Just Believe- Chapter Three

“Name?” a voice called you.

“Name…” another called. 

“Name!” it shouted.

You jolted awake. It turns out it was one of your siblings calling your name. “What?” you snapped. You were always the cranky kind in the morning, especially if someone had to wake you up. 

“When are you going to make breakfast?” she asked.

“What?” You asked, confused. You looked over to your clock. It read 7:00. Crap! You were late! Hurry up and get your ass up. 

“Make cereal,” you ordered, jumping up.

Usually, you woke up at around five or so. Thirty minutes to brush your hair, get dressed, get a little studying in, and get packed. An hour to cook and make everyone’s breakfast and lunch for the day. Lastly, another thirty minutes to run to school. You pulled on a clean pair of jeans and a white t-shirt before stuffing your books into your bag. Throwing your bag over your shoulder, you ran into bathroom to throw some water into your face and to gargle some mouthwash before running out to cram your knockoff [favorite color] Vans on. You dashed through and out your building and began to sprint to school. 

Now you weren’t exactly the athletic type of person. By the time you got to school, you were seeing spots and trying your best to not eject your lungs. The bell for homeroom had already rung, and the only people in the hallways were you and those who chose to skip it. You staggered over to your locker, struggling to open it. After several tries, you finally got frustrated and punched the blue metal. You pulled back, trying not to yell as you clutched your red knuckle. “Locket 179, why must you hate me?” you sighed.

You glanced at the number and face-palmed. The number on top of the locker read 178. You took a step over and dialed your number into the locker before it opened on your first try.

You tossed your bag into your locker. Promptly after that action, you began digging through your textbooks to find any food or money to use to feed your moaning stomach. Nope. You whimpered in despair. ‘There’s no use standing around here. Might as well hurry to class,” you frowned, looking at your schedule. You had already missed homeroom and your next class, [least favorite subject]. You groaned. You had your midterm exam and you didn’t get to finish studying for it. You grabbed what you needed to take to school and decided to take your time getting to class.  

After waiting outside class for a while, the bell finally rang, signaling the sleep-deprived students to go to their next class. Starving and sleep deprived, you dragged your feet into the classroom. You plopped down in your normal seat among the also sleep deprived students. The only difference between you and them was that you were starving.

“Alright students,” your teacher began, “You only need a 76 to not re-take the exam. Anything lower, you’ll need to spend time over the break studying, and nobody wants that.” She began passing the tests and answers sheets out. 

You pulled out a pen and began your test, hoping that paying attention in class and the little cramming you did last night paid off.

==Time Skip== 

You combed your cramping hand through your messy hair. Your head was pounding and your stomach was basically dead now. You rubbed your forehead, feeling like you got a horrible.

“Hey… [Name]?” someone asked. 

“What?” you snapped, looking up to see your younger brother, David.

“Can I have some money?” he asked. 

“No,” you answered promptly.

“Please?” he begged. 

“I said, NO,” you replied, sternly.

“But, I’m so hungry! And you didn’t make me lunch or breakfast!” David fussed. 

“Then, you should have made it yourself,” you spat.

“Mom would have made me lunch!” he countered. 

That threw you off the edge. You had the scariest nightmare and weirdest dream last night, overslept, skipped breakfast, sprinted ten miles to school, missed homeroom, and had just taken an exam in your least favorite subject, starving and half-asleep. And now, your brother was blaming how he didn’t have any lunch on you. He even had the audacity to compare you to your slutty mother.

Pulling your arm back, you clenched you hand, trying to control your anger. It’s too bad any attempt you made couldn’t fix the horrible day you were having. You tensed your arm up and punched your brother, right in the jaw, in front of anyone who just happened to be passing by. 

“I do everything for you because she is never here,” you growled. “Yet you still compare me to her!” you shouted.

Your brother sat on the ground, terrified of your anger. A crowd has begun to gather around you two. 

“Aren’t they related?” several asked.

“[Name] isn’t the type to do that,” a some questioned.

“She’s crazy,” a few muttered.

“What’s going on?” someone bellowed. Just like how the Red Sea parted for Moses, the students stepped back to create a path for the Dean.  He was shocked to find you, a usually smart and kind girl, putting your brother into a chokehold. “[Name]!” he yelled, getting your and your brother’s attention.

You looked up from your brother’s beating, in slight surprise.  

“My office. Now,” the Dean commanded.

He closed the door and asked, “What was that?"

“I was beating him,” you answered.

“Why?” the Dean asked.

“Because he provoked me,” you replied, simply. You gave out simple answers that barely described or proved anything.

The Dean sighed. “I know your siblings can be a handful sometimes, but you shouldn’t resort to violence,” he began. “You aren’t the type to do this, so I’ll send you home early. No call home yet.” 

You nodded. “Yes sir.” You stood up and walked out. Several people who had been listening in quickly scurried away.

You went back to your locker, packing up to study for tomorrow’s midterms. At least, tomorrow was the last day before spring break started.  Your stomach growled and you glanced at the time. It was only about ten o’clock but sprinting and skipping breakfast would do that to you. Hopefully, the walk back home won’t be so tiring as to knock you out.

“Hey,” a boy called.

You looked around and inwardly sighed. The voices were back again. This time, it was only him- the one with the icy blue eyes and snow white hair.  You tried to ignore them. He floated next you in a leisurely fashion.

“C’mon,” he prodded, trying to get your attention. He poked your cheek. The sensation was like pressing an ice cube to it. “I know you can hear me.”

“No, I can’t,” you said, quietly, trying to avoid the awkward situation of people staring at you.

“You just answered me!” he laughed. 

You huffed, realizing your silly mistake. “Just go away,” you ordered.

“No, I’m alright just floating here,” he replied, cockily. 

You began power walking, just for the sake of getting away from him.

“Hey, don’t leave me hanging,” he said, landing and beginning to walk by you. “Do you know who I am?” 

“A voice,” you answered.

“No. I’m Jack Frost,” he corrected. He noticed the stoic and bland look on your face. “Let’s have a little fun.” He froze the pavement beneath. 

“Hey!” you cried, falling write on your butt. You struggled to get up, trying to keep your balance without skates. Using a pole to support yourself, you eventually got up and stood. You pushed one front behind you and repeated the action, similar to iceskating… Expect instead of skates, you’re in sneakers. So icesneakering.

You were racing down the street, ice forming as you go. People stared at you as you sped past them. How were you doing that just before spring? Because, right by your side, Jack Frost was guiding, teach you to sneaker. Sooner than you expected, you stood in front of your apartment. You looked at Jack, who had a massive grin on his face. “Thanks... Jack,” you matched his smile with a bit of blush.

“No problem, but I never got your name,” Jack asked.

“It’s [Name],” you said.

“[Name]… “ Jack said, thinking. “You don’t look like a [Name],” he commented. "You look more like a Lucy."

You playfully socked Jack in the arm, still going straight through him. “I’ll see you later, Jack,” you waved, walking straight into your building.

Behind your back, Jack was frowning. The punch went right through him. Why couldn’t [Name] touch him yet? He would have even been satisfied if that punch had landed. Jack sighed, knowing he was going to have to find another way later on. Oh well, Jack flew up and back into the sky, off to stir up a bit more antics. 

You, on the other hand, entered your apartment. You were the only one home. Thankfully, someone at least took, the baby, Louise to daycare. You tossed your bag onto the ground by the door and went to your room. You were tired and hungry, but at least you’re day was looking up. You plopped onto your bed, picking up the snow globe you had gotten last time. 

You rolled it and played with it in between the palms of your hands. You observed the detail. It was beautiful. You gave it a good shake and flipped through the place once more- a workshop, a palace, a cold barren wasteland, a field like area with gigantic eggs, and a golden eye.

“That workshop reminds me of where Santa would live,” you comment aloud to no one in particular. You turned onto your side, and having the butterfingers you did, snow globe slipping out of your hand.

“Crap!” you yelled, as you closed your eyes, bracing for glass shards, glitter, and water to be everywhere. You opened them and, instead of a mess, you saw a swirling blue portal. 

A blue portal. In your room. That came from the snow glove you found in a dream. You were curious yet cautious around the magical portal.

Only one thing to do- jump into it.