Chapter 4

''Jack is back?'' Anna shouted, and Elsa quickly regretted ever bringing it up.

They were waiting outside of the school for Hans, who was now about seven minutes late, and they'd decided to talk about how their day had gone.

Anna had gone on about how she almost got detention again with Mr. Weasleton (''He's just so boring, Elsa! How can I not fall asleep?''), and one thing to another lead to the mention of Jack Frost.

Thankfully, there weren't many others left outside the school, and nobody seemed to have paid any attention to her sister's outburst.

''But he moved years ago!''

''Yes, Anna, I know'' She couldn't help but chuckle. ''But he's here now for the rest of the year, apparently''

''Wow,'' Anna's eyes twisted into something she couldn't explain, as she begin jumping up and down. ''This is great, Elsa! He was, like, our best friend!''

Elsa smiled at that, the memories coming back, both captivating and disheartening. ''Yeah, he was. But that was long ago, and he's probably different now''

''Different, shmitfferent'' Anna waved away the comment. ''He couldn't have had changed that much. Besides, you've talked to him. Shouldn't you know if he's changed or not?''

''Well, he's more behaved in class than before'' Elsa mumbled, moving a strand of her blonde hair from her face. ''But- it's complicated''

''Sure it is. Is he hot?''

''Anna!''

''What? He was the cutest guy in your grade when we were younger!''

''Hey, Elsa'' the voice came from behind the two of them with no warning, she found herself frozen right on the spot.

She knew that voice better than anyone's, and although matured and deepened, she could still hear the hint of tease in his voice. ''Anna? Is that you?''

The red haired girl's eyes widen before her lips pulled up into a wide smile. ''Oh my gosh, Jack? I was right, Elsa, he's definitely a looker''

Elsa didn't know what made her more uncomfortable in that moment; her sister's words or Jack's reaction that included an amused laughed.

''Look at you. You've grown, kiddo'' he said, pulling her into a sided hug and messing the top of her hair up.

Anna huffed jokingly, as she tried her best to fix her hair. ''I have, haven't I? It probably wouldn't be healthy if I hadn't same goes to you. Although, you've always been tall, now you're just gorgeous-''

Elsa mentally slapped her hand against her forehead, in disbelief of how open Anna was.

Sometimes she wore the girl was on some type of drug.

''- Anyway, Jack'' she cut Anna off, causing Jack to turn his attention to her. ''What's got you out here after school?''

''I had to talk to some teachers after school about some things.'' He shrugged, sending her that charming smile. ''It wouldn't had made a difference anyway. Mom said she'd be late, and as always, she's right''

''We know that feeling'' Elsa smiled, watching Anna bring herself back into the conversation. ''Hans is always late picking us up''

Jack nodded, stuffing his hands into his pockets. ''Oh, yeah. How's Hans? Haven't heard that name in forever''

You hadn't bothered keeping in contact in forever, Elsa wanted to say, but she held it back.

It wasn't the time or place; it had to be something that they would have to discuss between the two of them.

''He's great'' Elsa could only give him a halfhearted grin, timidly pulling on her white cardigan's sleeve. ''He goes to college now. He's majoring in business''

''That's awesome. Hans always seemed like he'd go into something like that'' Jack ran his fingers through his snow white hair, and that's when it crossed her mind.

Why had he dyed his hair?

His hair was a beautiful chestnut color that he shared along with his father and sister, and it was something Elsa had always envied.

When they were little, it was she that was made fun of for her rare platinum blonde hair and she would've done anything to have her best friend's. She wanted to feel normal more than anything, and she would often rant to Jack about it.

''I think your hair is different,'' he had told her once, many years ago.

She had crossed her arms and frowned deeper. ''Jack, you're not making me feel better''

''But different is good. I think different is great''

That's what she would tell herself from then on whenever she felt her hair wasn't pretty enough.

What was he trying to say with his hair?'

''So how's your mom and Poppy?'' Anna beamed, completely bringing Elsa down to earth.

Jack, who had been staring at her intently, had now a brighter light to his face. ''They're great. Mom got married again not so long ago, so now Poppy and I have stepsiblings''

''Wait, your mom got married?''

It would sound rather rude to ask a question like that, but it came as a surprise to Elsa.

Evelyn Frost had grieved so much after her husband's passing; they all thought for sure that she would never find another partner.

They had all been wrong.

''Yeah, last summer. His name is Nicholas North, but we call him Nick. He's a great guy, and he seems to really love my mom, Poppy and I'' She could tell by the admiration in his eyes, that Jack did in fact care for Nick himself.

She was glad that he had turned out to be a good man.

''So how many step siblings do you have?'' asked Anna, leaning her elbow on Elsa's shoulder.

Elsa rolled her eyes.

''Three. Tooth and Bunny are off to college, but the one year I got to spend with them was enough for me to consider them brother and sister.'' Jack chuckled. ''And there's Sandy, who's Poppy's age. He's mute, but he's probably my favorite out of the three''

Just then, a silver minivan pulled up in the school drive way and Elsa felt her face lift when she saw Jack's mom pull the car's window down.

She looked almost the same; golden brown hair that reached just over shoulders, kind dark eyes, and a slim figure.

Except, something was different; she genuinely looked happier.

''Jackson, hurry up and get in. I still have to pick up Poppy and Sandy'' she cried out with the same voice she did when she would tell her and Jack to come back inside from playing.

Their eyes met, and the lady instantly covered her mouth with both her hands.

''Elsa? Anna?''

Elsa nervously waved, while Anna bobbed her head up and down eagerly. ''Hi, Mrs. Frost!''

She got out of the car, Elsa relieved that there were no other cars behind her, and embraced them at the same time.

She could see Jack's smirk from the corner of her eye.

''It's been so long! Oh my, look at both of you! You two are beautiful!''

''Thank you, Mrs. Frost'' Elsa grinned. ''You haven't changed at all''

''I quite hope so'' she laughed, her head thrown back just how Jack would do when he laughed. ''I feel like I look even older now that I have to keep up with five kids, especially with my two mischievous ones''

''Hey!'' Jack sneered, placing his arm around his mother's shoulder.

He certainly towered over her. ''I'm not mischievous''

''Oh hush now, Jackson, we both know that's not true''

Now it was Elsa's turn to smirk at that.

''Well, anyway, I'd love to catch up but I'm in a hurry right now. Why don't you two come visit us one of these days?''

Anna and Elsa both turned to each other, and Anna replied before Elsa had a chance to even open her mouth.

''Of course, we'd love to! Elsa can get Jack's address tomorrow during class!''

''That sounds great''

Elsa turned to Jack, and both tucked their lips up into a smile.

Mrs. Frost grabbed them into another hug, before getting back into the car.

''Well, I better get going'' Jack said, opening the door to the passenger's seat. ''See you tomorrow, Elsa?''

''Yeah, tomorrow'' she answered.

He smiled and then the car drove away.

Hans arrived only seconds later, spilling out an apology as both girls made their way into the car.

''How was school?''

Anna leaned over to his seat, her lips pulled up into a devilish smile. ''You won't believe who we saw today''

Elsa sighed.

It was going to be a long ride home.