Disclaimer: Disclaimed and I don't own Dirty Little Secret nor Break Your Heart by All-Americans Rejects and Taoi Cruz respectively.

Spoiler: Spoiled

A/N: To me, this isn't a filler chapter. I want to bring to attention more of Melanie's character and don't you all think that this could be the perfect backdrop to a romantic moment between Melanie and Jack? ;)


Chapter 8.5: (Melanie's P.O.V.)

I woke with no one next to me in the morning. My nightmares still plagued my mind but to a lesser extent before Jack came. I looked up and checked the time. Six forty-seven, the time for me to get ready.

I got out of my bed grudgingly, the warmness left me quickly. I was warmer in Winter's arms than in my own house! That was just sad. To routine, I shrugged off the chill and walked to my miniscule bathroom.

My bathroom was tiny, but it had all of the necessities. My soaps (vanilla scented for now) and creams (mango body butter for this month, maybe coconut the next?), shampoos (mango scented currently) and conditioners (your regular conditioner), assortments of brushes and hair ties though they were unnecessary since my hair was short. I looked at the mirror and to my surprise, my hair wasn't that messy! Couple knots and unruly hairs which could be regulated easily were there but other than that it was fine.

I fixed myself up slowly making sure to take care of my appearance and cleansed my face as per schedule. Got to keep up my regimen otherwise I'll break out which would be hor-ri-ble! I checked myself and deemed myself worthy to exit the bathroom before I changed anything.

I walked downstairs and saw the clock on the wall stating that it was already seven ten. I strolled into my kitchen and saw that my dad was already at the island sipping a cup of joe. I smiled my sweet good daughter smile and kissed him on his cheek. "Good morning Daddy!"

He still looked tired and just a little bit sick but he smiled brightly and returned the good morning. "What are you planning on doing at school today, Mel?"

"Well," I started while grabbing a glass of water and a piece of toast. I never was a big eater for breakfasts. "I was planning on doing the usual. Talking to my friends during class, not listening to the lectures, flirting with the boys, that sort of thing you know." I winked at my father at my joke.

His chuckle was a low one in his morning voice. He did a hand motion showing that he wanted to know what I was actually going to do. He was such an overprotective father but I can't blame him. So much of the world could be dangerous for me and he just wants to protect me. I'm Daddy's little girl of course!

"I have an English poem about myths due soon. It's free-verse and we have three classes to brainstorm our ideas. Then another two to write it then we have to read it out to the class for marks."

I took a bite out of my toast as I waited for his response. My father was a great believer of myths when he was young apparently. When I was little he'd tell me stories of Santa, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, the Groundhog, Jack Frost and Cupid. My favorite legends he has told me were about Sandman. How he delivers dreams visiting each child at night. I remember trying to stay up for an all-nighter to see the Sandman and thank him for his job. I'd always fall asleep before I got the chance to though; a total hash tag little kids problems.

However my favorite mythological character right now has probably got to be Jack Frost. His eyes made me shiver. His hugs made me want to die out of joy. His jokes were loveable and his smiles were fall in love worthy. Although, that is the one thing I won't do. Falling in love; I've seen what love can do. Sure it's great but only at the beginning. Look at my parents, mom ditched, dad left with child. I don't want to be a part of that so why does my guard always fall around Jack?

My father's words brought me back to the conversation. "Myths huh? Well you know our town library has an extensive collection of legends. Maybe you could check it out along with the kids you watch over or with you friends or with Clark?"

Clark was one my best guy friends. People say boys and girls can't be friends. Well, Clark and I defied that saying a long time ago. We met a few years back, I think in grade five? He transferred in from somewhere up north. He had short light brown hair which he gelled every morning. He has big blue eyes and his skin is like brown sugar. Delectable and sweet are the words my friends use to describe him. I typically use flirty and teddy bear if I were to depict him in two words. He looked so huggable just like a teddy bear or a little brother! He doesn't do the half-smile Jack does so smoothly but he does have his heartbreaker smile. The way Clark's eyes crinkled with his upturned lips, the raised cheeks with his high cheek bones, and the twinkle in his eyes that show you that if you fall for him, you'll only get burnt but he'll still want you to fall. I always told him that "Break Your Heart" by Taoi Cruz featuring Ludacris was his theme song.

"If you fall for me

I'm not easy to please

I might tear you apart

Told you from the start, baby from the start"

The cold chorus of the song being my main point in why this should be Clark's theme song. In even platonic sense, he is fickle! He wants what he wants and won't settle for less. I've been through that road many times and I never want to go back to it again. When he even gets a little less than he expected, his snobby prince side comes out. He's a special child you know?

During my thinking I replied to my father, "Yeah, I'll visit the library soon for more info!"

I finished off my toast and water. I was just about to gather my belongings for school before I heard my father's murmurings, "I could have sworn Jack Frost has visited this town many times over this past week…"

I froze then hoped my dad didn't catch my sudden halt in movements. He noticed Jack's arrivals?! Darn it, how could he? Father was asleep for the two meetings we've had. I just had to hope that if Jack visited again, we had to be more vigilant. I can't have overprotective dad crossing the line of mama bear protecting her young this soon in the game. That would be mighty awkward for all of us for dad to catch Jack in my room at night and heartbreaking if he banned Jack from making his nightly unplanned visits.

I went to gather my belongings and checked on the time. Seven forty-five, boy does time past by fast! I grabbed my pink winter trench coat with white fur around my fluffy hood. It had brown buttons and a bubblegum pink belt. It nearly reached my knees! I wrapped my red wool scarf snuggly around my neck and stuck my raspberry coloured beanie hat on. I fit my feet into my good old winter boots, dark brown and was half way up to my knees. You could barely see my personal ripped jeans under my whole ensemble! I was wearing yellow leggings under my light blue jeans to give it some pop. My shirt was an off the shoulder black sweater with thin white stripes encircling my torso. I was very proud of my outfit!

I yelled good-bye to my father and re-checked the time again. Seven fifty. Now I could take a nice stroll to my school instead of my usual rushed pace!

I stepped out of my house with my white mitts on and I breathed in the stiff air. Winter came when the air became stiff and there's a feet of snow everywhere. I examined my surroundings as I marched myself to school. It was like Winter Wonderland! There were beautiful icicles everywhere and untouched snow lay like big chunks of cotton balls. Snow suddenly started to fall gently on me and I looked up. I squinted against the harsh morning light but I saw a figure dance in the wind. Jack, I thought happily.

"Mel!" I heard someone screamed out.

Clark came out from behind me grabbing my gloved hands. He wasn't wearing any; he detested any sort of protective hand gear unless it was for a fashion statement. He gripped my hands tightly and smiled a toothy smile. He looked stylish as usual. Baggy jeans that sagged in the right spots, he wore a belt so he wasn't low riding to many girls distaste, a sleek winter jacket and a forest green beanie hat. Ha, that reminded me! It was beanie hat Tuesday. I'm glad I remembered unconsciously. This tradition started a while back. We actually went to our town's mall and bought matching beanies to commemorate our friendship. Clark's idea not mines.

We walked to school while holding hands as per usual like little 5 year olds all innocently and we chattered about useless subjects. When we landed on the English assignment, he asked me what my subject was going to be.

"Why do you want to know? You wanna do the same thing and show me up?" I said as if that was his motive. God knows it wasn't but alls fun in jokes!

"Oh yeah! You know that's what I want to do!"

I laughed and replied, "I think I'm going to do mine about Jack Frost. Y'know since its winter and all."

"So Melanie's going festive huh? Then I'll counter it! I'll do mine on… um… what's the opposite of Jack Frost?"

I laughed again harder. "I don't know! Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you! You are competition after all."

We had this friendly competition on whoever gets the higher grade buys the loser a treat. Usually I won but the rare chances that he wins; he always makes me buy the most expensive things just to rub it in my face!

"Hmph! Fine, be that way!" he replied in an angry voice.

I knew by the way he held himself that he was joking around. I squeezed his hand and he returned the grip meaning that he was just joking around. I bumped him on the shoulder and he cracked a smile which broke his irritated façade.

As we neared the school, we separated our hands. To us, it was the most natural thing to do since we were best friends. To others, we were dating in their minds if we held hands so we always try to not do it at school. Clark wants to be seen as available, I want to be seen as approachable but unattainable. If my guard only lets up when Jack's around then I'll make sure to set my barrier high with other boys.

We continued our chatter and we separated to go meet up with our friends.

"Jane, Clara!" I called out.

I ran up to my two best girl friends and hugged them both. Jane and Clara are identical twins. The only way to tell them apart is their hairstyles. Clara's hair was cropped short like mine whereas Jane's was long and Rapunzel-like. The twins' hairs were towheaded with natural waves. Clara's hair was pixie cut so you could barely see the curls; on the other hand, Jane's were waves of blonde pillowing out of her head. They both were model pretty with their height being their only opposition. They were only five foot three. All of the model companies in the area denied them due to their height.

"Hey Melanie!" said the two girls in unison. Freaky twin magic!

I smiled my usual bright smile at them and waved goodbye to Clark. He grabbed my hand mid-wave and kissed it like a prince. That sneaky little flirt!

I joined the girls' conversation. They were talking about, wait for it, boys.

"Logan Lerman is soooo hot though Clara!" moaned Jane making puppy dog eyes at her sister. Sigh, they were already at it about whose better looking.

"No way Janie. Get your eyes checked! Obviously, Kim Hyun-joong is hotter. Come on, we've seen Playful Kiss and you've admitted it yourself!"

"No way! All I said was that he was sexy playing Baek Sueng Jo not that he was hotter than Logan Lerman!"

"Liar! You so said it!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

I laughed at their sibling fight. It was funny watching them but I would never interfere. It was family business after all!

"Who's better looking to you, Mel?!" they asked me in harmony.

"Well, I think they are both pretty cute. Although I must admit, I'm more into Jack Frost." I admitted proudly.

That made Jane and Clara laugh. They knew about my obsession of all things magical and fairytale-like. They always teased me out of good fun about liking weird subjects. But hey! The heart wants what the heart wants. And they didn't need to know that the Jack Frost I was talking about was young, sexy and flirty. I'll keep him as my dirty little secret although our relationship has been pretty innocent and pleasant… just like Clark and I.

"I'll keep you my dirty little secret

(Dirty little secret)

Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret

(Just another regret)"

They told me that one day I'll meet the boy of my dreams and I'll dump my childhood infatuation like a hot potato. I smiled and allowed them to continue ranting about the cute boys of our school, the sexy celebrities who were too old for us and the older but more attainable boys in university. The twins enjoyed aiming high for their conquests. Let them talk was what I thought. They didn't know Jack. Clara and Jane didn't know that since he existed, other fairytale characters could exist. Maybe I'll get to meet Sandman!

We entered the school as the bell rung. School past in a slow routine until we hit English class. My favorite teacher, Miss Devarney-Louise taught this subject. I sat next to Clark since Jane and Clara didn't have the same English class as I did. They took regular grade 9 ELA, I took grade 10 ELA. I loved learning about this subject and its classic books. My adoration transformed into stellar grades that Miss and father were proud of. Thankfully, Clark enjoyed competing with me so much that he worked his butt off to take this class with me.

When I thought about it, I was glad I had my best friend with me. For this class, I transferred to the land of unknown older students. So having Clark with me for this year was a huge relief for me. He radiated of popularity and because of that, I was popular by association. Of course, I only made friends with those who I knew I could become good friends with. I didn't want any hanger-ons for reputation sake. I wanted long lasting friendships to last me through high school.

"Well class, you know what to do. Ideas listings go!" said Mss Devarney-Louise. This is one of her quirky ideas on how to get us to talk more productively to build more ideas for us.

We shouted random mythological creatures to the teacher. Miss tried as fast she could to catch all the ideas and write them all on the black board. After about 5 minutes of hollers and shrieks we had a pretty lengthy list to talk and discuss about. My eyes immediately found the two I would want to write about: Sandman and Jack Frost. I could describe Jack for who he really is and for Sandman, I could describe his powers and visits he did when I was a child.

"You know the drill class. First come, first served." Instructed Miss Devarney-Louise.

The idea of this was that we'd have this massive list of ideas and we would have to pick from the choices. No writer in her class may write about the same thing so if you wanted to write about something that was coveted, you better have quick feet!

Clark's hand shot up and eliminated my choices to one. "I'm doing Sandman!"

Clark winked at me and walked up to the board to inscribe his name next to Sandman. I gritted my teeth now knowing that I had to be the next one to speak so I'd get what I want.

This older much more fashionable girl than me raised her hand and said to the class that her project was going to be about mermaids. I breathed a sigh of relief as she wrote her name next to her chosen subject. When Miss acknowledged me I proclaimed a bit too loudly, "I want to write about Jack Frost!"

Clark laughed at my desperation of wanting to write about him. I reddened as I walked up the aisle to write my name next to Jack Frost's. Too bad I was too short! I kept on jumping hoping to reach the name until Clark came up from behind, took the chalk and wrote my name next to Jack's. I murmured thanks to Clark.

"I appreciate your enthusiasm Miss Melanie! And how sweet of you Mister Clark for helping Miss Mel!" the teacher said gleefully while clapping her hands together. It was written all over Miss' face that she was betting that by the end of the year, Clark and I would be together. Based on the books on her desk, she was an optimistic romantic.

I weakly smiled at the teacher and quickly returned to my seat. How embarrassing! First my voice now my height! I wanted to bury myself into a hole and stay there forever!

"Hey, at least you got the topic you wanted." My best friend whispered into my ear.

I sighed and nodded in his direction. This was going to be a long day.