The drunken, laughing figures began to walk past - more like stagger - and I held my breath, hoping they didn't find me. I hoped Sara wasn't stepping out of the store yet. As I watched the alley entrance, I saw a small figure through the fog which was now, unusually, thinning out as the voices faded. I started to walk toward the silhouette, a sense of safety flushing through me, but before I could see more than their silver flash of hair, they took off. I'm not sure if it was panic or just my childish imagination, but I could have sworn that they flew away, a staff glowing in their right hand.

Getting home later, I remembered the flash of white and how it seemed to be calling to me. When I went to bed that night, after eating my pathetic cake and taking all my new clothes and putting them away, I swore I heard someone sneak in through my window. I almost sat up and opened my eyes to tell them to get the hell out of my house before I called the cops. Before I could though, I got cold. Like, really cold. Then I heard a soft. melodic voice whisper in my ear, "Happy birthday, Jessy. Thank you for always believing in me." The voice fell on me like fresh snow and I felt a light kiss on my temple and a small box placed on my chest, which, along with the air around me now, warmed me straight through. After whoever it was left, I finally opened my eyes, jumped out of my bed, turned on the light, and turned around to grab the box eagerly. What I found inside took my breath away. I had never received many gifts, but bought plenty for myself, and every time I got something new, I would give one of my older items to the orphanage down the street. I loved watching their faces as they open the bags and boxes every Christmas. But what I found in that small box I knew would never go to that little orphanage.

It looked like the very essence of Winter. Small crystals that reminded me of ice embedded at least 16 small snowflakes, each one different from the others. I quickly put it around my neck, relishing in the cool prickle it sent through my collarbone. I looked at the box again and noticed a note sitting neatly folded inside. I picked it up and my eyes began to read every precious word.

Dear Janessa

My Janessa

Jessy,

Congratulations on your 16th birthday!

That's what you'd expect to read anyway.

Sadly enough, I know about the relationship you have with your parents. A girl with as kind a heart as you deserves so much better. I can't say I can give you that, but I can say I sympathize with you. I know that's not what you want to hear on your birthday or any day for that matter so I'll just explain the necklace.

Each snowflake represents a different year of your life. A each crystal represents every genuinely good thing you did that year. Aside from the middle three snowflakes, each one seems entirely made up of tiny crystals. I couldn't fit it all in though, so I made it work. I hope you will cherish it and keep it only for yourself. I will hopefully see you soon to give a better explanation.

¬Soon to be named stranger

Soon to be named? Did I have a stalker? There must have been more than those drunk men to be afraid of this afternoon, but for some reason, I didn't feel in any danger. But that's what all of the victims say before the attack. I saw snow falling in my room, just as I drifted off, managing to catch sight of a white flash of hair coming towards me.

(End of Janessa POV)

(Beginning of Jack Frost POV)

The next morning Janessa looked out the window, shaking almost as bad as an earthquake. Damn, I shouldn't have left the it open last night, but with that emergency at the Pole, I left in such a hurry I forgot. Apparently I also didn't notice the hand print on the window and the foot print I left on the windowsill in a thin sheet if frost. The good thing was that she was wearing the necklace I gave her last night. It helped that there was literally nothing else like it. Snowflakes are nice like that. But I couldn't help the feeling I had about her and that meeting last night. Maybe she was the one that the Man in the Moon was talking about. Reaching her school, she met up with Sara, who is actually a really nice girl. It put me at ease to know that she had someone like that to help her through all the trials she'd had to face so far in high school. Suddenly I see a prissy looking red head saunter over to them, and she didn't look happy. Her face was the definition of anger. "Hey there Reyna. What brings you over to my side of the popularity scope?" Wow. The sarcasm in janessa's voice was tangible. But obviously this Reyna girl either didn't hear it, or chose to ignore it. "I overheard someone saying that Damion was planning to ask you to the Moon and Stars dance. It'd better not happen or you know what will happen."

Moon and Stars? That's an interesting theme.

"Don't get your curls in a knot Reyna, there's no way Damion would ask me. Just because you two broke up, doesn't mean he'll go after me. There's plenty of other girls at this school he can harass about that dance."

"Hey Jan!"

She visibly cringed. She hated that nickname and told Sara about that often. A dark haired boy jogged up to Janessa, a bright smile plastered to his face.

"What are you doing Damion?" I'm sure my face mirrored the panic that was filling me up. The last thing she needed was another girl harassing her at school. She already dealt with so much because of her family's wealth and her reservation to splurge with it. People thought she was just teasing others and trying to fit in, which obviously didn't work.

"Hey, can we talk? Y'know, in private?" His face looked hopeful for something he shouldn't be so sure about. I was hoping that she would spare him the satisfaction f actually getting her alone to ask her anything, but I watched her slowly nod her head, almost in quiet defeat, and followed him through the halls. I already had a good idea of what he wanted, and while I didn't trust him to take her anywhere alone, dance or no dance, I figured that Damion was probably in the same boat as me, in which we didn't know much about her at all. I couldn't be possessive over someone who wasn't mine, so I didn't follow them. I just watched them walk away with probably the same defeated look she was wearing just a minute earlier as she walked down the hallway with Damion.