Jack landed inexpertly on his high school campus. If Emma had gone to school, he must have mistaken the day. He was extremely late, but he was pretty sure that was the least of whatever was going on. He went inside with no intention of going to class. He just wanted to see Highland and Elsie.
He checked the time. Third period was about to end. That meant Highland and Elsie would be going to lunch next. He waited outside the lunchroom until the bell rang.
Highland and Elsie came around the corner in a crowd of other students. He slipped in next to Highland and said "So, what'd I miss?"
Highland ignored him. To Jack's surprise, Highland and Elsie walked right past the lunchroom They went out into the courtyard and sat together on a bench.
"Uh, guys? Lunch?" Jack was confused by the looks on their faces. He was standing right in front of them, but Highland was staring off into the distance and Elsie was looking at her hands nestled in her lap.
"It's not the same without him, is it?" She said quietly.
"Of course not." Highland shook his head sadly.
"It's been three weeks. Someone told me today that I should get over it." Elsie said.
"I doubt we'll ever be over it." Highland said seriously. He sighed. "Still, it wasn't the worst way to go. That should be some comfort. Jack died saving his sister. A hero's death."
Jack stumbled backward. Had Highland said he'd died?
That might explain some things. But… died?
"Guys! I'm right here! I'm not dead… I think." Jack waved his hand in front of Highland's face. Nothing. So no one could see him or hear him. Jack stared at his two mourning friends, then turned and flew away, still in shock. What was going on? Could this possibly be real? what on earth was he supposed to do?
He came to rest at the top of a tall pine tree. So he had died when he fell into that lake. Was he a ghost or something now? That might explain the flying and invisibility. Maybe his physical changes too. But he couldn't walk through stuff, unless someone walked through him, apparently. And he'd never heard of ghosts making frost.
He sat at the top of the tree for a long time, pondering his situation. His thoughts swirled in dark confusion.