Jack's POV
Standing at the back of the crowd, it was easier to relax. Jack had a great view, but he would rather be up front. He really only stayed at the back so he wasn't abandoning Lauren.
She laughs at his jokes, hangs on his every word, and often tries her own hand at making the spirit laugh. Whether it was during or in between songs, Jack and Lauren were having fun. So much fun, he hoped it wouldn't have to end for a long time.
And of course Skyla was amazing. Up on stage, all eyes were one her; including, a lot of the time, Jack's blues. Skyla's show was going well; Everyone seemed to be enjoying it. Especially Brandon, who stayed close to the front. Jack's grip tightened on his staff 'Is he going to start showing up everywhere?'
Lauren seemed particularly interested in Jack during one song. Unsure how to respond, he turned his attention to the stage, It was a mistake when his eyes caught the blush forming on Skyla's face.
'Why is she always looking at him? I'm interesting too!' he internally questioned. Floating up above the crowd where she could definitely see him, the spirit started cheering as loud as he could. It worked and her grey eyes turned to him.
Lauren tugged on his sweater and he pulled his eyes away from the stage and back to the red-head. She tugged lightly on his sleeve and he floated back down, facing her. When her arms went up around his neck and tipped his head closer to hers, he didn't move.
Her lips crashed against his in a kiss. Jack, not knowing how else to react, put one hand on her waist. It wasn't a romantic reaction; he just thought he should do something.
Then it surged through him. An intense feeling of jealousy. Breaking apart from Lauren, he looked up to the stage. Skyla was looking everywhere but where he was, waiting for the cheering to quiet down a little. When it did, she said her farewell. Jack's eyes followed her as she almost unsteadily walked off the stage.
Turning back to Lauren, he saw that she'd been saying something. "What?" he asked.
"I was saying, Jack, that I wish she would have sung a bit longer. I was really enjoying it"
"Yeah," he agreed, dodging a couple of wanderers, "I was, too."
'She's calming down' Jack thought absently, 'her emotions aren't as strong'
"Jack, come on," Lauren tugged on his sleeve, "Let's get out of here before someone walks through you. We can wait for Sky outside."
Nodding, Jack floated up above her on their way out. Glancing over the crowd that was still gathered, he noticed Brandon watching the hallway with a worried expression. Jack was worried, too. And he knew the bracelet would pick up on it.
'What will she do? She'll try to pull away again if I don't do something.'
Noticing him zoning out, Lauren tugged on his sweater, "Jack. You alright?"
"Yeah," leaning against the telephone pole, he watched as people left the Nephilim. Smiling and chatting about the show, they looked so happy. Knowing they were oblivious to the spirit, Lauren turned slightly so she wasn't looking directly at him. It was another thing Lauren did that Skyla didn't.
'Skyla would look directly at me. She would talk right to me. Even trying her hardest to ignore me, she still acknowledges me. I'm always visible to her.'
Not long after, Skyla rushed through the front door. Lauren noticed and tried to get her attention. Jack just stayed where he was, watching to see what she would do. Obviously, she didn't notice Lauren.
'She's trying to get away' he realized. When Brandon ran out after her, even Lauren gave up trying to catch her attention.
"Lauren, let's give them some time. Want to go for a walk?" he asked, waiting for her to look at him.
"You think she's okay?" the red-head asked, looking in the direction Skyla had gone.
"You know she is."
Turning, Lauren nodded at him, "True. Sky's tough. ...We've never talked about her, have we?"
"Should we?" he asked, hoping she would say yes.
"..." suddenly smiling brightly Lauren exclaimed, "Let's go on that walk!"
They made to walk down the side-walk, away from the Nephilim, and Lauren gripped Jack's sleeve. The two were silent for a while.
Turning onto a quieter street, Lauren spoke up, "I only met Skyla about two-and-a-half years ago. She was the new kid in school." Jack listened intently as she continued, "She was a loner. didn't have any friends. Kept to herself.
"It was almost a year before I talked to her. When I finally did, that was when I asked her to move in with me. She'd been living alone. A real cheap place. I only know because I helped her move out.
The first night we talked about everything. Well, I did. You know how I am." Jack nodded and she elbowed him playfully, "Found out she'd had a boyfriend who cruelly dumped her. A best friend who doubly cruelly ditched her in the middle of nowhere."
"What?" his anger flared, "Why?"
"I don't know. All she would mention about it was the stars. She found a spot in a field and didn't move till morning. The city was far off, and the stars were bright. She called them 'the little lights in the darkness'. Cute, but a bit dramatic."
"She stayed in a field all night? By herself?"
"In the middle of winter," Lauren added. "Sky is so tough it scares me."
"Me too" Jack admitted. She looked to him, a confused expression lighting her face. "I mean that I'm not sure what to do sometimes. If she's ever in trouble, will she tell me? Or will she hide it?"
"She'll hide it" Lauren dead-panned.
Stopping, and turning the red-head to face him, Jack looked into her eyes. "Has she ever opened up? To anyone?"
"Not about anything deep or personal. And her life before moving here is a mystery. The main things anyone needs to know about her is; she doesn't like being rescued, and will hide her emotions as best she can."
"What if someone had a way to read her emotions?"
"I don't even want to think about it. Though, I think, Brandon's gotten close."
Jack's grip tightened on his staff even more and turned himself and Lauren to keep walking.
"You don't like him, do you?"
"Not really."
"I can tell. Skyla can, too."
"I know"
"..." staying silent for a few minutes, Lauren reached for Jack's hand and held it. She didn't do that often. Jack's skin was cold, and she shivered away, as usual. Apologizing quietly, she gripped his sleeve instead.
"Jack, there's something I need to ask you, and I need an honest answer."
"Yeah?"
"You know I love you. I had a crush on you the very first day I saw you. And it only grew after that. Before I tell you any more, tell me. Do you love me, too?"
"Yes," he replied, "I do. Truthfully? I really do. Only, it's not how either of us thought." He stopped again, and Lauren stood in front of him, holding her arms. "We've gotten really close, Lauren. I've never been able to get you out of my head. You're like a sister to me. I'm sorry, but I think that's as far as my love for you goes."
'This really isn't the way I thought things would go.' Watching Lauren, he leaned against his staff. 'If she asks me to leave, I will.'
To his surprise, Lauren smiled at him, "Good. Cause I think it's the same for me," she playfully punched his arm, "bro. Sorry bout the whole kiss thing. Just making sure there was no romantic connection."
Jack laughed, "Does that count as incest?"
"Let's just forget about it."
"Okay. You were going to say something else?"
"Where was I?" She asked herself, as if she was going over lines in a play, "Right! I had a crush on you blablabla. Thank you for coming back. Really. I've always wanted a brother. But now there's the issue of your single status."
"My single status? Why is that an issue?"
"Because I want you to be happy." Grabbing his sleeve, she lead him in the direction of home, a bit faster than before.
"I am happy, Lauren." he told her, not quite knowing if it was a lie. Letting her lead the way, Jack let his staff trail on the ground causing light frost to wind down the side-walk.
"Just say it."
"Say what?"
"Say you love Skyla!"
Glancing at Lauren, Jack saw her knowing smile, "Is it that obvious?"
She let out a happy squeal that turned into a giggle, "Yes! And, though I'm sorry for Brandon, I really think you two would be perfect for each other! If I have to play matchmaker, I will. you should try confessing, though!"
"Wh-what? I couldn't! She's-"
"She's an idiot! Tell her, will you?"
Wishing he could just fly off into the night sky, Jack looked almost everywhere except the house they were getting close to. "I really want to. I couldn't take the rejection."
"Then... Don't let her reject you? Tell her in a way she couldn't refuse! Bring out your inner romantic! You have one of those, right?"
"Not really"
"You just have to try harder." Unlocking the door and dragging the spirit into the kitchen, Lauren bounced ideas off him for a while.
'I feel like this has happened before' he thought, remembering how he and Skyla had planned how to get Lauren to notice him. 'Sky wouldn't let me do anything that first night. It seems like Lauren has different tactics.'
"And then you sweep her off her feet and lead her to the bed and-"
"Woah! Lauren!"
"Oh, right. Sorry. I just really want you two to be together. Too much?"
"Very" he laughed.
At the door to her bedroom, Lauren turned to Jack and smiled, "Good luck, bro."
"Thanks," he smiled back, "One last try, right Lauren?"
"That's all it'll take. How could she resist?" the red-head assured, closing the door behind her and leaving the Guardian in the hallway.
He turned and looked towards Skyla's door. His excitement took over and he floated over to it. Focusing on sending his excitement her way, he waited to see if she would wake up first.
It took a minute with him amping it up every few seconds. Finally, he heard her stir and say the usual "What the hell" and decided it was the best time for it.
He knocked.
"Jack?" came her answer, and he knew she was getting up.
"Yeah, Sky. Open up."
She did, and he smiled. Rubbing her eyes tiredly, Skyla stepped aside to let him in. Closing the door behind him, she went back over to sit on her bed, yawning loudly.
Leaning his staff against the wall, Jack looked around the moonlit room, "Remember that first night? When I broke in and you came at me with that pencil?"
Skyla laughed, curling her feet under her and looking at her hands, "And you pressed me up against the wall? Nearly turning me into an icicle?"
"But I didn't. I think that should count for something."
"Yeah, yeah. 4 for you, Jack Frost. For not freezing me."
"We've been through a lot since then, huh?"
"You could say that." she replied, glancing at him, "I'm sorry. About earlier. The... thing."
"When you got jealous. It's okay." sitting down beside her, Jack looked her in the eyes, "I know how you feel, Sky. All of it."
"N-no! You don't! I don't even know how I feel!"
Gripping her wrist, he held it up near his head, "I know, Skyla. Even now."
She tried to scoot away, and he let her. sitting against the headboard, she brought her knees to her chest and put her head in her hands. She calmed down her thoughts, her emotions, and eventually looked back up at him.
"Jack, you woke me up. I'm in my pyjamas! Can we do this some other time?"
"No. I'm sorry, Skyla, but I want to get this done tonight. I'm not wasting time again." the Guardian told her,sitting cross-legged in front of her, "I know how you feel, and I need you to know how I feel. Skyla, I know it won't be easy for you, but I'm going to say it."
"Please don't"
Hesitating, he considered stopping there. Grabbing his staff and leaving before either could get hurt. Mentally slapping himself, he looked straight into her eyes in a way that made her look back into his.
"Skyla Nolastname," he smiled, "It's you. It isn't anyone else. It's you, and I can't deny it. I love you. And you have no idea how amazing it is to finally say it!"
Skyla just shook her head before once again resting it in her hands.
"I'm not asking you to say it back. Just, please, don't push me away. Don't hate me."
She looked up, and he felt the emotions running through her. The tears in her eyes nearly falling over onto her cheeks, her hands closing into fists. It was sadness, it was joy, it was frustration.
It was hope.
"You're not-" she hesitated. Fear, though unlike what he'd felt the first time, made its way through her other emotions. "You're not the first one to tell me that tonight." Jack held his breath, and she dropped her head against her knees, "Brandon said it, too"
Not moving for several moments, Jack watched as her shoulders lifted and dropped heavily. She was crying silently, and he didn't know what to do.
Then her words dug in and he stood up quickly. Turning his back to her, he covers his mouth with his hand and internally he was screaming at himself.
'I'm too late! She's going to push me away! Dammit, why did I listen to Lauren? No, this is my fault. I should have-' and it went on and on. Blaming himself, torturing himself in his own mind all the while his heart was slowly breaking.
He didn't notice Skyla until her arms were around him, head against his back, "Jack, stop. Please." and he tried. Desperately tried. He couldn't calm down.
"Skyla, let go" he finally said, thankful his voice stayed strong.
"Not until you're okay"
"Skyla, please," he pleaded. Her arms fell back, and he turned himself around to face her again. "I never wanted to ask you to do something like this. But I need you to tell me you love me. Tell me there's something between us and I don't have to leave!"
"I wouldn't ask you to leave. I couldn't." she stepped back, "That wouldn't be fair to Lauren."
"I talked to Lauren. No romantic feelings there." he laughed weakly, "You don't have to worry about that. Please. I need to hear you say it."
"Will that calm you down?" Skyla asked. Jack nodded and she admitted, "Jack Frost, I love you. Please don't leave" Wrapping her arms around his neck, she hugged him tightly.
The Guardian breathed out a laugh, his doubts and fears dissipating. His heart, still hurting, calmed it's rhythm. He hugged her back, holding her as tightly as she held him.
It wasn't until she sneezed that they broke apart. Skyla laughed and apologized, "Sorry, I barely notice the cold any more" Jack smiled.
Yawning again, she brought her arm up to cover it. Jack noticed the frost on it and grabbed her wrist. Turning it over, he glared at the bracelet. "Sky, you could have told me"
"It would have upset you more. It's okay, it's just a bit of-"
"I could have given you frostbite!" he stressed, pleading with her, "Why do you always hide your pain?"
"Don't ask me that." Pulling her arm away from him, Skyla walked back to her bed and crawled under the covers. Rubbing her arm, she asked him, "You and Lau? Really over?"
Sighing, Jack walked over and sat on the edge of the bed beside her, "We've agreed we love each other in a brother-sister way and not... You know."
Skyla nodded, "But Jack, even if I do say I love you, I'm with-"
"I know." his heart clenched again, "Is there any possibility of you dumping him?" He knew it was a mistake when he felt her emotions surge again. Trying to turn it into a joke, he laughed, "Skyla, take a joke!"
"That wasn't even a joke, Frost. Please, just let me get some sleep. I'll stress tomorrow."
Nodding, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Lingering for a moment, he wondered if he should ask to stay. Even just sitting on the floor was better than leaving.
Deciding against it, he stood up and grabbed his staff. Sending the most of his happy feelings towards her and watching as she smiled, he told her one more time, "I love you, Skyla."
Then he opened the window and jumped out, letting the wind take him up and up; over the city and everything. Looking up at the bright moon, he asked MiM to send Bunnymund to the park again.
Not long after, he was crouching on top of his staff, waiting for the Easter Bunny. When finally he showed up, Jack jumped down and greeted him.
"What's going on?" The pooka asked immediately.
"A lot has happened since we last talked." the young spirit told him excitedly, "But has anything happened on your side?"
"You tell me first, mate."
Turning, Jack swung his staff in an arch along the grass, creating a light ice patch. "I'm in love"
"I thought that was the whole point of this. Lauren-"
"No." Jack interrupted, looking back, "Not her. Skyla."
"Wha- Who is that?!" the pooka questioned loudly.
"She lives with Lauren. I met her first, then she helped me with the original problem. Getting Lauren to see me, I mean."
"But Lauren-"
"Isn't the one. Skyla is. I know she is."
"You're willing to bet your life on that, mate?" the over-sized rabbit asked seriously.
Standing up straighter, Jack looked him in the eyes and confidently told him, "Yes. I am."
"Because that's what you're doing, you know. Your heart-"
"I know!" Jack yelled suddenly, shocking Bunnymund, "I know what I'm risking but I know she won't let me down!"
"...If you're sure about that," Bunnymund started, "Then there's nothing I can tell you. Be careful, Jack. Remember you're not alone, and you don't have to push yourself."
Jack nodded.
"Nothing has happened yet, but we're close to coming up with something. North says he can feel it."
"In his belly?"
"In his belly." the kangaroo confirmed. He smirked, and Jack laughed. "I should get going. Take it easy."
"See ya" Jack waved, watching as Bunnymund disappeared down another hole.
Looking back up to the moon he promised himself he wouldn't let anyone down. Everything would work out. If not for him, then for everyone he cared about. He wasn't giving up.
NOTES:
Once again, I am incredibly sorry.
I could tell you how sick I am
How mentally stressed I am
I could say a million excuses but why bother
I'm sorry
Hope this chapter will suffice
There was something I wanted to mention but, as usual, I've forgotten
Thank's for reading!
Review, review, review!
Love y'all *hearts*
PS: How's that for story development? Huh? Huh? ;)
