You Don't Need To Love Me
A/N: I haven't written these in awhile, so bear with me. I'm currently obsessed with If/Then, so I decided to write a fanfic from Beth's point-of-view focusing on her relationship with Lucas, but there are other characters involved. Some dialogue and plot lines will be directly from the show, but I'm twisting a few things around. Enjoy! (WARNING: Mild inappropriate language involved.)
Chapter 1: Back in the City That Moves Me
On s sunny Saturday afternoon on one of her first days back in New York City, Elizabeth was excited to meet up with her friends in Madison Square Park. She had left an unsatisfying life in Phoenix after twelve years and was eager to start new. From a distance, Elizabeth saw her two friends sitting at a table from far away. Kate was her new friend, a kindergarten teacher who lived across the hall. She had a feisty, upbeat personality and was always smiling. Her other friend, Lucas, was her old college friend from Vassar who was awkward and nerdy, but always continued to be a loyal friend to Elizabeth in times of need. Their friendship throughout the years was a bit complicated, but she was looking forward to being back in New York and revisiting old times, while creating new memories as well.
"Hey guys!" Elizabeth called to her friends, trying to get their attention. "I was going to introduce you to each other but it seems you've already met. Lucas, this is Kate, she lives across the hall. Kate, this is Lucas, my old college friend."
"Hey!" the two friends greeted each other.
"So Liz, what's up?" Kate replied.
"Liz? I'm pretty sure her name is Beth," Lucas interjected.
"Beth lives alone with cats…" Kate teased. "Liz comes back to New York City to find her one true love!
"Wait… BETH came back to New York to find work!" Lucas interrupted, cutting Kate off.
"Now, now, you two just met and you're already fighting? Let's try to settle this calmly!" Elizabeth said as she began to untangle the conflicting personalities of her friends.
"Okay, fine. Liz, there's a concert in Brooklyn we should go to Monday night at 7, Sexy Guitar Guy is playing there with his band!" Kate suggested.
Elizabeth smiled at the thought of doing something different for once. "Oh right, they do things in Brooklyn now! That's awesome, we should totally go!"
"WAIT, that's when my street action is happening!" Lucas cried.
"Oh shit! I completely forgot. I wish I could go to both."
Elizabeth's head was pounding at the two possibilities that Kate and Lucas offered to her. She didn't want to disappoint either of them. She thought about her options long and hard until she finally came to a decision.
"I'll go to your street action Lucas, I've always wanted to meet everyone!" Beth replied.
"Great, see you there!" Lucas said excitedly.
"Do you mind, Kate? I'm sure Sexy Guitar Guy will have other concerts with his band. We'll catch up another time."
"Not at all! See you soon. Have fun with Lucas, BETH." Kate smiled and began to walk away. "I have to get home to Anne, bye!"
"Bye!" Beth and Lucas said in unison.
"I've missed you." Lucas grabbed Beth and pulled her closer to him. "It's been too long."
"I know I missed you too. I can't stop thinking about the amazing times we had in college," Beth said as she ran her fingers through Lucas' blond hair and embraced him with a hug.
Lucas suddenly planted a light kiss on Beth's lips, leaving her speechless.
"Oh."
"I'm sorry. FUCK, I'm such an idiot!"
"No, it's fine. I just didn't expect that."
Beth's phone began to ring. Thank god I'm finally getting out of this awkward moment, she thought to herself. "347?"
"That's a New York area code," Lucas informed her.
"OH. Hello?"
"Beth, it's Stephen!"
"Stephen! Hi, how are you?"
"I'm doing great, welcome back to New York! I have a job offer for you. The Department of City Planning Needs a new member for their team and you would be perfect for leading the new waterfront development project."
"Are you kidding me? I would be honored!"
"Okay, I'll see you at my office on 22 Reade on Monday?"
"YES! See you then!"
Beth became overwhelmed after Stephen's phone call and took a deep breath. She peered over at Lucas' reaction, which was anything but pleasant.
"Really, STEPHEN?" he asked.
"What's so wrong with him?"
"He's a coward!"
"He's not, he offered me a great job on a government salary. How could I pass that up?"
"His company goes against everything the NYCC believes in."
"I'll make sure that we do everything in our power to offer low-income housing to those in need. You don't have to worry about a thing."
"I still don't want you working with Stephen. I don't trust him one bit," Lucas sighed.
"Well, this is my life, and I'm starting over. I'm taking this job and giving it everything I have."
"Whatever you say, Beth. I have to head home. I'll see you at the street action."
"Bye Lucas!" Beth rolled her eyes and headed the other way.