Been a while since I have made a chapter. I was in Wattpad and posted a story there. I just thought I should try posting there so yeah. I have LOADS of work to do. A hundred drawings for a week is the LEAST. Oh well. I'm gonna use this 9-hour break of mine to create this. I'm really sorry for the late update.
I do NOT own Tangled, ROTG, brands/companies and the like mentioned in this fic.
Chapter 15: Around the World Date
Rapunzel looked at the crowd of girls in front of them. It was fairly many. She guessed that the majority was from Jack's class and the others were from the other sections of his batch. The thought of waging a fan girl war over a guy was nuts but this was Jack they were talking about. She should do something. At least anything! Her brows furrowed a bit and she heaved a small hopeless sigh. Fan girls in CU were the not the type to quit. Some could say that chasing handsome men all over the place was their passion. They would stop at nothing! They were full of hope and determination.
Jack knew where it was going and he knew he had to do something. He did what he thought of first—placing his arm over her shoulder. He swallowed before talking, making sure he wouldn't stammer. "Yeah. This is Rapunzel." He told them confidently, smiling at the girls.
His actions surprised her but she didn't show she was because she thought that it might blow their cover. She followed her instincts that she should 'man up' and help each other get out of the mess so, she decided to smile at the fans and waved at them nicely, "Hello."
The leader of the group, Sam, scanned her from head to toe. She flipped her hair and smiled with determination, "I'm not here for introductions but I might as well introduce myself. I am Sam." Rapunzel cracked open a grin and was about to speak but Sam broke her off, "I am here to capture beloved Jack's attention and most especially, his heart." She glanced at Jack with dreamy eyes.
Oh for the love of god, he rolled his eyes with sarcasm.
Sam pointed an accusing finger at Rapunzel, who backed a bit by the sudden action, "I am challenging you to a duel!"
Rapunzel looked horrified, What? Duel!? This girl's crazy!, she thought. "What duel?" she asked calmly.
Jack pulled her closer, "No." he said, "NO duels. Please, leave us alone. We still have to…" he trailed off, thinking of excuses but his mind was all shuffled up that he couldn't think straight. Jack, pull yourself together!, He thought to himself. "It's our first month-sary together and we planned a date." He cracked a fake smile.
Rapunzel nodded in agreement, "Y-yeah! We should go," she faked a grin and looked at him, "Right, Jack?" she asked in between her teeth, still grinning.
He nodded, "Yes, my Goldilocks," he said as he neared his face to hers.
She felt the corner of her lips twitch, He said my Goldilocks!, she gasped in her head. She felt her heart beat fast and her knees get weak. Sam said something she didn't hear but she guessed it was about letting them go for the meantime because the group retreated. They stood so close; their body pressed against each other and their faces still a few inches close. Her cheeks felt warm and she knew she was getting redder by the second. When the girls disappeared in sight, they pulled away. She looked at the ground, keeping her hand close to her chest, trying to calm herself down. She inhaled and faced him and looked at the direction where the girls went, "I guess there's no point in hiding our 'relationship' to the entire campus now." She said.
Jack knew what she was talking about. He felt like he was in a movie or a dram series or something. His heart paced faster and his hands trembled. Maybe I could use this as an opportunity to make her feel what I feel for her, he thought. His conscience agreed with the idea and it told him that he should start now. Unconsciously yet, consciously, he held her hand. It startled her but she didn't snatch her hand away. It's a good sign right?, he asked himself. He saw her look at him questioningly.
"If the whole school's going to know about our 'relationship', then we might as well show them before the girls could even spread the 'rumor'." He said. That was a lame excuse, his conscience told him.
She blinked once and smiled, "You got a point." She said and held his hand tight. This time, he was the one who was startled. He almost jerked his hand away but he stopped himself from doing so. He swallowed again and tried keeping eye contact with her but his eyes just won't cooperate, "Let me carry your bag." He said.
She hesitated, "No, no! I can carry it! It's not heavy!"
"As your 'boyfriend'," he said, almost laughing, "I insist." He grinned. He felt happy and light. It was as if he could float in the air even without his powers. So this is what love does to a person, he smiled at her. He grabbed a strap of her backpack. His actions made her give in and take off her bag. He happily carried it on his shoulder and held her hand, "Let's go?" She looked at their hands and then at his eyes. She smiled and nodded.
They walked in the main hall and swayed their hands a bit. They talked about what to do on their 'educational club trip' and tried to ignore the feeling of their hands and pretended it was nothing. In their heads, they were panicking and freaking out, especially Rapunzel. Jack was trying to keep his cool and act normally, as if they weren't holding hands but he just couldn't ignore the warmth he feels. They knew some or even most of the people in the hall were looking at them. Some of the boys frowned and some of the girls made a pout. Jack saw this and looked down at her. "You seem wanted by some of the men here." He said and looked back at the people staring at them.
"What?" she asked, confused.
He looked at her again, "Do you even know that some of the men in this very hall has a crush on you?"
"They don't." She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Look!" he said in a loud whisper. Rapunzel glanced around and looked at him, "They're not." She said. He frowned, "Didn't you see them" he asked. It was so obvious! How could she miss such a sight? Unless she knows something that he doesn't.
"I did," she grinned, "They were all looking at you." She giggled.
He cocked his head back, his brow arched "What? Why would the—" then a realization struck him, "Oh… You mean they're…?"
She laughed, "Yes. They're gay." She smiled, "And they're gay for you."
He frowned. It wasn't because he hated gay men but it was because of how his face—which he thought was the weirdest, most unattractive face ever made—attracted women and men. He sighed a bit. Rapunzel tilted and bent her body to the side and looked up at him, "Don't worry. It just means you're really attractive." She grinned, "Who could possibly resist that pretty face?" she giggled.
He smirked, "No one." He winked at her, "Not even you."
She blushed and frowned, "Don't flatter yourself." She said flatly.
He grinned evilly and pointed at her cheek, "Look, you're blushing."
She inhaled and glanced away from him, "I'm not! Stop teasing me!" she broke away from him hold.
They were finally out of the building, Jack laughed, "I'm just kidding! Man, you're so fun to tease." He continued laughing. Rapunzel frowned more and punched his arm, "I hate you!" she cried. He was still laughing and saw her expression. He stopped and just smiled, "I love you too." He said and pinched her nose. It caught her by surprise. Her frown disappeared and she looked at his eyes. They stared at each other. His smile softened and he slid a hand inside his pocket, "So what present would you like to have?" he asked.
"What?" she tilted her head to the side, "Why?"
He chuckled and held her hand again, "It's our month-sary remember? Anything you want to have?"
She blinked, "But I thought it was just for show?" she blushed.
He made a lopsided smile, "It's been a month since we've met…Almost at least"
It struck her. Oh yeah…, she looked at the ground. She grinned and looked up at him, "What present do you want?"
He arched a brow, still having the same lopsided smile, "I asked you first."
Rapunzel bit her lower lip and bowed her head. Maybe I could…
"Goldilocks?"
Her head shot up. Her eyes were glistening, "Can I… have a trip around the world with you?"
It made him think for a while. He wasn't ready for that one, he admitted. It would be perfect if only he knew it was coming. He imagined preparations and a lot of stuff for them to do around the world and he wanted to bring her to his favorite spots. The decision has been made. They would go tomorrow since they have no classes then. "Alright, " he crossed his arms.
"Can we go tomorrow?" she asked. He nodded. Rapunzel jumped and hugged him around his neck, "Oh, thank you, thank you!" she smiled cheekily and pulled away.
They decided to go home. Rapunzel decided to do her short homework in the living room after dinner while Jack decided to talk to the moon in their room. He looked up at the night sky and tightened his lips and looked at the moon seriously. "Manny, I'm going to ask a favor from you just this once. It's not for me—it's for her." He exhaled and closed his hand, "Please tell the others that I need all the help that I can get." He looked at his hand then back at the moon. It was as if it asked him what he needed and he happily told it, "I want to set up dinner in Spain. Somewhere with an open view of the sky where one can set up a picnic or something." He smiled a bit. The moon dimmed its glow, asking him if it was like of a romantic date. Jack's shoulders dropped and his cheeks flustered. He looked at his hands "N-no… I…" he looked back up at the moon and sighed in defeat, slumped and propped his chin on his palm, "…Yes." He said, facing the window sill but his eyes were fixed at the moon. It told him not to worry and that he'll tell the others about it. He made a gentle smile, "Thanks Manny."
The next day, Jack couldn't help but worry. He paced back and forth in the living room, checking the things he needed. He was already in his spirit form. He looked at himself in the large mirror hanging on the wall. He was wearing polo with blue and white plaid with the first three buttons undone and the sleeves folded up to his elbows, jean that were fit from his thighs to his calves and loose by the ankle and the same customized shoes. He played with his staff, waiting for Rapunzel to finish dressing up. Five minutes later, he heard her rushing down the stairs. He went out of the room and met her at the foot of the stairs. She was wearing a green batwing sleeved sweater, skinny jeans and black chucks. She tied her hair in a waterfall braid style and wore her mini backpack.
He made a lopsided smile, "What's in the bag?"
She grinned, "Handkerchief, wallet and camera." She said and went outside. He followed her to an alley. "How do we get there?" she asked.
Jack turned his back on her and bent his knees a bit, "Hold on." He said. She followed him and wrapped her arms over his shoulder and pressed her body against his. Without warning, he flew high up into the air. She shrieked at the speed and hugged him tight. For what seemed like an eternity, Jack slowed down. Rapunzel still had her eyes close, fearing for her dear life but when she felt that he slowed down, he opened her eyes and glance over his shoulder. They were so high above that the lights looked like stars. She couldn't help but smile widely at the view but she pouted at him.
"You almost killed me!" she squeaked, "I thought I was going to fall!"
He glanced at her, "You won't."
She puffed her cheeks, "I almost did!"
He smiled, "I know." He said coolly.
Rapunzel almost strangled him, "Then why didn't you do something!?"
He continued smiling, "I did." She was going to speak but he cut her off, "I didn't let you fall."
It successfully shut her mouth. She bit her lower lip and buried half of her face at the back of his shoulder and peeked down at the outline of what was now New York. It was so full of lights. Her eyes widened and her lips formed a smile. "Pretty!" she exclaimed. He looked at her, "Wanna go there?" he asked, looking over his shoulder. She nodded. "Hold tight, okay?" he smiled gently at her. She pouted a bit and it made him chuckle, "I'm not going to let you fall, ever, Rapunzel."
He said my name, her eyes widened a bit. She couldn't help but smile, "Okay."
Jack sped down to one alley in Times Square. There were so many people even during the day. People were going on and off to work, eating out at restaurants and God-knows-what. Jack transformed into his human self and walked out, carrying his staff on one shoulder. Everyone that saw him and his staff looked at him with weird expression. He just smirked at them and walked with Rapunzel. She held his hand because she was afraid of getting lost. He noticed this and looked at her.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
She scowled a bit, "I don't want to get lost…especially in this large crowd."
He held her hand tight and made a lopsided smile, "Who would miss a girl with freakishly long hair?" he teased. She made a pout and it made him laugh. He pulled her to him. She almost tripped in the process. When their bodies collided, she looked up to see his face near hers. She held her breath as he gazed into her eyes. "I'm just teasing, Goldilocks." He said, still having the lopsided smile. She didn't know what to do or what to say. She looked at his eyes to his nose then his lips. Oh god, those lips.
She snapped back to reality when he pulled her to a hotdog stand. "I'm hungry." He said. She laughed and opened her bag to get her wallet, "Two please. No mustard on mine."
Jack got their hotdogs while Rapunzel paid for it. He gave her her food. They simultaneously took a bite and walked along the sidewalk and explored the place. She glanced up at him. He already ate half of the food. She chuckled when she saw ketchup on his right cheek and got her handkerchief from her pocket. They stopped.
"You're messy, you know that?" she chuckled again.
He looked at her and she wiped her handkerchief on his cheek. For a split second, he was able to smell her scent from it. Oh, she smells nice, he thought. He continued eating and when he finished, he waited for her to finish. After New York, they decided to go to Stanley Park in Vancouver where they played hide and seek and sight seeing. They went to Athens and viewed the Acropolis and visited the Acropolis Museum. In the late noon, they visited China. They took pictures of themselves on the Great Wall and went to see the Terracotta Army. Next, they flew to Japan where they spent an hour of snowball fighting on Mount Fuji, pictorial on topof Himeji Castle and by the Universal Studios Japan's famous globe logo. Then, they went to Egypt and explored the Valley of the Kings, where Jack tricked and scared her by pretending to be a mummy, and watched the sun set on top of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Once the stars were in sight, Jack stood up and held out a hand to her.
She looked at his hand then up at him, "Where are we going next?" she asked as she held his hand.
He helped her up, "You'll see." He made a lopsided smile.
They went to Italy where had fun taking pictures with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Flavian Amphitheatre. They took pictures in the Rialto Bridge as well and decided to go ride a ferry but Rapunzel saw a gondola and said it would be more fun if they rode that instead and they did. She had so much fun that she almost tipped the boat over because she was moving about. Jack calmed her down and let her sit beside him. She laid her head on his shoulder. This made him nervous, he halt breathing for a couple of seconds.
"Thank you, Jack." She smiled.
He looked down at her and smiled when he saw her adorable smile, "You're welcome."
At the end of the boat ride, Jack told her they should go to their next destination where they will have their dinner. They flew to Spain. He asked Rapunzel to close her eyes until he told her to and she did. When they landed, Bunnymund, North, Sandy and Tooth were there, doing the final touches on the venue. The yetis were there too and they were wearing a black bowtie around their necks. Jack asked them quietly if they were done. They nodded.
"You can open your eyes now." He told her.
Rapunzel opened her eyes. Her eyes widened at the sight. A round stage was set up. At one side was the round table for two and at the other were some of the yetis holding musical instruments. Pillars surrounded the stage, supporting the arched criss-cross frame of the roof. Vines crept up the pillars and flowers were decorated on the entrance. Jack held out an arm for her and she took it. They went up the stage. She saw the table cloth was white overlaid with cream cloth. The silvers and table napkins were placed neatly. The light source was from a small candle chandelier and from a few other wall lamps posted on the wall. She gaped at everything she saw. It was just marvelous.
She turned to look at Jack, "Did you plan all of this?"
Jack scratched the back of his head and looked at the table, "Sort of. I only asked for help. They did the design and the building." He said and looked at his friends.
She looked at them, went and gave them a hug, "Thank you so much!" she said.
North gave a toothy smile, "You're welcome."
Bunnymund smirked slightly at Jack, "You're one lucky bludger, mate"
Jack scowled but smirked after, "I am, aren't I, boomer?"
The Pooka glared at him, "Cark it, bludger."
Rapunzel stared at them, "What are they talking about?" she asked. Apparently, she never understood Aussie slang.
Tooth chuckled, "Eh, it's just small fights. Insults." She said as she looked at the two who were throwing insults at each other again.
North stood in the middle of the two. He looked at them and cleared his throat, "Anyway, we are here to serve you for the night." He said. Sandy gave Jack and Rapunzel two thumbs up. North glanced at Jack, "Well?"
Jack cleared his throat and helped Rapunzel sit. He sat opposite of her. North went conducted the mini orchestra while Tooth and Bunnymund placed their food executively. There was Tapas, next was Adobo, Jamon, and a couple more Spanish food they didn't know about. They also had Crema Catalana (Crème Brulee), Empanada, Churros and Polvoron. They talked and laughed as they ate. North conducted the yeti orchestra to suit the mood of the two—of course it was a bit romantic. When the two finished eating, Sandy gave Jack a look that told him he should do something.
Jack looked at his plate and cleared his throat, "Rapunzel." He called.
She looked at him, "Yeah?"
He swallowed again, "Can we—" he was cut off when Sandy tried pushing him off his seat. He knew what it meant and hesitated at first but gave up and stood up. He went to her side and held out his hand. She looked up at him. He had a gentle smile. She took his hand stood. They went to the open space. Bunnymund elbowed North, signaling him it was time. North flicked his wrist, signaling his yetis to play the tune of I'll Be by Edwin McCain and they did. Jack pulled her closer to him. It caught her by surprise. Tooth and Sandman stood with Bunnymund beside the orchestra. Tooth was suppressing her squeals. Sandy made it rain golden sand.
Rapunzel saw that he was looking down at their feet. She smiled and placed her forehead against his and tried lifting his face to face her, "Don't think about stepping on my toes Jack. Just dance with the music." She grinned. Their faces were so close. Jack smiled. They pulled away and continued to dance as they had a conversation.
"This is the best day of my life." Rapunzel grinned.
Jack's eyes sparkled, "Really?"
She nodded, "Thanks to you."
As if there was magic working around them, they stared into each others eyes and they knew what steps they should do. He spun her and caught her. He unconsciously held her waist while she also unconsciously wrapped her arms around her neck. Their foreheads were pressed against each other while they talked.
"I know I already asked this but, have you ever fallen in love with someone?" she asked.
He held his breath, "No." he said. His conscience screamed at him, LIAR.
"Really?" she asked with an are-you-sure tone.
He sighed a bit in defeat, "Okay, maybe I have."
She was silent for a moment, "Who was it?"
Tell her the truth!, his mind shouted. He looked at his friends. They were all giving him an assuring look. He inhaled, I'm gonna do this., he thought. "It's…" he trailed off. She waited for his answer. Ugh, I can't say it., he growled inwardly, "…My best friend."
"Who's your best friend?" she smiled at him.
Now's your chance! Don't lose it! Or you'll regret it, you stupid piece of shame!, his conscience growled at him. He wanted to but he just couldn't. The fear of rejection was taking over him. The fear grew as he imagined things he didn't want to happen. He was most afraid of one thing—being avoided by her.
Be a man! SAY IT ALREADY!, his mind screamed. He smiled at her, "I'll tell you later when we get to our last destination."
"But why?" she asked.
He changed the topic, "What about you? Do you like anyone right now?"
She blushed, "I… uhh.." she avoided eye contact with him. He arched a brow at her, "Who is it?" he added.
"Can I tell you later when we're in our last destination?"
"What?" he frowned a bit.
She gave him a toothy smile, "If you're telling me who's yours later, I'll tell you mine later too."
He sighed, "Fine." Then he smirked, "We're going now." He said flatly.
Oh, you're dead meat now, Punz, her mind told her.
End of Chapter
Okay, suspense XD I'm still deciding on what to do. So, you can hope for it and maybe you can put what you want to happen as a comment/review for this chapter xD. I'm sorry. Maybe if my conscience to do what you want to happen, you'll get to see what happens on the next chapter.
Questions, reviews and the like are welcome!
