The next morning, Jack and Emma met Highland on the way to the bus stop.
"Hey," Highland said, looking at Jack nervously. "I'm, um, I'm sorry about last night. It was just… with finding out you're still here and all this other stuff, I… my feelings were just running a bit high." He glanced down, afraid that Jack was still mad at him.
Jack chuckled. "It's okay, man. I get it. I would have been mad too." He put a hand on Highland's shoulder. "I really didn't mean it, and I did try to save you. I'm sorry that it happened."
Highland took a deep breath. "It's alright. I'm mostly used to it now. It's not actually that bad."
Emma beamed as she watched the boys reconcile. Jamie came over to her, looking confused but interested.
"Who's he talking to?" He asked, pointing at Highland.
"Jack," Emma said, before she realized that Jamie still couldn't see him.
Jamie looked confused. "Jack who? I know he was friends with your brother, but…"
Emma wondered if she should tell Jamie more plainly about Jack. He hadn't seemed to believe her when she tried to explain before. Finally, she said, "I meant Jack Frost. You know, the spirit of winter? Like I was talking about the other day."
Jamie looked at her skeptically. "He's talking to that Jack Frost?" he asked, a note of derisive laughter in his voice. "But I thought you said-"
"Yes, that Jack Frost!" Emma nodded earnestly, cutting him off. "He's real, Jamie! Except you can only see him if you believe he's there. But he really is, I promise!"
"Really?" Jamie asked, his eyes widening. "I knew they were real! He's there right now?" He looked over to where Highland stood, still talking to… A boy. A white haired boy in a blue sweatshirt! Emma had been right! "Jack Frost!" Jamie exclaimed.
Jack looked over just in time to see Jamie run up to him. "Wow, you're real? You're right here! This is amazing!" Jamie looked up into Jack's face. "You really do look just like Emma's brother…" he said, a bit confused.
"I am Emma's brother," Jack said, smiling.
Jamie's eyes widened again. "Really? How?"
So Jack explained yet again about the Moon, and how he was saved. Jack was delighted. That was three people in only a few days! How could he ever have survived without them? He stayed with Emma and Jamie all day, making frost designs on the window of their classroom and occasionally flying to the high school to tease Highland.
After school, the three of them met in the woods behind Jack and Emma's house.
"Don't worry Emma, you're safe this time." Jack said, pulling her onto a sheet of ice.
"But Jack! This is how-!"
"I know," he cut her off, "but I'm magic now, remember? I can fly, and I made the ice extra strong. Nobody is going to fall in, I promise."
Emma had been too traumatized to try to ice skate again after last winter. But Jack, who loved ice skating more than almost any other winter activity, was determined that she learn. Jack pulled her onto the reinforced ice, making sure to keep it solidly frozen beneath them. He wouldn't allow one crack to mark the surface of this lake.
Emma clung to him tightly, sliding on her skates. He gently pushed her forward, egging her on. "Okay, now push with your right foot. Now push with your left, like you're taking a step. Yes, that's it!" He let go of her as she glided across the ice, smiling. "Good job! You're a natural, Emma!"
She laughed nervously. "I think I've got it! I-" then she wobbled, flailing her arms wildly. "Woah!" Jack rushed over and caught her a second before she hit the ice.
"It's alright, you can't be perfect your first time," Jack said, helping her up. "Keep going!"
Highland smiled happily as he watched Jack and Emma. He never thought he'd see her so cheerful again.
Jamie suddenly started. "Wait, what time is it?" He asked Highland.
Highland checked his phone. "It's 4:42," He said. "Why?"
"Oh, no, I was supposed to be home by 4:30! My mom's gonna kill me!" Jamie said, eyes wide. He ran over to the side of the frozen lake to say goodbye to Jack and Emma.
Highland looked down at his phone. He got the feeling he was forgetting something important, what was it…?
A text from Elsie popped up. We need to talk.
Elsie! Of course! He couldn't leave her out of this! She missed Jack more than she would admit, but if Highland could make her see him then maybe everything would be okay again.
Yes we do. Meet me in the woods behind Jack's house ASAP. He texted her back as quickly as he could and sighed with apprehension and excitement. Things were finally going to be back to normal. Mostly.