Chapter 2: This Mess We're In

I think I felt my heart skip a beat.

I'm standing here and I can hardly breathe.

You got me... You got me...

...

"He did what!?" Rapunzel shouted.

She instantly remembered the fact that they were in a library. Rapunzel looked around her. Some of the students were already looking at her like a complete lunatic. Tooth was even covering her face with a book. Rapunzel let out a sigh and made a bow in front of the watching students. "I- I'm sorry."

After apologizing to the disturbed students, Rapunzel immediately turned her head to face Tooth who was still covering her face with a book. Rapunzel rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Unbelievable."

"It's true. He offered me his handkerchief." Tooth whispered.

"Okay fine, I'll believe you. Only if, you return him his handkerchief and he will nicely accept it." Rapunzel replied with a raised eyebrow.

Tooth sighed heavily. She knows that she could never do that. She'll just stand like a stone and freeze her tongue when she's in front of Jack. She knows that yesterday will be the last time she'll ever talk to him.

Tooth just massaged her temples. "I don't think that's gonna happen."

"What? Why? Come on Tooth, this may be the start of a new relationship." Rapunzel said and did her undeniably puppy eyes.

"No Punz, I won't." Tooth stated and continued to read her book.

"You can't."

Tooth sighed again. Yes, she can't.

The two girls suddenly stopped what they were doing as a boy suddenly caught their attention. Then the girls immediately watched the soccer field from the window beside them. Jack Frost. Chased by the school guard, again. They even heard Jack shout "Peace out sucker!" to the guard.

"Jeez, so early in the morning and he's already in trouble. Are you sure Tooth?" Rapunzel said with one eyebrow raised.

"Hey Rainbow, saw your video." A boy with blonde hair suddenly butted in and sat beside Tooth. 'Great, it's Tuffnut.'

"What video?" Rapunzel asked confusingly.

Tooth buffered for a second and a flashback suddenly played on the back of her mind. 'Oh, that video.'

"You looked really great with the water on your face, huh!?" Tuffnut continued and showed the two girls the viral video saved on his phone where Astrid poured water on Tooth's face.

Rapunzel's confusion escalates. "What the! I think this is completely different from what you told me. Cut the jam Tooth!"

Of course, she didn't want Rapunzel to know and so she lied. While they were talking fifteen minutes ago, Tooth made up a story and told Rapunzel that she was just being clumsy and accidentally poured water on herself, which was why Jack offered her a handkerchief. But now, Rapunzel knew the truth.

'Lying is really a hard thing for me but still I get caught. All my hard work!' Tooth groaned on her mind.

"Hey everybody, give it up for Rainbow!" Tuffnut shouted which made the library go wild. All the students laughed at Tooth. Sandy, enjoying his sleep, bolts up awake, disturbed by the loud laughs of the students. Tooth wanted to walk away but Tuffnut held her arm strongly. She was already shaking like a leaf.

"Stop, you're hurting me!" But Tooth's voice was drowned out by the noise of the laughing students.

"Wait! Listen up everyone." Flynn suddenly came in and went near Tooth.

'Oh please, not Flynn. Not now.' Tooth was already getting teary.

"Let's not forget the last five seconds of the video." Flynn shouted.

Tooth and Rapunzel immediately grabbed Tuffnut's phone and watched the video till the end. Tooth's eyes widened. The part where Jack offered her a hanky was included in the video, although their conversation couldn't be heard anymore. Tooth didn't know if this was supposed to make things better or worse.

Flynn started to sing. "Tooth and Jack, sitting on a tree—"

"Will you stop it? Let's go Tooth!" Rapunzel said and held Tooth's hand.

"Tooth!" Flynn called one more time. "Are you really Jack's new girlfriend now?"

'I wish' Tooth was even starting to feel excited of the idea but now was not the time to go crazy on her crush. Tooth didn't answer anymore and left the library along with Rapunzel.

Tooth was crying while they were walking. The students would stare and laugh at her as she passed the corridors. Tooth didn't know what to do anymore.

Finally, Rapunzel and Tooth reached the roof deck. Tooth was still crying. Rapunzel couldn't stand to watch her bubbly friend cry. Rapunzel just hugged her tightly. She didn't know the right words to say, but there is one thing she knew. She never deserved to be treated like this.

"Tooth!" Aster suddenly came, trying to catch his breath.

"Hey, how did you find us?" Rapunzel asked.

"I just had a feeling." Aster replied, continually panting then came near the two girls. "Hey Tooth, you alright?"

The two looked at Tooth with so much concern. Tooth was just constantly wiping the tears falling from her eyes.

And then, Tooth laughed it off.

The other two looked at each other with confusion and the thought that Tooth has completely lost it.

"I'm fine. Just sweating through my eyes." Tooth said as she stopped laughing.

"Now that's just gross. But seriously, do you want me to punch that Astrid's face or cut all her hair?" Rapunzel said as she cracked her knuckles. That was no joke. She was so mad that she could do both at the same time.

"I'm fine guys, really. You don't have to do this." Tooth said. Even though she knew she wasn't alright.

"That woman is crazy! Pouring water! And then posting it online!" Aster shouted angrily as he was kicking the wall.

"Uhuh, thanks for summing that up Bunny. Anyways, don't worry Tooth. I'll also pour water to her face later. I promise." Rapunzel said with a smile.

"Don't Rapunzel. You'll only make things worse. I'm fine guys. This is just a lemon. You know what they say, when life gives you lemons you gotta—"

"Squeeze them into another person's eyes!" Aster shouted, his right fist smashing the wall.

"No Bunny, make a lemonade! So how about we have lunch outside? My treat." Tooth beamed.

Rapunzel and Aster just smiled back, although they really knew that Tooth was still hurting inside. A fake smile was always her specialty. Always trying to hide all the pain.

...

"I'm glad I lost that old man." The white haired boy told his self.

He was on his way to the roof deck with an energy drink on his hand. That place is where he and Flynn would always hang out. Whenever they would ditch classes, or get into trouble, this is where they would hide.

"I'm fine guys, really. You don't have to do this."

Jack suddenly stopped halfway the stairs as he heard a familiar voice. No students ever hang out on the roof deck except for him and Flynn. Jack went curious and so listened to their conversation.

"That woman is crazy! Pouring water! And then posting it online!"

Jack suddenly remembered the incident from yesterday. Astrid.

...

"Come on, classes are about to start. Let's get going." Tooth said and the rest just followed her back.

While walking through the corridors, the three stopped as they heard a sudden commotion. To their surprise, it was Jack and Tuffnut.

"Tuffnut! What is going on?" Astrid suddenly came and stopped the two guys.

"Give me one reason for me not to hit you right now." Jack said to Astrid as he pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled heavily.

"What in the world has gotten into you?" Astrid yelled.

"Oh look! Rainbow is here!" Flynn shouted. Jack shot Flynn a deadly glare and nudged him hard with his elbow.

The people around them started to laugh as they turned their eyes to Tooth.

Tooth was emotionally exhausted. She was so ready to drop! She was really having a bad day and she just wanted it to be over. Tooth started to walk back but then a cold hand suddenly stopped her. It was Jack.

The students suddenly became quiet. Jack pulled her hand and brought her closer to him. Tooth didn't know what she was supposed to feel, scared or happy.

"Listen everyone! Ruth is now my girlfriend!" Tooth's eyes widened as she heard those words from the mouth of the person next to him. "So whoever hurts her will have to come through me!"

Those words surprised everyone who had listened. Even his best friend was shocked, but Flynn knew Jack. When he made up his mind, there's no one stopping him. Even though he was against Jack's idea, he just let it ride. Knowing that Jack would just knock him out when he stops him.

But of course, Tooth is not Flynn. The girl looked at the blue eyed man, visibly confused. 'What on earth is he talking about?'

"Let's go Ruth." Jack said and grabbed Tooth away from the students.

Tooth didn't know where they were going, but she just followed silently. Tooth couldn't believe this happening herself.

Finally, the two got into the back of the school. It was only just the both of them there.

Jack immediately faced Tooth which made Tooth feel awkward. He didn't say a thing. He just looked at her face. He knew she was scared and hurt. The two just stood there for a minute until Tooth decided to break the silence.

"What you said—"

"Don't get the wrong idea. I just... don't want to see a girl crying because of me." Jack said, avoiding to look at her lilac eyes.

"Yeah but—"

"Just shut up and feel protected. I won't take back what I said. So if that Astrid, or whoever bastard does something wrong to you again, just tell me."

Jack looked deeply into Tooth's lilac eyes. And that made Tooth feel protected. His mesmerizing blue eyes made Tooth clinch the deal. Then a warm smile started to form on her face.

"Whatever you say Jack. But, my name is not Ruth. It's Tooth."

Jack's ears turned red, embarrassed. Tooth didn't mind it anyway. She knew Jack wouldn't know her name. She's just a nobody.

Jack ran his fingers through his hair. "Just... run to your next class, you're already five minutes late."

"Oh shoot! I have to go!" Tooth said and immediately ran.

That made him laugh. Jack just watched the small figure slowly disappear. When Tooth was completely gone, Jack decided to ditch classes again and went straight to the roof deck.

...

Flynn was on his way to the roof deck. He knows he'll be seeing his best buddy there, letting off steam.

"Hey,"

Flynn saw his pale best friend laying his body on the floor as a bird rested on his right hand.

"You look pensive." Flynn sat two meters away from Jack. He threw a soda to his friend and Jack instantly caught it. "A penny for your thoughts?"

Jack didn't move an inch and not a sound left his mouth. Flynn decided not to add any foolish questions and kept his mouth shut. He just drank his soda and checked his phone for any messages.

After a few minutes, Jack let out a heavy sigh. "Women."

"Uhuh." Flynn rolled his eyes.

"I just—"

"Hey I understand man. It's a guy nature. When you see a girl cry because of you, you just... uummm... have to be a man?"

"It's all because of that woman!" Jack said as he stood up and wiped the dirt away from his pants.

"Woman... who?"

"Astrid. It's all her fault. She's such a pain."

"Don't stress yourself man, you'll lose your looks." Flynn tried to joke.

"Whatever. I'll just— I'll leave now." Jack said and immediately left the place.

"Hey wait."

Jack stopped.

"You better know what you're doing Jack."

Jack sighed then turned away in frustration.

With heavy steps, Jack walked through the corridors with his hands on his pockets. The students would just look at the boy. Others would look at him like he was a predator, others would look at him like he was a dreamy model, and others would look at him like he was a cool rock star.

Every student knew Jack. The son of the very successful Frost Incorporated owner. Frost Inc., the well known toy factory inside and outside Burgess. Jack knew the way of life he's living. Living in a big mansion, waking up seeing the press outside your house, going home without being greeted by your parents. Jack was used to it already.

"Jack! There you are." Jack turned to see his History teacher walking towards him. "Oh hey Mister Gobber."

"Where were you an hour ago, Jack? Ditching classes again ey? Sorry to tell you lad, but you're failing my class. But, I'll give you a remedial test next week. I just want to make sure you'll pass the test. So I decided that you must have a tutor. Lucky you boy coz I happened to have an extra hour every afternoon. So, what do you think Jack?"

Jack's eyebrows were crossing each other. 'Oh man, there's no way I'm spending another hour in this hell.'

"Sorry to tell you lad, but you're gonna need a tutor. I'm telling you boy..."

Jack was thinking of an excuse at the back of his mind. There's no way he's spending his afternoon with mister Gobber. Jack looked around and from the corner of his eye, he saw Tooth.

Tooth was just reading a pocket book as she was slowly walking in a world of her own. Before Tooth realizes what's happening, she suddenly feels a cold hand around her waist and it pulled her.

"Tooth! She'll tutor me!" Jack said to Mister Gobber. Tooth was completely confused at the moment.

"Really? If it's okay with miss Toothiana then—"

"Of course. Tooth would love to help her boyfriend. Am I right Tooth?" Jack turned to look at Tooth with a smirk on his face.

Her face was heating up so fast that it was about to blow up right in front of Jack. 'Stay cool Tooth. Keep calm'... 'what was he saying again? Gosh I forgot! Tooth, pull yourself together!'

Tooth mindlessly nodded.

"Boyfriend!? Miss Toothiana, I—" mister Gobber stopped, decided not to jump into conclusions. "Oh well, good luck Tooth. I expect Jack to pass the test. Bye then."

"Y'can let go of her now, mate." Jack jumped at surprise to see the taller man behind him.

"Bunny?" Tooth was also shocked.

Jack rolled his eyes and let out a sigh. "Kangaroo." Jack whispered to his self.

"What was that mate?" Aster was looking pissed and Tooth knew that look.

A gentle touch from Tooth reached Aster's arm. "Bunny, why are you here?"

"I'm here to pick you up." Aster replied and immediately grabbed Tooth away.

Yet Jack stopped them and grabbed Tooth's other hand. "She's coming with me. She's my new tutor."

Aster looked at Tooth with a very angry expression.

Tooth let out a heavy sigh then a warm smile suddenly formed on her face. "Mister Gobber assigned me to be his tutor Bunny. It's okay. I can go home by myself. Tell Punz for me, okay?"

Aster hesitated to leave Tooth with Jack, but what could he do? He knows Tooth would just get mad at him if he won't listen to her. With a heavy heart, Aster nodded then stormed off immediately.

Tooth sighed again. She knows she has a lot of explaining to do sooner or later. Tooth then decided to move on and turned to Jack. "Jack wha—"

"Come on." Jack said and walked away.

Tooth's feet seemed to have a mind on its own. Without even knowing, her feet started to move forward as if it was magnetized to Jack.

After a second or two, Tooth just found herself walking beside Jack.

"Where?"

"I won't learn anything when I'm in this place, too many ugly people. So you'll just tutor me at my place."

Tooth froze. Her mind was buffering... 'his... place?'

xxxxx

How was it? :D Anyways, song above is "You Got Me by Colbie Caillat"