Chapter inspiration: Do You Want to Build a Snowman? (Frozen)
Jeff was bursting with happiness as he ran through the snowfall on another cold January morning. He was going to surprise Nick with something that would surely make him feel better. He'd been so depressed and withdrawn lately; he rarely even acknowledged Jeff anymore. But Jeff was determined to help Nick's spirits rise, and Joel and a few of the other Warblers had agreed to help him with it.
"Ready?" He asked Joel, Louis, Flint, and Tristan, who all nodded. "Fire." The five boys threw their snowballs in rapid succession at the window for room 36. They heard a crash and the window open to reveal Nick, who looked as if he'd just woken up.
"Jeffy, what is it?"
"Do you want to build a snowman?
Come on, let's go and play
I never see you anymore
Come out the door
It's like you've gone away
We used to be best buddies
And now we're not
I wish you would tell me why
Do you want to build a snowman?
It doesn't have to be a snowman..."
Nick rolled his eyes and shut the window. Jeff frowned and turned to his friends. "I have another idea. Clear the hallway."
Nick groaned under his blankets. He didn't know what it was either; he just felt sad and listless. Maybe it was the cold weather, but he just wanted to be left alone.
About an hour later, he woke again to hear something in the hallway. Five rapid knocks came at the door and he answered.
"Do you want to build a snowman?
Or ride our bikes across the halls?
I think some company is overdue
I've started talking to people who aren't in the halls
It gets a little lonely
All these empty rooms, watching the hours tick by..."
Jeff rode his ten-speed past the room. Nick looked out to find Joel and Louis on either side of the door frame. Both boys grinned sheepishly. Nick shook his head and slammed the door. Jeff jumped off his bike just before it went downstairs. There was a crash and a yell from below, but Jeff walked slowly towards his dorm room. Joel put a hand on his shoulder and walked off with Louis. Jeff knocked on the door softly.
"Nicky, please, I know you're in there
Everyone's been asking where you've been
They tell me to have courage and I'm trying to
I'm right out here for you
Just let me in
We only have each other
It's just you and me
What am I supposed to do?
Do you want to build a snowman?"
Jeff sighed and walked downstairs to apologize for his bike. He found Josh holding it and apologized endlessly for it striking his teammate while he was on the phone.
Nick, having returned to under his covers, remembered the one thing that Louis suggested for a pick-me-up. Louis was notorious for his bad taste in movies and music, but Nick put his headphones on and turned on the song Louis implanted on his iPod.
Three-and-a-half minutes later, Nick felt better. He felt like smiling and he didn't want to stop. He quickly got his snow gear on and slipped outside when no one was looking.
"Hey, Jeff, there's a surprise for you out front," Joel said, leading the sulking blond to the front doors. "You'll love it, I promise." Flint and Tristan opened the double doors to reveal Nick standing there, a half-made snowman next to him.
"Did you want to build that snowman?
Come on, let's go and play
I need to see you more and more
Come out the door
I know I've been away
We are the best of buddies
And then we weren't
Later, I'll tell you why
But for now, let's build that snowman
Help me build a better snowman?"
Jeff covered his mouth to contain his giggles and tackled Nick into the snow.
"I'll build a snowman with you anytime, Nicky."