Welcome to my newest Frozen endeavor! This plot bunny came to me one day after an intense session of Guitar Hero—yes, I still play that game—and eventually it evolved to this. I'm liking where this is going and after the angst of Belonging, I'm due to write something a bit more…well, uh…less angst-y. That's not to say there won't be any angst here, it is what I live to write after all, but I promise no abductions, guns, or beatings here; you have my word.
Anyway, Disney owns Frozen, yadda, yadda, yah. Enjoy!
.:A Never Ending Note:.
"Welcome to the jungle
We've got fun n' games
We got everything you want
Honey, we got all the names
We are the people that can find
Whatever you may need
If you got the money, honey
We got your disease." - Welcome to the Jungle, Guns N' Roses
I.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We will begin our descent into Miami here in the next few minutes. The current temperature on the ground is 82 degrees Fahrenheit and the weather is mostly sunny. Thank you for flying American Airlines and welcome to Miami."
As the intercom clicked off, Elsa opened her eyes. Looking to her right, she averted her attention out the small window beside her. They had just descended past the clouds and the southern Florida city was looming ever closer. Elsa battled with the anxiety churning in her stomach as she tried to focus on the hundreds of tiny cars and people milling about below her.
Nausea soon joined the anxiety in her stomach as the plane dropped suddenly and Elsa unconsciously gripped the armrests beside her tighter. She didn't necessarily have a fear of flying per se, but her over-arching general anxiety didn't help matters at all. She debated reaching for the pills in her backpack, but, as she saw the airstrip quickly approaching, decided against it. This wave of heightened jitters would soon return to its dull throb in the base of Elsa's gut; no use putting more drugs than necessary in her.
Still, Elsa clenched her eyes shut as she braced for impact. Of course, her over-active mind exaggerated the landing as it was nothing but smooth; the captain was certainly very skilled, allowing the wheels of the plane to simply kiss the ground rather than jar the entire aircraft.
As the plane began taxiing to its gate, realization started setting in for Elsa. She was here; approximately 2,700 miles away from her Seattle home. Swallowing a knot in her throat at the thought that Miami was supposed to be considered "home" now, Elsa shook her head to dispel any unpleasant thoughts. Seattle was in the past. Although there was much of her hometown she would miss, she couldn't deny the fact that the past couple months had been pure hell. She should have been relieved to get out of the city.
It was never the city, though, Elsa mused, her body seemingly on autopilot as she unbuckled her seatbelt and copied others in retrieving her carry-ons from underneath her seat and in the container overhead. The city was never anything but kind and now that's all gone. What if Miami isn't the same? I grew up in Seattle; 21 years are supposed to just go down the drain like that? It's not that simple.
Shaking her head once more, Elsa followed her fellow travelers to the front of the plane. Nodding briefly to one of the stewardess as she stepped off, Elsa began her ascent up the ramp and into the concourse.
Tracking down the baggage claim area was easy enough; it was finding a spot where she wasn't crowded by others that was troublesome. One hand clenched tightly around her backpack's strap, the other balled into a fist inside her hoodie pocket, Elsa anxiously watched the conveyor belt for her luggage. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, her eyes darted around nervously, keeping careful watch should anyone get too close.
Finally, one piece of her luggage came into view. What was supposed to be a breath of relief manifested itself as a strangled sob as Elsa reached for the tattered black guitar case. The worn handle felt reassuring in her grasp, the dozens of stickers which adorned its front and back comforting Elsa more than any words could. Now she just needed her suitcase.
Five minutes later, her ice blue suitcase emerged. Holding her breath, she pushed through the crowd until she found the doors leading to the exit.
Immediately upon exiting the airport, Elsa was met with a burst of warm air rustling her hair and the smell of the sea assaulting her nose. The Atlantic Ocean sure smelled different than the Puget Sound.
"Elsa!"
Turning her head, Elsa zeroed in on who had called her. Smiling softly, she began walking towards an older man waiting by a black Mercedes, his portly stature and balding red hair a comforting sight in this unfamiliar territory.
"Uncle Kai," Elsa greeted, coming to a stop before the man.
Kai smiled and wrapped Elsa in a hug. "Glad to see you made it, kiddo," he said. "How was your flight?"
"Long," was Elsa's curt response, choosing not to dwell on the fact that it had seemed even longer with her lingering thoughts of home and everything she was leaving behind.
Her uncle, ever intuitive, seemed to pick up on this however and smiled solemnly at Elsa.
"You'll adjust, kiddo," he told her, moving to take her suitcase and place it in the trunk. "I know it's not Seattle, but Miami's a great city; give it some time."
"I can already tell it's too hot; that's several points off," Elsa managed to joke.
Kai laughed as he ushered the blonde into his car. "That hoodie is working against you here, hon," he said. "Won't be needing that for at least a couple months."
Elsa snuggled into her favorite Batman hoodie and frowned. True, it was the middle of August which for Florida meant temperatures in the mid-90s most days, even upper-90s now and then. It certainly wasn't the pleasant 70s Elsa was used to this time of year.
"Just be grateful you have that ocean breeze," Kai spoke, again reading Elsa's thoughts. "Without it, all of us would be reduced to a puddle."
"Thank you, ocean," Elsa deadpanned.
Kai chuckled once more before the car fell silent. Elsa turned her attention out the window and watched the scenery pass. Aside from the palm trees sprouting up within several feet of each other, Miami looked considerably similar to Seattle; at least, the downtown area did. The suburbs were still an unanswered question, but as Kai pulled onto another street, the skyscrapers began to come few and far between. Her question would be answered in time.
"I have a surprise for you," Kai piped up.
Elsa turned to look at him, eyebrow peaked in interest. "Please tell me it's that you've withdrawn me from this school I'm supposed to attend."
"Unfortunately not," Kai replied. "I know it's not like that small community college you attended in Seattle, but I promise this school is just as small and you'll fit in just as easy. It isn't the University of Miami, if that's what you're worried about," he chuckled again. "That school is huge; no good for you. Anyway, my surprise has nothing to do with academics; guess again."
"Is it a new guitar?" she asked, trying to keep from sounding too hopeful. She was in dire need of a new instrument, despite her hopeless attraction to the one in the trunk.
Kai shook his head although he remained smiling. "Nope, but I guarantee you'll like it just as much."
Elsa racked her brain for more ideas, but failed to come up with any. Deciding to just wait and see, she settled back into the cool leather seat.
"So," Kai started as he glanced over at his niece, "your apartment is fully furnished and just five minutes from campus. Classes start on Monday and you'll find all your books and schedule on the kitchen table. You're on your own now, Elsa," he said before placing a hand on her knee, "but if you ever need anything, your Aunt Gerda and I are only a couple hours away in Naples."
"Thank you," Elsa said back, smiling slightly. "I'm glad you and Aunt Gerda were still willing to help me. I feared mom might have tried to turn Aunt Gerda against me."
"We'll always help our one and only niece," Kai told her. "Nothing you do or are is going to change that."
Elsa tried to smile, but it faltered as she mumbled, "I wish my mom felt the same way."
Kai glanced her way briefly before asking, "How did your dad take everything?"
Sighing, Elsa ran a hand through her hair. "Like he does with anything," she responded. "He opened a bottle of whiskey and would look at me like I killed someone every time I came within ten feet of him. He never expressed his displeasure outright, but it was clearly there on his face all the time regardless. I think his silence hurt more than mom's words ever could."
"I won't try to defend them, but perhaps they'll come around, hon," Kai tried to reassure. "With you across the country, maybe they'll realize their mistake and beg you to come home."
"Maybe…"
Another few minutes of silence descended upon the pair before Kai spoke up again, his voice bright again, always attempting to keep the spirits of the girl beside him up.
"Ah, here we are!"
Elsa looked back out the window at the quaint apartment complex. It really wasn't anything special—well, aside from the fact that there was a pool—but Elsa found herself smiling either way. Small and quaint had always been her style, never anything outlandish.
"I was afraid the building was going to be bright orange or something," she found herself saying.
"Maybe it would be in South Beach, but not here," Kai replied with a grin. "I promise the inside isn't anything crazy either."
Elsa got out of the car and stretched. After getting her bags, Kai came up beside her. Elsa took her backpack from him as well as the key he handed her.
"Your apartment, as well as your surprise, is right around the corner," Kai gestured.
Elsa took off at a brisk pace. Rounding the corner, her eye caught something sitting in the parking lot that made her jaw drop and her love for her aunt and uncle grow even more.
"Wow," she breathed. "Really, Uncle Kai?!"
Sitting in the lot, right outside her apartment door was a blue BMW C 600 Sport. On the seat of the bike were two helmets, one blue with a large snowflake on the top and one solid black. Elsa carefully approached the vehicle, afraid if she approached it too fast it would dissipate into thin air or leap off like a frightened deer.
"We figured, being in a new city and all, you might be apprehensive about getting out at first. Hopefully this will help persuade you?" Kai said, beaming at the glow now radiating off the blonde beside him.
Elsa nodded although she said, "I'm almost afraid to ride it, but I promise I will."
Spinning suddenly, she wrapped her uncle in a hug. "Thank you so much!"
"Anything for you, Elsa."
Looking back to her bike once more, Elsa finally forced herself away from its side and into her actual apartment. The interior was very minimalist, but just the way Elsa liked it. Pale blue walls and dark wood flooring spread throughout the apartment with a large, white floor rug covering the floor in the bedroom. The main area contained one, white leather couch and a small entertainment center up against the wall. The kitchen was fully equipped and a small table with four chairs was backed up into the far corner of the room across from the kitchen's entrance.
"Like it?" Kai asked as Elsa walked back into the main room after she inspected her bedroom.
"It's perfect," Elsa replied, smiling softly.
Kai matched her smile as he added, "Gerda and I tried to replicate your bedroom in Seattle to make you feel more at home, but we haven't been to Seattle in two years, so a lot could have changed."
Elsa shook her head and just repeated, "It's perfect." She hugged her uncle again and added a "thank you."
Kai ruffled her hair gently before stepping back and looking to his watch.
"I hate to drop you off and run, but Gerda will be getting off work soon, and I have to drive back to pick her up." He looked to Elsa. "You going to be okay on your own from here out, kiddo?"
"I think so." Elsa nodded.
As they walked to the door together, Kai suddenly thought of something and spun to face Elsa once more.
"Oh," he began, and the look in his eyes had Elsa knowing what he was going to ask.
"I have my medication," Elsa cut him off. "I'm good for a month and I already have an appointment with a doctor down here to get the prescription refilled."
Kai looked calmed at this bit of news and nodded his head. Elsa gave him a reassuring smile as he turned back to the door. Immediately upon opening it, Elsa was met with another warm gust of wind, smell of the sea included. It would take a while to get used to that, apparently.
"Well, I'm off, kid. Remember, we're just a call away; and please Elsa, try and make friends? I know it'll seem impossible at first, but you and I both know it will help you in the long run."
"I know, Uncle Kai," Elsa replied with a sigh. "I promise I'll give it my best."
One more hug was exchanged between the two and Elsa waved as her uncle pulled out the apartment complex and didn't stop until the Mercedes disappeared around a corner. Lowering her hand slowly, Elsa took a moment to take the past hour in. Scanning past her bike, Elsa looked out to the road, observing the cars and people passing by. A few doors down from her, a woman and her dog exited their apartment, the dog yapping excitedly as the woman locked up. Elsa smiled; perhaps she could get enough money somehow to get a dog. She recalled her therapist mentioning several times that a pet would be good for her; she'd have to look into that.
Somewhere nearby, a clock tower chimed and Elsa pulled out her phone. Four-thirty. She debated unpacking first, but a rumble of her stomach convinced her to go out and explore first. Her suitcases could wait. Dashing back inside and grabbing both sets of keys, Elsa returned outside to lock up.
Carefully, she approached the BMW motorbike. Elsa could hardly remember telling Uncle Kai in passing one visit how she desperately wanted a bike such as this one. Never had she entertained the idea of actually ever owning one. Her parents, of course, hadn't been big on the idea. Too dangerous; too rebellious. Of course, Elsa supposed the bike suited her perfectly now, all things considered. Dispelling the bitter thought with a thorough shake of her head, she reached for one of the helmets.
She attached the spare black one to the side of the bike and, her own helmet secured on her head, mounted the bike. A chill ran down her spine at the sound of the engine coming to life. Tearing out of the parking lot, Elsa thanked Aurora—who could be considered Elsa's only true friend back in Seattle—for teaching her how to ride.
It didn't take Elsa long to come to a small cluster of buildings that formed the community for the college she would be attending come Monday. Parking, Elsa secured her helmet and started walking down the sidewalk, perusing the many establishments that lined both sides of the street.
She passed a coffee shop and saw many people her age on laptops, steaming mugs at their sides. Across the street was an ice cream parlor, a group of teens conversing with each other over milkshakes and cones. Turning her head, Elsa came to a stop in front of the new building she found herself standing in front of. Her heart rate picked up as she stared at the displays in the window.
Guitars. Half a dozen guitars sat on a shelf, bodies gleaming in the sunlight and fret boards immaculately intact. Elsa peered up at the sign hanging above the door. Wandering Oaken's Music. Elsa immediately pulled out her phone and recorded the store's name, address and number in her notepad app. She walked away from the display window with a grin on her face.
Perhaps Miami wouldn't be so bad after all!
A sandwich eatery across the street caught Elsa's eye and she made her way over. Bells jingled above her as she entered and the girl behind the counter looked up. She smiled slyly as Elsa approached the counter.
"Well, well," the girl began, "You done ogling those instruments across the way? With the way you were eyeing them, I thought you might try eating them instead of coming here."
Elsa immediately blushed and looked at the floor.
"You…You saw m-me?" she mumbled, cursing her stutter.
"Calm down, snowflake, it was just a joke," the girl replied, immediately finding amusement in Elsa's shy mannerisms.
When Elsa remained silent, eyes trained on the ground, the girl behind the counter sighed.
"You're new here, aren't you?"
Elsa nodded.
"Social anxiety's a bitch, ain't it?"
That got Elsa's attention. She looked at the girl with wide eyes and the girl couldn't help but chuckle.
"H-How did you know?" she asked.
"You mean aside from the stutter, blushing and lack of eye contact?" the girl retorted playfully, causing Elsa to blush further, "Educated guess."
"You'd be correct, then," Elsa mumbled.
"Honey, it's nothing to worry about," the girl said. "Not like you're the only one out there with it, let me tell you."
Elsa managed a small smile at the girl's words. "T-Thanks."
"So," the girl sighed. "What can I get you, snowflake?"
Elsa briefly glanced at the menu, her anxiety keeping her from looking at the entire board and settling on the first item that caught her eye.
"The Italian panini, please?"
The girl grinned. "Good choice. Chips and a drink, as well?"
Elsa nodded. "Coke, please."
"Be right up. Go ahead and find yourself a seat; although I warn you, we're pretty crowded as you can obviously see."
The last part was clearly said with sarcasm as Elsa was the only one in the café. Grinning somewhat at the girl's light demeanor, Elsa picked a seat by the window. Mere minutes later, the girl reappeared with a tray, placing it in front of Elsa.
"Mind if I get your name, snowflake?" she inquired.
"E-Elsa," the blonde responded. "I just moved here today."
"Well, Elsa, I'm Meg," the girl replied. "It's actually Megara, but if you call me that, I might just have to start ignoring you and I think you're alright, so that would be a shame."
Elsa smiled and looked at her food as she said, "Meg it is, then."
"Enjoy your meal, hon," Meg said as she made her way back to the kitchen. Stopping suddenly, she turned to Elsa with a grin before adding, "Oh…and welcome to the jungle."
As she disappeared, Elsa blinked.
What was that supposed to mean?