Hans' fingers grazed against the soft fabric covering Elsa's arm as she slept on his bed. Her fist clutched the black and white fleece blanket as she tossed side to side. Her thick black eyelashes fluttered as Hans sat up and gently rubbed her back. He whispered, "Hey, it's okay. I'm here." She snuggled against the black covered pillow and tossed onto her stomach.
Kristoff walked into the dorm room and stared at the sleeping figure. He smirked and shook his head. Before he flopped onto his futon, He asked his roommate, "Did you bore the poor girl to death?".
Hans answered quietly, "She came over to hang out, and she fell asleep while we were watching tv."
"Uh huh," Kristoff responded teasingly as he kicked the brown leather work boots off his feet. "How long has she been asleep?"
"About an hour," Hans answered as he pulled himself off the full-sized bed. He released a soft sigh as he leaned against his desk. He glanced over at the sleeping woman and pondered what had haunted her sub-conscience. When she had come over earlier, she had large bags under her eyes and seemed paler than normal. She gave brief one word answers. He could tell something was troubling her, but she fell asleep before he could interrogate her.
Kristoff began to pull textbooks, notebooks, and loose writing utensils out of his bag . Loose paper tumbled out of the green canvas backpack as Kristoff began to shove everything under the bed. He crumpled some of the paper and threw it into the black circular trash can. Kristoff inquired curiously, "How are things going to between you?"
Hans sighed as he ran his fingers through his red hair. He gazed at the sleeping beauty. He grinned and responded, 'Good, I think. I can't really read her."
"Isn't that why you like her?" Kristoff inquired.
Hans responded hesitantly, "Yes, but she refuses to let me in at all. She's cool and collected, and I love that about her; however, there's something off about her . I just don't know what it is."
"Maybe, she's just having a bad day," Kristoff asked. He immediately stopped talking whenever they heard a soft yawn. They looked over at Hans' bed to find Elsa sitting up and rubbing her eyes. She rolled lazily off the bed and slowly scratched the top of her head and pulled down her shirt.
"What time is it?" she asked as she looked around for her phone and her messenger bag.
"Three-fifteen," Kristoff answered as he looked down at his watch.
Hans lovingly kissed Elsa's forehead as he took her hands in his. "I'm sorry I fell asleep," she said into his chest.
"It's alright, but I think I deserve compensation for our designated time together," Hans replied devilishly. His green eyes glistened as his mouth formed a grin.
Elsa grinned sheepishly and closed her eyes. A gentle laugh escaped her lips as she shuffled her feet. Finally, she responded, "Fine, let me buy you a cup of coffee before my art history class." She picked the messenger bag off the floor and dug until she found a piece of gum. She found her phone and tucked it into her jean pocket.
"Sounds good to me," Hans answered.
The couple escaped the dorm and stepped out into the brisk autumn breeze. Most of the leaves from the trees had fallen and covered the ground like an oversized quilt. The sidewalk was completely empty and the cars on the road seemed to be the only proof that human life still existed. They couple was silent as their boots clunked against the cement.
Finally, Hans cleared his throat and said softly as if he was approaching a baby deer, "Elsa, can I ask you something?"
"I suppose," she answered as she shoved her hands into the pockets of her pants.
Hans fidgeted with the collar of his black blazer and glanced at the woman walking beside him. His eyes flickered as he stroked his chin thoughtfully before finally replying, "I don't know how to say this, but I think you're hiding something from me."
"That's more of a statement than a question," Elsa responded bitterly.
Hans rubbed the bridge of his nose, took a deep breath, and replied, "I just mean…"
"No," Elsa stopped and wrapped her arms around herself. Her heavy lashes was the night that hid a mighty iceberg from sight. She clenched her teeth and snarled, "You don't get to make that assessment. You've known me for a week. I don't have to tell you everything." She fumbled through her bag until she found her package of gum.
They remained quiet as she looked up at the gray cloudy sky and rubbed her hands together. Hans stepped in front of her and said firmly, "You know you can talk to me."
"That doesn't mean I want to," she replied as she shook her head. "I'm fine."
"Fine," Hans relented as they finally reached the patio of the coffee shop. A woman with her two children were sitting around the metal table and in the chairs. Hans politely nodded at them as they pushed open the door. Elsa went to the front counter and ordered their beverages as Hans sat down in the back table near the window.
After almost half an hour, Hans realized finished their latte and hadn't said a word to one another, Hans finally sighed and said, "I'm sorry. I care about you. I didn't mean to cross any boundaries."
Elsa pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's fine," she responded as she looked down at the black plastic coffee lid.
Hans took Elsa's hands in his . "If you ever want to talk, I'm here for you."
Once Elsa finished her beverage, the couple began their ten minute journey back to the school. Their hands bumped into each others as if contemplating their desire to hold hands. Finally Hans wrapped his arm around her waist, and Elsa leaned against him and placed her head on his shoulder. Her nose grazed against his neck. Hans noticed how cold Elsa's nose was like a snowball. He stroked his cheek , swooped down like a mighty eagle, and his thin soft lips met hers. She instinctively moved her hand to the collar of his blazer as he tightened his grip on his waist. When they broke away, they shared huge smiles and loving gazes.
"I'm quite fond of you," Hans said.
"The feeling is reciprocated," she replied coyly as they strolled hand-in-hand as if the sidewalk lead to the Emerald City. Finally, they reached the campus and sighed. Hans walked Elsa to the history building and kissed her goodbye in front of sliding glass door.
As he walked away, he felt the adrenaline course through his veins. He gently touched his tingling lips. Despite the hormones and glee that set his organs on fire, a shred of doubt managed to enter his brain. The beautiful girl took his breath away, but he felt as if he'd have to take a wrecking ball to her defense barrier. He just hoped he'd be able to convince her to open up.
