DISCLAIMER: This was originally in present tense. I write better in past tense, and in my opinion, it just sounds better. I'm going back and editing each part to be past tense. Let me know if I miss any spots please!
TRIGGERS: Misgendering, deadnaming
Synopsis at the end.
"And who is the order for?"
Jack.
"Um... Adalynne," he spoke with unsurety, feeling it claw at his heart and soul as he said that name out loud. He felt his little sister tug on his hand and point at something in the display case—something sweet. He managed a small smile and looked back up at the barista.
"Add two cake pops to that, sorry," he ruffled his sister's hair. "Little one has a bit of a sweettooth."
The barista laughed. Her long, feathery earrings brushed against her tan skin as she placed the added price to the order and took Jack's payment. She handed him the change and told him it would be ready shortly.
He took his sister to a table—one of the tall ones with the big chairs. He knew she loved those. She smiled, giddy, and climbed up onto the cushioned chair. She looked up at her sibling.
"Thank you, Addy!" he felt that word—that name slash at his heart. It hurt, but he just smiled and replied with a you're welcome.
They waited for a while, sitting together and playing games.
"I think they have an iguana," Jack said, looking at someone sitting in a booth alone. Their eyes were blue and red facial hair covered the entirety of their lower face.
His sister giggled and nodded in agreement.
"Named Polly!" Jack chuckled and agreed. Definitely an iguana named Polly kind of guy—not that there's anything wrong with that.
"Adalynne?" the barista called out. Jack froze, anxious. He didn't want to get up. He didn't want them to know. Before he could even make another move, however, his sister climbed down from the chair and skipped over to the barista. She reached over the counter and grabbed the two drinks and the bag with cake pops, saying thank you, of course.
"Here you go!" she said cheerfully, handing Jack his drink—a Peppermint Frappuccino (with extra peppermint)—and one of her cake pops before climbing back into her chair.
Jack smiled thankfully, taking quick sips of his Frappuccino as he held back his laughter at his sister's whipped cream mustache. She asked what he's laughing at and he just reached over to wipe it off of her face-and then wiped it on her fluffy, oversized blue sweater.
She gasped in offense, trying hard to wipe it off, but to no avail. She pouted at Jack's seemingly endless laughter before reaching over and stealing some sips of his drink.
"Hey! Emma!" he reached over and took his drink back. "You know you can't have caffeine!"
She pouted and stuck her tongue out at him. She ate her cake pop and then jumped down from the chair, drink in hand. She took Jack's hand in hers and tugged him toward the door.
Jack had to scramble to grab his drink before being pulled out into the cold. The soft breeze nipped at their noses and Jack pulled Emma's thick winter hat from his hoodie pocket. He gently tugged it on her head, covering her eyes and nose. He froze.
"Wait a minute..." he grabbed her shoulders and turned her around. "I could have sworn you had a face?" he turned her back around and stood back, tapping his chin in faux confusion.
Emma giggled and growled, reaching out to grab Jack but instead knocking his drink out of his hand. It fell to the pavement and spilled in the light snow flurries on the cement, tainting them pink. She gasped and lifted the hat off her face. Tears gathered in her eyes as she looked up at Jack; she knew how much he loved peppermint, and she just ruined it for him.
Jack crouched down to look Emma in the eyes, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. It's okay." she sniffled.
"But...But I spilled your drink! And it's your favourite!"
Jack chuckled and adjusted her hat to fit comfortably on her head, making sure none of her long brown locks were bunched up under the thick blue fabric.
"Yes, it is," he picked up the cup. "but it's replaceable."
Emma silently watched him recycle the cup before he returned to her and took her hand in his. They began walking.
"Really; it's okay, Ems," he looked around and spotted an ice skating rink. "Hey, how about we go skating for a bit?"
Emma's eyes instantly brightened and a smile graced her face, much to Jack's relief.
"Yeah! Please, Addy?" Jack ignored the name.
"Race you there!" he dropped her hand and started running—though it was more of a quick jog. Who was he to not let her win? The thin, slushed snow on the pavement was slippery and it took a lot of focus for Jack to remain on his feet. Emma, however, paid no mind to it and dashed across the street. Jack followed suit, laughing when he slipped and scraped his knee on the black street. Emma stopped and looked behind her to see him on the ground. She almost went to help but saw him laugh and get up before running toward her with his arms open. She laughed and ran as fast as she could to the skating rink.
She beat him there, slamming her hand down on the cold metal bar that separated the rink from the surrounding park.
"I beat you!" her cheeks were flushed pink and her breath was visible in the cold air. Jack laughed and leaned on the bar, trying to catch his breath.
"You sure did," he put his hands on his back and bent backward, rewarding himself a satisfying pop! Emma laughed at him.
"You're so old!" Jack immediately crouched down, pretending to use a cane and stumble toward her.
"I am!" he whispered. "I'm gonna get my old on you!"
Emma shouted a laugh and ran away from him. She went toward the counter, jumping up and down as she hurriedly asked the clerk for ice skates. They handed them to her and she rushed to sit down and tug them on. Jack got his own skates and paid for an hour before sitting down next to her and tugging his own skates on.
Emma waited patiently with her laces untied. After Jack finished tying his own skates, he leaned over and tied hers for her. He knew she can do it, he's shown her many times—and even caught her tying her own skates once—but he's tied her skates for her for as long as he can remember, and who was he to deprive himself (and her) of that?
He tied them in a perfect, large bow.
"Now go, before I get my old on you!"
She giggled and grabbed his shoulder to help steady her as she stood before taking off on the ice. Jack gave her a head start before standing and pushing off on the ice. The sound of the blade sliding against the ice was like music to his ears as he gained speed. Emma looked behind her to see Jack and she let out a loud laugh before speeding up and skating away from him, weaving between couples and loners without losing balance.
Jack did so easily, avoiding bumping into others without so much as a stumble. He easily caught up to her but feigned a stumble and let her go. She stuck her tongue out at him and dashed off again.
"You can't get me, old lady!" she shouted. Jack's heart stopped. He looked around, hoping nobody heard her and connected that word to him. Nobody did; at least not that he noticed. So he continued on his chase.
This went on for the better half of an hour before Jack finally let himself catch her. He grabbed her and lifted her in the air, spinning with her in his arms.
"Got ya!" he put her down with a laugh.
They skated back to the edge of the rink and sat down in the snow. Jack helped her remove her skates before removing his own and returning them.
"Addy!" Emma whined, tugging at Jack's hand. He looked down at her. "I'm hungry!"
He laughed.
"Me too. I bet mama has lunch ready, wanna go home?" she nodded with a smile and walked home with Jack.
Just a cute little introduction. I know it's short but live with it lmao. I know it's written in present tense but this is in the past. I didn't want to go back and fix it. Next chapter is in the future.
Yes I started another story, sue me.
SYNOPSIS: Jack takes his sister to get drinks and cake pops before taking her ice skating.
