Your Teacher (Phantom of the Opera Fanfiction)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Perhaps Erik didn't know what was going on, which was to be expected, but Christine knew what had happened about two seconds after causing it to happen. The unthinkable had occurred! At first, everything felt so good. Sure, he wasn't exactly kissing her back.. but his lips just felt good. Even if she'd never be able to kiss him again, at least there was this. This one incredible moment with her lips against his could be enough.

Her thoughts then took a slight turn. To her surprise, she felt relief and some pride. She'd finally summoned the courage to kiss Erik! She'd dreamt of this for so long.

Things couldn't stay so carefree forever, though. Finally, with her lips still attached to his seemingly immobile ones, Christine began to come down from her high… quickly. It felt like minutes had passed by, but it was probably only a few seconds. He wasn't responding at all. Not knowing what else to do, Christine was the first to back away, but she did so slowly, as if waiting for Erik to take a step forward so they could continue kissing. That never happened.

Uh, oh.. This is bad. Christine's thoughts were everywhere, and her eyes were out of focus. She'd imagined kissing him many, many times before, but she never thought she'd feel so unguarded, like she'd just taken her clothes off in a room full of people. And crushed. It was beginning to feel like her heart was being trampled on. The love of her life was standing there just- … Wait, what is he doing?

She hadn't really been focusing on anything in particular and was afraid to start. Hesitantly and while biting her lower lip, Christine's eyes refocused on him. Her brow then furrowed at what she was seeing. Erik was standing before her expressionless with his lips slightly parted. It was like there was a whole mask covering his face, not just half. Had it really been that bad? Had she offended him that much?

More awkwardness than Christine thought was able to exist hung in the air while she waited on bated breath for something –anything- to happen.

Erik wasn't being a complete statue, at least not on the inside. He couldn't understand it, no matter which way he looked at it. Initially, he thought he was dreaming or imagining things. But it felt so real. But if it was real, then why? Why had this happened? How could it happen? It was mind boggling. He couldn't see how it made sense. His love was-.. She's backing away, his mind acknowledged. Still though, he couldn't react.

At least a minute passed in the same way. "Right," Christine finally said, losing any bit of hope she had. "Ok." And with that, she grabbed her pursed and darted out of the room trying to hold back tears. I'm going home so that I can deal with this rejection alone.

It was the slam of the front door that jolted Erik back to reality. He blinked a few times and covered his face with both hands. It had really happened. Christine had kissed him. She kissed me. Me… Oh my- Damn it! He stood so quickly that his head experienced some dizziness, but that was quickly forgotten. What in the hell have I done?

With great speed, yet still being graceful without even trying, Erik rushed outside and to his car. She must have gone home. Please, please let her have gone home. He knew he had to talk to her. I have to finally get inside her mind. What was she thinking? Shaking his head, he started the ignition and sped towards her house.

Christine headed straight for her bedroom without even talking to her parents. Once inside, she locked the door, lay on her bed and buried her face in her pillow to cry… yet it was more like sobbing. Why did I do that? Why did I have to make a complete fool of myself? And all of that hoping.. I hoped so badly that he would feel what I feel. What a waste.