Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. And the song "Away" is by The Fold, and is OWNED by them.

Hey everyone! How have you guys been doing? Sorry for the continuing late updates. I am such a bad author. -; Anyhow, a new chapter is up, as you can see. Youth group's been great! And here's a suggestion: at your youth group, try jumping up and down to fast worship (if there's enough space of course, since you don't want to bump into someone. Yikes! Oo) It's loads of fun, and even though you'll probably feel stupid for a moment, it's totally worth it. Beside, praising God can be in any joyful manner. Dancing, clapping, or praising Him in your mind. Just as long as your heart's in it. :) God Bless! -Liane

(A/N: UGGGH! I did it again! THIS IS ABOUT KICKBALL LIANE! NOT BASEBALL! bangs head against keyboard)

…

Hey

Can I look you in the?

Hey

Can I look you in the eyes?

It looks like you're running away too fast.

-The Fold

….

The youth group kickball tournament was a blast, as people laughed and cheered, making the sun seem even brighter. Its heat hadn't died down at all, and many people went missing…only to be found in the long line for at the lemonade stand. As the baseball teams took a thirty-minute break for hot dogs and lemonade, Erik continued to practice his kicking. Determined to get some points for his team, he paid little attention to the growing heat bearing down on. Rolling the kickball towards him, he kicked the ball with all his might…only for the ball to fly off into the bleachers.

Foul.

Frustrated, Erik picked the kick ball up...then thew it down and put a hand to his sweating forehead.

He wasn't going to let this heat bother him!

Turning around to pick up his bat, he instead met the chocolate-brown eyes of Christine, who was looking down at him, concerned. Waving timidly, she picked up the kickball that he just threw down moments before, and then looked back up at him. Guilt washing over him, Erik took the ball silently from her fingertips.

"Thank you."

"No problem," She said quickly, plastering a smile over her glistening face. An awkward moment hung over them as they both looked around, wondering what to say to each other.

Sighing, she dropped the smile, and scanned Erik's exhausted figure, letting the concern wash over her face again.

"Why don't you come and have some hotdogs and lemonade with us? We saved a seat for you over there…" Christine gestured to where everyone was sitting. "I mean…you look pretty tired. Maybe you should take a break."

Erik stared at her for a moment under his wet, raven-black hair that was spread all over his head. Gulping, she tried to smile again reassuringly.

"You saw, didn't you?" He muttered, leaning the baseball bat on the gate. He turned his back on her, not wanting to see her expression. Great. Now she probably has the idea that he lost his temper at everything…

"Yes. But it's cool," she shrugged. "We all get frustrated sometimes." Erik's heart jumped a little at the friendly tone in her voice. How could she be so calm about it? Turning around slowly, his heart gave another painful thump. Oh no…Erik's mind fought for control, to push away this realization, but it hit him….

He liked her.

…..

As Erik swiveled around to meet her face, Christine took another step back. Something about his eyes bothered her. They looked wild, tormented, angry…but sad.

"Frustrated?" He laughed harshly. "I'm not frustrated! Your youth group's supplies really suck though, I must say…" Christine winced a little, but decided to not let what he said bother her. She had a feeling that his sarcasm was a way to disguise his real emotions. Letting it go, she simply responded to his comment by smiling warmly up at him. 'So this is the way he wants to play…so be it. God, please help him start opening up to me…'

"No, actually…" she grinned mischievously "I think the problem is you're kicking it like a girl." Taking the ball from its resting place, she took her position near home base, and smirked at the gaping expression on Erik's face. "What are you waiting for? I can't do this by myself. Pitch!" Swinging her curls over her shoulder, Christine nodded.

"See? You just have to hold it up to here. Now roll it," she ordered. Shocked, Erik immediately picked up the kickball, took pitcher's stance, and threw…

'All right Christine,' she thought to herself. 'Eye on the ball…wait for it…then…KICK!'

The ball flew through the humid air, going beyond the green outer field, and beyond to a nearby neighborhood.

CRASH!

The two teenagers winced at the sound of a window crashing. Blushing, Christine scratched her head. That…really wasn't what she intended to happen.

Oops.

A moment passed by, as they looked at the area where the ball most likely landed, in silence. Finally, it was replaced by…Erik's roaring laughter? Eyes' widening, Christine watched as he held his arms over his stomach, hooting. Giggling, she put her hand over her mouth. She felt like time had slowed down as they continued, their laughter ringing in their eyes. Her heart jumped a little though, as he put his hand on her arm hesitantly. Still smiling, Erik pulled her over to where everyone was eating…

"Come on, let's get a hotdog. You must be hungry…window breaker," Erik smirked knowingly as she turned a deep shade of red. Guilt washed over her, as she remembered how much money it took to replace a window.

"Oh…I feel horrible…" Christine groaned, covering her face over with her now-red hands. "I just BROKE someone's window!" Now she'd have to figure out where the window was broken…and pay for it. How was she supposed to do that? She didn't even have a job yet!

The smell of hotdogs was bothering her. And the idea of lemonade didn't sound so good anymore…

…..

No! No! No!

Just when Erik was determined to use his sarcasm to draw Christine away from him, she made a surprise attack on him! His heart had jumped at the defiant glow in her eyes as he rolled the kickball at her…

Why did this girl catch him off guard so much? He felt like he was walking over enemy lines when he decided to try out this place. Why was he acting like this? This wasn't like him! The Erik at home and at school was in control. He wouldn't let anything, or anybody touch him. Now everything here made him feel like all his defenses were down! The youth group, this girl, and most of all, this God of theirs! But instead of feeling the sting of an enemy, he felt the love from these people, and this God, seeping through his all being…

And what scared him was…he was starting to love it.

Shaking, he marched over to the hotdog stand, where Jackson was working. Glancing up, Jackson nodded at him in greeting. "Want a hotdog I'm guessing?"

"AND some LEMONADE?" Alex called over from the other stand.

Erik nodded. "Two please." Fidgeting, he wondered if he should ask this or not…

"Hey, Jackson?"

"Yeah?" Setting the hotdogs down, Jackson wiped his hands together. Erik battled with himself, but decided that Christine didn't need to pay for that window. As he could recall, there was a paycheck wait for him in the mail…

"Got any idea how much a window would cost?" He asked gruffly, thanking Jackson for the half-burnt hotdogs. Grabbing a couple of napkins, he swiftly glanced over at Christine.

Besides, a girl should never pay.

….

A/N: Hoped you liked it! God Bless.