Disclaimer: I own the rights to anything unique to the BatB story-outside of that, it belongs to Disney.

Authors note: sorry it's been a while! We just came back from vacation so I am just now getting back into writing. I have some other stories floating around in my brain, but I am desperately trying to finish this one before I start on another one.

send me a PM if you have any ideas on one shots in the mean time. Thanks!

Chapter 11 Man or Beast?

We sat by the fire for what seemed like hours, my mug never empty, the fire never going out.

'Julie?'

'MMMm' I hummed, glancing up from my comfortable position under the 19th century blanket, where I had nearly fallen asleep.

'D-do you have any plans tomorrow?'

'No, I don't think so. I leave Monday for Christmas break.'

'W-would you, do you think you would like to have a small Christmas celebration with me? I mean, you don't have to-I just thought you might-'

'Yes, of course, I would like that!' I reassured him with eagerness. And suddenly I thought…

'And it will be just like being in a Dickens novel! Do you think we will be visited by three ghosts?' I smirked.

His smile went all the way to his light filled eyes. A rolling chuckle followed. 'I sure hope not. One enchantress is enough of that sort of thing to last a lifetime.'

'Yes,' I sighed, still smiling. 'I suppose so. I do believe I am going to wait until tomorrow to give you this then' I shook my little gift under his snout-like nose. His deep blue, human eyes went wide with bewilderment.

'Y-you got me a gift?'

'Of course, I did! You're my friend, aren't you? I mean, it isn't much, please don't expect much, but I had to get my best friend something for Christmas.' I smiled at him as he seemed to be in some sort of stupor.

'Best friend?' He stammered.

I laid my hand over his and gave another reassuring smile.

'You listen to my book-ish ramblings, care about my life, share with me yours, yes, I think that qualifies you as my best friend-unless you'd rather not be mine, of course!' I said quickly. 'I know I'm rather odd, and I talk too much sometimes, and…' A pawed finger lifted up to my lips to shush me.

Now it was his turn to smile, and when he did, it was like the fur melted away to reveal the thin lips I had noticed before, without one hint of fang nor sharpness. A half second more, and the fur had returned along with a pressure growing in my head.

'Hugh?'

'Yes?'

'Did you say your 'predicament' could be changed?'

His face knit in confusion.

'Well, it's just, you are the most human person I know and I think my brain is starting to see you as one, and I was wondering if this was part of the magic, or if perhaps I am really going crazy.'

He chuckled a small, incredulous laugh.

'What a girl you are, Julie!'

'I'm no girl, Hugh.' I snorted, ignoring the growing smirk plastered on Hugh's face. 'And what do you mean by that anyway. Do you think I'm crazy?'

'I don't know quite what to make of you at all, but I don't think you're crazy. You certainly are the most perceptive WOMAN I've ever met for sure.'

'Mmmmm, and how many women have you met, especially in the last few years.' I smirked back at him.

'Ouch! That's not very fair, is it. And here I thought you were all kindness and goodness itself.'

I couldn't hide my reddening blush, so I hastily put my hand back on his. 'I'm teasing, of course. Thanks for thinking I'm somewhat important. I suppose I need to return back, and get some sleep. I'll be back tomorrow though! I can't wait to celebrate Christmas with you, Hugh!'

'And I you, my wonderful, darling, best friend.'

The blush was definitely deepening, and I smiled and turned to make my way back to the door. I hurriedly walked back to my lonely dorm room, thinking that all my acquaintances had gone home. A tall shadowy figure stood in the parking lot, and I didn't see him until we knocked into each other. I profusely apologize, and then felt a strong hand roughly wrap tight around my arm.

'Let go of me!' I squealed.

The strong, shadowy figure pulled me towards a familiar car.

'C-Cameron?'

'Where have you been, Julie? Did you know that I've been waiting here to take you out for the past hour and a half?'

'Why would you do that? I remember no scheduled meeting.' I replied indignantly, getting the subject off of where I had been.

'Can't a guy surprise the most beautiful girl on campus with a christmas dinner before she heads off to see her stupid father?'

My eyes narrowed with boiling rage. How dare this boyish man say the things coming out of his mouth.

'Can't a girl get a break from a pestering stupid boy?'

'What?!'

'Is your head as empty as it looks? Do you not understand? I want nothing to do with you, or your car, or your looks, anything!'

'I could have any other girl here, and I choose you, don't you realize what a privilege that is?'

'Then go have any other girl here! I don't want you!'

Anger erupted from his jacked muscles and he slammed me against his car. The stupid lights in the parking lot had been on the fritz for the last couple of months and they had decided at this moment to go off, hiding any actions he did from the view of any eyes there could have been, though the area seemed much too quiet.

'You beast!' I cried.

Holding my bruised side, and thanking the blinking lights, I made my escape away from the fiend. He would try to follow me. Try to make his way to the dorm. I ran the other way instead. Back towards Hugh. Back to safety.

Another Author's note!

I feel like this might not could happen in real life, but this isn't exactly a story based on reality so...

Also, thank you for the kudos! I would love it if you could leave a comment as well! I only have a couple of chapters left, so I am looking forward to writing The End in the near future :)