Rapunzel watched him slunk through the hallway, keeping to himself and practically avoiding the crowd. She thought it weird that he would avoid most people, he seemed like a fun-loving fellow, and always cheerful. He always had a good morning and a smile for everyone he met. But the cliques everyone wanted to be a part of, the cliques that practically ran the halls, looked down on him. Being new, Rapunzel didn't exactly know what had happened between them, but she could tell that since the cliques didn't like him, no one else dared get caught being with him, and ignored him for the most part.

One day at a lunch, Rapunzel decided to take a chance, and sat with him.

"What are you doing?" he asked, a hint of concern evident in his voice and eyes.

"I'm sitting here, is there a problem with that?"

"If you want to join the school royalty, yeah, it is."

"And if I don't want to join the school royalty?"

He smirked, "You're doing a great job of dashing your chances."

"Oh good, I didn't think that was possible."

He chuckled, "Well, it is. But, seriously, why are you sitting here?"

"Well, you look lonely, so, I figured I'd be a great new student and give you some company."

He sighed, "Well, thanks, but, you really should stay away from me, they're worse than wolves when it comes to finding out if anyone hangs out with me."

"Why? What happened?"

"If you don't know now, you'll find out real soon," was all he said before leaving the table and picking up his tray. She watched him pull the hood of his jacket over his head and walk out of the cafeteria. She turned back to finishing her food, but she couldn't shake the sight of sadness in those blue eyes.

As he had predicted, the very next day, Hans and his lackeys approached her in the hall.

"Why were you sitting with Jack Overland yesterday?"

"He looked pretty lonely. Why do you act as if he wasn't there?"

"Because he ruined my relationship with Anna. He spread some lies about me, and she broke it off with me because of that. So, I told everyone to ignore him, in case he ever tried to spread lies again."

"And since you practically run these halls, your word is law?"

"Definitely."

"So why did they believe Jack over you?"

"Uh, because they were horrible lies meant to gain him some attention. He was almost like a wolf, seeking to destroy its prey, he was so vicious in his attacks. It took me a while to build up my rule, again, after all that."

"And Ana is going out with you now?"

"No, I think that ship sailed. However, if you'd like to go out with me, that would be fine. I'm not seeing anyone."

"Why me? I'm the new girl."

"Precisely, if you go out with me for a bit, everyone will notice you! Wouldn't that be great?"

"Well, maybe."

"Maybe?"

"My mother wants me to concentrate on doing well at school so that I can win this scholarship to the Berlin University of Arts, which has always been my dream. I mean, she's fine with me having friends, as long as it doesn't get in the way of school, but we've never really talked about a boyfriend. I guess we both thought that I would just wait until after I've graduated from Berlin University." Rapunzel shrugged.

"Oh, well, that kind of is a problem. Not the going to Berlin University of Arts, I think that's a wonderful dream, but having a boyfriend would mean that you would spend quite a bit of time with me. How about this, I walk you home this afternoon, and we talk to your mom about it?"

"You would?"

"Sure! I mean, you would be worth it."

"That would be great, thanks Hans!" The bell rang, signalling the start of the next class. "I'll meet you after school!" She waved as she rushed off.

"I wouldn't miss it." Hans waved back before turning and walking away, his lackeys congratulating him on just about getting the girl, none of them noticing Jack in the shadows.

Hans walked Rapunzel home and talked with her mother, as he said he would, being so understanding of what Gothel wanted for Rapunzel and offering to work around Rapunzel's schedule. Gothel seemed to agree, but once he left, reminded Rapunzel that he was just like any other boy and really couldn't be trusted, no matter how nice they may seem. With that thought in mind, Rapunzel didn't take the relationship seriously, though she did have a lot of fun spending time with him. But she did notice Jack, and that he was hanging around rather close to the two, watching them somewhat closely. Rapunzel began to wonder if her mother was right about Hans, though she couldn't believe that every boy was untrustworthy. She did tell her mother about Jack, and Gothel herself began to suspect that Rapunzel should end the relationship with Hans soon, though she didn't really trust Jack either.

One day, Rapunzel decided she was going to end the relationship with Hans, but before she could speak with him, Jack pulled her to the side.

"Why are you going out with him?" he hissed.

"I thought it would be fun for a little while. But, I think I should end it, my mother's getting worried, and I have this strange feeling that something is . . . off. I don't know how to explain it."

"Well, your feelings are right, there is something off about Hans. He's only interested in girls for their money. You're nothing more than a joke to him because you don't come with a fat paycheck like Anna did."

"Oh, so, he'll end it soon anyway?"

"Not anytime soon, he wants you to be his backup in case he can't find another girl to date."

"Was that what you told Anna, and that's why she broke up with him?"

"That was part of it, yes."

"What was the other part?"

"He was planning on killing her older sister Elsa so Anna could inherit everything, and he could get more money."

Rapunzel's hand went to her mouth as she gasped, "How horrible!"

Jack nodded, "It was, and Anna loves her sister very much, so it would have been heartbreaking for her to lose her sister."

"And Hans condemned you to solitude for ruining his plans."

Jack shrugged, "It was worth it, really. Anna and Elsa are like sisters to me, I look out for their well-being, and Hans wasn't good for Anna."

"Well, thank you for telling me this, but I was going to break it up with Hans anyway."

"Alright, well, good luck with that. If you need an ear to complain to, well, I'm all ears." Jack grinned and winked.

Rapunzel laughed, "Thanks Jack, I'll be sure to seek you out if I need someone to talk to."

"OK, but remember, I'm quite good at hiding."

Rapunzel smiled, "I will." She went and found Hans, the two ending their relationship on good terms, or, at least, that's what Rapunzel thought. It wasn't until two weeks later that she found out differently. She was walking home, a song in her heart and a smile on her lips, when Hans and the twins cut her off.

"Hey there, Rapunzel, where are you going?" Hans asked nonchalantly.

"I'm, I'm heading home," began Rapunzel, starting to feel frightened.

"Ah, right. Listen, I've done some thinking about our relationship, and, I figured out where I went wrong. I would like to make it up to you, and see if we can't work something out. I really like you, Rapunzel."

"Oh, well, thank you, but, I really should be concentrating on my homework, if I'm going to get that scholarship."

"Why is getting that scholarship so important?"

"Because I've always dreamed of earning my degree with the Berlin University of Arts, and because my mother can't afford it. But you already knew that, didn't you?"

"Oh, I did, but I don't see how that's more important than me," Hans stated as he leaned in. Rapunzel began to back up slowly, she was really freaking out.

"What?"
"I think you should give up that dream, you'll never make it in. I'm the best thing you'll ever get out of this life."

"You, better than a scholarship to a prestigious college? Give me a break." The four glanced in the direction the voice came from.

"Jack!"

"Now what, Overland?" growled Hans.

"Let her go home, Hans."

"Or you'll do what?"

"Ruin your reputation again? Really Hans, you make it way too easy. I'm the lone wolf, after all, I can sniff out your darkest secrets because I've got nothing better to do."

Hans growled, "We'll see about that once we're through with you. Get him." The twins cracked their knuckles as they approached Jack menacingly.

"No! Leave him alone! I'll, I'll go out with you, Hans, if you call off your friends!"

Hans pulled her close, "You mean you like the snarly wolf? Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson too!" He began to push her towards a secluded spot.

"Let go of me!"

"Leave her alone Hans!"

"Oh, you like her too, huh? Well this shall be quite the revenge." Rapunzel gasped, and fished out a small cylinder from her purse. She pepper sprayed Hans before whacking him with her backpack.

"Ow, ow ow ow!" he yelped as he writhed on the ground in pain.

"I think you two should get your boss out of here before he makes a complete fool of himself," remarked Jack. The twin glanced at each other, helped Hans up, and got him out of the neighborhood. "Well, that's just fine and dandy. I had this whole rescue planned out. I'd swoop in, beat them up, and whisk you away. But no, you just had to pepper spray Hans."

Rapunzel giggled nervously, "Mother always makes sure I leave the house prepared." She then smirked, "Besides, are you sure you could have taken all three on? If I hadn't pepper sprayed them, you might have been peppered all over the sidewalk."

"Hey! I had it all under control."

"Of course you did. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get home."

"Alright, if you'll let me walk you home. Though I don't think you need it. With what you did back there, remind me not to get on your bad side."

Rapunzel snickered, "I'll be sure to remind you from time to time."

"Of course you will." Jack walked her home, and when her mother learned why she was late, she practically fawned over Jack. The two walked to and from school every day, eventually going out to prom together as well. Rapunzel got the scholarship, and Jack waited until she was finished with her studies before asking her to marry him.