Hey guys, sorry this is a day late. It's been a crazy weekend and I seriously hadn't had time to sleep, let alone write. I missed you guys though (: I have some crazy writing to do to catch up. This is Chapter 7 and I'm only half way through Chapter 8! Luckily, I have it all in my mind, I just didn't have the time to write. I did some crazy dancing this last weekend, and have some awesome ideas (:
Anyways, I still don't own anything :( But I do own the story ;)
"Thanks Princess. Now talk to me about what has been bugging you all day."
Elsa went into momentary panic mode, "Jack I… I…" she stuttered.
Jack could see the fear and apprehension written all over her face. He reached across the table, laying his hand on hers, and felt her stiffen. "Elsa, I'm not asking for you to share your life story or any deep dark secrets. I just want to know how the situation with your sister is and if you are okay. I just want to know how you are."
Elsa took a deep breath. "I don't like to talk about my feelings."
"I know, I honestly don't either. We both like to hide behind facades. But I can see that you are not okay, and I want to be here for you so that you can be okay. I want you to be happy again."
"It's gonna take a while and a lot more dancing for me to be happy… Anna is pissed at me, and won't listen to me. She says that I'm not the boss of her, and that I wouldn't know true love if I saw it because all I do is shut her out. What's funny is that I do that because I truly love her, and I need to stay strong for her. So my true love is why I shut her out. And I don't even really shut her out! I just pretend that I'm always okay so I can take care of her and…" Elsa trailed off.
"She doesn't understand what is going on with you."
"No."
"Well then tell her."
"Don't you get it? I can't."
Jack looked into her eyes, almost brimming with tears. "I believe you can do anything, Elsa. It might be hard or uncomfortable, but your job in the relationship is to tell her how you feel. Otherwise, she will never know how much you do for her."
"I just can't lose her. She is all I have left."
"That's not true. You have Punzie and Merida, you have me, and even though you don't know them very well, Flynn, Hiccup, and Kristoff are protective of you and want to be close to you. We all care about you, Elsa. Anna cares about you."
"She has a funny way of showing it. We haven't spoken since José's."
"She is mad at you for telling her that she can't do something. Honestly, I think this is her way of crying out for you to notice her."
"How?" Elsa scrunched up her nose.
"Well, do you ever talk about boys with her? Do you ever have more than superficial conversations with her?"
"All the time. I can't get her to shut up about boys."
"But do you ever talk about your feelings or let her in to see what is going on in your life?" Jack raised his eyebrows, staring her down.
"Not really, no… but I need to be always good for her! I can't tell her my true feelings." Elsa looked down at her plate.
"Why not?"
"Because I have to be strong for her."
"Sometimes the best way to be strong, is to be vulnerable. Isn't that true with dancing?"
"Yea, I guess. I always get higher scores and do better when I'm more vulnerable."
"And why is that?"
"Because I show more emotion and tell a better story. I guess the judges want to see what is really going on rather than just going through the motions."
"Same thing for relationships."
Elsa was quiet. He is right she thought, reflecting on the past few conversations with her sister. I don't remember the last time I had a legit, emotion revealing conversation with her.
"She doesn't know how I feel, just like I don't know how she feels" Elsa concluded.
"Exactly."
"So I guess that means I need to talk to her."
"Yea, just maybe avoid the Hans topic at first. Start with telling her how you feel and seeing how she is really doing."
"But Hans will hurt her!"
"Has she ever had a boyfriend before?"
"Well, no. No guy has ever approached her like that before. She just admires them from afar. Anna's a bit awkward."
"Well, then of course she is going to say yes to the first guy."
"True… How did you get so wise on this topic, Jack?"
"I do the same thing. Only rather than hiding behind school work and tasks, like you do, I hid behind partying and girls. Only this summer, I realized that the best way to be real with people is to be real with them. The boys taught me that. Flynn struggles with the same thing. He hides behind his stage name, using it to be a party-going man-whore. He has been loosening up, becoming a lot sweeter, which I think you can see, but he still has that face on."
"Yea, I can see that. My first impression of him was 'run away!' but now I actually like spending time with him. He can be really sweet. Even though he always says he doesn't wanna settle down on one girl, I think he is sweet on Punzie."
"I think so too!" Jack replied.
"I just hope she can bring that out of him; I see that she has become attracted to him, and I don't want her to get hurt. Especially if our groups start hanging out more. She hasn't ever had a boyfriend before, just like Anna."
"So you are the only one who has? I assume Merida hasn't with her 'I don't need a guy'" attitude.
"Yea, and I had many guys I've gone through. I was a bit like Flynn in high school, only I didn't party. I just graced guys with my presence until I got bored. Merida had a run in with her mom senior year of high school that she told me about. Apparently her mom didn't want her to go to DDW and wanted her to find a guy and get married. They did the whole debutant ball thing that is popular. All the rich boys come battle for Merida's hand. It's weird…"
"Wow, that is weird. I can't picture her in a big floofy dress, acting like a lady…" Jack pondered, trying to see it. "Yea, no."
Elsa giggled. "So tell me more about your dance crew. What do you guys do?"
"We dance. The way it works is we compete in the beginning of November against other schools on the Regional level. You have one seven minute mash-up you use, and then there are little competitions that singles, pairs, or smaller groups participate in, where you can earn points for your team. The big group number is usually hip-hop because the crowd can vote and influence some points; hip-hop is the crowd pleaser right now. The other smaller competitions can vary from ballet, to contemporary, to ballroom, to tap, to pretty much anything. You have to have a well-rounded group."
"Wow! That's awesome. What happens after regionals?"
"The top three teams from each region compete against each-other at a U.S. competition. Same exact style as the regional. Then, the top three teams from each country compete against each other on a global level! It's over Christmas break and you get to travel to fun places. Last year, we advanced to the U.S. competition and got fourth, so we didn't advance to global. This year, we just want to get to global! It's held in Rome this year. I've always wanted to go there…" Jack wistfully looked at Elsa.
Elsa watched the excitement growing in his face, seeing the passion in his eyes. He made her want to rejoice with him! She could see how he inspired his team, sharing his vision to go to Rome.
"Rome is beautiful. I've never been there, but I've always wanted to go as well."
"Funny you should say that. I want you to come with us!" Jack said, looking pointedly at her.
"What do you mean?"
"Elsa, one of our members left the school to go take care of her family. We are short a girl. And you are the best dancer I have honestly ever seen. We are low on the contemporary, ballet side, and I know you can do hip-hop better than most of the people on the team. You picked up that dance, which would take the team a good week to learn, in half an hour. You're amazing Elsa."
"Jack, I'm not sure… with school and this issue with Anna…" He could see her retreating within herself.
He grabbed both her hands across the table, "Elsa, please. I want you to come dance with me, to experience adventures with me, to be a part of the team. We can work on a contemporary dance together. You need to teach me anyways! Please, just try it out. We have a performance Wednesday, and I want you to replace Esmerelda, the girl who left, that night. You can see if you like it, and if you don't, I promise you don't have to." Jack rambled, staring into her eyes.
Elsa looked at him apprehensively.
"Please Elsa, for me? I need you." He put on a puppy dog face.
Elsa broke out laughing, "You look so pitiful."
"That's how much I need you, Elsa."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Fifteen minutes later, Elsa was bundled on the back of Jack's motorcycle, arms wrapped around him and leaning against his back. She had told him in the restaurant that she needed to think on it. The conversation continued to flow, and Jack paid the bill, even though Elsa argued. Leaving the restaurant, he helped her into her jacket and then bundled her under his arm as they were walking out.
He has been holding me a lot today. Funny thing is I really don't mind. It's nice to lean on someone for once. I haven't ever done that since my parents… No Elsa! No bad thoughts to ruin tonight.
She thought about his insistent plea for her to join the crew. It would be really fun to be a part of the crew. And go to Rome! With Jack. My heart is telling me to go, but my mind keeps making up excuses. What's funny is that it would be completely logical for me to join the crew. It would be good for me to have more people to open up to. Plus, I promised to teach Jack contemporary…
She snuggled into Jack's back a little more. I feel like I can trust him. He is so conscience of how I am feeling and somehow knows exactly what I need, when I need it. Maybe I will tell him about my parents next time. Ha! Next time. Elsa, you fool, you keep hoping for a next time. Just be careful, don't completely give him your heart yet. Even though he could be someone you can give your heart. Just don't go all in, fast, like last time. Elsa laughed to herself. I know where Anna gets it.
I'll join the crew. I'll open up to Jack when he asks. And I want to be there for him, just like he has been here for me.
They pulled up to her dorm, Jack turning the bike off, then helping Elsa off, and climbing off after her. He pulled his helmet off and took hers.
"I don't suppose I can convince you to come over and watch movies until late, can I?" Jack asked, pulling out the puppy-dog face again.
Elsa giggled at him, covering her mouth with her hand, "No, Jack. I have to be up early tomorrow morning. I really would like to though. Can I rain check for this weekend maybe?"
"Perfect! I'm gonna make you watch movies until super late Saturday night."
"Saturday?" Elsa raised an eyebrow.
Jack bundled Elsa under his arm again, leading her into the dorm, "Yea, because we are going salsa dancing Friday again. I want another shot, because I only got two dances last Friday."
Elsa laughed, "I'm sorry Jack, I wish we could have danced more. And a movie night on Saturday sounds lovely."
"Done. You are coming over Saturday then." He pushed the button on the elevator. "So did you think about being on the crew? I know, I'm pushing it."
"I did think about it, and I think I want to. I said I wanted to learn how to hip-hop, and I miss competing."
"Yes!" Jack did a happy dance in the elevator, Elsa giggling. He grabbed her by the waist, lifting her into the air and spinning her.
He brought her down slowly, and when she was inches from his face, feet still off the floor, he stopped, staring into her eyes. "You're the best. I hope you know that."
She smiled at him, "I know!" She said, winking.
He laughed at her fake cockiness, and set her on the ground, gathering her into his arms.
Elsa breathed into his neck. This seems to be his favorite spot for me. Not that I mind. She smiled and snuggled in deeper.
They were interrupted by the elevator doors sliding open, Elsa withdrawing from Jack's arms and grabbing his hand to leave.
Anna was standing outside the elevator door, one hand reaching for the button, the other in Hans'.
Elsa stepped forward, wrapping her sister in a hug. "I am sorry for how I acted Friday, and I want to talk to you. I love you! Have fun." She said, in Anna's ear.
Anna's arms tightened around Elsa's thin frame. "I love you too sister. And I wanna hear about where you are coming from with Jack!" Anna pulled back and winked. "I'll see you later!" She waved and grabbed Hans' hand again, slipping into the elevator.
Jack put his arm around Elsa. "Good job, Princess. That was awesome. You should have seen the grin that split her face when you said that."
"I just hope we can be all right again."
"You will be. So since you are now on the team, will you practice with me tomorrow so I can teach you Esmerelda's solo and prepare you to slip right in at practice tomorrow night?"
"Yea! I'm nervous, Jack."
They had gotten to her door. Jack turned and faced her, grabbing both her hands. "You will do fantastic, Princess," he said.
"I hope so. So I'll see you tomorrow? When would you like to meet?"
"How about I'll text you later." Jack smirked.
"I think you just want an excuse to text me tonight." Elsa raised an eyebrow.
"I don't need an excuse! I am the almighty Jack Frost!"
Elsa giggled into her hand. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, nerd."
"Goodnight Elsa, thank you for coming with me."
"Goodnight Jack, thank you for dinner, telling me your story, and for helping me through this issue with Anna."
She stepped closer to him, pulling him close and hugging him. She put her own face into his neck this time, feeling his hand reaching around to place on her hair.
"Anytime, Elsa."
Yay! Elsa made the first step to talk to Anna (: And Elsa is going to do the crew! In the next chapter you see some of the crew's reactions to Elsa. She rocks it (:
Review timeeeee:
Guest (That Loser): I love hugs! I'd take hugs any day, even virtual ones. To answer your question about Kat, you don't know yet! They may have, may not have, but Jack just hasn't revealed it to Elsa yet ;) Honestly, in my mind, they haven't yet because Jack hid her well by not living with her, and he took all the punches. Though, What he talked about with Elsa was just a brief overview. I mean, if you are deliviering this heart-wrenching story, I wouldn't necessarily talk about a gang hurting his sister as well. I hope that made sense, I feel like I talked in a circle... And thank you! Dance is my outlet too. I use it the way Elsa does. I have this dumb hero complex where I feel like I need to be strong for everyone, and dance is usually the way I release tension! It has done wonders for my sanity. Thank you for your constant praise and encouragement!
OoPoPcAnDy: Haha, I'm glad the Pacific Ocean has a bit more in it now ;)
Iheartjelsaandunicorns: "iajsbshsuekabgzyd?" Is this some technical vocabulary term I don't know?! I'm gonna use it from now on :D Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!
Pearlness4700: Thank you! I would have to say that the slipping between past and present tense has been my biggest issue for everything, lol. I do it in my papers for school even... I'll keep a look out for it! Thanks for letting me know, I seriously didn't even notice! I'm glad that it is realistic; I like it when things make sense.
GoudelPrincess: Maybe Hans is just a misunderstood playboy who needs affection because he never got some! ;) I guess we don't know yet... Yea, I agree. Most villans don't necessarily think what they are doing is bad, because in their mind, it is justified. So theoretically, all villans are just pursuing their dreams! The only issue is when they hurt people along the way due to selfish desire, which is what makes them villanous. AHA! So you never know, Hans could be a good character... It's too soon to tell ;) On the other hand, all good stories need some sort of antagonist. The question is, will it be him? You never know! Thank you for encouragement!
Have a fanastic day guys! It will probably be another week before I post so I can get my feet under me again... Both with school work, and emotional crap, and writing!
Love and appreciate every one of you! Follow, Favorite, Review, and tell your friends!
xoxoxoxoxo,
Siren