I own no part of the Beauty and the Beast Story-It belongs to Disney!

Chapter 6. First Impressions

I hugged my coat closer to me, as I stepped out onto the street. A smile involuntarily appeared on my face as I walked the couple of miles back to my dorm. Just a few hours ago, I imagined that the thing inside that magical mansion was a beast, a being to fear. Now, I realized he was quite human. Okay, so maybe he was really hairy, had horns and claws, but his speech was every bit a kind, intellectual person. Magic was at play here, no doubt, and it gave me a lot to think about.

I wondered if the house had been sitting there for hundreds of years, and how it contained someone with a British accent that owned a summer home in Scotland. Was he some sort of prince in disguise? Was he under some sort of curse because of past brutish behavior? Thankfully he had said:

'Next time you come, please be my guest-you know, instead of the past couple of times, where you invited yourself.'

I had colored at those words. Nevertheless, the next time I came, I would have to ask him questions. If he would answer them, of course. I conjured up all sorts of scenarios in my head and wondered if he would feel comfortable opening up to me. My thoughts were interrupted by my front door in front of me. I sighed and walked in.

Emily was nowhere to be seen, thankfully. This allowed me to finish my homework and sink back into the world of Jane Austen where I had been happily engaged over the last day or two, rereading my favorites-scratch that. What I really wanted to read was fairy tales and fantasy. For some reason, it seemed much less like fantasy now and more like reality! I read my favorite fairy tales, and then pulled out my copy of The Fellowship of the Rings. It was falling apart and well loved. For a few hours, I was transported to the shire, until Emily burst into the room making me realize how late it was.

'By yourself, again!' Emily rolled her eyes. 'I guess I shouldn't scold you too much, seeing how Cameron got the idea to ask me to the concert since you turned him down.'

'Oh good!' I sighed, relieved that Cameron had finally realized that no meant no from me. 'Not good that you want to go with him-I just don't know what you see in that jerk!'

'He's good looking, loves to have a good time, and well…did I mention he's dreamy?'

Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. 'But you are intelligent, and well, he is not!'

'Don't you think you're being a little too harsh?' She scolded.

'Um, no. I actually think I could add to the list of things that make him less than desirable, but whatever. I'm no person to be giving dating advice, since I've never dated anyone.'

'Aw, Julie, someone will come along that's right for you.' Her smile widened. She was a sweet person, just coudn't seem to understand that there was more to life than having a good time and good looks. I shrugged and placed a bookmark in my book, and closed it up for tonight. I adjusted my sleep mask, which I had to buy due to Emily's habitual long nights. I fell asleep replaying the day, mine and Hugh's conversation, and the mystery that shrouded the empty lot.

A week went by before I could go back to the Victorian mansion. I had finished my Friday shift at the Library as the new Library assistant. Gloria, the head librarian, had asked me if I would like to work there, seeing how I already spent so much time there. I eagerly accepted, already imagining all the ways I could help Dad by not needing spending money and could perhaps even save for a used car. Dad had pleaded with me not to worry about anything, but I knew better. I could tell it in his voice-he was tired, stressed, and his health was suffering.

I continued down the road towards the lot. Now that Emily and Cameron were dating, I had the fortune to be able to ride with them to places that were outside of my normal walking range. This was something that I definitely needed to be alone for, as I felt it would be wrong to tell anyone of what I had found. I didn't even know if anyone else would be able to see what I saw, anyway. No one ever noticed that though we already had a couple of weeks of below freezing temperatures, that the roses forever stayed in full bloom. No need to be labeled insane if they couldn't see it, and if they could, I felt like Hugh would not be accepted very well in real life.

'You came back!' Hugh said, seemingly surprised at my knock at his door.

'You said I could, remember?' I insisted, still not really good at maki eye contact.

'Yeah, uh, I guess I did, but, I guess I didn't think you would.' He stumbled.

'And miss a chance of asking you a bunch of questions? Nope!'

He chuckled a growly chuckle and led me into the room we had sat in last time. This time, however, the opened book was not one of poetry, but a classic from my favorite author of all time-Jane Austen. I gasped. The book was Pride and Prejudice and looked like a first edition. I lovingly picked up the book and traced it with my fingers.

'How did you know?' and I dared look up. His eyebrows knit together quizzically making his face look almost comical, if it wasn't also terrifying. I continued, 'How did you know that this is my favorite book?'

Another growly chuckle.

'Well, you're a girl who likes classics, I mean, what else would be your favorite?'

'You don't know, maybe I would have been more of a Mary Shelly person.' I smirked

'Why, because you discovered a monster?'

'No!' I looked up, worried I had hurt his feelings, before realizing he was teasing me. 'Don't scare me like that,' I laughed. 'Anyway, is this a first edition?'

'Why, has it been reprinted?'

'Oh! Well, I mean…' Looking around me and at him, realizing that the he might not know anything beyond the 1850s. Then I remembered, 'Wait. This house isn't so old that it would have you missing the second edition-besides, you don't seem to be proclaiming me some sort of witch or wench for wearing a dress that hits at my knees. What time period did you come from?'

'Very observant, Miss Julie!'

I pretended to curtsy, 'why thank you!'

'You're right, I was teasing you again. The house and the clothes look to me like they are from the 1850s, but I am not. Its weird, and a long story.'

I put down the beautiful edition, sank down in the plush red chair and signaled with my eyes for him to sit down.

'I've got time.' I smiled.

Author's note: Did you catch the title?! This was the original title to Pride and Prejudice, but it ended up the title we all know and love. Any other Jane Austin fans out there? I tired to add some nods to the Disney story, while the actual back story will be quite different. I can't wait to get it typed out to share. Let me know what you think!