"But the dress," Mrs. Andalasia tried for the last time, "it fits you so perfectly! You have to know that it was a sign that you were meant to do the role!"

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Andalasia," Elsa apologized, "I truly am. But I simply have too much homework, and I made a promise to myself that if rehearsals took up too much time that I would choose my education over the theatre. I hope you understand."

"Very well," Mrs. Andalasia gave in. "We'll all be sad to see you go."

As Elsa walked out, she noticed that Jack was waiting outside of the director's office.

"You're leaving?" he asked, disappointed.

"Yeah," was all Elsa could say.

"Elsa, don't think that just because we aren't on stage together that I'm going to forget about everything. I won't stop trying to figure out what's going on with you, and I won't stop trying to help you. So, if you'd like, you can just tell me everything right now."

"Nothing is going on with me, Jack! I bruise easily is all," Elsa tried.

"Bullshit," Jack snapped. "I've seen bruises like that before. Remember when I mentioned that Jamie and Sophie have a different father than I do? That guy isn't in our lives anymore because he used to hit my mom. The bruises you have on your arm are from when he grabs you and squeezes until he gets his way," he said, taking her arm and pulling her sleeve up, wrapping his hand around her arm and showing that each of his fingers matched perfectly with the fading spots. "Don't try to lie to me, Elsa."

As Elsa struggled to come up with something to say to get Jack of her back, the bell rang, giving her an easy getaway with no explanation.


Elsa did her best to get everything back to normal. All week she did her best to make Gaston happy, spent all her time after school watching the football players practice as she did her homework in the bleachers with Rapunzel, and, most of all, avoided Jack.

Putting her books into her locker, Elsa looked forward to the promise of the weekend - where she wouldn't have to constantly evade Jack.

"Hey Elsa, why did you quit the play?" It was Peter, the sophomore who played Vizzini.

"Oh, hi Peter," Elsa avoided his question. "How is the play going?"

"I think the only person having an alright time getting along without you in the play is Aurora, and that's only because she's Buttercup now; I think she was actually starting to like you. We all miss you, Elsa, why did you leave?" Peter persisted.

"It's really complicated, Peter, and I'm sorry, but I just couldn't do it anymore," Elsa said before walking away.

Finding her group, Elsa went with them to a party. Being around drunken teenagers, loud music, and a lack of sincerity upon every person's presence, Elsa never felt more like an actress.

Arriving at home, she thanked Gaston for taking her back and began to remove her seatbelt and open the door.

"Where do you think you're going, baby?" Gaston smiled, pulling her back into the car, onto his side of the seat.

"Gaston, it's late," Elsa whined. "I'll see you tomorrow." She tried to get away from him, but he had his arms wrapped quite tightly around her.

"Gaston," she tried again. "Anna's waiting for me."

"Actually," Gaston corrected, "Your sister is on a date right now with the star of the JV team, Kristoff. I set them up; you're welcome," he bragged, kissing Elsa. "So we've got the night to ourselves."

"Gaston," Elsa repeated into his mouth as he wouldn't remove his from hers, "I'm really tired… and I think we should -"

"Move to the bedroom?" Gaston finished, "I was thinking the exact same thing." He got out of the truck and jogged around to her side, trying to get Elsa to get out of the vehicle and come with him to her front door.

"You're drunk," Elsa realized, "You drove me home while you were drunk!" she yelled.

"Huh, would you look at that," Gaston pretended to notice, "I guess there's no driving home for me then." As he reached for her again, Elsa kicked him in the chest and screamed for help.

Immediately recovering, Gaston jumped into his truck and laid his body on top of Elsa's holding his hand to her mouth, muffling her screams. "Listen up, bitch," he growled, "You're not staying in my father's apartment complex rent-free for nothing." Tearing Elsa's sweater, he grunted, "It's been way too long. I don't believe we've done this since you got into that stupid play."

Horrified, Elsa bit Gaston's hand and jumped out of the other side of the truck as he jumped out of her side cursing.

Running as quickly as she could, Elsa barely made it to her front door before Gaston rammed his body into hers, crushing her against the wall. Turning her around to face him and then choking her neck, he smirked, "You think it's that easy to get away from me?"

Running his hands over her body and smearing his drunk lips all along her neck, Gaston didn't even try to move to the inside of the apartment. Elsa screamed a final time before kicking him and running toward the street.

Certain she'd find Gaston right behind her, Elsa was amazed to see Jack with his arm around Gaston's neck. Elsa knew that Jack wouldn't have a chance if he fought Gaston sober, but to her relief, Gaston quickly passed out onto the floor.

"Jack!" Elsa cried as she ran into his arms. She was crying.

"I'm really glad I decided the best time to try and talk to you would be late at night, or else I wouldn't have been here," Jack said, holding her. "Let's go inside. He'll wake up in a few minutes, and he'll just assume he took you home and passed out."