Keep Me Close

Chapter 5: Riding through Arendelle

CHAPTER 5

On reaching Arendelle, the people greeted me with warmth and happiness. It felt good to be back home. I turned around and saw Jack flying across and landing on his feet as he entered the kingdom. I knew exactly why he did that. Just in case someone saw a man fly. It would cause total chaos...

I got down my horse and looked at Jack. I was offering to let him ride with me. People weren’t going to see him anyways. He understood immediately and ran towards me.

“Thank you.” he said and smiled.

“you’re welcome. Now get on.” I whispered. He didn’t bother to argue and got on immediately. I got on next and sat behind him hopeful that I wasn’t sitting in a bad posture and then I suddenly heard someone gasp and everyone followed. Oh no.

“Queen Elsa is riding with a man!” One woman cheerfully said.

“We knew this day would come!” another man yelled in happiness.

“All hail queen Elsa and her soon to be king!” Another man yelled and everyone followed.

“No, no, no, no, no... It’s not like that. Holy Frost!” I exclaimed as I saw no one paying attention to what I was saying. Jack turned to me and he was bright red. I was sure that I was red too. Great. Being ‘just friends’ just became a whole lot easier with us being called the royal couple.

Jack started to ride the horse in a great speed and smiled at everyone before doing so. The speed forced me to hold onto him tightly.

“Jack. I’m sorry about that.” I apologized for the recent encounter with my people.

“No, no Elsa. It’s alright. I’m just wondering how everyone here seems to see me?” he asked surprised.

“I-I don’t know. But if you noticed, everyone seem to think you’re a normal person and not an immortal guardian.” I said.

“I know right. Totally creepy...” he said and I giggled. “Hey Elsa?” he continued.

“Yes?” I asked him cheerfully.

“You look beautiful today.” He said in a angelic voice.

“don’t push your luck Frost boy” I said in a dense voice. I didn’t want to hear stuff like that from him. Not even for fun. “Or you will meet the wrath of queen Elsa.” I said.

He nodded sarcastically “Sure thing snow queen.” I fumed at his reply. He thought I was joking? How dare he?!

“I’m serious Jack. Don’t push it.” I repeated.

“I know Elsa. I know. You’re angry, and you have every right to be angry. It was all my fault.” He said. I felt calmer almost immediately. He took blame for what I did! Was it genuine or was it an act to prove that he was a gentleman?

“What?” I asked him in surprise.

“I shouldn’t have made you believe stuff like that. We were better off without any tension. I shouldn’t have broken your heart like that. I should have returned the kiss.” I got Goosebumps as he spoke of the kiss.

“And what difference would it have made if you had returned the... the...” I trailed off. I wouldn’t dare to call that a kiss. “the favour?” I finished and then regretted. I made him sound like a cold hearted wretch when I said favour.

His expression dropped and he looked away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to hurt you.” I said.

“But you did Elsa. You just hurt me in the deepest possible way. You think I’d use you? In that way? Well, rethink it Elsa. I didn’t have to return the kiss, I wanted to.” He said and turned away.

Did Jack just say that he wanted to kiss me back? I must have misunderstood it “What?” I asked to assure myself that I had hearing problems.

“Was that your first kiss ever that night Elsa?” he asked, and I grew bright red.

“Yes.” I replied softly and looked down.

“Well, you’re not going to believe it, but it was my first kiss too.” He trailed off and I sat there behind him in shock. Three hundred years and he didn’t have his first kiss anytime?

“you’re kidding me right?” I asked comically.

“What?! I was in my twenties in my mortal life and I sure didn’t kiss anyone then. I never fell in love until I remember. Then I became like this” He gestured at himself and continued “Well, that’s three hundred years of no one believing in me. Until you came along.” He trailed off.

“Wow.” I said, not knowing what else to say.

“And I spoilt my first ever kiss for which I had to wait three hundred years.” He laughed a sad  and deep laugh.

“Awww... It doesn’t matter Jack. There’ll be thousand of other girls who are just right for you to share your perfect first kiss. And what we had wasn’t a kiss. Erase it off your memory. It was a devilish act.” I told him in his ear.

“But... You... I should... It was... Been perfect...” he mumbled and sighed.  While I couldn’t help but rejoice the newly learned information, that I was the very first to touch those lips with my own. That I was the first one to kiss him.

I shook my head trying to let go of the thought and looked straight. I leaned on Jack and softly said in his ear “I’m sorry Jack. I wasn’t thinking straight. I was behaving like a mere teenager. I was attracted to you. That’s all.” I lied in hope to make him feel better.

I saw his face grow expressionless for a moment and then he put on a fake smile and asked “So you think I’m attractive eh?”

I rolled my eyes and laughed as I said “Let’s just say I’m blind.”

“Hey!” He protested. “I’m hot!”

“No. you’re the opposite of that. You’re cold.” I said

“And you like the cold don’t you?” he smirked.

“Of course I like th-” I trailed of and understood his intentions. “What?! Hey!” I yelled and playfully punched him.

“Oh you thought I was attractive. Elsa thinks I’m hot. Elsa thinks I’m hot!” he sang in a babyish way.

“Did not!” I protested.

“Did too! You said so yourself!” he said back.

“Fine. I did.” I accepted defeat.

“Yes! I knew it!” He fist bumped the air.

“Okay. Now look ahead and don’t focus on unwanted stuff. I don’t want to die today. I’ve got a lot to achieve in life.” I said as I laughed and he joined me.

Oh Jack... you never cease to amaze me. Even when I’m supposed to be angry with you. What is that charm in you that make you this irresistible? Is it your eyes? Your lips? The way you look? Or the way you behave?

“Okay Snow queen. Hold on tight.” He whispered to me. Again.

A/N sorry for the delay guys! And happy Diwali to all Indians out there. Even the people who don't celebrate Diwali! Have a safe one!

Next chapter... Soon?

-Bhavna