Always & Forever (A 'The Last Of Us' Fanfic)

Chapter 1

Austin, Texas

May 2002

Beth Logan and Joel Miller had known each other all their lives. Ever since they were in pre-school. They had lived next to each other since then and had become the very best of friends. The two were inseparable. He was her first crush and she was his. As they got older, the both of them had fallen hard for the other. But although they clearly had these feelings, they never once acted on them. They were both really shy and used that as the excuse to prevent them from being together. In actuality, the two were scared to death of possibly losing the other if they didn't work out. Beth couldn't imagine life without Joel and Joel couldn't imagine a life without Beth. So, because of this, they kept their feelings hidden. As their junior year was coming to an end, Beth knew that time was running out. So, as terrified as she was, she didn't want to regret not taking the chance. If Joel wouldn't do anything about it, then it was up to her to make the first move...

"Hey Joel, are you going to Shawn's end of the year party tonight?" Beth asked going up to where he stood by his locker.

"I don't know. Are you?" he said placing one of his books inside.

"I've been thinking about it. It could be fun, you know. We could all get wasted and make memories from the mistakes we'll surly make," she said sarcastically.

He cracked a smile. He had one of the sweetest smiles she had ever seen.

"I'd have to see what Tommy is up to. I can't leave him at home all night. Knowing him, he'd probably throw a party of his own," he said.

"Well, from what he's told me, he plans on going to Shawn's party," Beth said.

"Oh hell. Well, then I guess I'm gonna have to go. Make sure my kid brother doesn't get too shitfaced," he retorted.

"I'll go if you go," she said.

"We'd both keep an eye on him?" he asked raising one of his eyebrows.

"Well liquor around a freshman is kind of like candy to a child. He's like a brother to me too, you know," she said.

"All right then. It's settled," he said with a smile.

"Awesome," she retorted with an even bigger smile.

"Hi, Joel. You going to the party tonight?" Roxanne Sullivan came up to ask.

She rested her hand on his arm and Beth couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous she looked. Roxanne turned to glare at her for a second then brought her attention back to Joel.

"Well?" she pushed.

"Maybe," he finally answered.

"Well, I'll be looking out for you," she said with a wink then took off down the hall.

"Oh my god. How desperate could she be? She's crazy for you. You know that don't you?" Beth said laughing.

"She's too out of control for my taste. Not my type," he said shaking his head and laughing with her.

"And what is your type exactly, Mr. Miller?" she asked looking over at him.

"The girl next door type," he said softly.

They looked at the other for a few seconds but it felt like an eternity to them. The bell to the next period rang and brought both back to reality.

"So...I'll...uh...I'll see you later then?" he asked.

"Definitely," she said with a smile.

With their books in hand, they both headed to their separate classes.