f i v e
Elsie was in her room, sitting on the window seat that she found herself at often, tracing the frost on the glass. Still in the winter months, it was cold and the heating needed to be up at all times. Even though it was warm everywhere in her house, it wasn't in her sleeping quarters. Being wrapped up in her wool comforter and wearing her favorite knee-high socks were her heat source, but she was still shivering. It wasn't because of the cold, but because of the news she's awaiting to get. Even her dad's famous hot chocolate couldn't calm her down. Never has she been this nervous before, and if that's true, she can't imagine how her parents feel.
She was trying to focus on something else, like how the snow drowning her backyard was beautiful, or how she's lucky her mom and dad didn't make her go to school that day. All that could occupy her mind, though, was something she wanted out immediately. El started to panic, thinking about the unthinkable, so she quickly lifted the window from its hinges in attempt to get some fresh air. She gulped down some breaths of the chilly atmosphere, smiling slightly at how the freezing breeze managed to cool her down. The snowflakes prancing in the wind kissed her cheeks as they danced by, but that just made her smile a tad more. Who knew winter could calm down a fidgety red-head in need of a hug?
"Honey?"
Her father's soft voice alerted her, but from the little crack in the simple word, her worries reappeared. Elsie turned around cautiously, raising her brows at the tall man at her door as if asking for an answer she secretly didn't want to hear. Her mother had been complaining about a bunch of abdominal pain and severe cramps, and if that wasn't enough to make someone's face pale, the woman had been bleeding a lot lately. Elsie knew it as a sign of a period, but that made no sense to her. For the past two or so hours, her parents were at the hospital, trying to figure out what was happening, and apparently they're back home.
El was hoping her dad was just being his usual self and tricking her to think something horrible occurred, but then again, the look on his face was too sincerely sad. And that caused her stomach to twist into thousands of knots already.
The man with an impressive go-tee, other wise known as Elsie's bubbly and care-free father, had opened and closed his mouth multiple times before he decided to just let it out. With those simple five words, the family's life had a down slope that none of them thought they'd get off of. The comforter dropped from the 15-year old's shoulders after she had made a quick dash into her dad's arms, not only concerned about how her father felt but also how her mother must feel like a pile of dirt. Elsie didn't worry about how she felt at the moment- just about how her parents were dealing with it. She, once again, was a bottle full of emotions that she has kept under a tightly screwed cap, and she didn't plan on releasing everything on a day like this. Five words let her know that another day would be better.
"Your mother had a miscarriage."
February 14, 2013
Elsie's hair was being tugged and pulled at, but also made into a beautiful creation by, none other, her little cousin Sophie. The 2-year old was trying to put it into a decent pony tail for the party the Bennett family (and now that included El) was invited to for the lovely holiday that is Valentines. She always managed to leave a piece out, thus making her huff and start all over again. The strands of amber-red were slick through her tiny fingers, and it was all too much to grip in one hand, so group by group of hair, Soph attempted to make a masterpiece.
Elsie was leaning her elbow on the window seal in the room she shares, her chin in her hand, her eyes watching the light snowfall dot the glass and flood the backyard. The coolness of the window didn't just prick her fingertips, but it also spread throughout her whole hand, sparking her veins and giving her a shock of chills. It reminded her of how she felt with a certain spirit, and she swore that was crazy. The whole situation was insane, of course, but no matter how many times she closed her eyes and tried to convince herself that it wasn't real, it wasn't true, that it was just a temporary crush, these flashes of him, his beautiful creations, his heart-swelling smile appeared. And she knew she hadn't seen him smile all that much. Actually, she hasn't seen him smile truthfully at all.
Grins, smirks, and subtle lip-lifting.
No genuine smiles were ever thrown out.
That kind of made her saddened and disappointed, and that caused her mind twist back around. Yes, Elsie Abernathy fancied him, and her heart fluttered even thinking about him. That caused her face to cringe, but not in a disgusted way. No, it was in a knowing way. If her feelings never left, what would become of them? Stuttering when he was near? Red-tinted cheeks? Constant fear of not looking good enough? She hated the thought!
Why, out of all people, had her heart lurched towards an attractive dead guy?
Sophie had given up, sitting back and crossing her small arms over her chest. She just couldn't get it right! Elsie didn't even notice, she was so lost in her thoughts. But then the 2-year old started tugging at her own hair, and only then did the older girl in the room hear her baby cousin's complaints.
"Y'know," El started, bending over to throw her hair into the usual bun, "I think your hair would look good up, as well, my fairy queen."
The blondie started to bounce, giggling in excitement. And, for the next 5 minutes, her hair was easily brushed through and put up into a high ponytail. Elsie thought it'd go best with the plaid jumper dress, glad Soph had a pair of tights and a long sleeve to go under. It's still cold outside, even though the warmth is trying to peep through unnoticeably, and that is why the 17-year old is wearing what she is.
She was iffy about even going, because she knew barely anyone in this town, but her aunt had convinced her. So, she decided on a simple sweater the color of sweet cream, matching it with regular jeans and some combat boots. It was decent enough for a get-together for Valentines Day, she hoped.
"You girls coming?" Her aunt hollered from the living room, already bugging her son to put on a coat.
"Yep!" Elsie called back, scooping her little cousin up with ease, placing the small girl on her hip. With the giggle that escaped Sophie's lips, her carrier was making her way to the front door, sloppily putting earmuffs on the toddler's ears. Not shortly after, they all piled into Ms. Bennett's car, chatting about the food or what gift they might get from the party hostess. Last year, Jamie told Elsie, Mrs. Griffin (Caleb and Claude's mother) gave them a box of chocolates to take home. El was listening, but at the same time, she was not.
Her eyes were focused on the outside décor of light snow, but her ears were focused on her cousin's suspicions about what they could get this time.
Her head was nodding to what he was saying, but her mind was shaking side to side as her thoughts jumbled together.
Yes, she was listening to Jamie, but not comprehending.
The scenery reminded her of a couple days ago, when Jack had visited and, with only one point to the sky, made it snow in her cousin's backyard. His arm was around her shoulders, his cool cheek rubbing against her hair when she tilted her head to see what was happening. Her hands were still latched onto his wrist from trying to pry it off, but then her fingers relaxed and brushed the soft material of his hoodie. Her mouth parted slightly in awe at how brilliant it looked, and Jack would be smirking proudly if it weren't for the weird urge that popped into his mind. Elsie felt his eyes on her, but tried to pay no attention to it as she danced with her cousins in the snow.
That moment couldn't have ended any earlier.
He just took off, with a "I've.. got to go," and then he was gone.
And that hurt El more than it should have.
Yes, she was listening to Jamie, but not comprehending. She was thinking about Jack.
And Jack was thinking about her.
He couldn't not think about her. She's all that's been on his mind. He's been distracted and legitimately can not function correctly. After realizing what all the jitters were, he flew anywhere but there. Jack, unlike Elsie, hadn't given up on rejecting every feeling he's gotten. He can't believe he would ever fall for someone, and especially for an alive human being that thrives, has a real life, a bright future and a beautiful ending. He'll never get a beautiful ending, because he's immortal. He doesn't know what to do with his future because it's not up to him. To him, his life isn't even a real one that just anyone could live.
The fact that Jack has a mysterious catch in his life that he never knew was what made him special. He didn't see that, though. He just saw a spirit that protects fun (which really isn't all that hard) and provides another season of the year. He didn't think he would be allowed to like someone like Elsie, who definitely has a great future and Jack can't see himself in it. At least, he doesn't need to. He wants to, and he hates that.
He also hates how she attracts him to her in any way possible.
And how she makes him feel dizzy and stupid.
And how she has a small dimple on her right cheek that he wants to kiss continuously.
And how she makes him wonder what her hair would look like down. He swears it'd be beautiful.
It all drives him crazy, and he especially hates how that's even possible.
I've only actually hung out with her for, what, 3 days? He rolled his eyes, stuffing his left hand in his pocket. He used his other to guide his staff along the small pond he found himself at in times of boredom, glad this little place was near the back of Tooth's palace. It was one of those hidden locations that don't get enough attention. He was supposed to help collect teeth, but he knew as well as Tooth that it was to keep him busy. They didn't need his help. He just had nothing to do but cause chaos with ice and snow, but he couldn't bring himself to do that. With the way he's been thinking, it's almost impossible.
"Never thought I'd see you like this."
Jack turned around quickly, relaxing upon seeing that it was Tooth perched on a rock. She was studying him with a small smile, her pink eyes glittering like usual. This time, though, it had a knowing look. He cleared his throat and mustered up a chuckle, "Uh, what do you mean?"
Her feathers fluttered as she flew over, circling him in a curious way. He just watched her nervously, not having any clue to what she was doing.
"You know," Tooth started, coming to a stop right in front of him, "You know what I mean. I can see it."
Jack continued to stare at her in confusion, causing the Tooth Fairy to let out an annoyed sigh.
"It's in your eyes, Jack! Righhht there!" She pointed her dainty finger in his face, making him step back in surprise. "It's a sparkle! You know what that means, don't you?"
By now, the frozen 300-year old boy had no clue what she was taking about, but at the same time, he had a theory. He didn't want anyone knowing about his sudden feelings that sprouted from a couple meetings with a girl.
"Ugh," Tooth huffed, running a hand down her face, "Why do I even bother?"
And she left. She left him with a horrible gut feeling, one that he's been pushing back and rejecting. It returned, just at the thought of Elsie Abernathy, the naturally beautiful cousin of Jamie Bennett, the girl that will keep on making him crazy for her no matter what he does. He tried to get it out, but it seems like the emotion that has been given to him has now buried itself inside Jack's heart. It won't leave, no matter how much he begs it to. It won't even get discouraged, no matter how many times he's tried to make up excuses.
And he hates that.
Jack and Elsie.
Elsie and Jack.
They were tied together, no matter how many times the two wanted to deny it.