Relaxation Time (Zac)

[Aurora Snyder]

Aurora escaped to the student lounge, a new book in hand. It was rather late in the evening so she was hoping most the other students would be in their dorms and she might have a chance to relax. Worst case scenerio, she had her iPod and headphones which could drown out the presence of any other students. She was delighted to find the room was completely vacated.

She looked around the room, selecting a couch in the far corner. She sat down so that she was half sitting and half laying on the sofa. With a contented sigh, she opened her book and began to read. She was however, mildly disappointed. As nice as a true solitary moment was, books of fantasy and magic no longer seemed as appealing. It was one thing whenever she was an ordinary teen unsatisfied with life and seeking an escape. Whenever she was living in an institute filled with super-powered kids... the stories just didn't have the same punch to them.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac being pushed out of his room by Horus’ rowdy friends (most especially the one they call Vincent Verax) isn’t exactly new now. It has actually become more of a routine for the Hammel prince really; it isn’t exactly very ‘ruler-like’ to be pushed away from your room by a couple of, in Zac’s words, boys with dicks for brains, but it’s not like he could say or do anything to make the modern Brady Bunch go right? His last standoff with Vincent wasn’t that unpleasant, but he’s not looking for it to have an encore anytime soon. And besides, it’s not like nothing interesting happens when he goes out because of the troublemakers (he did get the opportunity to annoy the snot out of DeeDee and Emma the last time, and see how low Cali has descended on the other). Hopefully today would be just as interesting.

Since he doesn’t have anything to do in the library and the sun’s been down way before due to the shifting seasons, Zac decided to give the good old student lounge a visit. He isn’t really fond of all the noise and humidity a room full of hormonal teenagers trying to relax can bring, but it’s the only plausible place to go (if all else fails though, he could always sneak out and go clubbing, provided he can persuade the bouncer easily and be stealthy enough to avoid the guards and the institute staff who might be in the said pub too). His smile quickly turned into an exasperated sigh when he saw the room completely vacated, except for one girl. Not that he hates the silence and solitude it brings, but it’s that lately, every time he visits the student lounge, it’s only him and a book-reading-iPod-listening blonde girl on the couch. Seriously. Fortunately she isn’t too ditzy-looking like that annoying-as-hell weather manipulator Avery so she might prove to be interesting.

To say that Zac is fond of grand entrances would be an understatement, so it goes without saying that he’s planning to use the girl’s apparent ignorance of her surroundings to make one for himself. He ran across the room and jumped over the back of the couch, landing softly on the chair, his feet narrowly missing the girl and lightly brushing her legs. “Oops, sorry, didn’t see you there,” he said, trying to sound so innocent. Tilted his head and tried to look as if he’s just figuring out that she’s new to the school, despite knowing it a few minutes earlier. “Funny, I don’t recall seeing you around before,” he chuckled, holding his hand out for a handshake, “You must be new. I’m Zac. Nice to meet you.”

Inwardly, Zac’s crossing his fingers, wishing she’s not an empath, a telepath or any meta with the power to read and know his thoughts. He’s had enough problems with one, no need to make it worse.

[Aurora Snyder]

Aurora had been sitting, completely involved in her thoughts and book as soothing music filled her ears. She could feel her migraine slowly fading away and her peace of mind returning. Suddenly she saw a fast moving blur beside her out of the corner of her eye and felt something lightly brush her leg. A brief shriek escaped her lips as she jumped into the air, her headphones falling out of her ears in the process. She turned her head to look at the boy who now sat next to her, glaring viciously at him, a hand over her pounding heart. A crimson flush flooded her face as embarrassment filled her. How could she have frightened so easily? He had to think she was an idiot of a girl. The last time she needed was this guy treating her like some brainless sissy.

"What the hell?" she growled, her ice blue eyes narrowed. If Zac looked carefully he might see a slight layer of frost rise from the skin on her hand as her hands curled into a fist. She was furious at herself for acting so foolishly. What was she? 10? She shouldn't scare so easily. She knew how cruel teenagers could be, exploiting any weakness they found. At a school like this where the students had powers at their disposal surely it had to be even worse. If he thought she was weak, she might as well have a target pinned to her.

She reluctantly accepted his handshake, her grip firm but not too strong. Just enough to tell him that she wasn't someone he should take lightly. "My name is Aurora. I just arrived today." Normally she would have made an attempt to charm him, after all making enemies her first day would just be a nuisance. However, he had startled her and so she was feeling less than courteous. "So, why are you here? At Hammel I mean," she asked, hoping to get the subject of the conversation off of her. If nothing else knowing more about him would help her to decide how to handle him. Besides, since she had arrived she had felt completely out of her element and it would be nice to gain some sense of the familiar.

[Zachary LaRousse]

He simply smiled as the enraged girl glared at him, wagging his finger in front of him like a parent scolding a child. “Glaring and snarling isn’t really the best first impression you can leave on people. Didn’t your parents teach you that?” Not that his was any better. “And besides, I don’t think being so grumpy is good for you. I hear they can induce wrinkles. You don’t want to age quickly do you?”

And though Zac missed the thin layer of ice that formed in Aurora’s fists, he did get a bit chilly with when he shook her hand, and when he tried to take his hand back quickly (without her noticing, of course, as that might send the wrong message), her firm grip stopped him, causing him to feel a bit more cold than usual. “Aurora. A nice name. Fits your tantalizing blue eyes well,” he said, squirming inwardly at his mention of the word ‘tantalizing’. He couldn’t believe he just said that word. Not that it’s bad, but there’s just something with that makes Zac regret even saying it. He gave her another cheeky grin, subtly rubbing his hands together, happy that his right hand didn’t freeze to death. “Not to mention your power. Did your parents know you’re going to become quite the Ice Queen?” Had Zac known about Aurora’s general personality, he would’ve congratulated himself for making quite the match.

“If I’d been any more sensitive, I’d take that as a subtle ‘Can you go away?’” he smirked, giving Aurora a rather flirtatious wink. Which would change, of course. Give me a few minutes and you’d be hooked. That’s Zac for you, ever so confident of his seductive skills. “If you must know, I’m in the student lounge right now because Dopey brought his ever-so-wonderful gang over to my dorm suite. Being kicked out of my own room, could you believe that?” He added a few flailing arm gestures as he narrated his tale. “As for Hammel, well, you know the drill, powers manifest, they find you in a few days. Would’ve wanted to go to Kocher had my father not intervened and forced me to enter this school. Something about tradition and whatnot,” he shrugged. Not quite what Aurora is probably asking about, but Zac can be a bit dense at times.

[Aurora Snyder]

She folded her arms under her breasts as she straightened herself, her ice blue eyes analyzing him. "Perhaps if you hadn't caught me off-guard, you would have earned a more polite greeting. Besides, my parents may have taught me that, but following orders isn't something I do well," she added with a slight smirk. She loathed his wagging finger, what was she a child who had misbehaved? It took a great deal of restraint to keep from rolling her eyes. "Now why would you care how I aged? It's not like you're going to get the opportunity to see for yourself." She was going to be leaving Hammel in the dust as soon as she possibly could.

She raised an eyebrow at his assessment of her name. Did he really just use the word 'tantalizing'? Who did he think he was? She had been named for the Lights of the North that her mother had always longed to see. But she wasn't about to tell him that. "At least you're competent enough to recognize royalty. I suggest that you don't forget that in the future." As she spoke her eyes pointedly lingered on his chilled hand as he warmed it, a slow grin spreading across her face before she raised her eyes once more to meet his.

She sighed heavily, "That's what I get for being subtle," she said with a mock pout. "Someone not wanting to spend time with you? Why, that is simply preposterous! Who ever could have imagined," she added dryly. He obviously thought that he was quite the charmer. I wonder how long it will take to get rid of this one? she wondered. It was a nuisance, yet she enjoyed the game. It seemed he wanted to be here just as little as she did. That was something worth noting. "I wonder what the students did here to deserve that kind of punishment?" she mused aloud, her voice soft as her head tilted slightly to the side.

[Zachary LaRousse]

“Not my fault you can’t be seen from the door,” Zac teased, still keeping a blank grin and trying to look as cool and suave as ever, his eyes playfully rolling and flirting with Aurora. And while most of the time he finds a girl’s spunk adorable, most likely because they’re trying so hard that their true cuddly natures are revealed, when Aurora stood up against him (figuratively, of course) he could feel nothing but coldness. Coldness and irritation. No uneasiness, no embarrassment, no shyness. Seems like she’s quite confident about making people go away. And while he was, for a moment, discouraged by such an outburst, the curious felines inside him told him to investigate. To know further as to why she is as ‘cold’ as she was. Who cares about what killed the cat anyway? “I see. Naughty, naughty Aurora then,” he added, wagging his finger for the last three times then giving Aurora a playful poke on the nose, “You think Mommy would be happy hearing that from you? And don’t you know what happens to naughty kids? Christmas is coming fast after all.” Yup, extremely childish and irritating. Not too flirtatious yet, it’ll come later. Rest assured, it’ll only go downhill from here.

He yawned out for a bit, lifting his legs to the center table and crossing them while stretching his arms then putting it behind his back. He lazily turned his head to Aurora as she spoke, slowly extending his arms as he gave her a ‘cheesy’ and over-the-top flirtatious stare. “I just feel bad to see a beautiful face like this go to waste,” he said, tracing the side of her cheeks and her jaw with his fingers. Cold, he thought. Side effects of cryokinetics. He should’ve known. Hopefully this won’t impair his flirting techniques too greatly so as to render his advances null.

Oh god. Did she just say that? Don’t tell me I’ve got another Queen Bee in my hands? Technically that isn’t really much a problem to him as she is to Cali (he’s a guy, they’re girls; they operate on relatively separate planes of existence), but something about the way she acts tells him he should watch out. That she isn’t all like Cali (he does have an unfair advantage of the Queen Bee-tch practically drooling over him); that she’ll bite. “Should I take that as a threat? The crown prince doesn’t take threats too lightly my dear,” he taunted, brown eyes fixed on her own, slowing closing the gap between him and the Queen.

It might be sarcastic, but Zac’s somehow rewired his brain to take such sarcastic insults and turn them into compliments. “I know right,” he said, “Why would anyone not want to spend time with such a hunk like me? I’m smart, sweet and incredibly sexy.” And extremely narcissistic too. He casually slung his arm around the back of the chair and leaned in closer, quite possibly closer than Aurora would deem comfortable. “I didn’t know being beautiful is a crime nowadays.”

Remind me to tell Zac not to be too greasy.

[Aurora Snyder]

She rolled her eyes at his excuse, mildly annoyed but letting the issue drop. Why won't he just give up? she grumbled silently. Normally boys were discouraged enough at this point to walk away, tail between their legs. Why wasn't he the least bit unsettled even? If her usual ice wouldn't work alone, she would just have to change tactics. "Well, what's the point in life if you don't enjoy yourself? Besides, being naughty isn't always a bad thing," she replied, a grin on her lips and a gleam of mischief in her eye. She was the last person who ought to be making such innuendos, she was more innocent than most everyone when it came to those sort of things. But she had found in the past that those who were not frightened by the Ice could be intimidated by the Queen.

Her retort died in her throat when he touched her. The nerve of him! She dug her finger-nails into her palm, the pain helping to control her fury. She loathed being touched. No one had that right. As he pulled his hand away the warmth of it lingered on her skin, a warmth she very much resented. It reminded her all too strongly what it felt like to feel. No. I will not lose my cool. I won't give him the satisfaction she thought, her face not betraying her thoughts, instead like a flawless mask of ice, empty of expression.

His taunt seemed to hold a little more weight, perhaps her unspoken threat had in fact had some effect on him. "I see no princes here, merely a frog playing make-believe. And yes, you should. A queen is owed proper respect after all, and I expect no less," she said as her own eyes remained locked on his, her voice and gaze never faltering even as he moved closer.

Aurora was a big believer in personal space, and Zac was in serious violation. Despite that, it took all the control she had to keep from laughing. Did he truly think to win her over with lines as cheesy as that? Then again, he was certainly full of himself, so more likely than not he really did think he would win her over. Why do I have a feeling that he won't be giving up anytime soon? she thought with an inward sigh. Oh well, if she was to be burdened with his persistent presence then she would simply have to try to find a way to use it to her advantage. How she did not know. She had to admit, he was good-looking though. At that thought a slow grin spread across her face. She leaned forward slightly herself. "Quite true. It is a shame however that that beauty is ruined whenever you open that mouth of yours," she said softly. As she spoke her fingers lightly trailed down the side of his face, beginning at his temple, running down his cheek and jaw. As she finished speaking she gently pressed a finger to his mouth as though she were shushing him. Her finger fell away and and she stared at him, analyzing his reaction, her gaze filled with far more ice than her touch.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac gave Aurora a half-hearted chuckle as she tried to make an innuendo. And while it was too cliché for it to be amusing, it was the way she told it to him that made him laugh. It’s like she’s not really used to saying such things yet her icy bravado somehow covers it all. If Zac isn’t as perceptive for these things as he is, he might’ve believed that this was actually try and not merely a guise to try him off. She might not have that adorable spunk, but this was equally amusing. “Really now Aurora? What naughty things have you done before then? Care to teach innocent little Zachie then?” he smiled, sitting closer to her and turning his head so he can whisper softly, his voice a bit too breathy than usual. She was the one who started the whole naughty thing after all, Zac’s just following her lead.

And while he didn’t see the fist-forming and palm-scratching, he did see the discomfort in her eyes (or face) when he touched her. Great, another one of those gals who are extremely irked by personal bubble invasion (well, actually most he knew are like that; the only girl he could think of is Fifi, and he’s still sane enough not to touch her for simple flirtatious urges). Now that he knows which buttons to push, things would become a bit easier. Head still tilted towards her neck, he spoke, “So, aside from me, any other interesting people you’ve met so far? How long have you been here really?” He knew she was new but how new was beyond him.

Happily content with his invasive position (to Aurora’s bubble anyway), his eyes suddenly propped open when Aurora suddenly spoke. Did she just insult him? He’s heard a ton of insults before but that was really unexpected. “I see the Queen has a rather sharp tongue too,” he smiled, trying to hide his rather obvious irritation and rage. He was trying to think of decent comebacks as he rose and faced the girl straight on, but he was blank. “I’m insulted dear, that you’d compare me to such a filthy amphibian,” he smirked, an idea finally forming in his head. It might not be verbal, but he hopes the effect would still be the same, if not stronger. “Then again, maybe I am a frog, a frog who only needs is a kiss to transform fully into the prince he’s destined to be.” A smirk in his face, he slowly drew near, his eyes closed as if to savor the moment. He peeked a bit, longing to see the reaction in the Diva’s face. Then, a mere millimeter from the girl’s lips, he stopped, opening his eyes and giving her a sinister smile. He pulled back and flopped to the couch once more, praising himself inwardly for his act. “Gotcha,” he teased. After that act, he just knows Aurora would ask for more. Nobody wants to be teased. Especially by Zac (or so he thinks).

Unlike her first insult, Zac was prepared for her second one. She didn’t seem like the person to simply jab once anyway. After all, she is an Ice Queen (or Diva, seeing that calling her Queen boosted her ego to incredible levels, in Zac’s opinion). “Oh, so you want me to simply close my mouth while you devour me? I think that’ll work.” He stretched for a bit, letting his head settle on her shoulder. After his encounter with Ann, it’s nice to be able to flirt with someone and touch them without making them go boom. “I’m usually not submissive, but for you I’ll make an exception.”

I’m so sorry Aurora, but since he got his ego bruised, battered and crushed, he’ll definitely stay for a while until you regret what you did.

[Aurora Snyder]

Even though he took the bait, Aurora had a strong feeling he had seen through her ruse and was only trying to appease her. "Wouldn't you like to know," she fired back at him. "I have standards thank you. I only have interest in true gentlemen." Her voice had a touch of arrogance to it. Why did he have to get this close? And way his voice got all breathy... he knew how to play the game. No matter how begrudgingly, she had to admit that much to herself.

He is enjoying this far too much she thought as he continued to invade her personal space. What was wrong with him? Most people don't get this close to total strangers. "I only just arrived today," she began. "As far as interest goes, I have yet to find someone worthy of my attention," she added with a shrug. She didn't add that that was because she was doing everything in her power to keep from being interested in anything to do with this school. She wanted to do her time and leave. No attachments and no strings. Were it not for that she might have admitted that he did at least seem like a challenge... if only he would stop invading her space!

It was very obvious that she had insulted him, which was precisely her intent. However, it seemed that plan had backfired. Rather than withdrawing now it seemed he was more determined than ever. As he drew close to her to kiss her, a small smirk appeared on her lips. She knew exactly what would happen when he did, it seemed he was unaware. As he drew closer he would feel a strong chill. Her expression did not falter though, nor did it after he pulled away. She found she was disappointed that he hadn't followed through, she had been looking forward to his reaction whenever her kiss froze him as it had the boy who landed her in this school. She also found that she had been curious to see if his kiss were any different than the other, not that she would ever voice such a thought. She raised one eyebrow slightly, her expression clearly reading 'is that the best you can do?'

She rolled her eyes at first in reply, formulating a reply. She wanted no such thing. She would never be attached to someone in that way. She would rather die first. After all, love was a kind of death anyway, just a far crueler one. After he spoke she pulled her head back so that she could look at him, her fingers coming to rest on his cheek. She held them there, the cold growing more intense as a slight frost moved from her hand to his skin. "You would like my kiss far less than my touch. You have no idea who you are dealing with." Her voice was softer than it had been before, although not lacking the same icy aspect as before. If he looked deep enough he would see a faint trace of insecurity and even fear in her eyes, hidden far beneath the harshness of the ice.

Unfortunately for Zac, regret is an emotion she refuses to acknowledge. It'll take a lot more than that to crack her.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac simply laughed off Aurora’s retort. All hopes of him getting off her trail are lost is she’s banking on that argument. The gentleman argument? Seriously? “Oh gosh, not that again,” he said, rolling his eyes, rubbing his temples in mock disgust. Ten? Twenty? A hundred? Definitely far more than he could count (not that he ever started counting anyway). Zac could really care less about not being a considered a ‘gentleman’. Why be an honest-to-goodness gentleman when you can be a flirty manwhore and still get all the girls? “Oh puh-lease. Being a ‘gentleman’ is overrated. And good luck finding one. You haven’t seen the memo yet I assume?” He leaned in closer, eager to tell the next piece of information in a ‘in-your-face’ style. “Chivalry is long gone,” he said, eyes going large for emphasis, even adding a smirk at the end. “I’m sure you’ve learned of Darwin’s theory of natural selection. About how only those fit and well-adapted to the environment continue on to the next generation. Well, surprise surprise, ‘gentlemen’ became extinct and we ‘jerks’ survived. What does that say about the world now dearie?” After another flirty wink, his fingers trailed her face once more, tapping into a polar bear’s cold immunity for support. “And besides, I don’t think such ‘gentlemen’ would enjoy, much less approve, of your naughty ways compared to a manwhore like me.” And yes, to Zac, manwhore is a compliment. So sad really.

True, people don’t just get extra close with strangers. Much less persist on invading one’s personal space despite open rejection. Then again, Zac is a special case. Reason doesn’t hold true to the boy as much as the natural laws in the fifth dimension. “Aren’t you rather new? You seem to be my grade already but you’ve just surfaced. Sure you aren’t so adept with your powers that you’ve successfully hidden them for four or so years?” Which might mean bad news for Zac. While he’s equipped for the cold, he doesn’t know of a mammal that produces anti-freeze. Why couldn’t his power have covered bacteria? They may be small and icky but from what Zac can remember in his Biology lessons, they are much more powerful than the whole Domain Eukarya combined (in his eyes anyway). “How about me dear? Don’t you find me interesting, your Highness?” he said, mocking very evident in his voice. Oh yes, he is enjoying this, perhaps a bit too much.

“Wanting for more dearie? Told you I have that effect on people.” Zac was never going to follow through really. If this had happened a month or so earlier, he would’ve. Without hesitation to beat. But after that incident with the empath (which, until now, he feels conflicted towards; he’s too proud to admit that he has at least the tiniest bit of a crush on her), he’d rather not kiss anyone so boldly. At least until he’s sure they won’t cream him off with a rather powerful uppercut right after the light lip-brush.

While Zac was rather adept at finding little quirks and twitches that would help him find the other’s buttons, such marks of hurt and insecurity somewhat evade him. He completely overlooked them when he was dealing with the empath a month ago, I highly doubt he’s grown enough to see them now. In his eyes, Aurora was simply playing with him, toying with him with such coldness and precision that it’s exciting and arousing as it’s dangerous. It’s like playing with fire, to say the least. “How are you sure about that? Care you read minds or see the future too?” he taunted, trying to hide the shiver once he felt the frost forming on his cheek. Instead of swatting the hand away though, he held it tight, and smelled it. Sniffed and snuggled against it. “You have such soft hands, you know that?” Ignoring the coldness of course.

I don’t think this would end well. Not for Zac anyway.

[Aurora Snyder]

She suppressed a sigh as he rambled on about how gentlemen were extinct. That is the whole point, idiot she thought in frustration. Why was it so hard for people to understand that she was happier alone? It was a far more logical choice. Perhaps that was the best way to get him to listen. Degrading him only made him try to convince her. She had a feeling that if she told him that she preferred women that would be taken as a challenge. So perhaps revealing that she wanted nothing to do with anyone was the best option. "Precisely. That is why it works so well for me." She sighed once more before adding, "Why do I need anyone at all? I am perfectly happy by myself. I don't need anyone else, especially not you." She smirked before adding, "Besides, I don't think that describing yourself as a manwhore is going to help your cause whatsoever."

"It was there, it simply didn't manifest until now. I have always enjoyed the cold and people have often said that I was cold. However, powers manifest with emotions. I find emotions are only a weakness and a waste of time. Therefore, it took a longer period of time than normal for my powers to physically manifest. It's pretty simple logic really," she explained. She laughed at his question. "Interesting is far too complimentary. The last thing you need is an ego boost. I think the word I would choose would be... obnoxious."

She was continually amazed by the bounds of his ego. He really seemed to believe he was God's gift to earth. How exceptionally arrogant. She narrowed her eyes, unsure why he was reacting so warmly to her touch. She was positive that she had seen his discomfort at her touch earlier. How odd. Not to mention baffling. Was he really just that determined to win her over? Why would he even care to do so? It was probably entirely for the sake of his ego. He probably believed he could have whoever he wanted and he couldn't allow anyone to threaten that image. She ignored his compliment as she dropped her hand. "You don't believe me? Then go ahead, prove me wrong. I dare you to. Unless you're not man enough to take the risk that is." He probably would take that as a sign of her wanting more, however he was sorely mistaken. It was obvious he didn't know what would happen when he kissed her. She was already plenty annoyed and angry, that's all it had taken last time. If he took the challenge he would discover why she was someone he shouldn't toy with, and if not he would have proven himself a coward, besides, she doubted he would pass up a challenge, or a free pass to kiss someone. Her blue eyes seemed to pierce him as she stared, silently waiting for his answer.

[Zachary LaRousse]

It seems Aurora’s got Zac completely figured out then Not that it’s that hard a feat, considering that most of the time, Zac’s as shallow as a puddle (he wouldn’t admit to it though). True, Zac certainly won’t buy the I’m-lesbian reason simply because it’s a bit too late already. Should she have played that card early in the game on, he might doubt her initially but sooner or later, should Aurora still give him the cold, apathetic retorts, he’d believe it and the chances of him still hanging around beside her would significantly decrease. Should she say it now however, she’d simply earn an extremely sarcastic “Really?”; he’d easily call her bluff out.

“You seriously don’t expect me to believe that, don’t you?” he asked, throwing his head back in an exaggerated laugh, “That is like, one of the oldest excuses in the book.” For one, Zac doesn’t really believe in the bliss being alone brings. While there are times that he finds that solitude is ok, he’s pretty much the social butterfly. He feeds on attention. No one must have the spotlight except him. Screw the sun, the world revolves, heck the whole universe, revolves around him and him only. The idea of being a wallflower, of being ignored, of simply being a face in the crowd, simply won’t mix with him as oil mixes with water. “But if you like the oldies, then I’d give you an oldie answer too: No man is an island, entire of itself,” he winked, sending Aurora a sly smile, “Oh puh-lease. As if you ladies don’t drool over manwhores.”

Zac simply shrugged when Aurora finished her story. He didn’t understand her logic and he won’t bother much about it. Not that he cares much about her theory anyway. As long as she’s confirmed that she’s a newbie meta with no control over her powers, it’s fine. To Zac it means he won’t get beat up and that’s all that matters now. “You know you sound very much like those antagonists in the old, cliché movies of my parents. You sure you aren’t with ‘the dark side’?” he jeered, twirling a lock of Aurora’s hair in his fingers, “I won’t be surprised if I suddenly hear that you’ve tried taking over the world.” Despite the bluntness of Aurora’s insult, Zac simply laughed in glee. “Thanks. That’s so sweet of you.” Unfortunately for Aurora, Zac’s rewired his brain to exploit the tiniest bit of positivity in every insult and convert it to a compliment. He won’t give her the pleasure of being insulted, not of he can help it.

Win Aurora over? Probably. But now, Zac’s simply flirting to annoy the snot out of the Ice Queen. He’s lost romantic interest in her when she’s proven time and time again that she’s a diva (read: frog comment). If he can’t irritate her much with words, he’d happily do it with actions. Like he’s said earlier, nobody who compares him to a frog gets away easily.

“Is that a challenge?” Zac raised his eyebrows for a while, then slowly moved forward, once again closing the gap between his lips and hers. But then, at the last second, he took a detour, and instead giving her a lick peck on the cheek. He quickly jumped off his seat and twirled around her, skipping towards the door. He stopped abruptly in the doorway and turned, saying, “Sorry to disappoint you dear, but I don’t like free kisses. They simply have no meaning. You’ll taste my lips someday, I promise,” he winked, even going as far as to give her a cocky salute before going to the halls and heading back to his room.

Don’t worry Aurora, Zac’ll be back for another day. He swears he’ll thaw the Ice Queen. And he says it won’t be pretty.