Sunshine and Frost

6. The Decision

After a few minutes of flying Jack lands us behind my new house. I lean on a tree to catch my breath, "Next time warn me before you take off like that."

Jack rests his hands behind his head and lays back, continuing to float in midair. "Aw, but then I wouldn't be able to see your priceless reaction." He lets out a laugh as I try to hit his leg in annoyance.

"So, when will you be released back into society?" He jokes.

"Whenever my homework for the break is done." I sigh.

He sits up, "For the whole break? Isn't that a lot?"

I shrug my shoulders, "Yeah I guess, but my Mom doesn't really care. It's what she expects of me."

He lands next to me, "What happens if you don't do it?"

I rest the back of my head against the tree, "I mostly have to deal with her disappointment and yelling. But if she's really mad then she makes me miss a meal, and basically puts me on house arrest till I'm done."

His eyes widen, "Man your Mom sure runs a tight ship around here huh?"

I close my eyes, feeling a lump growing in my throat. "Yeah, I guess she does," I whisper.

The boy lets out a laugh, "I mean come on, is this a house or a prison? It must be totally boring to—"

"Yeah it seriously sucks, but she's my Mom Jack. So I kind of have to deal with the stupid house rules, now don't I?" I snap at him.

He doesn't say anything as I push my hair behind my ear in embarrassment. I feel a hand on my shoulder, "Why are you still here? If she's too hard on you then isn't there somewhere else for you to live?"

His eyes are full with curiosity and sympathy, something I wasn't expecting from the winter spirit. In the back of my mind I knew what he was saying made sense, but she's the only person who tolerates me.

"No, there's nowhere else for me to go because no one wants me." I whisper, my voice wavering.

I feel a few stray tears roll down my cheeks, snapping me from my thoughts. I step away from him, harshly rubbing my eyes to stop the tears.

"I uh," my voice shaking as I stutter, "I should go in before my Mom comes out here." I force a smile to cover my sudden showcase of weakness.

Jack's eyes soften at my obvious forced smile, "Well I'll be flying around town all day. If you want to talk just open your window, and I'll be there as soon as I see it."

Fearing my voice will break again, I nod and turn to go inside. A gust of wind ruffles my hair, I look over my shoulder to see him gone.

I sigh in disappointment, knowing in my heart that I really didn't want him to go. I walk into my house, letting the back door slam shut behind me.

"Nicola, is that you?" A voice calls.

"Yeah Mom, it's me." I reply.

An angered woman makes her way into the kitchen, where the back door is. Mother's light brown eyes are narrowed as they express how furious their owner is. Her hands are on her hips as she taps her foot on the tile floor. With her hair pulled back in its normal tight bun, making it impossible for her angry expression to be hidden.

"Just what were you thinking? You know that rules Nicola, you can't leave the house until your work is done." She states. I flinch at her raised tone of voice, knowing that this is only the beginning.

"I just..." my voice fades.

"You just what?"