A/N: three things....

1.) "Better Days" is copyright to Goo Goo Dolls. I suggest you play the song for a bit and you'll understand why I picked it....
2.) the glittering snow came from a series called "Diamond Dust".... or that's where the idea came from
3.) I DO SUPPORT SPIRITSHIPPING! but i do like jim/jesse, too.... after all, it was jim, of the three from other academies, that held out a hand to introduce himself to "Mr. Late"....

The clock was striking three and Jaden was leaned against the fence. He hadn't really expected Jesse to show up today. After all, Jesse had said he hated Jaden for not being able to see Ruby again.

It still stung.

Jaden decided to go to the ice rink that Jesse had always been found at.

When he pushed the doors open, music filled the air.

"And it's some place simple where we could live,
And something only you could give,
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive...."

Jaden looked down.

Jesse was airborne. His arms were making a graceful spiral around his body. His legs were twisting together. As he landed, his leg swung out and his arms broke free of their spiral. He was sliding backwards, his eyes closed. As he neared the wall, he jumped and skidded around. His blade touched the wall and he kicked off. As Jesse was sliding back again, he put his hands over his head and he began to spin. Slowly, at first, and then faster and faster. His hands were hypnotic as they came down his body and finally came down to his sides.

He broke free, splashing ice everywhere as he skidded off. He looked like he was running. He made a sudden stop and did side-steps until he was mid-ice. He put his hands out and kicked off the ice. He was making an oblong spin. His head neared the ice several times before his toe jammed into the ice and his hands were spread again. He was like a magnificent bird.

Jesse then proceeded to spin again. This time, he ducked low, his right leg tucked under him and his left spiraling dangerously away from his body. His hands were slowly moving up and down above his head. He was so graceful!

But then, the green-and-yellow-haired Greg grabbed the blade of Jesse's now straight leg. He was being spun on the outside. His own blades making an arch. They weren't moving from center ice. Suddenly, Greg stood up, pulling Jesse's foot up with him. The two of them were now spinning faster.

Jesse's torso and other leg were parallel to the ground and his body was stream-lined. He kept spinning until he jumped and Greg released him. The jump landed him a side-ways spin and he landed back into that crouching spin. After a second or two, he was standing and his momentum was slowing. He was breathing hard.

"Jess!" Jaden called, coming down the steps to the side of the rink.

Jesse just kept standing there. His black pants and skates were slightly white from all the dusty ice he'd kicked up. His white sweater stood out a bit. His hair, being quite long, was tied back in a ponytail and he just caught his breath. The soft, glittering mist that was escaping his mouth looked much colder. His face was flushed.

At first, Jaden thought Jesse was still mad and was upset, but all of a sudden, Jesse collapsed, laughing as he slid across the ice.

"Jess!"

"I-I'm okay." Jesse was laughing so much that he was crying and had to lie on the ice. "I fell."

Greg and Bruce stood side-by-side, shock obvious on their faces. "Jess?"

"N-no, I-I'm not okay." Jesse was rubbing his right hip. "I hit the ice to hard on that last jump. Ow." He finally got up and dusted off his pants. "Ugh. What do you want, Jaden?"

"Are you coming to the amusment park? You said you'd come."

Jesse looked at Bruce and then shrugged. "I've got to practice."

"Then we'll watch."

Jaden knew that voice and he turned around.

Despite them all wearing thick, heavy coats, they all looked the same. Atticus and Alexis wore matching white trench coats that reached their knees. Zane was being pushed in a wheelchair by Syrus, both wearing black, heavy coats. Tyrano, Axel, and Adrian wer all wearing dark brown coats and looked like they'd rather be in Hawai'i than in the middle of the Great Plains. Aster was wearing his usual gray, but it was a fur-lined coat.

Jesse had an idea. "Hey! Greg! Replay the last song!" Jesse smiled, but he seemed at a loss.

Jaden knew who Jesse was looking for and his heart sank so low, he thought he'd never get it back. "Jesse, want me to join you on the ice?"

Jesse suddenly jumped. "Jaden!"

"What?!" Jaden asked, jumping back a bit. "Wh-what's.... um, eh?!"

Jesse grabbed Jaden's arm. "C'mon, I'll skate with you for a bit." He smiled. "I can crush on you, can't I?"

Jaden stumbled. "n-nani?!"

Jesse laughed and got Jaden a pair of skates. "Just keep nearby, I won't let you fall." Jesse gave Jaden a quick hug before he jumped over the door and slid out. The ice looked a lot colder when Jaden was actually on the ice. "Jaden! Stop it! You'll fall!" Jesse's body slammed into Jaden, knocking him away from the wall.

Just then, Jim walked in. He'd obviously been running, because he was out of breath and his cheeks and nose were red. He spotted Jesse and was glad he'd been right about the rink. He tossed on his custom skates and joined Jesse and Jaden. Jaden was having trouble standing up and Jim couldn't do the fancy tricks Jesse could, so, they were taking Jesse's lead.

Pretty soon, they had a snake of people going. Jesse looked back and smiled at both his crushes. They were laughing and trying to stay up-right.

---

Seven miles away, Jesse's father sat in the chair and put his feet up, on the rail. He looked at the short note Jim had written.

Jesse,

Even if I can't be here, physically, I still want to be near you. You're everything to somebody. It may not end up being me, but I hope that it will be.
I love you too, Jess. But I don't mind sharing you....
AFTER I get your first kiss....

He smiled broadly.

"You're quite the lover-boy, aren't you, Jess?"

He flicked on the radio.

"And you ask me what I want this year,
And I try to make this kind and clear,
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days,
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings,
And desire and love and empty things,
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days...."