Betrothed to Jack Frost (REWRITTEN)

2) You Can't Run From Fate

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Elle was relieved she had opted for warmer clothes to change into for her classes later that afternoon. Jeans and a forest green turtleneck kept her much warmer than the knee-length dress uniform she had worn earlier. By the time she arrived at school and managed to get through two lengthy classes, she finally received a response to the message she had sent Lucy earlier. Elle was curious to see if Aiden had shared his mysterious problem with her.

Lucy's reply was quick and to the point: We never talk outside of hanging around you, Elle. But if he's upset, it's probably about the weather. We all know how much he likes the sun. ;)

Even Lucy was aware of Aiden's quirky mood swings, which seemed to align with the weather. Elle snickered at the message and quickly replied before slipping her phone back into her pocket.

Fortunately for Elle, her literature class was dedicated to finalizing everyone's essays. Unfortunately, Elle had yet to decide on a topic for hers. She formulated a rough starting point and began typing on her outdated laptop. Considering the class was an open period where students could either edit their work or leave, Elle chose to pack up and head home. She felt self-conscious about the idea of someone passing by and seeing that she hadn't even settled on a topic. Going home seemed like a better environment for brainstorming, away from the prying eyes and pressure of the classroom.

"Uncreative: An Autobiography of Evangeline Darrow," Elle muttered to herself as she stepped outside into the brisk weather. Her father had been a brilliant professor, renowned for his lively storytelling even in the face of illness. His best advice to her had always been simple: "When you love to write, write what you know." As Elle walked across the chilly campus courtyard, she found herself questioning what, exactly, she knew well enough to write about.

Elle had been a cheerleading bookworm in high school, dedicating most of her time to the quiet solace of the local library. Without her tumbling skills, she likely wouldn't have made the cheer squad; her quiet nature meant she rarely initiated conversations. Polite but reserved, Elle had only a handful of close friends—Aiden and Lucy being the most significant. Her social circle consisted more of acquaintances than deep, meaningful connections. Even now, her life was much the same, with the only difference being that she was no longer a cheerleader. As she walked across the crowded parking lot to her car, Elle relished the sound of her boots crunching through the freshly fallen snow. It was unusual to have eight inches of snow in typically warm South Carolina. Normally, this amount of snow would close down campuses and schools, but with exams underway, the college stayed open, unwilling to push the semester into summer. Elle enjoyed the winter weather, savoring the crunch of snow beneath her feet. She was so absorbed in watching her boots make imprints in the snow that she didn't notice the person directly in front of her until she collided with him.

"Oh!" Elle squeaked, her face flushing with embarrassment. "I am so sorry! I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," she added hastily.

The young man before her, who appeared no older than seventeen, shook his sandy-colored head with a grin. "Do not be sorry," he said warmly. "I was hoping to run into you. You've just made that a bit more literal than I intended."

Elle studied the tall young man, noting his expensive attire—a black tailcoat and dress pants that seemed far beyond her own wardrobe's range. His sandy brown hair and strikingly unique eyes, a mix of violet, green, and blue, caught her attention. She had never seen eyes quite like his before and quickly assumed they were contact lenses. "Um, do I know you?" Elle asked, scrutinizing him. Though she was good with faces, she couldn't recall ever having spoken to him before.

"Yes and no," the young man replied with a smile. "We met a very long time ago; I doubt you remember it."

Elle wasn't convinced. She was certain she had never seen this boy before. "Oooo-kay," she said, unsure how to respond. "Did you need something?" she asked politely, recalling that he had mentioned wanting to talk to her.