The big four: Modern AU

Chapter 8

I watched my friends walk away, laughing and having the jolliest time without me. That hurt. I fought back the tears that sprung to my eyes. The way they could be so happy with out me. I wasn't even necessary. But... It didn't matter. I had new friends. Better friends. And a boyfriend who wasn't afraid to make a move. I was happy. They were happy. Yet somehow this just didn't seem right. Nothing felt right. I saw the line of friends walk down the hallway: oblivious to the fact that they were receiving countless stares. I saw a space, between Jack and Hiccup. My space. The space where I should have been standing, but I wasn't. I wanted to chase after them and fill that gap. But I couldn't. As long as I was with Flynn, I wasn't one of them.

"Yeah, go on, losers!" Flynn yelled after them. I wanted to slap him. They weren't losers. In fact, they were ten times the person he and his gang were.

"I don't need you!" I cried, not wanting to be thought as suspicious as I stared after them. But they were too far away to hear what I had shouted at them. I ran a hand through my golden hair in frustration. I was so confused. Being a good girl was my only way of life. But I didn't want it to be. I didn't want to be known as the good girl. I've never had a detention because I'm... Rapunzel. And that's not how I want to be known. Why? Because everyone thinks it's stupid and lame. I don't want to be a loser. And so, flicking my head upwards, I stormed away in the opposite direction... Only to realise my class was already directly beside me, and I immediately twisted around and marched into my class. So far, so good...

***

Hiccup

I glanced over my shoulder at Punzies attempts to stay cool in her confusion. She can try to hide her goofballness, but it's plainly there, as with me. I smirked. She'd be back any day. Because we had one thing she didn't have. Jack. Oh, young love. I turned back to the others as I remembered something.

"So, Anna, who was this Kristof fellow you were telling me about?" I smirked, and she froze, eyes widened and mouth open, walking stiffly.

"Uh... I don't know what-"

"Her boyfriend." Elsa said bluntly and me, Merida and Jack chorused in suggestive 'ooh's.

"He is not my boyfriend!" She insisted, glaring at Elsa.

"But you want him to be." She said.

"What!? No! That's- that's not what I... I mean I-I really... I don't even like him!" Anna struggled. Punzie would have loved this. Torturing friends about boys was one of her favourite things to do. Especially when it came to me and Merida. Her and Jack could go on for hours if we let them. Luckily, a promise of free smoothies always shut them up.

"Anna and Kristof sittin' in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" We all automatically began to chant.

"Shut up!" Anna cried, her wide eyes darting about as she patted us all to stop.

"Why?" I chuckled.

"Because might hear you!" She said, her cheeks a deep red. She blushed like Punzie did. But she could never replace her.

"Who could hear you?" Came a gruff voice from behind us. We all froze, and turned slowly. And I can tell you, every one of us' mouths turned into a sinister smirk.

"Kristof..." Anna said in surprise, the only one not smiling evilly.

"Well, you, Kristof. Anna won't shut up about you." Elsa chimed in.

"What! No I-"

"Oh yeah, she said something about planning a wedding?" Jack, adding an evil statement.

"That's not-"

"And the children! Tell me, Kristof, how do you feel about the name "Mark"? Cos that's what Anna said she's calling your children!" Merida nodded.

"Oh come on-"

"She's even found a nice little in the country side! Isn't that nice?" My turn.

"Just shut up all of you!" she squealed, shoving us into our classroom while she stood outside with a chuckling Kristof.

"Well, that was fun." I laughed, taking my seat.

<+>

Meridas POV

I spent the rest of the day trying to put Anna and Kristof in awkward situations, worrying about Rapunzel and, of course, repeatedly blowing fiery red curls out of my eyes. Sometimes this hair was awesome, and other times it was a curse.

Later that day, we all planned to meet up at Jacks and discuss the situation with Rapunzel over a pizza and a movie. Rapunzel would have loved to come. She really would. She loved laughing, talking, eating pizza and generally just hanging out. But, she wasn't very good on parties. There is a rumour, however, of Hans Southern having another big party on the horizon. Since Hans is kind of friends with everyone it is almost certain that our group and Flynns group will be invited. I have a nagging feeling that Flynn will probably force Rapunzel to go. And any party that Rapunzel goes to, Jack won't be far behind. And I, as well. I'd never let her go somewhere where she could be easily in danger.

"So I texted Hans earlier, asking about it, and he says he has a few things to check before he can make it official but it's a 50/50 chance so... Anything could happen." Jack announces, taking a slice of pizza from one of the boxes.

"Can we just agree that if its on then we all go? Punzies probably gonna be made to go, and she's still our friend." Hiccup asks.

"Definitely. I'd never let her go to one of those places without at least one of us: Dangerous fights, sex-starved drunks, and, worst of all, Flynn." Anna chimed in.

"Such a sleaze bag." I hissed.

"Agreed." Came everyone's approval. A moment of silence.

"I miss Rapunzel." Jack says.

"It's okay, Jack."

"She can't keep this act up for too long."

"But I just can't stand to see her with that... Thing!" He says, rather loudly. I walk over and place a hand on his shoulder before crouching down to his level.

"She won't let him do anything unless it's in front of one of us. To hurt us and warn us. To show you that she's not who she used to be. And she'll do it at the party. But then, if they even go near the upstairs, well stop them. I promise, she'll be fine. I wouldn't be sitting here if she wasn't." I smiled at him. He tries a small smile back.

"Thanks, Mer." He says and I go and flop back down next to Hiccup, who gives me a "weldone" sort of look. Just then, Jacks phone bleeps. Tension in the room rises dramatically as Jack lifts his phone. Will Rapunzel be safe? Will she be at risk? Will we end up going to a party with a bunch of assholes? I hope she'll be safe. I hope she'll be safe.

"Parties on." He says in a monotone voice. She's not safe.