How the reader and Elsa's first meeting might have gone in an alternate, modern universe...


She never talks to anyone.

This new girl. She's been sat in front of you in your geometry class for months now and not once has she said a word.

You simply can't figure her out.

Beautiful. Tall. Blonde. Well dressed. A girl like her could befriend half the school in no time if she wanted.

But not this girl.

Elsa Andersen is different.

Most kids say she's stuck up. Some say she has problems, that she wears those gloves all the time because she 'has a thing about dirt'.

Girls don't tend to like her. They don't understand why she won't gossip or attend parties or sit with them at lunch.

They call her antisocial. A freak.

Boys have a different name for her. A result of their injured pride from so many rejected advances.

The Ice Queen.

You dont know why, but despite not having even spoken to the girl, you feel protective of her.

She seems delicate, like a snowflake.

You wonder what she looks like with her hair down instead of that same bun she's always-

"Excuse me!" bellows Mr. Weselton, smacking a ruler onto your desk and addressing you by your full name. "But unless you can learn the significance of fractals by staring at the back of Miss Andersen's head, then I suggest you pay attention to my lecture!"

The whole class is sniggering at you.

You blush with embarrassment, wondering why your teacher has to be such a sadistic little creep.

Elsa doesn't so much as glance over her shoulder at you. She's probably used to being stared at.

Tempted to smack your forehead against your desk, you hear a giggle coming from the seat behind.

It's a sweet giggle. Pure and genuine.

You turn to see a redheaded girl - hair styled in twin braids and cheeks dusted with freckles - smiling in your direction.

The girl is Anna Andersen - Elsa's bubbly and way more popular twin.

She gives a small wave.

At you?

She nods.

Seriously?

Another nod.

You smile back at her.

Sighing, Mr. Weselton notices you're distracted again and addresses you for the second time.

It's another half hour until the bell rings, signalling the end of class.

You watch as Elsa swiftly gathers her things and glides out the classroom door before you're even on your feet.

Someone taps you on the shoulder.

It's Anna.

"Hey," she chirps.

You gulp. "H-Hey."

"Anna Andersen," says the friendly redhead, introducing herself. "Stupid name, I know. It's my grandma's fault. Well, actually, no, it's my parents' fault, considering it was them who named me. But that's obvious, I mean, that's what parents do. Unless you don't have parents, in which case I'm really sorry and-" She realises how she must sound and clears her throat nervously. "Anyway, shutting up now."

You can't help but smile at her.

She's so energetic. So quirky. So awkward.

So unlike what you've heard about her sister.

But why is she only taking an interest in you now?

Anna asks if you're headed to the cafeteria and invites you to sit with her at lunch.

You can't refuse - literally - because she's already pulling you along.

-x-

Arriving at the cafeteria, Anna quickly introduces you to everyone at the table, notably her boyfriend Kristoff Bjorgman, who you've seen working part-time at the local garage.

He's munching on a carrot while staring at his phone.

"Uh, hello?" says Anna, waving a hand in his face. "Earth to Kristoff."

The brawny blonde boy looks up at his girlfriend and smiles. "Sorry. My mom just texted me a picture of the new puppy. We called him Sven." He shows you and Anna his phone screen. "Isn't he cute?"

"Very," you say.

Anna clasps her hands together and squeals in delight. "Oh, Kristoff, he's adorable!"

Smiling, the boy puts his phone away and shoots you a nod of acknowledgement. "New here?" he asks.

You're about to shake your head when something - or rather somebody - catches your eye.

Elsa.

She's passing your table.

Anna jumps up to greet her sister and offers her a seat, which the blonde politely declines in favour of sitting at another table by herself.

You're unable to avert your gaze.

Elsa really is beautiful. It's no surprise people are so fascinated by her, why her aloof demeanour bothers them so much.

She notices you staring.

Uh-oh. Does she know you're that kid from class who got told off for doing exactly this?

Swallowing, her expression grows anxious.

You realise you're making her uncomfortable and so drag your eyes towards a poster advertising Arendelle High's upcoming school dance.

Elsa timidly withdraws herself from Anna's presence and proceeds to a table the other side of the cafeteria.

"That sister of yours sure is strange," Kristoff remarks.

Seating herself beside you, Anna lightly shoves him. "Don't call her that. Elsa just...appreciates her space."

Kristoff shrugs. "If you say so." A chill then runs down his spine, causing him to shiver. "Hey, is it just me, or did it get cold in here all of a sudden? Like, really, really cold."

"It's just you," says Anna, still annoyed by his comment about Elsa.

Apologising, he kisses her cheek.

"Oh, fine," she sighs. "You're forgiven."

He grins.

You can't stop stealing glances at Elsa, who's eating alone and reading a book on architecture.

What is it about her?

"So," Anna says to you, smiling mischieviously, "you like my sister?"

You almost choke on your food. How did she-

"It's okay. I saw the way you were looking at her in class," the redhead whispers. "Your secret is safe with me."

"But how can-But we don't-But she barely knows I exist."

"You think she's pretty, though, right?"

You're blushing. "I guess."

Anna's eyes light up. "Great!" She makes sure no one else is listening before she continues. "You know, a lot of people are put off her because of the whole 'Ice Queen' thing. But it's all a front. She's really the nicest, gentlest, warmest person ever."

You blink in surprise. "She is?"

Anna nods. "You should see her with Olaf."

"Olaf?"

"Our little brother. He's seven."

You gaze down at your food, smiling to yourself, imagining Elsa play with little Olaf.

"Want to meet him?" Anna asks. "Come over mine after school. It'll be an opportunity for you to show Elsa how good you are with kids."

"But-"

She clasps her hands together. "Pretty please with icing on top. I just want her to make a friend. I mean, we're sisters and she isn't even that open with me, let alone strangers. But I've got a feeling you might change that."

"Me?"

She nods.

You sigh.

"Please."

How can you refuse?

-x-

Once the school day has ended, you follow Anna out to her car - a diminutive pink vehicle with flower stickers decorating the sides.

It's parked next to Elsa's cool, classy blue two-seater.

These girls certainly aren't poor.

Meanwhile, a black convertible is speeding through the parking lot.

You and Anna enter the pink car.

Elsa is approaching her blue one.

The convertible careens around the corner.

Elsa doesn't hear it. She's wearing headphones.

It's not slowing down.

Realising, your heart thrashes at the sight.

"Elsa!" screams Anna, getting out her car. "Elsa, move!"

You've already begun sprinting towards the blonde girl as fast as your legs will allow.

Seeing you, she freezes in place, alarmed and confused as to what you're doing.

The driver of the convertible notices Elsa and attempts to brake.

But it's too late.

The vehicle begins to skid in the girl's direction.

You manage to reach her, to push her out the way with all the force you can muster.

As a result you lose balance and land on your front.

There's no time left for you to save yourself.

On the ground a few metres away, Elsa is wide eyed with adrenaline, shocked at what you've just done for her.

She grimaces in horror at the car about to crush you.

You clench your eyes shut, the only sound registered by your ears being Elsa's scream.

A layer of ice spreads across the entire parking lot, freezing the convertible's tyres and preventing it from travelling any further, saving you.

Hearing gasps and exclamations from the other students as they approach the scene, you slowly open your eyes to scan your surroundings.

"Ice?"

Anna pushes past everybody to reach you and Elsa. She nearly slips on the ice as she rushes to her sister's side, asking her if she's hurt.

Shaken, Elsa doesn't respond. She simply stares ahead, her eyes locked on yours.

The convertible driver exits his car and lowers his aviators to observe the frozen tyres. "But it's not even winter!" he complains.

Anna helps Elsa to her feet and scowls at him.

The driver is Hans Westergard - Arendelle High's resident heartbreaker and Anna's ex-boyfriend.

"Watch it, Ice Queen!" he yells at Elsa.

You stand, brushing yourself off. "Seriously?" you snap at him. "You could've killed her!"

Hans smirks, amused that such a nobody would dare raise their voice to him. "And you are?"

Glaring, you open your mouth to answer.

"What's going on out here?" demands Mr. Weselton, interrupting you. "Where did all this ice come from?"

-x-

After everything has finally calmed down and Mr. Weselton is finished interrogating you, Elsa, Anna and Hans, the four of you are excused.

Elsa is still trembling. There's no way she can drive in her state.

"I'm fine, Anna," she insists. "Honestly."

"No way!" The redhead snatches her sister's keys. "You're coming in my car and that's final. You can drive home on your own tomorrow."

Knowing she won't win, Elsa sighs and crosses her arms in a slight self-hug.

She turns to face you, although when she speaks she's staring at the ground. "Thank you," she says in a small voice.

You smile at her. "No problem." You'd do it again if you had to.

Looking around at the ice-covered parking lot, you scratch your head in wonder. It's so strange and yet so beautiful.

How did such a phenomenon occur?

"Still want to come over?" asks Anna, eyes hopeful as she awaits your response.

Elsa's head snaps up. "Wait. Come over? As in, come over to ours?"

Anna grins as if she's done something she shouldn't. "I was, uh, hoping I could have my friend round. Tonight."

Elsa sucks in her breath. "May I talk to you, please. Alone."

Anna shakes her head. "I know, I know. Kai and Gerda hate us inviting people over without giving them, like, a week's notice first."

Glancing between the sisters, you feel awkward, responsible for their disagreement. "It's fine," you tell Anna. "I don't have to-"

She doesn't listen. "Please, Elsa." She reaches for one of the blonde's gloved hands.

Elsa recoils, pulling her hands up to her chest in a defensive manner.

Anna appears deeply hurt.

You resist the urge to give the girl a hug. In fact, both girls seem as though they could use one.

Elsa can't bear the guilt of disappointing her sister. Plus, she feels indebted to you.

"Alright," she breathes. "Bring your friend. But don't say I didn't warn you."

-x-

The blonde girl sits in silence the whole journey, hands folded in her lap and gazing out the back seat window at her side.

You're sat in the front with Anna as she drives.

The redhead is singing along to the radio - a song about building snowmen for the first time in forever or something like that.

You think it's an odd song choice, especially for this time of year. But then, if you've learnt anything today, it's that Anna Andersen doesn't do 'ordinary'.

Elsa stifles a giggle. Her sister's intentionally out-of-tune singing always has this effect on her.

Your stomach does a somersault and there's a fluttering sensation in your chest.

Behind her gloved hand, the 'Ice Queen' is smiling.

You wish she'd do it more often.

Anna drives down a street of mansion-like houses and pulls up outside a set of gates.

"We're here," she announces, dialling a code into the keypad.

"Whoa," you utter. "You live here?"

She parks in the driveway of the massive house and nods. "We sure do."

You can't believe they reside in such a wealthy area. Anna and Elsa must be loaded.

Eager to get inside, Elsa is quick to unbuckle her seatbelt and is already knocking the front door the moment you and Anna are out the car.

You and the other sister casually stroll up the driveway together.

An older man opens the door to Elsa and she dashes into the house, heading upstairs to the safety of her bedroom.

"Hey, Kai," says Anna, waving.

He smiles. "Afternoon, Miss-" He notices you at her side. "Um, a guest, Miss Anna? Are you certain that's wise?"

Wise?

She nods. "Course it is!" She takes you by the hand and yanks you along. "Come on. I'll give you the tour."

Their house is huge, like a castle almost.

By the time you're on the last room of the tour, Gerda comes to inform you both that dinner will be ready soon.

Anna explains to you that Gerda and Kai are her, Elsa and Olaf's guardians, that a year ago their parents died in a car accident.

You offer your condolences.

"Is that why Elsa is so distant?" you ask. "She's still grieving?"

The redhead shrugs. "Elsa has always been distant. We were really close when we were little. But then, one day she just shut me out and I never knew why."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I know she loves me and Olaf very much. She can be really protective of us sometimes. You see, we were home schooled our entire lives, but when she and I turned eighteen, I wanted to try high school."

"Bet that's a disappointment," you joke.

"Not at all. I love it!"

Of course she would. She's the definition of a social butterfly.

"Elsa only goes to our school so she can keep an eye on me. She doesn't trust other people."

"And you think I can convince her otherwise?"

"Sure you can. You saved her today, after all. Ask her how she is when we see her at dinner. Get her to talk to you."

You nod. "I'll try."

"Hey, Anna!"

A little redhead boy bursts into the room and jumps into Anna's arms for a hug.

He realises she's not alone. "Hi! I'm Olaf and I like eating bugs! Want to see?"

"Olaf!" laughs Anna, putting him down. "You'll scare my friend away if you're not careful."

The little boy giggles.

"Hi there," you say, crouching to be at his level. "You must be Anna and Elsa's brother."

-x-

At dinner, Anna seats you next to her, opposite Elsa.

Olaf sits beside his blonde sister so he can pull faces at his redhead one.

Anna sticks her tongue out at him after he makes a 'pig nose' at her.

You smile and Elsa shakes her head amusedly.

Kai and Gerda sit at each end of the table.

You remark on how wonderful the food is and thank them for having you.

They tell you you're welcome.

"So, how was school today, girls?" Gerda asks Elsa and Anna.

Anna opens her mouth to answer, the parking lot incident on the tip of her tongue.

Foreseeing what her sister is about to say, Elsa clears her throat. "School was fine," she says bluntly.

You and Anna look at each other.

Gerda and Kai also look at each other.

Olaf looks at Elsa and sees she has a tear in the palm of her glove, from where you pushed her out the car's path earlier.

He narrows his eyes curiously. "What's that from?" he asks, pointing.

Elsa hadn't realised her hand was exposed and lets out a horrified gasp when she does. "Please, excuse me," she says, visibly upset.

The blonde rises from her chair and rushes out the dining room.

Anna stands up to go after her, but Gerda stops the girl.

"Let me," the woman insists.

Sighing, Anna sits back down and starts to pick at her food with her fork, appetite non-existent.

She, Kai and Olaf are all silent the rest of the meal.

You're perplexed by the whole situation.

What just happened?

-x-

"Well," says Anna, throwing herself face first onto the living room sofa, "that could've gone better."

You sink into an armchair and apologise, somehow managing to make her smile.

"And why should you be sorry?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

You smile back and shrug.

Anna switches on the television and flicks aimlessly through the channels.

Your head is swirling with concern for Elsa, why she freaked out the way she did at the table.

Was it being reminded of how close she came to dying? Was it because she really does have a phobia of dirt and can't bear the thought of exposing her skin?

Was it you?

Are you the problem?

Anna notices the tension in your eyes and can't help thinking you have more in common with Elsa than you realise. "Something the matter?"

You snap back to reality and shake your head. "Mind if I use the bathroom?"

"Course not. Nearest one is upstairs to your right. Can't miss it."

"Thanks."

You leave your new friend to go do your business.

Walking up the Andersen household's fancy staircase, you hear voices coming from a room on the left.

Elsa and Olaf.

The boy is quizzing his sister on a story she's telling him.

"And then," says Elsa, rather enthusiastically, "the hero saves the queen by jumping in front of the evil king's sword."

In bed, Olaf sits up. "Does the hero die?"

You listen from the landing as Elsa continues her tale.

"Elsa?" says Olaf, once she's finished.

"Yes?"

"Will you sing me the song? The one Mama always sang."

You're feeling giddy at the idea of her singing.

"Tomorrow, Olaf," she responds. "I'm much too-"

"Please, Elsa. I'll go straight to sleep. Promise."

"Oh, alright," she sighs.

He grins.

She clears her throat.

Let it show, let it show.

Don't hold it back anymore.

Her voice is stunning, mature, not what you'd expect from someone so young.

Let it show, let it show.

Turn around and stand up tall.

You haven't realised, but you're so entranced by her that you're unconsciously leaning against the door.

I don't care what they're going to say.

Let the talk rage on.

Their words never bothered me, anyway.

The door gives under your weight and you spill into Olaf's bedroom, face down on the floor.

Startled, Elsa yelps.

And then the strangest thing happens...

Ice shoots out from her fingertips, flying in your direction at an unavoidable speed.

It hits you.

There's a sharp pain in your chest.

Eyes wide with fear, the blonde is speechless as she stares at you, then back at her hands.

Olaf is hiding beneath his covers.

You begin to slip into unconsciousness.

She rushes to your side, quickly turning you onto your back, her eyebrows raised in an apologetic expression.

"Forgive me," she whispers. "I never meant to hurt you."

Your last memory prior to blacking out is how gorgeous she looks with her hair down, in a loose braid draped over her shoulder.

Noticing the ends of your hair start to turn white, Elsa gasps, remembering the accident she had with Anna when they were children.

"Not again. This can't be happening."

-x-

Waking up in one of the guest rooms, Gerda and Kai explain what Elsa did to you.

"So, you're saying she froze my heart?" you utter in disbelief.

They nod in unison.

Your hand goes to your chest and you wince. "How-How's that even possible?"

Elsa enters the room after she's managed to settle Olaf by telling him you simply fell and hit your head, that the blue swirls he'd seen must've been a figment of his imagination.

"Elsa has been able to control snow and ice since the day she was born," Kai says. "Mr. and Mrs. Andersen were research scientists, you see. And when Mrs. Andersen became pregnant with the girls, she was accidentally exposed to a complicated form of cryogenic radiation. They could never understand why, but for some reason only Elsa was affected."

You glance at Elsa, who's staring at the ground and crossing her arms.

"Am I going to die?" you ask.

Gerda places a reassuring hand on your shoulder. "My dear, we will do everything in our power to help you."

You wonder if that's a yes.

"It's been done before," Kai adds. "When they were younger the girls had an accident while playing. Anna almost-" He doesn't finish the sentence for fear of

upsetting Elsa further. "Their parents saved her."

Your heart sinks.

The Andersens are dead.

Who else would know how to reverse such a condition?

Elsa approaches you and fights the urge to touch your hand, gazing at you desperately.

"Anna doesn't remember that night," she says. "She and Olaf have no idea about my powers. Please, don't tell them."

That's when the door slams open and Anna runs into the guest room.

"A-Are you okay?" she pants. "I came upstairs to find you, but Olaf said you'd fallen and hit your head!"

"Yeah," you chuckle casually, pretending to rub your imaginary injury. "I did. Clumsy me."

Elsa gives you a grateful look.

The pain in your chest increases, making your knees buckle.

Anna catches you and suggests driving you to the hospital in case you've sustained a concussion.

Kai and Gerda insist you'll be fine, that no hospitals are necessary.

The redhead disagrees. She still thinks it'd be best to get a second opinion, despite Gerda's nursing experience.

An argument between them ensues.

You're unsure of how to convince Anna to let it go.

Elsa can't take anymore. She can't handle the lies, the secrets.

"Enough!"

The guest room is freezing cold.

Everyone's eyes fall in the blonde's direction.

"Anna, there's something you need to know, something I've kept from you for too long."


If you enjoyed this 'Elsa x Reader' style, you might want to check out my 'A Royal Wedding' series.