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There was an eerie silence after Evil left. My hands trembled, and my head- oh god. I was really dizzy. I took a sharp breath trying to remain conscious. Nobody had yet moved, I guessed we were all getting over what had just happened. What had just happened? That man gave me the creeps. I didn't like him one bit, and I doubted anyone else did either. I clenched my hand into a fist to try and stop them from shaking, but nothing helped me.
"That was bad," Mund said, breaking the silence. I turned to face him and agreed with him.
"Sophie, are you okay?" Jack asked.
"Ya, I love being threatened by Evil guys," I replied sarcastically, my voice was shaky. Jack frowned at my sarcasm. Oh well... I don't think this day could get any worse. It's not even day- it's bloody early hours of the morning. I shouldn't deprive myself of sleep, but since Jack left I haven't slept properly. I was worried for him. Stupid me, I always care too much.
"We need to get you home," Tooth said.
She was right. The sun was slowly rising, the light breaking through the branches of the trees causing the whole morning to look like a golden wonderland. My mom and dad would be up and minute and soon they'll realise that I'm gone.
"Where are we anyway?" I asked, looking around the forest.
"We're still in Burgess," Jack said. He looked to the other guardians, avoiding me altogether. Of course. I tried not to be mad about that, but it was hard.
"So, what way is home?" I asked them, turning and looking at the shadowed forest.
Mund arched one of his furry brows at me. "You really don't think we're going to let you walk home alone after that just happened, do you?" I sighed. He was right; it would be idiotic of me to walk alone through the woods after that. Thinking about it made a shiver run down my back.
I felt a little stupid, but I frowned. I embraced the morning light as it reflected onto my fare skin. Although it was still very cold, and I began to realise that the tip of my nose was numb. Ugh, I hated when that happened. You know what I mean, don't you? It's the worst! I rubbed my hands together hoping that the friction would be enough to warm them a little. It did, but not very well. Right now, all I wanted was to go home- I even forgot for a moment that I was angry with Jack and my mother. The encounter with Evil made me realise how much I needed them with me.
"Whoa, hold up," Jack said, breaking me from thought. We all looked to him expectantly. For the first time in days, I actually looked into his eyes, but that mischievous glint that usually sparkled in them was gone. I hated myself for taking that away- I knew that it was gone because of me, and partly because of Evil. I think for the first time ever, Jack Frost, the guardian of Fun, needed to be reminded on how to have fun.
"You guys seriously think it's a good idea even just to bring her home? One of us... Well, someone has to keep an eye on her. Evil knows she's important to m- us," he said. Oh god. My stomach twisted. He almost, almost said me.
"For once Jack's right," Mund spoke up.
"Well, I can't," Tooth looked apologetically to me. You'd think after all these years I'd gotten over the whole bloody gums thing... But I hadn't entirely. Tooth was sweet, and lovely, but she was still odd. I guess that's what I liked and feared most about her, honestly. "Sorry, but every minute a child loses a tooth around the world. I should be out there now, but North called us to-"
"Oh my god! We need to get to the workshop, now!" Jack exclaimed, interrupting Tooth. "I think we should take Sophie with us."
"Take her to the Workshop?" Mund frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea, Jack. North won't be happy about that at all."
Jack shook his head, clearly annoyed by this whole situation. I hated myself for this, but I wanted to be alone with him- Uh, just so I could explain myself of course. He gave out a groan, leaning on his staff.
"Well, we can't exactly leave her out of our sight," he whined as though this was the worst thing ever. I pursed my lips, biting the inside of my gum. "More than likely she'll have one of those crazy dreams, and clearly Evil wants to use her to get to us. You saw those guards; they kept on looking at her as though any minute she was going to be their breakfast."
"I bet I would have tasted delicious," I said, trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm sure you do," Jack replied, sighing. He froze, looking around at the others realizing how inappropriate that sounded, he blushed as much as a pale teenager could. I suppressed the urge to laugh at how awkward he looked. The corners of his lips threatened to curl up into a grin any second. "I'm sorry, that's not what I- uh, never mind." He let out a shaky grin and I felt warm again inside. I didn't realise how much I longed for him to smile again. I missed that cheeky grin on his face.
"Er, okay," Mund interrupted. "Back to reality." Jack and I both stopped laughing lightly, and looked to Mund. "Maybe we should take her with us."
"What about my family? They'd be worried for me."
"Don't worry, I'm sure Sandy will help with that," Jack nodded at Sandy. Sandy smiled at me in reassurance. At least they'd be in good hands.
"And how do you expect me to get there?" I pointed out.
"I'm sure Jack wouldn't mind taking you," Mund said. That made me feel a little embarrassed. Mund noticed my not too happy expression. "I doubt you want to run through a hole in the ground."
"And I'd offer to take you myself, but I'm not that strong, and my wings..." Tooth told me.
"Ugh, this reminds me of Peter Pan or something. Just call me Wendy," I mumbled.
"Peter who?" Jack asked.
I gave him a shocked look. Did he just ask who Peter Pan was? I can't even describe how utterly shocked I was. I know Jack was over three hundred years old (and I hated to think about that, thank you very much) but seriously! Peter Pan is a classic! I'm sorry, but not knowing should be some sort of crime (what? I like Peter Pan, okay? I just like the thought of a place where you never have to grow old).
"When all of whatever this is, is over, me and you are having a movie marathon, okay?" I said, sternly.
"Is that you're way of asking me on a date, Sophie?" Okay, there's the cocky Jack I know and... liked.
"You don't half love yourself, do you?" I mocked him. "No, Jack. That's what friends do, okay? They hang out."
Mund clapped his hands, breaking us out of our conversation. Wow, thanks Mund. "Okay, once you two stop... making googly eyes and flirting with one another, can we go?" Jack and I both looked away from one another feeling very embarrassed as we should. "Sandy, go to Sophie's house and you know... do your stuff. Jack, try not to drop Sophie. Come on Tooth- and you two... try to stay focused." He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at us both and I couldn't help but blush.
Tooth waved bye to us, and flew off until she was a dot in the sky. Mund tapped his foot and disappeared down the hole. Sandy gave us a smirk before whizzing off into the sky leaving Jack and I alone. Oh god. Here comes the all too awkward silence that I hated so much.
"Soooo..." Jack muttered. "Um... It would sound really awful if I said 'hop on' right?"
I chuckled. "Just a little. This is just like the plan, except we aren't pushing Jamie onto the sled this time."
Jack turned around, and I jumped onto his back, my hands wrapped around his neck. My heart was beating so violently against my chest; I bet Jack could even feel it. Ugh, and the butterflies when he lifted off into the sky was the weirdest ever feeling. I tried not to think about how close we were again, and I certainly tried my hardest to think that the last time we were this close was when I had kissed him. Ugh, speaking of which, I really needed to apologise for being a douche.
"I'm sorry," I said. He looked forward, frowning. His eyes saddened slightly again. He knew exactly what I was apologising for. He didn't say anything so I spoke more. "I don't really... you know... regret the kiss. I don't think it was a stupid idea. It's just... I had the dream, and Evil said I was a distraction to you and I didn't want to be the distraction."
There was silence as we flew over the houses, slowly leaving behind Burgess. After minutes gone by, Jack finally sighed. "You're not a distraction. Sophie, honestly, since you were three you've meant everything to me. You were my first believer. Although, at the time you didn't even realise it," he chuckled. "Plus, you have to admit, I'm a pretty good kisser."
"Well..." I joked.
"Aw, come on. I know I haven't kissed someone in three hundred years, but I really don't think I was that bad," he protested.
"Oh, so you've kissed a girl before?"
"I couldn't tell you," he smiled. "That's not the point. The point is, I'm a great kisser, end of story."
I should have felt awkward having this conversation with Jack, but I didn't. It just felt so carefree. I felt with Jack I could talk about anything and not have to worry at all. Jack was so cold. I wanted to shiver. If Jack only knew that he had been my first kiss. I wasn't going to let him have the satisfaction of that right now though. I found myself smiling without realising it.
By now, we were very far away from Burgess. Jack was a very fast flyer. For all I knew, we could be in Canada by now- I kind of doubted it, but you never know.
The wind whipped my hair behind me, the breeze stung my eyes, and I was cold. Yet, I felt very happy. Things felt somewhat normal again- well, as normal as it could get when you're flying through the air on a supposedly made up person to explain frost and ice, et cetera. We flew for miles before Jack spoke up again.
"You know, I've never felt like a normal teen," he told me.
"You're not a normal teen," I laughed.
"I know," he replied. "But with you, I don't feel... different. For once, I feel like a regular mortal hanging out with my best friend."
Was I just friend zoned by Jack? Oh, I hope not.
"We're hundreds of feet in the air and you feel... regular?" I asked him.
"A small bit. I definitely feel happy anyway."
With that, and much to my shock, Jack dropped from the sky. My heart was in my mouth as he soared down to the white sheet of snow below us. I had to resist the urge to yell out in fear and joy. This certainly was an experience for me. I laughed out loud, my heart racing. I felt free, even if I was never trapped. I just felt amazing and like Jack, happy.
We landed on the ground swiftly.
I jumped off of Jack's back and gaped at North's workshop. So, I finally made it to the North Pole. It was so... magical. It was also about the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen in my life. At the front, above two oak doors, was a large rose window with the design of a snowflake on it. The two Doric pillars in front of the doors were painted red and white and held up part of the second floor stretching out beyond the oak door. The bricks were painted bright red. The workshop was nothing like I imagined, but it was far more beautiful.
Jack saw me gaping at the workshop and he smiled. "Amazing, isn't it?"
"No. It's beautiful," I replied.
"Shall we?" He nodded to the entrance, and I gulped.
As we came to the door, I saw a sign hung beside the door. It said: Warning! Yetis past doors! We are not responsible for any injuries caused by the Yetis or the elves. I giggled as Jack opened the door and entered the workshop.
I gasped.
The workshop was at least six stories high. In the centre of the large room we entered was a very large globe with lights flickering around each country. Beside the globe was North, in deep discussion with Mund and Tooth. I guessed Sandy would be arriving a little bit after us as he had to go sort out my parents. I wondered how long he'd be putting them to sleep for.
"You're lucky North now likes me because I use to never be allowed in here," Jack told me. "It's usually guarded by Yetis and elves. Ya, the elves aren't that hard to get past. It's the Yetis you've got to look out for." He looked up at the railing of the second floor as a Yeti glared down at Jack and I. Wow... Yetis looked like distorted teddy bears. I wasn't sure how I felt about the Yetis at all.
North and Mund noticed Jack and I enter the room and stopped talking.
"Sophie!" North exclaimed, trying is absolute hardest to look delighted, but failing miserably. "So good to see you here- Er, not to be mean, but what are you doing here?" His Russian accent was thick and heavy- he was nothing at all what you expected Santa to look like.
"North, Sophie isn't exactly safe," Jack told him. "She's just a part of this as we are."
Wow... Am... Thanks for reviews guys! :') Please keep them coming! Ha, the reviews make me feel good inside, honestly! :)