Stay

A/n: THAT WAS TOO LONG A BREAK FROM THE LAST CHAPTER. I apologise for this delay. Exam was longer than I expected, and there were a lot of end-of-year activities to take care of. If you're still here for this story, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm gonna try updating more regularly from now on. Love you guys33

Chapter 21

I pulled myself out of the carriage and stumbled into the cool living room, wiping the sweat off my brow. It was burning outside, the temperature escalating since summer was only a week away. Today was the last day of school, and next week would be the start of the summer holidays. I put my bag down on a couch and ran into the kitchen. Peggotty was kneading dough at the counter as I searched for a glass. Finding it, I opened the ice box and dropped pieces of ice into it. I was almost melting under the sweltering heat. Before I could ask, Peggotty pushed a big jug filled with clear lemonade in front of me and helped me pour it into the glass. The ice was already starting to melt.

I tipped the glass up and downed the whole cup of lemonade in three gulps.

'It is a hot day, ain't it? One of the hottest I've ever seen,' Peggotty picked up her dough and put it on a large tray before sliding it into the oven to bake. I sighed contentedly and sat down on the worktable beside her, watching the dough in a trance as it slowly rose. 'So, how is the boy?' Peggotty asked in a light tone as she took out her knitting box. I tried to hide my blush at her question, but not before she noticed. Both of us ignored my response as I said, 'Oh Peggotty he's absolutely fine. He thanks you for the bunch of cherries and grapes from yesterday.' I had an urge to leave the room, if Peggotty knew what was up. 'Well he is a sweet one, isn't he? Now run along now, I have things to do.' She turned to give me a smile, almost a smirk. I grinned sheepishly and zoomed up to my bedroom.

As soon as I changed out of my sweaty clothes and put them in a hamper for the servant to collect, I plopped down on my bed with a sigh. Thoughts of Jack had been dominating my brain ever since I came home from school. I was pulsing with adrenaline as I thought of our conversation today.

'(f/n), you haven't been to a farm yet, right?' Jack was sitting on the ground beside the bench at our usual break time spot, picking dandelions and primroses around him. 'Well, my friend's dad owned one, but I've never really bothered to explore it. I just went to her house beside the farm.' I sipped my apple juice and stole a glance at his bowed head, brown hair glistening in the sunlight. It framed his face beautifully. His brows were furrowed in concentration as he twisted the stems of the flowers together. 'Would you like to visit mine, then? During the holidays? We could do anything there, and I'll take you further in than what you saw that day we met.' His voice was quiet. I watched in anticipation as he knotted the two ends of the flower chain together to form a crown. 'Oh I'd love to, Jack!' My lips curled into a smile. Jack stood up and placed the flower crown gently on top of my head with a grin on his face. 'Awesome. Next Saturday then? Meet me in front of the old founder monument.' He folded his arms and stepped back to look at me.

'Perfect,' I sighed, my head spinning with the invitation. A whole day with Jack. It sounded wonderful. He adjusted the flowers on my head. 'You look beautiful, (f/n),' Jack said, his eyes fixed on mine. I gave a little snort, waving it down. 'Shut up, Jack.' I murmured and got ready to get back to class. He shrugged his shoulders and followed me as I thanked God he couldn't see my red face.

I turned to lie on my side on the bed. One more week until I could see Jack again. I could bear with that. Now, the mere thought of him grinning at me made me dizzy and my heart beat ten times faster. I closed my eyes and sighed. This new feeling was confusing me, but I didn't mind it at all. Sitting up, my eyes opened to the fierce afternoon sun streaming into my room. I went over to close the drapes over the windows, then shuffled dreamily to my bookshelf to take out a book. The bed creaked as I sat down on it and flipped the old yellowing pages to my bookmark. My eyes skimmed over the words, but I paid no attention to their meaning, my mind having drifted far away to other certain thoughts.

I opened my eyes and rubbed them drowsily, having fallen asleep. My book had dropped to the floor. As I bent down to pick it up, I heard the front door being swung open. It must be daddy, I thought to myself. My feet carried me to the door and I turned the doorknob. Walking out to the corridor, I was about to go down the stairs when I heard two men talking in low voices from the living room. 'You need to tread carefully now, sir. That Leggard is a hard and ruthless man, but he is growing old. What's worth worrying about now is that his son is catching up fast with him. Now it's a matter of keeping your dignity or fleeing the city.' That was the voice of Lord Derreck, one of the few of Daddy's friends I actually liked. He sounded very worked up and afraid of people overhearing. I heard my daddy sigh. 'Oh Fred, I should have known that debt agreement was too good to be true. I'd have to sell the house and the horses, and that might not be enough.'

I was getting scared. What had daddy done to force him to sell the house? And I couldn't bear the thought of moving again. That would mean leaving Jack behind. Lord Derreck spoke again. 'No amount of money will ever satisfy Leggard, my friend. He has gone too far this time, and (forgive me) you have been too careless, Al.' He hesitated for a while, then continued. 'I have relatives over at Denver. They will be willing to take your family for a while, so you have time to settle down in a new place where Leggard cannot find you.'

My heart skipped ten beats. No, I mouthed. Daddy you can't do this. I won't leave Jack, I can't.

There was silence for an agonizing minute before my father spoke in a heavy whisper. 'Actually Fred, Leggard's son made me a request.' His voice faltered, and I descended two more steps to hear better. I heard the sound of wood scraping against the floor: Daddy had fallen into a chair. 'Albert, are you alright?' Lord Derreck was panicking. 'What did that demon boy want, Al?' Beads of sweat were rolling down my back. Daddy cleared his throat. 'He said the debt would be cleared, if—if—'

'If what, Al?' Lord Derreck was getting impatient. Daddy coughed, then spoke in a strangled voice.

'If I gave him (f/n)'s hand in marriage.

I tried to refrain from skipping down the sidewalk as I made my way to the town square to meet Jack. The day had finally come, and I was about to go insane being cooped up in the house for a whole week. Peggotty used my being free during the holidays to her full advantage, and soon I found myself having more sewing and baking to do than ever before. Daddy would have disagreed with that, but he wouldn't be home until the following week. Also, I didn't mind being bossed about a bit by Peggotty. I could still daydream while rolling dough and picking flowers for bouquets.

It also kept my mind off the horrific idea of being married to Colin.

The sun beat down on the back of my neck, but there was a small breeze in the air. I picked up my pace, anxious to get there as soon as possible. I'd pulled my (h/c) hair back into a tall ponytail, and my favourite flower printed sundress ruffled about as my steps quickened. As I turned the last corner, the large monument of Ernest Burgess loomed majestically ahead, the sunlight glinting off its smooth bronze surface. Already a crowd was milling about the city centre, going about their business. I headed straight for the base of the monument. Large steps were built at the bottom leading up to the feet of Ernest. A few people were sitting there surrounded with flocks of pigeons. I glanced around. Jack wasn't here yet. A pigeon flew up to me and perched itself on my shoulder, its claws digging lightly into my dress. It let me pat its head gently, cooing slightly. 'Good morning,' I smiled at it. The pigeon cooed again and took off into the sky before settling down again amongst its friends. I felt a tap on my shoulder.

'Hey.' I turned to see Jack standing behind me with a huge smile plastered on his face, a leather satchel hanging on his shoulder. My breath caught in my throat, making my voice scratchy when I replied. 'Hi Jack,' I grinned. He ran a hand through his hair. 'Did you just get here?' I asked. 'Oh no, I was buying some stuff at the shops before I found you here. I hope you didn't wait long?' Jack slid his hand through mine and held it gently. My heart threatened to fly out of my chest. 'Not at all.' I smiled, not being able to hide the shyness in my tone. He smiled again. 'Let's go then.' He started to walk away from the monument towards the direction of his house.

Jack

I stole a sideways glance at (f/n) as we walked along the dry gravel road nearing my house. She was absolutely beautiful, from the way she tied her hair to how she picked her way carefully between larger stones on the ground. I held her hand tighter. The sun shone cheerfully down on the land, making me squint as we trudged along. As much as I liked summer, this heat would get unbearable soon. Good thing there were the leafy trees behind the house to take shade under.

Actually, I'd been waiting by the monument for half an hour just to see her coming. I could feel beads of sweat building up behind my neck as I watched her turn the corner and walk towards where I was standing. I was about to come out and meet her when a pigeon alighted on her shoulder and (f/n) started to coo at it. Something about her eyes or her voice made me want to stand there a little longer just to watch her. After a few more minutes only then did I decide to walk up to her.

'How're you keeping up?' I ask (f/n). The sun was climbing higher up in the sky and (f/n)'s cheeks were red as she strode along steadily beside me. 'Just fine, Jack. Don't think I can't handle this just because I'm a girl.' She wiped her brow and glanced at me. I shrugged. 'Okay then, I'll check on you when you're on the ground.' My grin widened when (f/n) landed a punch on my arm. 'Not anytime soon, smartass,' she said. I laughed

out loud. We reached the small pathway where we ran from those creepy men, and I could feel (f/n) tense up and draw closer to me.

The place had been cleared of wild grasses and low trees, and the ground was levelled and free of rocks and stones. What was once the home of those men, a large cave in the rising ground, had been filled and smoothed over. I slid my arm around (f/n)'s waist, goosebumps forming even though I've journeyed here many times already. (f/n) held onto my arm and lowered her head until we came to the end of the path. We kept quiet, not wanting to say anything that might relive that horrible memory. Once my house came into view, (f/n) came into ease.

'I'm so excited, Jack. Will I have to meet your mom, though?' She looked nervous. I started to panic as I realized I didn't tell my mom anything about somebody else coming to the farm. Her reaction was unpredictable. 'Uhm, I don't think so. She might freak when she sees another stranger.' (f/n) nodded, gazing intently at my house as if she could see my mom through the boards. I didn't want her to start feeling sorry for me, so I took off my satchel and turned to her. She spoke first. 'Hey if you need me to wait awhile out here, it's totally fine. I assure you I won't fall off the cliff again.' She smiled, and I did the same, heaving a silent sigh of relief. I watched her walk a little way off, before opening the door and going inside.

Pippa was at her table scribbling something with her pencil. 'Hey little bug.' I went over and gently tugged on one of her pigtails. Pippa mumbled something and pulled her hair away from me, checking to see if I messed it up. 'Who helped you do that?' I asked. One pigtail was neat and tidy, the other messy with stray hairs sticking out. Pippa held up the messy one. 'Mummy taught me how to braid my hair, and I did this all by myself.' She grinned widely up at me, and I patted her head while I looked over at mother. If she was well enough to teach her daughter how to plait pigtails, maybe she could handle the news of me bringing (f/n) here.

Mother was lying down on her bed, a book propped up in her hands. I could see her eyes move back and forth as she skimmed the pages. Her slender fingers reached up to turn a page before she looked up at me. 'Jack honey, where were you this morning?' she took my wrist and I felt her warmth on my skin. 'I went out to buy some stuff, mom.' Looking into her blue eyes, the only thing her children didn't inherit from her, I decided to just wing it. 'Mom, I invited this friend of mine to the farm. Just informing you. We're just going to walk around and maybe have lunch at the creek.' My mother gazed at me, her brow frowning slightly. 'Is it her?' she whispered. I would pretend I didn't hear what she said, but I understood every word. 'H-how did you—I mean-' 'These walls aren't exactly soundproof, Jack. I was awake and could hear everything.'

I felt my cheeks and ears burn. Mother knew I liked (f/n). The look of knowing on her face was enough. For the first time, I didn't know how to respond. I felt ashamed, and anger at being ashamed. My breathing quickened. Mother noticed, and she pulled me down so I sat on the edge of the bed. I felt rebellious, and the feeling of disappointment at her that had been burrowed deep down in my heart for years was resurfacing. 'Jack, you know I love you. And I won't prevent you from wanting to love anyone else. I just want to meet her.'

Sweat was rolling down my back, but I could feel myself cooling down. The sense of defiance was still there though. 'I'll have to ask her first.' The hostile tone in my voice couldn't be missed. Mother looked at me for a minute, her face unreadable. I got up. 'I'm gonna go.' Trying tried to keep my voice steady, I walked to the door and stepped outside. Before I closed it, I heard my mother call to Pippa, 'Stay inside with me today honey, alright?' Pippa groaned and I laughed to myself.

Me

My lungs couldn't get enough of this fresh air. I breathed in deeply as I slipped my feet out of my sandals and stepped onto the sea of green grass before me. 'Boo.' Hands gripped onto my waist and I spun around to see Jack's mischievous grin. 'Don't scare me like that Jack!' I exclaimed, not being able to hold back my own smile. Jack's face was inches from mine, his hands still on me. 'Follow me.' He bent to pick up a knapsack on the ground and started walking away towards the cluster of trees away from his house. My cheeks felt hot as I wore my sandals and jogged after him.

The summer breeze never stopped as we neared what I saw was a real forest. My feet bounced on the springy grass underfoot. As we passed the first few trees that fronted the forest, I saw squirrels scurrying about between branches and birds twittering above my head. Jack weaved his way in and out between trees, like he knew this place like the back of his hand. Which I'm sure he did. I tried my best to hurry up with him, but kept stopping to look around me. As a girl who grew up in cities I'd never seen such sights before. Rays of sunlight shone down between the leaves of tall trees, casting a greenish yellow light on the ground. It was cool here, and as we went deeper into the forest I caught sight of a deer grazing just metres away.

'(f/n).' Jack called my name and I tore my eyes away from the deer. 'Jack this place is totally awesome,' I gushed. The boy smiled. 'It is, eh? But come on, I want to show you someplace even better.' He continued walking, and I followed behind, sometimes admiring at how the sunlight bounced beautifully off his brown hair. A flash of wanting to turn him around and kiss him on the lips coursed through me. I almost reached up to touch him when my head cleared and I realized what I was about to do. '(f/n) you dumbass.' I covered my face with my hands and hurried behind Jack.

Before ten minutes had passed, I bumped into Jack. I was walking with my head down and didn't notice when he stopped. He turned to look at me, one eyebrow raised. I stepped around him to take in the view before me. We were in front of a wide clearing, and right in the centre was a large pool filled with the clearest water I'd ever seen. A small river flowed into it while another led out of it. Sunlight danced on the water's surface and its little ripples of waves. There were a few large boulders scattered around the pond, and everything was perfectly still and silent. 'Wow.' It barely came out as a whisper, but Jack nodded his head. He slipped my hand through his and squeezed it. 'So, what do you think we should do?' he asked, his voice loud in the silent air.

'Anything.' I didn't really have an agenda in mind, and I could've just spent the whole day sitting beside the pool talking about nothing with Jack. 'We could stay here, if you want.' Jack walked over to the largest boulder on the right side of the pool and put his knapsack down. He took a large checked cloth from his knapsack, spreading it on the grass beside the rock. He sat down and patted the space beside him. 'How'd you find this place?' My arm brushed against Jack's as I sat down his left. He picked at the peeling leather on his boot. 'I was about twelve, I think. I stumbled upon this place when I was out hunting. Only my mother and sister know about it.' Jack leaned his back against the smooth grey boulder and closed his eyes.

'This is beautiful, Jack. It's so quiet you could forget the outside world actually existed.' For some reason I remembered Daddy's words about having to marry me off to the mayor's son. I didn't know if he had settled on that decision, but I had a bad feeling Colin would pressure him to. I didn't want Daddy to go broke, and I would give anything to stay next to Jack. I looked at him leaning against the rock. Seeming to realize I'd stopped talking, he opened his eyes. 'Is everything okay?' he asked, raising an eyebrow. My gaze dropped to the ground. 'Of course, why wouldn't it be?' I tugged on his knapsack. 'Please tell me there's food in there.' Jack grinned. 'It's our lunch. We can eat now if you want.'

'With pleasure.' I opened the knapsack and helped Jack take out the food he'd packed. I first noticed my favourite goat's cheese, then milk, corn, cold ham and lettuce. 'I should've brought some food along too.' I muttered. Jack smiled and broke the goat's cheese into two. 'I like sharing with you. It's our day today, (f/n). Relax.' He gave me my share of the fluffy yellow cheese. 'Eat this first, or it'll go bad in this weather.' I stuffed the little block into my mouth and felt it melt on my tongue. Jack set out the food on the checked cloth and we ate under the shade of the canopy leaves, hearing the water lapping the bank of the pond.

I was biting on the last bit of my lettuce when I felt something furry against my knee. 'Aaahh!' I jerked away and watched the fur ball leap away into Jack's arms. He was bent over with laughter. 'What was that thing?' I gasped, goosebumps forming on my skin. Jack reached up to wipe away a tear. 'You scared this poor fella, (f/n).' He stretched his arms out and I noticed a little bunny cowering in his lap. 'Oh.' I felt stupid. 'I'm sorry, bunny. Have my lettuce then.' I held the crisp leaf out to the bunny. It sniffed the lettuce warily before starting to nibble on it. Jack was looking down at the bunny and stroking its head softly. I thought about how eventually I would be forced to separate with this beautiful, caring boy and be sent to live with a man I had no remote interest in, and I felt a lump form in my throat.

The bunny finished the lettuce and jumped out of Jack's arms. It gazed at me before hopping away into the forest. I watched it as it disappeared from sight before helping Jack to wash the cups and pack away the lunch things. The pond water was refreshing and cool as I splashed it on my face. Jack was beside me washing his hands. 'It's really warm today eh?' he asked. 'Uhm, yes?' I replied, wondering what he was up to. Next second he was splashing a handful water onto my face. 'Jack Frost!' I wiped the water away from my eyes while he rolled about on the grass laughing himself crazy. My hand found one of the clean glasses we brought and filled it with water. 'Here, drink up.' I flung the water at Jack's face and he started spluttering. It was my turn to laugh. Jack got up and shook his head, sending droplets of water onto me. 'Now we're both cool,' he grinned, wiping away the locks of hair plastered onto his forehead. His shirt and the front of my dress were wet through. I giggled before moving to settle down next to him, both of us with our backs against the boulder.

'Have you ever thought about, you know, the future, Jack?' I leaned my head on his shoulder. Jack sighed. 'I don't know, (f/n). Everything's so confusing right now.' He sounded sad. I shifted so I could see his profile. 'You know what, Jack? No matter how our future turns out, I'd want you to be in mine.' It felt right saying that. Jack turned to face me, his brown eyes staring straight into mine. 'I want you in my future too, (f/n). Ten times more.' He moved closer to kiss my forehead, shifting his body so his arms were on either side of me, his hands on the ground. I closed my eyes and felt his warmth on my skin, before he moved away and kissed me on the lips.

A sharp image pierced through my brain, of Jack and I in a large room, looking at a black box with colours moving across its screen. The image went as soon as it came, and I opened my eyes to see Jack staring at me in confusion, his lips only a couple inches from mine. 'Did you see it too?' I whispered. Jack nodded. 'It seemed like…a memory,' he said. His gaze dropped to my lips and returned to my eyes. 'You want to try it again?' he murmured. I pulled him closer and reattached his lips to mine.

Melting would be a good way to describe how I felt right then. The images didn't come back, but I could feel the heat from Jack radiating onto my body. His hand cupped the back of my neck as he kissed me gently. I let my fingers run through the wet strands of his hair, tingles lingering on my lips when he pulled away. Both our faces heated up as we looked at each other. 'I've never done this before,' I said. 'Me too.' Jack bit his lip. We smiled at each other sheepishly. All around us the forest was quiet. There weren't even any birds chirping, as if they had left us alone to our moment.

'I love you, (f/n).' Jack gazed at me earnestly. It felt like my mind couldn't work fast enough to understand what was actually happening. I didn't take my eyes off Jack as he sat back down on the grass and put a hand around my waist, pulling me into him. 'I love you, Jack.' My heart was beating fast. That fluffy feeling I got whenever we were together finally identified itself. The boy in front gave me a wide smile as he took my hand.

'I've had this feeling towards you ever since we met, (f/n). I knew you were special, and now I finally have it figured out.' Jack rummaged in his pocket, then drew out a tiny wooden box. He pressed it into my palm. I opened it to reveal a simple, delicate ring of silver. It glinted prettily in the afternoon sun's rays. Jack took the ring from my hands and slipped it onto my left ring finger. 'Stay with me, (f/n). Wait for me. I give you my word, in a couple years time we'll have a house of our own, and I will be able to provide even more for you than I ever could.' Jack watched me with eager eyes. I looked down at the ring on my finger that must've cost Jack more than he imagined, but somehow he bought it. For me.

'Oh Jack…' I met his gaze and felt myself breaking down inside. He looked so happy and expectant, his handsome face waiting for an answer. My thoughts kept coming back to Daddy's words. I wanted Jack so much, but we couldn't happen. Before I knew it, a tear broke loose and rolled down my face.

'Is there something wrong, (f/n)?' Jack's expression instantly became serious. No sooner had he wiped away that tear when another fell. 'Is this about your father? I'll explain to him about this, (f/n). Please don't cry.' I shook my head, my vision clouding. Jack pulled my head down to his chest where I tried to not sob like a baby. But I couldn't. This wasn't a normal matter, and the prospect of not being able to have the love I wanted was enough to make me want to go crazy. Jack's hand rubbed my back soothingly as I slowly collected myself. I hugged Jack tightly, feeling his body press against mine. He hugged me back and planted kisses on my head. As my breathing slowed to normal, I cleared my throat. I couldn't look at his face when I told him about this horrible news.

'Jack, there's something you need to know.' I swallowed, and heard Jack's heart beat faster through his shirt. 'I overheard my dad talking with Lord Derreck on the last day of school. Daddy owes Mayor Leggard money that he cannot pay. But C-Colin, he told Daddy if…if he can have my hand in marriage, the debt will be forgotten.' I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting more tears to fall. My heart was breaking. Jack's breaths were getting faster, his grip on me slack. I wanted to get up and run, taking Jack with me. Run away from this cruel reality.

I forced myself to sit up and look Jack straight in the face. He was gazing angrily into the forest, his teeth gritted. 'That son of a bitch,' he muttered. I put up a hand to cup his face. Jack looked at me, and my heart jumped when I saw the fire in his eyes. 'It can't happen, (f/n). I don't know how much Leggard wants this, but I won't stop at anything to protect you from him.' Jack tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. 'You're so beautiful, (f/n),' he whispered. 'Will you stay with me? Only me?'

I nodded, leaning in to kiss him. Jack kissed my lips eagerly, his hands sliding down my body. My nails grazed down his chest, memorizing him, his smell, his touch, the way he tasted. Jack's hands tugged at my hairband, slipping it off so he could run his hands through my hair. I sighed, savouring every moment before we'd have to part. Jack's finger trailed down my jaw to my neck, stopping at the dip at the base of my throat. We'd pull away from each other, then one of us would lean back in to continue.

The sky had grown considerably darker when we finally untangled from each other. Jack folded up the cloth we sat on and stuffed it into his knapsack, not bothering to be tidy. We held hands, walking away from the clearing. Just before we reached the edge of the forest, Jack pulled me in for one more heated kiss, longing evident in the way his body moved with mine. I held onto him tightly, trying to prolong the moment before we had to face the world and our fate. 'I'll miss you. I'll fight for you, (f/n).' he whispered into my ear. And my heart broke again, because once we exited the safety of this haven, who knew when we'd see each other again?

Jack pulled away, his face blank and unreadable. To the world, we were just friends. And friends we were, as I followed him past his house, across town, all the way to my front gate. There he left me, and I slipped my ring off, putting it into my pocket.