An ROTG Story

~Little Wonders of Winter~

Disclaimers: I do not own Rise of the Guardians, or any other characters that may be similar to it. I'm just an ordinary girl writing a story.

"If someone needs to be reminded of what's important, we help them."~Tooth

Chapter 2:

It was another cold day. The temperature dropped profusely last night. Ironically, the cold winter day still let some streams of sunlight shine down on the earth's cold soil, melting layers of ice and frost.

Jack opened his eyes lazily. After spending the whole afternoon every day of that couple of weeks trying to find a job across the streets, he went home after that day's work and plopped right in his bedroom. Never had he ever woke up at such an early hour. It was only six in the morning, but the skies are already telling him to get up and go to work.

He covered his head with a pillow, ignoring the complaints of the morning ray. It's too early for him. But he noticed late that he was actually rearranging his bio-clock, with school and everything else-

Oh no. He was about to be late for school. At such a fast pace, he grabbed a random set of clothes and changed for that day: blue striped-shirt, distressed denim pant, and a cotton white jacket. Oh, and a black beanie to hide his hair. Luckily, he didn't take out his things from his backpack last night. He couldn't imagine how much time he would've wasted just stuffing it back inside.

Grabbing his keys, and his trusty skateboard, he easily glided his way to school barely making in time for his first class.

"Mr. Moon, you wanted to see us?" A girl pressed her head onto the office door, coyly. She was wearing medium-sized dangling feather earrings, a seaweed blue-green tank top slightly covered by a thin grey jacket that its sleeves extended up to half of her arms, a thick golden belt, a black skirt reaching the upper part of her knees, and black, high cut boots. It easily matched her colourful shoulder-length hair, and her 'busy-day' look.

"Ah, yes. Please, do come in. All of you." The old adult gestured the girl, and the girl, pulling another set of hands whispered loudly, "You guys, come on!"

Pushing each other three young men came in. One was a bulky, brown haired guy, wearing a simple loose red shirt with a statement written 'Merry Christmas!' and denim pants. He was really tall for a teenager, merely bumped his head at the door's ceiling, carelessly. Another guy stood in the corner of the room, dressed with a plaque buttoned top with white shirt, used jeans, and black rubber shoes. His green eyes sent a message of 'serious business', although his face was all but expressionless. Last to come in was the shortest of them all, wearing a flying goggles over his messy, cream blonde hair, attired in a muted orange shirt, and brown shorts.

Manny grinned slowly as he looked at each and every one of them.

"As you know the winter-spring festivities are coming up, and evidently the board of teachers approved you're request, that is, you four are to arrange the program."

Mr. Moon pointed to each of the students. "North, you will be handling the caterers and booth instalments. Aster, you'll be in charge of the opening and ending programs as well as the activities to be done for the three-day fair, Sandy and Tooth will help in the decorations, advertisements and distributions of the invitations. It's all up to you on how to make it work out. I know you can do it as great as the previous years."

Positive remarks coming from the said group of teens were once quieted when the teacher raised his hand.

"However, as your fellow co-adviser. I have one thing to ask for."

A knock came from the door. Then a white-haired boy peeped in. "Manny, you called for me?" Jack saw the crowd inside. "Oh, I see you're busy I'll just go back when you're done and-"

"Jack! Stop, please. Come in. You're just in the nick of time." The teacher beckoned, gently giving Jack a friendly slap on the shoulder, much to Jack's surprise.

"Tooth, North, Sandy, Aster. This is Jack." Manny introduced the young lad who was staring on the concrete floor. "I summoned all of you here because I'd like to add Jack to the team. He might be a good hand for the group and your preparations."

"What?" Jack was dumbfounded. He was expecting a few sermons or speeches from the last couple of days he'd been doing mischief during class hours. But this was just out of the ordinary.

"Seriously?"Aster cried out, annoyed. He was just as shocked as the albino kid. While Sandy just gave two thumbs up, welcomingly accepting the white hair stranger.

North was in a deep thought. "Well, if that is what it takes, it's nice seeing you Jack. Welcome to team!" he finally retorted, shaking the latter's hand heavily.

"Uhm, thanks. I think." Jack exclaimed in a sarcastic tone, although unheard by anyone else in the room.

"Well, we better get going, maybe we meet tomorrow Jack. See you!" North pushed everyone out of the room, and closed the door. It took a few silent moments for Jack to process what had happened, when he turned to the teacher, who was calmly drinking a cup of coffee.

Slamming at the professor's table, Jack gave a flabbergasted look. "Okay, what was that all about, four eyes? What were you thinking?!"

There were a few tense moments before Moon talked back. "I was thinking, you might want to thank me, boy. I just helped you get instant friends."

"You just set me up! And what were you all talking about while I was gone anyway?"

"Festival preparations, which in case you must know, I signed you up to help in the winter-spring festival preparations. You'll be cooperating with them for the next few weeks, so it'll be better if you get to know them soon."

"You signed me up for festival preparations? Why? And I can get friends for myself, you know."

"Or, just do things your own way again. Alone."

It was true. Jack hadn't been the sociable type. He never got the chance or time to make friends before. But he never told the professor about it in any way. He must have only noticed through an educated guess, or observation. Mr. Moon took another sip from his teacup.

"Jack I've seen you these past weeks. And I've been working in this school since you were ten. You know that. Trust me, with your being a transferee from nowhere, and your white-hair, you might just need some back-up in this school, fast. And that's why I came in to help you. I wouldn't do this if it would only hinder you, but at least try. After all, you need to experience high school before you move on, even just for a short time."

Jack didn't talk back. He just grabbed his bag and went out of the door. "I guess I can try."

"I can't believe Moon put us on babysittin' duty with that lil' twit!" Aster exclaimed. He held out his lunch tray, sipping apple juice annoyingly.

"Oh, don't be so rude Aster. To me, he seems… affable. " Tooth replied as she reorganized her notes on the table. She was too busy handing out papers and scribbling notes to even look up to the guys.

"Jack Frost?! With that snowflake, we'll be in big trouble sooner than you could imagine. Mate, I heard he just upset two teachers last week. And yesterday I heard some sheilas talking that he was foolin' with the captain of the football team. He's an irresponsible, selfish…"

"Nuisance?" North came in, and gently placed his lunch on the table.

"Yes!" the Australian agreed, gladly knowing that someone was on his side at least.

"No." North denied. Aster dropped his supposedly confident look. "Remember, Mr. Moon assigned us to let him help us. He must be a bit special for it. We might get best helper, then!" The jolly man exclaimed.

"North, I'm tellin' ya, Jack Frost will be nothin' but a big troublemaker and…"

"Oi, this is going to be a loooong day…" Sandy, being a mute boy, passed a note to Tooth, who was still writing, understood and nodded in agreement.

Sandy saw a blue figure pass by. It was the albino, he described to himself. He gently slipped out of the group, not being noticed his lack of presence, and he ran towards the said boy. He had a hard time though, being unable to talk and everything. He waved to Jack but he was unseen. Jack walked towards the hallway oblivious to the short man, seemingly trying to run away, and Sandy, being the curious type, followed him out of the school building to the eastern wing of the school campus.

He finally had enough of this. He grabbed a pebble from the soft snowy ground and hit the distracted person approximately ten meters away, with a clear headshot. The latter appearing annoyed, looked back. It took more than a couple of seconds before he recognized the petite boy's gentle face, golden yellow-brown hair, and delightful look on his face.

"Sandy?" Jack retorted. Sandy nodded eagerly. He signed, Good to see you, Jackson.

It's just Jack now, and wow, nice to see you too. Jack gestured back. Sandy was surprised.

You learned sign language? He asked with a baffled look.

I took a few lessons when I went away. Thought it'll be easier on you. Jack replied.

"Wow, you must've grown a bit. But I'm still taller than you!" Jack teased. He had always done so to him when they were eight. He would go to Jack's house to play and they would teased each other until the teasing turned into a playful brawl.

How long has it been since we last saw each other? Sandy asked curiously.

"About six years ago, I think." Jack answered back. "Time's a real fuss. I reckon you've been with those guys?" Jack pointed to a small group sitting inside the cafeteria, laughing. It was North and the gang.

They're not that bad. Come join us, won't you?

Jack said no. He said he had things to do, then he apologetically said goodbye and maybe they'd talk longer some time. Sandy answered by gesturing he would be looking forward to that, and that he had a lot of questions to ask.

Don't be a stranger. Sandy signed as Jack turned to his back and left the blonde out in the cold, walking back inside the building. But he didn't think that Jack glimpsed back and understood what he meant.

If the next day wasn't any weirder, Jack didn't know what is.

"JACK! We have meeting after class at Tooth's house, da?" the Russian accent of a man boomed down on him. Toppling Jack over his seat when he was sleeping inside the classroom while the class waited for the teacher. He luckily composed himself calmly enough to not provoke a laugh out of the bulk. But he still gave a humoured 'pfft' to the thin lad.

"Alright. Where, when, what?" Jack drowsily asked. The big guy gave a small note. "Here is place of meeting. Map. A few minutes after last class we walk there. If you want, you can walk with us to the place?" The messy brunette-haired offered.

"No thanks, I have something else to take care of first before I go." Jack smiled wryly.

"Well, okay. By the way, name's..."

"North St. Nicholas. I know."

North gave a surprised look. "How do you know?"

"I've seen you before, I think." Jack lazily slumped back down to his earlier sleeping position. And the Russian though shell-shocked , left him at that. The boy might has seen him before, but the colossal hadn't recognized him before, ever.

"Mom! I'm home, and the guys are here." Tooth called out as she entered her turf. The lawn was freshly cut, and the garden was shaped beautifully. There were common evening primroses on the left part near the wooden fences, assorted with long, purple irises. Garden tulips of every color were seen at the other end of the garden, along with some fashioned trees. The whole front yard was swarming with bees and butterflies of beautiful colors.

Inside, the house had an unknown source of sensing nostalgia. Picture frames hang across the walls, and stood on top of the piano. Curtains never covered the view from the window wholly, and echoes of laughter from outside was noticeable. But the inviting look from the girl's mother always had the bunch of guys feel at home.

"Oh, hello." Her mother greeted in a gentle manner. "Do help yourselves. There are cookies on the dining table."

Tooth being somewhat a compulsive person when it came to oral care, winced as her friends came to take some snacks. "Well, not too much, or you might get your teeth-" but he saw North gobbling down a few pieces of cookies already, and Tooth just gave up, defeated. Sighing, she whispered a 'never mind' to herself.

"Come on you guys, let's wait for Jack in the meeting room."

It had been almost twenty minutes wasted on waiting. Aster was getting irritated. While Tooth was still scribbling some notes, humming while doing so. North was playing with his cellphone, and Sandy was twirling his chair repeatedly. Finally giving in, Aster stood up.

"Where is that boy?!"

"Hush Bunny, he'll be here soon." North said in a carefree manner. Aster wondered how they all get to be so distracted to even forget how much time was being wasted now. It's not as if planning for the most waited, most anticipated, and most fragile celebration was the end of the world, but still its importance was highly thought of, especially by Bunny.

"He's late. I told ya he'd be a bad one."

"Will you just quit it, Aster?" Tooth argued.

"Why did Mr. Moon even called that guy up for us?"

"He must want Jack to feel he fits in." North retorted.

"Why?"

"I heard he came from outside Burgess. I don't know where. But he must have not known life in school."

"Wait, you mean he might have been-"

"Home school? I guess."

"Then why would we be interested? I mean…" Aster talked on and on.

Sandy shook his head to himself. He smirked at the thought. They never knew what really Jack was.

There was a rust, metallic squeak of the gate. Footsteps followed, and a question of "Hello? Is anybody here?". Then a thud. Tooth only came into attention when she heard the 'thud' part. Aster and Sandy looked at each other. North said an oh-no. Tooth went downstairs. And there he was, Jack Frost being tackled and stepped on by little toddlers. Tooth giggled.

"Help, anyone?" Jack asked. He knew he wasn't really into close terms with these people, but nonetheless, he has to get out of there somehow. He was being abused by three mini Tooths.

Tooth sighed sympathetically "Girls, come on. Stop it!" She pushed the girls aside to give Jack some air. As he recovered a few moments, one of the small girls escaped from the older one's clutches and undertook the white-hair again. Jack being a bit more than exasperated, pinched the little one's armpit with his fingers, and started a tickle war with the her. The girl was desperately trying to defend herself, giggling and laughing. It seems like Jack was winning. When he finally stopped, he retorted "Okay little baby Tooth, run along now." and she did. The toddlers were playing in the other corner with a doll, a toothbrush, and an airplane. More of fighting over for the toothbrush.

"Sorry." Tooth uttered. "These are my sisters. Girls, say hi to Jack." The small ones innocently laid eyes on him. Jack grinned and waved a friendly 'hi'. The girl from the back had her jaws dropped. Jack thought if he did something wrong. The three huddled for a moment. Jack and Tooth looked at each other in sheer surprise. They had heard the small ones whispering and giggling. But they didn't hear them count to three and surrounded Jack back again. Trying to climb. Tugging on his shirt. But all of the trio saying different things at one time:

"Whoooaaa! You have white hair."

"Cool jacket!"

Jack chuckled a bit. The third girl jumps onto Jacks arms screaming "Teeth!" And the other two stumbles him down to the carpeted floor. Weirdly examining his teeth.

"It's so pretty!"

"Like freshly fallen snow."

"You take care of your beautiful teeth very well, young mister!" a kid scolded.

"Yeah, or the tooth fairy might take it away from you, but wouldn't leave a dime."

"Or we might take it from you!" Another one giggled out.

Jack was pretty freaked out afterwards. He hadn't seen anyone so obsessed and compulsive about teeth. Especially kids. Tooth thought it was time she stepped in.

"Girls,pull yourselves together!" She then picked up Jack once more from the floor. Apologizing again. Jack in his good natured behavior picked up one of the kids and rocketed her into the air and back on the ground. "It's okay. I like kids."

"This is little Ela, the one you're holding is Ara, and here is Iva. Triplets, obviously. Same obsession with the lot of us: Teeth." Tooth declared. She was caressing Iva's hair, who hid playfully behind Tooth's left foot.

"Let's go now. The meeting's about to start." Tooth told Jack.

The day was swell. But still weird. Jack listed the things that had happened. A bulky intimidating guy woke him up using his Russian accent (and the voice wouldn't stop ringing from his head!). He saw his childhood friend Sandy and would probably be seeing him a lot more. He was attacked by little Tooths because they looked exactly like Toothiana. He had made friends with the group, for they had welcomed his whole-heartedly. Or at least that's what he thought. Tooth has little triplet sisters who are obsessed with teeth at an early age.

He never thought he would have such an peculiar high school life as this. It wouldn't go any weirder, would it?

~~(=*=)~~

A/N: Hi, hi, hi! Ta-dah! Did you like the second chapter? I really don't know where this story is going so please help me with plot development! ) I'm accepting requests for filler, and stuff if you want. I can easily slip it into the story to make it longer. Hehe. I planned to put chapter titles before, but I got lazy and you wouldn't want me lazy when I write, so yeah. Spoiler alerts? I shall use Pitch in the next chapter.

I finished a book "To kill a mockingbird." You should try reading it, it's nice. So much coming of age, and innocence.

Comments? Suggestions? Questions? Violent reactions? PM me. Review is not necessary, but constructive criticism is advised for improvement.