Forget-Me-Not (Jack Frost X OC)

4

     I grabbed all ten photo albums and carefully looked through each and every one of them. It was taking longer than I expected. I finally reached the last page of the last album and found it. Of course it would be the very last page and album! I thought to myself. I took it out from the sheet protector and examined it carefully. There was a drawing of a boy with white hair and a blue hoodie standing next to me. I brushed back my white hair as I looked at the drawing and tried to remember my old imaginary friend. Nothing came to mind... Well, almost nothing. The only thing I remembered was what I had dreamt of earlier in the day.

"Mom!?" I shouted. I wanted to know if she knew anymore about this Jack character. I really don't know why I want to know so much, I just did. It seemed like the right thing to do. My mother squatted next to me as she dried her hands on her jeans.

"Do you know anything else about him?" I asked pointing at the drawing of the boy.

"You said he was a spirit that could make it snow. Honestly, honey, why are you so interested in him all of a sudden? You were five when you stopped believing in him."

"I just want to remember the past. You know, take a trip down memory lane." I replied. I sighed and put everything back where I found it, but kept the drawing. I thanked my mom and said I wasn't feeling all that great. "I'll be in my room trying to sleep." I said softly. I shut the door behind me and sat on my bed observing the drawing of my four-year-old self. I grabbed my phone and googled "spirit that makes snow". Not much came up. I looked through the small little descriptions of the links and saw the name Jack Frost. I tapped it and started reading all about this "winter spirit".

     Jack Frost was a fairytale character that brought snow and winter to all parts of the world. He was said to be the keeper, or guardian, of fun and winter. The description of him is portrayed as a young adult with snow white hair. He carries a staff with his which is a symbol of his power. His background seemed tragic. He and his little sister went ice skating one winter's day and the pond was cracking. His sister would have fallen in if not for Jack. As a result of saving her, he was the one who had fallen in the freezing cold pond. "Wow." I whispered to myself. I looked over at the picture once again and tried to fall asleep. Within an hour or so, I finally was able to shut my eyes and rest. I had another dream about my imaginary friend. We were sitting in the snow and Jack was telling me about his leaving. I was teary-eyed and asked him to stay. "Wish I could snowflake, but I have to go." He chuckled. "Promise you won't forget me?" he said with hopefulness in his voice. I nodded and wiped a tear away. He then stood up and smiled down at me. That was the last I'd ever see of him.

    I woke up feeling sore all around my neck. I must have slept wrong or on something. I got up and change into a red flannel with a gray vest and black jeans. I slipped on my boots and went to brush my teeth and wash my face before drawing the little Forget-Me-Not flower at the corner of my eye. I ran to the kitchen where my mother was barely making breakfast.

"You're up early." She said. She sounded a little too cheerful, as if there was a special occasion today. Was there?

"No, I'm not. Its 7:30, isn't it?" My mother shook her head and pointed at the microwave clock that read 6:16. I groaned and went back to my room to sleep some more before the bus came.

     On the bus, I didn't see David. I was hoping to see him on the bus so I wouldn't have to ditch school again. I had his jacket to return. I shrugged and went to sit at the back of the bus and listened to music on the way to school. I sat by the window and rested my cheek on my fist. The song that was playing was called Soundless Voice. Originally the song is in Japanese, but I prefer the English version. It sounded so beautiful, but it was such a sad song. I quickly changed it to a happier one like Shooting Star by Owl City. I loved it so much. It put me in a better mood.

    This time I got until lunch until I just had to get out of school and play in the snow. I headed for the nurse and she allowed me to ditch. I ran into the white world. The snow was soft, thick and fluffy. It was like petting a fluffy white cat! It was then that I remembered I was supposed to meet up with David at the coffee shop earlier, so I bolted over and found him sitting alone by a window with his head resting against his fist.

"David!" I call out, "I'm sorry. I wasn't able to get out until now."

"I kind of figured." He chuckled. He didn't seemed even remotely butt-hurt that I was super late. He asked about how my day was going so far and I told him about having been in a relationship that ended just two days ago. He gave me words of encouragement and comfort. Then we talked about ourselves for a while. David was born in Cincinnati and came here about a year ago to live with his mom. His parents had been divorced 5 years. His dad was "a lunatic", as he said. His dad spent his time looking into crazy things and conspiracies that weren't true. Eventually his mom gained custody and his dad was no longer allowed to see him his son.

     I told David that I was adopted and lived alone with my mom. I told him about the poem from my birth mom. I also told him about the flower that I loved so much. Basically, I told him everything. It just seemed as if I could put all my trust into this stranger I had just met a day ago. He was nice and fun almost like my ex. But I knew better than to trust him 100 percent. He walked me home again and this time I insisted he take his jacket back. He asked if we could meet up again, but this time I'd pick the time and place.

"How about the park at, say, 4?" I asked hoping that it would be ok.

"Sounds good." David smiled. I smiled back and went in my warm home that smelled like ginger. I shut the door behind me then made my way to the kitchen where I found my mother baking some gingerbread cookies. Then I face-palmed as I remembered that Christmas was around the corner. I still hadn't gone shopping for a present for her. My mom smiled at me as she set the hot tray of tiny cookie men on a cooling rack. I reached to grab a cookie and my hand was smacked with an oven mitten. "You don't eat them plain," my mother exclaimed disgusted, "you decorate them first!" she beamed. We had a really fun time decorating the cookies and making a mess.

     After we decorated the cookies, my mom made some hot chocolate and set our mugs on the table. We grabbed one cookie and dunked them in the hot beverage then quickly ate them.

"Oh! This is so good!" I said with pleasure.

"We really outdid ourselves this year, wouldn't you say?"

"Yeah! Oh, by the way, I'm going to the mall. I'll be back before dark. Can I take the car?"

"Try not to hit any pedestrians." My mom smiled as she handed me the keys. I really loved her. She was always so happy and seemed like she didn't have a care in the world. She is so laid back and full of positive energy. I want to get her something nice and meaningful.

     I looked around for something—anything! I had come across this wonderful necklace that seemed perfect. It had a silver chain and a small flower with a blue gem at its center. I liked it and I was sure Mom would too. I asked to look at it and the man behind the desk allowed me to take a closer look at it. I asked how much it was and when I heard the price, I couldn't believe it! "$700!" I exclaimed. "For this little piece of jewelry?!" I gave him back the necklace and continued walking around.