No! I am alive! Shout it to the rooftops! Yell it from the skylight- all we had is gone now- Alright so I said I'd update something today and so if this chapter seems rushed- idk, I planned to make it longer, but I really didn't want to at the same time, and so, if I've still got readers at all, here's another chapter for you lovelies. :)

"I don't want to go in first."

"Ya snooze you lose, Hic. Go on."

"Fer the love o' God, Hiccup, ye lost the bet fair an' square!"

"Well- Hiccup, if you don't want to-"

The four friends faced a cafeteria alight with strobe lights and pulsing music, bright banners promoting the spring dance in large letters. Hiccup gulped, Rapunzel cowered, Jack smirked, and Merida stuck her hands on her hips.

"No, I said I'd do it," Hiccup said. "Who's brilliant idea was it for that 'nose goes' thing?"

"Everyone uses that," Merida insisted.

"I don't."

"Of course ye don't, that's because ye don't know anythin'."

"It's already about to be nine," Rapunzel cut the two off, "And Mother doesn't know I'm here. Shouldn't we hurry?"

Jack gave Hiccup a push.

"Alright, alright, okay-" Hiccup opened the cafeteria door and was greeted with the month's latest hit from some star he vaguely remembers, as well as whoops and cheers of the student body.

Jack gave the two girls a push inside the spiraling mass of their peers, the four stumbling inside to find a table. That enough was hard, because of the people already filling them up. Somehow, Jack found them one in the corner of the cafeteria, and while everyone else was having fun, the four friends were sitting quietly.

Jack cleared his throat. "Soooo..."

Hiccup shrugged. "Sooo."

"S-" Rapunzel never got past the first syllable before Merida clamped a hand on her mouth.

"Shut up," she offered instead.

"This doesn't feel like a dance," Rapunzel commented, then blushed. Her fingers moved to fiddle with her hair. "I haven't been to one without Flynn."

"Then that's good," Jack said, feeling possessive. "You're better off without him."

"Yeah, I guess-" Rapunzel's fingers were twirling at an alarming rate, yanking and twisting hairs.

"What Jack means," Merida shot Jack a look. "Is that you're going to have fun doing something different."

"Different?" Rapunzel questioned, and then she smiled. "I'd like that."

"Will you dance with me?" Jack asked, standing up, offering a hand to Rapunzel.

"Oh- sure," Rapunzel blushed and accepted his hand.

"They're cute," Hiccup remarked.

"Oh, shut it, Haddock," Merida responded.

"I haven't danced with someone other than Flynn for a long time," Rapunzel admitted to Jack when a slow song started and couples lined up on the floor to dance.

"I guess it's time for someone else, then?" Jack smiled at Rapunzel.

Rapunzel looked down at her shoes and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

His hand was on her waist, and it felt too sudden, but he swayed to the music and Rapunzel had to remind herself to move. She started to sway along with him, and he smiled at her nervousness. She was careful not to lean too close to him or look directly at him- Jack was a little disappointed but obviously Rapunzel had just broken up with her boyfriend- he wasn't ready to accept that he had feelings for her-

Yet she was here. Small and beautiful and in his arms and smiling, a nervous smile, but it was there. He smiled back. Awkwardly. She was blushing, he was starting to feel warm. Smile, smile in return, move a little to the tune of the music, but they're not really dancing. It's just moving. Amusedly, Jack remembered when he danced with her in Hiccup's kitchen.

So he spun her, just once, and watched as Rapunzel's face lit up. Then they were dancing. Rapunzel moved in sync with his footsteps and swayed her hips, leaning closer to Jack and grinning, laughing, but this time it was a comfortable laugh.

When the song started to slow down Rapunzel rested her head on Jack's shoulder and Jack just placed one hand on her back, feeling her heartbeat and her breathes that caused her spine to bow.

Jack had to admit that the night was perfect.

"Rapunzel!" A harsh voice called.

Or not.

"Rapunzel!"

Almost instantly, Rapunzel drew back from Jack's arms and gaped at a figure pushing past dancing couples. "Mother?"

Jack had heard of Rapunzel's mother. Well, he'd heard about her from Merida. Apparently her name was Gothel, she seemed too young to have a teenage daughter (everyone suspected Botox) and she controlled Rapunzel in every aspect.

Gothel pursed perfectly painted lips and put her hands on her hips angrily. "You are coming with me, young lady. How dare you sneak out of the house and defy me!"

"M-mother, I-" Rapunzel's hands moved to mess with her hair and she bit her lip. Gothel's hand shot out and she grasped Rapunzel's arm tightly, yanking her daughter towards herself.

"You are going to regret this, ungrateful little-"

"Don't talk to her like that," Jack snapped before he could stop himself, "She wasn't doing anything wrong."

Gothel paused next to Jack, firmly grasping Rapunzel, and frowned. "I don't need any of her silly little boyfriends sticking up for her." She gave Jack a glance over and frowned. "A ruffian too, I see. Rapunzel, Rapunzel, you ought to know better. Mother-"

"-knows best," Rapunzel finished for her mother. She wouldn't look at Jack and let her mother lead her out of the cafeteria.

Jack stood alone on the dance floor, looking as the girl he liked walked away. Damn. She didn't deserve it. Gothel was nothing but a-

"What was that about?" Hiccup and Merida ran up to Jack, and they had attracted quite a few stares. Merida flipped off a few particularly giggly freshmen and Hiccup paled at the sudden attention.

"Oh, that mother o' Rapunzel's is naught but a nasty old hag," Merida said sourly, turning back to Jack. "Ruinin' the poor lassie's fun when she never goes out."

"We should do something," Hiccup said. "It's not right for her to do that to Rapunzel-"

Jack turned to Hiccup and Merida and smirked. "Are you guys up for a little fun?"

"I can't even look at you right now," Gothel said dramatically, sitting down on the living room couch, shifting so her face was in her hands. "To do this to me, your poor mother- why, if I die of a heart attack, Rapunzel, it'll all be your fault. In that dress, too, what are you thinking? You're asking for it, you foolish child."

"I'm sorry mother," Rapunzel whispered, mostly to herself. "I shouldn't have snuck out. I shouldn't have-"

"The mumbling, Rapunzel. Please, speak up for once, insolent girl," Gothel lifted her head from her hand and glanced at her daughter irritably. "Go up to your room. You're going to be grounded for a month- that's right, none of your ridiculous art classes or school activities or whatever you do, because you've managed to ruin everything for yourself. What do you have to say for all of this?"

"I just-" Rapunzel bit her lip and looked down at her dress. It had seemed like something out of a fairy tale, but now, under her mother's harsh glare, it looked limp and unattractive. "Just wanted to have fun."

"You have fun, Rapunzel. Plenty of fun, here at home with me. Why do you have to go to a ridiculous dance? Why, not even bothering to ask me, why that was simply-"

"You would have said no," Rapunzel said as loudly as she dared.

"I- well, I might've, but you'll never know, will you? To your room. Go on. I can't do this, oh, what did I do to deserve such a horrid daughter? One who doesn't care for my feelings?" Gothel was piling the guilt on thick. Rapunzel reluctantly climbed up the stairs, keeping her eyes on her mother, feeling like a horrible person yet again.

Her mother loved her. She had to love her back. Was it wrong, though, that she just wanted to see new things? To live her own life? No, unfortunately, her life was not a movie. So there was no happy endings, no brave fights and realizations, there was just Rapunzel. Alone in her room. Laying on her bed and feeling tears coming on, staring at murals she'd painted all over her bedroom walls.

She let herself cry because she felt like it was unfair, that no one understood her, and don't all teenagers feel the same way? That no one understands? But this was too real. Merida, Hiccup and Jack were great friends. The best friends she'd ever had. Gothel had just managed to take them away, too.

"Rapunzel, I'm leaving," she heard Gothel say. "In fact, I should've left earlier- but this was when I discovered your bed, empty and knew you betrayed me! Well, I'll be back sometime tomorrow. Now, you be good- don't leave this house, or I swear you'll regret it."

Her mother was always leaving, for days at a time. She claimed it was work travel, but when these so-called business affairs took place at night, Rapunzel was always wary to believe them. So she never did, but it didn't mean that Rapunzel wasn't going to enjoy time by herself. Because she did. It meant more art and music and anything she wanted to to.

Rapunzel decided she'd rather stay up all night by the time Gothel had been gone for a good ten minutes. That's when the tapping began.

It was just a few, random small noises coming from her windows. She didn't even notice at first. Then they got louder. More insistent.

Tap.

That one sounded like a large object had been thrown at her window. Rapunzel was worried now, and every fear her mother had planted in her head sprung to life. She was reminded of a story her mother had "accidentally" left on Rapunzel's desk... one of a young girl who was kidnapped by a man who got in through her window- and Rapunzel reached for the first thing she found in the corner of her room. It happened to be a frying pan- how did she have a frying pan in her room, anyway?- and she crept towards the window stealthily.

She raised it over her head, poised at the window. This was it, she'd just swing and-

Tap. Harder this time.

"Eek!" She saw a face in the window and drew the blinds closed before she could even take a closer look.

Then, finally, a muffled "Punz?"

Rapunzel opened her window cautiously. A cool breeze drifted in and blew strands of hair all over her forehead, but her face lit up with a large smile. She set the frying pan down, forgotten in an instant.

Jack had climbed up the side of her house, hanging onto the windowsill, Merida and Hiccup just underfoot.

"You guys," Rapunzel said gratefully, not sure if she should laugh or cry, but felt a smile and tears welling in her eyes.

Jack shot her a cocky grin, tilting his head to the side. "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair. Unless Merida's right and you've got some sick extensions."

"Hey!" Merida's indignant yell came from the ground floor.

"Jack," Rapunzel's eyes softened, "Aren't you worried my mother-"

"I don't care," Jack replied, bluntly. "Is she home with you? Hiccup swore the car we passed while driving her was hers."

"Yeah," Rapunzel bit her lip slowly, leaning back onto her bed. "She'll be back in the morning."

"Then?" Jack offered Rapunzel one hand. "I'm going to fall off this thing if you don't come outside."

Rapunzel laughed, ruefully, but let Jack carry her down the side of her house before landing in a pile of bushes. She didn't even care that she was covered in twigs; her friends hadn't forgotten about her.

"There's a carnival a few blocks from here," Hiccup offered, pocketing his hands in his tux pockets. "I don't know about you, but I'm not going back to that dance."

"Dressed like this?" Merida looked doubtful.

"Er, why not? What do the kids say nowadays- uh- yolo?" Hiccup suggested.

"Hiccup, I'm saying this as your friend," Jack laid a hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "You're never going to be hip enough to say yolo."

"Well, who says 'hip' anymore?" Hiccup shot back.

"The cool kids."

"So you're a cool kid now."

"I always was."

"Really? I thought you were just an ass."

"That too, Hic."

"Girls, girls, yer both pretty," Merida interrupted. "How about the carnival?"

"Carnival!" Jack declared. "Punz is my partner." Rapunzel blushed.

"Me and Merida could partner up," Hiccup said. Merida just shrugged, but Jack turned to Hiccup.

"What, Hiccup, you weren't going to choose me? I'm hurt-"

"Shut up, Jack-"

"Ah'm drivin'!" Merida declared, snatching the keys from Hiccup, deciding both boys took too long. "Let's go!"

"Shotgun!" Rapunzel ran after Merida, skirt flaring.

"Seriously, though, you weren't going to partner up with me?"

"Let it go, Jack-"

Wafting smells of cotton candy, popcorn, and chocolate filled the night air, drifting past the noses of the people milling around food stands and attractions. The sun had already set, and the Ferris Wheel was lit up, golden, twinkly lights winking at everyone below.

The four teenagers ambled into the festive ambience and instantly felt at ease, even though both boys wore tuxes and both girls wore gowns. Jack and Hiccup went and payed for tickets, and then the group stood at the carnival entrance, looking at each other.

"What should we do first?" Rapunzel was clearly excited, green eyes shining brilliantly. "I've never been to a carnival!"

"Never?" Merida looked surprised. "But- how can ye never 'ave gone tae a carnival?"

"Mother always told me that I shouldn't trust other people," Rapunzel admitted, "And that strangers were all weird and that I shouldn't be around them." She laughed, too, just a little. "She didn't even like it when I went with her to the grocery store."

"Alright, Punz, since it's your first time at a carnival, let's start with the basics," Jack slung an arm around her shoulders. "The Iron Dragon."

"What's that?" Rapunzel questioned.

"No, Jack, she is not ridin' that one on her first ride!" Merida scolded, pinching Jack's elbow so his arm slid off Rapunzel's shoulders.

"The Iron Dragon," Hiccup answered her question, "Is a roller coaster. That one." He pointed out a large metal complex that towered over them, as high as the Ferris Wheel. The amounts of twists, turns, and loops could make anybody gulp- and the fastening seatbelts were pretty lax as safety measures went.

"It looks scary," Rapunzel admitted, eyes widening.

"That's not the basics, ignore Frost," Merida interrupted. "Let's start with the carousel."

"What? Are you kidding me?" Jack groaned.

"Carousel," Merida repeated.

The four of them found themselves in line with little children and their parents.

"This one looks fun," Rapunzel beamed, staring as painted horse moved up and down on golden poles.

"Yes, totally fun," Hiccup agreed, sarcastically. Jack elbowed him in the ribs as they moves through the gate and onto the attraction.

"I call the white horse!" Jack shoved Hiccup to the side, climbing onto the aforementioned seat, fixing himself comfortably. Hiccup took a brown horse in front of Jack; Merida the black one next to Hiccup.

Rapunzel climbed onto the horse next to Jack's, seeing as they were partners, and uncertainly latched the leather belt around her waist to fasten herself in.

"Is it supposed to- oh, it's moving!" Rapunzel's eyes grew wide as the horses in the carousels moved up and down on the poles, a smile growing on her lips.

Jack laughed at the euphoric and slightly dazed look on her face, and she laughed back, because she really did imagine that she looked silly.

In front of them, Hiccup was awkwardly seated on the horse, shifting from side to side uncomfortably, while Merida jabbered on for him to "quit moving so much and just block the damn space in front of her so that no Tom, Dick and Harry got a free show up her skirt". Rapunzel understood, because she was currently in a dress, wind blowing, and she knocked her knees firmly to the sides of the horse until the ride was over.

This cycle continued.

After Jack's brilliant idea to go on a water ride- "It'll be fun," he had said- they were all in soaked evening wear, shivering and boarding the Ferris Wheel, four to one cart.

"Damn you, Frost," Merida scowled and wrung out her curls as their Ferris Wheel cart continued to travel up.

"It was fun, wasn't it?" Jack leaned back in his seat, smirking.

"No," Hiccup wiped his lenses on his shirt for the fourth time since they'd gotten off the last ride.

"I thought it was fun," Rapunzel smiled, brushing wet strands of hair off her forehead.

Jack grinned. "See, someone's got an idea of what fun looks like!"

"That was not fun, Jack Frost. That was freezin'." Merida scowled again and crossed her arms.

Rapunzel, while Jack and Merida argued about whether or not it was possible to catch hypothermia in ten minutes, was plastered to the view. It was beautiful, up at the height. She could see everything.

Her hands on the rail, wind blowing wet hair behind her, sounds of frivolity and delighted screams from the roller coaster passengers ringing in her ears, she couldn't be happier. It seemed to hit her then, really hit her, that she'd found true friends. People she related to. Ones that would never go behind her back or make her feel inferior at all and that was everything she could have wanted.

"Hey, Punz." Jack stood next to her at the side of the cart, looking down at the ground with her.

"It's so pretty," Rapunzel breathed about the view.

"Yeah," Jack said, looking at Rapunzel. Her face was flushed with excitement, green eyes shining, hair billowing around her. He coughed, awkwardly, and felt his cheeks heat up. "Very pretty."

Rapunzel turned to him and smiled, lips perked in happiness. "Thanks, Jack."

"For what?"

"Just- everything. Being my friend. Sticking up for me even though Flynn was being a jerk. Getting me out of the house. Thank you."

"It's nothing," Jack muttered, forcing a smile. "We're friends, right?"

"Friends," Rapunzel smiled contentedly.

Jack didn't want to admit it, but it hurt a little for her to say that.

"So- after this one," Jack changed the subject, "How does the Iron Dragon sound?"

Rapunzel giggled. "I might get scared."

"I'll ride with you."

She smiled. A type of smile that made him feel a little weak in the knees. "Okay."

"Maybe afterward, we can play carnival games. Not to brag, but I'm great." Jack smirked at Rapunzel, changing the subject quickly, but she laughed in return.

"Really? Because I'm sure that Merida might be better," Rapunzel rivaled his smirk with a mischievous glance.

"Yes, ah am," Merida called from the background, where she lazily sat with Hiccup, legs thrown into his lap. It was clear from Hiccup's blushing face that she was too close for comfort and he sat rigidly, but Merida didn't seem to notice.

"Care to bet, Princess?"

"Only if ye are, Frost."

"Deal."

"Want to put money on it?"

"Five bucks I win more games than you do, Princess."

"Yer on."

"Do you guys always have to compete?" Hiccup groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Duh," Jack said.

"O' course," Merida said over his words.

Rapunzel turned to smile at the brunette boy. "It's going to be a long night, Hiccup..."