Chapter 18

Elsa's eyes fluttered open and she lifted her head up from her pillow. She blinked a few times before groggily rubbing a hand across her face, wanting to get rid of the sleepiness that clouded it. When the girl glanced around her bedroom she noticed that only her small desktop lamp was on, lighting the bedroom with a warm glow.

Turning to the clock on her nightstand, Elsa was not surprised that it was already close to eight in the evening. Standing up, Elsa moved to the doorway. As she stopped and pressed an ear to the wood, Elsa was able to hear Anna's voice echo from downstairs.

"How do you expect me to remember all these steps for one stupid math problem?"

"This is how I learned it!" Walter declared.

"Yeah like centuries ago! I'm googling the answer!" Anna decided.

"That's cheating!"

"I don't care! I wanna go to bed!"

Elsa smiled at her sister and father's bickering, remembering how she used to complain the same way.

"Well time to hit the sack."

The blonde straightened from the doorway and moved to her closet, suddenly wanting nothing more than to slip into her comfortable pajamas and underneath her warm covers. Yet as Elsa reached out to open her door, a strange force struck her window. With a sharp gasp, Elsa turned and sure enough she noticed the white, icy patch of snow on the center of the glass.

Stunned, the girl moved across her bedroom and up to the frosty window. She glanced around the snowy glass and found herself gasping at the sight of Jack standing below her bedroom. He was smiling wide and tossing a perfectly round snowball into the air.

"Hey Ice Queen!"

Is he serious? Elsa thought as she grabbed the window and pulled it up. A cold, wintry gust of air struck Elsa's face the moment she pushed the window up and looked down.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was strolling through the neighborhood and saw your light." Jack announced. He glanced at the snowball in his hand before looking back up at Elsa, who immediately noticed the mischief in his eyes.

The girl narrowed her eyes. "Don't you dare!"

"Come out!" Jack insisted.

Elsa shook her head in silent disbelief, while Jack shrugged and tossed the snowball into his other hand. "I really don't wanna waste a perfectly nice snowball on your face."

"What are you doing here?"

Jack looked up at her with a small, innocent smile. "I'm in the mood for a trip to the city. Wanna join me?"

Elsa bit her lips to hold back the smile from appearing on her face. "You're crazy!"

"Not crazy, just craving for some fun….and a little adventure. So are you coming?" Jack asked.

"Adventure?" Elsa arched a brow playfully.

Jack nodded, the smile never leaving his face as he glanced up at her. "Please?"

Elsa rolled her eyes and let her smile take over her face. "Fine I'll be…"

All of a sudden the door to the bedroom opened and Elsa found herself spinning around in fright. As the door flew open, Elsa stumbled back against the window and for a split moment Jack thought that she was going to fly right out.

"Elsa?" Anna poked her head into the room and Elsa let out a huge, relieved sigh.

"Anna! How many times did I tell you to knock?" the older girl cried, covering her face.

"Hi to you too, hey why is your window opened?" Anna frowned and slipped in, wrapping her arms around herself. "It's freezing in here!"

Just as she was about to make her way to the window to close it, Elsa rushed past her and blocked the younger girl's way.

"I needed some fresh air!"

"I think you got enough." Anna looked up and froze.

There was something in Elsa's eyes that caught Anna off guard. Since when did Elsa open her window when it was cold and snowing outside? And why was Elsa suddenly so fidgety? The younger girl smiled and crossed her arms.

"Elsa, you're hiding something!" Anna concluded.

Elsa didn't have time to even open her mouth, because Anna swiftly maneuvered around her and ran up to the opened window.

"Anna wait!" Elsa cried, following after her. But it was too late. Anna was already leaning forward with her head out the window.

"Oh my gosh!" Anna gasped as she blinked down at the smiling Jack.

The silver-haired boy saluted her with a playful wink, while Anna slipped back into the bedroom and turned to a very embarrassed Elsa.

"You never told me Romeo's coming over!"

Elsa covered her hands with her face and Anna began to bounce up and down, squealing softly.

"Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh I can't believe this is happening! What's he doing here?" Anna asked.

"He wants to take me to the city." Elsa whispered.

Anna gasped. "And you said yes?"

"Yes," Elsa answered, her own belly flipping in excitement at the thought.

It was true. She did want to go to the city with Jack. It did not even have to be the city. It could have been anywhere.

She did not want to go because it was romantic, but because she just wanted to spend more time with him, get to know him more. No, the last thing she wanted was to feel like a love-struck teenager. She wanted to be herself around Jack. The ice rink was a fun place to laugh and share small jokes and teases, yet it was a place where anyone could slip by and listen in to their conversations. That was not what Elsa suddenly wanted. She wanted to be alone with Jack, get to know him with just the two of them in the picture, no one else.

"Then we gotta get you ready. You can't go out there looking like you just rolled out of bed!" Anna frowned at Elsa's oversized sweatshirt and black sweats.

"There's really no need Anna." Elsa assured her.

"Nonsense! I want Jack falling head over heels at the sight of you!" Anna waved a hand, yet Elsa squeezed her arm firmly.

"No Anna, I really don't want you to glamorize me. Jack's waiting out there and I don't want to keep him waiting." Elsa insisted.

Anna's face fell in slight disappoint yet she nodded. "Okay, I get it."

She then smiled. "Can I just fix your hair? I don't think Jack finds split ends attractive." she admitted, picking up a stray strand of her sister's hair.

Elsa let out a helpless sigh and smiled. "Okay."

Two minutes later, Anna stepped back from the vanity and smiled. "Wa-la!"

Sitting in the chair in front of her mirror, Elsa opened her eyes and gasped lightly. Her sister released her long platinum blonde waves from their tight French braid and brushed them out carefully, letting each strand flow over her shoulders in soft, glossy waves. Her bangs were pinned back and accessorized with a silver headband.

"What do you think?" Anna asked.

"I love it, thanks Anna." Elsa's fingers moved to stroke the loose hair. She did not remember the last time she wore her hair down when she went out. Usually she preferred it to keep her hair in a crisp braid or French bun.

Anna giggled. "You better get going! Your Romeo awaits!"

As Elsa quickly slipped on her winter clothes, Anna moved to Elsa's bed and threw off the covers. She began to arrange Elsa's pillows over the mattress. Her sister was just pulling on her gloves when Anna finally threw her blankets and covers over the lump and rumpled them out to make it look like Elsa was sleeping underneath. She then quickly moved to the closet and grabbed a spare top, jeans, and bra, throwing them on the floor.

"Clever." Elsa admitted, impressed by her sister's little scheme.

"There's no way Dad will lift the covers, unless he wants to see you naked and face your wrath." Anna giggled as they approached the window. Sure enough, when they looked down, Jack was still waiting with his hands in his coat pocket.

"Here I go!" Elsa held her breathe and found herself clinging to Anna's arm just in case as she slipped one leg over the windowpane and then the other.

Once the girl was outside and sitting on the roof, Elsa turned to Anna and nodded. The sophomore nodded with a large smile and moved back inside the bedroom. In seconds she reached out and pulled the window down. Turning around, Elsa swallowed at the edge.

"Don't worry, I got you." Jack assured her, standing right underneath her.

Elsa smiled and scooted herself to the side. She moved her body and found herself sliding off the edge and right into Jack's outstretched arms.

The moment she fell into them, Jack's arms moved around her waist and he lowered her to her feet. Elsa's eyes flickered up and she met his gaze, her insides tingling and her neck flushing red underneath her scarf.

"Hi." she whispered.

"Hi." Jack smiled and kept his arms around her waist for just a little longer. His eyes widened at the sight of her hair falling down over her shoulders and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Even in a sweatshirt and sweats she managed to make Jack's heart flutter. This was definitely not the girl who everyone called Ice Witch, or the drunk, anger-induced girl who danced to Miley Cyrus just a few days ago.

"Ready to go?" Jack asked.

Elsa nodded and pulled back from his arms. "Yes."

They moved along the sidewalk and towards the shrub walls that surrounded the property. As Jack knelt over and held out his hands for her to step up and climb over the wall, Elsa found herself turning back to her window. She noticed that her light was turned off but Anna was still standing at the window, smiling and waving. Elsa smiled back at her, mouthed a silent "thank you" before she finally turned to the wall, and stepped onto Jack's palms.

Once the two of them jumped onto the sidewalk on the other side of the wall, Elsa turned to the darkened street and an excited spark lit her eyes as she approached Jack's truck.

"Ready?" Jack asked, coming up beside her.

"Definitely," Before Elsa could open the door and get in, she was surprised when Jack slipped a hand into his coat pocket and tossed the keys to her. She caught them with ease.

"Wait am I…" she began.

Jack winked. "Go for it!"

Elsa shook her head in playful disbelief as she moved around the truck and opened the door to the driver's side. Her eyes rolled up to the high seat and she swallowed loud.

"Are you serious? You want me to drive your precious tank?" she exclaimed.

Jack slipped in beside her and rolled his eyes. "No, we can just sit in front of your house and ow!" he yelped as Elsa playfully smacked him upside the head.

The girl turned back to the vehicle and prepared to grab the edges and climb in when suddenly she felt her boots slip on the edge and her body fall back from the door.

"Whoa!" Elsa's fingers grabbed at the edges and suddenly she felt Jack's hands grab her waist.

She let out a small cry when her body fell back and her head came to the same level as Jack's. She turned and blinked at his smile, her lips once again so close to his. His hands held her waist firmly and something about his touch sent sparks inside her.

Jack grinned. "Are you okay there?"

"Thanks, that was some crazy trust exercise." Elsa breathed.

Jack shook his head and helped Elsa into the seat before slipping around and climbing into the passenger side. "I always forget the stepping stool."

"Then I suggest you get one if you want to keep the girls coming." Elsa teased, slipping the key into the ignition.

The truck rumbled to life as Elsa turned on the ignition and gripped the steering wheel. Jack could not help but laugh at the nervous gleam in her dark eyes. She caught his smile and frowned.

"Don't you dare Snapchat this!" she threatened.

"I don't even have one." Jack smirked, slipping his phone into his coat pocket. Elsa turned back to the steering wheel and swallowed hard, her heart pounding inside her chest.

"Oh boy it's just like riding a freaking tank."

"That's exactly what I thought you'd say. Let's get her rolling. As much I love watching you behind the wheel, I wanna get the hell out of here."

"That sounds like a good idea." Elsa agreed.

Twenty minutes later, the two of them parked into a small parking lot beside a tiny, colorful 60's diner that stood in between a small antique store and a perfume shop. The few neon signs on the window flashed brightly and there were a few customers sitting by the window. Happy, Elsa parked the truck right into an empty spot in the back and turned the ignition off.

"That was amazing!" she squealed as she fell back against the seat.

Turning to her companion, Elsa met Jack's smile. "And I can't believe you flicked off a ninety year old woman!" she scowled, giving him a playful push.

"Hey it's not your fault we're just a bunch of crazy teenagers singing to Imagine Dragons." Jack joked. They smiled at each other before Elsa turned to their destination.

"Hey I know this place! Dad used to take us here all the time for ice cream when we were kids! I…I completely forgot about it."

"Are you up for some breakfast at midnight?" Jack placed a hand on hers and met her glance.

Elsa turned to him and smiled. "Let's go!"

Inside the diner the two of them found a checkered top table and sat down. A bubbly waitress dressed a one piece, light pink uniform hopped over them with menus.

"Who do you think is the worst teacher at Burgress High?" Elsa asked after they ordered their "midnight breakfast"

Sitting on the middle of the table was a huge plate piled with chocolate waffles drenched in chocolate syrup, sprinkles, chocolate cookie bits, chocolate chips, and whipped cream. They each ordered themselves a cup of coffee and were now eating their festive meal.

"Mrs. Yzma, chemistry junior year." Jack answered with a cruel grin.

Elsa smiled and speared a piece of waffle. "Was she the one you lit in front of her house?"

"Yes, and believe it or not it was actually hard making her snowman. How about you? I bet you have a whole list."

"Hmmm…. probably Weselton." Elsa decided. "What about the pond and truck fiasco? Is the video really on YouTube?"

"Yes, and it was the first time I got arrested." Jack revealed.

He took a sip of coffee. "Did you really lock LeFou in the freezer last year in cooking class?"

Elsa giggled. "Yes, but only because he kept trying to steal a glance up my skirt. All I had to do was lift him up and toss him right in."

"And you were branded the Ice Witch after that?"

"You can say that." Elsa shrugged, taking another bite of waffle.

"How about your favorite movie?" Jack asked.

Elsa thought for a moment before she licked her fork. "You're going to think it's cheesy."

"No I won't, we all have guilty pleasures."

Elsa arched a brow. "Promise you won't laugh?"

"Promise." Jack vowed, placing a hand on his heart.

"The Outsiders." Elsa revealed. "Now you,"

"Good Will Hunting," Jack admitted honestly.

Elsa smiled and popped a forkful of waffle into her mouth.

Jack, on the other hand, groaned and pushed the plate towards her. "I swear I think I've just gained at least ten pounds! Somehow I can't imagine you and Anna finishing all of this in one sitting!" he insisted, rubbing his stomach.

"You haven't seen the two of us on a real sugar rush yet." Elsa grabbed the keys and stood up. She moved around the table and grabbed Jack's hands, pulling him up with ease.

Jack stood up happily and looked down at her, his fingers intertwining with hers.

Elsa smiled. "What?"

"You have chocolate on your lips." Jack whispered suddenly, leaning in. Elsa giggled and licked her lips before Jack could reach her.

"Thank you for pointing it out. C'mon I know a place where we can burn all these calories." she winked. She twirled the keys around and turned to leave, her steps quick and excited.

Jack shook his head playfully and followed her.

Leaving the truck at the diner parking lot, Elsa and Jack took the bus to Elsa's mystery place. While they sat shoulder-to-shoulder and Elsa looked out the window, Jack felt his phone vibrate in his coat pocket. Curious, Jack took his phone out and sure enough he got a new text message.

It must be Hiccup or Kris. Don't they know….fuck. Jack cursed as he starred at the text message from the cursed Hans.

Gaston told me about the ice rink. Smooth move. Jack sighed and slipped his phone back into his coat. Did Hans really have to spoil the evening?

"Who was that?" Elsa asked, turning to him.

"No one." Jack lied with a smile.

"This is our stop, let's go!" Elsa said as the bus eased to a stubborn stop. The girl grabbed Jack's hand and pulled him towards the door.

The smell of gas and city-life filled her nose as Elsa jumped down on the sidewalk and turned back to Jack.

"So are you up for it?" she asked.

"Up for what?" Jack raised his brow and Elsa pointed to a crazy-looking building that was painted all black and blue. The large neon green sign on the window read LASER PLANET.

"Hell yeah!"

Elsa could not stop laughing as she moved along the long black foam walls. The huge indoor maze was dark except for a few arrows that flashed at random directions. Bright different colored lights flashed above her head, making it harder for her to navigate through the random twist and turns.

Now, Elsa was dressed in a black vest that flickered with blue lights and holding a large laser gun that made cheesy zapping sounds when she pulled the trigger and fired. A red flash appeared out of the gun whenever she fired and each time someone else was near, a series of loud beeps came from either her right or left earphone.

Smiling, Elsa stopped and pressed herself to a black foam, wall.

"Where oh where are you AAHH!" she squealed and spun around, firing her laser gun at Jack, who was standing behind a circular shield and firing back at her.

"You're a goner Frost!" Elsa shouted, running after him.

Jack laughed and began to flee as Elsa chased him through the maze and shot at his back. "Are you seriously that desperate to blast me to smithereens?" he called behind his shoulder.

"How about you cut the talking and run Tough Guy?" Elsa giggled, lifting her gun and shooting him in the back.

Rounding a corner, Jack rolled his eyes and stopped. When Elsa moved around and noticed him, Jack dropped his gun and grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to him.

Surprised, Elsa dropped her own gun and burst into laughter. "Jack! What are you doing?" she squealed as he pinned her to the wall and looked down at her.

Elsa opened her own lips to continue her protest but she was suddenly silenced when his lips came down on hers. A surge of surprise yet excitement swept through Elsa as Jack's arms came around her waist and pulled her towards him. Closing her eyes, Elsa leaned forward and gripped his arms as they dissolved into a hard kiss.

"I don't think this is part of the rules!" Elsa whispered when they pulled back to catch their breathes. Her legs felt like jelly and something melted inside her as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Jack's lips returned and she gladly surrendered.

"I never play by the rules." Jack responded. Pulling away, he winked and pulled her behind one of the black foam walls.

Once they were hidden from view, Elsa pinned Jack to the wall wrapped her arms around his waist, her lips taking control now. The lights flashed along their bodies as they sank to the floor, still kissing each other. Breathless, Jack pulled back and they blinked up at each other. Elsa did not know how hard her heart was pounding as she gripped his head and met his lips again. Her fingers moved from his cheeks and to his hair, moving through the silvery strands.

"Hey guys check this out! Fresh meat!" a high voice squealed.

Jack and Elsa both turned around. Their eyes widened at the group of five kids who stood nearby, their heads poking out from behind a neon pink wall.

"Get them! And take no prisoners!" Jamie ordered.

Jack swallowed. "Oh shit!"

"Run!" Elsa cried with delight.

Pushing Jack off her and ditching her gun, she began to move down the weaving maze that stooped down in a small hill. A series of excited zaps filled her ears as she spun around to glance back at Jack. Her partner-in-crime was far behind her and already on the ground, crying out and laughing as the group of kids pointed their guns and zapped at him. Pippa and Cupcake were squealing with glee and Jamie, Caleb, and Monty were laughing and ordering continuous fire.

"Okay! Okay I surrender!" Jack shouted in between laughs.

Jamie spun around and a devious grin took over his face. "Get her!"

The girls turned and began to chase after the platinum blonde, her gun already in Cupcake's hands. Elsa squealed and turned to run from the oncoming excited children.

"Jack! Help!"

An hour later, Jack and Elsa drove back to Burgress and stopped at the nearby park where a grove of trees stood clustered together. Hung on the naked tree branches were streams of gold lights that gave the park a warm, romantic glow. The fluffy white snow on the ground appeared shiny from the illuminating lights as light flurries began to fall. After strolling along the trees, the couple managed to find a small wooden bench standing underneath a particular tree with a large heart and two initials carved into the trunk with a knife.

Now Elsa watched as Jack continued to work on the snowman he was building at the very moment. A few weeks ago, she would have never suspected Jack to be this content. Back then she figured they would still be bickering insults at each other but now they were so at ease.

"Wa-la!" Jack twisted a large carrot nose in the center of the snowman's eyes and bowed next to his creation.

Elsa clapped her hands happily as Jack brushed the snow off his gloves and acknowledged his work.

"He's beautiful Monsieur! What shall you name him?" she asked as Jack returned to her and sat down beside her. He draped an arm around her and Elsa leaned into him.

"You decide." Jack chose softly, reaching out and nuzzling his nose against hers.

Elsa giggled as his warm and soft lips brushed against her cool skin. "I like Olaf, he reminds me of the cartoon Anna and I used to watch when we were little girls."

"I like it." Jack smiled down at her as Elsa sat up and moved to straddle him.

She cupped his face in her gloved hands and gave him a small peck on his lips before pulling back. "Okay how about the state trooper rumor? Was that true?" she asked as Jack took her hand and intertwined her fingers with his.

"Guess."

"It's fake."

"That's right, yeah there was a couple of run-ins but I never thought about setting one on fire. I'm not that crazy. What about the Katy Perry karaoke in the bathroom?" he asked.

Elsa sighed and Jack could not help but laugh.

"Okay that's true, but it's a childhood habit." Elsa grinned as she pulled off his hat and ran her fingers through his ruffled hair. "When did you start dying your hair white? You used to be such a cute brunette."

"One, it's actually silver. And two I did it as a dare at a random party sophomore year and hey it got everyone's attention." Jack said with a shrug.

"I like it. And believe it or not I had it way worse. In second grade one of the girls in my class made fun of my blonde hair and I got mad." Elsa began with a small laugh.

"And let me guess, you mimed her hot pink Barbie car." Jack guessed, remembering Elsa's little act of revenge with Hans' Mercedes.

"Nice guess but no, Anna and I stole my mom's hair color and dyed it red! It couldn't wash off for two weeks."

You'd still look gorgeous, even with red hair. Jack thought as he reached out and kissed the light freckles just below her eyes.

"How did you get your tattoo?" Elsa asked curiously.

"It was after my dad died. I picked a snowflake because I always loved winter and playing in the snow with my dad when I was younger." Jack answered.

"Any hidden piercings?"

"I think that would've killed my mom. How about you? I bet your dad would've killed you if you got anything inked." Jack guessed with a teasing smile.

Elsa pulled back from his arms. "I actually do have one."

Jack blinked up at her. "You're joking."

"Nope." Elsa moved back and lifted the edges of her coat and sweatshirt.

Jack looked down and sure enough he noticed three small black words curled nicely along her right hipbone: Let It Go. Below the quote were three small blue snowflakes, each one a different shade of blue.

"When did you get it?" he asked.

"Last year, Astrid and I got fake IDs and forged Daddy's signature to get them." Elsa whispered with a mischievous smirk.

"Aren't you a little rebel." Jack teased.

Elsa was about to pull down her clothes and hide her tattoo when suddenly Jack reached out and touched it. An instant shiver swept through Elsa as she watched Jack's fingertips move along the words.

"I like it." he whispered, rolling his eyes up and meeting her gaze.

Elsa swallowed at the soft feeling of his fingers over the inked words, her heart fluttering as Jack pulled back, allowing her to cover her belly.

"What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you? I told you mine, now you tell me yours." she said.

"Only if I get a kiss in return." Jack offered.

Elsa rolled her eyes with a smile. "Fine."

"When I was ten, I was sacked by a preppy figure skater on the night of the most important game of my youth." Jack revealed, letting his hands roam along Elsa's slender waist.

"Hey we were kids!" Elsa protested, punching him in the chest as Jack leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Okay tell me one more fact….something you never told anyone before." Elsa decided.

This time Jack crinkled his nose in thought. "I'm allergic to peanuts."

"Seriously? I know that already. You turn green just at the smell of it."

"Wow so you do pay attention to me. Alright…I never told anyone how sexy you are, or how your eyes twinkle when you laugh, and all the ice just melts." Jack whispered, leaning in and kissing Elsa on the lips this time.

Elsa smiled and held him close as he moved to kiss her eyelids sweetly.

"You're…actually sweet underneath all that ice….and your completely hot for me. Now it's your turn….and be nice." Jack decided with a wink.

"Hmm…. you never seem to pull on an angry face for more than three minutes. Did you ever realize that?" Elsa asked.

"No not really."

Elsa let her smile widen as she moved to kiss him again. Jack's arms tightened around her waist and he moved to meet her lips when all of a sudden his phone's ringtone filled the air.

"Shit!" Jack mumbled as they pulled away.

"Here let me," Elsa offered.

"I don't think…" Jack bit his lips as Elsa took his phone and looked at the screen.

Seconds later her eyes widened and she looked up at him. "Huh it's a weird number."

Jack took his phone and opened the message. His blood instantly heated when he realized who texted.

Did you ask her out yet?

"Who is it?" Elsa asked.

Jack quickly turned off his phone and slipped it back into his jacket pocket. "Some desperate advertisement."

Elsa frowned slightly before shrugging with a small smile. "Then it probably wasn't important." she reached out and cupped Jack's face.

Jack's eyes twinkled as they reached out and kissed.

"Go to the Winter Ball with me." he whispered when they pulled away.

Elsa's smile faded as she blinked. A look confusion mixed with growing suspicion replaced the cheerfulness in it. "Is that a request or…a demand?"

Jack looked up at her. "C'mon let's just go, it'll be fun."

There was no longer a smile upon the girl's face as she moved back and blinked hard at him. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to, it's the same damn thing every single year – it's only a stupid tradition." Elsa declared.

Her dark eyes narrowed and her frown tightened. "Why are you suddenly bringing it up? Who really texted you Jack? Your desperate friends who want to see me out?" she pressed.

"What? No! I already told you it must've been some desperate salesperson!" Jack felt his own annoyance start to kick in at her sudden bitterness.

"What's in it for you?" Elsa suddenly asked.

Jack pulled back. What on earth was happening? "Oh what so now I need a motive to be with you?" he accused, his question just as icy as hers.

"You tell me." Elsa shook her head and shrugged his arms off her.

"What's your damned problem?" Jack snapped.

Elsa lifted her head, her face turning red with anger. She tried hard to ignore the cold question and hide the hurt that struck her. "You didn't answer me!"

"Look there's nothing for me! Instead of shutting the door at everyone why can't you accept the fact that someone actually….never mind." Jack quickly shook his head and stood up. He slipped his hands into his coat pocket and began to walk away.

"What?" Elsa demanded, standing up to follow him.

A part of her wanted to remain sitting on the bench, while the other part wanted to run after Jack and pull him back.

Stopping, Jack sighed and turned around to face her. "Nothing, just forget it!"

And without another word, the young man turned and marched out of the park. Elsa could only watch in complete disbelief. Sighing, the girl reached out and rubbed a hand across her face.