Merida stands in the middle of the cafeteria with her packed lunch in hand as she scans the sea of students for her friends.
"Sup, Red," a boy's voice calls. "Miss me yet?"
Merida turns to her side and sees her friend Jack Frost. He's leaning by the entrance with his hands in the pocket of his hoodie and a beanie obscuring his all too attention-grabbing white blond hair. He gives her a nod as she walks over.
"Hey, Frost," Merida greets him. "Why are you being all mysterious in the corner there?"
"Would it be creepy if I said I was waiting for you?" he flashes a teasing grin.
"Well, considering that it's you, and I'm practically you're only real friend here, I'd be surprised if you were waiting for someone else," came the flippant response.
"Ouch, Mer," Jack exaggeratedly clutches his chest in mock pain.
"Fine," Merida retracts. "I'm probably the only real friend who isn't secretly terrified of you."
"Now that's more like it," Jack laughs. "Anway, in all seriousness, I was waiting for you because I have some exciting news. I've got a new scheme to make a decent buck." Merida groans and rolls her eyes. The handsome teen obviously has a record of reckless and unsuccessful attempts at getting rich quick. "Hey, don't give me that look. I could use a little support. Besides, I'm, like, 100% sure that this plan is foolproof."
"Somehow that doesn't inspire much confidence," Merida shakes her head in slight amusement and frustration.
"Gee, thanks," he says sarcastically. "You'll be eating your words soon. I'll tell you more about my plan when I'm rolling in dough later. But, the main reason I was looking for you is because I heard there's this new gastropub a few blocks from your place, and I was wondering if you'd like to check it out tonight."
Merida hurriedly clamps his mouth and does a quick double-take behind her to make sure no one heard Jack. "Could you at least try to lower your voice when you talk about our…hobby?" Merida whispers. "I haven't exactly come clean with my friends about how we became friends. They haven't really warmed up to the idea of us being friends at all."
"I guess all my popularity comes with a price," Jack jokes. "So they honestly believe that we're friends because of some school project which we've never had? I don't think we were even classmates in that subject."
"Well, they don't have to know that," Merida states. In actuality, the only thing Merida and Jack have shared is a love for boozing. Not in the way you might think. They actually enjoy tasting alcoholic beverages. Merida has always had a liking for alcohol ever since her dad let her have her first beer at the age of 13. Over the past year, she had been frequenting bars and some clubs to try out all the concoctions and brews their town has to offer. She knew none of her friends would approve of her hobby, so she had gone on for a while, stealthily keeping this pastime to herself. It was during several of these personal nocturnal excursions that she ran into the same face on more than one occasion – that face belonging to none other than the rebellious but somewhat misunderstood martial arts school stud Jack Frost. After a few instances of silent recognition, Jack had boldly decided to ask Merida if he could join her at her table, and the two had become fast friends since. They got on quite quickly, and both were happy to find a companion in their nighttime habit. Although the real nature of their friendship was skillfully kept under wraps, the fact that they were friends eventually reached her rather protective friends. Her refusal to reveal her questionable interest led her to tell the impulsive lie about her and Jack Frost having been partners in an English class project.
"You're on a hurtful roll today," Jack mockingly sighs. "Do you know how painful it is to have a friendship refused to be publicly acknowledged? I feel like a dirty little secret."
"It's not you," Merida quickly says. "The dirty little secret is the drinking. I don't want them to know just yet."
Jack leans in and smirks, "Well, I know it."
Merida rolls her eyes. "You just happen to be part of the package. But yeah, I'll see you tonight. Text me where and what time." She says all this in time right before a hand pulls her away. Merida turns to see Hiccup and Eugene standing behind her.
"We've been waiting for you," Hiccup says, tightening his grip around her wrist and throwing Jack a quick glare. "Sorry to interrupt."
"Hey, no need to be jealous, lover boy," Jack teases. "Wasn't trying to get with your girl. I'd never break up something so adorable."
"Ugh, people need to stop saying that," Hiccup says with irritation.
Jack laughs and makes his way out of the cafeteria as he tells Merida that he'll see her later.
"That guy is bad news," Eugene comments before registering Merida's annoyed look. "What?"
"Could you guys be any ruder?" Merida folds her arms and frowns at her friends. "We were just talking. No need to act like possessive jerks."
"Sorry, Merida," the two say sincerely. "We're just looking out for you. Something about Frost just ain't right. You can't blame us. Practically the whole school thinks it's just a matter of time before he gets into some serious trouble."
"Yeah, and all that is coming from people who've never spent more than 10 minutes with the guy. Way to judge a book by its cover."
"Fine," Hiccup tells her. "Invite him to eat with us sometime. Or better yet, invite us to hang out with you guys since the two of you seem to enjoy hanging out on your own."
"Well," Merida quickly tries to think of an excuse to avoid inviting her friends. "I wouldn't want to bring you guys along when you're obviously biased against him."
"Fine fine fine," Eugene says impatiently. "We'll ponder the merits of Jack Frost some other time, but can we please eat now? I'm starving. Rapunzel and Kristoff are waiting for us at our table." The three make their way to eat their lunch with their friends.
At the end of the day, Merida quickly bids her friends goodbye and rushes to get ready to meet Jack that night. She tells them that she'll see them the next day and hurries home.
"You doing anything tonight, Hiccup?" Eugene asks.
"Yeah, actually I have to be home soon," Hiccup replies. "I've got a formal charity event to attend with my family. Not really looking forward to it, but I gotta please the parents."
"Well, I guess it comes with the territory of owning half the town," Eugene laughs. "Oh the burdens of the wealthy!"
"Hey, don't start," Hiccup warns. "At least we aren't pricks who only surround ourselves with those with money. We actually look for substance." Hiccup's car rolls up to the entrance of the school, and he takes his leave of his best friend. "Besides, we don't own half the town. Only, like, 40%," he adds jokingly before getting in the car.
"Show off!" Eugene calls out, chuckling. Just then, he sees Rapunzel with a big box of decorations. He goes to her to offer some help.
"Thanks, Eugene," Rapunzel smiles brightly as he takes the box from her hands. "Sorry to keep you from your weekend plans."
"No problem," he says as they make their way to the gym to deposit the decorations. "This weekend is pretty low-key for me. Looks like you guys are almost set for Monday's pep rally."
"Yup, we just have some final touch ups to do on Monday. It'll be pretty hectic, but I think we can manage."
"If you need an extra pair of hands, I'd be happy to help."
"That would be fantastic," Rapunzel beams at him. She touches his arm in gratitude which causes Eugene to feel some familiar discomfort in the pit of his stomach. "I'm so glad to have friends like you. Even Kristoff has been so great with helping out. I know he must be really busy with football, but he somehow manages to make time for this."
The discomfort disappears as Eugene finds himself uncharacteristically irritated with the popular senior. Before he can control himself, he blurts out, "What do you see in Kristoff anyway?"
Rapunzel looks taken aback by his sudden question and looks at Eugene questioningly. Eugene tries to save himself from embarrassment and adds, "I mean, he's definitely a great guy. Pretty perfect if you ask me, but you and he have been something for a couple of months now, but you're not yet officially together."
"Oh," Rapunzel looks down and ponders for a moment while Eugene lets out a sigh of relief. "You mean, what do I like about him that makes me want to be with him but not officially? I don't really know. I mean, I know I like him, but something in me is still doubtful of how much. Maybe that's why I haven't agreed to be his girlfriend. It doesn't make sense, though. He's everything I'd want. I know that. He's a perfect gentleman, nice, funny, goodlooking, rich, talented. Everyone says we're perfect together."
"Not everyone," Eugene impulsively blurts out, which makes him kick himself internally.
"Well, most," Rapunzel responds, not noticing the tone of his voice. "To be honest, I still can't figure out what's stopping me from committing. Anyway, I'd rather not complicate things. We're happy where we are now." She pauses for a moment and suddenly remembers something completely different. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask you. Do you want to come over tomorrow night? I'm cooking dinner, and I invited Merida. I just want some company at home since I've been alone since my parents left on their business trip."
"Sure," Eugene says, glad for the change of topic which had begun to make him feel uncomfortable. "Do you need me to bring anything?"
She shakes her head. "Just be there and like my cooking." Eugene laughs and promises to do so.
"You doing anything tonight?" he asks her.
"Nope, actually Kristoff asked me to be his date to this charity thing that his family is attending. I told him I'm too tired from all the pep rally preparations to attend such a grand event. I'd rather have a quiet night in tonight."
"Well, if you'd like a quiet night but still have some company, maybe you'd like to come over to my place?" Eugene suggests. "It's just me, my mom, and Maxie. You can have dinner there and join us for the Fitzherbert poker night."
"Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude on your family time," Rapunzel says politely.
"No, you wouldn't!" Eugene insists. "Poker's much more fun with more people. Plus, mom's always saying how much she misses having you around." Eugene recalls the times he had been reluctant to bring Rapunzel over when they were children because his apartment felt quite shabby compared to her house. Rapunzel, on the contrary, found his apartment to be very homey and got along well with his mother and younger sister.
"Well, if you really don't mind my being there," Rapunzel reconsiders. "I can bring the candies?" The blonde is obviously familiar with the Fitzherbert tradition of playing poker with candies instead of chips.
"Nah, no need," Eugene tells her. "We're already fully stocked to play. Besides, you're treating me and Merida to dinner tomorrow." Rapunzel laughs and agrees, and the two head to Eugene's place.