[ Jack ]
"Dude! Wake up! Wake up!" I heard Hiccup's voice rang through my ears as he kept shaking me.
I groaned in annoyance, "Hiccup, go back to sleep!" I shoved him away and got under the covers. I buried my face into my pillow and continued my sleep. Even if my eyes aren't open, I can tell that it's still dark and the sun hasn't risen yet. Suddenly, I feel a pinching sensation from my right foot. The pinch was soft at first but it got hard and it burned my foot. "Ahh!" I sat up and screamed in pain.
I saw Hiccup at the foot of my bed, smirking at me. "Why did you do that?!" I complained and grabbed my swollen foot. I looked at it and it's still red. Elsa is a great foot-pinner!
"Dude, get up." Hiccup ordered.
"Why?" I looked at him confusedly.
"We have a meeting." he said.
I looked at my clock and it's only 2:00 in the morning. "Why so early?!" I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.
"So no one will notice us or overhear us." he said as he stood up. "Now get up! The girls are already waiting for us!" he nudged my leg. I forced myself to get up, I am not a morning person...how much more at this hour?! I grabbed my hoodie and put it on. Hiccup and I went out and walked quietly to the Big Five's meeting place.
"What took you guys so long?!" Punzie yawned. Hiccup pointed at me with a devilish smile on his face. Anna rolled her eyes.
"Hey! It's not my fault you guys initiated an early morning meeting!" I said.
"Ssh!" Merida hushed me.
I looked around and saw them all gathered in a circle, in their pajamas and messy hair. There's a bonfire in the center. We're behind the back building of the entire school where no one ever goes to, this is where we make our meetings. I spotted Hiccup sat next to Astrid.
Wait, I thought it was a 'Big Five' meeting?
"Astrid has something to tell us." Anna said, like she read my mind.
Astrid stood up, "You guys know what your rivals are up to, right?"
Punzie looked at her with half-open lids. "You mean those 3 witches?" she crossed her arms, Astrid nodded. "We know." Merida uttered.
What are they talking about? I looked at all of their faces and it looks like all of them are aware, everybody ... except me. "What's going on?" I asked and all their heads turn to me.
"It's about what happened between you and Elsa." Punzie said.
I looked down. That again, ever since that day; that is all what everyone talks about. I'm sick of hearing it and talking about it over and over again! "My misunderstanding with Elsa is only between us, why-"
"It's Olivia, okay?" Anna said.
"Here" Astrid pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket. She unfolded it. We all stepped towards her and took a closer look. It's a flyer type of paper, on the center is Elsa's picture. The picture she has on it is very clear and even HD! It appears to be taken from that day we fought. On the bottom of her picture, it says: 'Find her and take her to us. Xx, Mojo'. I let out a small gasp. I dislike hr all right! But I don't want her getting in trouble and replay what happened last year.
"Ugh! Those witches!" Anna stomped her feet on the ground.
"Anna, calm down." Punzie said, still paying attention to the flyer.
"How can I calm down when they're hunting down my sister?!" she said, enraged.
"How did you get this?" Punzie asked Astrid.
"From a friend, they started passing it out secretly." she stated.
"Why secretly?" I asked. Astrid glanced at me, "So you guys won't find out." she rolled her eyes.
"Hmm. This is a very clear shot of Elsa." Merida observed. "Have any idea who took it?" she looked up at Astrid.
She sighed, "No. At first, they had an amateur and blurry picture. But I guess someone came to them and gave this." Astrid pointed to the picture.
"From the angle, it looks like it was taken by someone from the crowd" Hiccup looked at the flyer.
"We have to do something about this." Anna said, obviously concerned. All our heads turn to her.
"That's what we're here for Anna." Punzie reassured her.
"So, what's the plan?" Anna stood up.
"Basically, Jack will always be on Elsa's side." Punzie turned to me and smiled.
"What?!" My eyes widened. "Why me?! I don't know if you noticed Punz, but she and I aren't near the term 'friends' or even 'acquaintances'" I made quotation marks with each accentuated word relating me to Elsa.
Okay, the answer is pretty obvious but I wanna hear more reasons besides that. "Okay, 1- you're the one that started all of this." Punzie raised her index finger.
"Thanks Punzie." I rolled my eyes. "I already know that, no need to bring it up and shove it on my face again." I defended.
"2- you're Olivia's weak spot." Merida counted. Hmm, I am her weak spot...but will she not hurt Elsa even if I told her not to? I don't know. Olivia is unpredictable no matter how predictable her stereotype is. I think she'll expect me to side with her for helping me with my problem.
"When you're with Elsa, Olivia can't do anything to her." Astrid said.
"What if I let her hurt the blonde while I'm with her, we are not in good terms after all." I teased
"Ugh! Stop being so damn arrogant!" Anna glared at me.
I ignored her. "What if she hurts Elsa more when she's with me?" I quizzed.
"Oh yeah, she'll get jealous of her." Astrid muttered.
"Jack, I get that you're mad at the girl." Hiccup walked in the center and towards me. "But remember, you're one of the Big Five. We're known because of our skills and preventing bullies from bullying any further. That's reason number 3" he said. "And plus, one perk of someone who's related to us, or close with us, means they can't be touched.
"That's right, Elsa is my sister. So certainly the Mojos can't get to her!" Anna beamed.
"Especially if she's always with one of us." Hiccup smirked at me and crossed his arms.
"Why are they even jumping into YOUR business?" Punzie pointed at me.
"I think the three of them saw what happened that day." I looked down and scratched my nape.
"Huh?" Punzie asked.
"When Elsa walked away, the 3 came up to me and Olivia said they'll get the one behind this." I gestured to my right foot, which color's very visible since I'm only wearing slippers. "I didn't really listen or care...until now." I sighed.
"Well, Jack. You don't want Elsa to experience what happened to that girl last year, right?" Astrid asked. I looked at her and remembered what happened then. The Mojos proved themselves real witches because of what happened. It was horrible and embarrassing. No one wants to see or remember that scene again. Especially the 6 of us; by the time we witnessed it, the damage had been done. But not this time. "No." I finally told Astrid. "But I still hate her guts"
"Then always accompany Elsa, alright? She's a really good person once you get to know her, trust me!" Astrid assured. "I doubt that, but fine- I'll try" I sighed and nodded.
"Once they see you two together, they'll stop" Merida said.
"Maybe." Hiccup uttered. "No one knows how their brains work" he sat back down by the bonfire. Astrid followed and sat down beside him, his arm wrapping around her shoulder.
"This is just Olivia's doing and her sisters are just helping her out." Anna crossed her arms.
"Yeah" Merida murmured.
Then we all turned silent, obviously thinking about what to do with the situation. Ever since Freshman Year, the Mojos are our number one problem. They just start trouble and drama every beginning and end of the year. It's like a routine. By now ... we should get used to it, but every year, their schemes get worse. Yes, we care for our reputation so much because if someone ever overthrows us, HAA will never be the same. The main reason why we're on top is because we help other students if they have BIG problems, even if they're always intimidated by us. That's just how they show respect. If the Mojos became the 'most' of the most ... Nah, I don't even wanna think about it.
"I've cross referenced all our schedules with Elsa's." Merida said, breaking the silence. We all looked at her. "All her classes from Monday to Friday match with you." Merida faced me.
"What the..." I muttered, looking down with wide eyes.
"That's rare." Punzie remarked.
"I know! It's like they're destined for each other or something" Merida teased. I could only roll my eyes at her.
"Jack." Anna called me. I turned my attention to her, "I know you and Elsa had a big fight the first time you met each other." she said, her voice full of concern and worry. "But if you get to know her more, you'll really like her. She's kind!" she finished.
"A little advice, Jack." Punzie cut in. "Just be nice to her and she won't hurt you." she smiled. I smiled back,
"I'll just be by her side. Who says I'm gonna befriend her?" I crossed my arms.
"Wait, what?" Anna exclaimed.
"I agreed to this but that doesn't mean what she did to me is already fine" I stood up. "This." I raised my right foot up "is swollen because of her. Now I can't attend basketball practice until next week." I pouted and put my foot down.
They all looked down, realizing what I said is true. It is true! No basketball until the redness fades away which at this point, is still a long shot. They all know basketball is a big deal for me so being unable to play it because of someone- sucks. Next to Eugene, I'm the best basketball player in the whole team. Not bragging, it's true.
"I'm sleepy." Merida yawned.
"Girls, let's go to the cafe first and get some...milk." Punzie stood up and grabbed Anna's arm.
"I'm in." Merida followed. "What about you Astrid?" Anna looked back. "No thanks girls, I'll just warm up here for a while." Astrid scooted impossibly closer to Hiccup, letting her head rest on his shoulder. Hiccup smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist.
The three girls giggled, "Watch over them, Jack!" Punzie said before they vanished in the dark and heard their small chatters fade away. Now it's just me and Hiccstrid here, sitting by the bonfire. I'm such a third wheel.
"So, what's up Jack?" Astrid asked. "I haven't talked to you or seen you since the party" she added.
I laughed a bit, "Yeah. I'm sorry I wasn't in touch. I rarely see you either" I reasoned.
"Well, I don't really have to know what's bugging you nowadays...or do I?" she smirked. "What are you talking about?" I asked because right now, I have no idea what she's talking about.
"Princess" she chirped. Hiccup let out a small chuckle.
"Oh...that" I looked away, blushing.
"Jacky-boy sure got it bad!" Hiccup teased. "What? What do I-I..I have no idea what you're t-talking about!" I felt more heat come up my cheeks which, being the Spirit of Winter, seldom happens.
"He's stuttering! Mr. Popular, the Ladies Man, is blushing too!" Astrid said, startled.
"Ms. Hofferson, please, please stop cheering for me"
"Why thank you for returning my cheerfulness with your sarcasm" she scoffed.
I chuckled, "Just kidding, Astrid". She smiled at that and a yawn suddenly escaped her lips. "Aww, milady's sleepy" Hiccup brushed a hair strand from her face.
"Mind if I sleep over at your dorm?" she smiled up at Hiccup. "That's not allowed. We'll get in trouble" he said.
"You're only in trouble if you get caught" she smirked. Hiccup sheepishly grinned.
"I don't mind if she sleeps over. Heck! She can stay over whenever she wants, just...don't do all those sweet gestures too much." I stood up.
"Wait, I didn't-
"Thanks Jack." She stood up as well. "Looks like I'm staying with you then" she looked down at Hiccup sassily. The brunette stood up and leaned in to steal a kiss from her. I bashfully watch them be sweet with one another. Ugh, get a room. Hiccup finally pulled away, "Come on then" he entwined their fingers together.
"Let's go dude." Hiccup invited and turned to me. They began walking forward and I followed them behind slowly. Though I am used to hanging with the two of them, I still find it sometimes so awkward that he's been with Astrid ever since they were in elementary and I'm well...single. I turned around and saw the bonfire still igniting in flames. I secretly glanced at Hiccup and with my hands, I froze the fire. It turned to an ice sculpture shaped like flames. I smiled at my handiwork before skipping and catching up with the two.
We walked back to our dorm in silence. Both of my hands comfortably nestled in my hoodie pockets, I looked down on the ground as we walked. I wanna give them privacy despite their public display of affection. I can tell that my friends are a bit pissed at me for what I said about not befriending Elsa. I am inconsiderate and selfish, I know. But can they really blame me for being so mean to her? It's not like she's so innocent!
When we finally arrived, Astrid immediately plopped on Hiccup's bed. "Night Jacky!" she giggled. "And thanks for letting me stay over" she added.
"No problem, Astrid" I smiled. Hiccup lay down on his bed and turned his back to me. He wrapped his arms around Astrid while she pulled the blanket over their pajama covered bodies.
I smirked at how they looked like from this angle- it's like they're only one person because they are just squished together. I turned around, bent down and grabbed my luggage that's safely under my bed. I slowly opened the zipper, zipping it up as quietly as I can and tried to not wake the lovebirds up, if they're already asleep. I opened my luggage and all that it contains is a black mask. It's sitting on the center with the blue lace spread nicely across the open space. I took the mask and began observing it, like I did a thousand times before; it's an all black eye mask with small blue rhinestones on the sides of the eyehole. The lace is royal blue in color, the same shade as Princess' dress. It's a very simple yet elegant mask.
I held the mask in one hand and closed my luggage, as gently as I can. I put it back under my bed and placed the mask on my nightstand. I jumped into bed and removed my hoodie, tossing it on the couch by the foot of Hiccup's bed. I looked at the mask again, the moonlight shone on it, the same way the spotlight beamed on us. The memory from that night all came back to me again. At first, it was a bore but when I got chosen and danced with the girl in blue, it's not boring anymore. Dancing with her felt so comfortable and right, everything else doesn't matter. Just the two of us. It was all good until she did that gesture and walked away from me without even letting me know her name.
I shook it all off and snapped myself back to reality. I lay my head back on my pillow and closed my eyes. I want to sleep, I just want to sleep it all off. Just forget about the problems and worries. I just want my dreams to overtake me, maybe there, I'll see her again.