Stay

A/n: Hey all you beautiful people its me again:-) I'm sorry I'm so slow in updating. Things have been really rough lately and I'm depressed over schoolwork and exams and family problems. I am really depressed. But the updating won't stop because it's where I vent my feelings. All your support cheers me up and I can't thank you enough. It's so motivating to see new reviews even when I haven't posted a new chapter for almost 2 months. I'm so humbled by your messages too telling me how great my story is.

Again, thank you very much for all the reviews and follows and faves. I'll take note of the advice you guys gave, I'm so sure it'll improve the story^.^ My year end exam ends on mid October, so you'll understand if I'm slow at updating again.

I don't know if there're tarts in the 1700s but im just putting it in

Chapter 20

All in all, it was a really good day. I made friends with this redhead named Eleanor. She was the only one in the classroom when I walked in, head bent low over her homework. She looked up and offered me a seat, and we were drawn to each other at once.

Jack came in when the bell for class rang with a group of other rowdy boys. His eyes swept the classroom and found me, and I felt myself blush. His eyebrows raised and he gave me a smile. I grinned back, waving at him. He moved to the back of the classroom at the same time I felt Eleanor's gaze on me. 'So, somebody's been hanging out with Jack Frost, hasn't she?' Eleanor smirked. I tried to wave it away. She hadn't made the connection between Jack and the cloth merchant's daughter who was attacked by crazed men. Or maybe she didn't know about it yet. But that was impossible.

Lessons started off with history, which I tried to listen to but ended up doodling on my parchment, followed by counting. Counting was my thing, since my dad had me help him sum up profits from his business before. I caught Jack's eye a few times when I looked around the room, and he'd grin at me. Once he beckoned me over to him, but I shook my head immediately. No way was I going near those boys around him.

When breaktime finally came, I stood up and felt Jack's hand brush mine as he leaned against the table. 'So you came.' He was grin was glowing, his soft hair falling into his eyes. 'Hi, Eleanor,' he grinned at her. She nodded, a small smile on her face. Jack turned back to me. 'I'd spend breaktime with you, if Eleanor wouldn't mind.' I heard her give a huff. 'It's all fine by me, Frost. Just make sure you bring her back in one piece.' She sat back down to her notebook. Jack laughed and put his hand out for me. Hesitantly, I took it. He felt very warm, considering the chilly weather outside and the fact that he was only wearing a woollen shirt and a thin jacket. I took my knapsack out of my bag, slung it over my shoulder and went out the classroom with him. 'What're you going to do that makes her think I won't be in one piece?' I frowned. Jack smirked as we walked out to a bench. He brushed the snow off it and motioned for me to sit down. 'I usually play around with the boys now, and we do some pretty dumb things. But not today.' He pulled an apple from his pocket. 'I'm spending today with you.' He had a bite and glanced at me. I quickly looked down and opened my knapsack.

I had packed my favourite chocolate muffins that I baked myself and a small flask of juice. I reached in and felt the muffins. They were still warm. I noticed Jack had finished his apple and was trying hard not to peer at my lunch, and he was failing miserably. 'Here.' I took a muffin out and handed it to him. Jack stared at it, shaking his head. 'I can't-' 'Just take it before it gets cold.' I wasn't about to put up with his arguments. Jack's hands closed around the muffin and examined it. Slowly he took a small bite. I almost smiled when his eyes closed as he savoured the food. Then he took another bite. When he was almost halfway through the muffin, he opened his eyes. 'I'm sorry, it's just that this is like nothing I've ever tasted.' I finally smiled. 'You really like it?' I asked, nudging the edge of my boot into the snow before me. 'Are you kidding? I love it. This is amazing.' He finished the last of the muffin and dusted his hands off. 'Who made it?' he gazed at me, brown eyes intense. 'Uhm…me.' I shrugged. Jack's eyes widened and he nodded his head slowly. 'You are full of surprises,' he mumbled, gazing at me still. Feeling a bit flustered I reached in and pulled another muffin out. There were three, including the one Jack ate. 'You want another?'

Jack bit his lip. I knew he wanted it. So I plopped it into his open hand and took the last one out, eating while looking around me. The place Jack chose was off from the noisy schoolyard, far from prying eyes. There were a few leafless trees dotted around the place which I knew would be full of colour during spring. I turned to see Jack engrossed in his muffin again. My heart jolted for a moment as I realized how privileged I was to have all these luxuries while Jack had lived his life without ever having tasted a muffin before. I finished mine quickly and dusted off my fingers. 'Have some.' I took the juice out of my knapsack and handed it to him. He ate the last of his meal and looked at me, shaking his head. 'I don't want to keep taking things from you, (f/n).' He stood up and stretched. 'Really?' I pouted a bit. He grinned. 'Yeah.' I took a swig and clamped the flask shut.

'So how do you like it here?' he asked, kicking at the snow which was starting to turn into slush. 'It's great, maybe better than I expected.' I put the flask back in, closed my knapsack and watched him pace around, his brown hair moving in the cool breeze. 'I told you. Doesn't me being here make it a whole lot more appealing?' he grinned at me playfully as he sent a stone flying into the distance. I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. 'Don't push your luck, Jack.' I smiled. He ruffled his hair and started whistling a tune I didn't know, but I really liked it. I smoothed out my skirt and leaned forward with my elbows on my knees, listening to him. I stole glances at him when he wasn't looking. I liked watching him, not in a stalker way. He walked lightly, like he was about to take off flying at the next step. I liked the way he held himself too, in a manner that said he wasn't holding anything back.

'We should be heading off now I think.' Jack came back over to my side. I stood up and slipped my hand through his. I caught Jack glancing down at our hands before starting to walk back to class, acting like nothing out of the ordinary ever happened.

All through the rest of the day, I focused on lessons and occasional talk to Eleanor. I couldn't bring myself to look to the back of the class. I had never voluntarily held Jack's hand before. It was always him who offered it first. Every time I thought about how he looked at me made me blush. And I wasn't the only one who noticed.

'So what happened, lovebird?' Eleanor brushed her wild hair off her face and looked me straight in the eye. I fiddled with my hands. 'I'm not in love.' I said half-heartedly. 'We just had lunch together, that's all.' Eleanor pursed her lips at me and shook her head, but didn't press on.

When class ended for the day, I idled around my seat, packing my books slowly into my bag. Eleanor looked at me with amusement before bidding me goodbye. Just when I slipped my last book in and decided to rearrange them inside, I felt a small tug on my hair. 'When will your dad get here?' Jack asked from behind me. I turned around and looked up at him, the weak sun shining down onto him making a gold glow surround his hair. He looked like Jesus in one of those paintings.

'I think he's outside now. It's my first day, he'd want to see if I made it through in one piece. But maybe he sent Peggotty.' I chewed on my lip subconsciously. 'Well, you're coming tomorrow, right?' Jack smiled hopefully. I pretended to think about it. 'What if I didn't?' I smirked. 'Then I would be sitting alone at our bench thinking of you and your delicious muffins.' Jack replied with a serious face. I almost blushed. He said "our" bench. And it was only today.

'I am coming, silly.' I stood up and punched his shoulder when he caught my hand. 'You'd better.' His thumb lightly brushed my skin. 'I have to go now, see you tomorrow.' Jack bent his head down a little and brought my hand up to his lips, kissing it before letting go, eyes on mine all the time. Then he turned and walked out of the classroom.

I couldn't stop smiling on the ride home in the carriage. Daddy kept throwing me suspicious looks from his seat. 'What's got you all happy, sweetheart?' he asked, moustache bristling. 'Nothing, daddy. I just got a compliment from the History teacher, that's all.'

Every day was beautiful. I went to school and had lessons that I enjoyed, and Jack would spend lunchtime with me whenever he could. He liked to touch my hair now, sometimes picking up a lock and looking at it before dropping it back. Things were a little awkward between us, though. I'd started to feel like a whole zoo was rampaging in my stomach when I saw him. But I brushed it aside so I could concentrate on Jack.

The weeks turned into months, and suddenly February was coming to an end. I had gotten more used to the city roads and avenues now, and Peggotty sometimes let me do a few light chores that required leaving the house. I took advantage of those times to explore the shops. I could see small green leaves starting to bud as spring came closer, and I longed for the sun to shine again so I could feel its full warmth.

One Saturday afternoon when I was stretching the time Peggotty allowed me to go buy tarts for Daddy's expected guests, I turned a corner and ran into Jack. Literally. I knocked into him and was about to fall when his arms steadied me. 'Careful, (f/n).' His face was inches from mine, looking down at me with concern. I felt my heart flutter and tried to compose myself. 'Hi Jack. Sorry, I just wanted to see everything before I have to go home.' I smoothed my hair and held the tarts up for him to see. 'Dad's having his clients over. Where're you heading?' I asked. Jack smiled a bit sheepishly. 'Actually I was going to your house to ask for you.' He rubbed the back of his neck and looked at me, setting fire to my cheeks.

'Oh.' I was dumbfounded. 'Uh, well I'm here now. What's up?' I smiled, hoping it would calm me down a bit. The only time Jack came to look for me at my house was when we went picnicking.

Jack looked around him and sighed. 'I was going to ask you if you wanted to come out with me, to you know, walk?' He shook his head. 'That was so lame, but since you're out here now, it's a whole lot easier. I could take you around town, if you wanna come.'

I bit the side of my cheek. Judging by the sky, Peggotty wouldn't be expecting me for another one or two hours. But the tarts would get cold. 'Okay, I'm game. But could we go back to the tart place or else these will get cold.' Jack followed me back to the warm bakery and waited while I asked if the woman could help keep the tarts warm before I came back for them. Then we went out to the street again.

Spring had just begun, and already I could feel the warm sun on my head. There were more people milling about in the streets now. I'd decided to wear only a simple blue dress today since I was sure it wouldn't rain, but Peggotty made me take a jacket to be safe. Jack had on a nice dyed black shirt with work trousers and boots, and the outfit was perfect. We started walking down the pavement, without any real destination just yet. 'What have you been doing today?' I pointed to his trousers. Jack put his hands in his pockets. 'I woke up early to collect the eggs from the chickens. Then I ploughed the small field so my sister could sow the seeds. And now I'm here.'

He looked at me expectantly for a reply. I sighed. 'My day wasn't much. I read a bit then did some embroidering before Peggotty needed tarts.' Jack frowned. 'That is so boring.' He looked at me in disbelief. I shrugged my shoulders and kicked at a pebble. 'It's not that bad. You should've seen my life before Burgess.' Jack smiled and was about to say something when a loud shout broke him off. 'Make way for the mayor, make way for the mayor.' A large man bellowed as he strode before a beautiful carriage, slightly larger than mine, coming down the road. The curtains were drawn and the horses walked with short, clipped steps. As they came closer, I saw that they were foaming at the mouth. The poor things must have been working since morning without a decent rest. How could the mayor be so harsh?

I pointed it out to Jack, who scowled. 'I know it's harsh, but wait till you see him in person.' The carriage slowed to a stop just outside a posh clothes store that Daddy supplied to where people were already crowding to see what was going on. It was a little off to our left, so we went closer for a better look. There were a group of girls with primped hair and powdered faces looking hopefully at the carriage. They glanced at me with disgusted faces, then caught sight of Jack and started whispering among themselves. I rolled my eyes.

Two footmen came down from the carriage and opened the door, and a tall, well dressed man with a greying moustache stepped out. One look at his sharp, cold face and I couldn't stand him at all. Immediately the store manager rushed out and escorted him inside the building. The girls were peering into the carriage, and my question was answered in an instant. A blonde head appeared from the door and squeals deafened me.

My mouth dropped open. It was the boy who I saw outside the private school, the one who smiled at me. Jack leaned into me so he could speak over the shouts of the girls. 'That's Colin, the mayor's only son. He goes to the private school.' Jack's tone was disapproving and a bit annoyed. I bit my lip. He didn't know I'd seen Colin before. I ducked my head so Colin wouldn't notice me and recognize my face, but before I could act, his eyes landed on mine. Then he was walking over to me. I could feel the scalding glares of the girls watching us.

'Hello, I believe we've met before, haven't we? You must be miss (l/n). I personally know your father, a very successful man indeed. My father is good friends with him. I'm Colin Leggard, by the way.' He bowed, taking my hand and kissing it so swiftly it was dizzying. I felt myself blush and saw Jack edging away slowly. Colin straightened up and swept his blond fringe to the side. He didn't appear to notice Jack at all. 'I'm puzzled to see you aren't at the private school, though. Do you have a private tutor?' he smiled. I shook my head. 'I go to the public school, if you're so interested.' Jack had stopped in his tracks, listening. Colin wrinkled his nose a tiny bit. Then his eyes landed on Jack, acknowledging his presence for the first time.

'Well if it isn't Jack Frost.' Colin stretched out a hand and shook Jack's firmly. 'I believe you both go to school together then.' He grinned at Jack, showing two rows of straight teeth. I swear I could see Jack's eyelid twitch slightly. The group of girls beside us called out to Colin making him turn around. 'Well I best be going now, miss (l/n.) Jack.' He bowed to us and turned to his admirers. 'Make sure you treat your horses better.' I blurted out. Jack sighed heavily and grabbed my arm, pulling me away. Colin turned his head and raised an eyebrow. 'Will do, miss,' I heard him say before we were well down the sidewalk.

Jack led me towards the direction of my house, and only let go of my arm when we were well out of earshot. 'What's got into you?' I frowned. Jack looked peeved. 'You don't say that to the mayor's son, (f/n). You could get punished. ' 'How the hell could I get punished just by telling that boy how to be more humane to animals?' I asked in confusion. 'Because you don't know him, (f/n). He's just waiting in line for his turn to be mayor.' My mind was baffled by this sudden change of behaviour in Jack. He was normally pleasant to everyone. Then it dawned on me.

'Um, Jack?' He grunted, looking down the road behind me. 'Are you saying this because you don't like Colin?' My voice disappeared into a whisper. Jack's face was unreadable. After a while, he ran his fingers through his hair and looked at me. 'Do you want to go to our other place?' he asked. I immediately knew he meant the large tree where we had our picnic together. I hadn't seen it since winter. It would be full of green leaves by now.

I nodded and Jack led the way. We passed quickly by my house, Jack blocking me from the side so Peggotty wouldn't notice anything weird if she looked out a window. I followed Jack up the little hill and gaped as the large old tree came into sight. It wasn't like the bare grey tree we sat under during the cold winter. Its branches were filled with lush green leaves, and multicoloured flowers were blooming everywhere.

Jack sat down against the tree trunk, and I plopped down beside him. We stayed in silence together. A warm breeze flew by, making Jack's hair wave about as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. My gaze lingered on his face, taking him in while I could without him noticing. After a while, I decided to lie down on the grass. As I looked up at the leaves high above me, I remembered I left the tarts at the shop. 'Oh no,' I sighed. 'What.' Jack mumbled. I heard him stir beside me. 'I forgot my tarts. Peggotty'll be so mad.' I heard Jack chuckle and suddenly his face appeared above me. I jumped so hard he started to laugh. 'We'll go get them later. I want to make sure they're out of the area before we go back.' No prize for guessing who he meant.

'Why are you so jumpy when we talk about them, Jack?' I squinted as a ray of sunlight passed through a small gap between leaves and into my eyes. I looked at Jack's face. He was biting his lip, a hand cupping his cheek. 'I…don't think I should tell you, (f/n).' He shifted uneasily. 'But you trust me, don't you Jack? You know I won't judge you.' I tried one more time, deciding to drop it if he refused to answer me.

I propped myself up on my elbow to face him better. Jack's face looked troubled, but then he sighed and his shoulders drooped. 'Colin…he has a girl. Named Lorrel. She's the daughter of another merchant who deals spices. They started going out together when they were fifteen. But then last year…Lorrel started to fancy me.' Jack took a shaky breath. I sat there looking at him, my face blank but my heart screaming in panic. Somehow if he said he returned her feelings, I knew I would just die right there.

'Anyway, she started to try to get my attention. She would always somehow end up near wherever I was in town, saying it was getting dark and she needed someone to walk her home. And being the stupid gentleman I was, I told myself it was just accompanying her back to her house. But then it got really annoying. She talked nonstop and was always finding excuses to touch me. I knew it needed to stop, because I wasn't into her at all, (f/n).' Jack picked at a bit of loose thread from his shirt while my heart did cartwheels. He didn't like her at all. Hell yeah

'I don't know how Colin found out, but he did. That's when it all started. He thought I was after Lorrel, so one day he ambushed me in an alleyway and beat me half to death. It was so damn frightening, and he threatened my family if it happened again. I didn't tell anyone about it.' The setting sun cast golden slanted rays onto us, and I realized I was the first person Jack ever told this to. I got up and moved to sit right beside him. Jack turned to me. 'Anyway, I think you've met Colin before this?' There wasn't any laughter in his eyes. I nodded slowly, then told him about how I met them in front of the private school. He didn't say anything to that, only stubbed his heel into the grass continuously. I didn't know how to continue the conversation, so I stayed beside him, our shoulders brushing.

'Please don't tell anyone about this,' he said suddenly. I made a cross motion across my chest and smiled at him. Finally Jack grinned back. As we sat there, I noticed the setting sun shining a brilliant orange red and casting pink-purple shadows all around it. Without thinking, I leant my head on Jack's shoulder. He tensed up a bit, then relaxed as he put his arm around me. 'I've never seen it like this before,' I said, feeling the warmth of his hand on my arm. Jack chuckled. 'You don't get to see this from the city.'

I smiled and felt my heart stop as I felt him shift beside me before kissing the top of my head. Then he gently removed himself from me and jumped up. 'Come on, lets go get your tarts.'