Thawed: An expansion on the Frozen universe

Section One, Part Three

5 months later, Archer Willows still never had a happy thought again. He always covered up his constant depression, as one always does, but it got harder as time went on. Only one person understood his pain, and that person was his friend Jarenne. Jarenne had been rejected too, but Jarenne had experienced even more pain than Archer had. Archer had felt closer to her over the months until May, when Archer had gotten horrible news. Jarenne had been planning to go to an Imagine Dragons concert for a year. She'd finally gone, Archer couldn't go with her though. During the concert on May 2nd, a terrorist had caused an explosion that killed fifteen people and wounded thirty-six more. When he got the news he looked at the wounded/casualties list desperately.

Jarenne Foster was on the reported casualties list.

The grief of her death distracted Archer from his own turmoil, just for a little while. Then he was reminded of it all, and it was this that pushed Archer Willows - to the greatest stage of depression.

The school had sent a letter out for 'condolences' to the family and their friends. Archer was livid with them for that. A living, valued girl with lots of friends, good grades, and many years of her life had died tragically, and all the school does is say, "sorry"? Archer knew Jarenne well, she never deserved what she got. When people found out she was his friend, they usually said, "sorry", "That's horrible", or "you have my deepest condolences." He didn't say anything, but those phrases annoyed him as well as made him feel worse. One time he was going through New York and met a teenager about 17 years old, who wore an orange shirt that was ripped, and he had vivid sea green eyes and jet black hair. They had talked for a while, and when the topic came to Jarenne, Archer waited for the kid to say 'sorry' like he so despised. Instead, he asked, "How did she die?"

Archer was taken aback. "A bombing at a concert."

The kid simply nodded. He didn't say sorry or anything. That made Archer feel better. 'Sorry' never felt genuine. This kid looked like he had known grief, possibly even more than he did.

"What's your name?" The kid asked.

"Archer."

"Archer. That's a cool name. I'm Percy."

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Tonight, Archer remembered all of these things. All of them happened this school year. And tomorrow was the last day of school. The last day of the worst year of Archer Willows' life. He couldn't wait for it to end. But he would never forget this year. It would always be part of him.

Archer was determined not to let it.

This year was like the plague, it would never go away. That would never stop Archer Willows' determination to forget it.

He checked his clock. 7:30 AM. Time to get breakfast and get ready.

Breakfast. Shower. Get dressed. Pack up. Read a little. Check Discord. Walk to school. That was Archer Willows' morning routine. He followed the routine like a checklist just like every other day.

The day went about as a normal last day of school. Teachers held 'parties' which consisted of cookies and free reading time. Archer loved to read, but instead he sulked and tried not to cry as he looked at the empty desk next to him that used to belong to Jarenne.

At the end of the day, he had a game plan. He was going to talk to Emma and ask her to hang out sometime. Baby steps would work, he hoped.

At the end of 6th period, he went up to Emma Layror and asked if he could talk with her after school, and to meet him by the benches. She nodded and told him she would.

Gods, she's beautiful, thought Archer as he walked away.

Archer had waited outside for 15 minutes. He began to think she would come. Then his heart began to thump in his head as indeed, she walked outside, and went over to him.

"So, Archer, what did you want to talk about? She said in an uplifted manner. Archer was not the only one happy that the school year was over.

"I was just wondering if- you know- you'd want to come over to my house sometime?"

"To do what?" She inquired.

"Just hang out, maybe play some music, I don't know really-"

He was cut short by a sudden tearing noise to his right. When he looked over, he shut his eyes tightly, but it was still there when he reopened them.

A bright, white tear of light had suddenly appeared in the middle of the lawn.

Archer. Archer, come to us, came mysterious voices from inside his mind. He looked at Emma, bewildered, but she gave him a look that said, I hear them too. Then he recognized the voices, and tried to stay calm.

Archer, come, called a remnant of his grandfather. Archer, you can save us all, called Leila's friend Annette. She had died in a car crash two years ago, and Leila was never the same for a year after. Then, most painful of all, Archer, we believe in you.

It was the voice of Jarenne.

Arise, Archer, said his grandfather. Save reality, called a man who Archer did not recognize his voice. Archer. We will be with you. Always. Jarenne intoned. He wiped a tear from his voice. Balance the powers of the realm, a voice called. As I once did. Archer did recognize his voice either.

Emma looked at him, her eyes watering. Archer could tell she heard similar voices.

"They're calling us, Emma."

She swallowed. "Yeah. I know."

"Should we go?"

She paused. "For them. I'll go. You don't have to."

"Hey," he injected at her. "We do this together, or not at all."

She smiled, and took his hand. He raised an eyebrow at her, but didn't let go. She rolled her eyes, and gave him a questioning look. You ready? She seemed to say.

Archer hesitated. Archer, it's all right. You can save everyone, called Jarenne. He nodded.

They stepped closer, and the light enveloped them, and together, they left this reality.