A/N: Hi again everyone, back for another chapter! This one is a bit longer (longest so far) and hopefully moves the story along a little more! Sorry for the late post, it's been crazy with school at the moment. I'll try to post a little more frequently once things become a little less hectic.
As always, I love and appreciate all your comments and reviews, so keep 'em coming! See y'all at the end. Cheers! -A
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
—
Beau
I cannot believe I was that gullible, Beau though as he was sitting back at his desk after giving his "lecture" to the class. Idiot, Idiot, Idiot.
I wonder what else is going to happen today, he thought glumly. Lightening strike? Trip into a toilet? Forget my clothes in gym? Oh well, what's done is done. At least Edith helped you out. I'd gladly take another spin at teaching or falling in a puddle if I can talk with her afterwards.
Beau looked over at Edith who was smirking at Mr. Jefferson trying to resume his lecture. "Thanks for helping me out there Edith. I told you I take things too literally sometimes. If I hadn't looked up I probably would have gone the entire class explaining calculus…"
And it was true. Beau had trouble sometimes discerning when someone was being serious and when they were joking. His lack of awareness often made for some interesting situations, but it also gave him a lot of practice at laughing at himself when things didn't work out as he initially expected. In truth, he was actually kind of excited to do the math problems and that probably also contributed to his lack of understanding of the situation.
Now everyone probably thinks I'm the goody two-shoes nerd… he thought. But so what? This is who I am, and I'm rollin' with it.
Edith was smiling at him when she said, "my pleasure. Where did you learn that math anyway?"
Beau returned the smile, albeit a little sheepishly, "I didn't do much back in Vancouver expect study, so I may have gone overboard in the academics… I told you that you might not want to be seen with me. Now my secret is out and everyone is going to know I'm the new nerdy kid. All I need is the duct tape glasses and some lunch money to be rattled out of my pockets and the picture is complete." Chuckling at the last bit.
Beau looked back to the front of the room and was listening to Mr. Jefferson talk about the test that would be coming up when he felt an ice cold hand touch his for an instant. He turned slightly in his seat to look questioningly at Edith, who for all the world looked shy.
"I wouldn't be so sure Beau," she mumbled out while looking down. "I think you'll find a lot of the students here appreciate what you did." Regaining some of her composure and looking up at him she added with a sly wink that sent his pulse beating, "Who knows, you might even get a few special students asking for some help in calculus."
Beau rolled his eyes but smiled at her. "Was that you asking for help with your homework Edith? Because you know that I only accept payment in caramels and as I recall you're fresh out."
Edith smiled back as the bell rung, "I'm sure we can work something out."
Shortly after the bell rung Mr. Jefferson sauntered out of the door, and then Beau and Edith's table was assaulted with students and introductions.
"You're Beaufort Swan, right? I'm Erica!" Asked a diminutive girl with dark black hair and an unfortunate acne problem.
"Hi Erica, it's nice to meet you. And I prefer Beau."
A tall blonde girl in a pink top pushed her aside, earning her a glare from Erica that went unnoticed. "I'm Jessica! That was awesome what you did in class. You must be so smart! I wish I could understand what Mr. Jefferson was saying. Maybe you could help me out sometime?"
Beau noticed that Edith was covering up her smile with a hand in front of her face, while looking at Beau with a twinkle in her eye, almost like she was saying, I told you so.
Giving Edith a half-hearted glare of his own, Beau turned to Jessica and said, "I don't know how much use I'd be, I'm not the greatest teacher as you could probably tell today. But maybe during lunch I could help with some problems if you're interested?"
To Beau's chagrin, Jessica kept complementing his teaching abilities and said she would love some one-on-one tutoring.
The guys seemed more relaxed, which Beau appreciated. He recognized Mike Newton to be the blonde guy from the cafeteria who smiled at him, and Tyler Crowley to be the man who was scowling at him when he hung up his sweater. Ben seemed to be pretty taciturn, but really sweet, and he thought that he could be pretty good friends with him.
The odd thing was that everyone seemed to place Beau at the centre of attention, and no one so much as glanced in Edith's direction, or say hello. Trying to bring her into the loop Beau asked Edith, "Edith, what class do you have next?"
She smiled knowingly at him and replied, "I've got American history. How about you Beau?"
Beau pulled out his schedule and said, "Errrr… it looks like gym? Do you know where that is?"
Before Edith could reply, Jessica jumped in saying, "Oh Beau I also have gym. I can walk you over there now! We should get going so we're not late." She managed a satisfied smirk at Edith, who nodded pleasantly back at her. "I think Jessica is right. I need to be on my way Beau. It was nice meeting you. I'll see you later." And with that, Edith rose gracefully and left before Beau could call out a response.
—-
Walking with Mike and Jessica to gym was an interesting experience. Beau could already tell that Mike had a thing for Jessica by the way that he was glancing at her, but Jessica seemed oblivious to the attention. Instead she was peppering Beau with questions.
"So Beau, you're from Canada right?"
"Yep," Beau said. "The great white North. Home of hockey and maple syrup."
Mike laughed and asked, "is it true that you ride dog sleds and live in houses made from ice?"
Beau chuckled, this wasn't the first time that he'd heard this one before. So he decided to play it up. "Not quite. We don't use dogs to pull the sleds. The snow gets too high up for them to run. We normally just saddle up a moose and use those instead. Also, only the rich can afford an ice house."
Mike's eyes glazed over like he was trying to picture a man riding a moose. "Damn. You must need a step ladder to get up on one of those. I heard they're really tall…" Mike trailed off when he noticed that Beau was shaking from trying to hold in a laugh.
"Oh ha-ha Beau. Yea laugh it up. The ignorant American doesn't know about moose riding." But Mike said it with a playful tone, so Beau knew that he wasn't actually upset at being made fun of. I think Mike is another guy I could pretty easily get along with, Beau thought idly.
Jessica was sulking a little bit that Beau was talking with Mike so much. She grabbed his arm and said, "you know Beau, I was trying to get a group to go down to the beach down at La Push once the weather is nicer. Would you come too?"
Beau didn't really have to think that hard about it. Going outdoors? Hiking opportunity? Those both sounded like a good time to him. "Yeah for sure Jessica, that sounds like a good time. Let me know if I can do anything to help plan. Is it going to be a big group?"
"Oh, not too big," she said smiling at him, "you already Mike, Lauren, Ben, Angela, Tyler, and Erica, and then a couple others you haven't met yet."
They had just arrived at the gym doors so Beau shrugged, "well I guess I'll probably meet them between now and then. Thanks for the invite."
Jessica beamed at him and Mike sighed dejectedly. Beau resolved to try and help Mike out in someway. Jessica was nice, but seemed a little overeager - almost like a puppy.
—
Gym class went alright Beau supposed. It seemed that the story of his "amazing" catch had circulated and while some were poking fun at his misfortune, others seemed to have high athletic expectations of Beau.
Beau had never really excelled at one sport in particular. He enjoyed being active and because he was tall everyone automatically assumed he'd be an ace at basketball. It wasn't that he was bad, it's just that most peoples high hopes tended to sink when they saw that he was just average. Sometimes Beau thought himself to be the human equivalent of a "one-size fits all" ball cap. He was pretty average in most things he tried, neither amazing nor terrible - just middling. He supposed there were worse things possible, as he watched Ben try to shoot a ball and managing to only send it about halfway to the net. Feeling bad for the laughter that some of the other boys were directing at Ben, the next shot Beau took went soaring wide overtop of the backboard and crashed into a table on the sidelines. Beau was the first to laugh at his own mistake and he caught Ben smiling gratefully at him.
Once changed back into his damp clothes Beau began walking out of the gym only to find that Edith was leaning against the wall by the doors. Beau was so surprised that he stopped right in the middle of the doorway and had Tyler walk right into his back. "Yo watch out Beau!," Tyler said.
Beau quickly apologized and tentatively walked over to greet Edith who was now smiling his favourite lop-sided grin.
"I thought that I might walk you to your car," Edith said casually. "Wouldn't want you to have to agree to any more private tutoring sessions now would we?" She looked at Beau and he felt himself grinning at her. "No that would be terrible. I've already spread myself too thin in agreeing to two. Also, I didn't drive my car here today, but you're welcome to walk with my to my locker. It's on the way to the parking lot."
Edith frowned at that. "But you said that you changed a flat tire this morning and that's why you were late?"
Beau chuckled at her expression and began walking in the direction of his locker. "I did get a flat today and it did make me late. But I was riding my bike to school today, as it's really quite nice weather."
Edith smiled and nodded, "I see."
"Well Edith, after you see my cycling outfit, it's your last chance to cut ties with me. Anyone associated with me after that, will automatically be socially demoted in the eyes of their peers."
"I appreciate the warning," she said. "But I think that I'll reserve judgement until I see this magnificent outfit that you're talking about." She said it with a smile, but for some reason Beau thought she seemed a little apprehensive when he mentioned that they cut ties.
When they reached Beau's locker and he scrolled through the right passcode, he pulled out his clipless cycling shoes, pulled on his reflective vest and strapped on his bulky black helmet. Turning to Edith he did a little twirl, hands outstretched. "What do you think now?" He asked with a grin. "I know I'm missing the elbow and knee pads, but I still think I look rather dashing."
Edith smiled suggestively which did things to Beau's heart that he didn't fully understand and said, "Oh yes Beau, you'll have the ladies lining up to take a turn riding on your bicycle."
Beau gulped and Edith chortled, "though I can name a few who would do that sans helmet and knee pads." Scowling theatrically Beau motioned for Edith to follow as he clacked along in his plastic soled shoes.
After reaching his bike and unlocking it, Beau turned to Edith and said, "well my Lady, it wouldn't do for me to not offer an escort to your own vehicle."
Raising her hand to her forehead and swooning at the knees Edith gasped out, "oh I always knew that chivalry wasn't dead!"
"But of course Ms. Cullen. It would be my honour! Pray tell, which automobile is yours?"
Composing herself Edith laughed and said, "it's the silver Volvo near the end of the lot."
Why am I not surprised? Thought Beau. It was by far the nicest car in the lot. He also spotted a veritable meat mountain of a man leaning against the frame of the car.
"Really Edith," Beau said, "you should get your brother to audition for some action movie. He looks like could crush that car with his bare hands." Edith laughed nervously and Beau swore that Emmett looked at him and laughed.
As they walked across the parking lot Beau thought they must make for an interesting sight. There was Edith looking like a graceful angel in her designer clothing, meanwhile Beau clip-clopped along in his worn out cycling shoes and still wet sweater. He couldn't help himself, he laughed at the thought, and at the questioning glance Edith directed at him, he shook his head and kept walking - not wanting to explain how out of place he felt next to her.
When they got to Edith's car the rest of her family was already assembled around the doors. Archie took one look at Beau and gasped. "Beau my man, you're definitely one confident guy to walk around wearing a pink reflective vest. Balls-y, I like it."
Beau shrugged, "I accidentally washed it with my red sweater. I didn't actually believe white clothes could change colour. But I'm told pink really sets off the rouge in my cheeks."
Edith laughed, "Oh for sure Beau. It's not like you're almost as pale as me."
Smiling, Beau turned to Edith, "well my Lady, as you can see I've escorted you safely to the vehicle. I must now ride off into the sunset on my trusty steed to complete the image."
"But of course. Make sure to tie him up properly and feed him plenty of hay," Edith replied. " And I'll see you tomorrow Beau."
Beau's heart accelerated at that last sentence. I'll see you tomorrow Beau. He got to see her again, and it sounded like she was looking forward to it.
"Sounds good Edith. Hopefully tomorrow is a little less eventful," he smiled back while mounting his bike. With a last wave he rode out of the parking lot.
—
As Beau biked to the grocery store to pick up some quick things for dinner, he thought about his day. In all honestly, it had been pretty good. Sure he had been late, embarrassed himself in front of an entire class and fallen in a puddle, but he had also met and talked with Edith. He couldn't stop replaying their conversations in his head. It had all felt so natural. She hadn't balked at his awkward jokes, but instead played along with them. She had offered, like really offered to listen to his problems, and she had also saved him from mortification during calculus.
If he was being honest with himself, he was really looking forward to seeing her again tomorrow. Which scared him a little bit. As much fun as he had talking with Edith, he couldn't stop the niggling feeling that she was too good for him, and that maybe she was just being nice to a new student who managed to embarrass himself on his first day. I really hope that isn't the case, Beau thought fervently.
Beau was pulled from his small reverie when he arrived at the grocery store. He had left some chicken thighs to marinate in the fridge at home, but wanted to pick up some vegetables for dinner. Charlie was many great things, but a cook was definitely not one of them. Charlie was a fish whisperer, and could make a half-decent fish fry, but Beau was honestly surprised that the man had lived this long not being capable of properly cooking even Chef Boyardee. Oh well, one of life's great mysteries it seems. Beau was half convinced that Charlie's reason for wanting him to move in was so that he could stop ordering take-out. Beau enjoyed cooking, so it really wasn't a chore for him, and if he could pay back Charlie even a little bit for all the help he'd given him, then Beau was happy to make every meal.
—
Beau was in the middle of steaming the asparagus he had picked up when he heard Charlie open the door and say, "Is that you Beau?" Who else could it be Charlie? Beau thought with a snort. No one every came over here except maybe Billy Black, and so far as Beau knew, there was no football game on tonight. "Yep, just finishing up dinner! Hope you're hungry!" Beau called back.
Charlie walked into the kitchen, having already stopped to take off his jacket and hang up his firearm. "Smells good Beau. Have I mentioned how nice it is having someone here who can cook?"
"You may have mentioned it once or twice," smirked Beau. "I'm trying to feed you something green tonight Charlie. I know you haven't seen that colour on a plate in some time."
"So long as it's not brussel sprouts I think I can manage."
Sitting at the table together Beau and Charlie ate and talked about each others days. After so long being by himself, Beau noticed that he really missed sharing meal with someone. Charlie had an uneventful day and had ended up playing cards with some friends at the station. "I won twenty bucks today," Charlie was saying around a mouthful of mashed potatoes. "Fleeced good 'ol John Dueck three hands in a row!"
Beau smiled mischievously, "Now Chief Swan, I'm going to have to pretend I didn't hear that. My law abiding uncle couldn't possibly be gambling…. That would be illegal."
Charlie faked looking worried for a second, then smiled saying, "Oh good one Beau. We play into a rainy day pot for the entire department at the end of the year. You know, staff fishing trip of bowling in Olympia."
"Don't worry Charlie your secret is safe from me. If you need a bouncer I met this kid named Emmett Cullen today. The guy looks like he could life a fridge with one hand and not even break a sweat!"
"Oh you met the Cullens today? Nice family."
"Yeah, they let me sit with them after I fell into a puddle before lunch," Beau said sheepishly.
"You fell into a puddle on your first day of school?" Charlie asked incredulously, choking a little on a piece of chicken as he laughed.
"Yeah, yeah I know. It was an eventful day alright. Anyway, I was a little surprised, all the Cullen kids were super nice, but it seemed like they were almost outcasts. No one else was sitting near them."
Charlie scowled at his plate before answering, "You know I love this town Beau, but sometimes people can be so small-minded. Carlisle Cullen is a world class doctor, and he could work anywhere he wanted, probably making three times his current salary. We're incredibly lucky that his wife wanted to live in a small town. People just pick up on the fact that the family spends a lot of time together and start the gossip wheel spinning!"
Charlie started off calm but slowly riled himself up as he kept going. Beau hadn't heard Charlie this animated in a long while, and trying to calm him down Beau said, "Well Charlie, I have to admit it might just be jealousy. They're all…. Err. Very good looking…"
Charlie laughed and said, "If you think that the kids are good looking, wait until you get a look at the good doctor. I swear most the accidents at the hospital could be attributed to distracted female staff!"
Beau smiled, "you know Charlie, with my history I'd prefer if I didn't meet Dr. Cullen in the near future."
Charlie was speechless for a moment. Beau didn't blame him. He really didn't normally bring up his time in the hospital, let alone make a joke about it. In all honesty Beau wasn't sure what made him quip back. I just feel bubbly today for some reason…
Shaking out of his surprise Charlie tentatively said, "yeah I can't stand needles myself…"
The rest of the meal went by quickly, and after helping put away the dishes and wash the pots, Charlie meandered over to sit in front of the television. "You wanna watch some baseball with me Beau?"
Beau knew it was an invitation to spend time with Charlie, but he really couldn't get into watching sports. He much preferred actually playing the game. He'd once left a Blue Jays game after 20 minutes when we was younger because it was so boring. I should at least try to make an effort to spend time with Charlie. Maybe once a week I can watch a game with him or something… Beau seriously hoped that this was more of a once in a month occasion.
"Sure Charlie, but I don't think this will become a habit anytime soon," he chuckled.
As Beau sat in front of the TV, he wasn't watching the players. Instead he could't stop imagining pair of golden eyes and a crooked smile.
—-
A/N: Alright guys another one down! As always please rate and review, as I love and appreciate all your comments!
The next chapter we'll get an introduction to someone from La Push… can you guess who?
See ya in the next one! -A.
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