Cold Shoulder

Chapter 7

First of all, I'm glad so many other people picture Aster as a bunny in AUs.

Also, I got a new computer for Christmas, so this is the first thing I'm typing on it! (I was using my sister's old computer before.)

XXX

Jack sighed. Ms. Lilly had told him to come straight home after school, but he, of course, didn't want to. He hadn't been able to go to the lake in days due to Ms. Lilly's worries. Making his decision, he changed course and headed into the woods. He soon reached the lake and sat in the snow, like always. He let the freezing snow clear his mind and keep his worst thoughts at bay. However, after only a few minutes, his silence was disrupted.

"Jack," said Ms. Lilly. "Come on, we're going home."

Jack turned away from the woman.

"I don't want to," he huffed.

"Jack, there's supposed to be a snowstorm this evening," Ms. Lilly retorted. "We're going home before the snow hits."

"I don't want to," Jack repeated, somewhat angrier.

"Jack, can you please stop being difficult? The others are going to be home from school soon, and I have to be at the orphanage to watch them," Ms. Lilly explained.

"So just go back and leave me alone," Jack said. "I'll go back soon. I haven't been able to come here for a while."

Ms. Lilly looked at the boy, worried.

"Alright. Make sure to be home in an hour, do you understand? And if it starts snowing, come home immediately," she gave in. "I'll start bringing you to and from everywhere if you keep ignoring what I tell you to do, Jack."

"Okay, okay. I'll make sure I'm home," Jack promised.

XXX

Not even half an hour later, snow started to fall and Jack groaned exasperatedly. With annoyance, he forced himself up and trudged home. When he walked in the door, he saw Ms. Lilly smile in relief, but Jack still wished to be sitting by the lake. Before she could stop him, he went into his room to open the window and feel the cold once more.

XXX

As the days passed, Jack's days started to blur together. Every day was the same: school, bullying, being invisible, art club, being stopped from going to the lake, taking out his knife, opening the window, and sleeping. Before he even knew it, it was almost Christmas. Jack didn't particularly care for the holiday, thus allowing it to slip his mind. However, as he soon found out, North wasn't going to let that happen.

"Ah, Christmas! Best holiday!" he exclaimed as Jack was about to enter the art room.

When Jack walked in, North immediately went over to him.

"Ah, Jack, good! You're coming to Christmas party, yes? Is on the 23rd," he asked. "Art club Christmas party is the best!"

"Do I have to? I'd really rather not," Jack replied.

"Nonsense!" North yelled.

"Lay off it, North. Some people don't celebrate Christmas," Aster cut in. "'Sides, Easter's the best holiday."

This, of course, started an argument between the two, allowing Jack to go to his table.

"Are you sure you don't want to come, Jack? It's really fun, even if you don't celebrate Christmas. We play games and eat snacks and even make ornaments sometimes. Oh, yeah, it's at North's house, so it's always really pretty too! His family spends like tons of time decorating every year!" Toothiana babbled.

"Nah, I'm busy," Jack lied. "And I don't really get the whole Christmas thing anyway."

"Alright," said the girl. "Sometime we should have a regular party. We do that sometimes. They're always so much fun too!"

With that, Toothiana got out some paints and a canvas. As she painted, Jack doodled in his sketchbook. To his relief, he didn't end up drawing the little girl again.

Once the club was over, Jack started to walk to the orphanage. As he left the building, he saw Pitch smirk at him before slinking away.

XXX

Happy Holidays!