The teacher droned on and on, oblivious to the fact that half of the class was asleep. Jamie stared out the window, a rather crestfallen look written on his face. He didn't even hear the final bell of the day ring, and it was only after Caleb hollered in his ear did the boy return to planet earth.
"What's up with you? You look as though you just lost a dollar and found ten cents!" said Claude.
"Nothing's up," Jamie replied, his voice lacking the usual enthusiasm as he packed his stuff and prepared to leave the classroom.
"Oh, sure, nothing's up. Which is why you're looking like the saddest person in this world," Caleb said, before reaching forwards and grabbing Jamie's arm. "Come on, dude! Cheer up! It's almost Halloween and... well, I guess you don't really get all enthusiastic over Halloween, but still..."
"Caleb. Just leave him alone."
Jamie turned momentarily and shot Pippa a grateful look before catching up with Sophie. In silence, they hurried to the bus stop where they bumped into Emily. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it immediately upon seeing their faces. Jamie and Sophie boarded the bus quietly, but upon reaching their home, Emily got off, too.
"What do you want?" Sophie asked, a little too harshly.
Emily shrugged. "Just to tell you not to be too chagrined. Seriously, both of you seem at the depths of despair!"
"Let's see if you wouldn't be if you got rejected just like that!" Sophie snapped, as the siblings walked up to their gate. Jamie eyed the front yard and his heart sank to the bottom of sneakers and stayed there. Fall had brought with it the annual shedding of leaves, which meant there was raking to be done. And as usual, every year, that dratted cat from next door would just ruin all his efforts.
Emily laughed out loud, much to the Bennetts' surprise and annoyance. "It's like, your first rejection," she said. "Some authors and illustrators have been rejected more than ten times. If every author or illustrator is like the two of you, there wouldn't be books and publishers in this world!"
Sophie glared at her. "Thanks, I feel so much better now," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Are you suggesting we try someone different?" Jamie asked.
"I'm suggesting an agent. Or self-publishing. It all depends on you. I must be going," Emily responded, before hurrying off. The siblings watched her run down the road and turned down another, disappearing from their sight before they entered the house.
Mrs. Bennett had returned early from work that day and was seated in the living room, reading. She looked up when they came in. "Sophie, the costume shop doesn't have that bunny costume you were looking for. Well, they have one, but nothing that fits your description. And Jamie, are you still trick-or-treating?"
Jamie shrugged. "It's fun. And how is it wrong to be a child at heart?"
"I didn't say it was wrong," Mrs. Bennett replied, putting down her book. "I just would appreciate it if you didn't fantasise so much. Still, are you sure about that costume of yours? It sounds too simple."
Jamie grinned. "Don't worry, I'm pretty sure about it."
"And the lawn needs raking."
"Is it really necessary?" Jamie asked, putting on a desperate look. He glanced out of the window , and made his mother look at the leaves strewn across the lawn. "It actually looks so pretty, so postcard-worthy!"
Sophie burst into laughter, but hurriedly covered it with a fake cough, as she made her way up the stairs. Mrs. Bennett was firm. "On the contrary, it is such an unpleasant sight. You will rake it." Her tone was final.
"Can't Sophie do it?"
"She can help you out." Mrs. Bennett pulled on her coat. "I'm going out. Dinner's on the table."
After a dinner of pasta leftovers from the previous night, Jamie began raking, his mind reeling as he thought about his first rejection. He had been forewarned, but it was still disappointing. He recalled something he had read somewhere; about an author's book being like their first-born, and to send their child out to be judged, criticised, and rejected; it would hurt. Though, Sophie thought it was ridiculous.
A gust of wind blew, blowing away the raked leaves and scattering them on the lawn once more. Jamie turned and glared at Jack. "Are you just trying to get me into trouble?" he said, bitterly.
Jack's eyebrows arched questioningly. "What's gotten into you today? You seem pretty down in the dumps." He moved closer to Jamie, scanning the boy's face, but the latter turned away before throwing the rake onto the ground.
"Think you can just blow all these leaves into a pile?"
"Sure. Move aside, or you'll get swept up as well." Jack grinned at Jamie, but the boy couldn't even crack a smile.
"I don't mean a big wind, I mean..."
"I know. I was just trying to... never mind."
Once all the leaves had been collected into a pile, Jamie slumped down on the lawn beneath a tree, leaning against its trunk. Jack flopped down beside him, causing the boy to pull his coat tighter around him. "What happened?" Jack asked, concerned.
"I got rejected. I mean, we got rejected." Jamie gestured at himself and at the house, indicating Sophie.
Jack laughed out loud, earning himself a glare from Jamie. "You think it's funny?"
"No, but it's just one rejection." The winter spirit held up one finger. "Just one. And you're going into depression? Missing out on all the fun? Next thing you're going to tell me is that you're going trick-or-treating on Halloween? I mean, I'm not the spirit of Samhain or whatever, but..."
"One says it all," Jamie cut in, hugging his knees and staring at the neatly-raked pile. "Let's just say I want to forget all about it."
Silence hung over them for a few moments before Jack spoke. "I guess... it's just a matter of belief. Like you believe in me. In the other Guardians. And you strived to make Sophie believe again after she stopped. I suppose if you believe in your tale, someone else will, too, sooner or later."
Jamie didn't respond immediately. Jack flew off and returned a few minutes later, handing a list to Jamie. "Took me a while to get into your room, but I think you should view this and... try again." He smiled encouragingly. Jamie surveyed the list and crossed out a name at the top.
"And what if another rejection comes?"
"Then cross out that one and proceed to the next."
"And what if I get through all and still... nothing?"
"Then make a new list. This is just a distilled version, isn't it?"
Jamie couldn't help but grin. "You have experience in this field, Jack?"
Jack shrugged. "Guess I'm just naturally brilliant."
Jamie stuck out his tongue playfully at the guardian of fun before hurrying indoors, calling out to Sophie.
I'm so sorry for this very-late-yet-still-very-short update. I have an exam next month but school has been very kind (surprisingly), but I haven't. Once again, I apologise.