Note: I know I said that it would be a while until I wrote another story for Heat and Jack, but I couldn't help but write the first chapter. If you read Love is a Battle Ground than you know where this came from. This is a story dealing with their shared past. A past, I may add, that Jack doesn't remember. This means the ending will be sad. If you haven't read Love is a Battle ground, I hope that you take a look at it. It's three chapters long and was so much fun to write. Now, to the story.
It was snowing lightly at that night. The first bit of snow in a long while. Jack had just turned ten years old a few weeks ago. He was proud of his age and felt as if he had the world in front of him. His sister had stayed in the house while he went out to find his friends. It was late, but his mother thought that her boy could take care of himself. As Jack ran down a dust road, he past by a small girl with doll like cheeks. She looked like one of those dolls he often saw in the shops. He had thought she was a life-sized toy until she turned her head to look around. She seemed upset as she pulled as her black hair. She stared at it as if it would change color any moment.
"Hello?" Jack said as he walked towards the girl. He knew that he shouldn't be talking to her. They were from two different classes. She was clearly from a well off family. She was dressed up in the finest dress he ever saw, while he was in ragged old clothes that his cousin could no longer fit.
"Hello," The girl smiled at him as if he were the most important person to her. "Would you like to sit next to me?" She asked making room for him. She didn't seem to care that he was dirty or that he may mess up her dress. Jack was shocked by this.
"I guess, if you don't mind." The girl laughed softly after Jack finished.
"I do not mind one bit." The girl took out a small bag from beside her. "Would you like a toasted nut? My daddy gave me some before he went to work." Jack wondered if the girl was cold. She looked so pale, almost as white as the snow around them.
"Yea," Jack smiled as he took a few nuts from the bag. "My name is Jack."
"My name means Harvester." The girl stated softly as she took a nut for herself. She stated it as if that was the most important part.
"Uh?" Jack seemed confused.
"That's what mommy says to people when they ask for my name. Sorry, I forget that I have a strange mommy." The girl paused as thought it over. "It's Tessa. My name that is." The girl whispered.
"That's a pretty name." Jack stated as he looked into the girls deep green eyes. She beamed at being told that.
"Thank you." The girl smiled to herself as she played with her hair. "How old are you?"
"I turned ten a few weeks ago." Jack stated.
"Oh! That's nice. I am turning nine in a few days." Tessa stated.
"When?" Jack asked trying to think of what else they could talk about.
"I was born my Christmas." Tessa said as she placed her hands behind her.
"That must be nice." Jack thought aloud.
"Not really." Tessa frowned. "My daddy is always working on that day."
"What does he do?"
"He makes toys." Tessa stated.
"On Christmas?" Jack questioned.
"Yes..." Tessa said as she thought it over.
"Do you live near here?" Jack inquired after he thought about the odd girl next to him.
"I live in the woods." Tessa said as she pointed in the forest. "It's past there, but it's a far, far walk."
"And you came to this town?" Jack was in awe of Tessa.
"Yes, my mommy had something to do here." Tessa glanced about. "I'm here waiting for her to come back."
"I'll wait with you than." Jack stated with a smile.
"Won't your mommy be mad?" Tessa asked.
"Nah, it will be kay with here."
"If you say so..." Tessa blushed.
Tessa rested her head on his shoulder and let out a soft sigh. She didn't know why, but she liked the boy next to her. He seemed very sweet. Jack watched her from the corner of his eye. He wasn't sure what he should do. He never had a girl lay on him before, let alone a pretty girl.
"Oh, wow" Tessa whispered.
"Hmm," Jack looked up at where Tessa's eyes had landed.
"I thought I saw the Man in the Moon." Tessa smiled out. Jack laughed at her silliness. She paused to glanced at his face and before Jack knew it his face his an inch away from hers. He ran a hand over her face and she leaned into his touch closing her eyes. He would have kissed her if someone hadn't called his and hers names. The girl blushed as she slowly back away from Jack and ran towards her mother.
"I coming mommy." Tess yelled. She stopped running to turn and look at Jack. "I hope to see you again." She smiled and than went back to running to her mother.
"Jack!" A man called out louder. Jack sighed as he got up and went home. He didn't really went to leave the place where he met the strange girl. He wondered if they would see each other again. He really hoped that they would.