Ahhh! So ashamed that I haven't posted this long! I'm sorry for not leaving my usual note at the end of the last chapter, but I was really busy and didn't have time to edit or double check the text. So I'll be traveling even more this summer so sorry if you don't get too many chapters… AND SORRY FOR THE SPELLING MISTAKES!

Why did I have to leave? Because, stupid, she's ill! I thought. And who's fault is it?

"Mine." I grumble into my sweatshirt which I have buried my chin into. It was my fault that she was sick and it was my fault that I have left her there. I felt guilty. Why? 'Cause she'll be depressed and sad that I have gone in and out of her life. Or will she? I didn't know what to hope for: for her to be okay with me leaving? Or to hope that my absence will hurt her, meaning that she cares about me?

It's all so confusing… Then it hits me: I could still leave her something to remember me by! But what? What would she like? I know very little about her…

I should've been making a huge snowfight happen somewhere, but I continued to ponder over that thought for a while. I made my way to the lake and found a nice tree to settle into. I wondered if she's in her tree just like this, the sun warming her body. But then at that moment I realise what I've been missing: she doesn't feel this warm, she's cold! I'm making it snow, for heaven's sake! What's something that could keep her warm? A drink… hot chocolate!

I flew over to Jamie's house and asked for a cup of the hot drink. He gave it to me without hesitation and didn't even ask what it was for. I specifically asked for a white mug so I could put a new design on it. After exchanging a few words with Jamie I went back to the lake and sat on the ground, the snowflakes falling down around me. I carefully wrote a little note which took me forever to make up. I wanted to give it to her, but not give it to her at the same time. So I decided to go and see what was going on.

When I reached her tree she was with… Bunny? I mean we were cool, Bunny and I, but still, what was she doing with him? Giggling? She didn't giggle like that when I tried to be funny! I was angry! Why would she be laughing at terrible singing and a bad joke? I felt the temperature dangerously plummet, so I calmed myself down and decided it was nothing. Although even I knew I wasn't completely over this.

I quickly left her the mug at the base of the tree, she seemed surprised to see it, but she enjoyed the drink and seemed pleased by the message. A smile creeped up my face, wrinkling the corners of my eyes when I hear her silently repeat my note laying on the branches in the afternoon light. She falls asleep by silently muttering the last lines of the message.

I loved the fact that she loved mysteries. But she was so caught up in reality, that she didn't have time for stories nor mysteries not even a good book. She- actually scratch that, she was caught up in the past. The unforgiving, cold, lonely past. I couldn't blame her, I have had a few things I regret, but her's was way worse.

And as my thoughts started to drift off, so did she. I flew over, taming the wind to a slight breeze, and touched her shivering arm. She was so beautiful in the evening light, but if you looked really close… she was as pale as ever. Before I left, for her and partially for myself, I carefully planted a kiss on her forehead and whispered:

"Winter's always here to keep you safe." It sounded cheesy in my mind, but when it came out it was full of caring and love.

In early March my snow started to melt. And I let it. In the past few months I watched over Hazel constantly. And now I make my first few steps (without the fear of her seeing me) since I left her. My chest was full of a sizzling hot, somewhat pleasant, feeling. I heard every step I took, the rustle of the green grass breaking through snow, my own heartbeat pulsing through every inch of my body. I could feel my staff turn colder and colder the longer I held it. I was nervous. So nervous, in fact, that the thought of turning away and never coming back again has crossed my mind, twice!

"Calm down" I mumbled to myself. "It's OK. It's just Hazel, how bad can it be?" But it was bad:

"Oh! Hi!" greeted a curly haired girl sitting next to Hazel, apparently they've been laughing about something.

"Um," I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Hello." I put on a smile with relief. It wasn't bad, I was breathing, I'm fine. "I'm Jack." I held my hand out and she took it, squeezing and shaking it well. Her chocolate brown skin felt so soft under my rough palm.

"My name is Zöe Bloom. And I've heard about you, Frost. Everyone has." She says with a smile.

"Yeah. Hey there." I hear a voice, like honey dripping from a tree.

"Hazel." I exclaim and pick her up with a big hug and hold her tight. Tighter than I intended too, I could hear her gasping for air and then I let her go. But not entirely. My hands placed on her shoulders, I looked her straight in the eye. She still seemed angry, but started lighten up a bit. "Are you okay? Am I making you sick now? Are you good friends with her? Did she keep you company? I missed you sooo m-" I cut myself off by sneezing.

"Is Zöe making you sick?" She asked, ignoring my previous questions.

"No. I'm fine." And , right on cue, to show the truth I started coughing uncontrollably, my throat searing hot, the burning sensation spreading through my whole body and, unlike the nice warmth of autumn, sets my cold skin ablaze. I push my temples with my palms, desperately trying to shut the pain out. Through tears I looked at the ground and saw my staff lying on the ground, the earth around it frozen solid. I raised my head and looked at the two pairs of frightened eyes, one pair warm and full of wisdom, the other a bright turquoise, the color of hope and new beginnings, but also so curious, the bad kind of curious.

"I'm fine, really." I said straightening my back and wiping the tears from my cheeks, hoping they hadn't seen them, but even I could hear the quiver in my voice.

"Frost…" they said in unison, so softly… their voices are so persuasive together…

"You need to rest." I hear Hazel say, but I already see spots before my eyes. Then everything goes black. And the last thing I hear is Hazel screaming:

"Jack!"

So I have a few new ideas and I'm taking my laptop with me on my trip, but I still can't promise definite chapters. SORRY! But! You have no idea what I have in store for these two… Mu ha ha ha…

Ps.: You guys are awesome! Please leave your thoughts about the story so far so I can fix things that might not be so good in the future! THANKS FOR READING!