"Up and down. See?"

"Like this?"

"Kinda. Your hands are moving too much. You gotta keep still."

Elsa raised an eyebrow at her mentor. "You of all people-telling me to sit still?"

"Just your hands," Jack smirked.

Elsa couldn't help it. Her hands shook when she held them up. She hated not having her gloves. Jack wanted to help her, but he refused to teach her anything when she wore the magic-containing gloves. She closed her eyes and moved both hands up and down, one over the other, like she was already encompassing a snowball.

Nothing happened.

Elsa sighed. She was too poised to groan or scoff or throw herself about; she just sighed. They'd been practicing this for hours. Jack insisted it was the most basic of steps when it came to controlling winter, so it ought to be a quick lesson. Yeah. Why couldn't she just snap her fingers and ace it like that? She'd had enough experience with it before...before the accident.

Jack didn't seem frustrated with his 15-year-old pupil. He wasn't even impatient. "You'll get it," was all he said.

Elsa turned to face him. "What if I can't? It's growing. It's getting harder to conceal."

"So don't."

"Don't?" Elsa held her fists close to her chest. "Don't what? Don't conceal it?"

Jack watched her, knowing she was about to spiral into fear again.

"I have to! If I-"

"Look, what sounds better? Being cooped up in here for the rest of your life 'cuz you tried to hide everything..." Jack set his staff against the wall. "Or figuring out how to work it so you can have some fun and live a little? You might even go out in the halls in daylight." He grinned.

"I told you, it's not that easy!" Elsa hugged herself. He could get so impertinent. "You don't understand. You've never hurt anyone with your powers."

Jack's smile faded. Maybe he had. He'd tried everything to get noticed over the centuries, but none of it worked. Maybe in all those experiments, he'd left some stranger worse off. Or maybe he'd hurt someone before the Moon told him his name. He could never be certain, and that was the awful part.

Of course, now someone could see him. Now he had Elsa. Graceful, nervous, clever, blue-eyed Elsa. He was pretty much sold out for her. He'd stick around as long as she needed him to, never mind want. If she needed his persuasion to control instead of to conceal, he'd bend over backward to help her. He wasn't a ghost anymore. She was all he had.

He was really getting attached.

"You're prob'ly right," he said, exhaling. "Let's take a break. Feel like a kitchen raid?"

Elsa blinked at him. "For what?"

"I heard the cooks were making some kinda fizzy strawberry drink. Sounded pretty good."

Elsa pulled her gloves on. "...Strawberry cider?" she said, a hint of wistfulness sparking.

Jack shrugged. "Only one way to find out." He went to the door, waiting for her to follow before making any sudden moves to the outside world. "Coming?"

Elsa glanced away.

"What?" Jack blinked, one pale hand on the door.

"It's...it's a little awkward, that's all."

"Strawberry cider?"

"No, be-"

"Sneaking down all those steps?"

"No-"

"That weird-looking chef with the third eye?"

Elsa laughed. "That's a mole!"

"Scary."

"It's awkward being around everyone out there." Elsa brushed off her skirt. "I rarely leave my room."

"Yeah, I noticed." Jack leaned his head on his staff. "We'll be quick. No worries."

No worries? If only she were more like Jack! Charming and fun-loving, swift and free as the wind. It wasn't fair-not that he was carefree and she couldn't be, but that she got to have him around so often. No one else could know him like she did. No one else could see him but her.

And that was odd. Why was it only she could speak to and hear him? He said it was because she had magic, but that couldn't be all of it. Someone so grand, so positively perfect...they couldn't be this real, could they? Was it just her magic conjuring him up when she got upset?

For a split second, out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't spot Jack anymore. It was like she blinked, and he'd disappeared, and when she blinked again, he was back. When he'd vanished, she glanced around for a few heartbeats, eyebrows dipping, wondering if he was playing a trick on her. How had he gone so quickly? Her pupils became distant as she tried to locate her friend.

"Jack...?"

"Elsa?"

"Oh!"

Jack was looking at her with those simmering warm eyes, but it wasn't a cheery expression in his handsome features any longer. She saw panic on his brow. He wasn't just looking at her, he was gawking, and when she glanced at his hand on the doorknob, she could swear his fingers trembled. He wouldn't take his eyes off her, as if staring at her would keep her own gaze fixed on him.

He moved his staff back and forth a little.

Elsa shook herself. "Sorry. Coming."

She made to walk by him out the door, but he caught her wrist on the way. She turned around, concerned for him.

"Hey, I'm here, Elsa," he murmured urgently. He tightened his grip. "You can see me. Right?"

Elsa searched his face for an explanation, but all she saw was an all-too-familiar fear: the fear of loneliness.

"Yes. O-Of course." Elsa glanced down at his hand holding hers; it was still shaking. She felt it. Why was he so afraid? He knew she'd always see him-she had sorcery in her veins. Why did he look so distraught?

Jack held her a second longer, as if to make sure, and then let go of her wrist. He nodded, just a bit, and then flew out the door and toward the stairs. "Keep up with me, Princess!"

Just like that, he was back to normal.

Elsa stepped out of the comfort of her huge room and looked around. It was unbelievably quiet. The windows and doors were all closed. No chirping from the birds outside. No music coming from the ballroom where Mama liked to practice her piano. No clanging around in the kitchens. Nothing.

"How does Anna stand it?" Elsa murmured, half to herself.

Jack's stick rested over his shoulder. "Same way you do." He glanced at the walls. "'Cept she's got the paintings to talk to."

"And I've got you," Elsa pointed out as they tiptoed down the hall.

Jack paused to give her an unimaginably giddy grin. "Yeah. You got me."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in through her nose. "Do you smell that?"

"Dust?"

"It smells like..." Elsa's eyes opened. The next word came out in an exhale of pleasure. "Chocolate!" She turned to Jack, excited. "They must be making dessert. Oh, it smells amazing! I can't remember the last time I had chocolate."

Jack's feet left the floor as a cloud of wind lifted him up a few inches, shawl fluttering. "Well then, what're we waiting for?"

Elsa smiled.

He dropped back down at the top of the stairs. "Race you!"

Elsa folded her hands in front of her. "But...what if someone sees me?"

"So?"

"I'm a Princess, Jack. I have to be mature. It's not...ladylike."

"Hm." Jack leaned against the staircase. "You know, you're right."

Elsa's eyebrows shot up.

"Yeah, I mean, what could be more unladylike than runnin' downstairs with your invisible friend?" Jack held up his palms in surrender. "'Specially that many steps. Tell you what-let's fly instead!"

Elsa tensed. "Fly?"

"More or less." Jack left the floor again to demonstrate. "Winter wind. Check it out."

Elsa's eyes widened. "That's incredible."

Jack shrugged. "You in?"

Elsa peeked over the bannister. "And you're sure no one's watching?"

Jack held out a hand. "Your Majesty."

Elsa took his hand, biting back an undignified giggle. A sudden gust of wind lifted her rambunctiously up beside him and swirled back and forth beneath her shoes. Elsa looked down, delighted, then switched her gaze to the hand holding hers. He always felt different than her parents or the servants did. To her it felt like the cloth of your favorite blanket in a strange room. According to himself, Jack could only ever bring a tingling cold with his touch. Elsa didn't need to tell him she didn't believe that. When she held his hand just now, she'd never been toastier. It was a grand sensation.

"What's up with your cheeks, Princess?" Jack asked suddenly, voice full of cockiness.

Elsa glanced quickly up at him. "What about them?"

"They're turning red."

Elsa realized her face did feel hot. That was interesting. Why? She always seemed so numb. Then she felt Jack's grip on her hand shift. Oh. Maybe it was because she'd never held a boy's hand before? That was probably it. Not because his eyes were, wow, so incredibly soft when she looked up at him and saw him staring back, or because he was smiling that small, troublemaking smile, or because his laugh sounded like a day of snow angels, or because he still didn't let go when they reached the bottom of the stairs. That couldn't be it, don't be ridiculous.

Jack tugged her behind a wall as one of the maids came scurrying down the hall. He held a finger to his lips and straightened his whole body like a statue. She copied him.

The maid strode past, carrying a teapot and steaming little chocolate cakes.

Jack dragged Elsa along until they came to the kitchens. Everyone was busy. Two chefs, three minor cooks, one other maid. The chocolate smell was so powerful Elsa wanted to find the cake batter and pour the whole thing down her throat. Talk about unladylike. It was that good.

They ducked behind a wooden island and Jack pointed to the barrel being filled with cider. He jerked his head toward it, but Elsa shook hers.

"C'mon!" Jack said, loud as you please; none of them could hear him.

"We can't."

"You really like that word, don't you?"

"No, I...it's...I just remembered." Elsa was whispering, fingering her braid with her free hand. "It's for tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

Elsa examined the piece of lint on her shoulder as if it were fascinating. "Anna's birthday."

Jack's eyes widened, just a little. "Wait. You forgot?"

"I was a bit distracted."

"With what?" He seemed genuinely outraged.

Elsa glowered at him. "Did I ever mention I have an invisible friend, Jack?"

Well, how was he supposed to get mad at that excuse? He broke into a grin. "He must be pretty cool if you forgot your sister's birthday for him."

"Oh, he's something, I'll tell you that much." She rolled her eyes. Then she sighed and looked away again. "First I ignore her, and now I forget her. What kind of sister am I?" She closed her eyes. "I'm horrid."

Jack's eyebrows pinched in sympathy. Then he brightened up. "I've got an idea."

He stood up and took a lurching step toward the barrels.

"Wait-I can't get noticed!"

"So stay here."

"Okay, but-" Elsa was pulled staggeringly to her feet. "Jack!"

He turned expectantly. "What?"

Elsa nodded to her hand. "You can let go now."

He looked down at his hand still attached to hers.

His eyes came back up and struck hers. "Huh." Slowly he dropped her hand and tightened the lace on his shawl. "No problem."

"Jack?"

"Yeah."

"Your face is turning red."

"Thanks, Princess."

The next day, morning sunlight streamed through the bedroom window as Anna threw her arms around her mother. "Thank you so much!"

She held a necklace with a green jewel on the end, outlined in gold. The chain was white, matching the streak in her hair.

"It's beautiful!" Anna emphasized. "I love it!"

"Happy Birthday, Anna," The Queen told her, hugging her back. "I hope it fits."

"It will." Anna attempted to put it on. It got caught in her hair, which had begun to come out of her braid. "Whoops. Okay-okay, just-I think I got it-ow-ow ow ow-little bit that way...there!" She grinned down at her gift as it hung around her neck. "Perfect."

Mama smiled. "You look gorgeous."

"Oh, I know." Anna rolled her eyes and grinned teasingly. "Hey, where's Papa? Isn't he up yet?" She went to the mirror, checking her necklace was straight.

"He's..." The Queen paused, hands in her lap, knowing this might get a lot of questions she couldn't answer. Questions regarding Elsa. "...He's with your sister. He'll be here soon."

Anna's smile faded a bit. "That figures," she said, faking a breathy chuckle. "What do they even do in there all the time?"

"He helps her study. Geography, Arendelle's history, going over the kingdom vows..." Her mother counted off her fingers. "It's a lot of work, being the eldest. She has to prepare to lead the land one day."

Anna ran her thumb over the jewel. "So much work she can't even build a stupid snowman once in a while?" Her voice was quiet.

Mama saw her daughter's reflection in the mirror, spotted the crystal tear racing down her cheek.

The Queen put her hands on Anna's shoulders. "She loves you very much, darling. You know that, don't you?"

"Then why doesn't she let me in?"

"She..." Her Highness couldn't answer that. Couldn't reveal Elsa's abilities.

Fortunately the King entered the room at that moment, rescuing her. "Happy Birthday, Anna!"

He presented her with a lovely yellow rose.

"Oh my gosh!" Anna squealed and put it in a vase, nearly tipping it over and splashing water onto the floor in the process.

"There's more."

Her father opened the door. A servant came in, carrying a leather, polished saddle.

Anna took it in both hands, confused. "What's this for?"

The King and Queen exchanged delighted glances.

"Come outside," her dad smiled, "and we'll show you."

Anna gasped as they led her out into the hall and down the stairs. "Are we opening the gates?"

"Not today," her mother responded. "But we've let someone in."

The door opened and Anna was taken out into the courtyard to meet her new horse.

The castle was quiet; half its inhabitants were outside. Jack stuck his head out the door of Elsa's chambers.

"All clear," he called.

Elsa tiptoed out. She carried a tray of the chocolate cakes and a pitcher of strawberry cider. Both were Anna's favorite and weren't supposed to even be seen by the birthday girl until supper. Elsa had also included an egg sandwich she'd made in the empty kitchen last night.

Jack followed her as she turned a corner, smoothed her blouse, entered her sibling's room and set the tray down on Anna's bed.

She took out a piece of parchment and a quill pen.

"Happy...birthday...Anna. Love...Elsa." Elsa read it aloud as she scratched out the words and set the paper onto the tray beside the meal. "Done."

Jack rubbed his chin with his thumb and a finger. It was too formal. Like a greeting card. She should've written something more. But he bit these comments back. "Nice handwriting. I didn't know you could do calligraphy."

"I'm still learning." Elsa shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly. "What do you think? Will...will she like it?" She wrung her gloved hands nervously.

Jack held up his palms. "Don't look at me; you're her sister."

Elsa's eyelids lowered sadly as she stared at the food. "You've spent more time with her than I have by now," she murmured. "I don't know her anymore."

Jack frowned and tightened his grip on his staff. "Hey, come on, don't say that. You're best friends."

"Once." Elsa took a deep breath. "We should go before she sees us."

"Sees you, you mean."

They went back to Elsa's room and the white-haired teen locked the door. Jack sat on her desk, ignoring the chair awaiting an occupant.

She was wearing a long face again. He couldn't stand that look.

"Wanna play a game?"

She shook her head.

"Come on. Hopscotch."

"No thank you."

Jack slumped off the desk and flew to her bed, walking along the baseboard on just his toes. "You know, you could see her if you want to."

"No, Jack, I couldn't."

"You can control it fine by now."

"You don't know that. I can't."

"I think you can. You're the smartest girl I know."

The compliment made her finally look at him, but his smile made her irritated, for some reason. How could he be so cheerful? Her life was wretched. He just didn't get it.

"I'm the only girl you know," Elsa mumbled.

"I know plenty girls."

She grunted. "But they don't see you."

"Nah."

"Why not?" Elsa raised an eyebrow. "How come I'm the only one?"

"Told you. You're special. You got magic." He got down and approached her, bringing them back around to the subject at hand. "Magic you can do whatever you want with."

Her eyebrows came down. "It's too strong."

"You're stronger."

"Right. I'm not ready."

Jack have her an affectionate look. "You're just scared."

"The older I get, the more it grows."

"Yeah, I know, but listen-"

"No! Jack, I don't wanna talk about this today."

"Hey, somebody has to try getting you-"

"It's not worth it!"

"Not worth it? Not worth seeing your sister?"

Jack was starting to get genuinely angry. Elsa's pity party had to be crashed. She wasn't the only one who was lonely behind those stupid walls.

"Guess what, Princess, it's her birthday!" he snapped. "And she's gonna spend it partying with pictures. You're not even trying!"

"Enough, Jack!" Elsa hugged herself, startled that he'd gotten upset so quickly. But she wasn't exactly in a sunshine mood either. "I could get her hurt. Again."

"Or you could keep it together and give her the only present she wants." Jack set his staff against the wall. "You. For one day, Elsa."

"Haven't you been listening?" Elsa at last let out a groan. "I-"

"If you say I can't-"

"It's true! I'm not strong enough. I'm not special. I'm too afraid." She shivered and sat on the floor.

Jack crouched in front of her. "Look-"

"Let me finish!" she burst out.

Jack fell silent.

"I'm afraid my powers will get my family killed. I'm afraid someone will find out and the kingdom will be ruined. I'm afraid I'll never be the right Queen. I'm afraid it'll always be like this. That I'll always be by myself, frightened and locked up."

Jack sat beside her at that. He didn't like repeating this, because just having to do so meant she might not agree with it. "Elsa," he exhaled, "you're never by yourself. You're stuck with me, remember?"

Elsa closed her eyes. She was achingly fond of her staff-wielding friend at this point, but what if he only hung about because she was the one person in the universe that knew he existed? He was always so comical, always having fun or trying to, insisting on being caged in this room with her-a room that seemed to grow smaller with every year of her life. He always wanted her to join in. Well, wouldn't you, if you were invisible, and the one teenage girl in the world who saw you had so much one-on-one time to take advantage of? Yes you would, of course you would. Was it like that with Jack Frost? He probably thought she was boring. And a downer. She was, but up till now she'd thought she had a good many reasons to be a boring downer. Suddenly she wanted to please him. She wanted to be the lighthearted friend he quite clearly needed. But there was so much fear...she couldn't just force it down. And here she was hiding from Anna on her birthday. Again. Anna was getting older and older. Elsa knew her sister's optimistic heart must be so fragile by this time. Especially today. And it was her fault.

"Did you hear that, Princess? I'm not going anywhere."

Jack nudged her in that ticklish spot.

Elsa leaned her head against his shoulder, more emotionally exhausted than any 15-year-old should be.

"I not sorry for myself, Jack," she mumbled, eyes filling. "I hate myself."