Author's Note: Since I gave you guys such a short chapter before, I made this one extra-long ;) Please leave a review!

Elsa glanced up from her notebook to glance at Jack. He was already looking at her and flashed her a smile. Elsa blushed slightly and looked back down at her notes, which had turned into swirls and hearts. She let out a huff and turned to a new page. She was shaken out of her thoughts when the bell rung. Elsa hears the screech of chairs and the rustling of paper and clothing. She closed her notebook and returned her pen to her pencil box before zipping them into her backpack.

"Can I carry that for you?"

Jack stood in front of her. Elsa looked at the tips of her new tennis shoes.

"No thanks," she mumbled.

She grabbed her backpack and headed out the door, noticing the envious looks she was receiving from a few of the girls. Girls fell down in front of Jackson Overland, not vice-versa. He never openly sought a girl. He didn't need to; the girls found him. Elsa wondered what flirtatious, cocky Jack was playing at with her.

Everyone in the math class sighed simultaneously in relief when the bell dismissed them. Elsa closed her math book, wrinkling her nose as she did so. The book smelled of new paper with an after-smell of dentist's office. She wasted no time in shoving her books into her backpack and rushing out of the door. Mr. Pitchiner looked upset that he was losing his torture subjects.

Elsa raced down the halls and twirled the dial on her locker several times before exchanging books. Her next class was drama. She shelved her math book and grabbed The Taming of the Shrew. She'd only read the induction and act I. She zipped up her backpack and strolled to the cafeteria. The cafeteria was bright and spacious with multiple overhead skylights. Pillars rose to the curved ceiling above. The floor was made of wooden panels. Take out the round tables and plastic black chairs and it looked like it could be a ballroom. Anna, a princess at heart, loved the cafeteria. Elsa entered the cafeteria. She immediately caught sight of her little sister's strawberry blonde head, next to a head of auburn. Elsa grimaced. She could already imagine who it belonged to. Elsa approached the cafeteria line. Suddenly, Jack cut in front of her. Rude. Well, if he's trying to get my attention then he's failing miserably. Elsa made a point to ignore him, keeping a good three feet in between them. She began browsing the food options. As more people lined up, it became more crowded. Someone accidentally bumped her from behind. She bumped into Jack. He smiled down at her.

"Hey."

Elsa turned towards one of the ladies serving them lunch, asking that fries be put on her plate and completely ignoring Jack. The line moved sluggishly. The loud hum of conversation, penetrated by a few laughs, filled the air. Elsa accidentally stepped on her shoe laces and fell against Jack. He caught her with ease.

"Crowded today, huh?"

He flashed her a mischievous smile. Elsa blushed and backed away, bumping into someone else.

"Sorry," Elsa apologized above the din.

The boy turned towards her. He was big and stocky with blonde hair, warm chocolate eyes, and an even warmer smile.

"No prob."

Elsa tried to rack her brain for a name. She'd seen him before. He was shy and rather quiet, known as the grease monkey in school. He'd even named his motorcycle Sven.

"Kristoff." Jack's warm breath tickled her ear.

She shivered. It seemed Jack had a rather uncanny ability to read minds.

"So, Kristoff, are you ready for the big science test next week?"

He shrugged and smiled sweetly. "I sure hope so."

Elsa laughed. "That makes two of us."

She'd finally gotten to the end of the line. Jack took a while to purchase his items. Elsa began to fish her wallet out of her pocket when Jack picked up his tray and left.

"'Xcuse me, hon, but you don't have ta pay nothin'."

Elsa frowned. "Why not?"

"Dat boy over there paid extra for you."

Elsa's eyebrows rose. "Oh."

She picked up her tray of food and walked towards the cafeteria exit. Anna waved Elsa over. Elsa waved back, but kept going towards the exit. Even amidst her friends, Anna always tried to include her, but Elsa couldn't afford to get close to Anna again. Or anyone else for that matter. She hated her self-imposed isolation, but she couldn't risk hurting someone else. Elsa pushed the cafeteria door open. There was a bench underneath a massive oak tree that Elsa loved to sit under. The sky was dotted with clouds, flat on the bottom and puffed on the top. The sun shone brightly against the backdrop of blue. Elsa seated herself underneath the shade and set the lunch tray down. She picked up a chicken wrap, savoring the blend of flavors. Elsa briefly pondered why Jack bought her lunch. Did he want something from her? Was he setting her up? Elsa recalled the early part of her junior year. Guys constantly flirted with her, using the cheesiest pick-up lines and asking for her number. After she'd turned the 50th guy away, they stopped coming. Jackson Overland had never shown an interest in her before now. What had changed?

Elsa finished off her lunch, tossing the wrappers away. She took a long drink of water before capping the bottle and grabbing her backpack. She popped a piece of mint gum in her mouth before walking into her drama class. She froze(again, not literally) when she spotted Jack. He was laughing at something a boy was saying. His snow-white hair looked so crisp and soft, gleaming in the sunlight. His radiant smile flashed. He stopped as soon as she came in and turned her way. Elsa's heart pounded in her chest. She took a few shaky steps and seated herself in the far back. Normally, she enjoyed sitting in the front row, where the distractions were minimal and she could hear every word, but Jack was sitting in the front. Elsa unzipped her bag and started skimming through what she'd already read in The Taming of the Shrew. She liked how it smelled of wood of fresh paper. Elsa nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard a voice.

"So, what's your favorite character?"

Elsa turned towards Jack. He'd moved his backpack and was now seated at the desk next to her. She rubbed her arm shyly and shrugged.

"Surely you have a favorite character."

Elsa shrugged again. "Maybe, maybe not," she said softly.

"Well, I like Petruchio. He's awesome."

"Petruchio?! You mean the stupid, knuckle head?"

He chuckled lowly. Elsa shivered in response. "I take it you don't like Petruchio?"

"No! He practically abuses Kathrine. He forces her into submission with threats!"

"You're favorite character's Katherine?"

She shrugged. "Kind of."

Jack smiled. "I thought so."

Elsa's breath hitched at the sight of his smile. It took her a moment longer to reply. "Why do you say that?"

"Well, she's the shrew, isn't she?"

Elsa quirked an eyebrow. "I remind you of a shrew?"

Jack shrugged. "Sometimes. Other times your more like a mouse?"

"A mouse?" Elsa wrinkled her nose.

"Not a fan of mice?"

"No."

"Class has started. Please turn to page 7. I'd like to remind you, reading the introduction is optional, but I highly recommend it. Now, has anyone read the induction?"

"I'll feeze you in faith!" someone shouted.

"A pair of stocks, you rogue!" a girl yelled.

The class burst into laughter. When the finally settled down, Mr. Brown spoke, "Well, I'll take that as a yes. As you all should know, that was Sly and the hostess of the alehouse speaking. Can someone tell me what's happening? Ah, yes, James?"

James' voice was still changing. It was hoarse and tended to squeak occasionally. "This particular passage is about how Sly is being kicked out of the alehouse because he didn't pay for his ale. Then, thanks to his drunken state, he falls into a deep sleep."

"Yes, and then who comes?"

"The lord," someone murmured from the back.

"And what does the lord say upon seeing the drunkard?"

"He suggests playing a trick on him!" a girl answered.

The class discussion continued. Most of the students were upset to leave at the end. Elsa ran through an obstacle course during P.E., took a quiz on the industrial revolution in social studies, and drew a rose with pastels in art.

Elsa wearily repacked her backpack, thinking of the chocolate she would eat and the naps she would take when she got home. There wasn't much homework that day, only an algebra problem given to the class by Mr. Pitchiner, designed for maximum frustration. Suddenly, someone grabbed her backpack.

She gasped. "Hey!"

"Hey," replied Jack. He was smirking confidently.

"What do you want?!"

"How about a ride home?"

"You want me to drive you home?"

"I want to drive you home."

Elsa frowned. "I barely know you."

"You've known me for two years!"

"I've seen you for two years," she corrected briskly.

"Well, how about we get to know each other… intimately?"

Her whole body was flushed with heat except for her hands, which grew icy cold. She leaned away instinctively. She was surprised to see Jack's cheeks color too.

"Not like that!" he exclaimed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I meant get to know each other really well." His color heightened. He let out a frustrated huff and turned towards her. "Look, I just want to drive you home, okay?"

"No thanks."

"I have your backpack." He reminded her with a smirk.

Elsa briskly walked out of the classroom. "My backpack isn't worth my virtue."

"No, Elsa! Wait, please. I would never-" His words were cut off as she exited the school. She heard the door open behind her. "Elsa!"

She practically sprinted to the school bus. She seated herself in the back corner. A pudgy boy with fresh acne sat next to her. Occasionally, their thighs would brush. Elsa scooted further against the corner. She was exhausted by the time she came home. Elsa paused. Her purple backpack was laid next to the mail box. She looked around cautiously before swiping it off the ground and running inside.

"Elsa!" Anna yelled.

Elsa flew up the flight of stairs and shut the door behind her, twisting the lock. She kicked off her shoes and flung herself on her bed. She sighed loudly. Occasionally, she wished she could let it go. To find some place where she could be completely alone, without hurting anyone. She fell asleep with visions of ice castles floating through her mind.