Jack collapsed on his couch in his dorm after running all the way from Elsa's. Tears mingled with sweat on his face. Memories that he had buried were resurfacing. It was her. Anna was her. Anna was the girl that was being chased and harassed by that man at the Burgess mall almost two years ago. How could this be happening? Out of all the people… it was Elsa's sister?
What was he supposed to do now? He just ran out on Elsa. He would have to explain to her. Explain everything. But what would she think? Would she think he was a monster? Maybe not, but she would certainly never look at him the same again. He had killed someone with his bare hands. Intentionally or not, that would scare anyone, not just Elsa. What was he thinking? He was never going to find a girl that wouldn't be terrified of him, let alone love him. He should have known better than to get so involved in Elsa's life. He knew he was going to have to tell her someday. He had just gotten so wrapped up in how amazing she was, and how much he wanted to comfort her. They were so alike because they were both hurting so deeply. No! You're nothing alike! She is grieving because her parents are dead, and you are murderer who doesn't know how to get a grip.
Jack tossed and turned in his bed all night. He could not sleep. Eventually he pulled out his phone and listened to some music.
I hate feeling like this. I'm so tired of trying to fight this. I'm asleep and all I dream of is waking to you.
Tell me that you will listen, cause your touch is what I'm missin'. And the more I hide I realize, I'm slowly losin' you.
Comatose, I'll never wake up without an overdose, of you.
I don't wanna live, I don't wanna breathe, 'less I feel you next to me. You take the pain I feel. (Wakin' up you never felt so real.)
I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream. Cause my dreams don't comfort me the way, you make me feel. (wakin' up to you never felt so real.)
I hate livin' without you. Dead wrong to ever doubt you. But me demons lay in waitin', tempting me away.
Oh how I adore you. Oh how I thirst for you. Oh how I need you.
Comatose, Oh I'll never wake up without an overdose, of you.
I don't wanna live, I don't wanna breathe, 'less I feel you next to me. You take the pain I feel. (Wakin' up you never felt so real.)
I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream. Cause my dreams don't comfort me the way, you make me feel. (wakin' up to you never felt so real.)`
Breathing life, waking up, my eyes, open up.
Comatose, I'll never wake up without an overdose of you.
I don't wanna live, I don't wanna breathe, 'less I feel you next to me. You take the pain I feel. (Wakin' up you never felt so real.)
I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream. Cause my dreams don't comfort me the way, you make me feel. (wakin' up to you never felt so real.)
Oh how I adore you, waking up to you never felt so real. Oh how I thirst for you, waking up to you never felt so real. Oh how I adore you, ohhh. The way you make me feel, waking up to never felt so real.
Elsa sighed, giving up hope that Jack would come to choir today. She just wanted to make sure he was alright. He wasn't answering her texts or calls. She was getting really worried. Thankfully, not too worried, but she was nervous. She hoped she wouldn't have a panic attack. She hadn't had one in such a long time. And it was all thanks to him. Elsa couldn't help but smile. But it quickly faded when she remembered what happened. But then again, what actually had happened? She was so confused. One minute he was really happy, although cold, and the next he's running out the door. Elsa tried to remember what had taken place just before, but the only thing that came to mind were the pictures. Wait, the pictures! He was looking at a picture of Anna. Whatever it is, it has to do with Anna.
A week went by, and still no word from Jack. Elsa began contemplating going to his dorm and demanding answers. But Chad was keeping her up to date on how he was doing. He said that Jack just needed some time to sort things out. When she asked what "things" he needed to sort out, Chad just said she'll know in due time.
The second week, Jack came back to his classes, and acted semi-normal. But he never really said anything to her. On Friday, Elsa decided enough was enough. This was ridiculous.
"Jack. Wait." She caught his arm before he left the choir room. "I need to talk to you."
"I know. I need to too. And I owe you an explanation, but…." He hesitated, like he didn't trust himself. Or her? "Elsa… I can't do this. Not yet. I'm sorry. I need more time."
"How much more time do you need, Jack? I need you Jack. And I care about you. I want to know what's wrong!" She yelled at him. But her words were just echoes in the hall as he ran out the door. And once again he was gone. Leaving her alone to try to keep herself together.
Elsa woke up early. But not on purpose, her body wouldn't let her sleep any longer. So, she got up and got dressed for the day, even though it was Sunday. She went down to the cafeteria to get some early breakfast, then headed to one of the practice rooms. Every one of them had a keyboard inside, and some other music related items like a tuner and a guitar amp. She sat down, took out her music, and began to play.
Jack was walking down the hall of practice rooms, on his way to the repair room. He had broken a string on his electric guitar. And when you break one, you most likely need to replace all of them. But when he heard someone in one of the rooms, he stopped. What was someone doing in there so early? He felt a little guilty, but he decided to see who it was. He peeked through the little window. He was surprised to see Elsa sitting at the piano, her back turned to him. She was warming up. Then she started playing a song. It sounded familiar.
"I went to bed I was thinking about you. Ain't the same since I'm living without you. All memories are getting colder, all the things that I wanna do over. Went to bed I was thinking about you, I wanna talk and laugh like we used to. When I see you in my dreams at night, it's so real but it's in my mind, and now, I guess, this is as good as it gets."
Jack realized that she was singing a Skillet song. I didn't know she liked Skillet!
"Don't wake me, cause I don't wanna leave this dream. Don't wake me, cause I never seem to stay asleep enough, when it's you I'm dreaming of, I don't wanna wake up."
I think she's singing about me. Jack thought.
"I went to bed I was thinking about you. And how it felt when I finally found you. It's like movie playing over in my head. Don't wanna look cause I know how it ends. All th-"
Elsa stopped playing, and whipped her head around. Jack quickly ducked his head and crawled away. Whoo! That was close. Jack played the words of the song through his head again. He knew it by heart. Had she really given up on him? He felt awful. How could ignore her for this long. Alright, I'm done playing games now. I've have to let her in.
"Chad? Are you in here?" Jack asked as he came through the door. His roommate turned his head in his direction.
"What's up?"
"I need to tell you something. 'Has to do with, it."
"Oh, I see. Well, sit down. What's up?" Chad said as he patted on a brown futon.
"Um, well. You know the girl?"
"Yeah"
"Well, that girl…was Anna."
"What?!" Chad said, shocked and not fully convinced. "You mean to tell me that Anna was harassed and all that, and she never bothered to tell us? Are you sure?" Chad's eyes were wild.
"Yes, I'm sure. I was looking at Elsa's pictures, and saw Anna. I immediately recognized her. I promise, it is her."
"Jack, you seriously need to get over yourself and tell Elsa. This involves her now, not just you."
"I know. I will. I'm going to tell her tomorrow. I'm really sorry. I just hope Elsa will understand. And still like me."
"Dude! Of course she will! She is head over heels for you. She calls me just about every day asking me how you're doing. Except the last few days. If you don't do this tomorrow, you might lose her. I think she's about to give up on you."
"I know. And that's why I need your help."
"With what?" Chad looked very confused.
"Well…."
A/N
So, uh, hehehe, I once again performed my infamous disappearing act, and I haven't updated in forever. Sorry! I had a chapter ready a while ago, but I went to finish it up, and somehow I didn't save it, and I lost everything! And it was really long! I was really mad, and decided that I wasn't going to finish this story. But I was about to type another story, when I went back and read the reviews on this, and I realized that I needed to finish this story anyway. So here I am. I did use TWO Skillet songs today though! More like one and a half, but whatever.
The original chapter, the one that vanished, was COMPLETELY different. Like, diabolical, villainy from Pitch. Seriously, it was crazy action up in here. But I really, REALLY didn't want to re write that so I did this instead. Don't worry, Pitch will still rear his ugly head. :D Can you guess what Jack is going to do? ;P
Shout out to snow universe for the encouraging words! Really, its what convinced me to update.
Thanks gang! If any of you have any suggestions or whatever, just leave it in a review! Thanks!
God bless!
~Annanarra