Elske
Elske: To love.
Anna made a conscientious decision to make the most of her trip to London as she possibly could, even though the only real reason for coming over was to see her sister. Anyway, she already had managed to see Elsa. Anna still could not believe that she had actually had a conversation of sorts with her, especially as she had made such a dumb fool of herself in the events preceding. But she had, and they had even made an agreement to see one another again before Anna left to go home. Anna couldn't prevent the glowing feeling that spread throughout the entirety of her body at the thought that Elsa hadn't pushed her away as she had initially thought. She had been willing to at least give her the time of day, even though she had acted practically shell shocked half the time they were together.
Despite her present elation Anna did not want to fall under the delusion that Elsa actually loved her, as she did Elsa. However, being able to talk to her and have any sort of relationship with her again, no matter how distant, was enough. All she wanted was to see what sort of person she had become and, more importantly, make sure she was doing okay. Anna had been wondering about these questions for years now; she couldn't help it. Elsa was her sister after all, despite her estrangement. What Anna most wanted, and most probably needed, to know though, was whether Elsa ever wondered or dreamed about her.
However, it was still good to be able to get out and about, keeping her mind off things. She had managed to tick many of the major tourist attractions off her list─Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, British Museum, Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral─and have a good time. As she couldn't keep paying for cabs or scrounging lifts off well-meaning hotel owners, she had managed to get her head around the public transport. Well, almost.
Alright Anna, you got this. It's really no different to home─ticket in, walk through gate, ticket out, read map, find platform, hop on train and…voila! No biggie.
Except it is no issue when the useless machine doesn't chew the ticket. Anna had to push her way back through the crowd, trying to avoid bumping too many people in her haste to get back.
"Sorry, sorry. Can I just come through please? Sorry. Thank you."
By the time Anna had paid for a new ticket─of course the woman wouldn't believe she had lost hers─she had missed her train. When the next one came screeching to a halt Anna hopped on and held onto a pole as it lurched forward.
'Come on. Please, come on.'
At the station before hers Anna took out her phone and checked the time.
Oh crap. I'm gonna be late!
By the time she arrived at the designated café, Anna could make out the back of a familiar auburn head, seated at one of the tables.
Once she had alerted her presence, Hans shifted his seat and got up to give her a hug.
"Hey baby!"
"Hi Hans. So sorry I'm late. The machine chewed my ticket, and I missed my train." God, she couldn't have been more embarrassed.
She took the seat opposite him, and carefully placed her bag on the floor beside her.
"Don't worry!" He smiled reassuringly. "Anyway," he continued, glancing down at the gold watch on his wrist, "it's close enough to lunch now to have sandwiches. I just love sandwiches!"
"Oh, me too! There's just something about two slices of bread with delicious filling in between." She rambled. "Did you know the sandwich was invented by this guy who didn't want to leave his gaming table to eat?"
"Umm, no?" He gave her a lopsided smile.
"Oh, sorry. I think I just have an unhealthy relationship with sandwiches, but not as much as with chocolate. I could just about eat chocolate for every meal."
Hans made a face. "Egh, I hate chocolate!"
Anna was baffled. "I actually thought everyone liked chocolate?"
Hans amused smile returned. "Well, apparently not. Should I um, order the food?"
"Err, yeah."
Anna managed to have an enjoyable time joking around and getting to know Hans better. Following their date, Hans walked her back to the tube station and right on to the platform.
She turned to say something to him when Hans leant in slowly towards her, eyes lidded, and Anna knew what was coming. She hastily turned her face to the side, so his lips landed on her cheek.
Not yet.
In an attempt to remedy the situation Anna spoke, hope evident in her voice. "Will I see you again?"
Thankfully, he actually looked relieved. "Of course. We'll figure something out. And don't forget we can call and skype in the meantime."
Anna's train came to a halt at the platform.
"I won't. I'll call you as soon as I'm home!" She hurried over to the doors, and gave him a quick wave as she stepped on.
Anna could make out Hans face in the crowd, in the view from the window. He soon disappeared as the train pulled away.
It was now two days before Anna's flight back to New York and she hadn't yet heard from Elsa. She knew she had given Anna her number, but her sister was a busy woman and she didn't wish to push her. She feared that if she was too forceful she might be pushed away again, and she honestly didn't know if she could take that.
She paced around her hotel room, phone in hand, biting her hangnails.
When she thought she had paced for as long any sane person should, Anna came to the conclusion she would have to do something to keep her mind off things. Either that or make the first move and call her, which wasn't looking at all likely.
Anna chucked her phone onto the unmade bed, watching it bounce up again on impact. She sighed as she dragged herself into the tiny bathroom, twisting the metallic shower taps and hearing a squawking noise as the water began to cascade down. She took a step back to undo her braids undress, bringing her summer dress over her head and letting it drop to the floor. She took off her underwear and briefly glanced down at herself, teeth digging into her lip.
It had been a very long time since Anna had sex, or done as much as expose herself without clothes in front of a man. It wasn't so much that she disliked her body, except perhaps her freckles, as she knew she had been able to maintain a fairly decent figure despite minimal effort (and copious amounts of chocolate). If anything she felt privileged that she could be so slim, even though her general inability to keep still most probably had something to do with it.
No, her issue was that she did not seem to be able to establish enough of a connection with any of the guys she met─well, apart from Kristoff, but he was more like a brother. Whenever they would begin to get closer to her, something would always seem to feel 'off', so she would push them away. These days she had learnt not to try in the first place, as she knew it would only mean heartache for both parties.
She really did like Hans though; maybe with him things would be different and she could let herself open up and let him in. However, it troubled her greatly that they would be so far apart geographically. They hadn't even kissed yet─that obviously being her fault─but could they possibly make it work?
The warm water rushing down onto her head and trickling down her neck and shoulders succeeded in calming her mind. The shower was normally the place in which she would think about anything and everything, because who doesn't come up with their greatest ideas in the shower? However, today she could use the moment to relax, as the shower meant water, and water meant no phone, and no phone meant no incessant waiting for calls or checking for text messages.
She lifted her hand to take the shampoo, squeezing a liberal amount into her palm and massaging it into her locks.
'Bring-bring.'
What was that?
Anna jerked her head up, straining to hear.
'Bring─'
Oh fuckity fuck!
Anna slipped on the wet surface of the shower cubicle in her hurried attempt at an exit, and slammed her hands up over her burning eyes.
Shit. Soap. Fuck. She winced, immediately directing the water over her face.
By the time she had gauged the soap out of her sore eyes, rinsed her hair, thrust a towel around herself and sprinted into the bedroom─almost slipping over in the process─the phone had of course ceased it's ringing.
She launched herself onto the bed, picking up the phone with one hand, and read the message flashing up on the screen.
'Missed call from Elsa.'
God dammit.
Anna turned around and sat up slowly, phone in both hands. She glanced down at it for just a moment before returning the call, feeling her hand tremble slightly as she brought it up to her ear, her breath hitching in her throat.
Here goes nothing.
One ring.
Two rings.
Three rings.
Will she answer me?
Four rings.
Oh help.
Five…
'Nina Snøfnugg speaking.'
Nina. The N…Anna, speak to her.
"Err, hi!" she squeaked. "It's me…Anna."
'Oh! Hello Anna. I'm sorry I didn't check to see who was calling.'
"No, it's fine. Sorry I didn't pick up just then. I couldn't get to the phone in time." Anna used her free hand to adjust her towel which was dangerously close to slipping off.
'It's not a problem. I called because I know you talked about a meeting between us before you left.'
"Uh, yeah." she replied hesitantly, shifting her position on the bed.
Is that what Elsa wants?
'Only…I have been so caught up in work as of late. I just don't think it's going to be possible this time I'm afraid.'
"Oh."
'I am terribly sorry.' Elsa's voice trailed off, sounding as though she were disappointed.
"No, it's okay…really."
It really wasn't.
'Alright, well, it was nice to see you again Anna. I wish you all the best in your life.' Elsa's voice changed from soft to firm and matter of fact.
Anna felt her chest constrict, as she inhaled a gulp of air. A lump was forming in her throat.
What? She's really closing this off. For good.
'Anna?' She'd waited too long to reply.
"Oh…thanks. You too. It was great to see you again."
It really, really was. But it'll just make me miss you even more. Didn't you even want to see me again?
'Thank you.' She paused. 'Well, goodbye Anna.'
The call was disconnected on the other end; Elsa was gone. A tiny tear that had made its way down Anna's cheek, dropped onto the screen.
"Goodbye," she whispered. "I love you."
Anna placed a hand over the cool handle and slowly turned it, pushing the door which made a soft creak as she did so. Elsa had had just left for college earlier that day and it was the first time Anna had stepped inside her room in years.
Light from the uncovered window was sending shadows dancing over the bed, in the otherwise darkened room. Anna crept over to where it was standing in the centre of the room, and gently, shakily ran her hand over the blanket.
It was the same one as she had when she was a little girl, pale blue with an intricate pattern of white snowflakes. Anna lifted up one corner, and slowly brought it up to her face, nuzzling into the velvety softness and inhaling her sister's scent. The smell of winter snow and pine, linked with the memory of ice skating, building snowmen and warm sisterly hugs. Of Elsa laughing and smiling and Anna buzzing with joy; such excitement as she hadn't felt in what seemed like forever. It may as well have been.
The following morning, she made her way down the hall, which meant passing the now unoccupied room. She was shocked to find a pile of her sister's belongings just outside the door, and poked her head inside to see what was going on. Her mother was kneeling in the centre of the room, the single bed that was positioned there last night now pushed to the edge, sorting through piles of papers.
"Mama, what's going on?"
Her mother's dark head whipped round to face her, obviously surprised to find her daughter standing there.
"I'm just sorting out Elsa's things dear, as she won't be needing them any more."
"But isn't she going to come back? What about holiday's and─"
Her mother cut her off. "Elsa has expressed the wish not to return, so there will be no need to keep any of this here."
Idunn returned her attention back to her work.
"Mama?"
"Anna, there's nothing more to discuss." She could see her chest heave as she inhaled deeply through her nose. 'Please just…go and get ready for school.'
Anna knew the discussion was over, so retreated back outside, her shoulders slumped over. On the way out her eyes once again fell onto the pile of belongings, on top of which lay a neatly folded, snowflake pattered blanket.
Before she had time to even contemplate what she was doing, Anna's hand had reached down to grab it, before she clasped it to herself and ran back to her room. She immediately collapsed onto her own bed and buried her face into the blanket.
"What did I do Elsa? I know you don't love me or even like me any more, but I'm still your little sis right?"
Anna began to sob into the material.
"Will I ever see you again?"
As the minutes wore on her sobs become uncontrollable, the blanket wet from salty tears.
"I love you! I love you, I love you, I love you…"
Anna had kept that blanket on her bed for years, snuggling into it at night, Anna's own scent intermingling with winter and eventually replacing it. She even still had that it tucked safely away inside of her closet. She just hadn't the heart to throw it away.
It was now the morning after her phone call with Elsa, and just a day before she left for home. Anna had spent most of the time since curled up in a foetal position under the blankets of her hotel bed. She didn't seem to find the energy within herself to even do the most mundane of tasks; the light that had been glowing within her heart was diminished.
Somehow she had just about managed to rise and dress in a baggy t-shirt and pants, and put her hair into braided pigtails without bothering to brush it. However, it seemed as if nothing she could think or do would alleviate the pain that was continuing to grow stronger, within her heart. She was seriously regretting coming in the first place as the situation was much too painful and confusing.
She groaned loudly as she flopped her head back onto the pillow, closing her eyes in a futile attempt to block out her agonising emotions.
Knock-knock-knock.
The tap the door was barely loud enough for Anna to hear, but there was no doubt it was there.
Anna had grown accustomed to Oaken's call of 'yoo-hoo' that he would use for anyone in any given situation. It was more like staying with a family here than in a hotel─she had even got to know his four children over the time that she stayed. She knew she would miss them all when she left the next day.
Upon opening the solid oak door her heart nearly jumped out of her throat at the realisation that it was most certainly not Oaken there at all, but her sister.
In sheer bewilderment Anna gasped, and managed, without thinking what she was doing, to slam the door shut in her face.
What the fuck was she doing?
She opened the door as quickly as she had closed it, to find Elsa standing a few steps away, wringing her hands together.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have. I'll just be going─" Elsa turned away wrapping her slender arms around herself, just as she had done in her office days before.
"─no Els, I mean Nina, you don't have to go!"
Elsa turned partially back around, and lifted her arm, the palm of her hand directed towards Anna. "Its fine, I know you wouldn't want to see─"
"─please!" Anna begged, as Elsa slowly turned to face her, still holding tightly onto herself. "I-I love you!"
Anna immediately slammed her hands over her mouth.
Elsa's eyes widened and seemed to glaze over for just a moment, and Anna saw her throat bob as she gulped.
"I am so sorry! I didn't mean─"
"You didn't?" she replied softly, questioningly.
Oh, no, no, no!
"Oh god. No, I did mean it, but I didn't intend to say it out loud."
"Okay," Elsa said, the tone of her voice neutral, not giving any indication as to how she felt about the situation.
"Umm." Anna was uncharacteristically at a loss for words. She just couldn't bear for Elsa to run away again. "W-would you like to come in?" She gestured towards her room, careful not to seem too forceful.
"I don't want you to feel under any obligation─"
"─no, that's not how I feel. I just want to talk to you and I'm inviting you in because that's what I want. Really."
"You're sure?" Those eyes were searching for sincerity, so Anna gave her best effort to show it.
"Absolutely positive." She nodded her head vigorously.
"Alright then." Elsa spoke slowly, almost hesitantly. "I'll come in."
"Great!" Anna couldn't help beaming, no matter how hard she tried not to. It was obvious Elsa was pretending not to notice, abashedly averting her eyes.
Anna felt her heart catch in her throat as she walked back inside, feeling Elsa's presence behind her as they both entered the little room.
Elsa is coming to sit and talk with me, for real. I can't believe it! What if I say the wrong thing and scare her away? Again.
Once back inside Anna carefully closed the heavy oak door, hearing it creak slightly as she pushed it closed behind her. Unfortunately Anna's room was not furnished with chairs, which made her feel nervous and inferior, as she was sure Elsa was used to much finer things than this.
She felt even worse dressed in her sweats and oversize Minnie mouse t-shirt. Elsa was wearing a black, pinstriped business suit, although her hair was still in its frazzled braid.
"Please take a seat?" That was phrased as more of an insecure question, rather than a clear invitation, as Anna made a half-hearted gesture towards the bed.
To her relief Elsa seemed to get the point and sat, although with her seemingly characteristic rigid posture, at the edge of the bed, atop the flower patterned duvet. She didn't refuse to sit, or demand Anna fetch her a seat or anything like that, so her heart was able to slow its beating just a little bit.
Before Anna had any time to deliberate over what to say, Elsa was already speaking.
"Anna, thank you for inviting me in." She paused, running her hand through her bangs. "And I would like to apologise for the phone call yesterday; it was wrong of me to refuse your invitation."
Anna rose her hands up in protest. "It's fine. I know you're really busy and─"
"─no!" Elsa was adamant. "You came half way across the world just to see me and I wasn't able to give you a few hours of my time?"
Anna remained silent as she pushed away the memories creeping out the deep recesses of her mind.
"…I can't right now…"
"…Maybe another time..."
"I am not so busy I can't talk to my sister over a lunch break!"
My sister. Anna felt an odd tingling sensation travel up her spine at the words.
Elsa seemed to contemplate for a moment, before speaking softly. "I suppose I panicked when I thought the situation over, and well, I thought that you might have forgotten about me by now."
Was she serious? How could she?
"I would never be able to forget you." Anna whispered.
She could have reached her hand out to take her sister's at that moment, but thought better of it and spoke again. "Actually, I thought you might have forgotten me."
"I tried to." She slowly shook her head before looking straight at Anna. "But no, I couldn't forget about you."
Emotions swirled around in an ugly mix inside Anna's stomach as she took in the words.
She couldn't forget about me either, even though it's what she wanted. It's probably what she still wants, and I just destroyed any hope of it by coming crashing back into her life unannounced. No wonder she panicked!
A silence hung in the already tepid atmosphere, both women seemingly unsure how to continue the conversation.
Before she risked losing her sister, Anna attempted to alleviate the awkwardness, at least somewhat.
"Alright. Shall we start afresh now then? Come downstairs for a coffee? Oaken's husband does an amazing mocha."
"Okay." Elsa nodded, but seemed to ponder something for a moment. "But you don't drink coffee?"
"Only when it's got plenty of chocolate in it."
Elsa's lips twitched, before she bit down on the bottom one. "I see."
"Yoo-hoo ladies! What can I do for you?" Oaken appeared from behind the reception desk and came over to greet them.
"Table for two please," Elsa spoke up for them.
"Ah, nice to see you again Ms. Snøfnugg." Oaken smiled broadly, holding out his large hand. Elsa immediately accepted the gesture, receiving a rather vigorous handshake. "It's always a pleasure to meet others from my home country," he added, finally releasing her.
Norwegian. Of course! She totally should have recognised the accent.
Anna wondered if Elsa was still adverse to physical contact.
Or maybe it was just me.
Once the two were comfortably seated, or as comfortably as they could with the still-awkward atmosphere surrounding them, Anna jumped straight into what she wanted to ask Elsa to avoid any further mishaps.
"Umm. What can I call you if you don't mind me asking? I know you didn't want me calling you Elsa at the office but you did sign your name Elsa in your text. So, I was just wondering what you prefer."
The answer actually surprised her. "Elsa is fine. Officially, and legally, I go by Nina Snøfnugg now as you're aware, but I don't mind you calling me Elsa. I don't think I could quite get used to you calling me something else anyway."
Something Else. Els. I used to call you Els once. A very long time ago.
"Then may I ask why you reacted the way you did before. I mean, I'm not meaning to pry or anything, but I am a little confused."
"There are a lot of people I don't trust at my firm, that I'm fairly certain would pounce if they could get any dirt on my name. This time literally." The corner of her mouth lifted guiltily at the unintended pun, as she shifted slightly in her seat.
But why did you change it in the first place? Anna didn't feel like asking that, so she left the question hanging. Elsa would tell her if she wished.
She didn't find out, because at that moment their conversation was interrupted.
"What can I get for you ladies?" Oaken had appeared next to their table, taking his order pad out of the pocket of the crisp white apron he wore around his waist, strained around his rather large middle.
As this was her last day, Anna had no hesitation in placing her order, knowing it would have to be her new favourite combination. "Mint mocha and a triple chocolate fudge cake please!"
"Ah, of course. A very good decision I do say." He grinned. "And yourself?" He directed his attention towards Elsa, who was seated opposite Anna, hands clasped firmly in her lap.
"Can you make mine a double espresso shot?"
Anna saw Elsa hadn't even glanced at Oaken's menu, full of marvellous recipes, many of which she hadn't had time to sample during her stay.
"Certainly, a real coffee drinker! I like it. Nothing to eat Miss?"
"No. Thank you." She smiled tightly, lips curling up just the slightest bit.
Anna realised her sister was very different to her in the way she communicated with others. Where Anna was always talkative and open, Elsa was quite the opposite. 'Closed' would have been the best way to describe it.
Anna tried to remember if she had always been like that. Possibly. She didn't really know.
Oaken returned, carrying a tray holding their orders. "One mint mocha and triple fudge, one espresso shot."
"Thank you," was their simultaneous reply. On exuberant, and the other subdued, polite.
Anna smiled shyly at the almost-stranger sitting across from her before taking up her cup full of steaming liquid, complete with a swirl of whipped cream on top. It was warm─almost hot─to the touch and tasted just perfectly of freshly ground coffee and sweet chocolate, mixed with the subtle blend of mint in the background. Bliss.
Elsa took a swig of her shot, and Anna caught her wince at the undoubtedly bitter taste of unsweetened, concentrated coffee.
And then she did the most stupid fucking thing in the entirety of her life.
"Here, Elsa. Try this." Anna slid her mug over towards Elsa's side of the table. An innate response to perceived discomfort most probably; something perfectly acceptable for one to do with one's friend or sibling. Not a sister who's begun tentatively reconnecting with you after ten years of estrangement.
Yep. Definitely not the best idea.
"I─" was her sister's strangled response.
"Oh Elsa, I'm sorry! I didn't think─"
"It's fine."
"I really am so, so sorry! I got carried away─"
"Just…wait."
Anna watched as Elsa got up from her seat and walked gracefully in her heels over to reception, flipping her thick braid over her left shoulder on the way.
Anna's heart was thumping again.
What is she doing? Is she leaving?
She watched and saw her say something to Oaken, who went back out to the kitchens before Elsa returned to their table. She actually looked okay. Funnily enough.
She still couldn't be sure, though. Anyway, she didn't deserve for Elsa to want to talk to her anymore.
She looked down at her hands, humiliated, and did what came naturally to her in these situations. She rambled. "Elsa, sometimes I do stupid things. Just ask my friend Kristoff, he could reel off hundreds by now I reckon. And I know I said it before, but I'll say it again. I'm truly sorry, and I'm not expecting you to stay at all. Maybe I wish I never came, because all I've done this entire trip is make a big dumb fool─"
She was abruptly interrupted.
"Mint mocha." Oaken's voice.
"Thank you Oaken."
Wait, what?!
Anna slowly looked up to see Elsa there, hands clasped around a tall white mug with cream just peeking over the rim.
Wow.
Anna was dumbstruck. Utterly, thoroughly couldn't believe her eyes.
Elsa glanced at Anna before taking a sip, simultaneously closing her eyes and sighing almost inaudibly.
"It's rather good. Its-it's been a while," she said softly as their eyes met briefly, before Elsa's darted away.
"Anna, Anna!" Elsa came running through the open door of Anna's bedroom, bangs windswept and cheeks rosy. "Guess what!"
"What?" Anna leapt up from her bed and on to the floor in the way her mother would describe as 'so high your head will hit the ceiling.'
"I went out shopping with mama, and she let me get the ingredients for a chocolate cake, and she says we can mix it by ourselves if we're careful!"
Of course. Elsa was always ever so careful.
"Eeeee!" Anna squealed in excitement as she gripped her elder sister's slim pale hand with her own, and tugged her towards the kitchen. "Come on, come on, come on!"
Soon they were surrounded by a chocolate-y, flour-y mess, mostly created by Anna. But before them on the bench sat a bowl full of the fruits, or rather chocolate, of their labour. The dark swirl of deliciousness that is chocolate cake mix.
Anna leant over and stuck her finger into the bowl, quickly lifting it up to her mouth, just I time before it dripped down her arm.
"Your turn Elsha, itsh really good!" she exclaimed.
"I don't know if I should…"
"Aww Elsa, just one dip. No one's gonna find out!"
"Well…okay. Just one!"
Anna grinned as her usually neat and tidy sister dipped the tip of a long finger delicately into the chocolate-y goodness, bringing it up to her mouth.
"It's delicious," Elsa breathed, shutting her eyes.
"Oh Elsa, you have chocolate on your lip!" She giggled as she extended her thumb towards her sister's face.
"Anna?" Elsa asked gently, as Anna continued to gaze at her. Most probably gawking.
She's still got freckles. She did indeed, almost indefinable, but they were there all the same.
"Anna?" A little firmer this time, accompanied by a creased forehead of apparent concern.
Oh shit! "Yes?"
"Are you alright?"
No. "Yes."
Oh Elsa, why did you go?
"Okay." Another awkward pause, as Elsa tapped her fingers on the edge of the table. "Umm…where were we? What do you do in New York Anna?" Anna was brought sharply back to the present as her sister turned the conversation to small talk.
"You have my number, and here's my address in case you have a use for it." Elsa reached over the table to hand her a piece of neatly folded white paper, as Anna felt the coolness of Elsa's fingers in the exchange. Before she could let it register, her sister had already pulled her hand away.
She didn't want to leave, but she had to. She still knew barely anything about who her sister was. Hell, she hadn't even found out if she was single or not, Elsa seeming to avoid talking about anything other than her work life.
Anna was unsure about what the future would have in store for them; she didn't hold up much hope of seeing her sister again. As awkwardly pleasant as it all was, the whole circumstance wasn't particularly desirable. For either of them. Strangers with an awkward history was all they were really.
Although, perhaps, just…perhaps, it could have been worse.
The two said their goodbyes, not including hugs or even a handshake, and went their separate ways, two empty coffee cups left on the table.
Anna groaned as she stretched and clasped her hands behind her neck. The chair was just so damn uncomfortable.
So here she was, back in her dead end office job in the middle of the city. No life. Barely any friends. It was as if she was just going through the motions, stuck in an awful rut she couldn't escape from.
It never seemed so bad before her trip to London just a few weeks prior. Sure, she knew her life wasn't a bundle of laughs or a whole load of excitement, but she was just…fine.
Now she missed London, Hans, Oaken and his family. And she missed Elsa. She missed Elsa most of all. Try as she might, it wasn't something she could help.
And it was her birthday today. It barely even registered.
That was the moment her heart stopped its beating, at least maybe for a second.
She had received a white envelope in her mail, addressed from the United Kingdom. Her sister's address. Inside was a card; just a generic patterned one with 'Happy Birthday' printed on the front in swirly writing. There was nothing particularly special about it really. Except there was.
She was most certain she hadn't mentioned anything about it whilst in England. She had given Elsa her apartment address, but still, she didn't expect this.
She delicately ran her hand over the slight bumps and indentations on the front, whispering, "Elsa remembered my birthday."
Anna kept hold of the card in both hands, reading the neat script over and over again.
Dear Anna,
Happy Birthday.
I hope you have a great day.
Elsa
"It is great…now," she breathed as she ran her fingers down the lone streak of blonde which was still there, almost as if it couldn't be washed away. In her mind, a piece of something binding them together.
Now there wasn't a doubt her sister cared.
Was there?
