Snowflakes Fall and So Did I

~CHAPTER 88~

~Rapunzel~

*Monday, March 3rd*

I had cried so much during the first week after Elsa discovered everything. Both in sadness and in relief. I was devastated that Elsa was upset with me, but was relieved when she told me she understood why I did what I did. Because she had been there. Her words, her forgiveness, is probably what affected me the most because I genuinely thought her anger would be way worse. And I know that just because she forgave me doesn't mean she's still not hurting, but...it really did help me not feel as guilty.

And don't get me wrong, I still feel horrible, but I know I could definitely be in a worse headspace.

And right now, my mind and heart is curious and nervous as to why Elsa wants us to meet in the library before our classes start. It was hard parting from Anna, I was at a loss for words when she asked Elsa and I where we were going when we were headed in the opposite direction as her. But Elsa was smart and quick with it.

"I can't tell you where because I know you'll try to spy on us, but it involves your birthday and I really need you not to be there. It's a surprise."

"Oh my gosh!" Anna had said in delight, her eyes shining. "I love surprises! How exciting! Ugh but this is so hard though. You know I'm too curious for my own good."

"Well too bad. Kristoff is waiting for you. And I doubt your lips can wait any longer without touching his."

"Haha, very funny. But fine. I suppose I won't pry. This time."

And now here we are, walking into the library.

Mr. Dewey and Miss Linda were behind their big, shared desk, chatting and sipping their coffee, paying us no mind as Elsa and I strolled in. Hiccup, Astrid, and Flynn were already there, sitting at a table all the way across the room, as far away from the librarians as much as they could be. There were some other kids too. Some sleeping and others studying. While the cafeteria is where everyone is supposed to go before their classes start, the library is also an option for those that would prefer a more quiet space. The perfect place to talk about Mr. Black possibly being the cause of Jack's mom and sister's deaths.

Elsa had already filled me in and it honestly makes sense. The car they were in never had any issues from what I'm aware of. Jack never mentioned anything wrong with it before. And while the cause of the wreck was considered ice on the road, Jack was a great driver. Especially when there were other people in the car, and even more especially when it was his younger siblings and mom.

Now, granted, just because someone is a great driver, it doesn't mean they are automatically exempt from the elements, but considering that Mr. Black is obsessed with Elsa, of course he'd try to take out her boyfriend. The creep wants her to himself simply because he was in love with her mother!

God, I'm just now realizing too that Jack also lost the car. It was a shared car between Jack and his mom. He never pressured her to buy his own, never complained about not having a car that belonged to only him, and never minded that they shared hers. He had actually tried to get a job, to get that experience, but his mom wanted him to focus on his hockey career and school. A job would have gotten in the way of that. Jack wanted to help her out with bills, but as a nurse who gets good money, she insisted that he stay a kid a little while longer.

The only job Jack ever had, and still does sometimes when he wants or needs money, is helping North with the reindeer ranch. And then the toy shop during the holidays. It's more experience than I. There's tons of peers who are working and tons that aren't, and while I know I'll have a job one day, I still wonder what it would be. What does my future look like?