Hatsu Yukiya struck a deal with me that she'll update her To Have a Home story fast if I update this fast. This is going to put a lot more pressure on me, but whatever.

Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians.

Jack frowned tentatively. "Are you sure?"

Baby Tooth nodded and squeaked firmly, showing that she wasn't about to change her mind. She had managed to tell Jack she wanted to go to school with him, as it was her duty to watch over him. However, Jack had other ideas, claiming that "school was hell, teachers were Satan, and the students minus him were the demonic minions." However, she could tell that she was gradually getting through to him.

Jack sighed, admitting defeat. "Fine, but there are a couple conditions. First, don't go randomly flying off without me knowing, and second, don't look at me when I change clothes in PE."

Baby Tooth nodded. She could live with those rules.

The badminton unit started in PE on Monday. Cici, proving to be good at any existing sport there was, had no problem with the end of dodgeball. Jack, on the other hand, failed to even have his racket impact with the birdie more often than not.

"You told me this was easy!" he accused his friend.

"It's not my fault your coordination is terrible!" she shot back.

"In my defense, tennis rackets are much bigger than these flimsy things."

"But they're heavier."

"I don't mind heaviness at all."

"You sure?" Cici teasingly poked one of Jack's skinny arms. "Your skinny figure says otherwise."

"Hey, I'm stronger than I look. I broke Samson Fisher's nose once, and I wasn't even hitting him as hard as I could," Jack said irritably. "In fact, I think I could've knocked him out if I punched harder."

Cici sighed. "I would normally ask you to prove it, but that would be a terrible idea."

Jack opened his mouth to retort back when he thought he saw a camera flash to his left. He looked around, but saw nothing out of place.

Cici noticed this. "What's the matter?"

"I thought I saw something... I must've been imagining things."

Baby Tooth frowned. She knew Jack could not have actually been seeing things, because she actually saw the flash too. She looked around, but couldn't spot anything. She shrugged it off. It couldn't be anything important, right? Besides, she and Jack had much bigger problems to worry about. Also, she couldn't help but be a little concerned with how Jack's blonde friend kept on looking at his shoulder while conversing, which was where the tiny fairy was located. It was extremely rare for a teenager to keep believing in the supposedly mythical childhood legends, so this Cici girl must've been looking at something else... Was she?

"Okay, so to bisect this angle, we need to divide the angle degree number by two, and use this protractor to draw the line, right?"

Jack was asking this partially because he genuinely wanted to make sure, but also because he wanted to see if Cody would speak to him. He hadn't heard the antisocial boy speak at all during the past week, and while working on this project, it was only him talking and mostly him participating. It was dumbfounding how Cody didn't seem to care about this at all (since the teacher was cruel enough to actually make it a big part of their final grade), but then the surprise ceased. After two or three days, it became just plain irritating; Jack was not happy that he had to work his butt off on one of the subjects he hated most, especially since someone else was supposed to be helping him. But he kept his mouth shut, since he most likely wouldn't even be here by the end of the school term, and wouldn't have to worry about grades and college and stuff. It didn't help ease the annoyance though. If Cody knew about how he felt, then he certainly didn't show it. He spent everyday in that class either staring out the window or at Jack. His expression never changed; it was always an emotionless face plastered on that pale skin. Jack knew he didn't have anything to be afraid of, but Cody definitely would take home the medal of knowing how to make someone, even Pitch Black, squirm.

Cody was staring out the window at the moment, and he didn't even turn his head as he gave a subtle nod to Jack. Well, he wasn't exactly talking out loud, but that little reaction was better than nothing, Jack decided.

Lunch soon came, and just as Spencer had said, Zander was completely fine. In fact, he acted as if he didn't just storm out on everyone on Friday. Jack suspected that Spencer may have had something to do with his brother not saying anything about that particular day, but he knew better than to ask aloud.

Before Jack knew it, it was performance art class period. He wasn't going to say it out loud, but this class was fun...somewhat. The teacher, Miss McCarthy, wasn't too bad either, other than her psychotic claims of being a distant relative of Paul McCarthy.

Class started off with further announcements about the middle school play. Jack learned that the singing part of the class were going to perform first, with song covers, while the dancers choreographed. Then came the play, and the makeup artist section was just going to help out behind the scenes.

"We need to create a banner, so if you know anyone taking art, ask them if they can do it," the teacher informed. "Also, acting section, have you figured out what you want to do for the play yet?"

"Not yet, Miss McCarthy," the acting representative, a girl named Crystal, replied back with a slightly sheepish tone. "But we'll have one soon, we promise."

Miss McCarthy sighed. "I'll trust you on that, Crystal. I don't know the exact date for all of this, but either way, you'll need something soon. Now, about our class representatives. I haven't chosen who they should be yet, but I should by the end of the week." She turned to Jack. "Since you're new, I don't expect you to know what I'm talking about. Every year at the middle school, we need two students to introduce everything to the audience."

Jack paused for a second, blinking. "You mean hosts?"

"I wouldn't say exactly hosts... They simply introduce the performances and entertain the crowd while everyone else gets ready."

"...Those are hosts," Jack couldn't help but deadpan.

"I think Jackson should be a host!" raven-haired Flo Robinson piped up suddenly.

"He would be a great one!" redheaded Bo Robinson agreed.

"Just think of how gorgeous he would be if he was one!" blonde Jo Robinson sighed dreamily.

Jack rolled his eyes while Baby Tooth glared daggers at the Robinson triplets. Miss McCarthy simply ignored them.

Jack suddenly realized something. "Wait, aren't there other periods for this class? What about them?"

"Starting next week, all periods meet up here after school to prepare," Spencer explained patiently.

Out of the corner of Jack's eye, he noticed Anton roll his eyes and mouth, "Duh." He was promptly ignored.

Once everyone got into their respective sections, Crystal immediately began questioning everyone else in the group. "Does anyone here have any ideas for the play?"

"Me and Spencer came up with some," Zander spoke up. "But they're either cliché or just terrible."

"Hey, I don't think the spy one was that bad!" Spencer protested, but then paused. "Okay, so maybe there are a ton of better ideas out there..."

The football game Jack had been anticipating for all weekend finally came. Of course, he was only going to see Ariel, but still. Needless to say, he caught himself spending most of the entire hour-long game staring at her, and he was almost sure that Zander noticed this, judging by the way he kept on sneaking dumbfounded glances and frowns at Jack and Ariel, while Spencer was trying to focus on the game, but got distracted by Cici multiple times.

Once the game was over, Jack immediately got up and went down the bleachers toward Ariel's direction, ignoring the twins' stares. Once she was in earshot, he called out, "Great job!"

She smiled back at him, and once he approached her, she replied, "Thanks, Johnny." She looked over his shoulder. "I see you've brought company."

Zander crossed his arms and glared at her. "His name is Jack."

Jack looked at him and Spencer. They followed him? He brushed it off, and said, "She can call me Johnny... I don't mind."

Zander shot him a look of disbelief. "You're kidding me, right?"

Spencer, not wanting any storms to start brewing, took his brother's arm and dragged him over to Cici so they could chat with her. Ariel's gaze followed them. "Your friend Zander doesn't seem to like me very much," she remarked.

"I know. He doesn't even bother to hide it," Jack said back. "I don't get it. What's his problem with you? You seem perfectly fine to me."

"Oh, yeah, that. We dated back in our sophomore year."

Jack gape like a fish out of water. "...What now?"

"You know him more than you know me, so maybe you should ask him what went wrong, 'cause I honestly don't know."

Jack thought for a bit. "Why don't you come sit with us at lunch tomorrow? Whatever happened between you and Zander might've been something huge, but I don't see why he wouldn't forgive a girl like you. Maybe you guys need to start hanging out again."

Ariel waved his request off. "Oh, no, I couldn't..."

"Oh, come on! I came to your game because you wanted me to, so you have to pay me back!" Jack joked.

Ariel rolled her eyes playfully. "Fine then. I'll see you tomorrow at lunch." She waved goodbye and left.

Jack was about to go over to where Cici, Zander, and Spencer were, but as he turned, he became face to face with Zander, who was showing no emotion whatsoever. While Baby Tooth laughed, he yelped out, "Quit it! Why do you keep on doing that?!"

Zander ignored Jack's question, and said in an equally unimpressed voice, "Why'd you just invite her to eat with us?"

Jack frowned, recovering from his shock. "'Cause it's the nice thing to do. Whatever grudge you're holding against her, you've got to let it go."

"Look, I'm not one to bear a lifelong grudge against someone, but Ariel is different," Zander sighed exasperatedly. "It's true that the two of us were kinda an item two years ago, and there's a reason why I dumped her. You don't know who she is, Jack. You've gotta trust me on this."

Jack's frown deepened. "Well, maybe she's changed—"

"There is no way she has."

"Come on! Just give her a second chance! Please?"

Spencer suddenly appeared behind his brother and said, "I'm all for second chances. Loosen up, bro."

After much hesitation, Zander finally gave in. "Fine," he said flatly. "But that doesn't mean I'm actually going to talk to her."

Jack smiled at him gratefully. "Thanks."

Samson took the camera from Anton and smirked, "I can't wait to see the look on Overland's face once he sees this."

Anton crossed his arms. "Yeah, you're welcome."

"Oh, shut it." Samson took the camera roll out of the camera, and added, "It'll all be worth it once you see the look on Overland's face."

"I'm back!" Jack called out as he entered in through the front door.

"Oh, dammit!"

Jack stood still for a minute, then marched upstairs and opened Jamie's bedroom door. The younger boy was sitting on his bed, legs extended, laptop on his lap, hands guiltily covering his mouth.

"Jamie, did I just hear you say what I think you said?" Jack deadpanned. He didn't wait for an answer, though, and immediately continued, "I hear you say that word one more time, and I'm going to skin you and dance on your grave."

"Sorry, Jack..." Jamie mumbled sheepishly. "I just got really frustrated and it just came out..."

"What got you so peeved?"

Jamie turned the laptop around so Jack could see the screen. "I was trying to look up what this neighborhood used to be before all these houses were built... You know, since you have all those weapons in your room..." he said that last part quietly.

Jack blinked. "If you wanted to know, then you could've just asked me. I have been around for 300 years, you know."

"Okay, then what's the answer?"

Jack shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know."

"You said you knew!"

"No, I said you could've considered asking me as an option. Doesn't necessarily mean I can give you an answer. Besides, I wasn't just talking about this; I was talking about Burgess history in general."

Jamie simply shot him a "Really?" look.

This isn't my quickest update, but it's slightly faster than the last few ones. Yeah, suck that!

When I first put up that bisexual Jack poll, it got fifteen votes on the first day. Now that I have a new poll up, I only got a total of seven votes throughout the week. Um, wow, okay, are you guys trying to tell me something here? Did you really just forget to vote, or do you simply think that Jack's sexuality matters more than my future writing? Not cool or funny at all, guys. Don't take my current bitchy attitude personally, 'cause I'm just tired right now. Being tired makes me irritable (It's been a slow week).

By the way, I made a Facebook page. If you have a Facebook, go ahead and like it. The link to the page is at the bottom of my profile.

Reply time!

Hatsu Yukiya: Due to me using your little bookworm, it's only fair if I let you use my little Italian-speaker. Now that that's out of my system, where's my To Have A Home? Hm?

Writeous: Ariel isn't meant to be a likable character. I hate her too, so you're not alone.

Gamma Cavy: That's a good idea, actually... Though I picture both Scott and Samson to be stubborn fools and refuse to believe they'll get hypothermia until they actually get it.

Dude: I know Tooth can speak all languages, which is why I called it a canon. I don't call it a headcanon. There's a difference between those two. And that bi/lingual thing was something I did on purpose. 'Cause I'm a troll. :P No, Zander, Spencer, and Christine aren't committing suicide (Christine isn't even that important of a character). And Jack had headphones because that was part of his outfit. I know I didn't specify this, but I change his clothes once in a while. I was picturing him to have headphones that day. And I guess he would listen to music like Angel With A Shotgun by The Cab (which really fits him).

Derp: It's a Shugo Chara one-shot. Search up Red Valentine, and narrow down the results till you see something written by LuvMeOrHateMe.

Maddie Seth: LOL You'll like most of the headcanons I've come up with then... Headcanon: Jack can't tell Caleb and Claude apart. Headcanon: Pippa has a tiny, secretive crush on Jack. Headcanon: I don't think it's possible to have 300 years of agonizing loneliness and still be completely sane, so Jack's kind of crazy. It's subtle, but it can be seen when he's handling a chainsaw.

agent000: It's still a while before Jack gets his powers back, but things are going to start deteriorating pretty soon. Definitely in the next two chapters.

Mystery Girl Who Writes: He's not in a hurry to find anything out, and as you saw, he's having trouble doing research.

.latchem: I honestly don't know what's up with that room either, but I only included that part in for laughs. I didn't think it would get so popular.

RandomKrazyPerson: Thank you for considering our Naruto collaboration. You're the only one so far.

Kaylessa: LOL OMG That made me laugh so hard. I'll make sure Scott gets what he deserves. I promise you that.

Sorida: FINALLY SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS. I was worrying that I was alone on the Asian jokes thing, haha. And that 'made in China' joke is a good one. ;D

girlygurl720: I put humor in every story I write, since it just naturally comes to me. If FanFiction allowed us to put a third genre, it would definitely be humor.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Review once more!