Keep Me Close

Chapter 3: The Firework inside

A/N: I know... Cliff hangers are a pain in the bum... Well! Here's the next chapter!

CHAPTER 3

“Hold on tightly Snow queen.” He said and slowly started flying and I caught on tighter. Thank god. I was bright red thinking that the “new sensation” would be something else. I was hoping deeply that he didn’t see me this red...

I held on tightly as he flew. I noticed every tiny detail on his face. His eyes. The blue colour it was. His lips. The pinkish brown shade of it. His pale skin and pink cheeks. Every time he breathed out, his cold breathe sent shivers down my spine...

He held me using one hand and his staff in the other hand.His features were amazing. How on earth had I missed it? I realised what kind of a fantasy I was stuck in and shook my head. I buried my face on his right shoulder and mumbled “How much further Jack?”

“Just a little bit more. And nice grip you’ve got there.” I teased.

I laughed and his shoulder became warm as my breath spread over his sweatshirt. “Hey that tickles.” He chuckled as he said. “Hey Elsa. Close your eyes.”

“What?” I asked him.

“Just do it. Now.” He smiled at me and I closed my eyes. He slowly lifted me bridal style and landed somewhere and then he placed me beside me and asked me to hold on to a pole. I held on to it and he asked me “Elsa. Are you scared of heights?”

“Not exactly. It depends.” I replied.

“Open your eyes Snow queen.” He whispered into my ears in a soft voice and I did just as he said. I gasped and my heart skipped a beat as it noticed that we were standing on a dome. The surface was extremely steep and I could slip any second.

“J-Jack. Are you s-sure this is safe?” I asked nervously and he held me from behind.

“You won’t fall. I’ll make sure.” I looked at the view from there and squealed. It was amazing. The city lights shined beautifully. It was like a million fireflies coming together. I took my time and scan the whole place and turned around.

Jack and I were really close now. His breathe... it smelt like ice and peppermint. His hair blew in all directions. His eyes locked with mine. A small smirk appeared on his lips... oh gods! His lips... and he softly asked “So I guess that means my apology is accepted?”

“What will I be if I don’t accept it after all this?” I said softly and moved closer, he did the same. I closed my eyes and neared him and I understood that we were extremely close now, but he wasn’t leaning in anymore. I leaned in more and touched his lips gently with mine. He didn’t seem to be responding to it. Let him take his time I thought.

Five seconds later it was just like that. I opened my eyes and saw Jack’s expression. His eyes were wide open and he wasn’t looking at me. Almost as if... he didn’t want this to happen. I backed away immediately and apologized.

“Oh my gods! What was I thinking?! I’m so sorry.” I stepped away as I said those words. With the step I took behind, I slipped and fell off the dome.

I screamed in fright as I fell. Within seconds, Jack flew and caught me. Tears were streaming down my cheek. I couldn’t control them. Somehow I managed to sniff in my sobs and held on to Jack. In a very awkward way. It tried my best not to hold on to him in such a way that it caused a tension.

“I told you. I won’t let you fall.” He said in a low tone.

Oh no. what did I do?! I broke the friendship with my stupid act. He saw me when I was eight years old and he was the same age as he is right now! Obviously he only took me a sister or a friend he cared for. Anger boiled in me.

Then what about the flirting?

Don’t all your friends flirt with you?

His face... after the kiss. That offended look. And no, that wasn’t a kiss. It was a disgusting act.

I mentally slapped myself and by the time we reached the ice castle, Anna was waiting for us and my eyes were puffy after controlling my tears. Jack put me down and I didn’t dare to look at him in the eyes.

“You can go back Jack. North must be missing you.” I said softly in a blank tone.

“Are you sure Els-” he asked and I interrupted him. I couldn’t bear to listen to him say my name. that would be enough to make me burst.

“Just go Jack.” I said and walked away.

“I’m coming back tomorrow Elsa.” He said and I lost it. Tears ran down my cheek and I turned towards him and asked in anger “For what?! For what Jack?! What is your purpose in Arendelle? You came all the way to use your charms to make me fall for you and then when I did, you break my heart and rip it to pieces? Just when I was recovering?!”

“But Elsa... I didn’t know you felt that way... I should’ve told you. I didn’t try t-” he said and flew closer to me.

“Stay away! Didn’t try to what Jack? Why did you hug me like that?! What about when we that close before you flew us there?!” I said and burst into more tears. My emotions were extremely strong. Right now, I was experiencing hatred. The opposite of love. There was a giant snowstorm forming.

“Elsa. Please calm down!” He said and flew closer to me.

“GO AWAY!” I yelled and created a thick sheet of ice between us. Jack’s expression dropped and he turned and flew away. I collapsed almost immediately on the floor and Anna came running towards me. The storm decreased and the ice wall started to blow off.

“Elsa! Are you alright?!” Anna asked.

“You heard everything?” I asked as I cried on her lap.

“ Was it Jack? You shouldn’t have gone with him. Another Hans.” She spat.

“Oh Anna. I thought... I thought he loved me. Why do we always end up with the wrong person?!” I asked her in between my tears.

“What happened Elsa?” Anna asked softly.

“I made a huge mistake Anna. And I guess it’s irreversible. I threw myself at Jack. I thought he loved me. It was just my mind playing tricks all along. Now our friendship is ruined.” I said as I sniffed.

“It wasn’t only you Elsa. He let you believe such stuff. And if you really think this friendship matters, then let him in again.” Anna leaned over and said.

“No. I’m not letting him in. not anymore Anna.” I said sternly.

“It’s okay. I get it. I think you should get some sleep. Let the memories fade.” Anna said as she helped me up. I took a step and stumbled immediately. She supported me and said “Elsa! Careful.”

She led me to my room and let me lay down. She next walked to her room and probably slept in her sleep bag.

I turned uncomfortably in my ice bed as I thought of what I did. The kiss. Gods help me. My first kiss ever, and it was a disaster. What did Jack want to me before I cut him off outside? What did he mean by “I should’ve told you?” What was he hiding? Another woman? At the thought of Jack with someone else, my chest started hurting really badly.

Elsa. You love him, which means you can’t shut him out.

“I know exactly what I’m doing! You just shut it!”

I will not shut it. Try to make a bond wi-

“SHUT IT!”

And then I fell asleep...                 

A/N: And OMG! I just got the Blood Of Olympus! Ugh! Rick Riordan is AMAZING!!! Actually no! How could he end the book like that! Ugh!

Bye until the next chapter!!!     

-Bhavna