The Choice (POTO Highschool AU)

It's A New Day

Christine's POV
It was the day. The day I dreaded all summer, the first day of school. I was going into grade eleven hopeful. I lived with my "aunt" and best friend. My mum died when I was very young, I barely knew her. My father played the violin in the French symphony. He brought me to ballet lessons at the Opera Populare. It burned down in the 1800s but was recently rebuilt when I was born. There I met my best friend Meg and Madame Giry my "aunt." When I was eight my father died and I lived with Meg. We were always inseparable but when we got to high school we didn't hang out much at school. I'm more middle class in the popular ranks. I didn't mind though. It was nice not being known. My daily tasks include having to hang out with Raoul. We were friends before my dad died and all he wants is to be with me. Did I mention he's the most popular guy at school? I don't want to be with him that badly but maybe if I'm his I'll finally feel special.
***
I finish putting on my makeup and grab my bag, leaving my room and going to the kitchen to get some breakfast. I notice some toast on the grey countertops with a note.
Hello girls, here's some breakfast. Good luck on your first day of school!
I study the note and grab two pieces, waiting for Meg.
"Meg hurry up! We're gonna be late for school!" I yell after I finish taking a bite of the toast.

"One sec! I have to finish my hair. You know how it looks if I rush." Meg rebuttalled from her room.

"I bet you look just fine." I replied tapping my fingers on the counter creating a little sound with each tap.

Meg soon enters the kitchen noticing the note and grabs a piece. I already finished my breakfast while she got ready. We soon exited the house and walked to school.

"Isn't this exciting?" Meg asks as her heels make a clicking sound on the dull grey sidewalk.

"Very." I answer. "Hopefully this is the year of new beginnings."

"Well it is a new day! I hope there are new cute boys." Meg gushes as we walk up the pathway to the front door of the school. 'Go to your home room to get your locker, lock, etc.' The sign read that was taped to the door. We parted ways once we got inside and embarked on the journey to our home rooms. I sat at the front, turning around to survey the people who were here wondering if there was anyone new. I noticed someone that I never really noticed before. He wasn't new. It was the kid Erik with the facial deformity. He sulked in the dark back corner. I remember kids trying to pick on him but he was strong so he always fought back. I also remember hearing rumours that his parents were dead. I wondered if they were true. I suddenly felt the urge to sit beside him and figure him out. I noticed Raoul coming close and sat beside Erik before he could snatch me away.

Erik's POV
I saw her coming close. It was Christine. She was coming near me? Oh god she's sitting beside me now. Ever since I first saw her in middle school I've been in love. But we could never be together. Especially with Raoul chasing after her all the time. My parents gave me away as a baby because of the scar on the right side of my face. I was in foster care until I ran away. Now I live on my own in an apartment working when I'm not in school. I hope to get my dreams of becoming an architect. My grades would surely get me there alone.

"Hello there!" Christine smiles. "I'm Christine. And you're Erik, correct?"

I tried to contain my excitement. "Y-yes." I said in a small voice. "It's nice to meet you." I studied her face, looking for any sign of hatred. Her auburn curls still shone-even in the dark corner. Her pale skin also shone and her brown eyes captured me in a gaze.

"It's nice to meet you too! We should hang out this lunch. I'd love to get to know you better."

Was she for real? I looked for any sign of it being a joke but I found none. She was being genuine. "Sure! That'd be great." I replied. Was I being too enthusiastic? The bell rang and people took their seats. I noticed Raoul walk over.

"Christine why are you sitting besides him? Come sit with me." Raoul grabbed her hand and lead her to a seat. She gave me a sympathetic smile as she walked away. I went back to sulking wishing that lunch would come.
***
Soon lunch came and I walked through the boring, beige halls packed with kids to where I was supposed to meet Christine. Kids gave me rude looks as I walked by.

"You showed up! Yay!" Christine greeted with glee. She liked having me around?

"Of course I came." I exclaimed as she wrapped me in a hug. I was hugging Christine. How was this possible. I took in her scent. Maybe she could even like me? She never could. I pushed that thought away. Christine grabbed my hand and we sneaked away to a back hall. She seemed nervous that she would get caught. Once we sat down I popped the question.
"Why did you seem nervous? Is everything alright?" She probably didn't want to be seen with me.

Christine raised her gaze from the off-white tiles covered in dirt to me. "It's just Raoul. If he saw me with you he'd pull me away. It's not that I don't want to be seen with you. It's just that Raoul wouldn't let me see you. You see, he really wants to be with me. I kinda do too but not because of his reasons. He needs me for good eye candy and because I knew him before my father died. I mean if I was with him maybe I'd feel special. Sorry about that." She apologized looking away.

I pulled her gaze back to me. "Don't be sorry. It's a logical way that you want to feel. Just remember that you don't need a popular guy to feel that way. You are special. Everyone is." I applauded myself after I cheered her up. I had quite the way with words and I hope she notices that.

"Yeah. You're right, Erik. I wish all guys were like you. If everyone saw the real you they'd be dying to be with you." Christine replied with a smile. I felt so good after that. What was happening could never be real. Christine pulled me from my thoughts.
"So, what's your back story. I'm curious."

I flashed a hurt look for a second. She probably only wanted to see me to find out so she could hurt me. But I realized that she could just be curious. She couldn't really hate me. I gulped and got ready to reply. Once again Raoul stopped me from getting anywhere.

"Christine! I've been looking for you everywhere! Where have you been? Come. We must go." Christine looked at me. She seemed so hurt that she had to leave yet made no attempt to stay.

"See you tomorrow, Angel." Christine said with a wink and disappeared down the dark hall.

"Angel? Why'd you call him that?" I could hear Raoul ask as they went down the hall.
And again, I was alone.

A/N
Hello! So here's a new story (and my first fanfic on here).
I'm super excited to write this as I feel like a high school AU for POTO is much needed. (I love high school AUs way too much)
See ya'!
-iamspontaneous :/-\: