He left. And this time with a good reason.

"What is it?"

"Oh the Guardians called. I guess I need to help them with something about Pitch…"

"So you're going?"

"Yeah… I won't be long. I promise."

That's how he was gone and I stayed here with Zöe.

"So how are you two doing?" she asked, sitting on a bench in the morning heat. I was sitting next to her and staring into her smile.

"Uh, we're good, thanks for asking." I said." So I guess you know we're together…" Then a strange thought popped into my head "Have you- have you met Jack before?"

"Well, only recently." She seemed surprised at the question. "But I have heard of him before, since he's the most famous spirit of any season… it's hard not to know who he is."

"Yeah… I guess…"

"What's the matter?" Zöe noticed my sigh.

"It's nothing… He just went to do something for the Guardians… something about Pitch."

"And you're worried." She nodded, looking like she took the fact and was trying make the feeling her own, to understand. That made me feel better. She may be a friend. "Don't be scared for him. I think you know what he's capable of."

I just looked down at my hands, placed in my lap, clenched into fists. Her hand slid along my arm and I let it slide into mine.

"He's going to be fine." she reassured me. "Listen…" she started.

"Hm?"

"There's a beach party a few miles from tonight… you could use a little fun. Plus I'm sure Hunter will be there, so we won't be alone. What do you say?"

I thought about it for a while. I never really liked parties, they were always so crowded and I always felt uneasy… but it could keep my mind off thing.

"Sure, let's go." I decided finally.

"Great!" Zöe squealed. "Oh, but first, this is going to be like in all of those movies!"

"no…"

"I'm-"

"Don't say it!"

"Gonna-"

"PLEASE NO!"

"Give you a makeover!"

"Okay, listen." I said. "You can do anything with my makeup, but please just let me stay in these clothes!"

"Well," she cocked her head to look at my sweater. "At least change the T-shirt."

"Fine."

"And who wears woolen sweaters in summer, anyway?"

"The spirit of Fall, maybe?" I grumbled under my breath so she couldn't hear, but got off the bench and followed her towards wherever she was taking me, maybe some secret underground society who gives 'poor unfortunate souls' the makeover they deserve.

Okay, yeah, it was kind of like an underground society of people who love fashion… just above ground… and crawling with people. Literally everyone was there. People in suits, spilling their coffee as they rushed to work, teenage girls, trying on new lipstick and laughing at each other when they tried something on and made stupid poses in front of the mirror, emo groups, musicians, couples, parents with eyebags pulled by their children from toy store to toy store, and then there were people like me. Wanting to disappear, feeling like the slightest awkward movement could get everyone to stare at you. Not laugh, not snicker, but notice you and keep on staring until you're out of there. She took me to the mall.

"No." I said.

"Yes!" she shreaked. And dragged me into store after store after store. Most of it was blur and I could only remember some images and sounds.

Floral patterns.

"How about this?"

"How can I help you?"

Dresses.

Sunglasses.

Dressers."Do you have some more money?"

on and on…

So I think it's gonna be over in 3 to 4 chapters… I really hope you're enjoying this and I'm sorry I'm too lazy to write… THANK YOU FOR READING!