Jack and I fly north for almost an hour. The moon rises higher in the sky, and eventually it is completely blocked out by clouds, and the snow falls heavily on us. We are flying so fast that none of it can stick on us, but my eyes are watering, and I'm sure Jack's back is probably sore from carrying me around. We pass over cities, their torches lighting the ground like the stars light the sky.
I wonder where we are as the time ticks by. Finland isn't far from Arendelle anyway, but it's still far away. Jack promised that we'd be there just over the hour. I find it strange how quickly he can fly. He tells me at something amazing will happen, and I wonder is it the dreams again.
In the darkness I can barely see Jack, but I'm holding onto him tightly, and my heart is racing... Again! Gosh. I swear it can't be good for me. Although, I quite liked the feeling too, as strange as it is.
My stomach is cold by now from leaning on him for so long, but I don't mind. I welcome the coldness, embracing the tingling and numbing sensations that come with it.
Jack begins to descend and my stomach erupts in butterflies. He lands down on top of a hill. "You'll see it better if you lie down," he tells me.
So we both lie down. My mind is racing with the possibilities of what it could be. I also wonder what time it is. Is Anna okay? If she knew I was worrying about her on my first date ever she'd kill me.
And that's when the sky lights up. Immediately my mouth stretches into a smile. Colours illuminates my surroundings and I look over to Jack. He's already looking at me, waiting to see my reaction. When he sees my smile, he smiles in triumph.
"Why did we go to Finland for this? We can see the Northern Lights in Arendelle too," I say in confusion. Although, I haven't seen them much in my life...
"They're not so common in Arendelle, and I knew it'd be happening tonight here. Look down at that town." I stare down at where he's pointing and in the light I can see silhouetted figures far away from us. "The whole town watches them. They party while the night sky is highlighted."
I gaze at the crowd in amazement. I listen closely, and from up here I can hear music. I see couples dancing to the music, and I can hear laughter echo up to us. Some figures are away from the crowd, and are clearly enjoying the alone time with their partner. Some sit huddled together, heads resting on shoulders. It's all so romantic... I glance at Jack. Maybe that's why he brought me here, because it's romantic.
Although Jack claims he hasn't talked to people since he woke, he can be quite smooth. Maybe it's just his natural charm. Whatever it is, it's quite appealing and I'm thankful he's almost like my own little secret.
The streaks of various colours burns brighter, and I stare up at them for awhile. I remember my father told me once that the colours represent our ancestors, or just people who have passed. When the lights shine in the sky, it's the ones we've lost at their closest to the real world. Perhaps they miss life down here on the earth. I can't blame them.
Life is probably the most magical thing. It's a blur of pain, and suffering, but we experience emotions that over power that: love, happiness, excitement. All of them make you forget everything bad in your life. No one goes through their life thinking that one day they won't be here to experience it anymore. I'm grateful I'm here alive to experience it.
The love my sister and I have for one another almost always makes me block out the pain and isolation I once felt. Although I have my bad days, she always makes me feel better.
Jack's making me feel like that too. He's making me feel bright inside, like darkness was never once apart of my life. He's making me feel things I never thought I would feel. I can't help but feel strongly about him.
I frown. I just don't want to fall in love with him. Already I know how difficult it's going to be to watch him leave. I don't want him to go, ever. I don't want to grow older each day, knowing that there's never going to be a chance of being with him. Even though I know it'll happen eventually, and that it hurts to think about, I'm just grateful to have moments like this to remember.
"Are you alright?" Jack asks. "What do you think?" The music is still echoing up to us, so that it's never going to be silent, but when I look at Jack it feels like its just me and him. No music. No laughter. Nothing. Just us two and the beautiful lights lighting the darkness around us.
"I'm great." He smiles. "I love it, Jack. It's beautiful."
"I guess I'm not too bad at this dating thing, then." He grins happily to himself. "You have to plan our second date, though. Let's see whose is better, eh?" He winks at me.
"Our second date?" I try to hold back a smile, but I fail.
He sits up so that he's staring down at me. The lights above highlights the colour of his eyes, and my heart skips a beat. He looks... I stop myself.
"Well, this was a great success and it was fun," he replies. "I reckon we should go on a second one. I mean..." He scratches the back of his head. "If you ever want to, that is." He gives me a half smile that makes me feel like my heart is melting. God, what is he doing to me?
I don't... We've only known each other a few days; how can I feel so strongly about him? Is it even humanly possible to feel this way about someone so quickly?
Well, obviously, otherwise I wouldn't be feeling like this. But is it normal? Probably not. But I'm not normal, so why does it matter?
"I'd love to," I say.
"Wonderful." He claps his hands together. "You're never going to beat this one. I think it should go in the history books as the best date ever thought of."
"You sure are confident," I note. "Wait until I plan our date. You'll be in for quite the shock."
"No more random guys kissing your hand though, and looking at you like you're... Just a trophy on a shelf." He pinches his eyebrows together. "Do any of those guys even really want to get to know you?" I cast my eyes up to the sky, and shrug my shoulders. "If they got to know you, they'd probably love you and not just your title."
"I doubt that'll ever happen," I mumble quietly, sitting up. I rub my arm, feeling a little sad. It's hard to know who would love you even if you weren't royal and surrounded by riches. I wish I wasn't.
Jack takes my hand in his and gives it a gentle squeeze. "Don't be so hard on yourself," he scolds me. "I got to know you and I... I think you're amazing! Other people will see that side of you too. Just give it time." I purse my lips. I don't want other people to fall in love with me. I want Jack to fall in love with me!
I blink in shock. Where did that thought come out of? Stop, brain, you haven't known him long enough to want that! I shouldn't want that. It'll just make things difficult because we can never be together forever.
I bite my lip and I let out a groan, and Jack looks at me concerned. "What's wrong?"
I shake my head, my cheeks going pink. "Nothing, sorry. I was just... Thinking." I give him a fake smile, but he doesn't smile back. He doesn't look convinced. "Honestly," I add.
He just shrugs his shoulders, still looking at me in concern. He's still holding my hand and I wonder does he realise that. I hope not. I like the feelings that come with his touch- the tingling, the warmness and even the butterflies. I wonder what he feels. I'm afraid to ask, and I don't think people usually ask that kind of thing. Does he feel as strongly about me, as I him?
I wonder if he even thinks about it as much as I do. I doubt it. I feel as though I'm obsessing too much about this, and I feel embarrassed. I really shouldn't have blocked out all emotions and feelings.
"The music is nice," Jack comments, breaking the lingering silence. For some reason, the silences between us don't feel uncomfortable. I barely notice them, I'm enjoying being with Jack too much. I'm also thinking a lot to even notice that there's silences between us.
I listen to the music. It sounds like a waltz. I tap my finger on the ground to the rhythm, and I listen dreamily to the music. Often, Anna and I are made dance this with the men at the balls we host. It's easy enough to dance to, and I find that I quite enjoy dancing.
I look at Jack and raise an eyebrow. Can he dance? He's so tall, and although he's a graceful flyer, I wonder is he as graceful dancing? I laugh at the thought, catching the attention of Jack. His head snaps in my direction, and he looks confused.
"What?"
I just shake my head and stand up. I hold out my hand and he looks uncertainly at me. "I want to dance. This is my favourite tune." Jack looks suddenly alarmed.
"Aha. No thanks," he replies. I purse my lips, determined to get him dancing. He shifts uncomfortably on the spot. "I don't dance. I fly. I sled. I run, I walk. But I do not ever dance. It's all too... Boring. I prefer to do exciting things that gives you thrills. Anything but dancing."
"Dancing is fun." I pout, crossing my arms over my chest. I give him a pleading look. "Please? Just one dance?"
I can tell he's nervous. His eyes shift uncomfortably around in his head, as though he's trying to avoid looking at me. I grab his hands and pull him to his feet. He tries to wriggle his arms from my grasp, so I put on the best puppy-look I can muster. In my grip, I can feel his hands shaking slightly.
"I can't dance," he argues again.
"It's easy, honestly," I reply, even more determined. "Watch– place your hand on my waist." He takes his hand and places it there, and I can tell he's even more nervous now. "Now, take my right hand." He does. I place my hand on his shoulder, and with my heart racing I step in closer to him.
"So, when does the fun begin?" Jack sounds almost breathless. Is his heart racing like mine?
"Now."
I make him move to the time of the music. He stumbles, unsure of himself. This happens a few times. Each time he steps on my foot, or almost trips over his feet, I can't help but giggle. He has his eyebrows pinched together in concentration, and he's staring down at his feet trying to get his footing right.
After much effort, he finally keeps in time with the music, and is smiling contently to himself, clearly pleased with his achievement.
"Now, admit that dancing is fun, mister rule breaker," I joke.
"I guess it's not too bad," he admits. "Although, it's much more complicated than the people down below make it seem." His eyes sparkle in the northern lights. Unexpectedly, he twirls me and I giggle, feeling at a high from the nervousness and the excitement at once.
"You seem to know what you're doing," I say with approval as I place my hand back on his shoulder.
"Although I'm not going to take dancing up as a hobby, I'll admit that it's a lot more fun than I gave credit for." He grins down at me. "But then again, I guess it's all down to the partner."
"Meaning?" I'm so lost in the dance, that I have to snap to focus to actually hear him.
"That I'm glad you're my partner for this dance." I smile, and as the music slows, I rest my head on his shoulder, lost in a whole new place. We still sway softly to the music, long after the northern lights disappear. It's strange how caught up in this I got. Everything else didn't seem to matter to me at this moment. It was just Jack and I, enjoying the time we have together.
I'm surprised he even agreed– kind of– to dancing with me. Even as relaxed as he seems, I can still tell he's a little nervous. But dancing honestly doesn't seem like something Jack would ever do again. At least I get to enjoy it with him.
I can't help but smile. With my head against him, I can hear clearly the sound of his heartbeat. It's beating as fast as mine is.
The music stops, and so do we. I step away and curtesy. "Don't doubt yourself, Jack," I tell him. "You are quite the dancer."
"I am, aren't I?" He playfully nudges me on the shoulder. "That was nice. Maybe it should go on a list of things we can do together again sometime." He grins. "You're not too bad at dancing yourself. A bit wobbly though."
I jokingly narrow my eyes at him. "I'll work on it," I reply. "Sorry that not everyone can be as good of a dancer as you are."
"Some people are just born with skill." He sticks his tongue out at me, and I do the same to him. I don't feel as embarrassed about doing that anymore. Today has made me feel differently. It's made me sure I have strong feelings for Jack, though. How should I feel about that? Why does the first guy I have feelings for have to be someone I can't be with.?
It's not fair.
"As much as I'm enjoying myself, I think it's time I brought you home," he says. I pout and he laughs. "Hey, we still have our second date. That should be fun. Not as fun as this one, but I'm sure it'll be close." He ruffles my hair and I scowl at him as I fix it. This just makes him laugh again.
I take his hand, and soon we're flying back over towns, but this time their lights are out and I can barely tell one town from another. The snow isn't falling heavily anymore.
I'm staring at Jack, daydreaming and thinking about the date. It was enjoyable. I feel really happy after it, so I'm glad I agreed to it and that Anna suggested it. I'd have to thank her tomorrow. Getting to know Jack was great. I'm still concerned that he doesn't seem to remember much– how does one wake up at the age of eighteen, and not remember anything to do with their past life? Surely he had one.
"Is my face that fascinating, El?" Jack asks, bringing me out of my thoughts. My eyes widen in surprise. I'm still staring at him– have I made him uncomfortable? Oh, god. What is wrong with me?
"I– no. Wait, what?"
Jack immediately laughs at me. He enjoys my awkwardness, clearly. At least I don't go pointing out every time he's awkward, which has been quite a few times, if I'm being honest.
We're back in Arendelle just over the hour. No one else is out, but I see lights on in the castle. I bet Anna is still awake. I groan at the thought of being questioned the moment I get in. I think she's just curious about what Jack's surprise was. She loves the northern lights, so I bet she'd love the fact that Jack flew me all the way to another country to see them.
Jack lands us down on the balcony, and when we're facing one another, there's an awkwardness there. What do you do when the date ends?
Jack holds out his hand, and I look uncertainly at it. I take it in mine and he shakes it. "Thanks for a good date," he says. I frown. He's only shaking my hand after our first date? No kiss on the cheek, or on the hand? Even a hug would be less disappointing than this.
I look up to his eyes, and I can tell how nervous he is again. "No problem," I reply quietly. Maybe I should go to kiss him on the cheek... I bite the inside of my lip nervously. What's so different to yesterday or the day before? We both had no problem doing it then. Why are we suddenly nervous?
We're still holding hands. "I– I should– home," he stutters.
He's about to let go of my hand, but I grip it more firmly. "Wait, Jack–" I begin, and I lean in, heart beating heavily against my chest. His eyes soften, and then I press my lips against his.
My first kiss. His too, I reckon.
His hands travel down to my waist and mine wrap around his neck. I have to stand on the tips of my toes to reach his lips, but I don't mind. My lips are becoming numb– from kissing, or the coldness off of him, I'm not sure. But I enjoy it. I enjoy the way my lips begin to tingle.
We pull away, and for a few seconds, I refuse to open my eyes. What if he didn't enjoy that as much as I did? What if he's disgusted? If he is, I doubt he'd still be holding me. Slowly, I open my eyes.
"That was unexpected," he says, as he sees me coming out of my moment. I smile, blushing like crazy.
"I do unexpected things sometimes," I mumble quietly. Our faces are still close, and our bodies are still pressed against one another.
He grins. "You should do them more often," he tells me. He looks up at me with a grin "Have to say, that was much more enjoyable than a handshake." Jack lets out a nervous laugh.
"I'll bet," I answer with a grin.
Then his eyes widen, and he backs away from me. I sway on my feet, looking at him in confusion. He does find the kiss repulsive, I think. He scratches the back of his head and stares at me, his eyebrows furrowed together. He opens his mouth, but nothing is said. He just stares at me, mouth partly parted. While this is happening, I'm on red alert inside my head. He's never going to come near me again- but why did he suddenly look at me like I was an alien? Only minutes ago he acted like he enjoyed it.
"I- I think I should go," he finally says. My stomach drops. "Night, Elsa."
"Night," I reply quietly.
He just smiles weakly at me, and dives off of the balcony. I watch him until I can no longer see him.
I head back inside, my mind racing. What just happened? He didn't look disgusted, but does he feel disgusted? My palms begin to sweat, and I wipe them off my dress. No. He wouldn't just suddenly change his mind... Would he? I'm panicking, I realize. It's the same uneasy feeling I used to get whenever I wasn't wearing my gloves, as though something bad is going to happen. Something terrible.
Maybe kissing him was a mistake. I never act so spontaneously. It was all too impulsive... It isn't me. I scowl. Why is Jack making me like this? Or, maybe he's just making me act myself. I shake my head; either way, I doubt he's ever going to come back to me again.
My lips are still numb, but there's a tingling sensation. My hands trace my lips. I can't believe I just kissed him. I just don't understand- why did he back away from me?
I fall onto my bed with a groan.
First kisses really do change everything.
What have I done?
ELLE555: Ya, I know! Sorry for the wait! xD Aha. Got too tired on New Years.. :P Then I went to see the hobbit (again) last night, so I couldn't update it for awhile xD Aha, I'm glad you like it so much you check it :) Yay! Glad it was satisfactory :D ... Huh. Not entirely sure, but there's an Arandal in Norway, so maybe they based it off of that? I'm not too sure, but I'm gonna say there :P I have no idea what SAT is.. We don't have those in Ireland. But Im seriously dreading my Irish oral... I'm so bad at Irish it's not even funny :( aksjdask be grand... :L I hope :) Good luck in your final year, btw :D
livelaughlovenarnia: I love when guys are awkward about things... I just go: YOU ARE SO CUTE GOD DAMMMM ASKjDHSKJHSAKD Jack's always adorable ;D I think my crush on fictional characters is getting out of hand :L And true that :P
Tears of a Spirit: Thank you so much! :) Hope this was okay :) AND YES I LOVE IT SO MUCH aKLAJSKDJ Percy Jackson is awesome. My tumblr blog is PJ related :) Plus, Percabeth is the best tbh :D
Dragowolf: ... And now you know why they were heading to Finland :P Hope you found this alright :)
Jelsa Fan: THANK YOU! :D I'm happy you think so :D sqwidjkwdjakd I'm squealing omg thank you! I'm so glad you like it :') Hope the surprise was okay (and romantic ;] ) :P Thanks for reviewing :)
Smiley: I was gonna be like: Aw, okay. That's fine... BUT THEN I READ ON AND THANK YOU SO MUCH :D Yay. I'm truly happy you like it that much! It makes me so happy that you like it :') Thank you!
Okay, I always usually listen to bands like All Time Low (WHO I'M SEEING IN MARCH BECAUSE MY MAM GOT ME TICKETS FOR CHRISTMAS), Paramore, The Beatles, etc, when writing, but for this chapter I was listening to 1D (who i actually love too- *DIES* I'm going to see them in May) and I was listening to You & I, Summer Love, and They don't Know About Us... And this chapter happened :L
I hope it's okay... I know.. They kissed and of course, I had to add an unknown complication into it ;D Stay tuned to find out what happens :P
Anyway, tell me what ye think :D Thanks for the reviews and follows, as always :)
