thank u for the lovely reviews and I want to set myself a goal of being more consistent :)

Anyways, please enjoy!

"Did you see that?" Pippa yelled at the top of her lungs as she ran full of excitement towards her brother and Tooth.

Her eyes wide and smile stretching to the far corners of her face, Jack couldn't help but smile back. He brought her in for a hug and said, "Sure did. You were great out there."

Pippa pulled away still trying to catch her breath. She proceeded to gush, "No, not me. Elsa! She's even more pretty up close. And she said I had potential. And that she hopes I make it onto the team. And that-"

Tooth giggled placing a hand on Pippa's shoulder, "I'm sure you will. I'm glad you had fun."

"I have to keep practising. I don't want to let her down."

Tooth asked, "When do you hear back?"

Pippa explained, "Well, there's gonna be an email sent out too but there's another session at the end of this week we have to come to and Monday next week is when we'll find out."

Jack watched on as she continued to babble on about figure skating. He noticed a figure approaching from behind Pippa and Tooth.

A sweet voice called out, "Pippa. Is this yours?"

The girl in view, Elsa, was holding out a fluffy brown teddy jacket and a worn lilac backpack that was decorated with an assortment of badges.

"Yes! I can't believe I forgot my stuff. Thank you so much!"

Elsa smiled softly, "No worries. You remember Wendy, right?"

"Yes!"

"I know Ms De Vil can be intimidating so if you have any other questions you can ask Wendy. She'd love to help."

Pippa nodded quickly, "Thank you, I'll definitely talk to her."

Jack and Elsa's eyes met and he apologised, "Elsa. I'm sorry about earlier. It was a misunderstanding I didn't-"

"You're forgiven," she interrupted with a small smile but her gaze didn't match her tone.

"Jack! What did you do?" Pippa said giving him a shocked look. She turned to Elsa, "He can be so dumb sometimes but I swear he's nice."

"Pippa. I'm right here, you know."

It was slightly embarrassing that his own sister was trying to defend him when he was perfectly capable on his own.

Elsa replied, "Don't worry. As he said, just a misunderstanding."

She acknowledged Tooth and Jack with a fleeting look before speaking to Pippa, "I hope to see you on Friday. Bye."

Pippa waved as she walked away. As soon as Elsa was out of earshot Pippa reprimanded, "Play nice. I don't want her to hate me."

Jack rolled his eyes, "She doesn't and she won't."

The ice rink had started to fill with more hockey players decked out in their gear with some already hopping onto the ice. Jack had also taken the time to change and walked up to his sister sitting on a bench with Tooth.

"Pippa, do you want to wait in the library before we go home?"

Tooth offered, "Or we could go to my shop classroom and chill."

Pippa shook her head, "No, I'll stay here. I wanna watch."

"OVERLAND!"

Jack then felt an arm wrap around his neck. He didn't even have to look to know who it was.

"Rider," He smirked, "Coach is gonna yell at you. You're not even in uniform and we have to be on the ice soon."

Flynn mocked, "What's he gonna do? Replace me?"

Hans and Aster joined the group with the former adding, "I'd love to see one of these freshman beat you. At least they won't drop the stick."

Flynn retorted, "Worry about not getting winded in the first ten minutes."

Hans said, "My stamina is just fine."

"Really? So if I ask Snow-"

Jack covered Pippa's ears, "Let's keep it PG."

Pippa wriggled out of Jack's grasp, "Hey! I'm not a little kid."

"You're right," Flynn sulked before perking up again, "You're our little kid."

Aster added, "You don't need to hear any of their shit."

A sequence of whistles blew through the air signalling to the guys it was time to start.

"I'm sorry about your parents."

That wasn't something Elsa expected to hear. She look around her locker to see a familiar face.

Belle Beaumont.

Her face hadn't changed a bit since she last saw her: big hazel eyes and a youthful heart-shaped face. Her wavy, brown hair was even longer now tied back in a low ponytail with a royal blue bow on top.

She still enjoyed reading judging by the amount of books she held.

Elsa replied, "Thank you."

She asked, "How have you been holding up?"

"Some days are better than others."

"And Anna?"

"Good. She spends a lot of time with Rapunzel."

Elsa continued to put stuff in her locker and there was a small pause.

Belle walked to stand right beside her, "You can always talk to me, you know."

Elsa looked at her, "Thanks, I appreciate that."

"I'm serious. I tried calling when I find out but your number..."

"Yeah, I had a Norwegian number for a while. I just reactivated my old one about a week ago."

Belle said, "Great. I'll call you sometime this week to check in."

Elsa shook her head lightly, "You really don't need to."

"But I want to," Belle replied. Her voice lowered, "I haven't seen you or heard from you in years."

Another pause.

Belle continued, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? I had to find out from roll call like everyone else."

Elsa was at a loss for words. She wasn't popular at all and it didn't cross her mind that someone would care about her coming back.

As if having read her mind Belle said, "I've missed my best friend."

Ever since elementary school when their librarian introduced them to one another they had been inseparable. They exchanged books, sat together in every class and even started a book club that they co-led in middle school. To know that even after years she was still considered a friend, a best friend, warmed her heart.

"I've missed you too," Elsa replied, not being able to resist a smile.

Belle lit up, "Good. We can start catching up now because you're going to come to the library with me so I can return these."

Elsa closed her locker, "Sounds good. Have you read the Vermillion Rose series? I just finished the sequel."

"How? That's not out yet!"

"They're already out in Europe."

Belle grabbed Elsa's sleeve, "Do Nia and Jin end up together?!"

Elsa smirked, "Wouldn't you like to know? You could always borrow my copy."

"I'm coming by your locker tomorrow morning and you better have it."

The duo continued to chat as though no time had passed between them. Elsa was glad to have a friend by her side as patient and compassionate as Belle. She didn't pry too much and had made her feel better than she had the entire week. No pressure to perform but just be herself.

They soon made their way to class and took their seats.

Belle asked, "You still figure skate?"

"Yeah."

"How often do you have practice?"

"Every day."

"Intense."

They didn't invest this much into figure skating for me to fail, she thought. She had a less than stellar finish the year her parents passed and had struggled more after that but she was determined to make them proud and fulfil her duty.

"Any competitions coming up?"

Elsa shrugged, "Nothing major. Just local."

"Ooh. I want to come watch. When?"

A deep voice spoke, "Nice. Can I come?"

Elsa felt goosebumps on the back of her neck. She looked up to see Jack standing beside Belle's desk grinning down at them.

"No."

"Yes."

Elsa looked at Belle in disbelief but Belle replied, "I'm bringing as much support as possible. It's a public event, anyway."

"I think you, Anna and Rapunzel are enough support, Belle."

Belle looked at her watch, "I'm gonna use the bathroom before class starts."

She quickly exited the classroom and Elsa suspiciously looked at Jack who had now taken his seat. Belle must have thought she was slick.

Jack looked over, "Now can I apologise properly?"

Elsa crossed her arms looking ahead, "You already have."

"No, you keep avoiding me."

"I was not avoiding you."

Jack leaned back into his chair counting his fingers, "At tryouts. I tried to talk to you in passing period and you walked straight past me. Oh- and you ran away from me when I came to your locker."

She looked at him, "You've apologised. I forgive you. I think we're done here."

Jack held out his hand, "We cool?"

Elsa glanced down at his hand and back at his face. She shook his hand, "We're cool."

He chuckled to himself and she asked, "What's so funny?"

"You're so...formal."

Elsa blinked and gave him a confused look, "You held out your hand. What else was I supposed to do?"

"Let me show you."

Her eyes narrowed and she brought her hand close to her chest.

"I'm not going to bite you."

Elsa slowly held out her hand and he joked, "Unless you want me to."

Unamused, she crossed her arms once again and looked away.

Jack laughed, "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. Come back."

Elsa held out her hand once more and warned, "No funny business."

Jack held a hand on his heart, "Only pure intentions."

"Just show me."

He went for a handshake, at least that's what it looked like, and was surprised to see his hand slide against hers followed by other various movements. She had difficulty wrapping her head around what she was seeing.

"And then you go in for a fist bump."

"Oh. Did you make it up?"

"Nah. You've never done one of those?"

Elsa shook her head.

"Aster! Perfect timing," Jack exclaimed. He turned to Elsa, "This one's more complicated."

As Aster approached they started similar but it quickly became faster and more intricate.

She noted, "Interesting."

Aster asked Jack, "Why are you here early?"

Jack pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, "Had to finish the homework."

"That's not due until next week."

"Nah, this was due two days ago."

Aster scoffed, "I gave you the answers two days ago."

"I forgot."

Elsa subtly shook her head. The idea of handing in work last minute stressed her out let alone so late.

Soon enough Belle came back, the bell rang and the class had started.

At lunch, Elsa could commonly be found in the library either working or curling up to read a book. Sometimes Belle would join her but most often she would be alone.

On the other hand, Jack avoided the library as much as possible. He hadn't stepped foot in there the entire year until today.

He didn't mean to hit the math teacher with his trash. If Flynn hadn't distracted him it would have perfectly landed in the recycling box. So now he had to help the librarian put back an unholy amount of books in a huge ass building.

Jack muttered to himself, "This is going to take forever."

The place had easily 3 floors and he was only one person. As he walked out onto the top floor and approached the back he noticed a blonde girl sitting in one of the beanbags, legs crossed and book covering her nose.

He awkwardly hit the railing with the cart causing a metallic pang to ring through the library. The startled girl lowered her book, her big, upturned blue eyes looking right at Jack. Her eyebrows lowered and Jack waved, "Hey."

Louder than anticipated it echoed throughout the top floor.

She rolled her eyes and continued reading, "Are you stalking me?"

Jack walked to the shelf behind her, "Not this time."

Her head whipped up and he said, "Just kidding. Punishment."

"Carry on, then," she replied, turning the page.

Jack nodded, putting away a book. He looked down at the pile and his stomach sunk. He wasn't allowed to leave until lunch period was over and he didn't even have his headphones to make the time pass. Boredom quickly took over and he started shoving books wherever there was space. There were too many sections in the library for his liking and who would even notice.

He took another book out of the cart and scowled once reading the title. Who in their right mind would take out a math textbook?

Elsa spoke, "That's downstairs."

"Uh...thanks."

As he sifted through more books he could feel her eyes on him. They were the only two up there.

"You need something?" he asked.

Silence was all he got and she got up to pick some books off the shelf. He shrugged to himself and continued. Not long after a couple of books that he had put away fell into the cart. He looked up to see Elsa had dumped them in there.

She said, "Those also belong downstairs."

Jack sighed, "Great, now I have more books."

"Watching you figure it out has become less funny and more tragic."

"So, you're going to help me?" He asked hopefully.

"Did you get a map of the library?"

Jack smiled, "I'll take that as a yes. And yes I did."

Elsa asked, "You didn't use it?"

"It's confusing. Too many colours and numbers."

"Just follow me."

They sorted through the books and organised them by level. He found himself going through them much faster than he would have on his own. The librarian shortly came in to check on them.

"Jack did you- Elsa! Lovely to see you. You shouldn't be helping Jack. He has to do this on his own."

Jack looked over at Elsa hoping who simply replied, "Don't worry. I was just asking if I could go through the cart."

The librarian nodded and content with the answer headed back downstairs.

Jack exhaled in relief, "Thank you. I was really about to beg on my knees."

Elsa raised her eyebrows, her lips almost forming a smirk, "Really? That would have been something to see."

Jack took a step closer and put a book away that was just above her head, "What? Me begging? Or being on my knees?"

Elsa kept quiet trying to not be affected by how close he was. Her heart had began to beat rapidly and her body was feeling warmer.

"Or both?" His hand glided down the shelf back to his side.

"Um..." Nothing else left her mouth and Jack took the book out of her hand.

He looked at the labels on the spine and he crouched down right beside Elsa to quickly put the book into a spare slot. Elsa had been watching intently the whole time and not moved an inch.

"Well, this is closest you'll see to me getting on my knees."

"Right..." She replied, face expressionless.

She hastily walked past him and Jack took a deep breath in. Her scent as flowery and soft when he first saw her again in history class.

He started to walk towards the cart and noticed Elsa's belongings by the beanbag.

Jack picked up the book she was reading, "What's this about?"

Elsa's eyes widened and she reached out to grab it. Her fingers barely grazed it when Jack lifted it above his head.

She was a pretty tall girl. Last time she was measured she was 5'7 but that was a year or two ago and she had definitely grown a bit. However Jack had some height on her. She wasn't too sure how tall he was but he definitely was in the 6ft+ range.

He teased, "Is it a..."

"It's a book."

Jack rolled his eyes, "I know that."

He looked up and started reading the blurb, "Terrified of being trapped in a loveless marriage-"

Suddenly the book was knocked out of his hand.

"I was reading that."

"That's enough reading for you. Let's continue."

"What's it about?"

Elsa replied, "A girl runs away from her own wedding and moves across the world to Australia."

Jack laughed, "Whoa. Poor guy."

"What do you read?"

"I don't. It's kinda boring."

Elsa asked, "What, why?"

"How do you stay so...still?"

"You have to find a book that really captures your attention. Then the fun begins."

Jack pushed the cart around, "I can't remember the last time I had fun reading a book."

"What's your version of fun?"

"Hockey, snowboarding, video games."

"Don't you have to sit still for video games?"

Jack answered, "That's different."

Elsa mused, "Maybe you just haven't found your genre or don't have imagination."

"No imagination? Impossible. You should see my Minecraft builds."

A stifled chuckle escaped Elsa's lips as she walked away to another bookshelf. Jack smiled to himself following after her.

She looked in the cart once more, "Those two are near the entrance I think you'll be fine on your own."

Jack complained, "You're leaving me?"

"Yes. I have to be on the other side of the school."

She gathered her stuff and headed towards the staircase. Elsa took a final glance at the clock and waved at Jack.

He waved back watching her leave. Jack quickly put away the books and put on his backpack.

He turned towards the exit but jumped when he saw the librarian right behind him.

"Jack. Stop dilly dallying. There's still some books you need to tidy."

"HUH?"

The librarian shushed him, "Lower your voice. Don't you know we're in a library?"

some of you have talked about me publishing on novel star. idk what that is but I'm very flattered ^_^

also to ElSpanishDr I'm glad I made you laugh! Your comment was funny.

a new chapter should be up by the end of this week because i sometimes write during my study breaks as an outlet