Hitomi: Hello! I watched Rise of the Guardians a few days ago and it inspired me to write this fic.

After researching and gathering ideas from friends for the past few days... I finally got around to writing this.

Also, I'm making it clear that this is after Pitch was defeated, so that means Jack Frost is already considered a Guardian. This'll be a Jack x OC story since I feel neutral towards Jack x Tooth.

T.T And excuse my OOC-ness from here on out! I'm not too confident here, so please forgive me!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians and Guardians of Childhood. They're owned by Dreamworks and William Joyce. I only own my character and the plot here.

Locked Heart

I

A Vow Under the Rain

As far as she remembered from the life she lived so far, there was always that feeling of mystery she sensed. What it meant wasn't clear, but there was no doubt this was from encountering the Guardians a few times since she was a child. It couldn't be her imagination or a coincidence, so she had accepted it normally, though she pretended not to acknowledge them. She was pretty sure people would talk if they heard this bit of information and label her as insane.

Not that it mattered. She was already considered an outcast.

She knew society would say such figures only existed in stories. That much, she knew about for it was common sense. To her, though she was no longer a kid, she still believed. All of this time, she still believed what was unseen. Because of this, she was often locked away within herself, the reason being reality was too painful to deal with.

As Lily walked in the downpour on the way home with nothing to cover her, she was trying not to recall what happened earlier in school. Alas, her mind was playing the recent incident like a song on repeat. She still heard the stinging taunts of her bullies, the shouts of whoever stood up for her and against them. She still felt pain somewhere on her body from being shoved onto the floor repeatedly.

Yet another bruise somewhere, I'm sure. It better not be big. She thought with a sigh, fighting back a wince. And then... It happened again.

She can still see with vivid clarity the wide eyes and open mouths of her adversaries and her would-be saviors. They saw Lily surrounded with vines out of nowhere, all poised to attack. Shouts and cries, followed by running footsteps, were heard while she struggled to keep her not-so-secret power under control. Though barely successful in holding them back, her reputation was stained once more.

"What are you? Freak!"

"Monster!"

"You're so abnormal!"

She knew this happened whenever she was unable to put up with her torment in silence any longer, but it was also a risk for her.

For who would be a friend towards someone who wasn't exactly normal?

I swear when I start another new year... She clenched a fist, her eyes shining with unshed tears. I'll be someone new. I want to be able to be a different person. Someone who can be normal for a change.

But is there any hope for me?

Lily didn't watch her step as she tripped, falling onto her face first, the concrete taking her fall. She didn't bother getting up, staying there as she whimpered softly to herself. She was unsure if her tears fell or it was only the rain, but it didn't matter either way because nobody was going to hear her.

From somewhere far away, five pairs of eyes watched over her in the shadows. Then, like a dream, they disappeared.