Jack tilted his head in thought. It was slightly easier to see, knowing he had already seen them once but it didn't stop the tension in his stomach of what he knew would come.
One year had passed and the beauty of fall was covered with a blanket of winters finest. Six year old Jack was sitting in the snow, looking to the front of his wood house, a slight frown on his face.
"Jackie?" A soft voice whispered to him. Jack turned his head to a concerned looking Lily.
"Mama hasn't been feeling well." He mutter softly. "Her tummy keeps hurtin and she looks like she is in pain all the time."
"Dont worry Jack. Your mamas gonna be fine." Lily patted his head twice before flopping down next to him, hissing as snow seeped into her clothes. A few minutes later the doctor walked out with a wave to Jacks father.
"Come in kids. It's getting colder outside." Jacob ushered the two six year olds inside. Cody was sitting next to his mom who was laying on the couch. Jack hurriedly ran to her and frowned at her small wines of pain.
"Is mama gonna die?" Jack yelped as Cody hit the back of his head. "It was an honest question!"
"She's not gonna die you dummy!"
"Children, calm down. I'm fine." Jacks mother chuckled. Jack just pouted and leaned against her thigh.
"You guys will need to stop fighting. Especially with your little sister coming along." The room was silent before Jack jumped up excitedly.
"REALLY?! I GET TO BE A BIG BROTHER?!"
"Yes Jackson. You get to be a big brother." Jack cheers happily and started running around the room. Lily giggled at him, also cheering.
"Finally another girl!" She paused before looking at Jacks mom. "I had to wait six years for that?!"
Bunny let out a loud laugh, Sandy giggling silently, Tooth smiling and Norths booming laughter. Jack smirked to himself. He was a lucky guy then.
"I like her." Bunny said making Jack snort.
"Sorry fluffy, she's mine." Bunny laughed but Jack narrowed his eyes in seriousness. "Haha yeah but seriously. She's mine."
Jacks teary eyed face made the Gaurdians frown. What was going on? Jacks dad was going off to war. Jack is eight years old now, his sister is 2. She didn't know what was going on other then everyone was sad.
"Dad, why are you going?"
"It's my duty to protect my family, but an honor to protect my country." Jacks dad answered sadly, squeezing his eldest sons shoulder. Cody had a brave face on by you could tell he was hurting.
"I want to go with you." Jack cried, hugging his dad's torso.
"Jack, son, I need you here with your mum, Cody and Emma. I need you to protect them. Can you do that for me?" Jack sniffed and looked up at his dad, eyes rimmed with red.
Tooth frowned. Asking a child to do that was harsh. But asking the youngest son to do that was harsher on both boys as each want to represent their household.
Jack nodded his head in confirmation. "I will dad, I promise!"
A small scream of 'NO!' Echoed through the night. Just down the road, Lily was sobbing her heart out, her older sister holding the younger girl to her chest as their father kissed each head before turning and leaving. Jacks dad said one last goodbye before following his old friend. That was the last time either family saw them.
The next scene was just as dark if not darker. The war was over, ending in 3 waves. The whole town was gathered in a field behind the Church. Two families stood out the most. Jack was leaning against his mother, staring silently at the gravestone in front of him. Cody was holding Emma, eyes blank. Emma just didn't understand what was going on, the four year old was too young to actually know her father was gone.
A few feet away, Lily and Katie were standing side by side watching over their own grave. Danny was next to her, hugging the youngest girl lightly.
"Why did he go Katie?" Lily whispered.
"Because he wanted to protect us." Katie answered, choking in a sob, being strong for her sister. Lily sniffed and wiped her nose.
"He didn't have to,"
"We need to be proud of him Lily," Katie scolded lightly.
"I was already proud," Lily shrugged herself out of her sister and Danny's arms and walked to the grave, settling on the grass. She picked up flowers and started making a crown. Jack sat next to her and rested his head on her shoulder. She finished with the two crowns and placed the, each on their fathers grave.
"I miss him," Jack whispered, eyes squeezing shut. Lily hummed softly and gently petted Jacks head.
"Me too,"
It was silent for a few seconds. Jack had leant back and let Mother Nature comb her fingers through his hair. Tooth wiped her tears and frowned.
"I'm so sorry Jack,"
"It's ok," he whispered, rolling his back. "It was a long time ago,"
The next scene started two years later. Jack and Lily were 12, Emma was 6 and Cody was 15, Katie being 16. Jack was hiding behind a bush, peeking over it to glance at something.
"What are you doing mate?" Bunny asked. Jack flushed and bowed his head.
"You know she won't notice you if your hiding here," Jack jumped, turning to see Danny and Charlie staring at him in amusement.
"Shh! She could hear you!"
"I wonder who that could be," Tooth teased. Jack sighed and crossed his arms.
"Trust me, it's not what you think,"
He got confused expressions from the Guardians and pointed to the screen. "Just watch,"
The three boys turned to look at the girl Jack was stalking. She had blonde hair, cold blue eyes, a really thin waist and no blemishes on her seemingly flawless skin. That was Jessica Burgess. The founders daughter. She held herself in a confident manner with a bit of sass. She was the complete opposite of Lily. Jack sighed, almost dreamily.
"She's perfect,"
"Oi! What 'bout Lily?" Mother Nature chuckled and placed a calming hand on Bunnymunds shoulder.
Charlie and Danny exchanged looks before shrugging.
"If you say so man," Jack rolled his eyes but jumped as another hand fell on his shoulder.
"Who are we stalking?" Lily's excited voice rang. Her green eyes gleamed in the sun and her hair was staring to curl slowly. She gave a bright smile and snickered as Jack blushed bright red.
"Jessica Burgess," Danny answered, wrapping a friendly arm around her. Lily wrinkled her nose and glance at the blonde teen.
"Why?"
"Besides Jack's major crush on her? We have nothing to do," Charlie sighed. Lily just giggled and rocked back and forth.
"I have something we can do!"
The male trio blinked up at her and Lily handed them a little flyer with scribbled handwriting on it.
"They need people to do plays, ya know? For the kids while the parents have the meetings. Maybe we can come up with something!" She was practically bouncing with excitement. Jack chuckled and glanced over the flyer, an idea forming in his head.
"I'm in!" Charlie and Danny looked at each other and shirted before nodding.
"Yeah, could be fun!"
"Good! It starts tonight! Just an opening, nothing to big,"
Jack smiled before looking back over at Jessica. She was sauntering around, ordering little kids around. Lily rolled her eyes at his puppy heart eyes. She clasped him on the shoulder making the brunette boy jump.
"Since your my friend, partner in crime, amigo, ally, bro-"
"Get to your point!" Jack stressed, amusement shinning in his eyes.
"I will go get her for you!" Lily rushed off just as Jack realized what she said.
"WAIT LILS!"
"Burgess," Lily called. Jessica turned but a sour look came upon her face.
"Why are you talking to me?"
"Trust me, I wouldn't if it wasn't important," both girls were glaring at each other. It was safe to say they highly disliked each other. Jessica crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.
"What do you want Hunter?"
"Jack wants to talk to you," Lily nodded to the frozen brunette boy who's face turned rather red. He gave a half wave and awkwardly walked toward them. Jessica eyed Jack up and down before pulling a seductive smile. Jack gulped and smiled nervously, completely missing the sad look Lily threw him before she walked away.
"Jack...I am so confused," Tooth rambled to herself, eyeing the screen. Jack sighed and rubbed his hands lightly.
"I thought you liked Lily?" North said, confused like the rest of them. Jack nodded.
"I did. It's just...complicated,"
Jack and Jessica walked around the town and talked. Jack had a natural flirty nature and Jessica ate it up with her own comments. It was getting later into the night and Jack was sitting on a log, acting out a scene of one of his pranks. Jessica giggled and ran her hands along his arms. He didn't realize it had gotten so late that he missed the show.
"Jack your so funny!" Jessica batted her eyelashes. Jack grinned and rolled his shoulders.
"I am the comedian of the group,"
"I can-"
"JACKSON THOMAS OVERLAND!" A voice yelled loudly. And it was angry. Jack saw Lily stalk toward them, eyes furious.
"I should head back home," Jessica said, standing and dusting dirt off her shirt. Jack quickly stood and nodded.
"Yeah sure uh-"
"Jack, we need to talk," Lily's voice was hard. Jessica saved and shouldered Lily harshly before walking away.
"I really don't like that girl," Tooth huffed. Mother Nature nodded in agreement.
"What do you want Lily?" Jack growled at the girl. Lily just narrowed her eyes and punched him harshly in the shoulder. Jack yelped loudly and clutched his arm. "What the hell?!"
"You left me! And for what?! An afternoon with her!" Jack glared and walked straight up to Lily, towering over the brunette.
"Don't talk about Jessica like that!"
"She is trouble Jack! You said you were going to do the show!"
"I didn't promise,"
"So now you have to promise to do something? Oh and guess who had to get Emma from the primary today," Lily crossed her arms. "You know Cody doesn't have time for that! He's too busy working on the fields to get money for you and your chatting up Burgess!"
"If Jessica likes me then I can marry her," Jack blurted out. Lily paused, eyes going wide and she took a step back.
"What?"
"If Jessica likes me, I can marry her," Jack said slower, not believing the words coming out of his mouth. "I can use the money to help mum and Emma and Cody wouldn't have to work anymore,"
"Jack what about everything your father taught you? You don't marry for money, you marry for-"
"For love?" Jack snarked, shaking his head. "No one marries for love Lily! Times are getting harder and I don't have a time for love. If I get the chance, I will marry Jessica. Then maybe I can get out of this hellhole,"
"Jack your father-"
"My father is dead!" Jack screamed. He turned to Lily and bunched up his fists. "He's gone and he isn't coming back. Nothing he said matters anymore. Nothing matters anymore except protecting my family! So butt out and leave me alone," Jack shoved Lily to the ground making her grunt. Lily looked into Jack's hateful eyes and felt tears come into her own. Jack realized what he did and gaped, blinking fasts.
"Lilly I-I didn't-I-"
"I get it Jack. I'll leave you alone but don't expect anymore from me," Lily stood, wiping tears from her eyes and tossing a bag at him. Jack grunted as it hit him square in the chest, the small clings of money making him blink. Looking I'm the bag he gaped at the couple of pounds in there. He looked up ready to call for her but Lily was already gone.
"Ah fuck," Jack sighed, rubbing his eyes.
Everyone was silent. Jack had covered his face and bowed his head. Just seeing it again made him feel like shit.
"Frostbite...," Bunny shook his head, looking at the winter spirit.
"It's alright," Tooth cooed softly. "Everyone makes mistakes,"
"I was so angry and sad...I...I felt so bad about it,"
Mother Nature rubbed his back and motioned to continue the memories.
Jack was out with Jessica again but he didn't look that happy. She didn't like pranks and wouldn't let him do them. They were walking along the roads when loud shrieks gained their attention. Emma, Jack immediately recognized, Cody and Danny were running. Another figure followe soon after. Jack hadn't seen Lily since that night, two weeks ago. But he can see her now. She had her same brunette curls and her eyes, instead of tears, they were bright green and full of mischief. She was beautiful. Even if she was covered in dirt and Jack had a sickening realization.
He was in love with her.
"That's not good," Jack whispered to himself.