AN: Sorry about the lack of actual line breaks last time and the lack of a chapter name in the email. It's because I updated at three am and forgot all the steps. Also, to be fair, there are a great many steps so I have a hard time remembering all of them in good times. So those things will/have been fixed. Also, I will try to change chapter 8 so Wendy's last name to Darling I haven't yet because I don't want to get people's hopes up for an update without a new chapter. That's the worst. Hopefully I remembered to fix it right before publishing this. If not, sorry but continue noting that it has been officially changed, even if the past says otherwise. No Anonymous reviews this time and I answer all others privately so, enjoy the story.
Jack:
Of all the things Jack thought he would be doing on the first day of school when his sleep deprived body slithered out of bed, this wasn't it. He had planned to sleep in English, prank in History, and pay attention only in sign-language. It's not like anything useful is ever taught on the first day anyway.
He did not envision slinking around after Aurora's cronies with the white-haired snow-queen from yesterday. Yet here he was, edging toward the group as soon as they got up, watching the two redheads, Anna and Hans.
And all because of that promise I made to Rapunzel before I knew her cousin might as well be Aurora. Well, maybe not that bad, but definitely bitchy. Still hurt from yesterday, he wasn't looking forward to an almost full day with her. The only good thing about talking to Elsa is that she makes me forget any attraction I ever had to her. Seriously, if I hadn't already made that stupid promise I would just let Aurora's gang destroy her. She needs to be taken down a few notches anyway.
Yet here he was, following Hans and Anna, separated by a few people to be less obvious, but at Elsa's request.
He was on his way to the table and couldn't remember what he got to eat despite the fact he was still carrying his plate. Jack also couldn't gather the energy to look down and jog his memory. Upon reaching the table he put the plate down so it slid away leaving room for him to slam his head into his crossed arms in defeat and groan, "I hate Mondays."
"Your fault, you shouldn't have stayed up so late," Flynn responded absentmindedly.
Jack raised his head to retaliate but the retort died in his throat when he saw that both Flynn and Rapunzel were looking intently at another table. Following their gaze his view was blocked by a head of platinum blonde hair, was she sitting there the whole time? Damn I hate Mondays.
"I don't think they've really noticed her," Rapunzel said, "at least, it doesn't look like they've taken interest in her."
Whatever the couple were looking at drew Elsa's attention as well which only made Jack's curiosity grow. He craned his neck without bothering to move the rest of his body but didn't see anything interesting and turned back to his breakfast with a shrug.
"Wait," Elsa pulled Jack from his breakfastful thoughts, "is he… bowing to her?"
"Yep," Flynn replied and Rapunzel elaborated with, "That's Phillip."
"The one with no concept of personal space?"
"Yep," the couple replied in unison.
"Why are you guys watching the dark corner?" Jack asked, taking a little more interest and bothering to lazily twist his chest to get a better view.
Flynn turned to grimace at him, "Is that what we're calling it now?" Jack's response, however, was once again halted in his throat, this time by Flynn looking behind the tired teen to track another person, "Initiate test number one of 'does Tink still have a soul?'"
That woke Jack up and got Rapunzel's attention away from the "dark corner".
"What are you talking abou-oooowww-ah-oh," the brunette started to turn towards him but was cut off at the sight of the same person Flynn was tracking, and the realization that accompanied it.
"Test number one, does she help Anna swim or watch her sink?" Flynn continued in a low, narrative voice.
Elsa said something at this point but Jack was too distracted by what he had clearly missed before his arrival and talked over her while looking towards the "dark corner" for Tink, "Whoa what?! Dude, what happened this morning? What did I miss?"
"Elsa's sister is dating Hans and is currently behind enemy lines." Flynn explained without looking away from the action, "We're trying to see if the queen bee is going to attack her like she did Elsa last night. I don't think they've noticed her outside of the initial glare fest but Tink might recognize Anna and alert the sharks it's feeding time. Or, our favorite Pixie Hollow girl could redeem her soul and protect Anna from the darkness that surrounds her."
Rapunzel blinked, "Wow, Flynn… that was kind of poetic…"
"It's been known to happen every once in a- ah shit! I think Anna told the group she knows Tink."
Jack looked up to a rare occurrence, everyone at Aurora's table had their full attention on one person and all mouths were closed.
"What makes you say that?" Elsa and Jack responded at the same time. The latter, however, did so in a far more sarcastic manner and scoffed at the blonde's sincerity before answering her, "Because they're all staring at her. Do you know how much it takes to pull one of them out of their own little world, let alone get them all to focus on the same person? She either told them they know each other or told Aurora she looks fat and your sister doesn't seem the type for that second option."
He half expected her to shoot a cold retort back at him, but she merely nodded to acknowledge she understood what he explained.
"Anyway, I have to get to class early. I like making a good first impression to counteract all the bad stuff I'll be caught doing throughout the year," Flynn said. He gave his distracted girlfriend a kiss before continuing, "Let me know how it goes kay?"
"Mhm."
Honestly, the situation went downhill from there as Anna maintained Aurora's attention and fielded her questions. It looked as though the blonde was literally sucking the life out of the freshman, growing taller as the latter shrunk. The scene was hard to watch and Jack really didn't care for it, so he turned his attention to Tink. To his dismay, she occupied herself by staring at the redhead in skeptical yet disgusted disbelief. The furrows and lines around her frown only increased as Anna started to gain confidence in the conversation; a moment that passed briefly and soon Tink's scowl turned into a smirk and Anna was the one left in shock.
"I wish I knew what they were saying," Elsa moaned and slumped over a bit, only to right herself again so quickly Jack flinched. "They're leaving," she stated simply before scrambling to grab her stuff.
Speaking of scramble, Jack turned back to his breakfast and continued eating.
"Where are you going?" Rapunzel asked.
"To follow my sister. I need to know she's OK and that… witch didn't hurt her."
"Elsa, I'm sure she's fine. Anna's strong, she can handle herself."
"You must not have gotten a good look at her face. Anna took what Aurora said to heart and I'm going to tell her it's not true… Whatever it is."
"But you haven't even finished your breakfast, and classes are starting soon."
"So I'll talk to her quickly."
"Elsa, you don't even know where your classes are yet. They could lead you to a completely different wing and you'd have no idea. Do you really want to be late on the first day?" "No but it sounds like I already have an excuse… I have to go, I'll see you at lunch."
That would have been the end of it for Jack but Rapunzel insisted he follow and get her to English on time. I don't know what the big deal is, I've been late to class hundreds of times. What, miss perfect can't be late once? "It'll set off her whole day. Just trust me and go Jack," damn that girl can be bossy. He was just glad Anna's first period was in the same area their English class was, he wasn't sure he could actually deter Elsa from her goal despite Rapunzel's assurance. "Just use logic, it works on her every time." Well, we're going to see if that works now, Jack thought as he watched Anna say goodbye to Hans and slip into her classroom.
"Damn," Elsa said and stopped suddenly so that Jack had to pull her to the nearest wall to avoid the incoming human traffic. She didn't notice at first, but before he could reach their destination she threw him an incredulous look and jerked her arm from his.
"Look," he reasoned, "we have to get out of everyone's way and, more importantly, to English. Anna's already in her classroom so you'll just have to talk to her later."
Elsa stared at him for a brief moment before visibly deflating and nodding. "I just… didn't want her to go through the whole day with whatever lies Aurora spewed at her."
"She seems tough, I'm sure she can handle it."
"But she shouldn't have to."
"Yep, well, nothing we can do now. Might as well get to class."
Elsa glanced at her the door her sister disappeared behind one last time before sighing, "Alright, which way?"
"Right down the hall," he replied and walked in that direction. He had to stop mid way through, when Elsa slowed and peaked into the room that truly held her attention, but they made it to their class with plenty of time to spare. Jack went to the back corner of the room, no longer caring if Elsa was following him. He looked to the front of the class after sitting to see her hesitating; she glanced back and forth between him and the front row. Elsa must have realized he was staring and quickly sat down in the same column but second row in. Jack simply rolled his eyes and played Tetris on his phone as the room filled up. When he finally looked up, Jack screamed, "HOLYSHIT!" and jumped so spectacularly he fell out of his seat, hitting his head on the heater on his way to the floor.
Luckily, the ensuing laughter and absence of an authoritative voice let him know the teacher wasn't in before he looked around. There was nothing to withhold him from beating the hell out of Miguel shoving his face within inches of his own. Jack scrambled to his feet but was greeted by the sharp pang in the side of his head. He was unable to do much else outside of watch, mildly surprised and amused, as the hooligan writhed around on the floor, double up in laughter. Well, at least I'm not tired anymore, Jack thought as he began chuckling too, If you can't beat them… "Alright Miguel, that was a good one."
"Tut-tet-teh, alright who?"
Jack rolled his eyes but the smirk never left his face as he bowed dramatically, "I concede, that was a good one, my lord."
"Oh man, you didn't let him get you in that one again did you?" Eric asked, sitting down in front of Jack. How does he look so cheery and awake after that party last night? He and Flynn live right across the hall; even if he did leave early, we weren't quiet.
"Yeah, first thing yesterday. We lost a rock, paper, scissor off."
"How did you have a four way rock, paper, scissor off?"
"Tournament style," Miguel explained, "though Jack put up a valiant fight, it was for naught."
"Yeah well, wait for the prank off! I've been cooking up ideas all summer for it."
"And what? You think I've been sitting with my thumb up my-"
"Good morning class," their teacher, former news reporter Roxanne Ritchie, said as she entered the room with comedic timing.
The rest of the class responded but Jack turned to his rival, "Up your what Miguel?" he stated in a normal tone.
He shot the Jack a sweet smile before both turned toward the front for the usual "'First class' speech." Even though the teacher was chill and made the class seem interesting (or as interesting as English could be to a bunch of teenagers) Jack still struggled to stay awake. It wasn't until everyone around him stood up did he realize he drifted off into a daydream. He reluctantly turned to Miguel to find out what was happening.
"Get to know your neighbor bingo," Erick responded when Miguel admit he wasn't paying attention either, "tear off the last sheet of your syllabus and fill in the boxes with names from the class. More points for different answers and keep going until the teacher says time."
"What do we get if we win?" Miguel asked.
"Respect and class participation points," he said as he looked from the sheet to the class, trying to pick out his target like a goofy shark.
The blonde scoffed but Jack grinned, "Well, we could make this interesting." When Miguel looked up from scribbling with a raised eyebrow, appearing sufficiently intrigued, Jack continued, "Nothing big because our partners aren't here, but how about the loser, of the two of us, has to do something of the winner's choosing."
Miguel stroked his beard in thought, "Alright, I want you to wear a tutu."
Jack scoffed, "why do you have a tutu?"
"For precisely this scenario, now, what should I do in the unlikely event I lose?"
Damn, I wish I had thought of getting a tutu. "You have to, uh… have to…" he looked around the room for inspiration, and it came in the form of a pretentious ice queen. Well, he isn't Aurora so the promise doesn't extend to him. With a devilish grin, he turned back to Miguel, "You have to ask out Elsa," Jack pointed her out, "the new girl, and you have to do it publicly, and loudly."
Miguel barely looked at her when he started laughing again, "That's the best you got? I probably would have asked her out anyway."
"Don't forget the publicly part. And you can't wait on it. And I get to add a few embarrassing aspects, like where, or in what way."
"Alrighty then, you'll have to wear the tutu for a full school day."
Worth it, "Deal!"
A grinning Miguel extended his hand, "Deal, Eric you're our witness." They shook then ripped off the last sheet from their packet and split up, no way either was going to trust the other not to lie about an answer.
Without scanning the page he looks about the room for someone to ask, Who would have paid attention and know enough people to have the answers to these… Ah, they might, "Adella, Arista!" Jack shouted as he made his way over to the closest of the Trident sisters. They roomed together, dressed in similar styles, and had a habit of finishing each other's sentences that was quite off putting. "You guys have any of the answers to these questions?"
"We were just discussing that," Adella started. An exceptionally average snowflake considering the standard of beauty at this school. He avoided looking at her hair, which was tied up in strange directions. The color she lacked in her dirty brown hair was more than made up for by her obnoxious, bright-green shirt and mustard colored leggings.
"But why would we help you?" Finished Arisa. The platinum blonde was nearly identical to her sister, though they were a year apart. The only truly different features were their hair and eye color. And maybe their favorite t-shirt. Together they were ready for Christmas.
"Isn't this a friendly competition?" When that didn't seem to impress them he continued, "Alright here's the deal. If I beat Miguel at this he has to do something embarrassing and if you help me enough, I'll let you have a say in part of it."
The sisters looked at each other, smiled slyly then turned back to Jack to say, "Shirtless."
"What?"
"If we help you beat Miguel," Arista started.
"Whatever you make him do," Adella continued.
"Must absolutely be done."
"Shirtless." They finished together.
Jack grinned, "I think that can be arranged, but we have to win first." Without further ado, the girls whipped out their sheets and started sharing their answers. They had worked on it most of the period with him just based on what the sisters remembered from their classmates. They even had some extra names to exchange for others so it wouldn't look like they worked on it all together. Three fourths of the way through the sheet the sisters ran out of answers but, said they would split up and come to him if they got anything new.
"You could also try talking to Belle," Arista said, "she's in a lot of academic clubs so she would know people we don't."
"Or you could go up to random people and figure it out like you're supposed to," Adella reasoned.
"I think I'm going to go with the first option, thanks," he turned to scan the room for Belle, a smart brunette who was rumored to have read every book in the library. He spotted her talking to Elsa, Well maybe she fits some of these answers. I mean, the only one who knows the new girl in this class, is the new girl. He approached them with a crooked grin on his face and laid his sheet on the desk between them, "So, you ladies have any answers to these questions?"
Both girls raised an eyebrow but Belle at least seemed amused, "Jack, are you really asking us to help you cheat?"
"It's not cheating, it's assisting. Besides, you girls are the second group I've asked so I am doing the assignment."
Belle opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by Eep slamming a hand onto her and Jack's shoulders, "Don't you dare help him."
"Why?" Jack demanded.
"Because Miguel is going to make you dress in nothing but a tutu and tights for a whole day if he loses this bet. And it's going to be on a school day!"
"Oh come on! That's ridiculous, I haven't worked my magic on these teachers yet… Does he want me to get a detention?"
"It might be the cherry on the cake for him," she replied with a smirk, turning to the girls, "Seriously, I don't know what Jack has planned but I'd love to see him tell us all it's not cold dressed like that."
She raced off to giggle about it with her girlfriends, Mavis and MK, when Elsa finally spoke up, "Why would anyone want that?"
Jack's grin broadened as he started flexing his muscles, "I guess they just want to see me in all of my glory."
Elsa rolled her eyes, "Well I have no desire to see that. Plus, it would be terribly unsanitary. Which means we have to help him," she looked at Belle before continuing in a less, "matter of fact" tone, "unless you have reservations."
"Oh no," the brunette smiled wryly, "I completely agree, no one wants to see that."
"Hey!"
"Which ones do you need?" Belle asked as she motioned to his sheet.
"Five more minutes everyone," the teacher intoned, above the roar of the room.
"Alright, do you guys have anyone for these questions," he hurried, rushing to get the last few spots.
"Yeah, MK fits this one," Belle said pointing, "And this one, though I'm not sure you want to use her twice."
"I can change it later, anything else?"
"I'm left handed."
"What?"
Elsa pointed at the sheet, "I'm left handed and you don't have me down for anything."
"Because no one knows the new girl," he replied before adding, "thanks."
"And you can change one of your three 'Adella's' to Mavis, here," she pointed again and showed him her sheet to confirm.
Belle noded before adding, "And both Elsa and I are in French. See if the teacher will give you more points for two answers to one question."
It continued like that until the teacher called for them to hand in their sheets. Eric even came over for a bit to help saying he "felt bad not giving answers to Jack when he gave some to Miguel." In the end, the white haired teen had a completed sheet and was feeling good about his chances. Of course, Miguel thought the same thing and the two bantered back and forth while Ms. Richie handed out their first book of the year. They had gotten so distracted, the rivals barely had time to write down their homework before the bell rang.
AN: Sorry this is so late. There was more I wanted to get in too but I think I'm just going to write as much as I can and put it up for you.