. What are you listening to?" She asked.

"I don't remember. Probably something classical." He said.

Christine pressed play and some classical music started to play.

"Ah, Beethoven's fifth symphony." Erik said.

They listened to the music and Christine closed her eyes. Erik glanced over and saw her smiling with her eyes closed. He smiled and looked ahead again, making sure he was driving correctly. Then, the peace was interrupted by a loud buzz from Christine's phone. Her eyes shot open and she looked at who was calling her. It was Raoul. She sighed and declined it, but then went to look at the text he'd sent about a half hour earlier.

'My parents are fighting. What should I do?' He'd texted.

Christine frowned and called him back. Erik was simply listening to the music while Christine was dialing someone. She turned down the music slightly and apologized to Erik. Someone answered the phone and Christine sat up.

"Raoul? Are you okay?" She asked.

No answer.

"Raoul?"

"Christine? Oh my gosh. I need your help." He said.

"What? What happened? Are you okay?"

"I tried to help my mom but then he shoved me on the floor and punched me. He's never done anything like this before. He felt really bad after he did it but I ran outside. I don't know where to go." He said. He sounded like he was near tears.

"Go to my house and wait for me there. I should be home soon." She said.

"Okay. I'll see you soon." Raoul said quietly.

Christine hung up and her heart was filled with sadness. Apparently, her face was too because Erik soon chimed in.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, as they pulled into Christine's neighborhood.

"Just a friend having some issues. Thank you so much for the ride." She said, when they started to approach her house.

Erik smiled and nodded as Christine gathered her things and got out. Erik drove off, but not before seeing Christine hugging a boy in her front yard. He gripped the steering wheel and sped to the doctor's office where he would work a night shift.

"Oh my gosh, Raoul." Christine said, dropping her things and embracing him in her arms.

He broke down as soon as she got to him, and they sat in the grass as he cried into her shoulder. He explained everything in detail and explained how he'd gotten a bag of some clothes. Christine held his face in her hands and softly smiled.

"You're staying here until things get sorted out." She said. 

He opened his mouth to speak but closed it and nodded. Christine helped him up and they walked inside. Gustave walked into the hall from his office and saw Christine with Raoul.

"Hey, I've been wondering where you were." Gustave said.

His gaze drifted to Raoul who had a bruise on his cheek and his eyes were red.

"Am I missing something?" He asked.

"Raoul needs to stay with us for a little while." Christine said.

"Of course, he can stay in the guest room if he wants. Do you have clothes?" Gustave asked him.

"I have some clothes but I think I need to get more from my house." Raoul said, looking at the floor.

Gustave nodded and they took Raoul to the guest room where he sat on the bed.

"Christine, may I speak to you for a minute?" Gustave asked.

She nodded and smiled at Raoul before leaving the room.

"What happened? He looks like a mess." He said.

"I know. He said that his parents were fighting and when he interfered his dad hit him. I assumed you would be fine with him staying until things get sorted out. He really needs to be safe, I just don't know how we're going to get more stuff from his house." Christine said.

Gustave sighed. "I'll get it figured out. I also need to know where you've been, young lady. I don't care if you hang out with a friend but just let me know." he said.

"I know, I'm sorry. I was with Erik. It's a long story and I'll explain it all later." She said.

Gustave raised an eyebrow at the fact that she'd been with a grown man. Christine walked back into the guest room and Raoul was looking at a picture of Christine and her mother.

"You look like her." He said.

Christine smiled. "That's what everyone says."

There was a small pause.

"Thank you. I really appreciate you letting me stay here."

"It's no problem. I enjoy your company, anyway, so it's gonna be fun having you here." She said, slightly laughing.

This made Raoul brighten up a bit. Christine wrapped her arms around him and Raoul's head fell into her shoulder. He inhaled her sweet, lavender perfume and finally he couldn't take it anymore. He pulled away and looked her in the eye for a second.

"I have homework to do, but if you need anything just come find me in my room." Christine said, walking out the door.

Raoul flopped back on the bed and sighed. He wanted her so bad.