Chapter Two: This Can't be Happening/Ride with Me!
It felt like the whole world had been put on mute. As if every sound ever made was completely hushed. Silence covered everything.
At least, it did for Anna.
She stared up at the TV mounted on the wall of the pub, her jaw hanging slack with a look of disbelief on her face.
"Anna? Hey! Anyone in there?" Rang out a voice, snapping her back to reality. Her head turned to look at the younger redhead standing by her.
"Did you hear that? Elsa Andrews is filming her new movie, and she's coming here!"
A chill ran up her spine. She couldn't believe it. Not only what the girl was saying, but also what she had just seen on the TV.
"This is so exciting! Do you think we'll see her? Oh! Maybe we'll even get to meet her! I wonder what she's like. Gorgeous, of course. No doubt about that one. Maybe we could even get an autogr-"
Anna ran out from behind the bar, bolting out the door. She ran around to the back of the building, her chest rising and falling in rapid succession. She felt as though everything was spinning, her heart beating much too fast for comfort. Leaning against the back wall, she fought to gain control of herself.
"Anna! What was that all about?" Came a voice, the same from the female inside.
Anna tried her best to verbalize her feelings, but struggled to calm down. How was she going to explain this? There was no way anyone would believe her, and even if they did, it's not like she wanted anyone to know in the first place.
Taking in a deep breath, Anna looked over at the other redhead, exhaling sharply.
"I-" she began, "I…" Anna was not one for speechlessness. If anything, random ramblings were more of her thing, so when the shock began to fade, and reality set in, it came as no surprise when the awkward string of rushed words left her mouth.
"Oh my gosh! Ooooh my gosh. This can't be happening! Merida, how am I even going to do this? I mean, she's coming, and I'm here, and she'll be here and- Oh my gosh! What if I see her? Or worse, what if she sees me? How am I supposed to do this? I can't do this. I can't do this! I mean, we've been in separate countries for years. Are you sure she said the Scottish Highlands? Maybe she meant something else. Maybe it was some other Highlands. Like California, or something. Does California even have a place like that? I hope so. I really, really hope so. She couldn't have meant here. She can't be coming here. There's no way! And 'tragic story of young love'? What the hell is that supposed to mean?! How dare she! And on camera? What was that all about? I mean-"
"Anna! Calm down." A pair of hands stopped her in her tracks. She hadn't even noticed she'd been pacing. "Now, what's this all about? I know you're not her biggest fan, but I didn't know you would freak out like this. I know you roll your eyes every time she comes on the television, but why does this bother you so much?"
Anna huffed. How was she supposed to get out of this one?
"Look, Merida…" There was no easy way to explain this. She supposed she could lie, but she'd never been particularly good at that. She knew the younger girl would see right through it. She sighed, giving in to the truth. "I'm going to tell you a long, complicated story. Everything I'm about to say is absolutely true, unfortunately. But, you can't freak out, okay? And you can't tell anybody! No one! Do you hear me? I mean it!"
Merida nodded slowly. She was beginning to think that Anna had lost her mind.
"You know on the TV? That interview with Elsa Andrews?"
She nodded.
"Remember that 'tragic story of young love'?"
A nod, once again.
"That was me."
Tap tap tap-tap tap.
It was an everyday thing, now. A very distinct knock would come at the door, and a bubbly little redhead would be on the other side. Every time, the same question would be asked.
"Can Elsa come out and play?"
Katherine Andrews was a quiet woman, though not entirely unpleasant. Raised a lady, she was taught one should always look, and act their best. So when Anna would come to the door with muddy shoes and grass stained clothes, she'd often cringe just in the slightest. However, that did not stop her from smiling warmly down at the young girl, and going to fetch her daughter to come greet her friend. She encouraged Elsa's friendship with the redhead. The blonde had never been the most social of people. When they had lived in the city, Elsa took private lessons and was segregated from the children who attended local schools. Still, when given the opportunity to go out and have fun with kids her age, she would refrain from the occasion. So when Anna had so suddenly showed up and befriended her daughter, she was ecstatic. She could tolerate the dirt-covered hands and filthy clothes, so long as her little girl was happy.
"Hello Anna, hello Sven," said Katherine with a smile, "I'll go get her, come in." She flinched as the little girl ordered her dog to stay at the door, and lifted her foot to step inside the house. The older woman cleared her throat, signaling to her shoes.
"Oh, right."
She thoroughly wiped her feet on the door mat, ridding her shoes of any dirt that could be left behind. Mrs. Andrews nodded in approval, and Anna scurried inside.
Katherine left the redhead to stand in the kitchen while she fetched the blonde. Fast footsteps were heard in the hallway not long after. Elsa ran into the cooking area, stopping quickly once she saw her friend, taking small, slow steps towards Anna. She could try to hide her excitement, but the younger girl knew better.
"Hi Elsa!" She said, waving energetically.
"Hi." Responded the blonde shyly, raising her hand to reciprocate the action in a more cautious manner.
"I have something to show you. Wanna see?" Anna didn't wait for an answer as she took hold of Elsa's hand, and ran them towards the door, shouting a 'Bye Mrs. Andrews!' as they scurried out.
"Look!" She said, raising her hand to point the house next door where she lived.
In the driveway sat a shiny new green and silver bicycle.
"Oh," Said Elsa as they walked towards it, "It's…big."
"It's not that big. My dad said I'll grow into it." Anna walked over to her new toy, and wheeled it over to her friend. "It's amazing! Wanna ride it?"
Elsa shook her head furiously. "N-no!"
"Why not?" Anna's lips curled into a frown.
"I-I…" Elsa struggled with her words, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment. "I don't know how…"
Anna held a blank expression on her face. How did Elsa not know how to ride a bike?
It didn't seem to affect the remainder of their day. They did what they usually did. Played ball with Sven, pushed each other on Anna's tire swing, laid in the grass while sipping on the redhead's mother's famous pink lemonade, and other fun activities. They stayed out until the street lights came on, signaling the end of their day. But even as Anna watched Elsa close the door behind her, an idea was bouncing in the back of her head.
The next day, a Saturday, Anna was running late. Elsa sat in her room, looking out her bedroom window with a face of disappointment. She gazed through the glass longingly, staring at the window directly across from hers in the house next door. Anna's room.
Though she was more reserved than the little redhead, she did enjoy their time together. Maybe even more than she would like to admit. She had never had a friend before. Well, not a real one, anyway. She didn't know how exactly this whole 'friendship' thing worked, but she assumed by how often Anna requested to be in her presence, she was doing something right.
She sighed, closing her eyes.
What if Anna didn't come today? Had she done something wrong? Did she somehow scare her off by something she had said or done? What if she didn't want to be friends anymore? Elsa panicked.
Tap tap tap-tap tap.
Elsa's heart jumped in her chest. There was no mistaking it, she knew that knock.
"Elsa! Anna's here."
The blonde bolted out into the hallway and down the stairs, running up to the younger girl and tackling her in a tight hug.
"Whoa. Miss me?" Asked the redhead as she wrapped her arms around Elsa, reciprocating the act.
She felt her friend nod into her shoulder. "I thought you weren't coming." The older girl said sadly.
"I was busy, but I'm here now, and I have something to show you!"
Elsa pulled back, blushing as she stepped away.
"Comm'on!" Anna took Elsa's hand in her own, quickly leading them both out the door. Once outside, the redhead gestured out to the street excitedly. "Tah-dah!"
The older girl raised a brow, slightly confused. "But, that's just your bike. I've seen it before."
"Nuh-uh! It's my new and improved bike!" Anna, still holding Elsa's hand, dragged her over to the bicycle. "You see?" She gestured to the back wheel.
There, sticking out of the axel, were two bars. The blonde's nose scrunched in confusion. What were those for?
"They're pegs!" Exclaimed the younger girl.
"Pegs?"
"Yeah. See, I didn't know you couldn't ride a bike, and I felt real bad 'cause I wanted to share my stuff with you. So my Dad and I put these on today, and now we can ride together!" She jumped up and down enthusiastically.
"What do they do?" Asked a curious Elsa.
"Well, I get on my bike, and you stand on the pegs. You gotta put your hands on my shoulders, though. You don't wanna fall off. So, comm'on! Ride with me!"
Anna mounted her bike enthusiastically, waiting expectantly for Elsa to join her. She looked over to see the blonde with a look of fear plastered on her face.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"I'm…I'm scared." The blonde's lips quivered.
Anna nodded in understanding. She sometimes forgot how timid Elsa was compared to her. Patience was everything, and though Anna didn't have a lot of it, there was always enough for Elsa.
"Don't be scared," She said reassuringly, "I've got you." She smiled encouragingly at the blonde, holding out a hand, "Do you trust me?"
Elsa hesitated for a moment, looking between Anna's outstretched hand, and the menacing bars on the back of her bike.
Slowly, she nodded and took her hand. The redhead helped Elsa to stand on the pegs, placing her hands on her shoulders for balance.
"I'll go slow, okay?" Anna looked back at the older girl with a smile. "Now, hold on!"
She took off, the bike wobbling a little as she peddled to gain speed. Elsa gulped, closing her eyes to brace herself for an accident. One that never came. She opened her eyes, watching as they rode through the neighborhood. It was a beautiful summer afternoon, and with the breeze blowing through her hair, Elsa thought to herself that maybe pegs weren't so bad after all.
"Faster, faster!" She yelled unexpectedly. It came as a surprise to Anna, but it wasn't unwelcomed.
"Okay, but you asked for it!" The redhead leaned forward just slightly, willing her legs to peddle faster as they rapidly gained speed.
As the older girl giggled into her ear, Anna smiled to herself. She liked hearing the blonde laugh. It was then that she decided it was her mission to make Elsa happy, no matter what.
Author's Note:
Alright guys, there's chapter two! I know I left part one (present) a little short, but I'll make up for it, promise! I know it seems like it's starting off a little slow, but stick with me, please! We've got a lot ahead of us, kids. Next update shouldn't take long. I'm on a roll right now and plowing through them like it's nothing. Unfortunately for you, even though chapter three is already written, I'm going to space out the updates so you don't get sick of me too fast. We just got started, I can't have you running away so soon, now can I?
Also, thanks so much for the favorites, follows, and reviews. You have no idea how much they mean to me. If I can keep making you guys happy, I know I'll be happy, too. I'll see you guys soon (but not too soon)! Take care, be safe, and read lots of Elsanna fics. It's good for your health.
- WIC.
