Chapter 1

***NINE YEARS LATER***

Beep! Beeeeeeeep!

I opened one of my gray eyes to examine the alarm clock on the oak end table by my bedside. Monday December 3rd, 6:00 am. Great. The first school day of the week. I yawn and I pull my navy blue quilt over my head. Maybe if I don't get up, Claire won't send me to school today, I thought to myself. I heard the rain tapping against the shingles of the roof, making me even sleepier than I already was. The alarm was still blasting like a siren in my ear. I slammed my fist into the snooze button, hoping that it was enough force to break the blasted thing. Before I can even think about going back to sleep, my door opens with a loud bang.

"Yo! Up and at 'em, sis!" Mark shouts gleefully. He was a morning person. He loved mornings because they were peaceful. If only he knew how totally NOT peaceful he made them. I hated sleeping in, yet I still did it. It's not that I was a morning person, it's just that I don't like wasting my day in bed. Only on the weekends is when I wake up early.

"Shhh!" I hiss. "With that mouth of yours, you'll wake up the neighbors!" I raise my head from my soft and comfortable pillow and slowly rise out of bed. Mark shook his head at me.

"I know your only so cranky because it's a Monday morning!" He said. "You'll be in a better mood once you've had breakfast! Come on! Mom made pancakes!" With that, he grinned and sprinted out the door and practically tripped down the stairs. I smiled slightly. Mark was only two years old when I met him. I was seven. He thinks that I am actually his real sister. Both Claire and I just don't have the heart to tell him, I suppose. I turn to my wooden dresser and rummage through the clothing selection.

I admit, I'm not usually picky when it comes to clothing. Give me a pair of jeans, and a T-shirt, and I'll be good to go. Claire, however is crazy picky. The only clothing she buys me is shirts that should only be worn on special occasions, and skirts of all sorts. In my closet, these are different dresses as well, but I avoid them as much as I can due to the fact that I'd rather wear the skirts than the dresses. Out of all of the clothing Claire chose the buy for me, she chose my least favorite. I have told her that once and I even yelled at her about it after she wouldn't listen to me. She would just brush me aside.

It's not that Claire hates me. In fact, she couldn't love me anymore than she does already! She always makes sure that Mark and I are in our beds at a certain hour every night and she is always looking out for us. I used to get bullied at school (not like that has changed) and she would literally come to school if she heard about these incidents and have a lecture right in front of those people's friends and teachers. Most kids would think I was embarrassed, but it was always quite funny if you ask me. She actually treats me like I'm her own daughter. I must say, Frost couldn't have chosen a better foster parent.

I grin, thinking of old memories and I grab a black turtleneck and a knee-length beige skirt and changed quickly. I grabbed my navy book bag and swung it over my shoulder effortlessly. I scurried down the stairs and sat down at the table. I heard the noises of coin collecting from Mark playing Mario Kart game on his DS right across the glass topped table. Fresh, hot pancakes coated in maple syrup and whipped cream was waiting for me. The smell was inviting and instead of eating the food, I practically inhaled it. I washed it down with a nice cold glass of milk. With that, I run back upstairs, brush my teeth until they are sparkling white, and I head back down the stairs to meet my brother to walk him to school.

"Come on, Mark!" I yell to him. "Gonna be late if you keep playing that game!"

"I'm coming!" he shouted back cheerfully. He quickly saved his game and closed his DS. He scurried over to meet me at the door. "Ok! I'm ready now!" He smiled and urged me to open the door. I open the bronze doorknob and let him through it, out to the rainy weather. I slide the moccasins that I got nine years ago on. They were still a few sizes too big, but I wore them no matter what. As I'm just about to put my left foot out the door, a voice stops me in place.

"Amberlynn," the voice said gently. I turn around to meet Claire's warm and welcoming blue eyes full of concern. "You forgot your coat." She held up a black pea coat.

"But Cla-mom," I stop myself from saying her first name and protest. "It's not cold out." I put my hand out the door to test the air. It was actually quite warm for a rainy day if you ask me.

"It will get colder, you know," she said back. Her tone was calm, but her expression was worried. "Not only that, but it's pouring." She carefully handed the coat over.

She was right. It was raining cats and dogs outside. I found it odd. It's three days into December and it should be snowing! I absolutely loved the snow and wintertime. It was fun to play in the snow, making snow angels and snowmen. Especially the snowball fights! I was probably the best at them in my town. The rain… In my opinion, the rain was stalling winter. I don't believe that it is winter until there is snow on the ground. Silly, you may think but I don't.

I accepted the coat and gave her a hug before I wandered out the door. Opening the door one more time, she stopped me once again.

"Please stay out of trouble, Amberlynn!" She pleads. I only give her a nod and catch up with Mark. I was always getting myself into detention. Not on purpose, but it's just that I couldn't care less about how I looked to people. I guess that's what I get having Jack Frost as a best friend. He causes the trouble for me half of the time.

I ran to meet Mark and slowed my pace down to a walk once I made it to his side. The rain seemed to have died down a bit, but not enough for it to stop any time soon. I sighed. Frost better hurry up! I was sick of the rain even though it was only the first day of it.

Both Mark and I walked along on the sidewalk swiftly. We did a little bit of conversing that didn't involve my crankiness. Once I dropped him off at school, I continued down the road to get to my school. I didn't mind walking to school alone. In fact, I might've actually enjoyed it. I love being loud and having my fun, but it's a nice thing that I can have a few minutes of peace and quiet in my life, y'know?

As I turned on one more street, I came up to my High School. It was quite large. The walls were made of strong sturdy bricks that covered the whole school from the first floor to the third. There were wide doors on each end of the school that were hard to push open alone. From across the street, I heard the bell ring and yellow busses let boys and girls out. They started to flood into the doors. I had to sprint across the busy street, receiving some angry honks of passing cars to make it to the building, inside, and into Mr. Lader's class just in time before the second bell rang in my ears just like my alarm clock.

In the classroom, there were six rows of desks, all of which were filled. I sat in the fifth row by the window. Outside the window was the courtyard, so it was easy to get distracted and daydream. Most of the time, I get away with it. Others…well…let's just say I'm lucky enough to get out of this classroom with my head still attached to my body. With the mouth I have, I'm quite surprised that I am still living today!

"Class, take your seats," Mr. Lander instructed. Every student, including me did as told.

Sitting in my seat, I decided Social Studies at eight o'clock in the morning wasn't worth my time. I rested my head on my right hand that was balled into a fist. My curious wandering eyes made their way to the open window that blew cold wind and small drops of rain onto my face. I sighed and slid the window shut and continued to gaze out it at the beautiful courtyard.

The courtyard was used at lunchtime, usually in the summer. I ate out there rain or shine, since I had no friends at school anyway. I don't really get along with people my age. I feel the need to say exactly what I think. Well, really it's a habit. I wasn't really interested in having them at school anyway. That goes the same for a boyfriend. Claire thinks I should meet more people and I should have a boyfriend at this age, but honestly I don't think I can look at any male that goes to this school that is even halfway intelligent. I'm single and lovin' it!

My attention was focused on the courtyard, the gorgeous fountain with the pure streaming water that fell beautifully. It was a sight for sore eyes during the springtime. Once the snow starts falling, the water usually stops flowing and is turned off until spring. The flowers that bloomed in the yard lasted all year and were breathtaking to look at. The colors sure add a lovely radiance to the courtyard. I pictured myself outside, enjoying the close up view of the gardens.

As soon as I started staring off into space, the water in the fountain stopped flowing. I brought myself back from space and turned my gaze to the fountain. It was frozen solid. I stared in awe at the sight. Who knew that a chunk of ice could look so brilliantly crafted? I actually smiled once I realized what happened. Jack Frost was here.

"Laine!"

I jumped slightly as I turned my head to face my angry Social Studies teacher. He had his mouth clenched shut and his brown eyes glared daggers at me. "Pay attention," he ordered when he finally got my attention.

I frowned. "Oh?" I asked. "You're actually saying something interesting?"

A chorus of laughs erupted from the packed classroom.

Mr. Lander's expression twisted from an angry glare to a forced smile. He walked over to his desk and pulled out a yellow sheet of paper. After he scribbled something onto it, he walked quickly over to me with his plastered grin. He handed me the sheet of paper with a chuckle.

"Why, of course, Amberlynn!" He said gleefully. "I was just talking about how great it'll be for you to spend a whole two hours after school with me today for detention!"

My jaw wanted to drop, but I kept it firm in place. He casually turned around and began teaching again. My eyes widened a bit as I scanned the yellow slip of paper

Date- December 3rd

Name of Student- Amberlynn Laine

Reason for Detention- Ignoring lesson and disrupting classmates

Underneath it all was a messy and unclear signature of Mr. Lander.

You know, Frost knows just how to make you like and hate him at the same time.