Chapter 14

(Jack's POV)

"Hold the phone," I held up my hand. "I have three questions: One; why are you here, Sandy? Two; How did you do that thingy with sand, three; is Jake really your father and finally, WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE?"

"That's four questions," Merida pointed out.

I gave her a look.

Sandy took a deep breath and golden sand once again formed on top of his head.

I am also a Guardian, it read. Your Guardian. Your mother sent me here to protect you. I can do this because I am the Guardian of Dreams. I form beautiful dreams through my sand. And yes, Jake really is my father. He is the Brother of the Sun, that's why my sands are so golden. But the Brother of the Moon (North calls him The Man in Moon), chose me to be one of the Guardians. Now I give dreams to children at night.

"I guess that kind of makes sense," I said after reading his explanation. "Well then, what about my Dad? He's also a Guardian, isn't he?"

Yes he is, Sandy replied. Xerxes re-created him to be the Guardian of Frost.

Wow. This is big; why didn't he tell me?

We were a family. Families weren't supposed to keep secrets from each other. We were supposed to trust each other, love each other, and protect each other. Ever since he got that new job as a dentist when I was thirteen he was almost never home. He would come home without even looking at me. I grew more distant from him as the years went by; to the point where he was a stranger to me. The only time he talked to me was when I got a bad grade, or when I do something wrong. He'd tell me to be a man or grow up. He'd call me stupid, ignorant, and more.

And every time he said those things, it was like a knife stab to my heart. So I hardened myself. I stopped crying, stopped caring, and stopped loving.

Since I lost my father's attention, I started craving for attention. It so happens, that every girl in Europe found me "attractively hot". I fed off their attention. I took a different girl out every single week. They practically worship me; I don't care.

As for my Dad, he never cared in the first place.

(Rapunzel's POV)

They droned on and on. I was getting more and more sleepy. A fact about me: I am not a night person, nor a morning person. Unlike my mom who was definitely a morning person. My dad was a night person.

I guess I didn't possess any of their traits.

Ugh they were talking forever. Whatever; I'll just go to bed and leave the rest to the boys.

I stood up and silently walked over to where Kaira sat.

"Hey," I whispered. "I hope you don't mind, but do you have an extra bedroom to spare? I can barely keep my eyes open."

Relief passed over her face and I could tell she was getting bored of this as well. She smiled and stood up. "Follow me," she replied.

We tiptoed away the living room and she said, "I'm going to get a drink from the kitchen first. Want some?"

"Yes please," I replied. She took out two bottles of beer and handed one to me.

As we sat there sipping, she broke the silence first.

"You're lucky to have him as your boyfriend," she winked.

I choked on my drink. "Boyfriend?" I sputtered. "I don't have one."

Kaira lifted a perfect brow and said, "Jack isn't your boyfriend? I could have sworn he was by the way he was looking at you."

I felt a blush creep from my neck to my face. "We're just friends," I said quickly. Were we? If we were "just friends" then why did I keep getting these weird feelings in my stomach? Why does my brain get jumbled up when he's near?

Stupid teenage hormones.

"So you don't feel anything towards him whatsoever?" Kaira asked. "Not even a tiny like?"

"Nope," I lied. "Just friends."

She smiled again but this time in a strange way.

Then she quickly stood up. "Come on then. Let's get you cleaned up and ready for bed."

In the midst of all the excitement I had forgotten about myself. I followed her to the bathroom and she said, "The towels and extra clothes are inside that cabinet," she pointed at the far end of the beautiful bathroom. "Your room will be up the stairs, and it's the first door to your left."

"Thank you," I said. "This has been a long day and this is exactly what I needed." I smiled gratefully at her and she smiled; her beautiful face lighting up along with it. Then she walked out and shut the door behind her.

I sighed and went to the sink. I looked up later with a horrified look on my face.

I looked like I went through a tornado with a bird building a nest on my head.

My blonde hair was a mess. My face streaked with dirt and tears.

Man it's so horrifying I don't even want to describe the rest. I stepped out of my clothes and took a shower. The warm water was heaven and I stood under it for a full thirty minutes. Then I stepped out, dried myself with a towel, and put on the clothes Kaira left for me. Then I brushed my teeth three times and headed up my room.

I heard voices as I passed the living room, but my ears were in we-want-to-sleep-so-shut-up mode. I passed by Merida in the kitchen and I muttered a "goodnight". Then I trudged up the stairs and found the room Kaira told me. I entered, dumped my stuff on the floor, lay down on the soft, nice, bed, and blacked out.

I woke up the next morning to some person trying to break the cement. I could hear the machine going RRRRRR and it was annoying as Barbie. I tried blocking out the sound with my pillow, but it was no use. I finally grunted in frustration and dragged myself to the door.

I opened the door and there stood Jack with his arms crossed over his bare chest.

I desperately tried to keep my eyes on his face.

"CAN YOU DO ME A FAVOR AND MURDER THE IDIOT WHO'S WORKING AT THREE IN THE MORNING?" I practically yelled. Then I clamped my hand over my mouth.

Oh my google! I didn't even say good morning!

But Jack just stood there amused. "First of all," he chuckled. "It's three in the afternoon. Second, it's not a person working. It's Corwin sleeping."

My eyes bulged. "How on earth does he snore like that?"

"He's a demon," Kaira said as she walked up the stairs. "Demons should win a giant golden trophy for loudest snorers."

Then she walked up to Jack and put her hand on his bare chest. It seemed… intimate.

WHAT. THE. HERSHEYS.

I then realized what Kaira was wearing. It was a button-up shirt that reached a few inches below her thighs, showing A LOT of her legs. I gathered that was Jack's shirt. I felt my brain blank out.

Wait a minute. Did she and Jack..?

NO, RAPUNZEL. Don't go there.

I felt something in my chest. Okay, did my heart just shatter to pieces?

I felt disgusted and horrified. How could I like Jack in the first place? I let myself feel too much. It was a very stupid crush. Jack must have seen the look on my face because he suddenly looked anxious.

"Rapunzel?" he asked. "Are you ok?"

I felt tears prick my eyes and I forced them back. Why am I even crying over something that isn't mine? We're just friends after all. So why did I feel so jealous?

"Yeah I'm fine," I snapped. "I'm just tired of seeing old, wobbly, senior citizens right now." I stared pointedly at his white hair. It was really childish and stupid, but it was all I could think of at that time.

Jack opened his mouth to speak but I slammed the door in his face.

Ha. Take that Jack Frost.

I sighed then walked to my window. It was overlooking the pool and I could see Xerxes and Hiccup down there, splashing water at each other. Then the glass door below me opened and Merida walked out.

Wait WHAT?

IS THAT A BIKINI?