Fighting For Your Love (Fire And Ice)

Summary: Some say the world will end in fire; Some say in ice. From what I've tasted of desire. I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that, for destruction, ice is also great and would suffice.

~Robert Frost

Chapter One: Coming Home To You

"...and when one of them meets the other half, the actual half of himself, whether he be a lover of youth or a lover of another sort, the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy and one will not be out of the other's sight, as I may say, even for a moment..."
― Plato, The Symposium

January 17, Forks, Washington

Beau got off the plane, a scowl on his face. That plane ride had been dreadful. Airport security was a nightmare and he'd been forced to sit between two gross, annoying children, while their mom slept the whole four-hour trip. But he couldn't blame her. If he had two little overactive brats like that then he'd sleep all day too.

Beau dusted off his favorite T-shirt – a Monty Python one with the swallows and the coconut that his mom got him two years ago, for Christmas. It was a little snug but he didn't care. It went well with the Monty Python watch that Julie had given him for his birthday last year. He wasn't the best at keeping track of time or so Julie said.

Beau ran his fingers through his dark brown hair, that was a little longer than he wanted it, but he'd fix that if Charlie could give him the name of a good barber. He grabbed his bags and made his way over to where Charlie was waiting for him with the cruiser.

"Hi, Dad," Beau said, sullenly, and his Dad pulled him in for an awkward one-armed hug.

"Welcome home, Son," Charlie greeted, smiling.

After they put his bags in the car, Charlie said that he had a surprise waiting for him at home.

"Surprise?" he questioned, and Charlie nodded.

"I think you'll really like it," he stated.

"I doubt it," Beau said under his breath, looking out the window.

The last time his father said he had a surprise for him, it ended up being something sports related and Beau was a lot of things…but he wasn't the least bit athletic.

Charlie spent the rest of the car ride trying to make conversation and Beau gave him short one-word answers until Charlie gave up.

When they get home, there was a faded red, Chevy pickup truck in front. It was big, it was mean, and it was perfect.

"Is this my surprise?" Beau asked, and Charlie shook his head, making Beau frown.

"That's you're welcome home present," he corrected, then gestured towards the house, "That's your surprise,"

Beau looked up to see a girl come out of the house.

She was wearing an unbuttoned, red, plaid, flannel shirt, a tight black T-shirt that stopped just below her naval, showing off her tight stomach, tight black jeans that showed off her calves. As his eyes traveled up from her well-toned legs, to round hips, to her tiny waist, to her breast which were at most a C, to her hair as black as midnight that spiraled into curls at her shoulders, all the way to her gloss covered lips curved into a captivating smile, wrapped up in the smoothest russet skin he had ever seen.

But what called to him most were her eyes.

Slanted, dark brown eyes, with long stunning black lashes that brought back memories of mud pies and laughter.

"Julie?" Beau questioned, eyes widening and her smile spread in a familiar sunny grin.

"There's my Beau!" she called, giggling, and it had been years since he'd heard her laugh in person.

Beau couldn't help the returning smile from spreading across his face.

His first smile since he left Phoenix.

Julie ran across the yard and pulling him into a tight hug that he instantly returned.

"I see you've finally mastered the art of hugging," she joked, before burying her face in his chest, and Beau laughed, his arms tightening around her.

"It's so good to see you, Jules," Beau said, still smiling.

Charlie watches them for a minute, then went to the house to give them a moment alone.

"You look good," Beau said when he finally realized that their hug had gone on a little too long, pulling away to give his friend another once over.

Julie smirked, "You don't look so bad yourself," she placed her hand on his arm and squeezed, "Have you been working out?"

Beau felt his cheeks warm and hated how expressive his face was.

"Maybe a little," he mumbled, "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"I fixed the truck," she said, gesturing to the truck.

"It's nice to know that some things haven't changed," he joked and Julie sent him a scandalized look.

"As if there's a version out there of me that doesn't love cars," she grabbed his hand and led him to the car. "Now let me show you how to work it,"

Once they were inside, Julie started talking.

"Okay, so you got to double pump the clutch when you shift, don't forget to change the oil, and this truck doesn't have a reserve so try to keep it on above half a tank,"

Beau listened, nodding occasionally, but he couldn't take his eyes off her. Julie had really grown from that little seven-year-old girl who wrestled with him in the mud.

Julie caught him staring and gave him a look.

"You're not listening to me, are you?" she questioned, and Beau blushed.

"Yes, I am," he protested, and she crossed her arms, making her breasts stick out more.

"Then what did I say?"

"Um…" Beau trailed off, eyes snapping to her face. "You said that I should keep my truck on above half a tank of gas?"

Julie glared at him then smiled.

"Good, you were listening,"

Beau nodded, ashamed of himself. This wasn't just some random chick he'd eyed, this was his best friend. A girl who could probably kick his butt if it came down to it.

"So, how's school life on the Rez?" Beau asked, changing the subject.

He loved Julie, but when it came to cars, she could get a little intense.

Julie shrugged, "I wouldn't know,"

Beau gave her a confused look, "What? Did you drop out?"

Julie shook her head, "Nope, I transferred a couple of weeks ago,"

"You mean…." Beau trailed off, stunned.

Julie grinned, "I'm going to school with you tomorrow!"

Beau was ecstatic. Being with Julie just felt natural to him. She made everything better, more fun, and easier.

"Thank God," he breathed, "I thought I was going to have to go it alone,"

Julie slapped his shoulder.

"Did you really think that I would abandon you?" she asked, and Beau shook his head.

"I knew you'd come through, Jules," he said, honestly.

"I always do," Julie smiled, looping an arm around Beau's shoulders. "And I always will."

"That's why you're my favorite girl," Beau stated, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"And you're my second-favorite boy," Julie chirped, and Beau glared at her.

"Second?" Beau questioned,

"Yeah, after Chris Pine," Julie joked, and Beau scoffed.

"What does Chris Pine have that I don't?" he questioned, and Julie paused to think about it.

"Piercing blue eyes that make me melt," Julie sighed.

"I have blue eyes," Beau growled.

"A gorgeous body and great sense of style," Julie added and Beau rolled his eyes.

"I could have his body too if I had a personal trainer and I bet he doesn't even dress his self,"

"a $20-million-dollar net worth," Julie drawled and Beau shut up. "Oh, don't pout, honey. You know I don't care about money,"

Beau just shook his head.

"I did not miss your sense of humor," he states.

"Well, I don't like your attitude mister," Julie said, getting out of the truck and slamming the door. "My sense of humor and I are going somewhere where we'll be appreciated,"

Beau followed her without a second of hesitation.

Julie and Beau spent the rest of the afternoon fixing up his room. Julie put a rug down on the wooden floor, helped Beau hang up posters on the lights blue walls, and threw away the yellowed lace curtains around the window.

"We can buy you some more curtains later," she said, "But those bright, pee-colored curtains were destroying my retinas, now."

Beau just shook his head and hung up his Hamlet poster; the one with the black crows crowding around the white one in the middle. It hung to the left of his Monty Python poster – Life of Brian, Domestic Poster. There were also Two Romeo and Juliet posters, a Mansfield Park one, and one of Amy Adams in a bikini.

Julie raised an eyebrow and Beau rolled his eyes, wishing his face wasn't so pale so she wouldn't see him blushing.

"Amy Adams?" she questioned.

"What?" Beau snapped, "I happen to think she's very pretty,"

"Whatever gets you going," Julie said, flopping down on his bed and Beau was glad that he hadn't put up his poster of Megan Fox in a swimming pool.

Beau sat down next to her and Julie laid down, stretching out on his bed like she owned the place.

"Ah...I'm tired," she yawned, and Beau laid down next to her.

"Me too," he admitted, "That flight was exhausting,"

Julie sent a smirk his way, and Beau saw a twinkle in them.

"Did you join the mile-high club on the way over?" she asked, and Beau shot her a confused look.

"Mile high...?" he thought about it and then his face turned scarlet, "No!"

Leaning up to rest her head on her arm, Julie grinned.

"I was just kidding. You're too serious for your own good,"

"You're too playful for your own good," Beau mumbled, kicking off his shoes, and Julie laughed.

"No such thing," she kinked an eyebrow, "Come on, you've gotta have fun sometimes,"

"I have fun," Beau countered, defensively, "And come on, I have good reason to feel a little gloomy,"

Julie stared at him for a moment before rolling out of bed and landing gracefully on her feet.

"Well, I'll do the best I can to keep you smiling then, Sunshine,"

Beau didn't respond, too busy staring at the perfect curve of her ass and her long well-defined legs, as she bent to pick up her boots.

Julie cleared her throat and Beau blinked, considering her glowing eyes, as she smirked knowingly at him. He swallowed and looked up at his ceiling.

That was going to take some getting used to.

"I'm going to go get started on your welcome home meal. You go ahead and take a nap while I go talk to Mr. Hot Stuff out there," she stated and Beau lifted up.

"Are you talking about Charlie?" Beau asked, eyes widening.

"Hell yeah! Have you seen your dad?" Julie commented, "He's a total DILK,"

"DILK?" Beau couldn't help but ask.

"Dad I'd Like to Kiss," Julie made a kissy face.

"Eww gross!" Beau's face scrunched up in disgust. "That's my Dad!"

"And he's my hot Dad fantasy," Julie replied, "Just imagine him in a James Bond tux with his gun in hand and a couple of bad guys on a boat." She sighed, fanning herself, and Beau threw his pillow at her.

"I was just kidding," Julie giggled, "Or maybe not,"

She blew him a kiss and skipped out the door, while Beau tried to scrub the image of her and his dad out of his head.

Instead, he let his thoughts go dark, as he tried to think about what school would be like for him on Monday. He knew he was a bit of a nerd and knew that the bullies back at his old school used to make a sport of shoving him into his locker until he had his growth spurt.

Hopefully, Forks High didn't have really big lockers.

Well, at least he had Julie.

He heard flirtatious giggling and Charlie's gruff voice.

But if she thought she was going to be his Step-Mom then he'd kill her.

"I don't know what we'd do without you around here, Jules," Charlie said, and Beau gritted his teeth.

Or maybe he'd kill his father instead.

Angry at himself for falling for Julie's crap, he reached into his duffel bag and pulled out one of his books.

His mom would be sending the rest of his stuff over later. He pulled out his copy of Jack London's The Call of the Wild. He had only been reading for an hour when Julie came to get him.

"Dinner's ready!" she said, poking her head through the door.

"Be there in a minute," He said, quietly, not taking his eyes off his book.

"What are you reading?" Julie asked, bouncing next to him on the bed.

"The Call of the Wild, by Jack London" he mumbled, and Julie tilted her head to the side, curious.

"What's it about?"

"It's about a dog," he stated and Julie laughed.

"Why are you reading a book about a dog? Don't you usually go for Shakespeare or the Bronte sisters?" Julie punched Beau's arm, jokingly.

"It's not like that," he snapped, "It's about a dog named Buck. Taken out of his comfort zone and thrown into a brutal life as a sled dog; he struggles to fit in and receives harsh treatment from humans as well as other dogs. He's an outcast and he does whatever it takes to survive."

"It sounds like a really depressing book," Julie commented and Beau instantly felt embarrassed for getting upset about a book.

"I'm sorry, Julie." He apologized, "I'm just a little upset about the move and…"

"Don't worry about it," Julie said, her lips curling into a half-smile, "Maybe when you're finished, I could read it?"

"Of course," he said, glancing down at the book, "I know how much you like dogs,"

"Can you read a little to me?" she asked, and Beau had a flashback to when they were kids.

"You okay?" Julie asked quietly when he made no move to read.

"Yeah," Beau answered. "Just tired. It's just that I…back in Phoenix, I never felt like I belonged. Sometimes I wonder if I'm seeing the same things through my eyes that the rest of the world is seeing through theirs. Like, maybe what I see as green is what everyone else sees as red. Maybe I'm smelling vinegar when everyone else is smelling coconut."

He looked over at Julie who was watching him.

"I'm not making sense, am I?"

Julie shook her head.

"No, I get it, but," she paused, "You know that that's crap, right?"

Beau opened his mouth to say something and Julie cut him off.

"You belong with me," Julie stated, "We're family and I don't care if you're seeing green and smelling vinegar. You're my best friend and I'm going to make sure that everyone loves you,"

Beau smiled.

"Now are you going to read your book to me?" Julie demanded.

He nodded and began to read a few pages out loud, Julie leaned her head on Beau's shoulder, something she used to do a lot when they were kids.

Julie had always been a very hands-on person. She liked to hold his hand when they walked together, to pull his body close to hers and bury her face in his shoulder, to hug, and tickle. He really didn't mind much. He actually kind of liked it, made him feel less alone.

"He was too busy adjusting himself to the new life to feel at ease, and not only did he not pick fights, but he avoided them when possible. A certain deliberateness characterized his attitude. He was not prone to rashness and precipitate action," he read to Julie, going back to chapter 3 and making it all the way to the start of Chapter four before Charlie came to get them for dinner.

"I told you to bring him downstairs, not start a book club," Charlie teased.

Julie snickered and Beau covered her mouth with his hand.

"We'll be right there, Dad," he said, and Julie pouted.

"But it was just getting to the good part," she whined and Charlie cleared his throat.

"It would be a real shame if the food you made got cold," he commented, and Julie's eyes widened in realization.

"Oh crap!" she cried, hopping off the bed and running out of the room. "I forgot to turn off the oven!"

Beaufort watched her go, confused.

After the pizza that Julie put in the oven burned to a crisp, Beau ended up making his own Welcome Home dinner of spaghetti and garlic bread. They ate dinner together. Julie kept talking about all the things they were going to do together and all the people she was going to introduce him to. Beau watched her with a wistful expression. He wished he had her energy.

"Man, I really wanted to blow you away with my famous homemade pizza," Julie sighed, and Beau couldn't help but be curious.

"When did you learn to cook?" Beau asked, and Julie beamed, perking back up.

"Are you kidding? Between your Dad and my Dad, I had to learn if I wanted to have something edible." Julie said, and Charlie coughed, embarrassed.

"So, you've been cooking for them both?" Beau asked, surprised, she had never mentioned that on the phone or in her emails.

"Of course, we all usually eat together at my house but Dad's on a hunting trip with Harry. He'll be back tomorrow night," she explained.

"Well, hopefully, tonight was just a fluke, right?" he joked, and Julie's eyebrows furrowed.

"Shut up," she said, standing up, "Now let me get dessert,"

Julie brought out a small cake and a tub of cake batter ice-cream.

"Luckily, I baked this before you got here," Julie said, smirking.

Beau stood up and went to go get the plates and spoons. Beau then set the table while Charlie scooped out the ice-cream. Julie handed Beau a knife to cut the cake with.

Vanilla frosting covered the cake, along with rainbow confetti sprinkles, and, spelled out in all red M&M's, was Welcome Home Beaufort.

"Really? You put Beaufort on the cake?" Beau said, face twisted in distaste, and gave Julie a threatening look.

"Yup!" she declared, proudly, "But I did it in red M&M's. Your favorite," Julie gave him her most innocent look and Beau found he couldn't be mad at her.

"Thank you, Jules," Beau said, a soft smile spreading across his face.

"Anything for you, Beautiful," Julie said with a wink and Charlie snickered.

"Shut up, Dad," Beau growled and Julie gave him an appalled look.

"You shouldn't talk to your father like that," she scolded, "Kids these days,"

"I know," Charlie shook his head, "I thought we raised him to respect his elders,"

Julie placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.

"You should have heard how he talked to me earlier," she said, clucking her tongue, "It's a shame. I blame MTV and that new aged rap music,"

Beau gave them both dirty looks.

"First, you're younger than me," he said to Julie and then turned to Charlie, "Secondly, you're an adult. Don't encourage her,"

Charlie and Julie laughed at him. They spent the rest of dessert teasing him.

"Another slice of cake, Beaufort," Julie asked, and Beau glared at her.

"No," a mischievous grin spread across his face, "But you look like you need one,"

"Wha…?" before Julie could say anything, Beau shoved a hand full of cake in her mouth.

Julie coughed and sent him an evil look.

"It's On," she growled, grabbing a fist full of cake.

Beau's eyes widened.

Crap…

After they finished covering each other in the cake, Charlie handed them a roll of paper towels to wipe off with before they all did the dishes together. Beau washed while Julie dried, and Charlie stacked the plates in the cupboard.

Julie sang 'Walking on sunshine,' to herself as she dried another plate to Charlie.

Beau winced, a great singer Julie was not.

She sent a grin in his direction and Beau forced one in return. He tried to focus on something else and a delightful scent drifted in his direction. He realized it was coming from Julie and sniffed again. It was a mix of vanilla, from his cake, peppermint, from her shampoo he assumed, and oil, probably from his truck.

"What are you thinking about, Beau?" Julie questioned, bumping her hip lightly against his, and Beau blushed.

"Just thinking about tomorrow," he lied and Julie tilted her head to the side.

He knew that she knew that he was lying. It's like Julie had a built-in detector for Beau's bullshit. But thankfully, she didn't call him out on it.

"Don't worry about tomorrow," she reassured him, "I got your back, babe,"

"I'm a man, Jules," Beau said, puffing out his chest, "I can take care of myself,"

"I'm a woman, Beau," Julie mocked, "and I always protect my man,"

"Stop making fun of me," Beau growled, playfully shoving Julie's shoulder, and Julie let a laugh escape her.

"Never, it's too much fun," Julie said, as Charlie placed the last plate on the shelf.

"Okay, kids," he declared, "It's getting late and you both have school tomorrow,"

Julie stuck her tongue out at him, behind Charlie's back, and he made a silly face back at her. They spent a few minutes messing with each other, the same way they used to do when they were kids until Charlie turned around and gave them both a stern look.

"So, do you need a ride or something?" Beau questioned and Julie shook her head.

"Why would I need a ride?" she questioned, puzzled, and Charlie looked confused too.

"Because it's late and you have to get home," Beau said, slowly, as if he were talking to small children.

"Oh, no," Julie said, beaming, "I'm staying here tonight; besides this way, you can drive me to school tomorrow,"

Beau frowned.

"She always stays here when Billy goes on one of his hunting trips with Harry," Charlie explains, "Neither one of us feel comfortable with her home alone. She's a pretty, girl and a lot of perverts are out there,"

"Okay, then I guess I'll sleep on the couch tonight," Beau said, relieved that Julie wasn't going home to an empty house.

He knew from experience that it wasn't as much fun as the movies made it look.

Julie rolled her eyes at him.

"Don't be stupid," she snorted, "We can share a bed."

Beau's eyes widened and he glanced at Charlie.

"I don't really think that's a good idea," he protests, knowing that he talks in his sleep and he doesn't want to know the kind of things he might accidentally say if he had a soft female body lying next to him.

"What's the problem? We used to sleep together all the time when we were younger," Julie stated, crossing her arms.

"Exactly, when we were younger," Beau said, putting an emphasis on the word younger, and Charlie ruffled his hair.

"Don't worry, son," Charlie comforted, "I trust you'll be a perfect gentleman,"

He paused and glanced at Julie, who was smiling brilliantly.

"But leave your door open and remember, I have a gun," Charlie threatened and Beau looked shocked.

"Dad, I'm your son," Beau stated, "You'd really choose her over me?"

Charlie looked at Julie again, who was giving them her best innocent girl impression.

"Yeah, that's my angel right there," Charlie said, gruffly, "And Billy will run me down with his chair if something happened to her,"

"Congratulations, Beau. You get to spend the night with a hot girl in bed with you and you didn't even have to take her on a date first," Julie joked and held out her hand for a high-five.

Beau decided to keep his mouth shut, and went to take a shower. When he got out, he realized he forgot to grab his clothes, so he listened. He could hear Julie downstairs, talking to Charlie, so he quickly wrapped a towel around his waist and ran into his room.

He finished putting on his pajamas and settled in on the right side of his bed. He must have dozed off, because the next time he opened his eyes, Julie was coming into his room.

She was wringing out her hair, which was still wet from the shower, and she was wearing a white tank top and a pair of boy short panties.

This wouldn't be weird. They used to sleep together all the time when they were little. Nothing was going to happen, right?

Julie closed the door, ignoring Charlie's order, and turned off the lights, before climbing in beside him. Beau worried that was going to tease him or do something to make him uncomfortable but, the second her head hit the pillow, he heard her snoring.

He watched her sleep for a moment, by the light of the curtainless window, marveling at the way she had changed in four years, before closing his eyes and following her lead.

He woke a few hours later and found Julie's face tucked against his neck, snoring softly, her arm draped across him. Beau stared up at the ceiling, unsure where he was for a minute. His arm was wrapped around Julie, and Beau briefly thought about moving but it was kind of nice and she was warm. Beau allowed his fingers to move up and brush through her hair and Julie shifted in her sleep, pressing close to him.

He'd really missed her while he was away.

He laid there for a few minutes enjoying her warmth, fingers unconsciously weaving and brushing through her hair, before deciding to get out of bed to get some water and put some space between them. Her arm tightened around his waist and she snuggled further into his neck.

Her arm tightened around his waist and she snuggled further into his neck.

"Mmph, don't go," she mumbled, and Beau decided to stay put.

It wasn't long before he drifted off again.

The next time he woke up wasn't so pleasant.

"Arrgh!" Beau groaned as someone flopped on top of him.

He opened his eyes to find Julie straddling his torso, pinning him down on the bed.

"Did you know that you sound like a pirate when you wake up?" Julie questioned, grinning like a cat who caught a bird.

"What are you doing Jules?" he asked, blinking up at her, "Did you need something?"

"We've got to go to school," Julie sang, and Beau's frowned, anxiety coiling in his belly.

"Do I have to?" he asked, and Julie nodded.

"Fine," he sighed, and then tried to get up but found that he couldn't, "Are you going to let me up now?"

Julie got a thoughtful look on her face.

"I don't think so," she replied, happiness sparkling in her dark brown eyes, and Beau had never met anyone who smiled as much as his best friend did.

Especially not on a Monday morning.

He liked it when Julie smiled because it meant that Julie was happy and there was nothing Beau wanted more than his best friend's happiness.

Beau felt Julie's hands on his sides and he knew what was coming.

"Don't you dare," he warned, but it was too late, Julie was already tickling him.

Beau tried to wiggle his way out from under Julie but she had thighs of steel or something because no matter how hard he squirmed, she wouldn't let up.

Beau laughed and laughed, and Julie laughed evilly.

"Stop! Please," he begged, breathlessly, "Jules…come on,"

Julie stopped tickling and grinned down at Beau.

"I'm still stronger than you, huh?" she remarked and Beau glared up at her.

Julie rested her hands against Beau's chest and he became aware of their position, both of Julie's legs on either side of him. He looked up at her; sinful smirk, and the long black hair spilling over her shoulders toward his face.

Beau reddened, and Julie leaned down until her face was inches from his.

"Don't worry," Julie whispered in his ear and he shivered. "I won't tell anyone,"

She got off him and smiled, her hands behind her back as if she handed just been reenacting a story from Penthouse magazine.

"I call dibs on the first shower!" she shouted, as she left, and Beau looked down at himself, and discovered too late a certain not so little embarrassing, problem and groaned.

Sometimes he really hated being a teenage boy.

…

"Julie! You've been in there for over an hour! I need to use the bathroom too!" His fist slammed against the bathroom door angrily.

"Calm down, Beau." Julie's voice floated out from under the door. "I'll be out in a minute,"

"You said that half an hour ago, Jules! Open the door, or I'm coming in!" Beau threatened and Julie laughed.

"Come on in, big boy," she called, "I don't mind if you see me naked."

"Julie!" Beau growled, hitting the door again.

"I thought you were coming in," she teased, "The door's unlocked,"

"Fine," he said, taking the bait, turning the knob, and stepping into the bathroom.

Julie had her back to him, combing her hair, in front of the mirror, dressed only in a fluffy white towel, wrapped low on her chest, and went no farther than her upper thighs.

"Morning, Beau," she said, meeting his eyes in the mirror, before turning around, not the least bit embarrassed. "I told you I would be finished in a minute."

He stood there, staring at her cleavage, feeling like an idiot.

"Just hurry up," he mumbled, closing the door as quickly as possible.

Julie came out a few minutes later, still wearing that towel, and Beau was never so happy for someone to have used up all the hot water.

After a quick shower, Beau dressed and took his lunch money, ten dollars, from Charlie.

"Thanks, Dad," Beau said, aloof, shoving the money in his pocket.

"You're welcome, Son,"

Julie looked down at the ground, pouting.

"I spent my lunch money yesterday to buy the ingredients for that pizza," she said, unhappily, her shoulders slumping.

"Don't worry about it," Charlie said and handed Julie a twenty, "Lunch is on me today,"

Julie smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks, Chief!" she said with a wink running out the door and Beau gave his Dad a warning look.

Charlie shrugged.

"Don't worry, son," he said, clapping his hand on his shoulder, "You got the same genes as me. You've just got to grow a mustache,"

Charlie tapped his facial hair and shoved him out the door.

"Have a nice day at school!"

Beau frowned, he didn't really think that it was possible to have a good first day of school.

He was geeky, awkward, pale, and only had one friend. He might as well paint a bull's eye on his forehead because he was going to be a moving target.

"Quit being so melodramatic. You aren't a moving target," Julie called from the passenger side of his truck. "Stop making your 'Life sucks' face and come on before you make me late,"

Beau rolled his eyes.

"Sometimes I think you know me a little too well to be normal," he muttered, getting in the truck.

"That's why I'm your best friend," she pointed out and Beau reluctantly agreed.

She turned on the radio, and the car was flooded with the chorus to an upbeat pop song. Beau made a noise of disgust and switched the station to classical music.

Julie made a gagging noise.

"Hey, I'm driving, I pick the music," Beau said, smugly.

"Whatever, Beau," Julie rolled her eyes at him, "I see your taste hasn't changed,"

Beau glanced at her, taking in her brown, leather jacket, her faded blue jeans with a hole in the knee, and her brown boots.

"I see your taste is still the same too," he said and Julie grinned.

"You're just jealous because I'm pulling this off," she stuck out her tongue.

Beau couldn't help but agree.

He looked down at his own outfit; plain blue T-shirt, a black raincoat, blue jeans, and sneakers.

He went for simple so he wouldn't attract too much attention but maybe he should have worn something else.

"Stop worrying about what people will think of you," Julie growled, "Just be yourself and I swear you'll probably have a whole group of friends before the end of the day,"

Beau wished he had her confidence.

"Just leave me alone, Julie," he said, quietly, and she sighed, before closing her eyes, leaning against the window.

When they got to school, Beau parked and stared at the school with an apprehensive expression.

It won't be that bad, he tried to convince himself.

"Come on, Beau," Julie said, patting him on the shoulder, "This isn't a Life or Death situation. It's just High school,"

Beau smiled, glad to have his friend by his side.

"You're right," he said, "What am I freaking out for? It's not like anyone is going to bite me,"

"That's the spirit!" Julie cheered, "Now let's go!"

It was time to meet the people he would be seeing five days a week for the next eighteen months.

June 5, Forks, Washington, 1996

The first-time Julie Black saw Beaufort Swan, she was eight years old.

"Beaufort?" Julie repeated, her face scrunching up at the name.

Sarah Black smiled and placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"Charlie's son." She explained, "He's a very nice boy. A little shy but I think that you two will be the best of friends,"

Julie was great at making friends. Her Dad said she had a gift when it came to people and now her Mom wanted her to use her talent to make Charlie's son feel welcome.

"Okay, Mommy!" she agreed, and her Mom ruffled her hair.

"That's my little sunshine," she said, softly, and Julie raced to the living room to watch her favorite show.

Later, Julie was sitting in her backyard, playing in the mud because her older sisters had taken over the living room. Beaufort was frowning as he was dragged out of his father's cruiser. He was wearing a blue baseball cap, white gym shoes, a gray shirt "Hey Arnold" T-shirt, and a pair of jeans. Julie had never met Charlie's son before but she had seen pictures.

"Come on, son," Charlie said, as he pulled the boy behind him, "It'll be fun. Billy has three little girls and one of them is around your age,"

Beaufort didn't look the least bit interested.

"You can't just spend all summer in the house reading a book. You need to get some fresh air," Charlie continued and Beaufort scowled at his back.

Julie watched Beaufort, her curiosity peaked.

This was the boy her mom wanted her to play with?

Once his father left with her dad to go fishing, Beaufort looked uncomfortable. He stood off to the side, waiting for Julie's sisters to acknowledge him but they were watching The Princess Bride, for the thousandth time, and gushing to each other.

Besides, even if they had noticed him, they wouldn't have talked to him anyway. They only talked and played with each other because they were twins and they had a 'special bond'. Her mom called it a phase.

Beaufort sighed, and grabbed a book from the shelf. He went to the kitchen table and started reading. Julie hid around the corner watching him for a while.

"Are you hungry?" her mom asked and Beaufort's face turned red, like one of her crayons, as he shook his head.

"Are you sure?" Her mom asked, and Julie tilted her head to the side, straining her ears to hear his voice.

Beaufort didn't speak…but his stomach did.

Beaufort looked embarrassed but Julie's mom didn't laugh at him. She just made him a sandwich and Beaufort thanked her, his voice soft. When she left him alone, he nibbled on his sandwich, quietly, reading her fairytale book. Julie didn't really like to read, so she usually just looked at the pictures.

For the rest of the afternoon, Julie watched Beaufort from a distance.

He was weird.

Everything he did was quiet. He read quietly. He ate quietly. He spoke quietly.

To everyone else, he kind of faded into the background. Her sisters were too busy playing with each other to notice him and her mom was working on her painting for her job. But Julie couldn't not notice him. He was a spot of gray in her otherwise colorful world.

Whenever he opened his mouth, her ears would perk up. When he moved, her eyes would move with him. When his expression changed, her mind whirled to figure out what he was thinking.

When his father finally came to get him, she was a little sad. He was a mystery that she had almost solved.

Her father confronted her later that night.

"Why didn't you play with Charlie's son today?" he asked, "You're usually good with people,"

Julie pouted, "I was watching," she mumbled.

Her father smiled at kissed her forehead, "Well, he's coming over again tomorrow. Maybe you'll talk to him next time?"

Julie nodded. "Okay, daddy!"

Author's Note: Hey, guys! I'm sorry about this. My story was unexpectedly taken down by the administrators. Anyway, I've decided to take this chance to fix some spelling mistakes I may have made, or some P.O.V. I'm going to start reposting my story a chapter every few days until I get back to where I left off.

I had a lot of reviews, followers, and favorites, and I'm sad to have lost them.

So, please review and/or PM your thoughts, feelings, wants, desires, ideas, etc.

Remember to show your support for your ship; Beau & Julie or Beau & Edythe.

If you're for Julie let me know what you like about her and why.

If you're for Edythe let me know what you like about her and why.

Beautiful Jewelry = Beau/Julie

Beautiful Perfection = Beau/Edythe

This story is Beta'd by the very talented and very helpful GoogleHawk.

Thank You GoogleHawk for everything :)