Rivals (A Jelsa Story)

Chapter 20 - Slippery Slope

A/N: All credits for the attached art go to the original artist.

Elsa's POV

"Are you going to the hockey game tonight?" I asked Jack as we left the store. I'd kind of assumed he was, but I figured I would ask.

"In a manner of speaking," he replied.

"And pray tell, what does that mean?"

"I'm on the team."

"Wait." I stopped walking. "You play ice hockey?"

He chuckled. "What?"

"So you 'skate a bit'?" I said, making air quotes.

"To be fair, it does involve a bit of skating."

"Oh, I think it involves more than a bit."

"Okay fine, you win. I'm an excellent skater. Happy now?"

"Ecstatic." We started walking again. "What time do you have to get there?"

"Six, I think."

"What?" I looked at my phone. "Jack, that's in less than ten minutes!"

He shrugged. "So? It's not far away. And it doesn't matter if I'm like two minutes late."

"Well come on!" I started walking faster.

He laughed and caught up to me. "What's the deal, snowflake? Don't want me to get in trouble again?"

"No, I don't! You're in enough trouble because of me."

"It's not because of you. I chose to do all those things. It's not your fault."

"I still feel somewhat responsible."

"Well, don't."

"Thanks," I said, rolling my eyes. "That makes me feel so much better."

Jack's POV

We got back to the school at 5:59. I smirked at Elsa, who just rolled her eyes again. "Well, I would say good luck, but Kristoff is on our team and I want him to win. So. Bad luck."

"Wow, thank you, darling!" I put my hand over my chest. "I will treasure your dear parting wish until my very last breath."

"Ha! Yeah. See you tonight." She walked away.

I continued on to the locker room and saw a very angry North standing by the door. I smiled flatly. "Hey."

"Thought I might finally catch up to you here." He crossed his arms. "No more getting away, Jack. I'll be with you after the game. And tomorrow morning when you get here, you'll meet me at the front doors. This isn't funny business."

"Yeah, I know." I ducked into the locker room. "Gotta go, later!"

* * *

Elsa and I walked to her car after we left from the game. I asked North to stay a few feet behind to give us some privacy.

"You're a natural," Elsa observed. "That was like watching a winter spirit on the ice in there."

"Why thank you." I stuck my hands in my pockets. "So, what now?"

"Well, there's the carnival tomorrow. And then the dance tomorrow night." We'd reached her car..

"Right, right," I said, nodding. "Do you have a date?"

"No, I'll probably just go with my friends." She pulled her keys out of her bag.

"Oh. Yeah. Same here."

"I mean, we'll – we'll probably see each other."

"Oh, yeah, no, totally, cuz, you know, we'll both be there..." I looked around awkwardly. "Um, well, I should probably go."

"Yeah, yeah of course. Well, it was great seeing you. Nice game."

"Thanks. And I'll – I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I mean, I'll be here."

"Cool. Alright, well, good night!"

"Good night!" She smiled at me as she got into her car.

I turned around and sort of did a skip back to where North was waiting. "Real smooth," he commented as I walked past him toward the other parking lot.

"Oh, shut up." I couldn't stop smiling.

I didn't even listen to music on the drive home. Suddenly it wasn't so uncomfortable to be alone with my thoughts.

A few lights were on in the house when I got home, so I figured Mom was probably still up. I opened the front door and looked around. "Mom?"

"John Matthew Overland!"

And just like that, the warmth in my face was replaced with burning.

Mom came barrelling around the corner. "Do you care to explain why I got a call from your vice principal today telling me you punched the Disney prom king?"

"He poured grape juice on my friend, Mom," I said, my voice coming out cold as ice. "And he's been harassing her for who knows how long before that."

"That's no excuse, young man. Violence is never a solution."

"What was I supposed to do?" I yelled back. "I don't think talking to him would have fixed anything. Besides, that guy is a jerk. He's had it coming for a long time."

"This is it, Jack. They're taking you off of the student council."

"What?"

"They said this was the last straw. Apparently you've been acting up in class and not turning in assignments?" Mom's eyebrows were raised.

"Oh, I'm sorry, can you blame me for not caring about school right now? What with all the happy-go-lucky fun times we've been having here?"

As soon as the words left my mouth, I wished I could take them back. Mom's face fell like I'd never seen before.

"Mom, I'm sorry, I–"

"Go to your room."

"Fine!" I stormed up the stairs. Once I got to the top, I whirled around and looked her dead in the eye. "Oh, and that's not my name anymore, remember? It's Jack Frost now."

A/N: Hope everyone had a good weekend! I hung out with some friends yesterday and it was super fun except for when four of us tried to fit together on a hammock at the same time; long story short, we all fell off and I smacked my heel on the metal support rod and now have a black bruise on the back of my foot. So yeah, don't try that. You've been warned.

We get a little more information about Jack's home life in this chapter! [insert dramatic gasp face] What's been going on with his mom??? Why did he change his name???

Please vote, comment, and follow!

Lots of love and hugs,

Livi