#Chapter 23: It's Because of The Rain

Third Person's POV, Two years later

Beth and Jack kept in touch through the months. Well, technically Jack was the one who did. The platinum blond did talk to him every once in a while, but a very long while. Sometimes Jack had to wait an weeks for a single text.

Beth wondered if Jack had forgotten the promise they made two years ago to take his mind off of her, but then forced herself to believe that that wasn't worth her time, and just enjoyed her time in college. She was going to graduate in a year and she couldn't wait for that degree in her hands

'The Big Eight' changed back to 'The Big Seven' after Beth was no longer part of it, but she still contacted with the members. Now she was a lot closer with a guy named Wilbur Kennedy, a transfer student from Minnesota majoring in Engineering. They did everything together and was rarely seen apart, like how friends were.

It all started two weeks ago when Wilbur was caught red handed stalking beth all day in the university dojo, watching her busting Japanese martial arts' moves after college hours. He ran off to escape, but the girl appeared in front of him from another hallway and smacked him with a round house kick in the face

He had to stay in hospital for a week because of the impact. Beth realized the misunderstanding and apologized countless times, even visiting every time she had the chance. But after each visit, they got to know each other more and it was never without a bit of laughter.

Wilbur once requested Beth to teach him her combat skills, and in turn Beth wanted him to teach her guitar. Usually, the two would train in the garden near the pond, but today, Wilbur wanted to show a place that no other student would dare come to due to ghost rumors. So the two planned to go to that exact location

"Okay, classes are done for the day! I'll remind you that you all have an entire day of Study Hall tomorrow since teachers will be busy. I want the research to be submitted next week and I'll appreciate it if there are no excuses," Tadashi's voice boomed. Students grumbled as they packed their bags

Jack stayed sat in his seat, still busy filling today's agenda to be sent to Mr. Bunnymud and preparing the schedule for the coming day

At times during class he would sneak a few glances at Beth, and the girl would catch him doing it. He curved a smile for her, and sometimes she'd smile back a bit, or just turn her head back to the computer screen like nothing happened.

The silver-headed teacher took in the passing days calmly, at least he seemed to be. But inside he was sad, furious, and confused. It's been two yeas since their last fight and this was how she's acting around him. He kind of felt that he deserved it though, since he hadn't apologized to her for his attitude back then.

'Gosh, girls are so unpredictable. Maybe she's on her period or something? Argh, they're so complicated,' he wondered as he watched the girl on his kind walk out if class.

"Yo Beth!"

Jack turned his head to see a boy around his age approach Beth with a wide smile. The girl smiled back, an infuriatingly genuine one, and gave him a hug

"Wilbur! Watcha doing here bro? We don't have training today remember?" she broke the hug and playfully punched his shoulder, making him wince.

"Ack, you still pack a damn good punch! Anyway, are you free right now?"

"Nope, why?"

"I wanna show you something. Come with me." He grabbed her hand and the two strided pass the students.

Jack stood, staring behind frozen like a statue as they got further and further away. They were holding hands. They were laughing. And Jack didn't like it. His heart was stormy and roaring with angry sparks and a lot of jealousy. He was never treated by Beth the way she did to Wilbur, and Jack had put far more effort to trying to get closer than he did.

Jack maintained a bored poker face and headed to the teacher's room. He didn't have time to think about this. He had a schedule to finish

Beth's POV

Wilbur keep tugging my hand with his as we went up the stairs, heading towards the top floor of the university, on their way t the abandoned, forgotten, and mysterious part of the campus where rumors about a ghost who shed tears and scared the guards because they're lonely took place. I wasn't a person who cared to believe those kinds of rumors so I wasn't afraid

"Hey Beth, you believe in those ghost rumors on this floor?"

"Of course not! Why do you even ask?"

"Glad I'm not the only one," he said. "I've asked the guards this morning and even they told me that it's just bullshit."

We laughed as we walked in one of the rooms. There were several broken chairs and splintered desks, but the center of the room was large! Wilbur went to the side of the room to swipe open the ragged curtains, revealing a clear view of the dark clouds that piled outside, signalling for a heavy storm to come

"So, why did you take me here?"

I heard a chuckle. "This will be our new training room! Like it?"

"I don't know Will, this place is cool, but kinda unsettling at the same time. It's cool that we can train in private without anybody seeing us, but what if we get caught by the security guards? I mean, this is a restricted area. I've spent three years here and I don't want to spend the last in jail."

"Don't worry! The guards here are my pals after you. We're lucky to even be allpwed to walk into this room. And come on Beth, do you want to spend the rest of college life like a robot? Studies aren't everything. There's gotta be times where you forget that and live a little!"

I laughed to his words. "Alright, if you put it that way!"

The moment after I said that, the rain came and we hurriedly ran downstairs, but were held up by an ocean of students who hadn't gone home yet. Thankfully, we made it to the front of the university right before we got wet

"Just great, I don't have an umbrella," I cursed looking through my bag.

Wilbur searched his own bag but couldn't find an umbrella either. We decided to just wait the rain out. Fifteen minutes passed and the shower of water thinned to a drizzle.

Suddenly, a tune of Shania's 'Don't Be Stupid' played in the campus. Our art teacher Ms. Fairy was seen waltzing in the rain with our very, very, very equally beloved teacher Mr. Bunnymud. He seemed a bit grumpy though, not that he was ever seen smiling anyway. I then heard the sound of a violin, and spot Hiccup and Mavis dancing together along the music with violins in their hands.

( watch?v=eDzXGUl-fzE)

You're so complicated

You hang on my shoulder when I read my mail

I don't appreciate it

When I talk to other guys you think they're on my tail

"Y'know, since the exams are over, this calls for a celebration," Wilbur declared. He then turned to me, his sleeve grew darker as more spots of rain touched the fabric. "Care to dance?"

"I think I have to pass. Not a good dancer."

"Well since I'm a guy who doesn't take no for an answer I'll take that as a yes."

I get so aggravated

When I get off the phone and I get the third degree

I'm really feelin' frustrated

Why don't you take a pill and put a little trust in me

And you'll see

Before I could protest, Wilbur curled his fingers between mine, and he pulled me into the dance. I was a little annoyed of being forced into it, but I slowly followed along since I liked how cool the rainwater was as it lightly drummed my skin. The wind made it freezing, but refreshing all the same, like being washed from troubles from my head to my toes

Don't freak out until you know the facts

And relax

Don't be stupid, You know I love you

Don't be ridiculous, You know I need you

Don't be absurd, you know I want you

Don't be impossible

When Wilbur and I, along with others did a perfectly synchronized jump within our dance, the students cheers got louder.

I'm mad about you (I'm mad about you)

Can't live without you (Can't live without you)

I'm crazy about you (I'm crazy 'bout you)

So don't be stupid, You know I love you

I tightened my grip over Wilbur's hand and our feet matched to a giddy rhythm below the dripping sky. We inevitably attracted attention, but instead of being stared at awkwardly, most students joined in and their own feet danced, the rest watching in amusement

Stop overreacting

You even get suspicious when I paint my nails

It's definitely distracting

The way you dramatize every little small detail

Don't freak out until you know the facts

Relax-Max

The audience were clapping and cheering with joy as they sang along the song, except for those people who had their bad day

Don't be stupid-you know I love you

Don't be ridiculous-you know I need you

Don't be absurd-you know I want you

Don't be impossible

I'm mad about you (I'm mad about you)

Can't live without you (can't live without you)

I'm crazy 'bout you (I'm crazy 'bout you)

Don't be stupid-you know I love you

In the middle of my dance, my eyes caught a flash of silver, and I immediately stopped.

There he was, leaning to a wall with his eyes downcast, letting his hair cast shadows over his face. There was an air of gloom and sadness where he stood. I just wondered if it was because of how horrible he looked right now. His complexion was like fish paste, and his eyes had dark circles. The color of his lips were dull, almost blue. There wasn't a jacket or coat to keep him warm and he tried his best not to shiver. It was too unusual to see him with his lips straight and not the usual charming smile that always found it's way to catch my attention.

I knew that what I did to him wasn't the nicest thing, but it was for the best. Rapunzel loved him, and I didn't want to be the hurdle between their relationship. At times I got depressed that I couldn't allow myself to talk to Jack for my best friend's sake, but if I didn't want to lose anyone dear then this was what I must do. I'd do anything. Because it's not just about my friends. It's also because...well, that's another story to tell for another time.

But now I couldn't help but feel guilty seeing him this way, and wondered if maybe what I did was wrong. Maybe there was a better way than to set us apart. Something better than just glancing at him for a moment before forgetting his entire presence.

Jack caught my stare and directed his blue eyes to mine. Not even his eyes glowed in their usual gem-like shine. They were like looking into a flashlight that died a little slower, showing me how shattered he was inside. But I looked away knowing that that was better to care. He got the message and wrinkled his nose at me before walking out with a black umbrella in hand towards hid car. To be honest, I wanted to chase after him since he wasn't in good health, but I shrugged off the motive

'There's no time for guilt, Beth. Remember that you're doing more right than wrong. Just enjoy life,' my mind nagged as I moved along the beat of the song with Wilbur till the end. My hair gleamed slightly at the ends from the drops of rain.

Don't be stupid...

Pippa's POV

I creaked open the door of my brother's room, and intentionally made the sound obvious enough for anyone to hear. But my brother ignored me as always these past months and worked on exams that would be used later. He had always told me and Anna that he's fine, but I could see for a fact that he wasn't. He looked twenty ages older and was always tired. He avoided family dinners often. He would barely sit for a chat with any of us and head straight for work after he arrived home. One time, I asked him to play with me, bur he walked past me like I was a mere ghost

His sleep schedule had gotten worse too, usually going to bed at midnight or even past that. At times, I heard a loud screeching from his bed or a deep thud, probably him falling off his bed. Twice, when I came down for a late night snack, I met him in the kitchen with his hands reaching here and there like a zombie. I felt guilty seeing him like that, and hate it even more that Jack wouldn't let any of us help. There was something bothering him and all we could do was to watch him from a distance

I kept staring at him for five minutes straight, making noises from the door some of the while hoping to get a reaction from him, then gave up and went back to my room to do homework

Anna said that I didn't need to care anyway since I wouldn't even understand what his problem was. But after further, forceful persuasion, the strawberry blond gave in and spilled everything

"Promise to not tell this to any living soul! You got that?!" I nodded jerkily. Anna massaged her temples, took a moment to mumble 'he's gonna kill me for this', then began filling me in on Jack's Blue Period issue

"Jack's got a huge thing for this girl named Beth. Things were smooth in the beginning, until my friend Rapunzel, who told me last year that she fell for Jack, which is total bullshit, made an agreement with Beth to stay away from Jack. Beth accepted since she didn't return Jack's feelings and ships him with Rapunzel, but I doubt that."

"Rapunzel later realized her mistake and she hasn't friggin' apologized to Beth about it. So now Beth and Jack's relationship is wilting under a storm, because Beth thinks that the agreement is still on and Jack's miserable out of his mind and got his feelings trashed for no reason. It got so bad that the others didn't know what to do anymore and hoped for the best. They need some time right now"

"But I guess Jack is kind of at fault too. If he had the guts to confess his feelings then things would've been so much easier."

So, in one summary, Jack was madly in love with an oblivious, dumb girl when it came to feelings. I bit my lip, not too sure how to handle that kind of situation, but I was going to help him, silently. This Beth girl needed to par for what she put my brother through.

And I'll make sure of that.

AANNNDDD CHAPTER 23 IS OUTT! HOPE YOU ENJOY IT MUCH X) I decide to update two today as extras since I missed almost a year here, IM SO SORRY ONCE AGAIN MAKING YOU WAIT X( gosh, I felt guilty much T_T

till next update, once again I hope you enjoy this very much and don't forget to read again from the beginning :) if there's mistakes please tell me and comment also how do you think of this chapter! I really looking forward from you readers! :D