My name is Emily and I love the cold. That's why I didn't mind when we moved to the small town of Burgess. My mother and father had gotten a divorce and soon after, she got a great job offer. And the fact that my grandparents lived there didn't hurt either. The move was easy. Sure, I had to say goodbye to my best friend Jarred, but goodbyes are just a part of life. Other than that, I didn't think the move would have any effect on me. That idea changed the moment I met Jack Frost…
Chapter One: Welcome to Burgess
"Come on, Slow Poke!" My mother shouted from outside the car.
"I'd go a lot faster if you would help with the luggage!" I shouted back.
We had just arrived at my grandparents house. They had insisted on us staying with them. Not like we had anywhere else to go otherwise. We had just arrived and there wasn't a decent hotel around for miles. Where were we supposed to go?
Mother was just about to say something else but was interrupted by an attack-hug from my grandmother, leaving her too winded to speak. She's strong for an old gal. I thought to myself.
"Emily! Is that you?" she squealed just before releasing my mother from her grip and running towards me so the I may suffer the same fate as my mother.
"Yes, Granny, it's me," I choked as she hugged me just as tightly as she hugged Mother.
"I can't believe it's you! I haven't seen you since you were this high!" she stated as she placed her hand near her thigh, showing how short I used to be.
I guess it's been longer than I thought…
"Come on, let's go inside. It's freezing. Jack Frost must have really settled in," she laughed as she pulled me inside.
"Who?" I asked as I shut the door behind me. I could feel the warmth of her house filling me. I may love the cold but warmth is still nice.
"The spirit of winter," she stated matter-of-factly.
Still treating me like a child. I guess things never change. "Whatever… which room am I staying in?" As much as I love my granny, I was in no mood to converse. The trip had completely drained me and I was in desperate need of some sleep.
"Up the stairs, to the left, first door on the right."
"Thanks" I said as I dragged my bags up the stairs.
I have way too much stuff… As soon as I found my room, I immediately dropped my bags, kicked them to the side, and plopped down on my bed. I was only seconds away from sleep when my phone started to ring. Ughhh, why? My attitude changed as soon as I saw who it was. "Jarre Bear!" I squealed when I answered the phone.
"How many times have I asked, no BEGGED you not to call me that?" he nearly growled.
"Two hundred and forty-three times," I stated.
"Wait what?"
Dork. "I'm kidding but it has been a lot."
"Then why do you keep calling me that?"
This guy is way too fun to mess with. "Because it's fuuunn."
"Yeah whatever… Anyway, how's Burger Town?" I never really understood why he kept calling it that.
"It's Burgess, dude. And it's great! My grandparents are super nice and the weather is perfect!" It was the truth. There was ice and snow everywhere. Not something you see in Texas.
"I swear, you're the only person crazy enough to like cold weather," he spat. he never really understood. Summer was great for getting out of school, spring was okay, and fall was only good for Halloween. Winter, however, was my one true love. Misunderstood, unique, and beautiful in it's own way. I guess, in a way, it's kind of like me.
"And it's even better because there's this pond near my grannys house that's always frozen this time of year. Perfect for skating!" I always loved ice skating. When I step on the ice, I leave all of my problems behind, when I pick up speed, I am racing towards new possibilities, and when I feel the cold wind in my face… I feel freedom. Like I can do anything. And winters are long here meaning I can feel freedom all the time.
"Well, that's cool. I just wanted to say hi. I actually have to go. It's date night."
"Okay. Tell Thomas I said hi" I really wanted to keep talking to him, but I also really wanted some sleep.
"I will. Enjoy getting frostbite," he joked before hanging up. I guess it was for the best. I really did need some sleep. So I kicked off my boots and bundled up with my Nightmare Before Christmas comforter, the only thing I bothered to unpack. I didn't even bother with changing into my pajamas. I didn't feel like looking for them. All I wanted was to get to sleep. After all, I had a day on the ice to look forward to.