Everything towards the end of summer began to slow down. Things almost went back to normal. Almost.

I found out Val's 'promotion' was a lie. It was her cover for leaving during the week to go to chemo sessions. It kind of hurt, thinking about her in the hospital - I hated hospitals. They were so sad and depressing. The last thing Val wanted was to be in there - but for the benefit of us kids, she went.

During the week was boring - all I did was lounge around the house and do nothing but wait for Val to come home on Thursday nights. When she was here we would go shopping, watch movies and take walks on the beach. I would help her with supper and try to wake up early to help her with breakfast. Every second, I wanted to spend with Val.

"Hey, you're still here?" Jack asked, he just got back from a run about an hour ago. His white sports shirt has sweat marks down on his back, he started filling out his lean form a little more towards the end of summer. I never realized just how bulky he got during hockey, but now he was starting to lean out but keep his toned muscles. He walked past the living room to the kitchen and rummaged around for a bit before falling into the laz-e-boy chair. He took a big swig of his funky sport water bottle he just finished shaking, I think it had protien powder in it or something.

"Don't you have stuff to do today?" I flipped through the channels. Nothing was on t.v. Monday afternoons. How lame.

"Nope. Looks like I'm as useful as you today," I glared at him as he grinned.

"Well, I'm going to go for a swim. You can watch t.v., there's nothing on." I tossed him the remote.

"Elsa, did you break up with Hiccup?" Jack asked once I got up and stretched out my arms above my head.

"Well, you were right." I breathed in, "I shouldn't be in a relationship if I still have feelings for someone."

Before Jack could say anything I left the room as fast as I could. My face was burning.

There, I said it. And this time I didn't get in his face about it. Once in my room, I let out a big sigh of relief. I remembered our night sitting in the rain and that magical moment between us. When Jack said he had feelings for me. And I was finally sure I knew my feelings for Jack could never fade, not after that. After everything we've been through and the constant back and forth I knew Jack was meant for me.

But that didn't mean I was meant for him.

Unrequited love. That's how it works. It's all I had for Jack my entire life and now there was a chance he felt the same. I couldn't even consider it a possibility that him and I could be together. It was my biggest dream, but how can you make your dreams a reality when they are better as dreams?

I wanted to be with Jack but I had no idea where his heart was. I had no idea what his heart wanted. And I had a feeling he didn't know either.

I stayed in my room, listening to Jack as he went up the stairs into the bathroom and started the shower. Quickly I changed into my now favorite bikini from Anna, the baby blue push up because it had the most coverage, and went down to the pool.

Turning up the stereo, I jumped into the deep end and did lazy laps and kicks. Once I felt tired enough, I climbed out and laid on a lounge chair to let the sun dry me off. It was a hot day on the Isles today.

"Elsa?" I heard a husky voice from outside the fence behind the humming of my music.

"Holy, is that you? Damn, it's been forever," Hans said. He was our neighbor and lived here permanently. He was older than Jack, and very rarely would they hang out together. I heard he was a sleeze ball and was very sneaky. But he always threw the coolest parties, which I was never invited to. But I would love watching the fireworks from the deck with mom and Val.

"Hey," I smiled and he sat in the chair next to me. He had a pretty face, strong jaw and green eyes. Before he use to be pretty husky but it looks like he's gained muscle.

"Hey is right, have I met you before?" He winked and I couldn't help but giggle.

"I've known you forever, Hans."

"I knew a geeky girl, the one with freckles and glasses, who came down here once a year. No idea who this girl is, hi, I'm Hans." He reached across me and touched my knee. I wanted to kick him off but I suddenly didn't know what to say. I wish I hadn't flirted.

"And she's too young, what do you want Hans?" I looked back and Jack was standing there in a pair of khakis and a white shirt with a towel around his shoulders. He had white sunglasses on so I couldn't see his face. He walked over to us, tossing me a towel to cover up. I wanted to stick my tounge out at him, but seeing Hans' eyes on my exposed skin left me feeling dirty. I gratefully took the towel, standing up and wrapping it around myself.

"You know I like them young, how've you been man?" Hans stood to greet Jack.

"Same old same, getting pretty boring out here."

"I hear 'ya. Hey, are you coming to my party tomorrow? I definitely want to see you there," Hans looked at me, his eyes scanning over my now covered body. I noticed the flicker of tension in Jacks jaw as he clenched his teeth.

"Uh, yeah, sure," I glanced at Jack and he shook his head. "I'll be there."

"Great! Well, see you tomorrow then. I'm looking forward to it." Hans left through the back gate and when he was out of earshot Jack sat in the lounge chair beside me.

"That guy's a creep, you should have said no."

"I've never been to his parties before, it would be fun to actually see what happens, I'm not a kid anymore Jack,"

"There's no way you're going alone, I'm going with you." He said in his 'there's no fighting it' tone.

I didn't argue anyways. I actually thought it would be nice to have Jack as a bodyguard tomorrow. Or was it a date? Whatever it was, I was excited.

^.^

Jack went out, and for once I enjoyed the peacefulness of the house alone. I heard someone pull into the driveway and Hiccup walked through the door, placing his keys on the table.

"Hey, Els, you're still up," he stepped into the living room. I stretched my back out and nodded. Doing nothing all day really made me feel tired.

"Want to go for a walk?" I glanced back at Hiccup. He was standing with his hands in his pockets, his hair in a dismay around his head and of course those green eyes were shining. I smiled, "sure."

I threw a jacket over my tank top and we went through the back and down to the beach. It wasn't the nicest night as there was a heavy wind and it made the ocean stir wildly.

"I wanted to ask you how things are, you know, between me and you?" He said and I had to push my hair away from my face to look at him.

"I think we're okay. W-what do you think?"

"You seem off. I know a lot has happened. But I want you to know that I still care about you. That night, I wasn't pissed at you. I was pissed at myself and at Jack. I know you've always liked him and I still tried. Even now, I -" Hiccup stopped, his face at the sky as he let out a deep breath.

I stood and watched, unable to speak. How could it be both brothers had feelings for me? Never in my life would I think Jack would admit feelings for me, let alone Hiccup. I felt bad because I knew I was hurting him - I already knew who I would pick.

"I want you to be happy Elsa, that's all. I just wouldn't know what I would do if he hurt you," Hic stepped closer to me and touched my hand. His were warm and sent a delightful chill up my spine.

"Being with Jack is not going to be easy. You know how he is. But I really do think he's the one. And even though I care about you too Hiccup, he's always going to be the one for me. At least for now, until I can figure all of this out, you know?"

He didn't say anything and nodded. He held my hand tightly and took a big deep breathe before bringing it to his lips. They were soft and he placed a chaste kiss on the back of my knuckles. He looked at me with those suddenly intense green eyes and I found I was hypnotized by them.

"I'll always be here for you, Elsa. Don't forget that."

Our walk didn't end there. But the serious talk did.

"Hans is having a party tomorrow night," I said as if it were the most casual thing in the world. But it was actually pretty cool - I had never been invited to one of his parties so I was super excited.

"Hans? You're not going alone I hope, that guy is sketchy."

"Well, Jack said he would go."

Hiccup nodded, "well, I guess I could go. He does throw a pretty good party."

"I'm so glad you're going to come! I was actually pretty nervous. I've never been to one and I don't know what it would be like." I blushed and lowered my head as we began to reach the house.

"Don't worry Els, with me and Jack nothing will happen. You'll have fun!"

Fun. It seems like it had taken the whole summer for me to actually be able to enjoy something and have fun.

^.^

Authors Notes:

Hello!

This chapter was slow to write, but it's very fun to anticipate what happens next! I'll have the other chapter up pretty soon as I've pre-written it and am just in the editing process!

See you soon, favorite, follow and please please REVIEW!

XoXo