Title: The Lake
Rating: T
Summary: She was just a girl, and he was just a boy—it was just their summer vacation, and it would be just to say that nothing would be the same. Julian had just three months of sun, lake water, sunscreen, and no Tom to get Jenny to fall for him. Forbidden Game AU, JennyxJulian.
Disclaimer: It's not even worth asking; I don't own the fabulous FBG trilogy.
Chapter 1: I Don't Want To Wait For It To Begin
A/N: Sorry for not even signing on to FanFic in, like, forever. My passion is writing and this is a way to squander my time by doing what I love, get reviews for it, and procrastinate doing my homework. Thank/blame my muse for getting me back on this site again, and please ask any questions about confusing parts of the story. Oh, and reviews are always looooovely as they make me happy and make me write more of the story!
Somewhere in-between California and Kentucky
Jenny fidgeted in the cracked pleather seat, ungracefully peeling her sweaty, tanned skin from the material. Her younger brother Joey napped beside her in the back seat, a cartoon-character blanket covering his body as his head rested on their shared armrest. Crinkles of plastic and wrappings could be heard faintly as the sixteen-year-old searched for something on the floor of the car. Jenny scavenged through old Skittles packs, the remnants of a Twizzler bag, and some scattered candy corn—she loved Halloween food in May. The month was reaching ripeness and middle age, but the day felt young, like it had opened up to a world of possibilities. School was out, her family's van was packed with suitcases, books, and food, and they were on the cusp of their annual summer vacation.
Unable to find her book (a required piece of reading by her English teacher for her American Literature class next year), Jenny sighed contently and watched the passing fields, barns, spotted cows, and children that whisked passed the car window. In front of her her mom was asleep, her golden-brown hair that was several hues darker than Jenny's splayed out in all directions as she tried to get comfortable. Her dad was in the driver's seat, one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding a map of Midwestern America that Jenny knew he didn't need; he had driven this route hundreds, or maybe thousands, of times before—even before Jenny had been born. The Thornton family vacation house was settled in the middle of Kentucky, and it was an unbroken family tradition that every summer was to be spent there: waterskiing on the lake, swimming, fishing, catching fireflies, etc. She had loved going there as a child, and would even started packing for the trip in the winter just to be sure that she would have everything wanted. Her love for the tiny, welcoming house and the lake that dwarfed it only grew during her teenage years. Sometimes, she thought, it was good to get away from schoolwork, California, her friends (and even Tom), so she could leave everything familiar in order to come to a place where Jenny Thornton connoted nothing. No Tom-and-Jenny unit, no shy, sweet girl who did everything expected of her. At the lake, Jenny was just another girl who had come to there to take a break, and in a swimsuit, shorts, and flip-flops she looked just like everyone else. Or so she thought.
They had been driving for almost three days, and had started off on Tuesday by driving for many hours, leaving California behind, before stopping in St. Louis to visit an aunt and uncle for one night. Then they were back on the highway again, and in several hours they would be turning down the gravel driveway, and her summer would officially begin. Jenny moved about in her seat restlessly, toying with her seatbelt as she impatiently waited to get to the lake. She was already dressed for the occasion, with her flower-printed sandals scattered near her feet, her golden hair free and slightly mussed, as well as tank top and denim shorts to complete the summer vibe. Jenny fingered the necklace that had settled between her breasts; it was a long thing made of rainbow pony beads and plastic charms that a summer crush had made for her long ago. She blushed at the thought of him, and wondered if Jess Matthews would be there this year. He was the grandson of the old man who owned the house next door to the Thorntons, and visited occasionally when his parents permitted him to. Jenny had last seen him several years ago, and wondered if it there had been a long enough absence to permit his return. Jess never did like to go to the same place over and over again, he had told her. Sometimes change was good. With her necklace wrapped around her fingers, Jenny fell asleep with a small smile, wondering what the summer would bring—fun, a tan, Jess?, and, just maybe, something more.
Kentucky
About a hundred miles away Julian wiped the sweat from his brow as he dragged the last cardboard box over the threshold of his new home. His arms and legs buzzed with the strenuous lifting and unpacking he had done, but the shadow man knew there were limits here as to when he could and couldn't do things with his powers. Most of the few families who lived on the street had already arrived, and, while he knew that none would approach him, as most did not know of the previous owner's death (and the old man was a recluse anyway, so why would he have any friends?), Julian still had to be careful about what he did here. One mistake and all of his hopes and plans would be ruined, and the boy who was as old as time but who looked only about seventeen knew that this summer was his only chance. Electric blue eyes danced over the medium-sized brick home, looking over the modern kitchen, living room, and silent, empty space that lay before him. Julian had purchased the house from a man, a Mr. Matthew or something. The short, pudgy man and sadly told him that his father had passed away some weeks before, and the family wanted to be rid of the property as soon as possible—there were too many memories here, he said. Julian scoffed at the thought of the overweight, overemotional man. But none of that mattered anymore: he was here, it was summer, and he was going to get what he had come for.
A lock of snow-white hair fell into his eyes as he leaned over the railing of the dock, comfortable with the unsteady feeling beneath his bare feet as the lake rocked the wooden platforms underneath him. Dark blue jeans with ripped hems tickled his ankles, as the wind teased his skin by gently lifting the edges of the flimsy navy towel that was slung across one strong shoulder and his bare, chiseled chest. His eyes wandered over the expanse of the lake, never settling on one spot. It was May 17th, and summer was starting. She should be here by now, he thought impatiently, until a tingling in his muscles and a boiling feeling in his chest contradicted him. She was close; he could feel it. His skin warmed and the thought of seeing her, really seeing her, for the first time since the incident with her grandfather. For years he had watched her from the shadows, but now he would be able to see her in the daylight, in all of her golden-haired, green-eyed glory. And not only would be able to see her in real life, but she him as well. Julian smirked, pleasure dancing on his face. Everything and everyone was ready to burst with excitement at the thought of summer about to begin.
A/N: So, what did you think?! I can see that you read it, so please please please make me happy with review on your thoughts. Should I continue (I want at least several reviews on this before I post again, not only to make this worth my while to be sure that there are at least a few people out there enjoying this fic)? A few nice words are always appreciated. Until next chapter!
TravelerOfTheNight