Normalcy of The Big Four

I don't know.

~Rapunzel~

Jack had eventually let it go, after the last warning bell rang and I completely panicked about him being late.

I would have to tell him something, he knew something was bothering me. What am I suppose to say though?

'Oh, I'm just sad because you're really great, Jack, and I'm really shit'?

Yeah, that should totally work. Ugh.

I felt the clay of my sculptor squish aggressively between my fingers. I held back the annoyed groan as I realized I had ruined all progress I was making. The smooth clay figure had turned rough. Curves went sharp, soft edges made blunt.

North pulled a headphone out of my ear, "this is different than normal". He gestured towards my work as he made his way back to the front of the room, "different is not bad, you know".

I sighed, and pulled the other pink earbud out. Quickly grabbing a pass, I headed out of the classroom, "I'll be right back".

With only about 5 more minutes until 4th period started, I need to get my mind straight before I see Jack again. It can't be that hard to just act normal, right? I mean, it's not like this is anything different. Jacks still acting the same, nothing's changed. I'm just being dumb.

"Hey, Emerald Eyes. What're you doing out of class?", I heard the smirk filled Australian voice because I noticed the blue haired teen.

Aster was standing outside of the gym doors, casually leaning against the wall. His slightly grown out mohawk was messy, giving me the impression that he had either been sleeping in class or had not bothered to fix it this morning. Probably both.

He was roughly a foot taller than me, and well built to fit the tall frame. The toned muscles down his arms were partially covered in tattoos already, his parents must be cool to allow that.. Mine would never.

Dimples formed perfectly in the middle of both his cheeks when he smiled, always cute even though dimples are technically a mutation where your muscle failed to form..

His eyes were a hazel color that just looked grey the majority of the time, and they constantly had a look of mischief within them.

I smiled, happy to have a distraction from my mind especially with a friend like Aster, "I'm actually just walking around.. Going to the vending machine, I guess".

He looked behind me, raising one eyebrow in a completely over dramatic way, "don't you only use the one by the front office?"

I rolled my eyes, "don't you have somewhere to be, like class?"

Asters laugh filled the hall, obviously not worried about skipping, "you got me there".

He had a nice laugh, the kind that was contagious to everyone around him.

The bell releasing class rang, and I started back to my usual vending machine.

I had forgotten about my Jack problems in the moments I spent conversing with Aster, but it didn't last long after I'd walked away.

A feminine squeal echoed down the hallway intersecting where I was grabbing my drink.

"Stop! Jack, that tickles!", Tooth's giggling self came around the corner then, turning away from where I stood frozen in place.

Jack came rushing after her a second later, throwing an arm around the colorful girls shoulders.

He laughed with her, "does it really?".

His arm went down to her waist, pinching it in multiple places, making Tooth giggle louder.

My heart completely fell into my stomach. Every ounce of hope I had been holding onto was shattered. My thoughts had been right. Gothel had been right. I really wasn't good enough. Jack was treating other girls the same way he treated me. I was a fool, a pathetic fool.

I had been telling myself all day that this was the way things were, so why does seeing it hurt so much?

I already knew Jack was out of my reach. That he was too perfect to only want me.

The late bell rang, and I was still planted in front of the vending machine. Great.

..

Getting back to class, North looked at me funny when I gave back my pass. I mumbled an apology and made my way back to my seat.

Next to Jack...

Who was talking, to Flynn? What is happening..

I paused for a second when I noticed the conversation seemed actually friendly. Neither boy wore irritated expressions, although neither looked particularly happy either.

I sat down and starting digging for my headphones. I just want to go to work already..

Jacks hand was suddenly on my sock covered knee, making me jump, "you're late, punzel".

I shrugged, avoiding eye contact, "yeah, the vending machine wasn't working right.."

Flynn snorted, "none of them ever work right".

I looked at them then, trying to analyze why they weren't bickering or sleeping like normal. Flynn smiled at me, a genuine smile not the usually flirtatious 'smolder' as he called it. Jacks eyes twinkled the way they usually do when he's having fun. Weird.

The white haired male threw his arm around my shoulders then. I stiffened involuntarily, remembering the way he flirted with Tooth in the hallway.

I could almost hear Gothel laughing voice, "Look at you, dear. Do you think he's impressed?"

Jack noticed my behavior had gotten weirder since the morning, and was apparently done letting it go. His hand squeezed my shoulder, "Rapunzel, I think we need to talk".

I looked at him, forcing a smile, "what's up, Jack?"

His nose wrinkled slightly, and he pulled his arm away, "I mean later, alone".

Jack turned to his work, and for what seemed like the first time all year, he actually worked. The rest of class, he didn't say anything.

---------

---------

This is suckish and it's short, I know I know. I'm sorry, guys. I'm on vacation, seeing my best friend who I seriously only get one visit a year with .-. It's awful.

I only have time to write when she's at work, so bare with me for now!(:

Thank you to everyone who votes, and comments, and all that other good stuff. I literally turn into a stupid giggly school girl whenever I get a notification on my stories.

Xoxo,

Serena.(: