3 Days Later

It's been days since Jack and Elsa had a little sweet moment back in the dorm room. But even so, the warmth of the gesture was still fresh to them. That was the actual starting point where they developed into growing more and more accustomed with one another. In those three days, they already freely open up their thoughts and do small gestures of both friendliness and sweetness here and there. They're also now more comfortable around their circle of friends; they even playfully feed each other sometimes! All the enjoyment made them decide not to bring up the hug they shared. Or the almost kiss.

Despite all that, there were some teenagers who are skeptical whenever they see the two around. Jack ignored all the smug remarks on how they should despise one another, or how he should avoid Elsa since it's only worsening Olivia's bad mood. All that matters to him is that he's happy and, from the looks of it, she's happy too. Truly, talking and apologizing to one another is a wonderful idea. If they hadn't done that in the first place, then they would miss out on having a great friend.

Monday arrived; the day they're going to present the thing they put all their efforts into this past week. It's time to show the role play...and English Lit was their first period. All of them would still be practicing right now or they'd still be in bed, dreaming about food and sweater weather, if it weren't for Ms. Oceania moving the presentation a day earlier. The group's not panicking, no! They are, however, eager to see their hard work pay off. Sure, there's a 24 hour advance but the sooner they do this, the better they'll remember what they're ought to do later on.

Jack, who's going to play the main part, was cooped up in their bathroom while everyone else was downstairs for breakfast...except for his other group mates, of course. He looked at the mirror and stared at his original reflection a moment longer while the new brown hair dye waited by the corner of the sink.

Everyone in the group insisted that Jack 'takes off the silver dye' for the role of Romeo, just so everything will look natural. Jack shrugged and tried to tell them otherwise but, like how Punzie always is, they're adamant with the leader's first decision. So Jack had no choice but to fly off at nine in the evening just to pick up a new dye from the store down the mountains of HAA.

Jack sighed and started working. He started applying the dye in generous amount. While doing so, he glanced back at the closed door and viewed his costume; an amazingly knitted prince-like outfit and the mask that came along with it. He suddenly remembered a very memorable night from weeks ago. Only difference is he was wearing a tux back then and he already wore the mask before the dancing began. He smiled weakly and just went back to work.

Meanwhile, Elsa was doing the exact same thing next door. She had just finished wearing her blue dress on. Aurora's aunts sure know style, she thought. Elsa looked down at the intricate snowflake designs and the sequined upper half of the dress. She admired how this specific shade of blue perfectly goes with her pale skin. She smiled while spraying some Victoria's Secret perfume on her body before tussling her hair.

Thinking about her look during Punzie's birthday celebration, she decided it's always a special thing whenever she lets her blonde locks cascade down her shoulder or back. Today was one of those special days. Was it simply for the play, or to impress Jack? She can't decide which factor has a bigger impact on her decision.

After applying some light make-up on, Elsa glanced at the eye mask she has to wear for the Capulet Ball scene. She smiled as she took the object and stared at it even more, reminiscing a beautiful night from the past. She looked back up the mirror and hovered the mask over her eyes. If her assumptions are correct, she hoped that no berserk happening will occur later.

"Ready, Elsa?" Ariel knocked on the bathroom door.

Elsa took a deep breath and held onto the mask, "As ready as I'll ever be" she whispered.

The English Literature classroom looked wider and more spacious than usual. The chairs were spread out adjacent to the walls so the center was empty. The inhabitants of the room, meaning the students, were waiting outside for their call to perform. Group 2 will go first. To their surprise, they actually prepared something. Meg remarked that it won't be as good as theirs but Belle insisted not to feel too overconfident with themselves. Their group's not allowed to watch and vice versa, but they will eventually find out if the play's a triumphant act or a recipe for a disastrous grade.

Outside, each group chatted with one another one last time. Punzie and Jenna reminded their group mates about the most crucial parts of their play and what they should not forget above all things. Group 2 only wore casual civilian clothes. From the looks of it, they might do a modern twist to one work by Shakespeare. On the other hand, Group 1 had an Elizabethan style apparel. Since they're only doing a shortened reenactment of Romeo and Juliet, the classic look is the best way to impress and convince Ms. Oceania of their eagerness about the project. Not to mention their preparedness for the Fall Event.

After what seemed like an eternity, group two's props men finally finished setting up what they needed to set up inside the room and gestured their actors that it's time. Jenna slyly smirked at Punzie as she went inside with the others. The doors closed and everything silenced.

"Don't worry about her" Aurora patted her cheer captain's shoulder reassuringly.

"I'm not." Punzie shook her head, "I know we'll be able to really pull this off"

"Of course we will! Look around you; we're all more decently dressed than them."

"Because we're doing different things" Punzie smirked. "Anyway, the costumes are beautiful, Ro. Thank You" Punzie looked down at her long sleeved clothing that looked more petite than how a personal nurse's clothing normally is back in the day.

"Yes, they really are beautiful" Elsa stepped in and smiled at them.

All the girls turned around and gasped. Then, in unison, they began showering her with compliments that it's no longer comprehensive even if you listen closely. Elsa could only smile brightly in pure gratitude. She's used with the attention yet she's always been humble.

"That's my expression too when she got out of the bathroom" Ariel chuckled femininely.

"I knew the dress will perfectly suit her!" Aurora exclaimed.

"Elsa you're so pretty!"

"Jack will definitely fall for you now" Belle giggled.

As soon as Elsa heard that, heat crept up her cheeks and brightened up her faint make-up even more.

"Come on, Belle. Don't tease our Juliet" Aurora came near and draped an arm over her brunette friend. "But seriously, Els, you really are beautiful. You should have your hair down more often!"

"Th-thanks girls" Elsa smiled, "I only let it down for special occasions" she played with a blonde hair strand, twirling it around her index finger.

"Then consider everyday a special day" Belle advised and giggled. Elsa shook her head whilst she giggled along.

"Come on, cuz. Let's get some fresh air" Punzie walked over to Elsa and entwined their arms together as she lead her towards the staircase at the far-end of the corridor, "Just notify us when it's time!" Punz called out before she fastened her pace.

"Hey! What's the hurry?" Elsa smiled and just went along.

"You have no idea how nervous I am!" Punzie silently exclaimed as she skipped hurriedly.

"Oh come on, Punz! You gotta relax!" they arrived by the staircase near the fire extinguisher. "You are a great leader to us! Have you seen how well-put and amazing our last practice was?"

"Yeah I did...but that was yesterday! Today's different! What-what if a prop falls down?! Or worse—what if the backdrop falls over some actors?! Or someone forgot their lines! Or they forgot where they're supposed to go when the music cues in?!"

"Hey, Punz! Calm down!" Elsa placed her hands on her cousin's shoulders and straightened her, avoiding even a shake or stutter of anxiety. "Calm down...everything will go smoothly, just like we planned, you'll see" Elsa rubbed her shoulders soothingly.

"She's right, honey" a rather suave voice cut in. The girls turned around only to see a tall guy with broad chest and shoulders ascend up the staircase and walk forth to them. It's none other than the Basketball captain himself, Eugene Fitzherbert; Rapunzel's boyfriend of 3 years. His thin beard and charming smile made him more attractive and noticeable than the other Seniors on campus. That or his reputation had a greater impact on his popularity.

"Eugene!" Punzie quickly turned to him and pulled him for an embrace.

"Whoa! Blondie!" Eugene chuckled and looked down at her, as if she's a lint sticking on a tall beech. "Calm down, honey..."

"I can't!" Punzie buried her face against his ironed uniform and tightened her grip.

"Okay, let's go for a walk" Eugene bent down and carried her bridal style. Elsa looked at them, blushing at how sweet his gesture was. "We'll be back, Els" he winked at her before walking to the staircase leading up to the next floor.

"Take your time!" Elsa waved and turned around to look at the campus from bird's eye view.

From there, everyone on the grounds looked like ants. Or microorganisms under a microscope. Either way, it reminded Elsa so much of home. Back in Arendelle, she always chills at the rooftop of the castle where she can see pretty much everything and everyone. When her private classes are over, she'll always stay up there; enjoying the cool breeze, reading a good book, listening to music, sightseeing from afar and, most of the time during December and January, making it snow. The memories brought a smile to her already beautiful face.

Since it's only June, it'll still be 4 months before she can come back home for Halloween break and 2 more before the longer Christmas holiday. She sighed and felt homesick, suddenly missing all the big and small things from her hometown. Then she remembered what a good...well mostly good, experienceit has been at the academy that pushed her to continue.

"Elsa?"

"Yes?" Elsa turned around. As soon as she did, she and the person standing in front of her gasped simultaneously. Their eyes dilated as they observantly gazed at each other from head to toe. At that moment it's as if the whole world stopped rotating, if not slowed down, and turned back to the night that kept rewinding in their dreams almost every night ever since it happened. The sunlight served as the spotlight and the chattering from the other end of the hallway made the school-to-party transition all the more realistic.

"Jackson"

"Princess"

[ Elsa ]

There was a long, eerie silence after that. We both froze to where we stood, as if someone pressed the pause button on the universal remote control. Seeing this boy in front of me, unmasked, I just knew that it's him. I wanted to leave this place and try to turn back time to the moment when I danced with him: Jackson...Jack, oh whatever, just so I can undo what I did in the first place. I wanted to go back to that guest bedroom in Corona and just sleep the entire night, completely missing out what might be the most romantic evening of my life. I just wanted to be unaffected by this gravitational force magnetizing me to this masked guy who just happens to be the exact same guy whom I hated at first but now have special feelings for. The last thing I want is to deal with him being mad at me...again.

Suddenly, everything now fell into place. They are the same person, which explains why Jack looked so familiar from the very beginning, how his voice sounded like somebody else's, why I always remember Jackson in him and why I incredulously developed romantic feelings for him after all that had happened.

I reached deep down and took a courageous breath, "...Jackson..."

"Elsa...it's you..." Jackson/Jack stared deep into my eyes and slowly closed the distance between us. He had a soft expression that I can't seem to read properly.

I swallowed nervously and backed up to the railing, "J-Jack, I—

Someone whistled from the direction of the classrooms. I turned my head to the side and saw Eric, costumed in a red knight-looking ensemble, walking over to us. "Guys, it's our turn!" he gestured to the room. The Mojo's group was all in the process of exiting while some carried the props out and set it down on the tiled floor.

"What? But it's only been like 15 to 17 minutes!" I remarked. Yes, I guess I wanted to get this confrontation over with after all...

"Probably lack of practice that it just ended then and there" the raven haired boy shrugged.

I took a deep breath and reverted my gaze back to Jack. Brunette or silver-haired, either way, he still looks as handsome as ever. I glanced down at his costume, it looked like what Leonard Whiting wore in the 1968 movie but Jack's is less plump around the shoulder area. It looked medieval, yet it had a more modern vibe at the same time. I tilted my head back up again, viewing his oh-so-familiar and striking brown hair which really brought flashbacks. "Jack"

His lips curved to a smile, "Come on, Juliet" he gestured his head towards the classroom. "We'll talk later" he whispered. I looked down nervously to cover my blush.

I can't believe it, it really is Jackson! The guy I danced with, the guy I kissed, the guy who kept visiting my dreams, the one I've been looking for was here all along...and it took me all this time to confirm it!

We were about to walk when Eugene and Punzie came down from the 4th floor while holding hands. "Hey guys" Eugene waved at the three of us with his free hand, "Just wanna wish you all Good Luck. Your play is going to be amazing, I just know it!"

"Heh, thanks Cap" Jack smirked at him,

Eugene smiled at him, "It's nice to see you took the dye off, it might get bleached out by too much sweat once you return to basketball practice. Plus it's definitely missed"

"Heh. I can't wait!" Jack smirked even wider.

"Now go, go! We don't wanna keep Ms. Oceania waiting" Eugene let go of Punzie and kissed her forehead before jogging downstairs.

Punzie casually walked along. She didn't shudder one bit, thanks goodness Eugene calmed her down. Her worried nature is a force not to be reckoned with. "Ready for this?"

The three of us nodded with a smile.

In all happened too fast, next thing I know the conversation between Aurora and I ended and it's time for the next scene wherein the Montague boys will talk about breeching in their rival's party. My stomach churned all of a sudden, watching Jack play his part is breathtaking. He made all the right gestures that perfectly matched the deep English words he was speaking. His way of mingling with the other boys was all too natural and for a second there, you would think that they're just schoolboys talking about getting in trouble just for fun.

I glanced at our teacher, that smile never left her face ever since Scene 1. I have a really good feeling now. Turning to my cousin, I know she has the same thing in her mind. Besides Jack being Jackson, maybe the turning of my intestines is also caused by how Ms. Oceania condoned kissing both here and onstage...that is, if we get chosen for the Event.

The scene concluded and the props-men started changing the setting. They changed the backdrop from Verona Beach to a really grand-looking foyer that's painted by hand. They added the post and just set a large carpet on the tiled floor. Us actors took advantage of the time and got ready; this is the scene where we all have to look more exaggerated. I took my mask and placed it over my eyes, patiently watching the artists set everything up.

In the midst of it all, I felt someone behind my back..."Well, this certainly is déjà vu"

Jack. I took a deep breath and didn't face him, "How come?"

"Oh, you, of all people, know very well how come Elsa" his voice became deep and sarcastic.

I sighed and slightly turned, "Are you mad?"

"Why would I be?"

I blushed at the question and tried searching my brain for a logical response, but didn't find an answer. I made a bet that I'll never see him again even if I return to Corona, then again, I also said that I don't know what I'll bet if I ever did. I'm not sure if I should show off how excited I am that I had the chance to meet the man I danced with or if I should let him feel how nervous and scared I am. Supposed that that's the best night I've ever had, I definitely wouldn't be ashamed of it. What I am ashamed of, however, was how I ended it; that's the nerve-wrecking part. I'm not certain what Jack felt about that then and especially now that my identity's exposed.

"I...I gave you a peck" I said quietly.

"Elsa, I'm not mad for that" he placed an assuring hand on my shoulder.

I shivered in his touch, I turned around to face him nonetheless. He had his mask on and his entire look just made it all the more like I'm experiencing that night again. "But...but I kissed you!" I silently uttered in disbelief in response to his reaction about it. "And I-I shouldn't have done that, I'm sorry Jack. I really am"

He looked down at me and stared into my eyes again. "So it really is you..." he held his hand up and reached for my cheek, his thumb softly brushing against my skin.

"You know how awkward this is for me?" I fiddled around with a random sequin on my dress while my eyes remained glued to his.

"This is just as awkward for me as it is to you" his eyes appeared so light in contrast with his dark eye mask.

I bit my lower lip–hard. Seeing him with a mask, I felt invincible; I can do whatever I want because he doesn't know me anyway. That is the same thought that registered in my mind when I kissed him out of the blue. But now it's different, he knows.

"Why did you run away?" he kept stroking my face in a caring manner.

"Because I was scared" I admitted with an exhausted sigh.

"Scared? Of what?"

"That you'll yell at me for what I did"

"I would never yell at the small, graceful, petite girl I danced with" he smiled.

Before I can even reply to him, he pulled away just as Punzie called our attention to prepare for the party scene. I took another deep breath, hoping it'll calm down my nerves. I turned around and gazed upon the beautiful ballroom set in front of me, "Ready, Romeo?"

"Of course Juliet" he smirked and walked past me.

I went over to Ryan, who's playing Paris, and held onto his arm. He looked down at me and smiled as the music cued in and we slowly walked forth to our spot in the 'ballroom'. I looked all around, waiting for everyone else to get in position before I placed my hands on his shoulders and swaying just as the first music played.

Just like we practiced, I already noticed my Romeo eying me from the corner as he communicated with Marcus before he sneakily went all around the carpeted part of the room, striving to get near me. I listened to Philipp (Lord Capulet) and Eric (Tybalt) get their argument over with before I slowly lent Ryan over to Aurora, who plays my mother. I acted innocently and watched all the couples dance as I slowly backed up to the column placed on the very center of the platform in front of the room. I felt a cold hand grab mine, making me gasp.

The music slightly lowered down, Jack and I exchanged lines one another. He gradually revealed himself to the audience, slowly stepping beside me and away from the shadows. I faced him, "Saints do not move, though grant for prayer's sake"

This is the moment of truth. After that interrupted practice by Olivia days ago, Jack and I never spoke of it. We acted normal towards each other, especially during rehearsals. Every time we have to practice this scene, he only ever comes close enough so it'll look like we're kissing. Even all the scenes after that where Romeo and Juliet are scripted to kiss, he has never touched my lips with his, but everyone murmured that he should during the actual thing.

The question is...will he?

"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take" he softly held my cheek and leaned forward. I held my breath and closed my eyes as I waited for what's going to happen next. I waited and waited...but I didn't feel anything. I took a peek only to see that he moved his head to my right, in an angle that made it look like he kissed my cheek, completely obscuring the view to the audience. Only thing is...he didn't do it.

He pulled an inch away and looked at me again; "Y-you kiss by the book" I recited sarcastically, just to get the mood right. But deep down, I felt...disappointed.

Yes, I honestly assumed that he would do it. Like a hopeless little girl, I expected that my crush likes me back; that he reciprocates my feelings for him. Does this mean he doesn't? Or did he, but after he found out I'm the mystery girl he danced with he got turned off?

Elsa now's not the time to think about this! Light up! Jack and I fooled around as we got chased by Punzie all around the ballroom. When she did catch up to us, she grabbed me and forcefully separated Jack and I. She brought me to my mother who was with Paris at that moment. Jack looked at us in disbelief, the score becoming a melody for sudden epiphany.

"She's a Capulet..." Jack murmured, looking at Aurora, Ryan, Punzie and I standing abreast.

Punz whispered, "His name is Romeo. And he's a Montague. The only son of your great enemy"

The way Jack said his line and the way I stared back at him in appall was exactly like what happened earlier. This entire play was like an allude to our situation. We hated each other at first, but the reasons for which are contradictory. The dislike slowly dissipated and we warmed up to one another. We didn't dance, but we did meet in a ball and ended up sharing something special almost immediately. Then we had sudden realization of the truth. See how some of the moments and circumstances in the play are similar to our real-life encounters?

Lewis (Mercutio) and Roger (Benvolio) came in the scene and took Jack with them, forcing him that it's time to go home. Everyone distanced themselves from the carpet when I came sauntering over to the center of the platform. The music stopped and the fluorescent lights turned off, a single spotlight provided by the techies downed upon me, brightening up the sequins on my dress. "My only love sprung for my only hate, too early seen unknown and known too late. Prodigious birth of love it is to me that I must love a loathed enemy"

Afterwards, they turned the lights back on and the props-men hurriedly changed the backdrop from a ballroom to a balcony underneath a garden. I hastily took my mask off and fixed my hair. Not a second later, I went back to the platform and sat down on the side, near the drawing of the balcony. This is it...the first scene Jack and I ever practiced in front of our friends.

We did the balcony scene in an innocent manner. The same way we always do all the time, wherein there's a 'no space allowed' rule. I succumbed into every single one of Jack's touch, his cool palm sent a relaxing chill down my spine. The way he looked at me only made me like him even more. I kept glancing at our peers and our teacher just to see what their expressions are while watching us be touchy with one another. Good thing they are affected with feels because I am giving all I got for this guy. We finished the scene, still...no kissing.

As rehearsed, everything else went smoothly. We were right on time and only allotted a maximum of 5 minutes per scene, yet it still depends on how long and important that scene is. We decided to cut out the love-making scene because hey—that's inappropriate! Besides, what're Jack and I supposed to do then? We just didn't do it for the sake of diminishing any impending awkwardness. And yes, that was decided even before we found out about how we're each other's mystery dance partner. How coincidental, right?

Plenty of scenes came, backdrops changed, actors played, the music constantly transitioned from soft tones, to dramatic tenors, to thrilling action, and finally—it all came down to the sad blues of an orchestra.

I lay down on the propped bed they made last minute. I closed my eyes and pretended to be lifeless. I didn't hold my breath, the thick blanket covering my body made my breathing unnoticeable. Just as the music died down, I heard something drop on the wooden platform and slow footsteps after. "Ah dear Juliet...why art thou yet so fair?" I felt a hand ran through my hair, "Shall I believe that unsubstantial death is amorous..."

I noticed Jack's silhouette hovered over me through my translucent sight over closed eyelids. He sat down on my side, bent down and let our foreheads touch. He whimpered like a cute puppy, "I still will stay with thee. Here, here will I remain" he sighed sadly and embraced me. I felt his other hand let go, meaning he's reaching for the small bottle in his pocket. He faked a sad cry and nuzzled my neck solemnly, sending more electricity down my stomach.

He sat up and held the bottle to his mouth, "Oh true apothecary!" he gulped down the liquid inside the small bottle which was only Sprite.

I slightly opened my eyes to watch him. He faked a choke and fell on top of me, quite hardly if I may add. He suddenly leaned forward...what happened next was something that I least expected he'll do. He pressed his thin, soft lips against my flushed cheek. I forced my eyes to stay closed and pressed my lips hard to stifle a loud gasp. I felt butterflies again and my cheeks heat up. His lips lingered longer than I anticipated it to be. The crowd cheered in awe and excitement, even Ms. Oceania squealed despite how the scene's supposed to be tragic.

When Jack pulled away, he whispered his last line to my ear, "Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss, I die..." he took one last breath before collapsing on top of me.

Now, it's my turn. I shifted in the bed and slowly fluttered my eyes open. I smiled out of instinct, seeing Romeo sleeping is obviously a good sight for Juliet...until she finds out he has no pulse. I sat up and caressed Jack's cheek, "My love..." I mumbled and shook his face to wake him up.

A few more rubs later, I gasped and got panicked since he won't respond. "R-Romeo!" I started sobbing as I shook Jack more abruptly. Realization dawned and I made my cries louder. The next line after this meant that I'll have to kiss his lips. I bit my lip and just winged it. I glanced at the rubber dagger on Jack's side; I immediately took it and held it up to my chest, "O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rust and let me die!"

I stabbed it against my chest. I gasped in pain and slowly fell on top of Jack, my head resting on his chest. I felt his left hand brushed against my back, slowly rubbing it. I wonder what that was for...

The music died down. On cue—Meg, who was the narrator of the story, took the spotlight and walked on the very center to capture everyone's attention. "For never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo..."

When the bright light turned off, a round of loud applause came after. I slowly pushed myself up and looked down at Jack with the faint light coming from outside. He returned the gesture and looked up at me as well.

"You kissed me..." I muttered softly.

"I guess now we're even" he smirked.

A/N : I didn't put too much attention on scenes I already elaborated on in the previous chapters, hence Elsa's summarization. I also didn't put too much importance on some scenes that involved minor characters more than Romeo and Juliet/Jelsa because it'll only prolong everything more than how it already is. Hope that's fine with you...

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this! Expect a lot more Jelsa moments in the next chapters. I also want to apologize for the long wait; I'm just really busy with school right now.

Don't forget to leave reviews! Thank You for the love guys! :)