How do you do it? Honestly, I don't know how you manage to write such amazing characters and it makes me both envious and amazed ;). "Erik" has such a magnetic/enigmatic personality and I can't help but devour every chapter that comes out to try and understand him just a bit more.

He's such an outcast and yet he has such a strong personality. I like how Lily continually describes his eyes as being "drilling" and small personality quirks like him feeling guilty for having to sleep. They all make him so.. human and interesting. I eagerly await the next chapter :).

Hi there. I've left a few reviews on your sorry He's There, but I have to tell you again that I really enjoyed it. You write romantic tension very well - or that romantic/dangerous tension in which you're never sure if a story is building to a romantic katharsis, a violent one, or some combination of the two. Often seen in stories in which romantic ideals create illusions or expectations that end up backfiring. That sort of trope is one of my favorites to explore in literature, and I'm really impressed to see such a good example of it in fanfiction.

You've actually inspired me, because I've had an idea for a story in a similar vein (not about phantom of the opera). Since you've managed to be so productive with your writing I will look back at He's There for motivation as I try to get my ass in gear and actually write something myself. So thank you.

THIS is why I love to post this story online!
(Well I mean in all honesty...)

I said thank you to both, of course.

I just remembered this guy that I think has been subliminally inspiring me for the Phantom's character.

Many of "Erik"'s problems come from my friend Greg; he's been in fights, he's been to juvi, he's had to deal with schizophrenia since he was in his early teens (I think), and sometimes he's homeless because of issues with parents or maybe other reasons... But! He never much exuded "Erik"'s personality, which is why I knew there was some puzzle-piece missing about who this person was that I felt I had experienced before.

But now I know! It was an upperclassman named Aaron. I called him Casper-Guy at the time because his light blond hair reminded me of an old character. I think he was a senior when I was a sophomore. Often when I saw him, he was by himself. Like I remember once, I got stuck in freshman traffic near the front doors and on the way out he was standing at some nearby post just looking down at them, as if he was looking for someone. He dressed pretty dark, but I remember thinking "hot damn, that black button-down looks good on him". XD

Even though he was really pale and blond, he had extremely dark eyes that really hit you hard when he so much as glanced at you. I felt so intimidated! Never said a word to him.

Have no idea what he was like. Just very quiet, and you could say mysterious!

His vibe, in retrospect, definitely reminds me of the Phantom, for anybody that would've seen him at school back when he went there. Lily thinks right now that she has never seen him, but I'm still deciding how I'm going to deal with that. If you're not looking for someone, it's easy to forget what experiences you may have had with them, even if now you don't know how you could miss it.

"Erik" would have given off that vibe though. Just this dark looking guy that you would never want to notice if you were staring at him! Whenever you see him, even though you're in the same place, you don't feel like you understand anything about him and the idea of making an approach is ridiculous. Just let him do his thing and when he shows up go "hey look," *nudges friend* "there's that weird guy."

And then you sighhhhhh because deep down you wish there was some situation where he would have to talk to you because you secretly think he's kind of hot and has pretty hair.

:D