Elsa was sitting on the couch, fumbling with the official document in her hands. They were shaking as she read it for the eighth time. Then the ninth.
It can't be, She thought, How would she have this? Unless...she really is my sister. We don't even look that much alike. Oh who am I kidding? When I first saw her I thought I was looking in a mirror. She had called Kristoff to talk to him about it, despite what time it was. He answered, like any best friend would, and told Elsa he'd be right over, but Elsa told him not to come, saying she had it all under control. He retorted by saying it didn't sound like it and she feigned hurt.
When the call ended Anna emerged from the bathroom wearing one of Elsa's old nightgowns. It dragged across the floor and hung loosely on her shoulders, threatening to fall off at any moment. Elsa looked up at her and chuckled. "Looks like that's a little too big." She said.
Anna giggled. "Yeah, but it's fine. Thank you for letting me wear it."
"No problem."
Anna yawned and rubbed her eyes. "I'm a little tired. Do you mind if I...?" She found a spot on the floor and laid down, curling in a ball.
Elsa jumped up. "What are you doing?"
Anna looked up at her. "I'm going to sleep." She said matter—of—factly.
Elsa grabbed her arms and gently pulled her to her feet. "Well not on the floor."
"Where else am I supposed to sleep?"
Elsa arched an eyebrow. "Uh, maybe on the couch?" She gestured to it.
Anna's eyes lit up. "Really?! You mean I don't have to sleep on the floor?"
"Of course not."
"Wow, thanks! I've never slept on a couch before."
That tore at Elsa's heart. What had her parents done to her? "Well, come on, it's time for you to go to bed."
Anna laughed. "You sound like a mother."
Elsa chuckled and Anna sat down on the couch. The older girl handed her a blanket and she curled up in it. She gave Anna another blanket after seeing her shiver.
"Thank you." The strawberry blonde said, though it was muffled because of the blankets over her head.
"You're welcome, and remember, I want answers in the morning."
Anna answered with a soft snore. Elsa shook her head, slightly amused, and walked down the hall to her room, forgetting all about the birth certificate and photo.
Anna didn't awake until after two o'clock the next day. She hadn't realized how tired she was. Elsa had been awake for a while but decided not to disturb Anna, knowing very well how exhausted she must be.
The blonde was sitting in the armchair across from the couch when she noticed Anna starting to stir. She rose out of the blankets with her eyes still closed, smacking her lips. Upon seeing Anna, Elsa burst into laughter, covering her mouth with her hand. The younger girl's eyes snapped open and she looked at Elsa, tilting her head to the side. Elsa couldn't stop laughing long enough to tell Anna that her hair resembled a bird's nest so she pointed to her own head, hoping Anna would get the hint. She did and blushed furiously, trying to smooth out her hair. It didn't work. By now, Elsa was in hysterics.
"Stop laughing at me!"
Elsa stopped laughing immediately when she saw the tear roll down Anna's face. "I'm sorry, but you don't have to cry about it."
"I'm not crying."
"Then what's that on your face falling from your eye?"
"That's sweat."
"Really?"
"Yes, I sweat from my eyes a lot. Especially when..." She trailed off, "Just know that it's sweat."
Elsa stood up. "Well you might want to get that checked out." She said, ignoring the urge to ask Anna what she was going to say before she trailed off. She walked past Anna to retrieve a brush from her room and came back to give it to her. Anna took it and started taming her hair.
"Now, I want answers."
"Actually, you said you wanted answers in the morning. It's not morning anymore."
"Anna."
"Okay, okay. What do you want to know?"
"Where were you before you came here?"
Anna bit her lip. "I ran away." She said in a whisper after a few moments.
"Ran away from where?"
"I can't tell you. If I do then you'll take me back. I don't want to go back."
"Why not? Does it have something to do with your father?" Elsa asked gently.
Anna tensed. "I'm hungry. Do you have anything to eat?" She changed the subject.
"Yes, but Anna answer me. What did you mean last night when you cried out that it burns?"
Anna looked away. "Nothing. I was just kidding."
"I can help you, Anna. If he hurts you just tell me."
"Why would you care?" Anna turned back, eyes narrowed.
"Because," Elsa forced these next words out of her mouth, "I'm your sister."
Anna's eyes widened. "You believe me?"
"Sure." Elsa said, eyes rolling to the side. It was an obvious lie, but maybe not too obvious.
Anna smiled widely. "I knew you'd believe me. After all, that's what sisters do, they believe each other."
Now Elsa felt bad for lying. "So does he hurt you?"
Anna looked down at her hands, her smile all but gone. "Yes. Well he did."
"What do you mean did? Does he not hurt you anymore?"
"He can't. I...I really don't want to talk about it." Elsa could see that Anna was holding back her tears so she decided not to press on.
"Okay, well I'll make you some lunch while you get dressed."
"But I don't have any clothes."
"I have some that don't fit me anymore, hopefully they'll fit you. Then we will take you out to shop for more."
"Who is we?"
"My friend Rapunzel. She loves shopping."
Elsa strode to her room with Anna following, hopping a little to keep up. Elsa shoved a green sweater and jeans in her hands and left her to herself. She went to the kitchen to warm up some soup and waited for Anna. The redhead came out a few minutes later holding up the pants with a light blush spread across her cheeks. Elsa saw her and let out a small laugh.
"You're a tiny little thing aren't you? I'll get you a belt." Elsa went through a drawer and pulled one out.
Anna's eyes widened and her breathing quickened. She backed away, shaking her head. "B—but I've been good."
Elsa frowned at her weird behavior. "What?"
"I've done nothing wrong. Y—you don't need a belt." Elsa cautiously approached Anna as she backed into a corner. As soon as Anna realized she was trapped she started screaming. "No! Get away from me! I promise I've been good!" It finally dawned on Elsa that she was afraid of the belt and she dropped it, taking the last few steps to Anna. The younger girl collapsed in Elsa's arms, whimpering against her chest. "What's wrong?" Elsa asked, running her fingers through Anna's hair, effectively calming her down.
It seems that I can calm her down just by playing with her hair. That'll come in handy.
"I thought you were going to beat me with it." Anna confessed.
Still stroking Anna's hair, Elsa gasped. "I would never do that!" Anna didn't respond, instead she just held Elsa tighter.
A few minutes passed before something tore them away from each other. "Aww!" Rapunzel gushed after walking in and seeing them hugging. Elsa's face was as red as a tomato and Anna's hands were back to holding up the jeans.
"What have I told you about knocking?" Elsa demanded.
Rapunzel just laughed and waved it off. Her eyes wandered to Anna. "Elsa, I think she needs a belt."
Elsa braced herself for the screaming that was sure to ensue but instead Anna looked at her, waiting for the belt. Elsa's reassurance was comforting enough to her and she trusted her. Elsa picked up the belt and gave it to Anna. She put it on while Elsa searched her closet for a pair of shoes for the girl claiming to be her sister. She came out with a pair of sneakers she had worn once a few years ago. They fit Anna perfectly and once Anna had eaten and her hair was in two braids (Rapunzel's idea) they left for the mall.
