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Elsa was always there. Even if Anna could ignore her presence -and she never could despite her attempts to do just that, Elsa was all-pervading to Anna’s mind. This fact was slow to dawn on Anna. Like the sunrise or sunset that plays in the background until you are suddenly encompassed by light or plunged into darkness, Elsa’s consistency made Anna’s senses dull to Elsa’s presence until it, too, either fully encompassed her or left her bereft. Even when in the full embrace of Elsa’s being, such constants in life are never truly recognized until there is a moment when said constants are suddenly gone, as Anna would dreadfully discover.

Though, even when Elsa would physically disappear from Anna’s sight and life, Anna would find her hard to really forget. Elsa’s presence would still permeate throughout Anna’s experiences regardless of Elsa’s physical presence or even emotional tie to Anna. Anna, again, would not realize this fact until it too slowly crept up on her like a slight breeze of air settling across her skin. A breeze only noticeable enough when it’s perpetual being raises goosebumps to alert of a draft’s existence. An extra, physical sign is almost always necessary to bring attention to what was always there, but which never had any notice. Yes, when looking back to their relationship and prior to even really knowing Elsa as she would come to do, Anna could not think of a time when there was no Elsa – not a time that truly mattered, not for her at least.

For Elsa, the same could be said about Anna. Anna was not someone Elsa ever saw herself forgetting. From the beginning, Anna’s ever presence was much more obvious to Elsa than her own presence was to Anna. Anna radiated a warmth and comfort that matched the sun. A cliché and overused thought when it came to Anna, in Elsa’s opinion, but only because of the truth it held. If Elsa could think of a better analogy, or if anyone could offer a better one, she’d gladly ask to use it. The closest so far had been when she heard Andrew Garfield describe Emma Stone as a shot of expresso. Elsa had paused her actions and listened to that whole interview identifying with his description and how she felt around Anna immensely; however, even Mr. Garfield had briefly mentioned the sun and it’s warmth by way of sunlight to describe a person’s ability to be so full of positive life. There was no other way to describe Anna other than as someone who added to life in the best way possible – simple and just and good. So, as clichéd and overused as the description and analogy was for Anna in Elsa’s opinion, if Anna was the sun, Elsa revolved around her as any object who grew too close would. Without meaning to and without paying direct attention, Anna was there. Even while making her own rotation, Elsa would always be aware of Anna, even if not always by choice.

Anna had a very different background compared to Elsa. Anna came from old money. Elsa came from new money. Well, not technically. Elsa’s father grew up in the world of the wealthy with his own father mentoring him. Elsa’s mother, however, came from the other side of the train tracks, metaphorically speaking. Elsa’s mother was an orphan who had been taken in by a family friend. A woman of same age as her parents. Elsa’s mother would never really knew the exact connection the woman had to her parents, but she would find familial love and comfort from the woman nonetheless. The woman was stoic but patient and wise. Still, Elsa’s mother was left to her own devices and had to pave her own destiny. Along the way, Elsa’s mother would work her way up in the world enough to end up at the same place as Elsa’s father.

Elsa’s parents would meet, grow close, marry, and then create their own family. Elsa’s mother would be a grounding force for Elsa’s father. Like a breath of fresh air and a splash of cold water, Elsa’s mother would wake him up to the world outside of his own. Elsa’s father would be invigorated by the freedom and passion of Elsa’s mother to be inspired to leave the world of old money behind. His own father would disown him after Elsa’s father would choose a life with her mother over promised fortune and inheritance. Together, they would work their way up and back up to be as well off as Elsa’s father would have been had he chosen his old life over Elsa’s mother. He and his wife would choose not to re-enter the world of wealth despite their riches. Elsa would be raised modestly and with more inspiration from her mother’s past than her father’s. Her father would still have a heavy influence in Elsa’s behavior. While immersed in her mother’s reality, she’d find herself relating more to her father. Elsa would experience the world without privilege, though, she would ironically have the privilege of her parents’ money behind her if she so needed.

Anna, in contrast, never knew her parents. She would be raised by her extremely wealthy and influential grandfather after her young parents died in a storm while traveling in the family private jet. Anytime she’d ask her grandfather about them he’d grow irate and lash out on whatever furniture or closest object he could find. Eventually she stopped asking. No one else around the estate dared to mention her parents either. She’d grow up never knowing their names, what they looked like, or having closure over their absence. She’d develop a fear of flying and abandonment as a result. Her grandfather would see her as nothing more than a pawn for negotiations when she was of appropriate age to benefit his business deals. She’d often feel purposeless and lost, but then none of her other wealthy friends had close relationships with their own relatives and they were alive! So, soon, she learned to make the best of being unattached to anyone until she found someone who would want her and fight for her.

She’d be left to her own devices as a child. Raised by estate staff, the head maid and butler would become closer to parental and authoritative figures for her than her own grandfather. She’d nickname her grandfather her manager, for that’s all he seemed to be for her. He’d manage her life and give denial or approval to her schedule and activities, but he would never engage with her or get to know her. As a result, she’d become quite rebellious and rambunctious. The head maid and butler would be her grounding force. Their influence being the reason she’d never go too far, be too impolite, or too reckless. If not for them, Anna would be exactly like the spoiled and bratty peers of wealth and old money who surrounded her. She gives the credit for being anywhere decent and less prejudiced to her beloved head maid and butler, but they would always be quick to remind her that she has a choice to listen and care for others as well. They’d tell her that her own positive choices shouldn’t be overlooked or discounted, giving Anna confidence in her own actions when they contrasted with those of her grandfather’s wishes. Allowing her to promise herself that she would do better if gifted her own partner and family. She’d start by being a good person, a good friend, and then keep looking for the next right thing in life until the void left by a lack of family was filled.

Upon meeting Elsa, Elsa would notice this in Anna. Anna’s effort in recognizing consequences and genuinely make connections with others would show Anna as a diamond in the rough amongst the wealthy elite. Elsa would immediately be drawn to Anna’s kind and open temperance lacked by the rest of the wealthy whom she’d be introduced. In return, Anna would recognize Elsa as someone who didn’t look straight past her. Elsa would be someone who also ignored status and the superficial to actually see Anna as a person. Elsa would be the first to actively try and understand Anna without first disregarding her as a stereotype of wealthy or airheaded. Anna wouldn’t be a rebel without a cause to Elsa the way she was seen by her peers. Elsa would identify why Anna was Anna without judgement. Anna would notice that Elsa’s genuine interest is something she never truly experienced in her own life. A maid and butler who grew to care for Anna as a result of being around her due to the nature of their job is very different from meeting a person who wants to be around her just for the sake of personal interest.  A bond would thus be created between them unmatched by any other friendship the two would come to know. Still, their backgrounds would constantly force an appearance as a reminder of how different the two essentially were.

Entering into the world of wealth and influence would leave Elsa isolated. Compared to the comfort and acceptance of the lower- and middle-class world, Elsa would find it hard to cope in the world of the upper-class and predominantly wealthy. Never knowing the feeling outside the walls of the wealthy elite, Anna would never be able to understand the effect isolation had on Elsa. Anna had dealt with and ignored the loneliness brough by wealth easily enough (in her mind) up to Elsa’s appearance in her life. Anna couldn’t understand why the ostracization had such an effect on Elsa when they had each other at the very least. Though she would try to support and validate Elsa’s feelings when this reality presented itself, Anna would feel frustrated at Elsa’s willingness to give into the loneliness. She’d never really comprehend Elsa’s need to address the seclusion rather than ignore it and keep moving forward.

Anna never turned away or ignored what or how Elsa felt when Elsa expressed herself. The problem for the two would be when Elsa pulled away and chose not to express herself. Elsa was not very comfortable with her emotions where Anna wore hers on her sleeve. Attempt at navigating the difference in emotional approach when young and inexperienced would prove a pain point in the early years of the two’s relationship. Still, it was a difference that Anna was confident they could get through together, and Elsa wholeheartedly agreed. But, when you are young and thus lack the experience to be able to explain the outside world to someone else’s reality, you only have two real options. The first being to leave. The reason for leaving most likely being to try and find peace with someone who does understand or to try and be content with loneliness that the one person you wanted to understand didn’t. The blame for them not understanding would either fall on you for not being able to help them or be pointed towards them for not caring enough. (Anna, of course, would never take the fault in Elsa’s mind.) The second option being you doing your best to protect that person. You try and shield their reality from the harshness of the reality YOU know exists. You’re young and thus see no compromise or middle ground to the differences in life journeys and understandings.

Elsa, as it would turn out, would attempt to turn to the latter whenever she could. They promise to try and be there for one another come what may. Of course, in their youth the promise was not made with deep words such as that, but the understanding and meaning was still there in their actions and in what they felt. Without being able to comprehend the depths of their emotions, they would each know what feelings those emotions evoked, within themselves and one another. They also respected one another too much to put each other in harm’s way – whatever that meant. Elsa would protect Anna with all that she could do. Similarly, Anna would stand by Elsa as long as Elsa needed her. Off to the side, behind her, or right with her, Anna would be what Elsa needed.

What Elsa did not prepare for was when the two above-mentioned options overlapped. It never occurred to her that maybe one day she would have to leave Anna to protect Anna. Of course, Anna would face her own surprise. How could Anna be what Elsa needed if she did not always know what Elsa needed? How could Anna be prepared for the fear of not knowing what Elsa needed? And, finally, what would happen if what Elsa needed was to not be with or around Anna? Each would question if a relationship in any nature could survive and if any two such people could be as close as each wanted to be with when the other provided this analysis. Add in other life complications, obstacles, and people fighting against them, and Elsa would roll her eyes while Anna would sigh in frustration at anyone who would compare their situation to Romeo and Juliet while deeming it anywhere near romantic.

There was nothing romantic or fair wherever the two lay their scene. Even at the resolution of their most troubled ordeals, any type of relationship takes hard work – and, with these two, maintaining a lack of relationship and interest would be just as much work as maintaining any kind of true connection with one another.

Elsa thinks the world cannot be changed. She fights for it anyway, hoping that she is wrong. If she can make a difference and the world can be changed, she accepts that it only will be so after she is long gone and after sacrifice. Anna has always been her own force in the world. It's easy when she has the means and nothing seemingly in her way. She wants to show Elsa how easy choosing yourself and each other can be while making a difference in the world. Elsa vows to protect Anna from the blinders Anna's own privilege's have provided to make Anna such an optimistic force. Anna vows to show Elsa that life can be enjoyed even while acknowledging the bad it may bring. Anna isn't as naïve as Elsa thinks. Elsa is more willing to follow her heart than Anna believes, she just needs the freedom to do so.

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“Preparatory school?”

“Yes,” her father chuckles. “You heard me correctly.”

At her father’s answer, Elsa scrunches her eyebrows together in thought and confusion as she looks down at the tablecloth.

“Your father went to prep school and feels that you would benefit from the challenge attending one for yourself would bring. You are doing exceptionally well in school, but you’re only achieving more learning because you have teachers who care enough to give you extra work outside the curriculum and outside of their own lesson plans,” her mom adds. “Elsa,” her mom reaches her hand out and lays it gently on the dining table, slowly and patiently commanding her daughter’s attention.

Arms still gently folded and held in her lap, Elsa politely tilts her head up to make eye contact with her mother. She observes her mother’s face. Her mother’s soft features show encouragement and kindness with her small smile directed towards Elsa. Elsa takes note of her mother’s softening blue eyes like a warm and still, crystal pool. Immediately calmed by the support projected from her mother, Elsa takes a deep breath and relaxes her tense posture to allow her shoulders to fall just a bit. She then turns her attention to her father who has a similarly soft yet concerned smile of his own.

Elsa’s father, like her, too, sits a bit more rigidly than his wife. Back straight, head inclined with hands and forearms on the table, palms face down, he shows openness to Elsa. Elsa can tell her input to his idea means a lot to him. With both her parents’ hands set out close to her yet not reaching, she knows that they stand united behind her father’s wish but would not force anything upon her no matter the thought they put behind this proposal.

“I just don’t quite understand, I suppose,” is her final response.

Her father’s own eyebrows scrunch up in surprise and confusion. His mouth opens and closes as if trying to find the words for a question he doesn’t know to ask.

“What do you mean, snowflake?”

He’s saved by his wife who briefly makes eye contact with him as she asks her daughter for clarification. It’s a very brief share of eye contact but he sends his wife a small smile in thanks which she returns before they both once again turn to their daughter. Elsa is once again looking down at the tabletop with a scrunched forehead. She’s biting her lip this time signaling to her parents she’s contemplating her words and emotions carefully, separating the two.

Elsa’s father’s own shoulders relax in empathy for his daughter. Neither are very good at expressing emotions. They are lucky his wife has patience for each of them when it comes to discussing hard topics like this one. Elsa and her father tended to turn to logic. They needed time to gather their thoughts before expressing what was going through their mind. He thought about how happy he was to have found such a caring and attentive love and partner who helped him better understand himself and now their daughter. He only hopes he does the same in return for both his wife and his daughter. Speaking of his daughter, another deep breath from her and placement of her own hands and forearms on the side of her own dinner plate bring him back to their present.

“Why now? It is my last year before university,” Elsa looks up at her mother and then her father hoping her they were following her flow of thought. “This decision would make more sense if I were entering my first year of secondary school, but my last year…I am just trying to recognize what real added benefit there would be for one year of prep school when I am already covering extra course loads made with the same difficulty to prepare me for university.”

It was her mother’s turn to open and close her mouth in search of a response before turning to her husband for help. Elsa brought up a good point. Elsa follows her mother’s line of sight to her father when no answer from her mother comes.

“Very good point, Elsa,” he says proudly.

Both females gasp in surprise at the change in volume before sharing a cautious look, waiting for him to continue. Instead, Elsa’s father grabs his diner napkin and spreads it on his lap. He leans back and jovially slaps his hands on his thighs. Elsa and her mother continue to stare. Her mother stares at him in bemusement while Elsa stares with straight confusion.

“Well, I was really only really worried about how you’d take the news, but now we can just get down and discuss it,” he sheepishly explains after observing the two.

Again, Elsa and her mother share a look before Elsa’s mother lets out a slight chuckle and grabs her own dinner napkin. She gives Elsa a happy shake of her head and a reassuring smile.

“Elsa,” her father tenderly commands her attention once more. “I know you are working hard and preparing as much as you can for this next life step. I want to make sure you know that first and foremost.”

“Agreed,” her mother chimes in.

Elsa observes both again before relaxing further and taking her own dinner napkin to her lap. They’re her parents for a reason. Even if she didn’t realize that was one of her concerns, leave it to them to know what to say.

“I just thought it would be a nice transitionary step. Next year, you’ll be away from home, your friends and us – away from your support group. Additionally, you’ll be on a new campus. I know this is a reality for most students and you are more prepared scholastically than most students…”

Elsa tenses up again as her father trails off.

“No, darling,” her mother interrupts immediately, once again reaching out towards her and laying her hand on the table near Elsa. “Your father doesn’t mean…we don’t mean…” Her mother worriedly turns towards Elsa’s father and recognition dawns on his face at her pointed look.

“Oh, no, no,” he hurriedly backtracks. “We have full confidence you will succeed no matter what we agree upon. I just thought that any head start is a good start,” he quickly explains. Seeing his daughter relax once more, he continues as he serves himself food. His wife does the same, following him in trying to make the atmosphere less formal and more domestic in nature. “I thought it would be beneficial to provide you with a transitionary period to help decrease future stress and anxiety should you hear what we have to say and agree. By attending the local prep school this year, you’d be introduced to starting a new school year at a new campus. You’d enter a new system and education plan that may be harder than your current even considering your current extra voluntary workload. At the same time, it will give you a year to make new friends, more of the type you will interact with at university than your current friends all while still having your mother and I easily and readily available to you should you need us.”

“Why wouldn’t my current friends be the type I would interact with at university,” Elsa asks, and she does so without petulance or anger.

She understands her father’s thought process and why her mother would agree with him. She also recognizes that Honeymaren and Ryder, her only two friends in the world, do not have a plan for university. Their future lies in helping their grandmother maintain their property for harvest and taking care of the farm animals. But the way her father worded his explanation throws a red flag for her. He didn’t say that she wouldn’t have her friends at university with her. He said the people she’d meet and be around there wouldn’t be the same “type” as her current friends. She needs to know what exactly he is implying.

At this question, her father splutters and messily drops the salad bowl his wife was handing him from her side of the table. Elsa’s mother tuts at his clumsiness, both physical and within his wording.

“You’ll make a mess, dear. Let me serve you while you talk with Elsa,” Elsa’s mom chastises him.

Elsa’s father pales and looks pleadingly at his wife. She ignores him, pointedly as she also took note of his choice of phrasing. Seeing no help or rescue from his wife this time, he sighs.

“I will be frank,” he begins boldly earning a deeper frown from his wife. Elsa watches him intently. “Elsa, you’ve shared which universities where you’ve already applied or plan to apply. Not many students of lesser monetary means are lucky enough to attend those universities, even with granted scholarships.”

“Unless they are rewarded with full scholarships,” his wife forcibly adds.

“Free rides only really happen for athletes,” Elsa’s father argues. He’s annoyed that the conversation has been derailed from the path of coming to a decision.

“If I remember correctly, Agnar, you and I have the same university listed on our diplomas—”

“You know that’s not what I me—”

“A diploma which I earned via a ‘free ride’ for my academics while yours was earned via your family’s money,” she finishes before he could interrupt her. As if to emphasize her point she slams the now empty salad bowl down after finishing serving her husband and daughter.

“Iduna, my love, I did not mean to look down on those who could not afford university,” he calmly explains. “I’m sorry,” he adds after she huffed at the beginning of his response to her indignation. He waits until his wife looks up at him to see the sincerity behind his eyes. He wants her to know he will not continue until his true intent is recognized and that he is willing to apologize further if he really came off as insensitive.

Elsa watches her parents seemingly resolve their conflict nonverbally as they stare into each other’s eyes for a bit longer. Her mother ends the tense eye contact by blowing air up through her fringe. Elsa notices her mom’s eyes crinkle in amusement as tension leaves the room. She sits amazed at her parents’ ability to communicate non-verbally.

“Apology accepted,” Iduna speaks. “And I’m sorry, too. I know you fight for fairer options to higher education for all and are just being realistic of the current world right now for our daughter.”

“It still seems hypocritical to me,” Elsa quietly interrupts her parents’ tender moment. She tosses around the leaves on her plate with a fork in one hand while her other still politely rests in her lap.

Iduna grabs her fork and knife and begins to cut into her own salad.

“I’m going to love hearing the response you have to that,” she laughs good naturedly at her husband. “Sorry, Snowflake,” she apologizes to Elsa after Elsa gives her an embarrassed look. “I didn’t mean to make light of your comment. Your observation just falls under a topic that your father and I have discussed (and, you could say, have debated) many a time since getting together in university.”

Iduna smiles at her daughter to reassure her before lifting some salad to her mouth. She takes a bite and chews while sending a smirk towards her husband.

Agnar sighs in defeat. Clearly, there’s no way to get a decision and answer from his daughter without fully investigating the path of this digression.

“If someone is experiencing life threatening injuries – please keep this as simple and hypothetical as possible. I know we could add more what ifs, but for argument’s sake, bear with me and play along,” Agnar pleads with Elsa.

Elsa nods in response.

“Right,” Agnar continues, satisfied with her compliance. “Let’s say you are on a field with another person experiencing similar life-threatening injuries to you. You’re both equally disabled. They are on the far end of the field, and you are on the near end to the first aid kit. You are both doing your best to make it to first aid and live. You have, by happenstance of placement on the field, a chance and means to crawl close to first aid and heal before succumbing to your injuries and dying. They, despite their crawling, will most likely succumb before making it near enough to first aid. Do you choose not to go towards the first aid because you feel guilty the other person cannot reach the first aid like you? Or, do you make your way over to the first aid despite the guilt that you may live while they may die in hopes that you get there fast enough to heal yourself and make yourself well enough to then render aid to them before they perish.”

“I would better myself with the hopes of bettering others simultaneously,” Elsa answers and takes a drink of water. She thinks she finally feels comfortable enough to begin eating her salad and picks up her knife in the hand opposite the one holding her fork to dig into her plate of food. “All while still acknowledging and doing my best to understand the others’ circumstances without speaking for them or acting like their savior.”

“Very well said,” Iduna compliments Elsa with a toast of her cup followed by drink of cold water.

“That being said,” Agnar mumbles before finishing his chewing and taking a drink of his own water. “I recognize the hypocrisy of partaking in a system meant to keep certain people out by sending my own daughter for better educational opportunities. Still, that is not the only reason I propose to enroll you, nor is it the main. If you agree with my reasons but would rather test out a transition to a different state school, your mother and I would do our best to find a free alternative. Just know the workload may not be harder and the teachers granting extra course work is not a guarantee. Not many teachers are open to extra work given their poor salaries despite their wish to do more for their students, and we completely understand.”

“If only the school district didn’t frown on us offering to compensate those willing for their extra time and commitment,” Iduna grumbled. “I honestly don’t see the difference between that and paying those teachers as an extra tutor. The government truly has something against those in public education.”

“I know, dear,” Agnar sympathized. “That’s why we just make sure to gift them extravagant gifts throughout the school year.” He turns back to Elsa. “Your mother does bring up another good point. If we were to go the route of a state school instead with teachers unwilling to provide extra coursework, we could hire a tutor on the side for extra university-level lessons. It would be the same as you starting over with new teachers at a prep school either way. We know the teachers we are currently close with and who have followed your progress thus far to provide extra work for you would willingly provide notes for the new teachers at a new school or for your tutor.”

“It’s really up to you, Elsa,” Iduna says softly.

“Absolutely,” Agnar reiterates his wife.

Elsa looks between her parents before placing her knife and fork down to move her hands back into her lap in an effort to self soothe. She closes her eyes questioning if this is something she’s really ready to go through. Admittedly, it would be nice to slowly transition to leaving the nest and get comfortable with the uncomfortable. Dipping her toe in and testing the waters rather than diving straight in would be more comforting.

Iduna and Agnar patiently wait for their daughter to respond. Agnar is about to tell her to sleep on it in concern that maybe it is too overwhelming of an idea to just spring on Elsa and expect a decision in the same day, let alone the same hour of presentation. Right as he opens his mouth to suggest more time to contemplate the proposal, Elsa breathes in a long breath and looks up at her mother and then him.

She’s decided. If she wants to be in any sort of position to help others in the future, she will need the means. While her parents have done quite well for themselves given her mother’s lack of family and money and her father’s choice of separating from his own family and losing his large inheritance after his own university experience, she doesn’t like to leave things up to chance. With her success in academics and sports, she doesn’t doubt she could get a “free ride” like her mother. Even without her excellent performance, her parents built a successful company from the ground up, providing them with money and her a trust to get her through any choice of university. Still, money always has a chance of running out. The business world is capricious, and she doesn’t want to be one who relies solely on her parents’ smoney. Elsa is a person of security and stability. She needs back up plans for her back up plans. Padding herself with the most secure path to success will allow her to do more in the future, after all.

“I think prep school would be beneficial,” she announces. “I’m sure,” she directs to her mother after Iduna gives her a look of concern. “I promise I am agreeing for me and because I want to try this option.”

Iduna smiles and nods at her daughter’s assurance that she isn’t simply agreeing to appease her parents. Iduna never wants her daughter to do things out of obligation, and Elsa’s past appeasement with Agnar has taught Iduna to be more cognizant of when they are walking that fine line as a family. For all Agnar hated his own father for forcing him to be the “perfect son”, Iduna has noticed the same set of expectations placed on their daughter by Agnar himself. Trauma truly is a cycle with habits that take continuous work to break. Satisfied with her daughter’s answer, Iduna turns and nods to her husband.

Agnar smiles in relief at his wife and then his daughter.

“If at anytime this becomes too daunting or we need to re-evaluate, please do not hesitate to let us know,” Agnar concludes the conversation. He looks into Elsa’s eyes and Iduna beams at how far her husband has come in managing expectations with Elsa. “We are here for you, Elsa. We only want the best for YOU so that YOU can succeed.”

Elsa’s eyes widen at the emphasis her father put on each ‘you’. She nods to signal she follows and in thanks for the reminder. She turns towards her mother to see if Iduna has anything to add only to be taken aback by the unshed tears in her mother’s eyes.

“Don’t mind me,” her mother titters. “I just really love our family.”

Elsa and Agnar look at one another in befuddlement at the matriarch’s reaction before laughing with one another. Iduna soon joins in. The trio then joyfully begin the main course, enjoying each other’s company and the dissipation of the somber attitude brought on by the serious conversation. With support from her parents, Elsa hopes her friends will take the news well. She suspects they will, even if it would be bittersweet to not finish her secondary school years with the siblings who have become like her own chosen family. Sitting and eating with her parents, she’s still a bit doubtful about her choice but she’s also hopeful that it was the right call.

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The rest of the school day went on monotonously compared to the short, interesting morning experienced by the three teens. However, Rapunzel and Elsa did find out that they shared every single core class since their elective course schedules lined up. Rapunzel’s art class was at the same time as Elsa’s Architecture course; Elsa took fencing at the same time Rapunzel was in Culinary Arts; And the two had Wood Working together (though Elsa was clearly on a more advanced level then making bird houses with the rest of the class). This meant that they were left with English, Math, History, and Science classes to fill the same empty slots on their schedule. An interesting and good thing, too. While Anna’s tour had ended at Elsa’s first class after home room, Rapunzel found Elsa couldn’t even point north after the whirlwind of a tour Anna rushed through for her. Certainly not Anna’s fault. Rapunzel could relate to the excitement leading to the inevitable explosion of energy that would cause Anna to run around campus with her new friend. Still, sharing such a similar schedule with the new girl allowed Rapunzel to properly navigate Elsa, providing the new teen an opportunity to truly orient herself to the campus. She’d send Elsa in the right direction the few times their classes differed and arrange a meeting spot for when they re-converged to stick by Elsa’s side as needed and provide Elsa with a nice safety blanket.

Rapunzel even invited Elsa to lunch with her, which Elsa was happily surprised to learn that the lunch hour was shared by all levels of students. Meaning, Anna was there to join their group as well. Lunch was the only overwhelming time for Elsa as she was all but presented to the cousins’ friends – all from equally important and wealthy families such as theirs, apparently. When Elsa whispered this point to Anna, Anna paused to look around the table. Upon the fact sinking in, a disappointed frown would take root as she would comment that she never really grasped that fact.

There was Meg whose family came from new money, Elsa was told. She evidently had a bit of a reputation – for what Elsa could not tell, nor appropriately ask given the lack of privacy at the lunch table. Meg was a slim burnet who clearly showed off what her money bought and what type of body her lifestyle helped result. She worked her attraction and elegance with ease as she chose to lounge like the Cheshire cat in her seat at the oak lunch table, right across from Elsa. Never taking too much part in the conversation, but never fully excluded either. Still, the rest at the table seemed to put up with her presence more than invite it. Often, Elsa would find Meg’s lax attention directed at her. Her eyes lazily probing over her as she relaxed back into her seat, Meg would just smirk upon Elsa’s notice of her interest. Meg’s gaze would be the first thing to make Elsa feel a bit hot that day. Weather and temperature didn’t usually affect her, but Elsa found herself about to break into a sweat just from the smoldering look in Meg’s eyes. Elsa would squirm in her seat until Anna would ask what was wrong. Each time, she’d lie to Anna or say that she was just nervous meeting everyone before distracting herself by refocusing on the next speaker in the conversation.

Next to bring notice from Elsa was Aurora. Another golden blonde, like Rapunzel, except whose hair was more volumized and which ended mid-back rather than close to the floor. She, too, had a calm, relaxed demeanor, but Elsa noted how she seemed to compete with Anna for conversational dominance. She would make underhanded comments meant to belittle whatever Anna had just said as if scolding or correcting a child without them knowing. Such condescension was not lost on Anna, Aurora would be surprised to find out. Anna was kind enough not to broach Aurora’s disrespect, though. Rapunzel would briefly whisper to Elsa that Aurora was just pompous and upset that Anna’s net worth was so much more than her own. As if they had any control over their family’s money right now, Rapunzel would scoff. All in all, making Elsa become more uneasy with the new company.

Rapunzel and Anna didn’t seem concerned with money or societal standing when Elsa first met them.  Then again, she didn’t really know Rapunzel and she was just starting to know Anna.  Anna – Elsa could tell based on her interactions – cared nothing about wealth or societal standing. She treated each consideration as if they were just supplemental and unimportant facts about a person rather than an integral part of their personality. The more the conversation around Elsa continued showed Elsa that Rapunzel didn’t seem to really care about status either. Maybe Rapunzel’s comments were just meant to be helpful insights after all.

Matching Aurora’s extravagant accessories used to display her status (as if her crisp, tucked clothes didn’t already) came Phillip. Just as Aurora’s jewelry was ostentation by nature, so was he. Hair overly gelled and slicked back, Philip wore a short sleeve white button-down. Though, Elsa noted, his sleeves were shorter than any normal short sleeve shirt would be. The shirt would also be left open at the top with the first 3 or 4 buttons left undone as a pair of expensive sunglasses hung from the point of the V the unbuttoning created. He’d often flex his muscles and back Aurora’s comments like her own personal cheerleader. His attitude tended to include more sass when he spoke, but he only seemed to do so when it benefited in attention from Aurora to him.

The only other males of the group were easier going. Still styled albeit more ruggedly than Phillip, Eric and Navid had the stares of all other females not seated with them directed on the two teen males. Each kind and polite, the two were polar opposite in the way they acknowledged the attention from the female admirers. When the conversation turned to recognizing the attention targeted towards the two, Eric would shyly try to blow off the comments while Navid ate up the attention. Clearly using his foreign status to advantage, Navid would often turn and wink at random students he caught staring his way. Eric would continue to take the other route and do his best to ignore the interest pointed at him. That’s what you get when you are the school’s most eligible bachelors.

While lunch did nothing but add to the monotony of the day for Rapunzel and Anna, Elsa left the dining hall to finish the school day with all the doubts that had minimized in the morning back to their full, original size. Looks like she had some thoughts to run off after school.

“Bailing on your afternoon tutor session,” Meg’s voice startles Anna as she invades the redhead’s space on the lacrosse field bleachers. “Whoa there, Red Riding Hood. So much pent-up energy to express for a simple greeting.”

“Meg,” Anna grumpily greets the petite brunette. “My grandfather gave up on tutoring long ago. You know that.”

Anna resumes her attentive position, concentrating on the field in front of her. Meg lays down halfway on the bleacher row behind Anna. She’s leant on one arm as she crosses and drapes one leg over the other. Foot bouncing lazily in the air, Meg lifts her free arm and spreads the fingers on the hand belonging to that arm to examine her nails.

“Right, so hiding from your driver instead then?”

“Shouldn’t you be participating in cross country practice,” Anna questions, sensing Meg isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“I have a doctor’s note which states my reason for not participating,” Meg answers offhandedly. “You’re turn.”

“I’m catching a ride with my cousin. Rapunzel is just meeting with Mother Gothel to finalize details for tomorrow morning’s shift.”

“Mother Gothel is never going to let Rapunzel leave anytime soon, you realize that, right,” Meg taunts.

“Well, it wasn’t really my choice,” Anna huffs. “I love my cousin, but my grandfather apparently reached out to her parents. He wanted to ensure that I made it home on time for dinner and she has become my keeper for the afternoon. My grandfather knows I wouldn’t do anything to inconvenience her, and he has her parents under his thumb as the greatest shareholder of their company to face any resistance from them.”

“Hell is other people,” Meg responds with no seriousness. She moves her gaze from her nails to examine Anna when no further sound comes. She smiles as she sees Anna holding her breath. “Perhaps not all people,” Meg smirks as she follows Anna’s line of sight. “Looks like Elsa is giving Hans a run for his money on the track field. She doesn’t even realize she’s going to pass him. They’re neck and neck and he clearly doesn’t like that.”

“Elsa isn’t one to care about where she falls next to others,” Anna finally breathes.

Her eyes are attuned to the blonde female and male redhead. Han’s face is slowly turning red as he moves to exert himself to maintain the lead of all other runners. His face swivels from the path in front of him to Elsa in disbelief as she gracefully keeps her fast yet steady pace.

“Still crushing hard on the Westergaard runt,” Meg teases.

Anna rapidly stands in worry as Han’s trips and almost brings down Elsa with him. As Elsa manages to dodge Han’s outstretched hand and slows to turn and see the chaos behind her, Anna plops back into her own seat in relief.

“Or, perhaps, your affections now lie elsewhere.”

“Oh, come on Meg,” Anna huffs. “That was almost a bad accident. It even jolted Elsa out of her focus for her to turn back and help.”

“For all the good that seems to be doing,” Meg sarcastically comments.

Upon Elsa’s offer of assistance, Hans springs up and limps away. Ignoring Elsa and the rest of the team whose slowed to a stop upon reaching the two leaders of the group. He shouts something at the coach who is apparently threatened enough to call practice over. All athletes happily acquiesce except Elsa who looks at the coach and then Hans retreating figure in confusion.

“He was just embarrassed,” Anna defends. “What’s she doing?”

Anna continues to watch as Elsa checks her watch and looks up at the sky, clearly making some type of decision. Coming to some sort of deduction, Elsa places her earbuds back into her ears and slowly begins running once more.

“Guess she wasn’t done with practice,” Meg supplies as response to Anna’s rhetorical question. Upon Anna’s frown, Meg asks, “So, what’s the deal between you and the new girl anyway?”

Anna’s head snaps to Meg immediately.

“You introduced her at lunch but didn’t include her surname. None of us clearly know of her, so she can’t come from money – at least, not our type of money. You sat her between you and Rapunzel, obviously as a form of a protective barrier from the rest of us. You’re lucky we’re such a self-involved crowd that no one actually took to asking her many questions, though you sure deflected when Aurora began directing questions her way. You hardly let Elsa talk.”

“I didn’t mean to,” Anna panics. “You don’t think she thought I didn’t want her to speak, do you?” The worry emanating from Anna over how she is thought of by Elsa intrigues Meg further. “Crap, I don’t even have her phone number to text her and ask if she was okay with my tour and her first day, and I so don’t have the patience to wait until I can talk to her again tomorrow,” Anna rambles. “Will I even see her tomorrow?”

“Calm down, jitterbug,” Meg chastises and swings her legs forward to lean on and towards Anna. “If anything, you’ll talk to her at lunch tomorrow. Who else is she going to sit with? She basically stuck by Rapunzel through the hallways, so I doubt she’s met anyone other than those in our group so far.”

Anna sighs in relief.

“But I’m still curious as to why you unintentionally guarded her so much,” Meg persists. “What’s her story? Is she single? You simply want to keep her to yourself, don’t you, rascal? Is that why you are keeping so tightlipped. You can’t have just met her this morning when she swung the door into your face. You were way too excited that she was sitting with us at lunch to have just met her, and she was clearly more trusting and comfortable with you than Rapunzel.”

“Well, she worked at a place I frequented over the summer,” Anna replies secretively.

Meg definitely takes notice and decides to see how much she can push Anna.

“A working girl,” Meg comments in surprise. “What is she doing here then?”

“What does it matter,” Anna snaps. “She’s here and now she’s my friend, so why are you so interested in her, Megara?”

“Ouch, pulling out my dreaded full name,” Meg responds dryly, with no actual offense or surprise at Anna’s temperament. “Keep avoiding my questions. That just means I’ll have to go to the source and get to know the answers from her.”

Anna’s indignation rises and she opens her mouth to tell Meg to back off, even though she has no real right to do so. Who is she to stop others from befriending Elsa? That thought would apply if Meg didn’t seem to have more than friendship on her mind, Anna also thinks.

“Speaking of, here comes my chance,” Meg interrupts her thoughts as Elsa approaches them.

Anna straightens up and tries to think of an escape – a way to deflect Elsa from approaching while being able to talk to the blonde herself.

“Hey, Wonder Girl,” Meg calls out to Elsa stopping any attempt Anna could have acted on. “You do know they called off practice a few laps ago?”

“I figured the field was still open so might as well have gotten my own full practice,” Elsa smiles at Meg and provides an answer. Anna’s stomach twists at the interaction. “What about you Meg? You had the doctor’s note. You surely could have left earlier.”

Meg’s brow raises in surprise at Elsa’s quick verbal return. She was expecting more of a shy or avoidant response from the quiet girl. What could have prompted such boldness from her, Meg wonders until Elsa turns toward Anna. Only then, does Elsa provide a truly pleased greeting. Meg smirks as she realizes the cause for Elsa’s confidence.

“And you,” Elsa softly asks Anna. “Did you cause more trouble to ground you to the school premises this late after classes?”

“No more than I had already caused,” Anna retorts lightly.

“I’m glad,” Elsa giggles. “On two counts, actually.”

“Oh,” Anna questions with a light blush growing on her cheeks.

“Careful, Red,” Meg juts in. “Looks like your getting too much sun.”

Anna gapes at Meg for pointing out her bashfulness.

“Meg is right,” Elsa says concerned, unbelieving that she could be the reason for Anna’s blush. “Hey, why don’t we move to the shade. Your face is getting really red. I sunburn easily, too, so you aren’t alone. I promise.”

Elsa’s full attention is directed at Anna. Her smile is comforting as she nods her head to the side of the building projecting shade. All Anna can do is nod as she stares at Elsa who is illuminated by the late afternoon sun behind her.

“Sounds like a plan,” Meg once again interrupts the moment. “Care to escort me, Wonder Girl?”

Anna is helpless as Meg surprises Elsa by rapidly descending the few raised benches between her and Elsa. She watches as Meg grabs Elsa’s arm and begins dragging her to the aforementioned destination. Elsa’s head is still turned towards Anna even as she is pulled away. Not wasting another second, Anna jumps up and follows the two.

“Anna!”

They all turn to Rapunzel who shouted right as they all have reached the shade. Anna fills with dread at the sight of her cousin. Gothel did apparently let Rapunzel go, and all too soon in Anna’s current opinion. Anna looks between Elsa and Meg, who still hasn’t released her hold on Elsa. Meg gives Anna a smug look as Rapunzel makes her way towards the trio.

“Looks like your ride is finally ready,” Meg says.

“I –,” Anna fights for a comeback and a reason to stay.

“Wait,” Elsa interjects and steps forward, shrugging Meg off her arm. “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind exchanging numbers,” she blurts. “That’s the other reason I was happy to run into you again before tomorrow.”

Anna gapes at Elsa in disbelief.

“Hey Elsa. Meg,” Rapunzel briefly greets as she joins the group. “Come on, Anna. We have to go now. I barely escaped Nurse Gothel’s instruction-turned-gossip fest and my driver is ready and waiting to haul us away to your place. Sorry girls, but we’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye, bye,” Meg hums.

“Wait,” Anna tries to stall. “I was just…Elsa was – ”

Rapunzel begins to draw Anna away.

“I was just offering her a ride,” Elsa jumps forward. “As a formal apology for this morning and a thank you for the tour,” she adds at the confused looks from the cousins and despite the low chuckle from Meg at her side.

“Yeah,” Anna agrees, playing along.

“Anna, your grandfather is expecting you home in precisely 18 minutes. I promised my parents, who promised your grandfather in return to get you home on time. I even ran away while Nurse Gothel’s back was turned. She’s totally going to guilt me over that act tomorrow morning and for the rest of the school year.”

“I’ll get her there on time,” Elsa promises. “And if not, I’ll be happy to take the blame and explain her slight tardiness.”

Rapunzel takes a moment to think. She observes the other teens a moment before Anna draws her focus with a silent plea.

“Please, Punzie,” Anna begs. “It would be rude to decline Elsa’s offer.”

“Where’s your driver,” Rapunzel finally responds to Elsa. “As long as your driver is here, I will know you’re headed out from here, immediately.”

“Umm,” Elsa begins hesitantly, “You’re looking at my driver.”

“Way to be rude, Raps,” Meg teases.

“Of course,” Rapunzel back pedals. “I forgot not everyone has a driver or is chauffeured around. Not that they should be…sorry! I just –”

“No, it’s okay,” Elsa assures. “But my car is right over there. I just need to grab my bag and a towel to wipe off my sweat, then we will be on our way. Hope I don’t smell too bad for company, or there may be some regret in taking my offer.”

“You smell amazing! Wait, what,” Anna blurts and tries to backtrack, confused on how she let herself say something so embarrassing out loud. “You smell fine, is what I meant. Even all sweaty and gross right now. Not that you’re gross. I’m actually coming off as the gross one here…”

“Anna,” her cousin stops her. “Fine, I’m heading out now. Elsa, I’m trusting your word here. Still, text me when you drop her off, okay? I’m sure my cousin will be too distracted to do so herself.”

Elsa nods and Rapunzel, satisfied, gives her cousin and Meg a goodbye before running and jumping into her own awaiting vehicle. She does so just in time, too, as the remaining three teens see Nurse Gothel exiting the building moments after Rapunzel’s driver closes her door.

“Rapunzel, we weren’t finished talking. Please be here early tomorrow so we can finish our discussion…but not too early. I like my beauty sleep,” Gothel shouts after the car as the driver disappears into the vehicle himself and drives off.

“Well, that was entertaining,” Meg comments.

“We better get out of here, too,” Anna says. “Before Nurse Gothel notices us.”

“No need. Here come the rest of the team to distract her for us,” Meg points out as a group of athletes begin piling into the parking lot. “Speaking of distraction…Hey, Herc!”

With the outpour of athletes, a single orange haired guy perks up at the sound of Meg’s voice. He turns and waits as Meg makes her slow waltz to him.

“And there goes Meg,” Anna breathes.

“We better get going. Wait here,” Elsa announces and Anna nods in response.

Anna watches as Elsa runs to pick up her bags. She wonders why she didn’t store her stuff in the locker rooms like the other athletes.

“Right, this way,” Elsa directs Anna after returning to her side. They walk towards the parking lot when Elsa speaks again, “I prefer to make a quick getaway when I can, so keeping my stuff close by makes sense. Besides, I doubt anyone here would look to steal anything I have.”

How Elsa seems to know what Anna is thinking enough to answer Anna’s unasked question leaves Anna puzzled. She doesn’t voice this, though. Content to just have someone who apparently understands her so well and so early into becoming acquainted is a wonderful feeling.

“You say that” Anna gapes upon reaching an impressive sky blue, sports-looking car, “but if anyone knew that this was your car, they may actually go through your stuff for the keys. Does it even use keys? That emblem…it’s not a Ferrari, or is it? Clearly, I don’t know cars, but even I can tell this is impressive.”

“It uses a fob,” Elsa answers in embarrassment. “Not a Ferrari, but a Koenigsegg model. My dad’s a bit of a car freak and insisted I drive this one to my new school, since I insisted on driving myself. We never had need for a driver before, so I didn’t see myself using one now. We’ve never lived with any real lavishes before, despite my parents’ success. They’ve always kept our day-to-day lives pretty quiet and tame. I was actually surprised when my dad pulled this car from one of his racing garages.”

Anna gapes as the doors swing up to open and welcome them into a sleek interior.

“He just happens to lend you one of his clearly most expensive vehicles?”

“Well, I share his enthusiasm and care for his vehicles, much to my mother’s chagrin,” Elsa sighs as she and Anna enter the vehicle. “My parents aren’t huge spenders. My dad does silently invest in racing, though. It’s one luxury my parents agreed on. For my mother’s part, allowing my father race car expenses and investments provides her the opportunity to invest and partake in the world of horses without complaint from him.”

“A race family,” Anna summarizes.  “Got it. Is that why you got into running?”

Elsa frowns, but, before Anna can apologize for prying, she answers anyway.

“I run because it’s a form of escape and control. That’s also why I never run on a treadmill. Only on a track or running trail.”

“So,” Anna slowly prods after Elsa asks for an address and begins to set their destination on the screen on the center of the car console.

“You thought I was a scholarship student,” Elsa breaks the ice.

“Well,” Anna hesitates. “I didn’t really assume anything.”

Elsa turns to her questioningly. Anna releases a breath as she tries to explain herself.

“I didn’t really think about your background at all,” Anna admits as Elsa finally begins driving. “I mean, I didn’t recognize your surname, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything. You were and are just you. I figured the rest wasn’t really my business, and the more we became friends, the more would be presented. But whatever facts came out wouldn’t really change who you are as a person, right?”

“I appreciate that,” is all Elsa says.

They sit in silence for the next few minutes of the ride. And, where Anna would usually find such a silence suffocating, she’s too preoccupied with scoping out the interior of the amazing car she found herself in. She wonders if the radio works.

“It does,” Elsa answers and giggles as Anna shoots her a look of amazement. “You asked that question aloud, and...Please don’t take this as an insult, but I find you easy to read.” As Elsa catches the look of bemusement from Anna out of the corner of her eye as she drives, she further explains, “You have this face when your curious about something, and you always eye what your curious about, so sometimes it’s easy to discern what could be going through your mind. Normally, I wouldn’t be so comfortable voicing my guess or even occasionally ask, but…you were so kind and open during our first encounter, I can’t help but feel at ease to be just as open back.”

Elsa’s eyes shift forward and stay forward at her admission. Anna is left breathless at the honesty from Elsa and her heart swells at the sincerity so rare. As Elsa’s cheeks begin to turn pink, Anna finds her voice to reassure Elsa of the safe space they’ve created with one another.

“Thank you.”

Elsa’s eyes once again shift to Anna before she lets out a breath of relief and the corner of her lips turn upwards. She’s happy she didn’t make Anna uncomfortable with her words or say the wrong thing.

“So, you aren’t a scholarship kid, and you enjoy racing like your parents – whether it be horses or cars, but you prefer cars,” Anna provides. “Is that how your parents met? Found each other on some fancy, schmancy racetrack?”

“Yes and no, yes, then no to the power of 2,” Elsa responds, confusing Anna. “I am a scholarship kid, but only in title. My academic and athletic involvement secured me free invitation to join your fine prep school, but my family and I refused the money along with the scholarship. The scholarship is nice to have on file for universities to take note, but we didn’t want to take money away from making attendance of our fine prep school from a student who would benefit from the aide more.”

“That’s,” Anna pauses as she processes what Elsa just said. “That’s really considerate of you. You’ll find not many people here think the same. More money than anyone would need in their lifetime, yet many here would just take and take from others. So, what about your parents?”

“My mother was raised around animals, but she never saw a racetrack until she met my father. He took her to a horse race on their first date after finding out about her love for the horses she tended when she would visit and work on farms between school years. That was a big mistake. Mother, while amazed at the result from such power of breeding, hated how the horses were only seen as cash cows. Her investments in the world of horse racing tend to go towards horse rehabilitation and rescue more than racing. I think that the compassion by my mother which my father witnessed during that first date is what made him fall in love with her.”

“That’s really sweet.”

“Hmm,” Elsa hums in agreement. “My father did come from old money.” Elsa surprises Anna with this disclosure.

“I haven’t heard of the House of Arendelle,” Anna muses. “Not doubting you,” she hurriedly corrects, “Was his family from somewhere abroad? We didn’t know of Navids background until he bragged about it. He comes from some French line of wealth.”

“No, you’re okay,” Elsa responds, turning a corner with her vehicle. “I don’t really know the answer to that question,” she admits. “My father denounced his roots in order to marry my mother. His father essentially erased all trail of my father over some drama there was over my father’s wish to marry my mother, since she came from no money. In response, my father changed his last name to acquiesce, but also retaliate, against my biological grandfather. Apparently, the bloodline was a huge importance to his father. My father tricked his father into allowing his change of name as a condition of helping erase all ties to one another.”

“What do you mean tricked? Surely your grandfather had lawyers review the paperwork of such an agreement?”

“Oh, he did and they did,” Elsa assures. “But my father left room for a loophole in the agreement. My father wrote and my grandfather agreed that my father would be allowed to change his surname in a way that would never tie him back to the family name. Meaning, it would be as if his birth certificate and records only ever read one name – his new chosen name while also leaving the parents’ section to read as unknown, but there was nothing in writing saying he had to disclose his new surname to his father. So, once signed, they agreed to have the papers sealed up so neither could open without breaking the agreement. My dad was the last to sign with his new surname so once he signed, the document went directly to a neutral party who neither would know the identity of.”

“That person would be the only one to read your father’s new surname and his father wouldn’t be able to know his new identity without allowing legal consequence for his actions,” Anna finishes in amazement.

“Yes,” Elsa confirms. “A risky but worthy play in my father’s eyes, but he trusted my mother’s plan and it paid off.”

“And your mother planned it all,” Anna exclaims. “Your mother is my hero. Think she can help me plan my escape from my grandfather come graduation?”

“I don’t know if she has another grand scheme like that in her, but I’ll be sure to ask,” Elsa laughs as they pull up to a gated mansion. “I doubt your grandfather can be as bad as my biological one. The stories are truly awful. Are you sure it’s okay for me to know this code,” Elsa adds in question after Anna reaches over to punch the number on a keypad.

“You weren’t supposed to be looking,” Anna jokes, turning to Elsa.

Both girls freeze at the proximity of Anna’s face to Elsa’s. Anna was clearly not thinking as she unbuckled herself and climbed to lean over Elsa in order to reach the keypad just outside the driver’s side window as Elsa spoke. Not that Elsa voiced any surprise or objection at Anna’s actions. They really were growing too comfortable with one another too fast, Anna thought, though she was not complaining.

“Ahem,” Elsa clears her throat. Her face reflects the same red as Anna’s.

“Sorry…I wasn’t thinking. Didn’t mean to invade your personal bubble,” Anna attempts to lighten the mood.

“You’re fine,” Elsa squeaks out. She waits for Anna to fully seat herself before driving up to the top of the driveway. “Did we make it in time,” Elsa asks as she brakes to a full stop. She pulls out her phone and presumably texts Rapunzel an updat as the passenger door swings up to release Anna.

“Two minutes late,” Anna answers back dismally. “What are you doing?”

Looking away from the time on the car console, she sees Elsa unbuckling her own seatbelt.

“I promised Rapunzel that I’d take full responsibility if you were the least bit tardy.”

“You really don’t have to do that!”

It’s too late. Elsa is already out and around the car, the driver’s side car door slowly closing on its own. She reaches a hand towards Anna to help her out of the low car.

“I don’t mind,” she responds, pulling Anna to her feet for the second time of the day. “Unless, you don’t think your grandfather would approve of my presence,” she says quietly, almost hurt.

“I don’t care what my grandfather would think of you,” Anna replies passionately. “I just want to save you from his wrath. You of all people are not deserving of it.”

The two stand, facing one another. Anna’s chest is heaving in worry while Elsa is stuck in wonder. Anna’s hand is still in Elsa’s and Elsa takes advantage to tighten her grip.

“Then what say you and I face him together,” Elsa offers. “We can share the burden of his wrath?”

Anna gulps at Elsa’s chivalry. She finds herself nodding as Elsa turns towards the estate’s front door and pulls Anna with her. Anna finally snaps out of her haze as they reach the doorstep. She looks down at their hands still joined and then up to Elsa as a question strikes her.

“How are your parents sure your grandfather won’t find them? If they are doing well enough now to be so well-off, surely, they would have interacted with people back in your grandfather’s circles to alert him? That, or their success would lead to enough press where their picture on the internet would give it away.”

Elsa turns her head to address Anna.

“My parents are very careful in their business dealings. They don’t attend events and are even more meticulous in making sure there are no pictures of themselves on the internet. Not many people share my father’s first name, even fewer share my mother's, so they really go to extreme lengths to ensure that no real digital footprint is left. The only thing left to tie them to their first name being legal records. I doubt my grandfather has the connections to convince government officials to allow him a look at all records of those with their particular names in hopes of finding a needle in a haystack,” she says triumphantly.

“My mother was an unregistered immigrant until married to my father. She fled under the radar with help of her unofficial, official guardian, who’s also undocumented, and managed school attendance and acceptance to university under a false and made-up full name. It wasn’t until she married my father that her real surname ever came up in conversation. He wasn’t surprised,” Elsa adds seeing the look on Anna’s face. “Mother told father her real first name after their first date along with the reason for her pseudonym, not wanting something so real to be based on something completely fake. She only told him her real first name, though. He never asked for her real surname before making a deal with my grandfather. After what she did share with him, father wanted her to trust that he trusted her enough to keep something from him until she was fully committed to him. I think, in a way, he knew that his father would use whatever information about the woman he loved against him. He did it with my father’s friends in the past to put my father in line. Not knowing my mother’s surname also gave my father his own type of freedom, in a way, until he was ready to leave my grandfather’s complete influence himself and build his own true life.”

Elsa lifts the door knocker and lets it fall to announce their presence, then finishes her story.

“Seeing that my parents met in an age before real technology and digital tracing as we know it, it was easy for my father to use his own connections one last time to go back and change all of mother’s school records to her legal name before her graduation to my current surname without leaving a trace for my father’s father to follow. Thus, my grandfather only had and has my mother’s false first name to go by should he have tried to keep tabs on my parents that way. It’s all very complicated.”

“I bet…Whoa,” Anna gasps. “Again, your mother is totally my hero.”

“I appreciate the sentiment,” Elsa giggles. “Though, I’m sure most in your world would call her a worse. Oh, I hear footsteps.”

Elsa tries to see through the translucent door window.

“People in my world cheat the system all the time,” Anna scoffs. “It’s only a frowned upon when an outsider manages to get the best of them and the system, too.”

The footsteps grow closer and louder. Anna’s brows come together in confusion. Kai never steps so loudly and heavily.

“I see someone,” Elsa whispers. “Your butler?”

As a bulky silhouette settles on the large, frost covered door window, Anna gulps.

“Nope,” Anna utters. “My grandfather.”

Chapter Text

As the front door creaks open, Anna’s expression transitions from one of worry to defensiveness. With the door swung wide open, she and Elsa meet the sight of a figure commanding attention, standing tall and imposing.

With an air of unwavering confidence, Anna’s ominous grandfather possesses fiery red-orange hair, brighter than Anna’s own due to a sprinkle of white in between faded strands both on his head and within his handlebar mustache. His striking appearance would draw attention in any room, and his ramrod straight posture emphasizes an unyielding nature. At a height of 6 foot 4, he carries himself with a commanding presence that certainly demands respect, Elsa thinks. The tall, ominous man embodies a sense of power and control, his every detail crafted to inspire fear and respect. It’s no wonder Anna was nervous for Elsa and him to meet. His enigmatic presence fuels curiosity and trepidation in equal measure.

Anna’s gone mute beside her, but not out of fear or even her initial anxiety which Elsa now identifies with and feels flush through her veins as she stares at the man in front of her. He’s adorned himself in a meticulously tailored ensemble of expensive, custom-made clothes. The fabrics clings to his powerful frame, accentuating his muscular physique. He rimends Elsa of Gene Kelly - muscalur without the need of resorting to excessive bulk to show his prowess. The fine craftsmanship of his attire only serves to enhance his aura of refinement and superiority.

“And who do we have here? I hope she is not the reason for your delayed arrival, granddaughter. It would be truly unwise to come up to this doorstep if so…”

When he speaks, his voice resonates with authority and power. With a commanding baritone, he possesses the ability to effortlessly project his words, filling the space around him.

“Well,” he huffs after pausing. “Speak, girl. Who are you and why are you escorting my granddaughter home when I explicitly asked for her cousin to ensure her timely arrival?”

His face bears a disapproving and calculating expression as his eyes rake over Elsa. Otherwise, he provides a stoic demeanor that evidently rarely wavers. Behind his piercing gaze, one can sense a keen intellect and an analytical mind at work. His question is a clear test. Elsa just doesn’t know why she is being tested.

“I apologize for our tardiness, Sir,” Elsa finally speaks, doing her best to navigate his tricky waters.

“Never apologize for the past,” he interrupts her. Leaning forward to tower over Elsa, he murmurs. “What is done, is done.” Every action he takes comes off as measured and deliberate, cementing him as a master strategist in Elsa’s opinion. She remains quiet, cautiously scrutinizing him in return lest she fall into an unseen trap. He stares into her eyes a moment more. Elsa’s gaze, though timid, never wavers from under his study until his lips eventually pull into a scowl and he breaks his gaze away.

“Now, Anna,” he changes course and it’s suddenly as if Elsa isn’t present at all. “You missed breakfast. You missed your home room on the first day of classes. You had a run in with Weselton and caused some chaos resulting in a visit to the nurse. And now, you arrive home late.”

“The visit to the nurse was actually my fault,” Elsa attempts to explain, but Anna preemptively interjects, swiftly beating Elsa in response and in volume.

“I’m sorry if dinner has gotten cold,” Anna spits out sarcastically. “But it’s like you said: ‘What’s done is done’.” Here her voice carries an exaggerated air of refinement, a contrived attempt at imitating the accents of the elite albeit mockingly.

“I also hear,” he ignores her remark, “that you now require a new phone.”

“I knew Chives was a spy,” Anna exclaims.

Elsa is visibly taken aback by Anna’s exclamation, yet her attention remains fixed on Anna’s grandfather, leaving little room to acknowledge the exclamation fully. Unfazed by his granddaughter's reaction, as if accustomed to his granddaughter's spontaneous nature, the elder Oldenburg turns away and begins retreating into the building. Moving with deliberate and predatory grace, his strides are slow and steady, reminiscent of a hunter stalking its prey. Each step serves to amplify the unease in the atmosphere, as if the very ground trembles beneath his feet.

“Well, that’s not a denial,” Anna leans in to whisper conspicuously to Elsa, swiftly transitioning her tone to one of infectious delight. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”

The abrupt shift in atmosphere causes Elsa to experience a jolting social whiplash.

“I don’t think that would be wise,” Elsa stumbles out unsteadily as she starts to retreat towards her car, her steps marked with uncertainty.

“Ah,” Anna’s face falls as she speaks. “Scared away already, huh?”

Elsa immediately stops in her movement at Anna’s tone. Although Anna presents the question in a lighthearted way, Elsa’s discerning eye and ear can perceive the undercurrent of sadness and dejection within Anna’s words. The smile on the younger teen's face is unmistakably forced, subtly tainted with a touch of disappointment.

“Absolutely not,” Elsa disputes, adopting a confident stance as she squares herself to strongly assure her new friend. “Maybe another time, though.”

Anna’s spirit soared with hope at the beginning of her friend’s declaration, only to be swiftly let back down.

“Hey,” Elsa consoles Anna. “I would love to have dinner with you and your grandfather another day. Maybe a day when I’m not sweaty from having run a few miles and have had a chance to shower and dress for the occasion…” Her words trail off, filled with a flicker of unease, as she hopes she hasn't unintentionally caused Anna offense.

Anna’s face lights up with an exuberant beam as she lets out an excited squeal in response to the promise made by Elsa. Overflowing with joy, she eagerly lunges forward, enveloping Elsa in a tight embrace.

“It’s a date!”

Caught off guard by her own exclamation, Anna momentarily freezes, her enthusiasm giving way to a bashful hesitation. With a shy smile, Anna takes a step back, acutely aware of the sudden shift she just caused. Elsa blinks in awe, a mix of surprise and wonder evident in her gaze. Anna feels a flicker of awkwardness, unsure of how her spontaneous gesture has been received.

“I mean,” Anna retraces her words and tries to clarify her intent, “a friend-date. You’ll be the first official friend I invite over who actually accepts! Not that I invite many friends over,” Anna’s words meander aimlessly, flowing in a stream of unstructured thoughts. “My grandfather can just be a lot,” she bolsters. “Well, you’ve met him and can tell…Wait, I didn’t actually introduce you. Oh my gosh! Hold on! Stay here and I’ll bring him back. Then we – ”

“Anna!”

Anna momentarily pauses to allow Elsa to speak. Filled with concern that she may have once again overwhelmed her new friend, a wave of relief washes over her as she notices Elsa’s quiet giggles. Mirroring the other girl's sly smile, Anna realizes that her worries were unfounded.

“I’ll be happy to dine with you and your grandfather in the near future. Hopefully you’ll remember to properly introduce us then,” Elsa offers her response, patiently and kindly.

“Okay,” a breath of gratitude escapes Anna as her heart rate steadies back to its normal resting rate.

Their gaze lingers a few extra minutes, unbroken, until Elsa takes the initiative to break the silence. With a gentle smile, she bids Anna a pleasant evening, granting Anna the opportunity to retreat into her home and join her grandfather for dinner. Anna observes Elsa’s departure, her gaze lingering for a moment on the light blue vehicle as it grows smaller and smaller before she readies herself for an impending reprimand, intertwining the anticipation of the scolding from her grandfather along with the hunger for her dinner.

Anna walks into the dining room to join her grandfather with lack of pomp and circumstance despite the atmosphere of opulence and refinement. The color scheme of the room is dominated by hues of green and purple, lending an air of sophistication to the space. The dining table itself is a large rectangular centerpiece, capable of accommodating a feast, yet currently set for a gathering of only two. The dinner plates are arranged across from one another at the long opposite ends of the dining table. The table legs unobscured by a table cloth, catch the eye with Norwegian-inspired carvings on each leg, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and intricate details. Surrounding the table are wooden chairs, adorned with dark green cushions that offer comfort while adding to the elegance. Illuminating the room is a grand chandelier, suspended above the table, its gems reflecting the internal light, casting a warm glow. Additional lighting is provided by the soft flickering of wall candles, adding a touch of ominous ambiance as the sun finishes setting making the chandelier and candles the only light source in the room.

Anna looks to the wall of almost wall-length windows, dressed in deep purple drapes tied open to welcome the daylight when there was daylight. Now, they seem to exist to keep maintenance of the air of privacy within the room. Her eyes skim the walls which are adorned with fancy portraits and oil paintings she's all too familiar with. Each showcase distinguished figures and lavish scenes, further accentuating the room's sense of grandeur. The dark brown wooden floor is covered with an exquisite European-style rug, adding a layer of plushness and enhancing the room's regal charm. Positioned underneath the dining table, the rug adds an element of visual interest and ties the space together.

A serving table sits nearby, manned by two servants on each side, ready to attend to the needs of Anna and her grandfather. As soon as Anna’s gaze lands upon the elderly gentleman at the head of the table, she hastens to claim her seat on the opposite end. Relentlessly, he continues to tap his fingers on the table, a display of his impatience. Undeterred, she merely rolls her eyes in response to his behavior, as diligent servants move swiftly to fulfill their duties, filling each of the pair’s plates and glasses. Her eyes then traverse the length of the table, taking in the sight of unnecessary candelabras, placed along the table, and resting on an emerald green runner. A servant fills her crystal glass, rimmed with gold to match the golden dishware and utensils set for her, adding a touch of extravagance to the otherwise ordinary dining experience.

Casting a glance back at her grandfather, Anna finds him preoccupied with observing the servant attentively attending to his needs. At the head of the table behind her grandfather stands a gray mantlepiece fireplace that proudly displays their family coat of arms, evoking a sense of heritage and nobility. Floral arrangements of crocus flowers that grace the dining room are also placed in vases on the fireplace mantel and along the single wall of windows, infusing the space with a delicate fragrance and a splash of natural beauty.

"You're still in your school clothes," he remarks, his tone laced with disdain.

"I didn't have enough time to change for dinner," she retorts.

"You would have if you were punctual as you should be," he asserts forcefully.

A heavy silence envelops the two, seemingly sanctioned by her grandfather. The tension in the air is palpable as he squares his shoulders and the muscles in his neck tighten. It's evident that he is making a concerted effort to regain composure, refusing to let his emotions take control.

“Keep your mouth shut, keep your guard up.”

She can almost hear his internal mantra, repeated like a whispered incantation. In her childhood, when her emotions seemed overwhelming and too difficult to contain, her grandfather would frequently attempt to instill those words in her, hoping to aid his granddaughter in regaining a semblance of control. It never worked. With an indomitable spirit, Anna possessed too much heart from the start to suppress her true self. Consequently, her rebellious streak against her grandfather took root, as she perceived no real consequences emanating from him. It was evident that he grappled with the notion of disciplining a girl, and still struggled to do so.

"So, tell me,” he interjects, pausing between cutting his food and taking a bite, "who was that girl who drove you home?"

Anna momentarily ceases her own eating, and he observes how she straightens from her usual slouch before trying to nonchalantly adjust her posture as she responds.

"She's a new student," she explains carefully. "New to the school. The incident which led me to the nurse..."

"Yes, I'm aware of all that," he interrupts, resuming his meal and dismissing her need to elaborate on that particular part of her story.

"She offered me a ride home as a way to apologize, since she felt responsible," Anna adds, hoping to provide some context.

"Oh, how noble," he retorts sarcastically. Catching a glimpse of contempt in his granddaughter's expression, he adds harshly, "A real apology for causing you an unnecessary detour from your schedule would have been to ensure you arrived home on time. Instead, she further delayed you from another commitment."

"I don’t remember agreeing let alone being asked to join you for dinner, Grandfather," Anna retorts indignantly, defending both her and Elsa’s actions.

He harrumphs in reply, the sound accompanying the rhythm of his chewing.

"What's her name?" he inquires, adopting a flippant yet demanding tone, and leaving no room for evading his question.

"I don't think you'd be familiar with her family," she attempts to deflect anyway, attempting to navigate around the question.

"Anna," he commands, his voice steady and firm.

Her breath catches in her throat, realizing the consequences her answer may bring. Yet, she is left astonished when the reaction she had anticipated fails to materialize.

“Elsa Arendelle,” her grandfather echoes the name as if testing it on his tongue, determining if the flavor is favorable or not.

"I invited her to dinner," she hurriedly adds, hoping to extend the moment before the anticipated reaction from her grandfather has a chance to takes place. "But she gave me a raincheck," she continues, her words flowing out as her grandfather carries on with his dinner, seemingly oblivious to her explanation. "She wanted to join when she's more appropriately dressed and presentable to you."

"You want to present her to me," her grandfather repeats, phrasing it as a statement despite its interrogative nature.

"Yes," she replies, her voice tinged with an unusual timidity that catches her grandfather’s interest. It is a side of her that she rarely allows him to witness.

"Alright," he agrees, surprising his granddaughter with the ease at which he has reached a decision.

"Alright," she repeats in disbelief, feeling a growing sense of excitement bubbling in the pit of her stomach.

"Yes, the Westergaard family have also requested an audience with me," he informs her casually, signaling to the servant that he has finished his meal. "We'll have a dinner, an intimate gathering with their family and Elsa's."

"The Westergaards?" Anna reiterates, her confusion and disbelief evident.

"What's the matter?" her grandfather asks without much emotion in his voice. "I thought you had quite a little crush on the youngest Westergaard boy. Despite his lackluster qualities, now that he's in his final year of secondary schooling and soon to move up to university, it's time to secure him for you."

"You're going to arrange a marriage with Hans…for me?" she says incredulously.

"Only if the evening with his family goes well," he responds nonchalantly, rising from his seat. "Fortunately, the presence of the Arendelle girl and her family should help calm your nerves and those of the Westergaard crew. It might even settle Han’s nerves enough for him to make a better impression so that his father and I strike up a beneficial business arrangement attached to your union. I've heard that Hans' father is desperate to do whatever it takes to improve their social standing. Naturally, that puts all the bargaining power in my hands."

He watches the array of negative emotions flicker across his granddaughter's face and hums in satisfaction.

"You secure a suitable date that works for the girl and her parents," he states as he begins to depart, "and I guarantee it will also suit the Westergaard clan and me. Two birds with one stone," he emphasizes the point by clenching his fist and striking his palm. "My time is precious, you know."

“That's not what I meant!" she exclaims, rising from her seat and slamming her dinner napkin down in indignation. "I wanted you to meet and get to know Elsa, not use her as some side pawn. And I don't need or want an arranged marriage."

Her grandfather pauses, his hand hovering near the study door. He glances back at her with a raised eyebrow.

"I mean, I do have a crush on him," she fumbles in response to his unspoken question. "Or maybe did, now…But that doesn't mean I want to marry him. I haven't even dated, for Pete's sake. And Elsa deserves..."

"This is how we're doing it," her grandfather interjects, firmly establishing his authority. He has observed that his granddaughter's outrage is less about the Westergaard boy and more about the Arendelle girl’s treatment.  “Now, I am retiring to my study for the evening.”

He leaves with a flourish, and the door slams shut behind him.

"Off to drink away the night with expensive brandy while drowning in work until the words within the contracts and business papers blur," she thinks bitterly. Her grandfather is nothing more than a controlling and high-functioning drunk, a true embodiment of the cliché wealthy businessman. If only people knew the real him, the façade he hides behind closed doors. It's the classic story of a power-crazed wealthy, workaholic alcoholic.

"Would you like dessert, miss?" Kai interrupts her thoughts as the other two servants begin tidying up.

"Only if there's a slice of chocolate cake with my name on it," she tells him with a playful smile.

"Only one slice this time? Watching your figure, miss?" Kai asks with a deadpan expression, but the mischievous sparkle in his eyes gives him away.

"Never," she chuckles. "I just need a little pick-me-up. So, while you deliver the expensive bottle of pick-me-up to my grandfather, would you mind also bringing a slice of chocolate cake to my room?"

"Already loaded with homework on the first day, eh?" Kai engages her in conversation as he directs the other servants in their cleaning. She's grateful that someone finally asked about her first day of the school year.

"Absolutely not," she jokingly scoffs. "But there are some video games calling my name."

"Very well, miss," he chuckles in response. "I'll have your battle supplies ready for you."

"Thank you, Kai," she grins at him, appreciating his understanding.

"Gerda will be up after her own evening chores and dinner are done to assist you in getting ready for the night," he adds as she starts to leave the dining room.

"In other words, Gerda will be up to ensure I'm in bed and not staying up past bedtime," she muses to herself and shakes her head. “What am I, twelve?”

Going through her late evening routine, Anna thinks about how she has never spoken to Hans, let alone met him, yet now she was going to encounter him for the first time while having her first friend over for dinner on the same night. Part of her secretly wishes that Elsa would come up with an excuse to cancel, out of fear of Anna's imposing grandfather or out of general busy-ness, just like her other friends had done or claimed to have done. Another part, the larger part, yearned for Hans and his family to cease their interest, so Anna could spend the evening solely with Elsa. They had only recently become friends, and it would be wonderful to finally have someone around who wasn't afraid to be a part of the more controlled aspects of Anna's life. The fact that Grandfather was actually open to meeting Elsa made Anna's imagination soar with possibilities. Elsa could have the opportunity to know Anna on a deeper level if allowed over after that dinner. Perhaps the introduction of one of Anna's friends could help bridge the gap between Anna and her grandfather, too. Anna didn't intend to use Elsa as a buffer, but having Elsa around couldn't possibly hurt, right? Even if her grandfather chose to keep his distance, Elsa would become the first person with whom Anna could form a close bond and share the more personal aspects of her life. Anna would finally have a best friend who willingly stood by her side, regardless of the circumstances or any consequences her grandfather might impose. Nothing would be in their way.

The excitement of these thoughts continued to fill her with elation as she indulged in her video games, relished her slice of cake, and reluctantly retired to bed. Her final thought before drifting off was the hope that maybe this year, she would finally be able to have it all, thanks to the introduction of a new person into her life.

Anna finds herself additionally thinking, almost involuntarily, that Elsa is not only proving to be a good person so far but also appears to be quite visually appealing.

"Wait, what," comes her catchphrase through a tired yawn as her eyes finally close.

Confused by her own thoughts, Anna barely has time to process them before her breath evens out and she succumbs to the gentle lull of sleep, courtesy of Hypnos.

Chapter Text

Elsa was acting weird. Or maybe she wasn’t. Anna couldn’t really be a judge since they hardly knew one another. Well, that may have been the truth to the outside world, but Anna still felt like she knew Elsa more than anyone else in her life. Then again, considering Anna's sheltered existence, it wasn't surprising that Anna held such a strong connection with the first person outside of her family who genuinely offered perceptive yet courteous observation of her, which Anna reciprocated. It was through this mutual understanding that Anna instinctively sensed that Elsa was acting weird.

It had been weeks since Elsa had driven Anna home, leaving the invitation for dinner at Anna's place lingering in the air like thick fog. Just like fog, the two teenagers struggled to navigate their way through until the fog could evaporate and clear. So much time had passed that the school’s mid-semester dance was soon approaching, and Anna’s grandfather was growing impatient. He wanted to have dinner with the Westergaards before arranging for Hans and Anna to attend the event together.

Anna remained uncertain about how much Hans knew regarding the unfolding plans. Truthfully, she hadn't given them much thought herself. In her mind, her grandfather had his own agenda, while she had her own. Both agendas, however, faced the same obstacle: Elsa.

In theory, her grandfather could have invited the Westergaards over without Elsa's presence. Anna was convinced he was on the verge of doing just that as the dance approached. She should have been curious about the significance he attached to Elsa's involvement, but Elsa's changing behavior worried her more. It was disconcerting to have met someone so reserved, only for them to open up to Anna so quickly, and then abruptly close off again. This sudden shift served as a clear warning of some sort. If Anna were more mature and experienced, she might have grasped its meaning. However, as is often the case with youth, she took what little she understood and impulsively drew her own conclusions.

Elsa was acutely aware of her own peculiar behavior. She never intended to unsettle Anna or cause her any distress. In fact, Elsa had every intention of accepting the dinner invitation at Anna's place and making a proper introduction to Anna's grandfather. She had even discussed the invitation with her parents, informing them of the extended offer.

Initially, her parents had been elated. Hearing such optimism from their typically cautious daughter was refreshing, and it filled them with encouragement. They continued to be supportive until the moment they asked Elsa about her new friend's name. If emotions were contagious, then Elsa's oddity could be traced back to that exact moment when she answered that question; it was as if a strange atmosphere she had caught from her parents had enveloped her.

She had frequently witnessed her father's emotional shutdowns. After all, Elsa had inherited his inclination for reservation and the desire to self-isolate. During times of her father’s withdrawal, her mother was the only one who could ever coax him out of himself. While Elsa's mother came closest to breaking through her own walls, Elsa had constructed towering barriers that not even her parents, despite their head start, could see over. Therefore, she wasn't overly concerned about why her father's lighthearted demeanor abruptly transformed into an impenetrable fortress. There were always triggers that set him off, mysteries that Elsa would never fully comprehend or be privy to. However, it was the combination of her mother's immediate stiffness and her father's sudden change that caused Elsa's neck hairs to stand on end, alerting her senses to a danger unseen.

As Iduna's reaction registered in the depths of Agnar's mind, he swiftly transitioned from stoicism to a meticulously crafted ambivalence in a matter of seconds. His tone shifted from one of encouragement to restraint as he redirected the conversation. All resulting in Elsa's parents disclosure that they wouldn't be available for dinner in the upcoming months. Witnessing Elsa's disbelief, her mother finally regained composure and joined in navigating the uncharted territory.

United, Iduna and Agnar explained how they had gotten carried away by Elsa's enthusiasm on her first day, seamlessly handing off the conversation whenever one of them stumbled. Elsa, always understanding and mature, accepted their out-of-character behavior and the change in plans without a trace of fault. She allowed the initial confusion to dissipate and immediately adopted a compromising stance. She then proposed going alone, considering it no big deal. To her astonishment, her parents intensely (while attempting to be passive) refused to entertain that option. Their unwavering rejection of compromise, especially on a matter that had no bearing on them whatsoever, raised even more concern within Elsa. It was a departure from their usual approach as her parents, adding an extra layer of perplexity for Elsa.

It would be rude.

That was the best excuse Iduna and Agnar could provide their daughter, but Elsa wasn’t convinced. For once, she wasn’t allowing herself to blindly buy whatever her parents were selling. If it were an invitation from anyone else, she would have agreed and let the matter drop. This invitation was from Anna, though, someone who had expressed, without explicitly saying it, how much it meant to have Elsa join her at her residence for dinner. Anna genuinely enjoyed Elsa's presence and valued her opinions, and Elsa couldn't simply give up on someone who valued her company and wanted to spend time with her.

But her parents made her promise.

They added to their excuse by saying that Anna’s grandfather was a powerful businessman who could turn the slight of Elsa showing up without her parents on their own business. Elsa found this hard to believe, considering all the measures her parents had taken to hide their business ties from her own fierce and arrogant grandfather. It was perplexing to think that Anna's grandfather could be scarier and more influential than her own grandfather. And her parents never put their business over Elsa.

The whole situation left Elsa puzzled.

Her parents were so uncharacteristically erratic, leaving Elsa with no choice but to comply with their demands. So, she promised she would not go over to Anna’s for dinner until they could accompany her. She would be left to wonder exactly how many months they could take until they could accompany her without a chance of any answer as her parents, true to their word, were never home. As promised, they were absent from home until late at night, ensuring they were rested and ready to leave just as Elsa returned from her morning run.

Agnar ceased his weekend tennis and chess matches with Elsa, where he used to provide guidance and advice on school work. Her mother stopped paying attention to her altogether. A chef was hired to prepare Elsa's meals, with the food prepared while she was at school and left in the fridge for her to warm up and eat upon her return. Her mother did leave Elsa a warm breakfast before departing with Elsa’s father in the morning, though. Still, as a result, Elsa found herself without any emotional support or guidance on how to handle the situation with Anna and the dinner invitation. Elsa found her new situation ironic considering the agreement to attend prep school instead of her usual public school was intended to slowly help her space herself from her support rather than feel suddenly alone like she felt now.

Normally, this would not have bothered Elsa. She’d always been an independent child. Seeing her parents as confidants and partners rather than people to fully rely on like normal children, this sudden, complete pull away was not the worst. It was unusual (especially considering her mother’s part), but Elsa could always handle herself when left to her own devices. Being left alone, Elsa was able to make the right decisions with the best benefit for herself which would in turn benefit her parents. She never really had to worry about her decisions affecting anyone else.

Enter Anna. Honeymaren and Ryder never were so dependent on Elsa like Anna. If Elsa’s plans didn’t coincide with their plans, it was never a big deal. They had each other or Yelena, or other friends. Elsa never felt needed. With meeting Anna, Elsa felt the hope and want emanating from the ginger. The kinship immediately formed between Elsa and Anna was something Elsa never experienced herself and she was torn between the comfort of isolation and the happiness of no longer being alone.

The problem was that Elsa was afraid of conflict, and Anna didn't seem to grasp that Elsa's avoidance stemmed from her inability to confront difficult situations. During lunch, Elsa deliberately sat between Rapunzel and Aurora instead of between Anna and Rapunzel. She would only engage in conversation with Rapunzel and used her as a buffer if Anna tried to join or initiate a conversation. Elsa's text responses to Anna were purposely brief and formal (even though Anna excused Elsa’s tone as Elsa having a lack of social awareness). In person, their conversations were better than through text but still guarded on Elsa’s side. Anna didn't want to embarrass Elsa by asking about the dinner in front of others and Elsa took advantage.

To avoid being alone with Anna, Elsa used Rapunzel as a human barrier. Rapunzel tried her best not to be used in that way, but she, like Anna, approached Elsa with caution. Rapunzel noticed how adoringly Anna looked at Elsa and didn't want to risk pushing Elsa away, especially since Rapunzel seemed to be the only person at the prep school with whom Elsa felt comfortable being alone. Elsa had an unwavering belief that her avoidance tactics could outlast Anna's limited patience. Unfortunately, it seemed that patience was a shared virtue between the two cousins.

Elsa had just finished her run. The first of the cross-country team, she was taking a moment to catch her breath as she contemplated whether to run a few more laps. Her gaze wandered towards the bleachers, where Anna eagerly awaited her only increasing Elsa’s want to continue her run. Watching Anna, she can't help but notice the way she sits perched on the edge of her seat, practically bouncing in anticipation as her eyes are locked on Elsa.

A quick, excited wave from the younger girl alerts Elsa that she may have looked too long as social etiquette would now dictate a small wave back before joining Anna or faking obliviousness which would create a clear offense towards Anna. Elsa takes a deep breath in between her pants and tries to relax her features to provide Anna with a small, shy wave and smile. There was no avoiding it any longer—Elsa had nowhere to hide and no excuse to run away.

Breathing heavily, she steps off the track and comes to a stop. Upon her acknowledgement, Anna giddily makes her way down the far-off bleachers towards Elsa. Elsa allows herself to tense up in anticipation as Anna’s focus has moved from Elsa to maneuvering metal stairs. She bends forward and leans on bent knees to stretch and help catch her breath with eyes closed as she simultaneously tries to calm herself.  

A shadow cast over her causes her to sigh. She takes her time standing back up by removing her ear buds and slowly reacquainting herself with the sounds of the real world. As she stands and her eyes adjust from the shade to the light, they widen in surprise. The person standing in front of Elsa is not who she was expecting and greets her menacingly.

“Not going to show off this time,” the voice sneers.

“Wha –”

“No extra laps to make everyone else on the team feel inferior for not being able to run as long and effortlessly as you? You already finish first every practice so far, despite not being the team captain.”

“I wasn’t aware that being team captain meant no one could pass you,” Elsa responds with confusion.

“Oh, so she does speak!”

“Of course I speak,” Elsa huffs.

“My apologies, your majesty!” Undeterred, the person in front of her continues to assert his authority over her. The apology is clearly insincere and dripping with sarcasm and anger. “Maybe it’s because you didn’t deem any of us on the team worth speaking with, so we’ve never heard from you then.”

“No,” Elsa insists. “We just get updates from the coach and run. I didn’t think there was ever a need to speak –“

“Well, I am speaking to you now,” Elsa gets interrupted. “And I am telling you to watch yourself. I am the team captain. I am always in front and lead the group. You are just a newbie who needs to learn to fall in and follow along. You are no better than me or anyone else on the team, got it?”

Before Elsa can even formulate a response or fully process the affront, Anna has made it to Elsa and her unwanted companion.

“Hans,” Anna greets with slight hesitance and uncertainty.

Elsa is surprised when the young man’s once menacing face immediately flips into a charming smile. Hans grins in greeting as he nods at Anna. Elsa is also surprised at the slight wave of irritation that befalls her as Anna seems to turn bashful under Hans’s sparkling gaze.

“Everything okay,” Anna shifts her attention to Elsa. As she does Anna’s smile softens, and Elsa finds any small bit of irritation drifting away as her eyes meet Anna’s.

“Of course,” Hans’s responds stealing away Anna’s attention once more. The irritation slams back into Elsa immediately. “I was just making sure Elsa was okay. It was odd to see her stop after the appropriate amount of laps instead of continuing on and doing extra as she normally has been. I wanted to check on her and warn her that the team frowns on extra laps for the exact reason of my concern. Exhaustion is hard to recover from and more easily avoided, you know?”

He smiles at Anna and Elsa swears she sees Anna sway in an almost swoon.

“That’s very kind of you, Hans,” Anna replies sweetly. Fingering an imaginary stray hair behind her left ear, Anna adds shyly, “Elsa is one of my new but very best friends, so it’s nice to know someone is looking out for her out on the track while I am up on the stands.”

Elsa might as well be invisible in this exchange. While she may have originally wished for invisibility when Anna was first approaching her, Elsa now wishes for the exact opposite – awkward confrontation be damned.

“Well, I’m sure she still appreciates having you up in the bleachers watching from a distance anyway. I know I do,” is Hans smooth reply. “You are like the team’s personal guardian angel. You’re certainly as pretty as any angel I think.”

If she wasn’t swooning before, Anna certainly does after Hans suave words, and Elsa is filled with intense displeasure. Did Hans not just threaten and antagonize Elsa before Anna’s arrival? He’s never talked to Anna before, from what Elsa’s gathered. Why now? Elsa watches Hans and Anna continue to stare at one another a while longer before schooling her face and excusing herself – unnecessarily it seems, as Hans ignores her completely and Anna only hums in response while still maintaining eye contact with Hans.

As Elsa makes her way to the side bench to grab her things and make a quick getaway, she hears Hans offer Anna a ride home. She tunes out the rest, not wanting to hear Anna’s answer or anything else from the two. When she makes it to her car, she sighs in exasperation once more. The universe has seemed to deem this the evening of surprises for her.

“Rapunzel,” she greets the other blonde who is leaning on her car hood.

Rapunzel must have heard Elsa’s feet scraping across the parking lot gravel as Elsa’s voice causes no real reaction from her. She’s occupied with her phone, seemingly typing out a message. Elsa takes advantage of the silence due to Rapunzel’s distraction and places her bag in her car before addressing the other teen once more.

“Anna is talking with Hans if you’re looking for her,” Elsa informs her, trying to avoid further conversation. “I think he may be giving her a ride home, but I’m not too sure.”

Elsa’s grumpy additional sentence catches Rapunzel’s notice.

“Oh, yeah,” Rapunzel responds. “Sorry, I was just finishing up texting her so I could give you my full attention.”

The two stare at each other. Rapunzel is eyeing Elsa up and down; Elsa’s eyes flit from Rapunzel to anywhere else and back again.

“She agreed to ride with him, if you’re wondering,” Rapunzel states and closely observes Elsa for any type of reaction. She is intrigued to see the slight flex of Elsa’s neck before Elsa shakes her head and moves around Rapunzel to the driver’s side door.

“Well, if you were waiting for her by my car, I guess you are good to go now,” Elsa replies tersely. She’s trying really hard not to take her sudden annoyance out on Rapunzel.

“So…she didn’t get to talk with you,” Rapunzel questions. She moves forward and blocks Elsa from entering her own car. Elsa looks at the door swung upward and to the side in an open welcome and then to Rapunzel who is in the way in a clear nonverbal way of asking her to move. “Of course, she didn’t,” Rapunzel mumbles, refusing Elsa’s silent ask. “I admit, I haven’t seen someone avoid my cousin as successfully as her grandfather until you.”

“Please don’t compare me to him,” Elsa sighs. Rapunzel’s eyebrows raise. She could tell Elsa was annoyed and tired by the way the platinum blonde initially greeted her, but the intensity of Elsa’s words held a strong disapproval for someone who doesn’t really know the man. Normally, strangers to their world admire or are intimidated by him. “Isn’t he your grandfather, too?”

Rapunzel silently acknowledges Elsa’s attempt to change the topic from Hans and Anna.

“No,” Rapunzel answers back, shocking Elsa. “We’re distant cousins, not immediately related.”

“Right,” Elsa breathes in thought.

“I’m surprised you feel so strongly against him.”

“Should I not?” At Rapunzel’s inquiring look, Elsa adds, “I guess I shouldn’t. I’ve only met him once.”

“For some people, once is all you need.” Elsa’s shocked by Rapunzel’s crass response. Rapunzel feels the need to expand on her comment and explain her own feelings towards the man. “He’s not my favorite family member. The way he treats Anna and the way he constantly leaves her alone makes him far from even ‘good’ in my eyes. He holds power over everyone in my family and lets us know it in any given opportunity. While some admire and want that type of influence over others, I don’t really share the sentiment,” Rapunzel finishes with a shrug and looks away.

“I can relate,” is all Elsa says in reply.

Rapunzel turns to look at Elsa. Elsa keeps her eyes on the ground, lost in her own thoughts and not wanting to discuss her own family dynamics further.

Their silence is drowned out as a loud car’s engine is revved. Loud music blasting through speakers, a green Dodge Charger with dirt brown racing stripes peels out of the parking lot.

“There goes Hans and Anna,” Rapunzel moans.

“Shouldn’t he be more careful?”

Rapunzel turns back to Elsa. Her question was more of a terse statement and her demeanor is tight. Elsa’s arms are crossed, and she is still staring after the disappearing green speck in the distance with a hard look of anger and concern.

“You could have offered her a ride, and she wouldn’t have gone with him, you know?”

Elsa’s head snaps back to Rapunzel. Rapunzel gives her a smug, knowing look that makes Elsa uncomfortable.

“He beat me to the punch.”

“Oh, I’m quite sure if you had still offered, she would have gone with you over him.”

Rapunzel no longer attempts to hide her amusement. She walks to the side of the doors opening, towards the back of the car and leans back.

Sensing a longer interaction, Elsa sighs and prompts the driver’s side door to close before turning to lean her back on it. Just to the side of Rapunzel she slouches and groans.

“I’m not so sure about that,” Elsa admits.

“Oh, are we finally going to address the elephant in the parking lot,” Rapunzel teases.

“It doesn’t seem you are going to let me do otherwise.”

“I’m not going to force you, Elsa. I’d rather you talk about it with Anna, but if you are going to continually use me to avoid the subject with her, I think I would like to know why. For the sake of my cousin, I need to know if you have a good reason or are a simple coward.”

“I’m not a coward,” Elsa adamantly states. She turns to face Rapunzel fully, one shoulder still connected to her car’s side for support.

“Then what’s the big deal about telling Anna that you aren’t going to ever have dinner with her and her grandfather,” Rapunzel gently asks.

“Not ever, just not…she didn’t just invite me. She invited me and my parents.”

Rapunzel simply looks at her, waiting for more. Elsa closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Unlike Rapunzel and Anna, she takes her time explaining. Pausing to find correct words or ensure Rapunzel’s following.

“Elsa,” Rapunzel begins after Elsa seemingly finishes her explanation. “I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill.” Elsa gives a hesitant chuckle as Rapunzel smiles at her kindly. “I think if you explained this to Anna she’d understand.”

“I know she would. Anna would absolutely understand.”

“Then, what’s the problem?”

“She’ll be disappointed,” Elsa despairs. “Knowing Anna, she’ll suggest that I come alone anyway and not let my parents find out…She’ll brainstorm any way to make my appearance possible, and I’ll have to shoot her down each time, making it seem like she isn’t important enough…I don’t want to have to do that. She was so excited Rapunzel…And I’m not a coward. I know I need to tell her, but I don’t want to cause her sadness or disappointment, especially so early on into our friendship.”

During her confession, Elsa spun to lean her back on the car’s side again. Her hands went around her middle, holding herself and trying to provide comfort. It was Rapunzel’s turn to face Elsa with one shoulder leant on the car’s side as she observed the honest self-disappointment Elsa exuded in that moment. The athlete clearly understood the significance of Anna’s invitation and excitement and was not taking the situation lightly.

“I understand, Elsa,” was all Rapunzel could say. And then, “You said no one is home right now, right?”

Elsa gives a small nod. “Why don’t you follow me back to my place and have dinner with me and my parents?”

“What,” Elsa asks in shock. Her head shoots up and she looks at Rapunzel with disbelief.

“It’s not your fault that you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, Elsa. It also sounds like you’re rather alone right now, and while you may be used to it, it’s not healthy. So, entertain me. Come have dinner with me and my parents. I’ll help you figure out a way to tell Anna what you need to and help ease the blow. It’s not like your parents banned you from MY place.”

“But –”

“You’re already disappointing her by avoiding her – whether you mean to or not, she knows something is up and it’s better to manage the damage now than add to it more later,” Rapunzel gets in before Elsa can object. “I’m your friend, too, you know? Let me help. Come over for dinner tonight. We don’t have to figure it all out tonight either, but it’s a start…”

As Rapunzel trails off waiting for a response, Elsa takes a minute to consider. After some contemplation, Elsa agrees, realizing she needs the help and understanding from a friend like Rapunzel. Eventually, she nods her head and gives a reluctant smile. The two part with Rapunzel texting Elsa the address in case any traffic lights separate the two as Elsa follows Rapunzel to her home.

As Elsa leaves the parking lot, feeling grateful for the unexpected support during this eventful evening, Rapunzel finds herself filled with nervousness. If she had any lingering suspicions about Elsa, gaining insight to her and her parents only intensifies those thoughts. While Rapunzel genuinely invited Elsa over to help her, she admits to herself that there might be some self-serving motives behind it.

Rapunzel's parents knew about the new girl in her and Anna's life, but Rapunzel carefully omitted certain details like last name and physical appearance. She didn't want to raise any premature red flags that could lead her parents to hide or keep secrets. Presenting Elsa to them in person might be surprising, but it would prevent her parents from putting up a front. Their initial reactions would be authentic, and Rapunzel believes she could glean everything she needs from that very first introduction.

Her main concern is not unwittingly causing trouble for Elsa or Anna, as they appear to be less aware of the situation compared to Rapunzel. She hopes that involving her parents will shed light on Elsa's true identity, leading her to the confirmation Rapunzel seeks. However, Rapunzel is aware that this could potentially open Pandora’s box. Elsa and Anna also seem to be the most in the dark given all the facts presented so far, and Rapunzel doesn't want to complicate things for them. Sending a prayer of positivity to the universe, she can only hope that getting things out in the open sooner is for the best.

Chapter Text

After a 15-minute drive, Elsa parks on the street in front of a house nestled within the secure confines of a prestigious gated community. Lifting her head up after grabbing her bag of spare clothes, she notices a modest yet rich family house that comes into her view as she exits her vehicle. She walks up to front a lawn gate to a house that captures the essence of cottage core charm with a hint of traditional allure. The exterior facade is a delightful fusion of timeless cottage architecture and contemporary comforts, invoking a sense of cozy style that welcomes inhabitants and visitors alike – behind the wood and iron gate surrounding the premises. 

Rapunzel meets her from within the lawn gate at its entrance to let Elsa in and guide her up to the front door of her family home. 

“A gate within a gated community,” Elsa questions.

“My parents are very protective,” Rapunzel explains and adds nonchalantly. “I was once kidnapped and held for ransom as a kid. It’s been hard for my parents to let go of that fact.”

“I can’t say I blame them,” Elsa mumbles with her own faux nonchalance. Elsa figures that if Rapunzel wanted to expand, she would have without further prompt.

Approaching the residence through the wrought-iron gate entry, the girls traverse a meandering cobblestone pathway that winds through a lush garden adorned with an array of vibrant flora. Native Spanish and sun-loving plants such as bougainvillea, lavender, and olive trees create a Mediterranean oasis that surrounds the house, bringing a burst of color and life to the environment. Rapunzel informs Elsa that her mother is huge on gardening and has an immense appreciation for nature which her father helps his wife entertain. They bonded over their celebration over nature’s beauty, Rapunzel summarizes.

The amount of foliage also helps create quite the maze Elsa thinks in return. Her eyes roam over the full exterior of the house as it is no longer fully hidden to her behind gates and greenery. The exterior palette is a symphony of enchanting hues, reminiscent of a small southern European village – a delicate balance of calming purples and cheerful yellows. These colors adorn the woodwork, shutters, and accents, lending a playful yet sophisticated touch to the cottage-inspired design and adding life to the otherwise simple grey stone building.

She only stops taking in the new setting when she is caught off guard by Rapunzel who has come to a sudden and unexpected halt…directly in front of her. Elsa lets out a small grunt at the impact but offers an immediate apology as she readjusts her position to stand beside Rapunzel instead of behind.

“Are you okay,” Elsa asks when Rapunzel remains frozen in hesitation and is unresponsive.

With every muscle locked in a state of contemplation, Rapunzel seems to be in an internal wrestle with a very important decision. Her hands are clasped together and held tightly against her body under her chin, fingers fidgeting. Eyebrows are furrowed slightly, creating delicate lines on her forehead, while Rapunzel’s eyes are scrunched closed. Her lips are pressed together, perhaps caught between forming words and holding back her thoughts. The subtle, fast rise and fall of Rapunzel’s chest hinting at the erratic heartbeat that echoes her apparent internal conflict causes Elsa anxiety of her own.

“Hey,” Elsa calls for Rapunzel’s attention and doesn’t continue until the shorter girl is looking her way. “It’s okay if we call this off. I have a meal waiting at my place that just needs to be warmed up. I can figure this thing out on my own.”

“No,” Rapunzel objects quietly. “No,” she repeats more confidently.

Elsa raises an eyebrow in response but remains quiet to allow Rapunzel time to re-collect herself.

With a determined yet somewhat hesitant resolve, Rapunzel takes a deep breath, as if gathering the strength to confront her inner turmoil. Her gaze falls on the door in front of her. Her eyes, once clouded with doubt, gradually sharpen in focus, reflecting a growing determination to push forward. Shoulders squaring, arms falling to her side, and a subtle straightening of her posture give Elsa a hint that Rapunzel may be ready to speak.

As Rapunzel exhales, it was as if she were exhaling not just air, but also the lingering tendrils of uncertainty. A subtle clenching and unclenching of her fists reveal the physical manifestation of her effort to release any remaining nervous tension. With a jaw set, teeth gently pressing together, showing the subtle new tension of reluctant acceptance, Rapunzel startles Elsa when the sharp look of her gaze shifts from the door to Elsa herself.

“Whatever happens,” Rapunzel begins cryptically, “I am your friend. I never lied about that.” 

The promise entailed with Rapunzel’s declaration knocks the wind out of Elsa. This situation suddenly feels more than a simple dinner and introduction to Rapunzel’s parents or even a small, friendly post-school brainstorming session. The invisible weight Rapunzel seemed to be holding all on her own has now shifted to Elsa as well, and Elsa understands. This is her chance to back out from the unknown and reject to share whatever burden Rapunzel has or foresees. 

Unconsciously, the tension surrounding them forces Elsa to take a half a step back in hesitation. She only stops and realizes her action when a spark of worry ignites in her friend’s green eyes. Rapunzel’s mouth forms a thin line of concern, holding back a silent plea she knows she has no right to vocalize. This is clearly important to Rapunzel, Elsa thinks, but she is also giving Elsa a choice. Elsa knows whatever she decides in this moment, Rapunzel will not hold it against her. Setting her own jaw and straightening her own posture, Elsa nods. 

Rapunzel’s eyes widen in surprise and her mouth falls open in response. Elsa clearly wasn’t lying when she said she was not a coward. The poor girl doesn’t have any idea of what she is possibly getting into – what Rapunzel is dragging her into, really, yet she is acquiescing without further question. Closing her mouth and providing a gentler gaze to show Elsa her thanks, she turns back to the door.

“Okay, so…” She sees Elsa squirm but step forward to be beside her through the corner of her eye. “Let’s go meet the family – my family,” Rapunzel immediately corrects.

Slowly, step by step, Rapunzel begins to move. As she punches in the code to open the front door, the initial hesitation gives way to more steady and deliberate actions. She enters through the doorway followed by Elsa. Each footfall marks a commitment to finding out the truth, even if the path ahead remains shrouded in uncertainty. Her furrowed brows begin to smooth, a sign that determination was slowly winning the battle against doubt.

Sounds of laughter coming from a warm yellow light peeking into the back end of the entryway hall greets them as they progress further into the house. Rapunzel’s reluctance begins to dissipate as the comforting sounds of home welcome her back. She stops with Elsa at the foot of some stairs.

Elsa is also comforted as she notices Rapunzel’s clenching fists have loosened, and a subtle, fleeting smile now tugs at the corners of her friend’s lips. 

“Go ahead and use my bathroom to get cleaned up and presentable. Dinner won’t be ready for another 30 minutes. My parents are having way too much fun to have started setting up the table and judging from the lack of smelly goodness, they probably just put whatever they decided is on the menu for today in the oven.”

“You guys don’t have a cook on staff?”

“Not for dinner,” Rapunzel answers. “My parents say dinner is a family affair and when I can’t join in the preparation, they tend to treat it as a mini-date time. It’s a way to make sure they both don’t put more time in the office than necessary. You never want to stay at work if you have plans you look forward to after. You can imagine how disappointed they are with me since I’ve taken to coming home later this year.”

“I get it,” Elsa quietly responds. Maybe her parents should take notes, she thinks as she makes her way up the stairs.

“Oh, that reminds me,” Rapunzel shout-whispers before Elsa can get too far. “Please no mention of Mother Gothel at the dinner table.”

“Mother Gothel,” Elsa repeats in disbelief that Rapunzel would ever employ the hurtful nickname that she consistently discourages others from using.

“You can call her Nurse Gothel if she does slip into conversation, but even then, I’d prefer to keep talk of her minimal at the table,” Rapunzel clarifies. “My parents are not fans of how much time she is taking from me or how often I am in contact with her. Honestly, I feel they get a bit jealous I have another adult in my life with almost as much influence on me as they do. They just act so suspicious of her,” she finishes with a shrug.

Rapunzel is leaning on the stairway rail, one hand down at her side while she leans her cheek on the other loosely griping the rail. Elsa smiles to show her agreement. Elbow bent and cheek squished, Rapunzel eyes still hold slight worry, but also happiness as she watches Elsa ascend and disappear to the upper level. She allows herself one more moment in the embrace of the present.

Standing straight and turning back to make her way to the kitchen and greet her parents, Rapunzel’s surroundings seem to take on a different hue, casting shadows that are slightly deeper, and colors that are slightly richer. Each moment is seemingly imbued with a heightened awareness, as if every detail carries a message, a clue about the impending metamorphosis.

After debating on whether to lug her bag down to the kitchen with her or not, Elsa, empty-handed but freshly showered and dressed in her clean, spare clothes, finally admits how awkward she would appear lugging her bag around. Leaving her bag in Rapunzel’s bathroom, she makes her way towards the sound of other humans. Not having her bag strap to grasp onto, she moves her arms around insecurely, trying to find a comfortable yet natural place of rest.

“No,” Elsa mumbles and shakes her head.

Of course, her arms naturally found their way around her waist, as if they were the only thing holding Elsa together and keeping her protected. A deep breath and she allows her arms to gracefully fall with palms up. Another deep breath as her torso expands and she allows herself to take more space.

“Better,” she breathes before turning the corner to pass through an archway into the lit and occupied room of the house. “Here goes nothing.”

“Hey,” Rapunzel greets her with only a small waiver in her smile.

She is leant on the brown stone middle island counter of a warm and inviting kitchen designed with earthy tones. Elsa smiles at Rapunzel before turning to search for her friend’s parents. She shifts her eyes to scan the room before they land on the elder couple who are standing with their backs towards the two teenagers. Laughing and joking over a black iron stove, Rapunzel’s mother stirs a pot of food. Her brunette hair and slightly tanned skin stand in wonderful contrast to the beautiful and colorful backsplash of hand decorated tiles over the stove. Meanwhile, Rapunzel’s father is reaching up to the open shelving and bringing down plates to the countertop.

“There,” Rapunzel’s father huffs happily. “Four of the good plates down to make our guest feel ceremoniously welcome.”

“Oh dear,” Rapunzel’s mom giggles at her husband’s exertion. “Should we place them lower in the future. Lest you throw your back out, Old Man.” Her back shakes as she stirs and she continues to chuckle. As she does so, her husband gives a jolly laugh of his own and creeps towards her. “Oh, no. Don’t you dare,” she warns, holding up the sauce covered spoon as her weapon of defense.

Elsa gives a quick glance back to Rapunzel. Rapunzel shares in her glance and adds a smile and shrug, mouthing the word ‘parents’ to Elsa as she turns her attention back to the adults. Elsa finds herself smiling at the adults’ silly antics and even laughs while Rapunzel is left cringing.

“Federic!”

Rapunzel’s father had apparently worked fast to dodge the sauce covered spoon held against him and currently had Rapunzel’s mother lifted off the ground in a bear hug. Elsa shyly turns her face away, hand covering her mouth and trying to hide her laughter at the intimate display of husband placing chaste kisses all over his wife’s face.

“Okay, okay. Enough you two,” Rapunzel gently calls out to her parents. “I’d like to introduce my guest if you don’t mind.”

Luckily, Rapunzel’s voice somehow penetrates her parents’ giddiness. Federic places his wife on the ground after one last kiss to her nose. He helps his wife straighten her clothes as they share a look of happiness before moving to face Rapunzel.

“I’m so sorry for my husband’s behavior,” Rapunzel’s mother begins. She’s looking at Rapunzel in playful exasperation. The view of her daughter temporarily throws her as she gives her hair one last adjustment.

Rapunzel is shifting from left to right following the movement of her daughter’s eye movement which are quickly looking back and forth between her parents. “What on earth has you so nervous, sweetheart?!”

“Arianna…”

Pausing in her steps towards Rapunzel to hold her daughter, Arianna stops at her husband’s breathless wheeze of her name. She immediately turns her head to his direction and is left bemused at his frozen stance and surprised face.

“Now what is wrong with you,” she teasingly chastises her husband. “Our guest is going to think we are mental. I do aplogi—”

Arianna is frozen like her husband, mouth hanging open as her words die from her lips in mid-sentence.

Elsa takes a shaky step backwards. She doesn’t know why, but she does know she seems to be the reason for the sudden drop of temperature in the room. Like a candle suddenly blown out, what was a warm, mirth filled moment has turned immediately pale…and she knows she’s somehow the reason for it. The two adults are staring at her after all.

“I guess this is my que. Mom and Dad, this is Elsa, my new friend from school. Elsa, meet my mom and dad.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Elsa hesitantly offers in greeting. It’s a quiet greeting but the silence in the room makes her words sound as if she were using her normal speaking volume.

As Elsa fidgets under the astonished gaze of Rapunzel’s family, Rapunzel steadily studies her parents’ reactions. She takes in their responses counting down until the time she knows it will take for them to recollect themselves. It’s either they attempt to play it cool, or everything is going to be put out in the open right here and now. Rapunzel hopes for the latter. She’s not happy playing investigator, and secrets are a sore spot with her.

Ever since she was kidnapped for a long period of time and continuously lied to by her masked captor about her freedom, she does not like having any parts of any story hidden from her. Secrets complicate things and show lack of trust. Her therapist had actually suggested that this family secret may be hindering her growth and ability to feel at ease around her parents. Sure, her therapist also recommended trying to talk about the secret without feeling the need to know the actual secret as the best course of action, but Rapunzel’s interpretation was to know the any and all secrets would set her free.

Small signs of her parents composing themselves had her doubting her personal bias and influence in her interpretation. But the mind is a powerful thing, and, as her anger at her parents’ apparent determination not to address the real identity of her new friend grew, Rapunzel felt herself re-justifying her actions. The world may be about to change for Elsa, Elsa’s family, Anna, Anna’s grandfather, and Rapunzel and her own family, but it has to be for the better. No more secrets.

“Well, hello,” Federic, being the first to freeze is the first to gather his thoughts, responds to the house guest. “Terribly sorry! My wife and I are not normally easily embarrassed but we forgot our daughter told us a guest was here. Lost in the moment, we were.”

Rapunzel mentally applauds her dad’s excuse for the previous pregnant pause that took place. At least she could easily play along with her folks.

“Yes,” Rapunzel’s mother joins in. “It’s so nice to meet you, Elsa, and apologies.”

“I told you guys to behave yourself when I came into the room,” Rapunzel humorously reprimands.

Rapunzel’s mother releases Elsa from a rigid hug she initiated upon greeting the teen, and Rapunzel’s father shakes Elsa’s hand to complete the rounds of introduction. Tension rebuilds and a loaded silence reignites.

“Well, shall we serve ourselves and eat,” Rapunzel suggests.

She airily makes her way behind her parents to grab a plate and begin spooning food onto her plate. Her parents clumsily motion for Elsa to go next. Their smiles are tight lipped, and the only sound is the clanking of utensils against dishware and the slopping of food moving as everyone grabs a serving and makes their way to the dining room.

Chapter Text

The sound of a chime pierces through the awkward silence that fills the room between equally awkward eye contact and forced, closed mouth smiles. With cheeks full of food, the married couple hasn’t stopped staring at Elas since she sat across from them and next to Rapunzel. So far, Elsa has done her best to not shrink under their curious (and, perhaps, gob smacked) gaze. She’s focused entirely too much on the food on her plate and the tan color of the dining room walls, but one can only circumnavigate their gazes for so long. It’s worse when she does happen to make eye contact with either of the adults on the other side of the table. Rapunzel’s father stops chewing and gives a smile that works more as a grimace at having been caught staring but not being able to do anything else. Rapunzel’s mother straightens and gracelessly smiles with a stuffed mouth when it’s her turn to make accidental eye contact as Elsa’s eyes shift around. Not good at small talk or really socializing in general, Elsa feels her cheeks reddening. Her appetite left a long time ago but she is doing her best to finish her plate as fast as possible without seeming crude so she can excuse herself to Rapunzel’s room for homework.

Another chime fills the air from Elsa’s side, and she turns to look at Rapunzel who has been completely mute since everyone found their place at the family dining table. Elsa raises an eyebrow unknowingly as she observes Rapunzel sat straight as a rod. Rapunzel’s plate remains untouched along with her utensils as she watches her parents with suspicion. Too busy still taking in Elsa’s presence, Rapunzel’s parents are still yet to notice their daughter’s behavior in response to their own.

Chime number three comes from Rapunzel’s area of the table.

“Ahem,” Elsa politely clears her throat in an attempt to draw Rapunzel’s attention to the noise.

Rapunzel’s head swivels from her parents to look at Elsa. Her forehead crease intensifies as she tries to decipher Elsa’s signal. The new movement also captures her parents’ interest. In tandem, the married couple look from Elsa to Rapunzel, watching them silently communicate but not understanding what is actually being communicated.

“I believe your phone is notifying you to something,” Elsa finally manages to get out when Rapunzel continues to stare at her in confusion.

“Oh, yes, your phone,” Federic exclaims – his own attempt to interrupt the silence.

“Darling, you know phones aren’t allowed while we dine together,” Arianna reminds her daughter as Rapunzel reaches into her pocket to grab her cell.

“Because the conversation we were having was so very engaging,” Rapunzel mumbles before immediately looking up to apologize for her comment. A huff leaves her lips instead when no reprimand comes from either parent and Rapunzel sees them both back to staring in concern and disbelief at Elsa.

Poor Elsa, having finished her meal and drink, sits stressfully. Maintaining perfect posture, her face gives a stoicism that is betrayed by the light sheen of sweat beginning to cover her forehead and the small, yet noticeable gulp she takes as examination of her person continues. Rapunzel thinks she better save her friend from the adults’ scrutiny.

“Sorry,” she announces to draw her parent’s attention away from Elsa. She pushes her chair back and grabs Elsa as she continues to address her parents. “Anna is texting me and may need some homework advice. Mind if Elsa and I are excused? Perfect, thanks!” She and Elsa are back in the hall with Elsa hurriedly making her way to Rapunzel’s bathroom. Before following Elsa’s speedy retreat, Rapunzel sticks her head in the dining room one last time. “And thanks for dinner! Really delish. Love ya!”

The adults are left in shock. Federic is still trying to convince himself he isn’t living a dream, or nightmare. His wife, meanwhile, is trying to process the only lively portion of dinner. Much like her daughter when thoughtful or confused, her brow is creased as she looks from the arch leading to the hall, back to the table, then to Rapunzel’s plate.

“Dear, Rapunzel didn’t even touch her food…”

Federic snaps out of his reverie as his wife trails off in thought of her own.

“Do you think Rapunzel did this on purpose? Is there any way she can even remember…”

“We aren’t even sure that’s who we think it is,” Federic interrupts his wife. “Let’s hope for goodness’s sake that it isn’t.”

“And if it is,” Arianna questions with worry.

Federic can only give his wife an equally worried and lost expression in answer.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Elsa pauses with her bag strap slung over her shoulder as she exits Rapunzel’s bathroom.

“Thank you for dinner, but something is clearly going on and I think it best if I take my leave –”

“You don’t even want to know what Anna’s texts were about,” Rapunzel says in attempt to peak Elsa’s interest and have her stay. She did offer to help the platinum haired girl with her insecurity involving Anna. It’s only fair to live up to her promise, especially considering the discomfort imposed on the poor girl by Rapunzel introducing Elsa to her parents in the first place.

“She really messaged you,” Elsa responds in question.

“Come into my room and we can talk about it,” Rapunzel playfully orders with a smirk. She thinks Elsa is too easy when it comes to Anna.

As Rapunzel disappears into her room, Elsa eyes the stairs leading to her exit. Biting her lip, she closes her eyes and groans as she instead turns towards Rapunzel’s room and treads after her friend. She places her bag near Rapunzel’s door for a quick getaway, if needed, and takes a seat in the desk chair Rapunzel points out to her while Rapunzel seats herself on the edge of her bed in front of Elsa. Rapunzel grabs a pillow to hug as she huddles over her phone while Elsa sits with the same poise and straight back that carried her through dinner. Well, she sits with as much poise one can have with arms locked straight at her sides and her hands gripping the edge of the desk chair in clear anticipation for what Rapunzel is about to reveal regarding Anna’s texts.

Enjoying the torture Elsa is facing at her own curiosity, Rapunzel decides to tease Elsa a bit more. Dinner was excruciating, more so for Elsa than her, but that doesn’t stop Rapunzel. This is a different type of tension and teasing, Rapunzel convinces herself.

“Apparently, Hans asked Anna to the dance coming up,” Rapunzel slowly drawls out.

Elsa’s only response is a sharp intake of breath and a shift of her eyes from Rapunzel to the floor. Rapunzel chuckles at the look of disappointment that floods over Elsa.

“And Anna politely declined.”

Elsa’s eyes snap towards Rapunzel in disbelief. Her mouth opens and closes a few times before she bites her lip and carefully asks why Anna would decline Hans.

“Why would she ever say yes,” Rapunzel exclaims.

This confuses Elsa. Was it not a well-known fact that Anna had a crush on the red-haired tack athlete? And Anna had mentioned that her grandfather had wanted Elsa and Hans and the Westergaard clan over for dinner. That had to mean something important was in store between the two families.

“Come on, Elsa,” Rapunzel says exacerbated by the line of thought she can see transpiring in the girl’s sapphire eyes. “Hans suddenly starts paying attention to Anna, gives her one ride home, and she’s expected say yes to whatever he asks? Not to mention, he needs to ask Runeard for permission before ever asking Anna. Big misstep on his part.”

“But I’ve only ever given Anna one ride home,” Elsa whispers in dread without meaning to say her thoughts out loud.

Rapunzel’s eyebrows raise in surprise at Elsa’s initial reaction to her explanation. A soft smile forms on Rapunzel’s face at how clearly smitten her new friend is for her cousin before turning into a deep frown as she realizes why that could be a problem. Luckily, Elsa is too lost in her own pondering to notice the thoughts washing over Rapunzel.

“Wait, who is Runeard?”

Rapunzel gulps and she wonders if providing this name will bring the puzzle together faster than she was ready for it to be pieced.

“That’s Anna’s grandfather’s name,” Rapunzel answers gently.

“Runeard Oldenburg,” Elsa tests out and Rapunzel holds her breath. “Such a horrible old-fashioned name.”

Rapunzel lets out a breath of relief. She knows Elsa doesn’t mean to say her thoughts out loud or as a joke, but that doesn’t stop her from giggling at the other girl’s commentary.

“Yes, not the best name. Thank goodness Anna got to have her official name shortened by her parents when they signed her birth certificate. The story from my parents is that Anna’s mother convinced her husband prior to delivery for a more modern name. The compromise was to keep the beginning pronunciation of “Ahna” verses the short "a" sound of "Ann-uh". She was almost Annabeth Oldenburg. Talk about old lady names,” Rapunzel laughs.

Elsa smiles in reply. She thinks Anna would make a cute old lady regardless of her real name being Anna or Annabeth or “Ann-uh”. But she does agree that Anna is more fitting for someone so energetic and feisty than Annabeth. Elsa shakes her head to clear her thoughts. She’s never really thought of anyone as cute before and for some reason thinking of Anna as such makes her feel differently than if she were to call Rapunzel cute.

“Who is going to accompany Anna to the dance if not Hans,” Elsa asks.

“Oh,” Rapunzel says caught off guard. “Probably no one.”

“Why not,” Elsa says saddened for her friend. It doesn’t seem fair that Anna shouldn’t be allowed a date, even if it had to be Mr. Sideburns.

“Well, everyone is scared of her grandfather. Again, I’m honestly surprised and not surprised Hans didn’t ask his permission first before asking Anna. Once word gets to Runeard about that, it’s not going not be pretty for the Westergaard Corporation. Runeard likes things done on his timeline and is quick to retaliate if anyone dare challenge his plans.”

“And asking Anna without his permission is challenging his plans?”

“In Runeard’s viewpoint? Yes,” Rapunzel sighs. “Though, if Anna had said yes, I imagine Runeard would be more lenient in his retaliation. A tie would still be viable between companies and families. He would just do something to slight Hans and mark himself as the Alpha. You know, toxic masculinity and all that.”

“Why wouldn’t Anna say yes then,” Elsa asks again. “I get she needs her grandfather’s approval,” Elsa hastily adds to clarify her confusion. “But, from what I gather, some type of arrangement was being made for the two to come together, and Anna is known to have a – to be fond of Hans.” Rapunzel smiles at Elsa’s inability to address Anna’s “crush” alloud.

“I imagine she thought she could have a better time with someone else,” Rapunzel hints.

Elsa flushes at Rapunzel’s clear hint, but she talks herself out any possible indication from the other girl in regard to Anna’s feelings for her. Elsa was never good at optimism. Hope doesn’t always have to be built on blind optimism. Hope for Elsa often meant hard work and setting realistic expectations. Plus, she didn’t know what she was feeling for Anna, so to imagine Anna feeling what Rapunzel is implying towards Elsa is not something she is ready to deal with quite yet.

“Like with friends,” Elsa blurts out and surprises Rapunzel. At the owlish look on Rapunzel’s face, Elsa suggests the three of them attend the mid-semester dance as a group while inviting anyone else who wants to go solo as well.

“I’m not sure that’s what Anna had in mind, but it does sound better than scrambling for dates so close to the date of the dance,” Rapunzel agrees.

Elsa doesn’t even make to ask her to clarify what Anna had in mind or how much the cousin’s talk and what/who they talk about for Rapunzel to know what Anna truly wanted.

“So, I’ll suggest going as a group to the dance, but we still need to have you address your inability to accept Anna’s dinner invitation with her grandfather.”

“Does it need to be addressed right away…”

“Elsa!”

“I just don’t see the point. We’ve gone this long without addressing it.”

“You can’t just avoid issues with people in your life. Conversation and communication are key areas to any relationship. Plus, what if she suggest you and I and whomever else have dinner at her place with her grandfather present before the dance as a way to get you to accept her initial invitation. Are you just going to not show up and avoid us at the dance so as not to answer for your actions – ”

“Well, who else would actually say yes other than you?” Rapunzel throws her pillow at Elsa. “Okay, oaky,” Elsa shouts to stop Rapunzel’s wrath.

“What are you doing,” Rapunzel asks as Elsa take out her phone and types a message out before putting her cell away. She stands to grab her bag and make her way out.

“I texted Anna an apology for my behavior, if she found it weird – ”

“Oh, she found it weird!”

“I also asked her if she would be up to waiting for me after practice tomorrow so I could give her a ride home and talk about her dinner invitation.”

“Good,” Rapunzel grinned.

“Easier said than done,” came Elsa’s grim reply.

“Look, just be honest. Don’t overthink anything. It’s Anna after all.” All Rapunzel got in response from Elsa was an unsure shrug and downcast look. “Hey,” she called out for Elsa’s attention and was rewarded with Elsa pausing to look back at her. “You’ve been texting each other almost hourly after school and on weekends anyway, right?”

“Outside of school, except for today,” Elsa confirmed. “Though, I can’t say I’ve been much of a conversationalist given the sword hanging over my head.”

“Well, you are as melodramatic as Anna says, huh,” Rapunzel jokes. “Yes, we talk about you. No, not in a bad way.”

Elsa’s eyes sparked at the confirmation of the cousin’s talking about her before being filled with unease and then relief as Rapunzel assuaged her.

“Even if you are a pretty straight forward and short texter, hours of texting every day still allows for someone getting to know you. Honestly, you probably know my cousin just as well as I do, if not more. I am awful with paying attention and remembering little details. I have a feeling that is not the case with you, hmm?”

Elsa simply turned her face to the hallway to hide her blush.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Rapunzel giggled. “At least, when it comes to my cousin for you, huh?”

Not wanting to be teased further, Elsa rolls her eyes and continues to make her way to the stairs. As the sound of Elsa’s footsteps grow fainter and fainter, Rapunzel laughs and falls back onto her bed. Before the foot falls disappear completely, she shouts towards her open bedroom door.

“You’re welcome, by the way!”

A few minutes pass and she hears the front door close, and the house alarm resets loudly for all to know. Her phone chimes and the text message delivered to her phone makes her smile.

From Elsa: Thank you, Raps. :)

The nickname is new. Anna is the only other person who has ever given Rapunzel a nickname. While “Punzie” is endearing from her younger cousin, “Raps” certainly doesn’t feel wrong either. A more mature nickname from a friend of the same age.

Rapunzel’s reply to Elsa is simple: Text me when you make it home. See you tomorrow, Els!

As she throws her phone to the side, Rapunzel wonders how her parents are faring downstairs. Part of Rapunzel wants to spy and see if they are talking about Elsa, but, not wanting to dive further into the messy web of lies that has been weaved, she decides to end the night on a good note. Well, as good as a note as she can.  She still has some math homework to tackle before being able to tuck in and sleep.

Chapter Text

“So, ugh…yeah. I hope you can understand,” Elsa trails off. She eyes Anna cautiously before letting out a frustrated huff and slowing her speed. Anything to prolong the inevitable. “No that won’t do,” she tells herself as she continues to run.

Aware of Anna's habitual perch on the bleachers, Elsa was more conscious of it than ever as she neared the end of her final mile during cross-country practice. With a meet scheduled for the next day, her focus should have been on her performance, endurance relative to her competitors, and the competitive statistics she had memorized. Yet, instead of concentrating on these crucial aspects, Elsa had chosen to practice what she would say to Anna, and the words just seemed to continually elude her.

Why, she wondered, was it so effortless to confide in Rapunzel but so daunting with Anna?

"Well, I suppose the stakes were decidedly lower with Rapunzel," Elsa mutters to herself, shaking her head in an attempt to banish these intrusive thoughts.

Refusing to let her mind wander into the realm of why the stakes are higher with Anna while her emotions persist in forcing these thoughts upon her, she stumbles mid-stride. She flails uncharacteristically while maintaining her momentum, desperately trying to stay upright, all the while working to regain her composure.

As she regains her balance and works to return to her customary speed, her ears discern approaching footsteps to her right, followed by an irksome voice.

“Looks like the Ice Queen is losing her cool, and so close to a meet,” Hans gloats as he makes his way to her side. “Getting your guardian angel all worked up,” he spits. “Look at her. Still hasn’t sat down even though you’ve caught yourself before a fall.”

Elsa turns her gaze toward Anna, who had indeed risen from her seat, her hands clasped beneath her chin, her expression etched with concern. At the same time, Elsa can't help but notice the brunette seated next to Anna, who is leaned back casually, her gaze locked in casual observation. The brunette then gently nudges Anna, silently urging her to take her seat once again.

Watching Anna's deliberate, reluctant return to her seat under Meg's and Hans’s watchful eyes, Elsa feels a rush of embarrassment flush her cheeks.

“Rather pathetic if you ask me,” Hans calls her attention back. “But then again, Anna has always been pathetic for attention.”

Elsa’s eyes narrow and she can’t help herself when the words come out of her mouth.

“Then why’d you ask her to the dance coming up in a week?”

She is proud when her words cause Hans a stumble of his own. It’s not as big as her stumble was but she definitely threw off his cadence.

“I was told to,” Hans says simply. “Believe me she wouldn’t be my first choice. One year below us and all those freckles!”

Now, he was truly getting on her nerves. Elsa increases her pace slightly and vows to maintain a resolute silence, determined not to indulge Hans any further.

"Oh, it seems I've struck a chord. Not quite the master of your emotions as everyone believes, are you?" Elsa's lips tighten, her irritation mounting as Hans effortlessly keeps pace with her. She needs to regain her speed.

"My family views her acquisition as a significant triumph for our lineage. Who wouldn't desire an alliance with the Oldenburgs? And when her grandfather eventually departs this world, leaving just the two of us, let's just say I possess the patience required to have things my way," he taunted with a smirk, drawing nearer to Elsa during their run. "And I always get what I want," he whispers, just audibly enough to irk her.

Enough was enough. In the final stretch of the mile, Elsa abandons her controlled pace and brakes into a full-fledged sprint. If she doesn’t distance herself from Hans now, she couldn't be responsible for her actions to Mr. Sideburns. To her dismay, Hans matches her stride for stride, refusing to be left behind.

“Conceal, don’t feel. Don’t let it show,” she mumbles to herself quietly.

Hans is struggling too much in his effort to keep up with Elsa to notice her chant, but once he catches a rhythm to keep up, he smugly addresses her once more.

“How about a real challenge, Ice Queen,” he gasps between breaths. “First one to finish at the marker up there,” he points to a spot 200 feet ahead of them, “wins the Oldenburg girl?”

Elsa huffs and shakes her head in the negative.

“Scared,” Hans jeers. “Come on! On one…two…GO!”

He abruptly transitions from a sprint to an all-out charge, leaving Elsa with mere milliseconds to contemplate whether to accept the challenge or not. She elects to rise to the occasion, pushing her pace to the limit, even though an unfamiliar stitch grips her side—a sensation she hasn't experienced in ages, having grown accustomed to her regular running routine.

Perched on the bleachers, Meg and Anna keenly watch the athlete's fluctuations in speed, though one of the teenagers appears far more detached than the other. Anna, in contrast to Meg, is deeply invested in Elsa's performance during this practice. She heaves a sigh of relief when Elsa stumbles but doesn't take a spill, yet her own confusion is voiced aloud by Meg.

“Can’t believe Mr. Sideburns managed to catch up to Wonder Girl,” Meg drawls in disappointment.

“Elsa doesn’t usually stumble on her runs. He wouldn’t have caught up to her otherwise,” Anna defends.

“Wonder what has her so distracted,” Meg inquires.

Anna tilts her head, her face contorted in a mixture of thought and guilt. She suspects she knows the reason. If Elsa's distraction indeed centers around her dinner invitation, it all but confirms Elsa's intention to decline it. A sinking feeling in Anna's gut tells her that this would be the outcome, given Elsa's recent, peculiar behavior. She had hoped she was mistaken. Was Elsa genuinely that frightened of her grandfather? They'd practically already met, or at least interacted briefly. How much worse could a dinner with the man and Elsa's parents be compared to that initial encounter? The shift from "We're in this together" to the act of physically disappearing, using excuses like Hans offering to drive Anna home, and then later texting to request a conversation left Anna even more perplexed about Elsa than before.

"Do you think it's the dance?" Meg inquires. She has persistently encouraged Anna to discuss Elsa during their visits to watch the track team practice.

"The dance," Anna echoes, her gaze fixed on Hans as he converses with Elsa, who visibly tenses in her movements.

“Maybe she doesn’t have a date,” Meg continues.

Anna freezes as she contemplates the possible implications of the conversation's direction and her own internal revelation. She can't fathom why Rapunzel would have informed Elsa about Hans inviting her to the dance. Not that it was ever a secret. Even if she did, Anna declined the invitation, and she can't grasp why that would hold any significance or why Elsa would be concerned. However, she chooses to disregard the faint flutter in her heart that hints at the hope of why she might desire Elsa to care.

“Think I should ask her to go as my date,” Meg’s suggestion breaks way into Anna’s thought bubble.

“What?!”

“Whoa, calm down, Red,” Meg chuckles. “I’m just saying, she’s an attractive girl. You and Rapunzel seem to like her.”

“Meaning,” Anna asks tersely, causing Meg to raise her eyebrows.

“Meaning, she has to be a good time once you crack her shell open,” Meg responds. “I’m always down for a good time.”

Anna regards her classmate and supposed friend with a mix of skepticism and irritation.

"She's not just some casual fling, Meg," she states, her tone carrying a subtle warning. "She's a person, and quite a reserved one at that. Besides," Anna attempts to inject a bit of humor into her response, noting Meg's affronted look, "aren't you in something with Hercules?"

"Oh, Herc the Wonder Jerk? He's been irritating me lately. Thought I'd try something, or someone, new," Meg responds. "And I heard Aurora's planning to ask her out if Philip keeps dragging his feet. I don't get why she's holding onto hope for him. We all know he's basically out of the closet without formally coming out."

Anna steers clear of addressing Meg's commentary on someone else's sexuality, opting to focus on the other aspects of their conversation. The news that Aurora also has an interest in Elsa piques her curiosity. She contemplates whether Meg and Aurora genuinely know Elsa well enough to form an attraction or if they're merely captivated by the "new and shiny" addition to their friend group. Anna leans toward the latter, recognizing that they haven't had much opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with Elsa. Elsa often converses with Rapunzel during lunch, but the recent shift in seating arrangements, with Elsa moving between Rapunzel and Aurora instead of sitting beside her and Rapunzel, raises further questions. Is that what Elsa wants to discuss today, instead of the vexing dinner invitation?

Anna's anxiety to speak with Elsa intensifies. She eagerly awaits Elsa's return from her run, eager to speed up the time until they can engage in a conversation.

“Whoa, looks like it’s a race between Sideburns and Wonder Girl,” Meg points out as the universe seems to answer Anna’s private prayer. “He got a head start but she’s quickly gaining on him!”

Anna's gaze returns to Elsa and Hans, who are locked in fierce competition. Both runners are pushing themselves to the limit. Hans's face is flushed with exertion, and the veins on his neck protrude prominently. Elsa, while slightly more composed, wears a determined expression, and a sheen of sweat beads on her forehead, tracing a path down to her chest.

“Come on, Elsa,” Anna shouts. She doesn’t know why the two are racing but the cheer is almost automatic. “Keep pushing! You got this!”

As if fueled by Anna's support, Elsa suddenly shifts into high gear, accelerating past Hans in a final burst of speed. She overtakes the water cooler stationed at the sideline mere seconds ahead of Hans and then gradually begins to decelerate. Witnessing Elsa's victory, Anna leaps to her feet, raising her fists in celebration. She swiftly descends the bleachers to reach Elsa and offer her congratulations.

Upon reaching the ground, Anna finds Hans at the water cooler, gasping for breath, which soon turns into coughing and then retching. The water boy tries to assist him, but Hans shoves him aside forcefully, sending the water cooler atop a folded white table hurtling backward. Ice and water scatter across the grass field, and paper cups swirl through the air.

Anna winces as she passes the chaos surrounding Hans, normally eager to help but now overwhelmed by the gathering crowd of cross-country runners. Her priority is to be by Elsa's side anyway. This desire intensifies when she spots the platinum blonde runner lying on the ground.

Elsa rests on her back, her knees bent with her feet planted firmly. One arm stretches above her head, while the other covers her eyes. Her chest heaves as she catches her breath, each inhalation and exhalation quick and labored. Her cheeks bear a soft pink flush from the exertion. Anna approaches slowly, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she comes to a halt by Elsa's side.

“She isn’t a prize to be won, Hans. I only ran to beat you and tell you that even if she was just a prize, you’d still be underserving of her,” Elsa puffs out between breaths.

“Um,” Anna is at a loss of what to say in response to Elsa. Clearly, Elsa thought Anna was someone else who had approached her.

At the unexpected sound of a feminine voice, when she had been anticipating Hans's (she was pettily refusing to categorize his voice as masculine), Elsa abruptly shifts into a seated position. Her arms are now extended behind her, supporting her upper body as she gazes up wide-eyed at a blushing Anna.

“I don’t know whose honor you were defending, but I’d say that girl is pretty lucky,” Anna finally manages, her words carrying a touch of admiration and something else Elsa cannot pick up on.

Elsa's mouth opens and closes a few times, her face now reddening not from exhaustion but from mortification at what Anna had overheard. The small hint of jealousy Anna might have harbored, thinking that the "her" Elsa had been talking about to Hans was someone other than herself, dissipates. Elsa's visible embarrassment strongly suggests that her race with Hans had something to do with Anna, and that realization fills Anna with a joyful sensation.

Anna extends her hand to Elsa, in a role reversal from their usual positions. Elsa firmly grasps the offered hand, but she averts her gaze in shame as soon as she is back on their feet.

"You really booked it at the end," Anna remarks, bending slightly to position herself within Elsa's line of sight. If possible, Elsa's blush deepens, and she looks away again. Witnessing Elsa's reaction fills Anna's heart with delight.

"I heard you cheering," Elsa finally responds. Her arms are wrapped around her waist in her signature gesture of uncertainty. "You're quite the motivator." A shy smile graces Elsa's lips, and Anna reciprocates with an exuberant beam.

Elsa hesitates before continuing, "So, I know I said we'd talk after practice..."

Anna's smile falters momentarily, fearing that Elsa might be reverting to avoidance.

“We will," Elsa continues in a rush, noticing Anna's reaction. "I just need to shower. I brought some stuff for the school lockers so we can have as much uninterrupted time as possible. I'm not sure when your grandfather is expecting you, but I'm free all evening. I can't come over to your place for dinner, though I'd love to discuss that, but my place is available. My parents wont be home. Not that I am suggesting anything. If you prefer, we could dine out..."

Elsa suddenly stops mid-sentence, a tinge of panic in her voice, as Anna begins to giggle.

"And I thought I could ramble on and on," Anna teases playfully, her laughter infectious.

Elsa joins in the laughter, saying, "Oh, I don't usually do that. My mom, she tends to talk quite a bit. She says I normally take after my father but when I'm nervous, my words can just fly out. Not that you make me nervous. Well, you do, but not necessarily in a bad way…I have anxiety, which can make some situations tricky, but you don't seem to have that effect on me…I should probably stop talking now," Elsa trails off, her cheeks flushing.

Anna and Elsa continue to share an affectionate, curious gaze until the coach's voice disrupts the moment, changing course from being directed at Hans.

"You, too, Arendelle," the coach shouts their way. "You may not have started this, but your head was clearly not in the game today. Moreover, this childish bet to race Mr. Westergaard is not the kind of behavior I'd expect from someone of your skill and dedication."

"Coach!"

"Quiet down, Westergaard! You're banned from competing tomorrow. Ms. Arendelle, I want you in my office for an explanation before you face the same punishment."

"Yes, Ma'am," Elsa responds, her voice holding a note of submission.

The coach retreats with Hans and the rest of the team in tow. Some teammates throw Elsa a thumbs up and smile. Elsa just gives a tiny wave back with an small, unsure smile in return.

“Sorry, Anna,” she apologizes to the teen beside her. “I may be a little longer than planned.”

"That's alright," Meg chimes in as she approaches them. She casually drapes an arm over Anna's shoulders and flashes a flirtatious smile in Elsa's direction. "I'll keep Anna company while she waits for you. I do have a question for you too, but I can wait until you're out of interrogation."

Anna's initial concern for Elsa quickly transforms into anger aimed squarely at Meg. A palpable tension hangs in the air between the two girls. Elsa hesitates, acutely aware of a possible brewing conflict.

"Do you think your question can wait?" Elsa finds herself bravely addressing Meg, a surprising display of courage for her as she typically avoids confrontation. She senses that Anna doesn't want Meg around for some reason. "I just need as much time as I can get with Anna. But I can take your number down, so we can talk after Anna and I are done."

Anna's heart sinks at Elsa's suggestion. She should have taken reassurance in the fact that Elsa and Meg hadn't exchanged contact details yet, an indication that they might not be as close as Anna had feared. However, Elsa's request for Meg's number now raises doubts and questions that Anna would rather avoid.

Amidst her inner turmoil, Anna is deeply apprehensive about Elsa getting closer to Meg. Among all the people Elsa could befriend, Meg is not someone Anna had hoped for. Meg is known for not being content with just friendship; if you allowed her to get close, she would invariably push for something more. This is precisely why Anna had always been short and distant with Meg, and Meg was keenly aware of this. While Meg is cordial with Rapunzel and Anna, she acknowledges that they are among the few who won't entertain her desire for something more. Elsa, Anna fears, may not be as adept at firmly declining Meg's advances due to Elsa’s inherent kindness.

Anna knows that any advances from the sultry brunette would be a daunting ordeal for Elsa to face and politely reject. Meg would likely capitalize on this vulnerability. She's already following a similar pattern with Hercules, who seems to be struggling with detaching from her string.

Anna is shaken from her reverie when she becomes aware that Elsa has given her phone to Meg before hurrying off to the track locker room. She hadn't noticed the exchange in the moment, and her realization only dawns when Meg hands her Elsa's phone.

“You really were zoned out, huh,” Meg jokes at Anna’s look of confusion at being handed Elsa’s phone. “Wonder girl gave me her phone to put my number in and then said to give her phone to you. She said you could hold it for her while you wait for her to come back.”

“Right,” Anna lies about hearing Elsa say just that. She’s about to put the phone in her pocket when Meg stops her.

"Wait! She gave me the code. Let's take a peek through her phone!"

"What?" Anna exclaims in shock, continuing to put the phone in her pocket, nonetheless. "No! We are not doing that!"

"Fine," Meg concedes, then deftly walks around Anna, swiping Elsa's phone from Anna's pocket, and makes a run for it.

Anna is left flabbergasted. "What? Hey, Meg! Get back here. Stop!" She takes off after Meg, alarmed by the idea of prying into Elsa's phone without her consent.

Anna does her best to chase after Meg, her heart pounding with anxiety and frustration. However, Meg is too quick. She manages to unlock Elsa's phone and begins scrolling through her messages before Anna can reach her. Anna watches in dismay as her friend digs into Elsa's personal messages without her consent.

“Wow, you two text a lot don’t cha, Red?”

"Meg, stop zigzagging so I can catch you!" Anna pleads as she continues to chase her down.

Meg pays little attention to Anna's plea as she delves deeper into Elsa's messages. "And a few texts between her and Rapunzel... interesting," Meg mutters, her curiosity getting the better of her. "What kind of name is Honeymaren? Oh, now we're getting to the good stuff. She seems really close to this girl!" Her eyes dart across the screen, probing for information that should remain private.

Anna makes another effort to catch Meg, her frustration growing. She's aware from previous conversations with Elsa that Honeymaren and Ryder are Elsa's closest childhood friends from her old school.

"You're violating Elsa's privacy, Meg!" Anna exclaims, her tone laced with reproach.

Finally, Anna manages to close the gap and tackles Meg, and both girls tumble to the ground with a thud.

"Ugh, Anna! Why'd you have to tackle me? You know I have weak ankles. I could've sprained something!" Meg protests as she stands up.

"Serves you right for invading someone else's privacy," Anna scolds her.

"Pfft, whatever," Meg retorts, standing up and tossing Elsa's phone toward Anna. "I just won't tell you what she tells Honeymaren about you. Respecting her privacy and all."

"Wait, what?" Anna gasps as she picks herself up. She looks down at Elsa's now locked phone. "She talks about me..."

Meg just smirks and saunters away, her insinuations lingering in the air.

"Guess you'll never know if it's good or bad, either, since you weren't listening when she told us her passcode," Meg calls out. "Have a nice evening, Red. I'm headed out. Remind her to text me when she's done with you."

The implications in Meg's words weigh heavily on Anna's mind. When did her friendship with Elsa become so complicated? And is it Anna who's making everything more intricate than it needs to be? She continues to stare at Elsa's phone, as if expecting it to provide answers to her questions.

Suddenly, the outdoor recreational lights switch on, and the buzz startles Anna. She hadn't realized how much time had passed, and it's closer to sunset than she thought.

"I’ve been sitting here longer than I realized," Anna mutters to herself. As the school doors open, she spots Elsa making her way toward her with her bag. Anna prepares herself for their upcoming conversation, her thoughts still swarming with uncertainty.

Chapter Text

“Miss Arendelle, I do appreciate your constant regard for the time, but I promise to make this quick if you just provide me your full attention.”

Elsa nibbles on her lower lip, determined to keep her gaze from straying away from her coach seated behind the desk back to the clock relentlessly ticking on the wall.

“So, Mr. Westergaard insulted your friend, and you decide to almost dangerously overwork yourself to show him up” her coach’s voice of disbelief rings in her ears. “You do realize, Miss Arendelle, that you have the best running time of the whole team. There was nothing for you to prove, even to your friend in the stands…”

As her coach's words taper off, Elsa's cheeks begin to flush, giving the older woman a clear indication of the teen’s embarrassment at her last sentence. The coach's expression shifts into a knowing look, followed by a resigned sigh as Elsa seemed to shrink into her chair more and more. It was clear Elsa had no more to reveal on the subject and the coach was not too dim to read body language. She remembered what it was like to be a teenager trying to impress someone.

Deciding not to press the issue further lest she make this more uncomfortable for the teen, the coach releases Elsa with a cautionary note regarding her future behavior. As she graciously lets the student off with nothing more than a gentle reprimand, the coach could not resist including a playful wink when extending a warm wish for a pleasant evening to Elsa. She observes how the teenager's shoulders involuntarily tense up in embarrassment before Elsa quickly regains composure and offers her gratitude back to the coach. It brings a smirk to the coach's lips, as she believes that, on occasion, a little light-hearted teasing could serve as its own form of punishment to her athletes.

Elsa did undeniably feel like a scolded puppy after her conversation with the coach. Not only were her actions immature and reckless, but what exacerbated the situation was her inability to provide a clear explanation for her decision to race Hans. She knew she had gotten off relatively lightly - even with her coach’s somewhat inappropriate teasing. As she makes her way down the hallway toward the doors leading back outside to the field, Elsa makes an effort to regain her composure and steady her breathing. She doesn't want to cause Anna any additional worry to what she may already be feeling about their impending talk.

Upon pushing the doors open, Elsa is momentarily blinded by the unexpectedly bright outdoor recreational lights, causing her to suspect it was rather late in the evening. Once her vision adjusts, she spots Anna out on the field. Without even realizing it, Elsa finds herself jogging towards the other teenager. When she finally reaches Anna, she is puzzled to find Anna still simply gazing at her, her forehead furrowed, and her head tilted as if she recognizes Elsa’s presence but is too lost in thought to react.

“Hi,” Elsa says unsurely and with a timid but genuine smile.

A beat passes before a spark seems to ignite in Anna’s eyes as she comes back to the present.

“Hi, hi me?”

Elsa’s grin deepens as she nods in response to Anna. She tries to suppress a giggle at Anna’s bemusing behavior.

“Oh, um. Hi,” Anna laughs, returning fully to her senses.

“I wanted to apologize –”

“Oh, you don’t have to –”

“I showered as fast as I could, but Coach spent the first ten minutes of our talk just staring me down,” Elsa finishes.

“Oh,” Anna responds dejectedly, thinking Elsa was jumping into their long-awaited talk. She looks to the ground awkwardly as silence resumes. Elsa continues to observe her carefully, clearly not knowing what to say. “It’s a bit warmer out than I thought,” Anna makes to break the silence. She passes Elsa her phone and Elsa takes it gratefully.

“Hmm,” Elsa ponders and checks something on her phone. “There’s supposed to be a cold front tonight.”

At Elsa’s response, Anna mentally chastises herself for bringing up the weather. Of all the small talk, talking about the weather is the worst go-to topic.

“Hey,” Elsa gently calls for Anna’s attention. Anna looks at her curiously. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not really in the mood for dinner.” Anna’s heart plummets and Elsa sighs as the younger girls gloom visibly shows. “Anna, I’m not…we are…ugh,” Elsa lifts a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose and sighs in annoyance with herself.

“Elsa…”

Anna gently guides Elsa's hand away from her face and places it between them. In that shared moment, they exchange a knowing look, and Elsa is astonished by how a simple act of Anna holding her hand instantly calms her.

“Let’s talk,” Elsa says. Her heart jumps as Anna responds with a small smile. “How about over some ice cream. In the mood for chocolate?”

“Always,” Anna laughs and Elsa joins in. “As if that’s ever in question! Come on,” Anna exclaims as she tugs Elsa towards the parking lot. “I know the perfect place.”

“Oh, do you now,” Elsa jests back. One hand is gripped by Anna and the other holding her bag strap to her shoulder as she willingly lets Anna pull her.

“Well, my favorite worker clearly isn’t available to hook us up with a special free serving, but I think I can convince the other guy who works there around this time to help us out,” Anna teases with a lighthearted wink.

The conversation was kept light as Elsa and Anna sat in a comfy booth, nestled between vintage ice cream posters and checkered tablecloths. They laughed with one another as they reflected on their entrance to the ice cream shop.

When Elsa had opened the door for Anna, the bell had Kristoff automatically raising his head to greet his customers. As he saw Elsa and Anna, though, he simply stood where he was, frozen with his arm halfway in a tub of ice cream. After friendly greetings and ribbing between him and Anna, he asked for their orders. Anna noticed that Elsa was still quiet and reserved with Kristoff, so Anna offered to wait for their orders to allow Elsa some time to find a place for them to sit.

Now, the two sat with one finished bowl and one half-finished bowl of ice cream.

“Come on, you have to at least give me a taste!”

“Anna, it’s not my fault you finished yours so fast,” Elsa laughs as she nimbly deflects Anna’s spoon away from her bowl. “You’ve already had at least ten tastes, too!”

“Hey, it was like five.” Elsa raises an eyebrow at Anna. “Okay, maybe eight, tops,” Anna giggles. “But I didn’t have any dinner, and I’m a growing girl. I need my nutrients.”

“And you think you are going to find these nutrients in MY ice cream?”

“Elsa,” Anna whines causing Elsa to laugh more.

“Fine, fine,” Elsa acquiesces while hiding a smile behind her hand as her laugh dies down. She pushes her bowl to the middle of the table, “We’ll share the rest.”

“I knew there was a reason I liked you,” Anna jokes before going in for a scoop with her spoon.

They continue to eat in silence for a while. Elsa can't help but smile as she watches Anna's face light up with pure delight, lost in the exquisite and sugary flavors of her treat. As the bowl becomes empty, though, Elsa knows it is time to explain herself to her friend.

“Anna,” Elsa calls out, and Anna looks up with a smile that slowly falls away at the troubled look on Elsa’s face. “I want you to know I really want to have dinner with you and your grandfather and hang out with you at your place.”

“Oh,” Anna says slowly. “That’s okay. I under –”

“No,” Elsa interrupts firmly but gently. “I want you to know that I still will –”

“Oh,” Anna lets out a breath of hope.

“I just don’t know when that will be exactly,” Elsa finishes lamely.

“Oh,” Anna repeats once more, this time puzzled.

Elsa proceeds to recount the events that transpired between her and her parents, much as she had done with Rapunzel. With Anna, however, she delves deeper into the narrative, letting her emotions connected to her parents' actions surface. She's amazed at how effortlessly she opens up to Anna, going beyond mere facts. She’s grateful that Anna is just as good a listener as a talker. Throughout her narrative, Anna doesn't interrupt, allowing Elsa to express her frustration and loneliness.

Elsa remains oblivious to the depth of her own emotions until she notices Anna's hand reaching out to grasp hers. The simple act of Anna's touch conveys a profound sense of warmth and comfort, prompting Elsa to pause in her storytelling. Elsa gazes at Anna's hand resting on top of hers and then lifts her eyes to meet Anna's. Anna, feeling somewhat self-conscious, starts to withdraw her hand, but Elsa gently intervenes by turning her own hand, gently but firmly holding Anna's hand in place.

Anna speaks softly, her voice filled with empathy. "It's okay, Elsa," she says gently. "I understand, and I'm truly sorry for any pressure you may have felt from me. That was never my intention."

Elsa, touched by Anna's understanding, begins to respond, "Anna, I—"

Anna continues, her gratitude evident in her words. "But I want to thank you for trusting me and letting me in on what was going on," she says sincerely. "I don't enjoy feeling left in the dark and abandoned, and I thought that's where this was heading, so... thank you, Elsa. I'm truly glad you decided to talk with me." Elsa's eyes begin to well up with tears, and the sight tugs at Anna's heartstrings. She speaks with genuine warmth, "I've noticed you're not too big on physical touch, but I really would like to give you a hug right now, if that's okay."

Anna moves from her side of the booth to Elsa's after receiving the okay. She envelops Elsa in a tight, reassuring hug, offering the reassurance she knows Elsa needs at that moment. Elsa takes in a shuddering breath, overwhelmed by the emotional release, before Anna gently frees her. The two lock eyes, sharing a profound moment of connection and understanding.

"Ahem," Kristoff clears his throat with an exaggerated cough, standing at the edge of their table. “Hate to be the one to do this…usually I ask Elsa to do the honors but – ”

Elsa blinks in surprise as she checks her watch. "It's already ten?"

"Oh, man," Anna exclaims, rising from her seat in a panic. "Grandfather is going to kill me. I need to be home in thirty minutes, and we're all the way across town." She seizes Elsa's arm, pulling her up, and hurries both of them toward the door.

"Whoa there, feisty pants," Kristoff chuckles. "This is what happens when you only work the summers, Elsa. We close at nine this month, and it just happens to be two minutes past the hour now." He smiles, looking up from his watch, impishly teasing Elsa.

Elsa playfully rolls her eyes back at him, a clear sense of relief in her expression. It seems the timing couldn't have been more perfect.

"Good, because I may need to use the bathroom before we hit the road," Elsa admits with a hint of embarrassment. She offers Anna an apologetic smile as she makes her way to the back.

"Hey, that's for employees only," Kristoff yells after her, his tone playful.

He's taken aback when she shouts back, "You never asked for my uniform back, so I'll use that as a technicality and say I do still work here." Elsa's cordial yet fun response brings a round of laughter from Anna as Kristoff stares in disbelief.

"She just talked to me and joked with me," Kristoff smiles triumphantly. Anna smirks back at him. "I don't know how you did it, Anna, but you've thawed the Snow Queen."

Anna's smile fades at his comment, and she responds with a firm punch to his arm. "Ow!" Kristoff rubs his arm with an affronted look directed at Anna. "What was that for?"

"Don't call her that," Anna threatens. "Did no one ever teach you that nicknames can be insulting?"

"What? You didn't mind when I called you 'feisty pants' earlier," Kristoff exclaims in his defense.

"You know there's a difference," Anna starts to explain, emphasizing her point.

"Hey, they call her Ice Queen. Snow Queen is different," Kristoff justifies.

"How?" Anna challenges.

"I don't mean it in an insulting way. Snow isn't as hard and rigid as ice. It's still frigid, but it's soft, pliable, and delicate."

"Okay, I see how you think replacing Ice Queen with Snow Queen is better, and it does have an attempted thoughtfulness, but how about just Elsa until you get to know her better?" Anna suggests.

"Deal," Kristoff agrees, understanding her point and appreciating the compromise.

“So what’s the deal with making it home on time,” Kristoff asks as silence settles in and he finishes flipping chairs up on tables. “Strict parents or what?”

Anna blows air up through her fringe in despondency before answering. "Grandparent," Anna replies, her voice tinged with dejection. “He doesn't typically allow me to stay out this late on school nights, but I convinced him that it was for something important." She continues, her voice reflecting a blend of acceptance and a touch of frustration.

"Ice cream with Elsa is important," Kristoff scoffs before quickly backtracking, his expression adjusting at the look he receives from Anna.

"Yes," Anna simply replies. As she hears a flush signaling Elsa making her way back from the rear of the shop, she whispers to herself, "And it was worth it."

"Uh-huh," Kristoff responds skeptically. He turns to face Anna with his back toward the rear of the shop. "So what would have been the punishment for a late arrival home? Grounded for a week?"

"I wish," Anna laughs. "I actually would have been banned from all school events, and there's this dance coming up – "

"Wait, wait," Kristoff interrupts her. "All school events for one night of missed curfew," he says incredulously.

“Yeah, keep up,” Anna confirms, somewhat annoyed at being interrupted for such a simple question. She shifts to the side and smiles at Elsa as she emerges from the back doors.

"Whoa," Kristoff breathes. "So, uh, are you going with anyone to this dance, because if not –"

“Sorry about that. Ready to get you home now, Anna.”

Elsa's timely arrival disrupts whatever Kristoff was about to say. Judging by the attentive look on Anna's face directed at Elsa, it appears that Anna hadn't heard what Kristoff was saying anyway.

“Perfect,” Anna exclaims before realizing that Kristoff had been talking. “Sorry, Kristoff, before we leave you were saying something?”

“Oh, well,” Kristoff shifts around and nervously rubs the back of his neck. “You were talking about a dance and – ”

"Oh, right," Anna says enthusiastically, then turns to Elsa. "Are you going? Rapunzel is, and I'm always up for a dance. My grandfather never lets me go, but since this will be the last one Rapunzel can attend, I convinced him to let me go, considering she can be like my supervision. It might mean missing next year's since she won’t be here, which is awful, but once is better than... wait, is 'nunce' even a word?" Anna ponders aloud, her words tumbling over one another with excitement.

Elsa conceals her smile and suppresses a small laugh by lifting her hand to her face while using the other to reach out and gently touch Anna's shoulder, providing a calming gesture. With a reassuring look, Elsa responds, "Yes, I'm going."

Anna gazes at Elsa's hand on her shoulder. She turns back to Elsa with a loud, delighted exclamation, "Awesome!"

The excitement radiating from Anna is palpable, and Kristoff uses this moment between the two girls to politely excuse himself. The girls bid Kristoff farewell in return before leaving the shop and walking together to Elsa's car.

As they walk, Anna holds her elbows close, seeking shelter from the abrupt gust of wind hitting them as they make their way. She turns toward Elsa and, with a hint of hesitance, asks, "Has anyone asked you to the dance, Elsa?"

Elsa keeps her gaze straight ahead to hide her embarrassment. "No, I... uh, I haven't been asked," Elsa replies.

"Oh," Anna responds, shivering as she pulls her arms in closer to herself. The abrupt chill in the air seems to match the uncertainty in their conversation.

“Oh my gosh,” Elsa suddenly exclaims looking over at Anna. “You must be cold, especially after eating ice cream.”

“No, I’m fine,” Anna argues through chattering teeth. “It was warmer just a few hours ago, how fast can a cold front set in...”

Anna’s grumbling is stopped as she feels Elsa’s arms go around her as Elsa gently slides her jacket over Anna’s shoulders. Anna can feel the soft blue fabric enveloping her, offering immediate protection from the wind. The jacket's warmth and the scent of pine and clean soap from when Elsa wore it bring a comforting sensation.

Elsa nudges Anna to slip her arms into the sleeves of the jacket so she can close up the zipper. As she does so, Anna feels the cold air being completely sealed away, replaced by the cozy embrace of the borrowed garment. The weight and touch of the jacket provide not only physical warmth but also a sense of security and closeness, reminding Anna that someone cares about her well-being.

Once the jacket settles around her, Anna exchanges a grateful smile with Elsa in silent acknowledgment of the thoughtful gesture. It's a small but meaningful connection, a simple way to share warmth and comfort just as Anna had done with the hug she gave Elsa in the ice cream shop.

“Hey, Anna,” Elsa begins with a hint of timidity. “I talked with Rapunzel the other day, and I know Hans already asked you, but you said no…and I should ask your grandfather first…that is if Rapunzel hasn’t already told him…”

Anna's breath hitches. She wants to joke that Elsa is rambling again, but the mention of Hans and Elsa asking her grandfather something has her voice caught in her throat.

"Anyway, I'm happy to talk with your grandfather tonight when I drop you off to explain. I'm sure he'll be waiting at the door for you to see where you've been, right?" It takes all that Anna has within her to nod, even then it's the most minuscule nod she's ever given in her life. "Right," Elsa continues. "Well, Rapunzel seemed to think it would also be a good idea when I mentioned it to her, so all there is to do is ask you. Again, if Rapunzel hasn't already told you," Elsa finishes lamely.

Meanwhile, Anna is running over Elsa's words over and over again, mentally searching for what question Elsa may be referencing. Was it hidden somewhere in her speech, or did Anna blank out again and miss it?

"Umm," Anna finally finds her voice. "Ask me what, exactly?"

Elsa balks in embarrassment over Anna's question as she realizes she never actually asked what she meant to ask Anna.

"Oh," Elsa rasps out before clearing her throat to speak again with more confidence. "Rapunzel mentioned you turned Hans down, so I told her I thought it would be a good idea for us to go together. She seemed to think it was a good idea, but if you'd rather—"

"I'd love to," Anna exclaims and grabs Elsa's hands as Elsa makes a move to retreat away. Anna's enthusiastic response, along with the touch of her hands on Elsa's, is a clear and joyous affirmation that fills the moment with warmth and happiness.

"Alright," Anna says with a rosy blush, impishly pulling Elsa towards her car once more. "Let's get you inside and away from this wind and cold."

Elsa chuckles as Anna gently rubs her hands in an attempt to warm them. "I'm not cold, Anna."

"Nonsense," Anna insists. "Your hands are like ice! No offense," she adds quickly.

"I think you'll find they're always like that," Elsa chuckles. They reach Elsa’s car, and she graciously opens the passenger door for Anna to slip in. "Besides," Elsa smirks, "the cold never bothered me anyway."

Elsa then closes the passenger door and dashes over to the driver's door. Anna blushes, feeling a bit flustered by Elsa's playful remark, happily surprised.

As Elsa gets into the car and shuts the door, Anna suddenly realizes something. "If the cold doesn't bother you, why was the car already on with the heater going?"

Elsa just shakes her head and laughs, caught by Anna's observation.

Anna's phone rings just as Elsa begins to pull out of her parking spot. Glancing at the caller ID, Anna apologizes to Elsa and answers the call, putting the caller on speaker.

"Hey, Cousin," Anna greets the caller, but before she can get another word in, she's bombarded with questions.

"Where are you? Did you and Elsa talk already? How did it go? You were nice to her, right? She was really nervous and sad about what she needed to tell you. She did tell you, right? I swear to God if she avoided you again – "

"You're on speaker," Anna quickly interjects before Rapunzel can continue. She leans over to pat Elsa's arm in consolation and apology. Throughout Rapunzel's tirade, Elsa had gripped the steering wheel tightly, hunching into herself in shame. She only relaxes after she hears Rapunzel let out a sigh of resignation through the phone speaker.

"Sorry, Elsa," Rapunzel says with sincere remorse. Elsa nods in response, even though she knows Rapunzel can't see her.

"And Anna?"

"Yessum," Anna hums happily, relieved that Elsa seems to be okay.

"Maybe lead with the fact that you answered by putting me on speaker and that Elsa is there with you!"

"Hey," Anna responds with good-humored offense. "I would have, but you didn't really give me time!"

“Pfft, anyway… please tell me you are almost home."

With a roll of her eyes, Anna looks at Elsa with playful exasperation at her cousin's nagging. Elsa smiles and shakes her head, silently communicating for Anna to be play nice.

Her cousin clears her throat on the other end of the line when the silence persists.

"Relax, Punzie," Anna starts.

“Oh no you don’t,” Rapunzel interrupts. “Runeard already called my parents and, lucky me, they passed him onto me for interrogation.”

“Hey, you weren’t the only one interrogated tonight,” Anna argues back. “And Elsa was a way better sport about it than you.”

“Runeard interrogated Elsa over the phone, too,” Rapunzel asks in confusion.

“What? No, her coach…you know what never mind,” Anna huffs. “Look, we are about twenty minutes from my place, and we will be there way before the curfew he gave me for tonight, so I don’t know what the problem is,” Anna finishes with frustration.

“Knowing your grandfather, it could be anything,” Rapunzel mumbles before regaining volume to address Elsa. “Did you tell her about the dance, Els?”

Anna’s brows mush together, and she looks at Elsa questioningly as she mouths, “Els?”

Elsa rolls her eyes and shrugs at Anna before responding to Rapunzel. “Yes, and she was happy to agree,” Elsa informs her friend. Anna’s stomach fills with butterflies at Elsa’s gleeful and seemingly proud response to her cousin. The butterfly flutters increase as Elsa shoots Anna a quick smile before turning her concentration back to the road.

“Good,” Rapunzel sighs. “I already told you-know-who for you – ”

“Whoa, Elsa!”

Anna almost drops her phone as Elsa swerves erratically in response to Rapunzel’s latest information drop.

“ – and he gave his approval, albeit reluctantly,” Rapunzel grumbles.

“I was planning on talking to him when I dropped Anna off,” Elsa says despairingly. “Wouldn’t it have been better that way?”

Anna cannot help but be deeply moved by Elsa at this moment.

“Well, he just took his private jet out of town, so it was either I ask him, or you would have never had the chance. He won’t be back until the night of the dance. He’s flying in from somewhere in Europe. I don’t really know. I only caught so many details when he asked for me to return the phone to my parents.”

“We owe you our thanks, Punzie,” Anna answers for her and Elsa as Elsa continues to pout in the driver’s seat. She gently shoves the older girl’s arm.

Taking the hint, Elsa adds with a defeated sigh, “Yeah, Raps. Thank you.”

Rapunzel hums her acceptance before the cousins give their farewells and Anna hangs up the call.

Anna turns to Elsa once more and is stopped from commenting on their good luck and Rapunzel’s meddling when she sees the blonde still with a slight pout. The sight is so adorable she can’t help but laugh at Elsa’s expense. Elsa’s pout deepens as a result.

“Oh come on, ‘Els’,” Anna jokes using Rapunzel’s nickname for her. She places her hand on Elsa’s thigh near her knee and gives a light squeeze of reassurance. Elsa almost swerves erratically again at the clearly intimate touch. “I appreciate you caring so much for my grandfather’s approval, but mine’s all you really need.”

It takes Elsa’s brain a while to reboot as she registers Anna’s hand still laid on her leg. She gulps before responding as calmly as she can given the possessive placement of Anna’s hand. “One: Els is better than Elsie. My mom used to love calling me that. Two: It’s not about your grandfather’s approval of me, though I do find that sort of important – I want to make a good enough impression, always. Three: I just wanted to do whatever I could to ensure you could go to the dance and didn’t want to risk anything keeping you from it. I know how excited you are, so if by playing by your grandfather’s rules this once helped, well…”

They make it to Anna’s residence and up the driveway as Elsa finishes her rant. Letting out a long exhale, Elsa puts the car into park and turns to look at Anna and is left breathless. The ginger is staring at her with the purest smile, her eyes brimming with unshed tears and holding the most adoration Elsa has ever felt in her life.

Hand still on Elsa’s leg, Anna almost whispers, “Thank you, Elsa.” She then leans in before Elsa can process what she is being thanked for and kisses Elsa on the cheek. It’s chaste and innocent but the moment Anna’s lips brush Elsa’s face, Elsa feels as if warm water is pouring over her from head to toe.

As Anna pulls away, Elsa hears her voice dumbly ask, “For the ride?” Anna giggles in return. Elsa is sat with a pink face, mouth gaping and a look of amazement. Clearly still caught off guard, Elsa adds, “Of course. Happy to give you a ride anytime.”

Anna shakes her head in amusement but also negating Elsa as she responds, “Not exactly for the ride, but that, too.” And Elsa’s eyes widen further in shock as her blush grows deeper.

Anna leans back all the way to the passenger door as Elsa remains in astonished silence. She attempts to change the subject in hopes of airing out the intense atmosphere that had begun to cloak over them. “I, ugh, better get into the house.” She adds lightheartedly, “Just because my grandfather isn’t here doesn’t mean his spies aren’t lurking about.”

“Ri-right,” Elsa stutters and uses her car console to open the passenger door.

Anna looks at the open door and back to Elsa and back to the door with a frown, “Not going to walk me to the front door this time,” she teases.

“If I could remember how to use my legs I would,” Anna hears from behind her causing the tips of her ears to redden.

She whips her head back to Elsa about to ask Elsa if she heard her correctly when Elsa gives her that damned smirk she has apparently deemed for Anna only.

“Anna?”

Anna shakes her head to clear her thoughts. “Sorry, what did you say?”

“I said I can walk you up if you really would like,” Elsa responds, the damned smirk never leaving her face.

“Sure,” Anna squeaks. “I mean, not sure. I mean, sure that’s what you said, not sure I want you to walk me up. I mean, that would be nice, especially without the threat of my grandfather personally ruining a moment like last time,” her eyes widen. “Not that we had a moment. Well, we tend to have a lot of moments actually, if you ask me,” she says dreamily before snapping her attention back to Elsa as if just remembering she’s there, too. Elsa simply raises an eyebrow and gives a small chuckle. “Hmm,” Anna hums happily as Elsa’s laugh calms her down.

“Um,” Elsa hesitates before kindly pointing towards Anna’s front door. “Not to be rude, but I do have some homework to get to. If you really want me to walk you up – ”

“Wait, what,” Anna’s brain catches up with her as Elsa makes to take her seatbelt off to exit the vehicle and walk to Anna’s side. Anna stops her and clicks her own seatbelt, freeing herself. “No, no. You don’t have to really, but thank you…again,” she chuckles at herself as she stands outside of Elsa’s car.

“Only if you’re sure,” Elsa half kids, her hand still on her seat belt and ready to click the release button.

“Oh, I’m sure,” Anna laughs again. “But text me when you get home so I know you made it safely. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

She’s shocked and saddened when Elsa shakes her head in the negative.

“I have an out-of-town meet, remember,” Elsa reminds Anna. “We leave in the morning so we can make it on time. But I’ll be sure to text you when you aren’t in school and after to let you know how it went, okay?”

Anna beams as she deems Elsa’s response as acceptable. She steps back from the car enough so the passenger door can begin its slow swing back into place. As it does so, the girls say bye to one another and Anna barely manages to shout in time, “I’m sure a few texts during the school day won’t hurt me, either.”

She sees Elsa’s shoulders shake in merriment signaling the blonde heard her before Elsa drives off. A burst of wind hits her as Elsa’s car leaves. Anna pulls her arms around her elbows. She contently walks to the entrance of her grandfather’s mansion wondering why she wasn’t as cold as she should be when she realizes she still has Elsa’s jacket. She quickly spins back towards the direction Elsa’s car is disappearing into, but she’s too far out of sight to get Elsa’s attention to come back. She’s not too sorry about that fact.

She waits until she receives Elsa’s text letting her know Elsa made it home before texting back that she still has her jacket. Elsa’s reply to Anna causes Anna to flush with affection. She falls asleep staring at the text.

From Elsa: Keep it safe for me 😉