Author's Notes: Beetlejuice sure has been behaving hasn't he? He's not one to let that happen for too long.

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Chapter 10

Ice Cold

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BJ rested his arm on the ledge of the mirror and tapped his fingers on his face. He was completely and utterly annoyed at the sight he had been, imperceptibly, watching for some time from behind the mirror. Lydia had been so distracted to even sense his presence for the majority of the day so far. You see, Allen was visiting and he certainly did NOT want to interact with HIM.

He watched on as the two teens were looking through the photos that were scattered all over her bed.

Allen held up and began to examine one particular photo of a big ugly bat.

"This one is neat! How do you take such awesome pictures? Where do you even go?"

BJ couldn't stand it and mimicked Allen's words. Ugh! Why would she want to hang with such a goody-goody like him?! He really thought she would have been bored of him by now. Yet, here she was, smiling at HIM, and she was actually acting like she LIKED being with him. Not HIS Lyds. She needed excitement. She needed someone with a disgusting sense of humor.

Someone dark and paranormal and not some stupid mommy's boy who probably couldn't stomach anything that THEY had gone through.

Lydia leaned back on her arms and sighed happily.

"My friend BJ and I go on trips and I usually end up spotting things like that." She was so happy that she could share these things with him. It was quite freeing not to hide it. Although, how would he even react if he found out that her best friend was really a ghost?

"I'd love to meet him! He sounds really fun from what you've told me." Allen, lifted up another picture and smiled. She really was talented and all of her photos were very unique.

Bj wanted to puke and pretended to gag himself. How disgusting and NOT in the way he liked.

Lydia suddenly got excited. Here was her chance to show him as she handed Allen another photo to look at.

"Here's a picture of him."

BJ jerked his head in their direction. What?! She's actually showing him?! What the hell is he going to say?

Allen's eyes lit up.

"Woah! I didn't expect him to look like this. I love the stripes. How did you guys meet?" He found this so interesting and it was no surprise to him that her best friend was as unique as she was.

BJ couldn't pull his attention away. What was this little shit up to? Seriously, what is his angle?

Lydia's face softened as she began to reminisce as she spoke.

"He works for my family as the handyman. We struck up a conversation and became friends after that. He loves weird things and has a twisted sense of humor too. Wait, I think I told you that already. But anyways, I think you'd like him as well!"

Granted, she didn't tell him everything but it was all the truth but not in chronological order.

Allen watched her reaction and was filled with happiness for her.

"I think so. He seems really cool." How lovely it was that she had that. He had always wanted that with someone and he hoped that one day it could be like that with her.

Lydia began to gather all of the photos and he joined in to help. He handed Lydia the rest of the photos and she put them into the shoebox that the photos called their home. This was so new to him and he couldn't get enough of it all. Lydia gave him a cute little smile before detoured to her closet to put her treasure away.

BJ's scowl morphed into an evil little smirk.

"You want cool? I'll give ya cool, kid!" He aimed his finger at the object of his discontent. Magic zapped from his finger and infused the area around Allen. The temperature around him began to drop and became increasingly colder. His breath was now visible and marked the freezing temperature that began to permeate inward.

His teeth began to chatter uncontrollably and he looked around trying to figure out what was going on.

"I think there's a draft or something. I'm freezing all of a sudden!" His body shivered in an attempt to generate body heat.

"Really? It doesn't feel cold to me. I can shut the window if you want me too." She exited her closet trying to feel if there was maybe a draft. She made her way over to Allen when she couldn't find any unusual temperature changes by the closet.

Her eyes looked in horror when she was able to assess what had just transpired.

Allen was literally frozen in his spot and wasn't responding to her at all. How they hell did this even happen… wait… this was clearly the calling card of a certain ghost.

Beetlejuice couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. This was the funniest thing that had happened all week. His cackle resonated throughout her bedroom bringing her full attention and anger to hyper focus on his coordinates.

She snapped her head towards the mirror as her voice curdled with asperity.

"Beetlejuice! What are you doing?!"

The jig was up and he let himself become visible once more.

"Just chilling out babes!" Seriously how could she not find that funny?!

"Fix it, now!" She demanded while pointing to the Allen-cicle before her. Her frustration was growing and her usual aplomb was about to thrown out the window. Luckily he was quick to notice this.

"Alright, Alright! Sheesh." He relented, grumbling, and released Allen from his stasis.

It didn't take long for Allen to thaw as Lydia began to rub his arms in the hope to help kickstart his circulation for warmth.

"Are you ok?" She asked looking up to his face and she continued to rub his body. She felt terrible that he had been victimized for the amusement of another.

"Y,y,y,Yeah, I, I, I m,m,must b,be catch,ch,ching a c,c,cold or ss,s,something." He bent forward as his body continued to spasm with his shivering.

"Here, let's go outside in the sun to warm you up." She gestured to the door and aided him up to guide him out of her bedroom. She flashed a quick nasty look to the mirror before she exited. She was NOT happy, and BJ better believe that this was not the last of the words that she had in store for him. Seriously, how could he be such a child sometimes?!

The warm sun began to permeate deep into Allen's body. His shivers were now gone as he continued to soak in the warm atmosphere and company. That was just the strangest thing. He never had that happen before and he hoped that, whatever it was that he had experienced would never happen again. He hated feeling cold, especially when it sank into his core like that. He tilted his head to look over to Lydia who was sitting nearby. Her big black hat shaded her while a breeze gently played with her hair like it was infatuated. He saw how her face held on tightly to a pensive stare as she looked out to the town below. He couldn't help but imagined that she had come to life from some Romanticism era painting.

It wasn't long before she felt eyes upon her and she shifted her attention to where it came from. She discovered Allen smiling at her and it helped ease a little of the worry and guilt that was eating her up inside.

"Any better?" She asked him while hoping to keep her thoughts off of certain things.

"Yeah. Thank you." He replied smiling as he closed his eyes. He was so comfortable right now.

"I'm sorry about that." She says resting her head sadly on her knees. Nope, the offending thoughts just wouldn't leave.

"It's not your fault." He couldn't help but sense her energy. She was just radiating her emotions like the sunshine and she didn't even realize it.

"I know but…" she looked away. She was so ashamed that she couldn't finish that sentence.

Allen wanted to find something to distract her and began look around for something to focus on. He turned his gaze to the house and something caught his eye. In Lydia's window, he saw a shadowy male figure looking down at them.

"Is your dad and Delia out shopping still?" He asked, while still looking up as the figure stepped back out of view.

"Yeah. Why?" She rotated slightly to look over to Allen when she noted the sound of concern in his voice.

"This is going to sound weird and forgive me… but, is your house haunted?" The tone of his voice was serious when he faced her again.

Shock washed over her with a realization of what he may have actually seen. What?! Oh no! Did Beej seriously…

She spun around to look up to her window but, of course, no one was there. She watched for a little longer until she turned back to Allen. Her head was reeling with things to say. What in the world could she say to him to explain away if he really did see Beetlejuice. But, what she wasn't expecting to see, was Allen looking downward and he was the one who appeared to be very embarrassed.

"Sorry, that must sound so stupid." He apologized.

She narrowed her eyes but she had to get to the bottom of this.

"What did you see?" She was intent on trying to find out how much he saw before she could even give him an answer.

"Uh, I didn't get a good look but I thought I saw a person upstairs in your room." He sheepishly replied as he played with some grass hoping that she wouldn't think the worst of him.

She slapped her forehead. He did see Beej but he must've not seen him clearly. Oh gods that moronic ghost of hers!

She rotated her head slightly so she could only look at Allen with her eyes. She didn't really want to be fully looking at him when she explained things.

"Yes, the house is haunted." She let out a sigh. Now he was going to find out how weird she really was. She really, really hoped he wasn't going to distance himself from her now.

"Oh good!" He exhaled relieved but then he was instantly filled with panic.

"I mean not good your house is haunted but good because I'm glad I wasn't seeing things!" He waved his arms frantically trying to correct the situation He did't want her to misunderstand him.

Lydia couldn't believe her ears. This was a total relief and she just had to laugh at it all.

"I know the feeling." Oh good. She couldn't believe her luck but now she needed to do some damage control and also chew a certain spectral someone out.

"I'll be right back, I have to go to the bathroom." She smiled embarrassed but she was thankful for his understanding.

Her bedroom door slammed with a bang as she stomped in. Although she couldn't see him, she knew he was there and he was listening.

"Beej! I'm telling you now that I will not tolerate you pranking my friends!" She was -this close- to screaming at him but she knew that her voice would carry outside and embarrass herself further.

Beetlejuice faded into the mirror laughing under his breath. He saw the vexation in her face and decided to change his tactics.

"Aww but they make it Soooo easy!" He whined hoping she'd understand his plight.

"I want you to go home! I'm more than angry with you for what you did." None of his normal arguments and excuses were going to work on her today. She put her hand on her forehead just completely exasperated.

"But baaabes! I wanted to be with you today." He pouted pathetically as he gave her his best puppy-dog eyed stare, and as an added bonus, he threw in a lower lip quiver. He was a betting man and knew that she was a sucker for him looking pathetic.

"No! Not after that stunt." She grumbled, turning away from him, as her anger bubbled just under the surface and held her resolve firmly.

He let out piteous whine, to add to his efforts, in the hopes to sway her but she had had enough. That was whine was the final straw that threw her patience right out the window.

She whipped around and Beetlejuice witnessed the sternest face that he had ever seen her wear, in all the time he had known her. "Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!"

Lydia bounded down the hill to where Allen was laying patiently. In her hands were two glasses of lemonade that she carefully kept from spilling even in her haste.

"Here, I thought maybe you were thirsty." She was hoping this would make up for her being gone longer than she thought she would be. Plus, there was the whole ordeal that he had just endured... ugh.

"Thanks! Your dad's lemonade is really good." He took the glass politely and promptly drank deeply from it.

"Dad likes to juice the lemons himself. He says it's relaxing." She giggled, only because she enjoyed watching her father go through his "happy ritual". She pictured the whole ordeal. A table full, of half cut lemons, her father's face in complete concentration, as he put his full effort into eking out every drop of juice in the citrus juicer. She couldn't help but think he was projecting all of his anxiety into those helpless lemons. It was if he was extracting all of what that was really hidden within himself.

"I'm not complaining." Allen said as he took another a sip. His comment pulled her out of her funny memory and brought her back into the moment.

He gently set the glass down on a level spot in the grass and turned his attention Lydia.

"Hey, Uh, Lydia. I was thinking about what we were talking about before you went inside." He began to fidget with his shirt as he hoped to address something that had been weighing on his mind.

"Yeah?" She held her cup to her face, letting its moisture dampen her cheek. It felt good on the warmth that radiated off her blush. She must look like a total ditz today.

"Can I tell you a secret?" He couldn't bear to look at her, otherwise he didn't think he could follow through.

"Of course. I won't tell anyone." She took another drink trying to keep the mood light but she listened intently.

"As insane as it sounds… I am able to see spirits. I have always have been able to see them. Oma calls it "a gift" and it is inherited from her side of the family. Along with seeing spirits, we are able to sense things from others, like emotions and thoughts. I hope you don't think I'm crazy." He said looking into his lap. What was she going to say? It was crazy wasn't it. Seriously, she will think it's too weird even for her.

Her answer was instantaneous. She began to choke and cough, as the lemonade she had been drinking ejected in a full spray and doused him thoroughly.

Her horror was apparent on her face, as she assessed the damage she had done. He was dripping, his wet hair clung to his face, with his damp arms raised away from his body. His reaction was one that Lydia was not expecting at all, as he immediately began to profusely apologize to HER.

"I'm sorry! I know, it's insane!" He waved his arms frantically as he closed his eyes feeling too embarrassed for words.

Now it was her turn to apologize. "No, no, no! It's not that! I'm so sorry! Hurry, let's get you cleaned up."

Lydia walked out of her bedroom closet and held out a shirt to Allen. "I hope this shirt isn't too small. It's my biggest one. I'll be sure to get your shirt back to you after I do laundry."

He stood shirtless, in the middle of her room, towel drying his hair. He stood up straight and held out the towel to her as he took the shirt from her.

"Thanks. And thanks for letting me wash my hair." He was thankful for her being understanding about wanting to wash his hair and was very glad to wash off that stickiness.

Lydia couldn't help herself as her eyes curiously wandered all over Allen's exposed skin.

"It's the least I could do. I'm sorry." She held the towel tightly to chest and looked down to it as a newfound sense of guilt washed over her. Seriously, Lydia, why do you do such dumb things?!

"You just seem intent on soaking me! Will this be a habit of yours?" He laughed, trying to lighten the mood, while pulling the shirt on over his head.

"I hope not! I'm so so so sorry!" She laughed nervously, trying to hide her worry. Gods, she couldn't believe she did it again. Really? AGAIN!? UGH!

"No, really it's ok. I said something strange. You can just forget about what I said. It was dumb anyways." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. Her reaction to his confession was pretty clear that it was not normal or an acceptable thing for him to say. That'll teach him for trying to share that with anyone. He really was stupid, wasn't he? He let out a small sigh.

"Actually, about that... I guess now it's my turn to confess. I was pretty shocked, well because… because I've been able to see spirits most of my life too. So, it's not strange to me since, I am strange myself. You're the only person I've been able to tell this." The words felt so silly coming out of her mouth and she could see why Allen would believe it sounded dumb to her.

He looked at her surprised. He couldn't believe what she had just said but his body moved on its own and in a blink he embraced her in a hug.

"You're the only person I've ever met who thought I wasn't weird! I can't believe you're like me!" His joy couldn't be contained as it burst forth into laughter.

Lydia joined in his laughter and felt such a kinship to this person who held her in his arms. It was so freeing and she understood his feelings all too well.

"I'm so happy!" She said in her laughter.

Allen stopped to look at her as a blush rushed to his face, and in that moment, Lydia found his lips on hers. Her eyes grew wide as saucers, from the sudden contact, and all thoughts that she had melted away into nothingness.

He pulled away quickly when he finally realized what he had just done. His whole face suddenly glowed with a bright shade of red from embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry! I don't know why I did that just now. All I could think about in that moment was kissing you and my body acted on its own." He was ashamed of his lack of control, and he worried that he had just ruined his first friendship. His shame grew to an intolerable level when there was no reaction or comment from the girl still standing next to him.

He watched her carefully as his panic began to take over. That was, until she finally she looked up at him with a big blush of her own.

"It's ok. I, Uh, liked it." She said bashfully. Her heart wouldn't stop thumping as a knot in her throat kept it from coming up. She was surprised she could even speak.

It was as if fireworks exploded within his heart as he felt a rush of excitement and his joy returned in full force. He really hoped that he didn't mishear what she had just said.

"Really?!" He asked in total disbelief. This day was too much like a dream to be real. There's no way right?

"Yeah. I, uh, wouldn't mind if we did it again." She blushed harder and looked away.

This was all so new and she liked the feelings she was feeling. Although, she certainly could do without the embarrassment that came with it. She wanted to feel that rush again. She wanted to get close to him again and he seemed to be acting like he was fighting those same feelings.

She took the risk and leaned forward to his lips. Contentment and closeness that she had never experienced before began to flood through her. It felt euphoric... maybe even addicting.

She slowly moved away from his face and got instantly lost in his blue eyes. Why had she never noticed just how blue-grey they were? It was like she was looking at him for the first time and she drank in every detail of his face, his scent, and his energy.

"I have to go. I don't want to, but Oma is expecting me home for dinner." Allen stepped back further with a big smile and contentedly sighed as he reached down to grab his bag.

"Ok." Lydia said as she mindlessly played with her hair as she watched him get ready to go. He pivoted around to head out the door but then he suddenly stopped. This woke her up a little more from her daze and she gave him her full attention.

"Lydia?" He shifted to look at her, but when his eyes fell upon her, it triggered a sudden wave of bashfulness to wash over him.

"Yes?" She was rapt in the beautiful moment they had shared.

"I like you Lydia. Like, like you like you." He was embarrassed and hesitant while he was hoping for a reply. This was scary, but so exciting, as he felt his heart pound in Lydia's shirt that he was wearing.

"I think, I like you too." She blushed back. Had the temperature suddenly turned warmer and why did she feel like her body was jelly?

"Can I come over tomorrow?" Allen's smile dazzled her as he was now dressed in complete happiness.

"Tomorrow won't work but this weekend I'll be free." She stepped closer to him. She found the distance between them so empty, and she was drawn to him. She didn't want him to leave her yet.

"This weekend then." He repeated, as his face spoke of the same desire that she felt.

For the third time, they were locked in a kiss, and it spoke its own language of desire, hesitation, and excitement. The lingering flavor of lemonade only added to sweet and sour feelings they had as he had to leave to go home.

It had been about 20 minutes since she had watched Allen drive away. She stared at her bed's canopy and was replaying every event that happened in the day. Her thoughts shifted from the blissful moments that she shared to the one's that she wished had never happened.

"I can't believe BJ did that to him!" She looked unimpressed. How could he have done that? Well, she already knew the answer to that.

"Sheesh Beej. Can't you even control yourself?" She grunted and wanted to think of something much more pleasant... like Allen? Oooh, yes.

She rolled over on her tummy happily.

"Eee! I can't believe he said he likes me! Me! Hehe. He's so sweet! If we start dating, I wonder what dad would think? Though, I doubt he'd mind. He'd probably tell me to marry him right away so he could get cookies all the time." She laughed imagining the scene she had just described. Her dad and Delia did tend to go over the top with certain things.

Suddenly she had been hit by a rogue thought that derailed all of her joy. Her laughter instantly halted as she sat up quickly. There was something very serious she had forgotten all about...

"Marriage… oh man… I totally forgot about that is part of the contract. What am I going to do?!" She felt a cold chill run through her. No, she didn't want to think on this but the thoughts continued.

She plopped face first down into the blanket.

"I have to marry him but I don't like BJ like that. I want to be able to choose who I want to marry. I want to love who I marry and not just as a friend." Those thoughts felt as suffocating as the blanket that was pressed against her face.

She rolled over, grabbing her pillow, and gripped it tightly to her body. All of her thoughts and desires fought a war within her. She was a jumbled up mess and she didn't know what to do. She wanted to cry but even that fought against her.

"I'm just too young to marry. I want to have keep having fun! I want to get closer to Allen." Her anxiety rumbled through her body like a train.

"Oh why did I agree to it!?" She yelled out frustrated, as she promptly shoved the pillow on her face. She wanted to scream. Instead she tried her best to imagine different scenarios where she didn't have to marry him.

Sadly, in the end, reality won.