Author's Notes: Not gonna give flimsy excuses. Just gonna apologize for taking so long with this update. Just hoping against hope I still have readers.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
My Guardian
Chapter Eleven
My Guardian Beginnings
Dimitri gripped the thin rectangles of paper in his hand tightly. It was barely eight 'o' clock in the morning, but he was already getting ready to leave. His eyes stared down at his clenched fingers with a dark frown.
"I'm so stupid." He whispered to himself. "Why'd I act like that? I acted like a child, a stupid, jealous child." he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "I'm sure… I'm sure if I explain, Jim will understand. He's a really good person…"
Too good for you. A teenage boy too ashamed of himself to tell the truth. He's not afraid of himself, he's not afraid of who he is or who he loves. He's not trying to run away because he's too scared of letting other people know what he can barely tell himself. Being gay is hard… harder than it should be, Dimitri decided with a sigh.
He forgot that Jim hasn't told his mom yet. But at least she was the only one. His closest friends knew, even his local bullies.
"DIMITRI! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?! DON'T FORGET YOU GOT HOMESCHOOL LATER!"
Dimitri jumped up and winced as his mother's voice screamed through his door. "Sorry! I was thinking and forgot to stop."
"What?"
"Never mind." Dimitri stuffed the tickets down the front pocket. He ran towards the front door, sliding into the kitchen to snatch cold Pop-Tarts and continue towards the door.
"If you forget about your first session, you're grounded and you won't see your girlfriend for a month!"
Dimitri winced again. Girlfriend… right…
The door slammed shut behind him.
3HJHJHJHJ3
Jim waved at the guy running towards him.
"I'm so sorry! I had clean up duty! Well… actually, my sister did, but she said she had to get to cheerleading practice early and begged me to take her place. I couldn't say 'no'." Ben smiled sheepishly.
Jim vaguely remembered incidents where even their fellow classmates continually begged a stammering nerd to do their work or help them with assignments. He must've been the stammering nerd in those foggy recollections.
"Helping people out is a good thing to do, Ben, I'm still grateful when you helped me but too much of a good thing is, well, too much."
He blushed and shifted under his gaze. "I-I kn-know that. B-But… they ask for help and they j-just plead with m-me and it seems so mean to say 'no'," he stammered.
Jim patted his shoulder gently and Ben smiled up at him through his blush.
"It's all right, I guess. I suggest, however, you start learning how to say 'no'. Like, if they get upset when you do, whatever right? It's their work... So, to the park?" Jim reminded him.
"Yes! I'm afraid we can't have a very long time together because I do need to help my dad with washing the family car, we'll have time to walk to the park and get something from that dessert cart guy. Is that okay?" he asked anxiously, eyes seen as wider and magnified by large-framed glasses.
"Yeah sure, I'm not too picky."
They silently walked side by side. It was barely past noon, bright and sunny, and Jim couldn't wait for a crepe in the park. He was really hungry and it would taste delicious after sharing the lunch his mom made them back at the diner.
"Um… Jimmy?"
Jim turned towards Ben with a vague smile. "Uh huh?"
"That… that guy... the one from yesterday… who is he?" Ben asked. "He looks cool and kinda handsome. I wondered how you knew him, cause I haven't seen him in school." he mumbled, shuffled awkwardly and blushing at his boldness.
"His name is Dimitri Sudayev." Jim's voice was oddly flat and cold. "We had been dating, but he jumped to conclusions."
"D-d-d-d-dating?" Ben squeaked.
"Oh, yeah." Jim blinked and looked down at Ben again. "Is there a problem?"
"Oh, um, no! I really don't have an opinion about that. I mean, I don't like to be hateful towards someone I don't know. What if it hurts their feelings if I say something mean about them?" Jim felt his lips tug upwards. "I-I was just surprised. I never…I never realized you could be dating someone… you usually kept to yourself... even if we were friends you rather go off alone." Ben was still blushing vividly and staring down at his shoes.
Jim frowned a bit, feeling a bit guilty. He didn't really consider his relationship with Ben as anything but professional even after the tutorial sessions. But in his way, Ben always stuck up for him. So maybe it wouldn't hurt to afford being friendlier.
"I didn't want to discuss it at school where anybody could overhear and then you would be humiliated. I know how hard it was for you to admit your feelings to me," The skaterboy explained. "Oops, I didn't mean that in a way that I pitied you. It came out wrong, sorry... But the other reason is... Well, I didn't think it was the school's business to know whether I dated or not."
"Oh… you're so thoughtful, Jimmy." Ben pressed his knuckles against his lips. "If… If you don't mind my asking… why are you here with me now… if you have a boyfriend already?"
"Well, he's not really my boyfriend... At least we haven't established it. Just..." Jim rubbed the back of his head. "I'm sorry that I completely forgot your confession and felt like it was the least I could do. You went out of your way to confess and I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I wanted to make it up to you and to tell you the truth about me."
"Oh…" He just feels sorry for me. Ben sighed and his hand fell back down. "You said… you had been dating, what does that mean… if you don't mind me asking, I mean!" Ben squeaked at the end. He glanced up to see if he had offended him and gasped at the cold anger in his eyes.
"When you came up to me yesterday, the dimwit made an accusation that pissed me off. He saw I was upset about it but didn't even bother to apologize, that dick, and I haven't spoken to him since," Jim stated coldly.
"Was it because of me?" Ben exclaimed horrified. "I couldn't stand it if you and that good-looking guy broke up because of stupid me!"
"You aren't stupid!" Jim protested. "I'm the one who needed tutoring, remember?"
"Everyone says so… I hear them say it. How stupid I am for doing their chores and homework, for being unable to stand up in class without crying and dork off at tests because I panic half-way through." His voice was small as he spoke. "I know I'm stupid. No wonder you only feel sorry for me. I should've known a cool, cute boy like you would already have somebody."
"You shouldn't say things like that!"
Ben stopped and turned to see Jim standing outraged just a few inches behind him.
"They're true, aren't they?"
"No way! You're just too kind and too scared! You just need to realize that you are smart and can say 'no'. You just need to… be… stronger… I guess." Jim frowned and thought about it.
"Stronger? How will strength help me?" Ben asked bewildered.
He smiled, suddenly inspired. "Well, not realy in that way. You just need to stand up for yourself. You know, get better with dealing with people."
Ben's looked confused. "Pardon me, but how?" He queried, frowning a bit in confusion.
"Well mom and I could always use help in the diner. As long as you don't mind the low salary much," he told him, "Oh. I'm not trying to lessen my work load or anything. But taking people's orders, striking up small talk if needed, might help your people skills."
"I... I see..." Ben hummed contemplatively.
Jim smiled. "You don't have to answer now. You think on it. But if it helps, I wouldn't mind having someone to converse with when things aren't busy."
Ben returned the smile easily.
3HJHJHJHJ3
"That was soo hard!" Jack exclaimed as he and Hiccup met at the high school entrance gate.
"What was? Do you need help in one of your classes?" Hiccup barely managed to keep his grimace hidden. The blazing white bandages wrapped around Jack's face with the band-aids smoothed over his cheek and elbows. Looking at them, he could recall the tightly wrapped gauze around Jack's pale chest and belly. To top it off, his puffy left eye was ringed with dark bruises.
"No! Just going through the entire day of class with a raging headache! What was the point? I should've just stayed home!" Jack whined pitifully.
"You really should've. You should also not do the concert tonight. Never mind your limbs being okay for dancing, Your head isn't going to like it," Hiccup pointed out sternly, knowing it to be a lost cuase even as he spoke.
"I have to. I made a promise to do my best for Aster, Hic. I'm not gonna bail, you saw how desperate he was when he first roped me in!"
"You didn't want to be in it in the first place though..." Hiccup said darkly. "And he wasn't that desperate."
Jack gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Hic he is easily annoyed with me yet he begged me to join."
Hiccup sighed, resigned. "We should get home and put a bag of ice on your head," he said instead.
"Nu-uh. We have to go to hit the pow-pow first, sneaky." He wrapped his arm around Hiccup's neck and noogied his hair.
"JACKSON!" Hiccup exclaimed with his face rapidly flushing as students walked by whispering and giggling.
"To the snow pow-pow!"
Hiccup looked up as they neared the hill at the park where they're currently doing practice. Freshmen newbies were snow boarding while the veteran members were skiing. Jack had long since released his throat and was walking nonchalantly with his arms swinging slightly at his side, but Hiccup could see another story in his boyfriend's eyes, a story of pain and betrayal…and loss…a loss of pride, loyalty, trust …love. Jack loved the snow. He had always loved it, from the time he could barely walk and his father gave him a snow board too big for him to hold. Giving it up because of some ignorant bastards was tearing him up inside, and his usually cheery, winter icy-blue eyes were dark with the pain.
"YO, COACH!" Jack called out.
"JACK FROST!" A huge roar answered, using his stage name during championships. A large horde of young boys some from Jack's classes ran towards the two boys. Both Jack and Hiccup froze in place, rigid with shock. Almost every face was anxious, warring plainly with anger once they saw the bandages.
"WHOA! Hold off! No jumping on me! I ain't up to it!" Jack exclaimed, throwing up his hands in an effort to halt the large mass of running teenage boys.
"Oh, sorry!" they came to a halt and tumbled among themselves. "Wah!"
"You guys!" Jack laughed, sweating a bit as Hiccup tried not to chuckle.
"Hey Jack, I'm not really fanatic like these kiddies," a Junior paused, staring down at the freshmen before rolling his eyes, "but you're a good captain and a better player. Even if you qre younger than me. Whatever you're here to talk to coach about…think about it real hard, 'kay? The captain I know is a really hard worker."
"Kevin… thanks." Jack winced as the guy nudged his head with a fist.
"Yeah, yeah. Why don't you just start doing your job and get these weaklings in shape." Kevin turned towards the crowd of first and third years and waved them back. "C'MON SLACKERS! BACK ONTO TRAINING! I DIDN'T CART OFF ALL THOSE BOARDS HERE FOR NOTHING!" They all jogged back to the pow-pow, waving and calling out encouragements to Jack as they did, leaving a huddle of shamed-faced sophomores and an equally shamed-looking coach.
"Jack! We're sorry our classmates jumped you! We had no part of it! Albedo, Hans and the others… we don't care if you're gay or not! You may be a first year, but you're a damn good player and captain!" one of sophomores quickly blurted.
Everyone's head bobbed in agreement.
"I should've… I should've realized what was going on. I'm sorry, Overland. I didn't do my job because I was uncomfortable with you being so openly gay." The older man scratched the back of his neck. "I thought they were all talk and that I should just let you handle it when I should've stopped it immediately."
"You're completely right. This whole incident might have been avoided if you had made penalties for their behavior." Hiccup's angry voice interrupted the apology. The coach looked down in surprise. Snapping green eyes bored into his dark brown. "However, the only ones truly at fault are those who did it. What has happened to them?"
"I…I could only disband them from the team. Overland didn't lodge a formal complaint and he didn't actually ID them. We all know…but we can't prove they actually did it without a word from Overland," the coach informed Hiccup, trying to calm the angry boy who looked younger than some of the coach's freshies.
Hiccup looked up at Jack.
He looked away edgily.
"You didn't tell me that, Jackson," The auburnette ground out angrily.
"I…I didn't want to make a big deal."
"You almost had a concussion! They broke your ribs! You cannot see out your left eye! How many times do I have to repeat myself?"
"Yeah…well…I ain't gonna rat on them."
Hiccup lowered his face and his shoulders began to shake.
"Hic…you aren't crying are you?" Jack grabbed his shoulders and leaned down a bit to try and see his face.
"You imbecile! You stupid brat!"
"Brat?"
"YOU'RE ACTING LIKE A FOOL- like a child!" Hiccup shouted, his face bright red with rage. The coach was hiding his grin with little success. This little auburnette reminded the coach of his wife.
"What?" Jack gasped, shell-shocked by the sheer volume of Hiccup's voice.
"They hurt you, Jack, and put you in the hospital! Yet you're more concerned with your dignity. These people are bullies!" Hiccup's blazing emeralds eyes were glaring fiercely into Jack's, like a forest on fire, making the taller boy cringe and sweat. His lips were pressed tightly together and his whole body was shaking. "I refuse to believe you don't know who they were."
"You're right, I do know." Jack sighed. "Yo, Coach, I gotta get home. I was gonna quit, but…I guess I don't need to anymore." Jack sighed again and reached down to grasp Hiccup's hand.
"Jack! Do not ignore me!"
"Let's get home, Hic. See ya, Coach! I'LL BE BACK MONDAY, YOU SLACKERS!" Jack winced at his own voice.
"HE WILL NOT! YOU WILL NOT, JACKSON OVERLAND!"
Jack pulled the angrily yelling Hiccup away from the soccer field.
"YO JACK!"
Jack looked over his shoulder at Flynn.
"WHAT?"
"YOUR BOYFRIEND LOOKS LIKE A GIRL! AND ACTS LIKE ONE, TOO!"
"SCREW YOU, FLYNN! MY BOYFRIEND IS A HELL OF A LOT SCARIER THAN ANY GIRL!"
"Are you really sure?" asked a dangerously low voice. Jack stiffened. "Girls can be really scary, too. Shall I prove it to you?"
"Jack…I would be angry about that comment…but who is this?' Hiccup asked, glancing from the a pixie-cut girl to the cowering Jack.
"H-H-Hi, Roxanne Richie right?" Jack sweated slightly and turned. A very thick and dark aura was emanating from her slight form.
"At least you remember my name!" She darted forward and grasped his collar tightly. "Do you know how much shit I'm in because of you, you pansy fairy?"
"That's a little harsh, Ms. Richie..."
"YOU BLEW ME OFF FOR TWO WEEKS! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH OF A LAUGHINGSTALK I AM IN THE JOURNALISM CLUB RIGHT NOW? I SWORE THEM AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW RIGHT AFTER YOU FIRST CAME OUT! YOU'RE ALMOST OLD NEWS NOW! YOU WILL TELL ME WHAT COLOR UNDERWEAR YOU HAVE BEFORE I'M THROUGH WITH YOU!"
"HICCUP!" Jack squeaked, glanced over his shoulder.
Hiccup merely shrugged. "Her claim seems irrefutable. You promised an interview and ignored your promise." Green eyes flashed dangerously. "Should I wait here for you or just meet you at home?"
"Hiccuuuup!"
"Oh, this is him?" Her eyes glinted evilly. Hiccup took a step back. Too late. His wrist was captured in her iron grip. "Goody, we'll just make it really good and have a double interview. No more laughingstock for me."
3 HJHJHJHJ 3
Dimitri watched as the two chatted animatedly and ate banana-chocolate crepes. A man at the crepe both called something out and the nerd… Ben? … stood up and waved toward him. Ben turned towards Jim, jumped forward to hug him, pulled away, and ran off from the park. He turned to wave, his blush clearly visible, as he tossed the small paper her crepe had been wrapped in into a trash can.
Jim waved back and turned towards the path that would lead him out of the park. Dimitri quickly walked forward and quietly stepped up to Jim's side. Silence remained between them as Jim nibbled away on his crepe.
"Did you have fun today?"
"I did."
"Good."
"I did tell him, too. Ben was VERY understanding."
"I see."
"Whatever."
The silence came back and wrapped them in a thick, awkward bubble. Jim crumpled the paper in his hand as he put the last bit of thin, baked dough in his mouth. The exit to the park loomed in front of them.
"My mom doesn't know I'm gay," Dimitri finally broke the silence. Their steady footsteps stopped. "My mom thinks I have a girlfriend."
"…"
"Aster… doesn't know, either. He thought I was trying to date Emma and reamed into me for breaking up her relationship with Jamie."
"…"
"I don't have any friends… not really. Not even when I went to school back then, no one was very close to me. Well, at least, I haven't been able to tell anyone about it." Dimitri dragged his hand through his hair heavily.
"So… you're a hypocrite," Jim stated bluntly.
"I guess so."
They remained standing still.
"I'm scared." Dimitri's voice whispered into the silence. "I'm scared… of being hated… of being hurt… of being looked at funny and of being laughed at. I'm a weak… and selfish person. But…" He gripped his chest tightly. "I sometimes feel… like I have this other me…this horrible, selfish, dark person who lives inside my mind. He doesn't want any to know his weakness, but he can't stand if someone he wants… acts like he wants someone else. When… when that guy came up… and you spoke kindly to him, kinder than how you were to me when we first met… that other me… got angry. It wanted to hurt you because you dared to even talk to someone who wasn't me. It's like… I want to lock you in a box and keep you there so only I can have you… but I don't want anyone else to know." He stared at his toes with narrowed, hard eyes. "I'm pathetic. I'm sorry, Jim." His eyes pressed tightly together, grimacing painfully.
A hand touched his own. He looked up surprised, eyes bright.
"You are such a sap." A soft smile lightened Jim's features. "You do realize this isn't a fairy tale, and you're not a witch, and I am most definitely not a princess locked in a tower. So get over yourself, Dimwit." he said affectionately.
Dimitri's hand reached up and caressed Jim's cheek. "You really make me want to lock you up, though." he smiled. "maybe in a pretty jewelry box."
"You try it, and I'll hurt you."
Dimitri chuckled a bit before he sombered up. "Jim... Will… will you hold my hand when I tell my mom and brother... and my dad, too?"
"Sure, Dimitri. You wouldn't be able to handle it without me." Jim's voice was baldly matter-of-fact. Dimitri laughed into that brown hair. He pulled away and placed a soft, timid kiss on Jim's small mouth. His narrow eyes widened in shock and a small blush covered his cheek bones.
"I know." Dimitri's eyes lit up suddenly. "Before I make an ass of myself again, you wanna go to my brother's concert tonight? I got some awesome tickets!" He stepped back and dug through his pockets. "Here they are! Whaddya say?"
Jim plucked a single slip of paper from Dimitri's grasp and eyed it apprehensively. "I guess I could. I need to ask my mom, though. I'm usually not up past nine…"
"Nine?"
"Punishment for going through construction sites and restricted areas," Jim sighed. Dimitri snickered behind his fist.
"Makes sense. I better walk you home real quick, huh?"
"Yeah."
Their hands clasped and they left the park behind, smiling happily.
3 HJHJHJHJ 3
Anna wiggled excitedly in front of her mirror.
"Last night was absolutely delicious! And tonight makes my weekend absolutely perfect! It's barely even started!" she exclaimed. Her brown hair bounced as she spun around. "Aren't you just so excited?"
Elsa smiled back. "Well! I do have perfect seating!"
"Oh… right… that would be why." Anna sighed out in envy the side of her mouth and plopped on the bed.
"Should you get the rest of your clothes on? I don't think Cristoff will appreciate it if you go to the concert wearing only your underclothes."
"I'm not going in my panties and bra, Elsa!"
"I didn't know you liked going commando…" Elsa trailed off with thoughtful frown. She grinned when Anna punched her head just a little too soft to hurt.
"Anyway! Didn't you think up a game plan?"
"The truth worked last time."
"After me screaming at you and calling Haley the 'f' word, and Jack almost hating you," Anna retorted, deadpanned. Elsa laughed humorlessly.
"I get the point," Elsa assured her. "But in the end, you forgave me. Even Jack. I'm sure… I'm sure Haley will at least see reason, if not forgive me."
"Haley is a great person and very understanding. He's… very wise, sometimes. And a downright genius, too. I'm sure he already knows why you did what you did. And now that he has his guy and you aren't being a bitch about it, I don't see why he won't forgive and forget." Anna winked cheekily. "Now, let's get you maked-up and me dressed."
Elsa laughed.
3 HJHJHJHJ 3
"WHERE THE BLOODY HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?" screamed Aster.
"Please, Aster, we were abducted by an overly enthusiastic high school reporter," Hiccup sighed rubbed his head.
"My head really hurts, man. I don't know if I should do rehearsal," Jack moaned.
"You are doing, rehearsal, showpony. Put in earplugs, and we'll tell you if you mess up."
"EARPLUGS! I can't wear earplugs!" Jack slapped his hands over his ears looking horrified. "I have to hear the music before I get right down to feeling the rhythm-"
"You'll still her it dumbo, just not as loud to blow off your ear drums."
"-and I'll get all edgy. I won't be able to focus much on the routine with something clogging up my ear hole-"
"Ima gonna clog up your assHOLE, asshole!"
The guys in the room snickered. The girls rolled their eyes.
"-I might overthink and I'll start correcting myself for no reason! I'll get paranoid! Worse than you!"
"You're joking," Aster's voice was dangerous.
"Nope… Give me a break, I haven't done this longer like you guys, and my mind moves slower than the music, ya know? I just stop thinking and move to the beat. I'll won't know the cues to stop and when to move wherever with earplugs distracting me. I mean I hate wearing shies just cuz the feeling of my soles trapped in 'em distracts me, ya know?" Jack shrugged.
Aster's fingers reached for Jack's throat, just barely stopping short and twitching madly.
"Aster… please… put your hands down. That makes me feel uncomfortable." Hiccup pressed slightly downward on Aster's outstretched arms.
"You'll rehearse with earplugs. Didn't you know we'd have to wear them onstage, you dumbass?" Aster seethed, shoulders high and tense.
"Why?" Jack gaped at him.
"BECAUSE WE'LL BE SURROUNDED BY SPEAKERS AND AN AUDIENCE THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD, YOU DUMBASS! IT COULD BLOW OUT YOUR HEARING!"
"You're going to blow it out first," Jack muttered rubbing his ears.
"EARPLUGS-NOW!"
The group quickly set up about doing their warm ups, Guy checked out the sound system, making sure the tracks were ordered in sequence. One of the back up singers, a blond girl named Honey Lemon, passed around a newly opened pack of earplugs. Jack glared at them and tentatively put them in.
"What if I can't get them out? Or I accidentally shove them in farther when I try? Will I have to go to hospital again?" He asked worriedly, a little loudly due to his muted surroundings.
Hiccup smiled and squeezed his shoulder. "Just do your best." He spoke loudly and carefully mouthed his words.
Jack grinned. "What?"
Aster grabbed his hand and quickly dragged him over to his center of the studio. Several minutes into the rehearsal, most of the dancers had already stopped dancing and just stared in amazement at their newest member. Jack's face was a mask of frustrated concentration as he went through the moves and steps stiffly, going at it by memory. He was either ahead or behind, rushed to catch up, slowed down and then realized he had moved too fast. He groaned and tossed his hoodie back before sprawling down at the floor.
"I can't do it!" he hollered loudly.
"Oh, shut up!" Aster's voice was completely without venom, however. He massaged his forehead.
"Jack's right. He's a really good dancer and great at executing the techniques, hell, he taught us the new ones, dude." Jonathan said, as if mentioning a consolation.
Jet rolled his eyes. "But once you put those earplugs in, he overthinks his movements. He can't flow."
"He can't wear 'em, man."
"He'll blow out his hearing," Aster protested.
"People in the front row don't wear 'em, and their right in front of the speakers. My friend just said he's deaf for about a day." Jonathan pointed out.
"A day?" Aster chewed his lip.
"He has a head injury. It'll hurt him more than any adrenaline-rushed teenager in the front row," Hiccup disagreed.
Jack was cautiously trying to pry out his earplugs.
"Stop it, Jack. I'll get them."
"What?"
Hiccup pushed away his hands and eyed the earplugs. While Hiccup quickly removed the offending pieces of foamy-stuff, Aster frowned in thought.
"We're going to have to chance it." Aster sighed.
"What! No! You can't be serious, Aster!" Hiccup snapped, throwing the bright orange pieces into the trash.
"Showpony, do you think you can handle about four hours of really loud noise?" Aster asked, completely ignoring the sputtering auburnette in front of him.
"Maybe. But not if we have the amps up as high as we usually do for practice." Jack said.
"All right. We'll keep them just loud enough to hear for now, ne? Then, during the concert, we'll give you an hour of straight noise. If you can't handle it, we'll stop at the break," Aster decided, blue eyes worried.
"Only an hour?" Jet frowned. "We haven't done a show that short since our third month in."
"An hour will be good enough for our first concert and new player. We'll just say we have to break him in," Honey Lemon spoke up, shrugging.
"Or we could say the truth? I was beat up when some assholes tried to sabotage the concert." Jack shrugged. "I don't really mind if you even tell them I'm gay. As long as I don't get shot for it."
"I really don't like this idea," Hiccup muttered. Jack glanced towards him, frowning.
"Do you really think it could really damage my brain?"
"Yes, but I don't know for sure. I could call your doctor and find out," Hiccup suggested.
"Yeah, you do that. We'll rehearse while you do. We're running out of time." Guy pointed towards the clock. "All right, Back-up dancers, lead dancers and free-stylers suit up, guys, we'll be on in ten!" The tech support anf band manager clapped his hands. "Those singing, I'll hand over your clipped-on lapels when you get in position."
About twenty to thirty people scrambled to position.
Jack kissed Hiccup's cheek and smiled. "I'm sure it'll be fine, Hic."
The auburnette smiled back before hurrying to the back room to make the call.
"Haley!" He turned towards Emma's voice and waved. She quickly jogged over.
"I thought you'd be here." She smiled up at Hiccup. "Meet my friend, Eret." She turned and frowned.
"Where is he?" Hiccup asked in not a little confusion. Surely Emma wasn't hallucinating a new friend from stress… right?
"I have no idea…" Emma puffed out her cheek irritably. Hiccup sighed in relief. "I think he went to get a drink. I thought he meant after I introduced you. That was stupid of me."
Hiccup chortled. "I have to make a call, so if you'll excuse me."
"Yeah, no problem! Hurry up so we can chat some, Haley!"
"All right." He smiled and walked away typing in a number.
Emma rocked back on her heels and hummed slightly. "Concert, concert! I'm at a concert! For free! Whee hee!" she giggled at her nonsense song.
It had been a good day. Mostly because it had been a half-day at school, and so hadn't seen much of her ex-boyfriend. In fact, because it was mainly PE day, she hadn't seen him at all. At least, he didn't see her looking at him. She had spent the PE class indulging in her hunger and watched him run and smile and laugh around the gymnasium. The ache was a slow burning in her heart now. It was a little comforting, feeling its slight pain constantly inside her. Like it was proof she wasn't unfeeling or dead. There was still something beating in there, weakly and painfully, but beating.
For him…maybe one day…I'll be with him again. But for now…I should move on and return Eret's feelings for me. He's been so understanding and good to me. Dating him would be nice…even if I could never feel for him what I feel right now for the idiotic brunette. She giggled into her palm and spun on her toes.
"Concert! Concert! I'm at a concert!" Emma sang happily as she started towards the canteen.
"Well…if that isn't just lucky. I am, too."
Emma felt her spine stiffened. Her fingers pressed against her lips. She… She couldn't turn around.
"Aren't you gonna say hi or something? You ignore me at school." His footsteps thudded lightly in her direction. She could barely suppress the shudders racing through her.
"I know the truth, Emma. I'm… I'm sorry I couldn't trust you."
A small sob was building in her throat as his familiar voice filled her ears. She couldn't turn around, but she was desperate to, longing so intense it hurt.
"I was never good enough for you, you know? I was always thought you would break up with me. You're so pretty and kind and good…your only fault is your pride, I guess. It took a long time for me to realize that's what it was. Pride." His voice was so sad.
Jamie! JAMIE BENNETTE! JAY! His name was screaming in her head. But she couldn't speak or her weakness would show. Her teeth dug into the thin skin of her bottom lip. His hand brushed lightly over her thick hair, his fingertips just barely grazing the sensitive skin of her neck. Goosebumps traveled down her body at his touch.
"I have a girlfriend, now."
Her beating heart stopped.
"She… She helped me when I was sad. She made sure I didn't catch pneumonia when I fell asleep in the rain... that… that day. She really likes me. And… and I really like her. So… So I can't just break up with her for a girl I never really got close to. A girl who couldn't trust me, just like I couldn't trust her. I wish… I wish we could've." His fingers fell and his feet shuffled over the gravel of the floor of the trashed out warehouse where the concert was held. He passed her without looking towards her face. His back was to her, and she never saw his face.
He was leaving her. He was leaving again. Her sob forced itself out as she spun around.
"Jamie," she gasped. He didn't turn around even though his footsteps faltered. His fists shoved themselves into his pockets. She pressed her trembling fingers against her mouth. "I… I'll be waiting for when it happens… when we can trust each other," she whispered. He nodded, his face still turned away.
He didn't want her to see his weakness, either. His tears were his secret, too, now. Nobody would ever see him cry again, until the day she promised happened. He forced his feet to continue.
Emma forgot about her need to go to the canteen, where he was obviously heading, anyway. What she needed was something bigger than her heartache, something indifferent to pain.
She needed the waves.
3 HJHJHJHJ 3
Eret sighed as he backed away from the smiling young woman, apparently one of the band members' girlfriends who tried to handle expenses by selling food and drink at concerts. He balanced his tray of drinks and his carton of nachos carefully as he walked towards the door.
I hope Emma likes nachos. I don't think she likes hotdogs more than nachos, though.
"Watch where you're going!" warned a girl's voice. It was… familiar. He looked up and blinked. "OH GOD! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
"Uhm… you're from my school… aren't you?" Eret blurted in surprise seeing the hardcore, blond in front of him.
Her blue eyes twitched dangerously. "You don't remember me, do you?"
"You look different when you're in school clothes, Hofferson."
She looked completely different. Her jeans showed off her long legs and her 'Easter Maneuvers' tee shirt. Her normally braided hair was loose and framing her face, making her look softer… prettier… like her voice… when it wasn't screaming.
"I guess you're right? I look so dowdy at school," she sighed sadly and straightened her spectacles. "Despite your compliment-"
When did I say it was a compliment, even if it was?
"-I will not forgive you, Eret junior son of Eret senior! Bastard." She flipped that long blond hair over her shoulder. He saw more skin flash, showing off an amazing view of her throat.
She's really pretty… even if she's a bit hardcore to the extent of being manly. Doesn't she have a boyfriend to stop her from doing that?
"Astrid!"
Her eyes instantly lit up happily. They looked prettier that way, too, just like the rest of her when she wasn't at school… disliking him immensely.
Like he disliked her, of course.
She turned and ran towards the boy approaching whom had called her name. "Jamie!" She hugged him and leaned back. "Are you all right? You look a little red-eyed."
"I'm fine." The guy smiled a huge stupid grin and hugged her waist. "You want some nachos?"
"No! I love hot dogs! Can we get some hot dogs?"
Eret already knew he had been dismissed from her mind when her boyfriend arrived. It didn't make him angry at all. She was annoying anyway. Who cared? Not him.
"OY! Who are you? You look really familiar."
"Yes… you do, too." Eret realized, once again surprised.
Jamie's eyes widened. "You're from soccer! I played you at the summer championship!"
"Oh… right… you hurt my ankle." Eret realized. He looked down. "I have to go, however. The nachos are getting cold. Excuse me. Jamie Bennette right?"
"Yeah.!"
"Hofferson."
"Junior." Astrid huffed.
Their voices were equally cold as they nodded to each other. Eret hurriedly left. He left the small stand and looked around. People were slowly filling the warehouse in a line that crowded even the deserted docks. Emma, however, wasn't inside the warehouse anymore. Eret continued past the crowds of people outside before he managed to find her. Her slight form was some ways a way, standing on a thick wooden pile, the wind tugging at her hair.
"You hungry, Emma?" he asked gently as he neared the wide post. She looked down at him. Her eyes and nose were slightly red.
"Hey, you okay? Your eyes are red." Eret frowned. Was… Was that… Jamie from Emma's school?
"Yes, thank you." Her smile was small and sad. "But… I need just a moment longer." She turned back.
"All right."
"Eret… I… I don't think I can love you right now… but… I know how you feel about me."
"I thought so," Eret acknowledged, shifting and feeling uncomfortable. He wasn't good with feelings.
"I… I wouldn't mind… going out with you… as long as you understood my feelings."
"I do."
"Good."
"Yeah."
"I'm glad I have you with me, Eret."
"I'm glad, too."
3 HJHJHJHJ 3
Anna waved as she and Cristoff entered the line. Elsa watched as they were swallowed into the mass. She turned with a sigh to find the back door Aster had spoken of. A crowd of young teenage girls and a few boys were crowded around it.
"Excuse me, I need to get to that door."
"Who are you?" sniped one girl. Another girl pushed her away. Elsa blinked as Drew Tanaka from homeroom stepped forward.
"I didn't know Jackson and you were so close anymore. Did he really give you a backstage pass?" she demanded incredulously.
"No. Aster did. He told me to come here. Is it locked or something?" Elsa replied automatically, more concerned about getting in than watching her tongue.
They merely stared at her. She edged around them and knocked on the door. A small slot opened at about hip level.
"Can I see your pass?" said a boy's voice from inside.
"Here." She shoved it through the slot.
"Oh, right, Aster said you'd be coming. I'm Guy the band's tech support and manager. Did you see his brother?" The door opened as the sentences ended. She looked up to see warm eyes looking down at her.
"Hello, Guy. I didn't see Dimitri, I'm sorry." She stepped into the room behind him.
"Too bad. I really hate opening that door. You just missed rehearsal. Follow me, okay, miss?" He winked at her when she blushed. "You got really great eyes, miss…?"
"Elsa." She introduced herself quickly.
"Oh?" His warm eyes widened. "Snow Princess...?"
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing, I just like your name." He opened a door and she quickly entered.
"Elsa!" Jack exclaimed from the long couch in the middle of the drafty green room.
"Ah snow princess! Cool! I'm glad you showed up." Aster rose from his chair and walked over to her looking calmer than he had been all evening. "Did you have trouble outside the door?"
"No… apparently, they were so shocked that you gave me the pass, they froze."
The other guys laughed. Except for a lone figure standing by the water jug. He was looking away, utterly silent.
Oh no…
"Oh Hale is sulking right now," Aster whispered loudly, smirking a bit.
"Why?"
"I still think it's a bad idea."
Elsa realized with a start she must've interrupted something when Hiccup turned around and glared up at his taller boyfriend.
"Hic! Please… he said it was bad, not fatal," Jack wheedled.
Hiccup frowned angrily.
"May I ask what's going on?" Elsa spoke up, becoming more confused by the second.
"You already know he got beat up last night?" Elsa jumped as green eyes met hers, filled with heat.
"Y-yeah."
"He almost had a concussion. The doctor said it's a bad idea, really bad idea, for him to go out there and play without earplugs."
"Why can't he just wear earplugs?" Elsa inquired, blinking.
"Too distracting." Jack mumbled.
"What?"
Aster sighed. "Long story, shiela."
"We have deal, though, that Hic keeps forgetting. After an hour, if it's too bad, we'll stop, cut it short." Jack grimaced. "I'd really hate it, too, but I can't mess my brain up for a concert."
"It's only one concert, too. I'm sure he'll more than make up for it next time," a back up dancer by the name of Sasha mused.
"I know, I know. I just… I don't want you to hurt youself," Hiccup sighed.
Jack quickly gathered him up into a backbreaking hug.
"I don't want to be hurt, either, Jack!" Hiccup gasped.
"We have to go on!" Honey Lemon suddenly announced. Jack went pale and clutched Hiccup tighter.
"Let's go." Aster motioned with his hand and then turned back to Elsa. "Listen out for your song." He kissed her cheek and walked away.
"My song…?" Elsa touched her cheek and blushed.
"Elsa, over here. You're supposed to stand over here."
Elsa moved towards Hiccup's still anxious voice.
She looked over at him. He was so busy concentrating on Jack, he didn't seem to notice. The music stared by the
Elsa looked past the stage and gasped. There were so many faces blurred together, it was amazing! How did they all fit in here! Aster was held in a blaze of blue spotlight as he started the routine. Two others blinked to reveal Jet and Jack before several other spotlights joined, timed with the beat to reveal the other dancers.
"I'm sorry," Elsa blurted. Hiccup turned towards her, his mind still obviously onstage as he blinked at her in puzzlement.
"Excuse me?"
Aster's voice filled the warehouse. "It ain't Spring but Easter is here! Got it mates, the manuevers are here!"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I did some horrible stuff to you and my sister and Jackson, and I never apologized to you." She stared at the floor. "I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted." She looked up with surprised eyes. He smiled wryly at her. "Jack forgives you, why should I hold a grudge? You hurt him more than you hurt me."
"What?"
"You only told me the truth. You lied to him. I have no right to hold a grudge for that. Nor for the truth you told Anna. I just got there at a bad time." His smile gentled, looking rather embarrassed. "I was angry. Forgive my rudeness for that day."
Elsa's mouth shaped words soundlessly. She let out a breath and grinned. "You're just amazing, Haley."
"I am?" His green eyes were startled. Elsa giggled and turned back to the stage. He turned back with her, rather confused, but he was too worried about Jack to think overlong on it.
A/N: So... uh... hi?
*Bricks. Tomatoes. Apples. Thrown at me.*
... BYE *duck to safety