ONE.

1979, YOU & ME

FEBRUARY

June Thompson was what one would call a pluviophile. This was a convenient thing because of where she lived in the world, but also an inconvenient thing due to the amount of times she caught a cold due to sitting outside in the rain for hours on end.

So she didn't mind what was on her agenda for the day.

"June! You promised you'd help me sell cookies today!" Lisa Hwang's voice rang out from her back porch. "And you are soaked! Get inside and change!' The sixteen year old was taller than all her friends, so she looked a little odd in her Girl Scouts uniform. But June had gone with her every year to help sell cookies, and she wasn't about to stop now. She stood from her position on her swing set and hustled inside, feet squelching against the ground.

"You're an animal, June Margaret!" Her mother, Kimberly, yelled from the kitchen as June went skidding by.

"You're telling me," Lisa huffed. "I told her to be ready ten minutes ago."

"Yeah, yeah!" June yelled down the stairs as she yanked her sopping wet clothes off. She hung them over the shower rod, letting them drip onto a towel. She then zipped over to her room, throwing on a sweater, a pair of jeans, thick wool socks, her rain boots, and her rain jacket. Her hair wasn't to be helped.

Lisa was waiting outside on the front porch with two wagons covered in tarps. June grabbed one and pulled it down the sidewalk with her best friend at her side. "Do you think Kendall will ask me to homecoming next year?" Lisa asked abruptly.

June laughed. "Lisa, it's February. You've got awhile to worry about that." Lisa was on her eighth year of having one big, fat crush on Kendall Weber, the Lutheran pastor's son. She was bold with every other person, but when it came to Kendall, she tripped over words and quite literally her own feet. She was actually still sporting a wrist brace from when she landed on it a week ago.

"I know." Lisa ran a hand down her face. "It's just stressful. At least you know that you're going to get asked!" 

June wanted to protest, but she knew that Lisa was probably right. There had always been a line of boys at her door when it came to events in Forks. "You've got time, Lisa. Don't worry about it. I'm sure if he doesn't ask you, someone else will."

"Probably not. Nobody wants the tall freak."

June's mood faltered at Lisa's disheartened statement, but she put a bright smile on her face. "I think you mean freaking awesome warrior goddess. Anyone should be lucky to have you tower over them. I know I am," she beamed. Getting the desired effect, Lisa laughed and threw an arm around June's shoulders.

"Thanks, June." They came to two cul-de-sacs that faced each other. "I take Gold, you take Silver Lake?"

June shrugged. "Sure. Good luck." They pounded their fists together before separating. Silver Lake Court was a quaint little cul-de-sac. It was packed full of families who handed out whole candy bars for Halloween and lots of people who loved Girl Scout Cookies. 

Three out of four of the first houses bought about four boxes each, but June got excited when she approached the last house. It was the Swan residence. Geoffrey had a knack for buying at least ten boxes when his wife Helen wasn't home to stop him. Their son, Charlie, was in her grade at school.

Geoffrey opened the door with a huge, crinkly-eyed smile. "Well if it isn't my favorite Girl Scout who isn't a Girl Scout. How's it going, Junie?"

She beamed at him, face full of sunshine. "Can't complain, Mr. Swan."

"How's that brother of yours? Still in Germany?"

June's shoulders sagged a little. "He's stationed in France now. Two years." Tommy was stationed in Germany for the last eight months, but was moved and his deployment was lengthened. The constant state of unease with the threat of war looming over the nation, and over her brother's head, left an aching pit in her stomach.

He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, warm, heavy, and rough. "He'll be just fine, kiddo. Nothing violent to entertain him at the moment."

She smiled kindly. "That's all we can hope for, isn't it?" She lifted the tarp on her wagon. "What can I get for you?"

He grinned greedily. "Three packs of thin-mints, four do-si-dos, three Samoas, and... Oh get me six tagalongs. Charlie loves them."

Without questioning the older man, June grabbed the sixteen boxes. "Would you like me to bring these in for you?" She asked. Her arms were quite full, and transferring the boxes would be awkward and difficult. He moved to the side to make room for her.

"Kitchen is to the left, Junie." She followed his instructions and found the kitchen easily. Despite the dark wood of the cabinets, Helen kept the place bright with yellow decorations, lemon scented candles, and white Christmas lights that were strung along the ceiling. She set the cookies down and went back to the front where Geoffrey was waiting. "How much do I owe you?"

She did the mental calculations. "Twenty flat, sir."

He handed her the cash. "Here you go. I'd better get those cookies hidden before my wife gets home."

June laughed. "If you weren't our number one customer, I'd tell you to listen to your wife. Have a good day!" She grabbed hold of her wagon, now half empty, and made her way towards the street. Lisa was still at the door of someone in Gold Court, so June figured she'd meet her on her side.

She had checked both ways two times each before beginning her trek across the street. She remembered her Safety Town lessons, and always acted on them.

Yet nothing could've prepared her for the red truck roaring around the corner and nearly smushing her flat.

She jumped out of the way, flailing limbs and a terrified screech leaving her lips. Her wagon went flying as well, knocking into her ankle and sending her sprawling. Due to her not fully fastening the tarp, her cookie boxes went flying. Her forehead hit part of her wagon, and blood started to drip down her face.

"I told you to slow down!" Someone yelled, furious. The person came running over, knelt next to her, and put their hands on her face to get a better look. "June? Hey, June, can you focus for me for a sec?"

Her eyes cleared enough to be able to tell that it was Charlie Swan. Her brain also registered that he had the warmest brown eyes she'd ever seen. The sun shone coldly behind the rain clouds, behind Charlie's head, specifically, giving him a pale halo around his chocolate curls.

"Atta girl. Come on, let's get you up." He hooked his arm under her waist and pulled one of her arms over his shoulders. Footsteps approached, but he was angry. "No. Go home. I'll see you guys later."

In her dazed state of pain, June didn't look to see who it was, even though the red cab was familiar to her. Doors slammed, and the roaring returned in full force before it faded away.

"June!" Lisa's scream came before June saw her. She was hauling her wagon behind her at full speed. "June!" Her gaze whipped to Charlie. "You and your dumb friends always drive so fast, Charlie! You could've killed her!"

"I always tell them to slow down! You think murdering people is on my daily agenda?" He quipped back, clearly distressed. "Gah, I should get my dad."

"It could be, we don't know you that well," June slurred, head still spinning. "God, I think... I think I'm going to throw up."

And she did.

All over Charlie Swan's red perfectly scuffed Chuck Taylor's.

Lisa gagged in response, unable to handle vomit in any way. "Can you help her to her house, please? I'll take care of the cookies and wagons and meet you there."

"Uhm... yeah. I can do that," Charlie said. He pulled her a little closer for extra support. It was then that he noticed she was crying. "Hey, whoa. What are you crying for?"

"I'm sorry about your shoes." Her chin trembled. Fat tears meshed with the blood running down her cheek. "That was really gross of me. I'm so sorry."

He gave an awkward little chuckle. "It's okay. This rain is washing it off anyways. Mom wanted me to get new ones, too."

"But it's gross," she cried. "I'm bloody and I just puked on you. God, if you ignore me for the rest of our lives, I don't blame you at all."

He laughed for real this time. He had a crinkly-eyed smile like his dad, but got his eyes and dark curls from his mom. Had he been cute the entire time and June had just never noticed? "Don't worry about it, June. Seriously. Let's just get you home and pray that Mrs. Thompson doesn't kill me."

"Mom's not feeling violent today, I think. Her show is on tonight and that usually puts her in a good mood." Kimberly had a police TV show that she enjoyed, something about Hawaii and shirtless cops.

"Good," he laughed, although she could tell it didn't comfort him much. They didn't say much until they got to her house. It was a two story craftsman style painted a sage green with white accents and a large front porch.

"Just walk in," June told him, words a little sluggish and feeling like dirt in her mouth. Acid burned in her throat from throwing up.

"Does she own a shotgun?" He asked, only half-joking. She didn't have to look up to see the worry in his sweet face.

"Just a bb-gun for the squirrels who eat out of her bird feeders," she answered. "At least that I know of."

"Thanks," he said dryly.

"Here to soothe the worried mind. Here all week," she mused.

The door flew open before Charlie had June up the porch stairs. "Charlie Swan, you better have a damn good story before I haul you to your mother by your ear."

Charlie paled. "Billy was driving and nearly hit June. I told him he's going to get himself hurt or worse driving like that. She fell on her wagon, hence the head injury. I think she may have a concussion."

"I puked on his shoes, mama," June whined.

Charlie winced. "Hence why I'm thinking concussion."

Kimberly heaved a heavy sigh. "Get her on the couch, then get going. Thanks for bringing her home. And I'm calling your mother."

"Yes ma'am." Charlie gently moved June to the living room. She didn't miss how his shoulders had deflated a bit upon her mother's tone. He's a good kid, everyone knew it. Parents of virtually every kid all over town loved Charlie until he started hanging out with the rez boys. June was never in agreement with their dislike of the tribe. "Here. Let's take off your rain jacket and boots. You'll be more comfy." June dizzily let him take those off before falling onto the couch and losing consciousness.

June was out of school for at least two weeks, per doctor's instruction. For the first few days, it was majorly uneventful. June slept until noon. Her mother would bring her soup and some crackers, considering she had trouble keeping food down. Lisa came over a little after four when she'd picked up her brothers from their elementary school and gotten them settled until her mom got home. With Lisa came homework and any gossip June may have missed.

"Charlie's been asking about you," Lisa said on the fifth day of her "imprisonment". June was a little dramatic when she was in pain.

The dirty blonde rolled over in bed, the action making her head swim. "Swan?"

"No, Charlie Bucket from Willy Wonka," Lisa snipped. "Yes, Charlie Swan."

"Hey, be nice to me," June whined. "I'm currently injured."

"You haven't been nice to me about my wrist." Lisa waved her brace for emphasis.

June merely groaned into her pillow.

"Anyways, he's been asking about what kind of soups you like. Apparently his mom wants to make you some." She pulled June's blanket away. "Come on. Kim asked me to see if I could get you to shower."

June held her arm out for Lisa to pull. It wasn't an odd thing for them to help each other do such mundane things as bathe. When Lisa started having depressive episodes where she couldn't bathe for days, June was there. When June broke her collarbone last spring, Lisa was there. It just became part of their friendship to help one another. Kimberly had been worried for awhile that their friendship had become something more, but was quickly assured when it became apparent that it was a strong, sisterly bond that kept them so close. Plus, they'd been taking baths together since they were two.

June winced as Lisa scrubbed her skull and again when she brushed out her wet hair. She allowed her best friend to put one of her brother's Washington Huskies sweatshirts over her skin, and numbly stepped into a pair of yellow plaid pajama pants.

June's dog, Smokey, thundered down the steps and started barking at the door. Kimberly wasn't home to answer the door, so Lisa and June took the stairs slow. Lisa opened the door to reveal Charlie, Billy Black, and Harry Clearwater. Each of them held Tupperwares of what looked like soup.

"Uh, hey guys," June said with a smile. It was followed quickly with a wince that was not unnoticed by the boys. "Come in."

The three boys walked in, but stopped just inside the door. Charlie cleared his throat. "We brought you soup. Lisa said that was all you can keep down right now."

June cut a sharp glance at Lisa, who merely shrugged. "Yes. Thank you so much." She gestured around the railing to the right. "Kitchen's back there. What kind did you bring me?"

"I brought cheeseburger soup," Charlie said, following her to the kitchen. "One of mom's recipes."

"Then I'm in for a treat," she said kindly. She remembered Helen's cheeseburger soup from a soup supper at the school last year.

"I brought toasted pecan soup and an apology," Billy said, black hair tickling his cheekbones. "I'm sorry I almost hit you."

June smiled again, feeling Charlie staring from her peripheral. "I can accept the apology, but not the soup." His face dropped and she laughed lightly. "I'm allergic to tree nuts, unfortunately."

Realization crossed his face. "Oh, that makes sense."

"I, however, am not," Lisa chirped. "I'll take the soup as payment for the trauma of watching you almost kill my best friend."

Billy stared up at her for a moment. "That's valid, I suppose."  Lisa snatched the Tupperware from him.

"I brought my mom's version of Three Sisters. It's pretty good, no tree nuts," Harry said brightly. "My sister is allergic too."

Charlie ran a hand through his curls. "We'll get out of your hair."

Billy and Harry were out the door in no time, June caught Charlie's sleeve on his way out. "Thanks for checking on me, Charlie. I really appreciate it."

A horribly evident blush crawled up his neck and reddened his face. "No problem, June. Least I could do."

"Tell your mom thanks for the soup!" She called as he left. She watched him climb into Billy's truck, feeling her face heat when he turned and waved from the passenger side.

"Oh my god, June Margaret Thompson. Are you crushing on Charlie Swan?" Lisa crowed. "How lucky that he was your knight in shining Chuck Taylor's."

June blinked. "What? No! My face is hot because I'm sick and my neurons are all messed up. Not because he's cute!"

Lisa shrugged, handling her soup Tupperware with care. "I didn't say anything about him being cute."

a/n: I've had this idea for a long time and am finally getting around to it. I love June and Charlie so much, as I hope you all will too.

all my love,
hadley