"So, a date?" Jo asks, something hidden behind her voice.
"Er... yes?" Elsa answers hesitantly, looking warily at her friend's glittering eyes.
Jo stares at her for a second, then suddenly she squeals. Elsa can tell that Jo is trying her best to hold herself from jumping up and down in excitement. Elsa could perfectly imagine Anna to do the same when she hears the news just so she could dig out more details.
Jo lets go the chain and the clips on the table, and grabs Elsa's hands in hers. "Oh, Elsa. Elsa! With a DATE! I am never this proud of you! I love this Jack boy."
"You are too much," Elsa laughs. "I am not this bad."
"You have no idea," Jo retorts, wiggling a finger in front of Elsa's face. "It could've taken a whole ice age for us to knock some senses into your pretty, supposedly bright, head that all you need is a little bit of love."
Raising a brow at her friend's choice of words and emphasis in the statement, Elsa only queries, "us?"
"Anna and I of course," Jo replies with a light air before she lets out a little 'ooh' all at once as though the name she just spitted out her mouth has actually sneaked back and hit her on her back. "Did Anna know? Did you tell her? She must be thrilled."
"Haven't told her yet," Elsa says, a soft chuckle rolling off her lips as she continues, "but seriously, you two worried too much!"
"No, I didn't. I only showed a moderate concern," Jo corrects, a hint of snicker in her voice as though she's not buying her own words. But sincerity quickly fills in for all the witty remarks. "But Anna did. She's worried that you might fling away anyone you like before you make sure she's well taken care of."
A deep frown mars the platinum-blonde girl's delicate features. "Why would she think so? I never need to fling away anyone to take care-" Elsa pauses. Her eyes widen as a sudden thought strikes her. "Is that how she felt? She felt shut out... by me?"
"Easy, girl. Easy. You are scaring yourself for nothing here," Jo confirms, grabbing Elsa's hand with hers and giving it a squeeze. "Aside from the fact that Anna never said so, it's impossible for her to even think of anything like that. She knows you. She's just worried."
"But if it wasn't because of the time-"
"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself," Jo cuts her off, putting both her hands on her waists, narrowing her eyes at Elsa as if daring her to say another word. Elsa stares back but complies nonetheless. Jo gives her a praising nod. "Look, family always have a bigger measure for the proper amount of worry, let alone you two only have each other. Anna would've been worried about you this much either way."
"Still, I was supposed to make her feel secure, not the other way around," Elsa says with great frustration. "I am her big sister!"
"You know, you and Anna are the closest sisters I've ever seen. Many siblings I know are always at the other's throat. But you two never were. Not even during those first few weeks."
"I was a mess, wasn't I?" Elsa grimaces.
"Smart people need some stupid moments once for a while. They prove you are human and god is fair," Jo jokes, giving Elsa an encouraging smile.
Elsa returns a small, grateful one.
Jo smiles wider. "Besides, both of you needed time to compose yourselves after the accident. I'd say the only problem we had there was our oldest Iversen sister was too responsible for anyone's liking."
Despite herself, Elsa lets out a weak chuckle. "Only you and Anna would say something like that."
"It's true you know," Jo says. "You got enough money for the funeral and stocks for both of your tuition till you graduate. You acted like you two were left penniless."
"No, I didn't," Elsa confronts, though the lacking of confidence in her voice betrays her. "It's just, stocks could fall anytime and..."
Jo laughs. "You aren't suggesting that you distrust Aunt Carol and Uncle Otta's teams, are you?"
"Of course not," Elsa exclaims. "I was in the team, remember?"
"As your mother's assistant, yes," Jo says, still chuckling. "I was shocked when I knew you were a part of that collection. It's breathtaking."
"Mom is an amazing designer," Elsa says with a smile.
"So are you," Jo says, patting once more on the back of Elsa's hand. "But you are not your mother, you know. And Anna doesn't need you to be. She needs you to be her big sister. Be you. And happy. That's why we've always been looking to see you find someone who can make you happy and loved."
"You sound like he's the one," Elsa says, trying hard to neglect the raising temperature in her cheeks.
"Well, you'd never know," Jo drawls with an elfish air, staring amusedly at Elsa's colored cheeks, albeit only in a slight pink. "And for the record, no need to pretend that you've never wished him to be. 'Cause I won't buy it."
"Oh, shut up, Jo. Go back to your work."
"Believe me I will, or either you or Kipp will kill me," Jo says as she picks up the tool and a spring ring, but still looking straight at Elsa. "But look at you! My girl finally got herself a date, with a man, who can make her blush in shyness!"
"It's you who made me blush in embarrassment, Jo," Elsa scowls at her beaming friend. "And this is not the first time someone asks me out."
"But it's the first time you say yes," Jo points out.
"It's still not that big a deal," Elsa retorts. Jo opens her mouth to say something, but Elsa stares her down. "I mean, come on, it's not like there are just two of us. It's a Christmas party, with all his friends there, and maybe Anna too. There would be nothing your crazy head is thinking about could ever happen."
"Pray tell me then," Jo blinks and smiles innocently back at Elsa. "What could be the crazy things my pure innocent head be thinking?"
"All the girl talks you had with Anna, remember?" Elsa reminds her best friend with a quirked brow.
"Those were nothing," Jo waves a hand. "You will know."
"I really doubt that."
"Don't underestimate the magic of Christmas," Jo says mysteriously, a sly grin on her face. "I will have you tell me that you experience at least one first with this boy, Miss, I will."
"How can Flynt put up with you all this time," Elsa jests. "I'd never understand."
"Well, he better knows that he'd got the perfect girl and never let go," Jo grins and gives Elsa a playful wink. She then looks down and swiftly snaps the spring ring to the chain. She places the chain aside, and starts arranging the crystal beads on the work table according to the draft lay beside her. "You think these are the final?"
"Yeah, these are the best we can get now," Elsa says as she moves to Jo's side of table, places the laptop in front of them both, and reaches for the two pliers from the toolbox. One plier in each hand, Elsa starts stringing beads into complex pattern.
"I hope I can be this good one day," Jo says admiringly.
Elsa flashes her a soft smile.
Jo watches Elsa doing the work for a while before she speaks again. "I suppose you've decided where you'd do your intern next year, right?"
Elsa looks up from her work, expression contemplative. "I do consider going back to Visjoner. But, well, I am not sure. Still need to see if there's any spot open at the time."
"I thought so," Jo says, placing more beads before Elsa. "If there's any, it'd be quite an obvious choice for you, wouldn't it? But the best? Arrgh! This is so darn hard!"
"You will be just fine," Elsa says with a reassuring smile. "Any idea for yourself?"
"Actually, since I thought of you going back to Visjoner, I am planning to apply for it as well."
"Really? That would be wonderful!" Elsa exclaims. She pauses to make a knot of the twine she's been working with, cuts the end of it then looks up again. "Hey, maybe if Kipp's—ooh!" She jolts as her cellphone buzzes in her backpocket.
Jo reaches the phone for her and clicks the screen on to check the notification. She stares at the screen with narrowed eyes.
"Who's it from?" Elsa asks.
"Southworth, may I?" Jo raises one eyebrow.
"Go ahead," Elsa nods, confused too.
Jo slides the phone open and pulls up the message. Her eyebrows furrow. "'I quit. Need your help.' What does that mean?"
"He quit? Quit what?" Elsa asks. Putting down the pliers, she reaches for the phone. Jo hands the phone to her and moves to Elsa's right, peering over her shoulder.
"Ahh, must be his job!" Jo exclaims while Elsa's typing questions in her text. Elsa glances over at Jo before deleting the written words. She types a new one and presses to send.
"But even he quit, what can I possibly help-" She's again been cut off by the buzz of her phone, but this time it's a call from Hans.
"Well, here calls the demon," Jo jerks her head at the buzzing phone.
Elsa slides to pick up the call. "Hans? What's wrong?"
"Elsa!" Hans's voice comes fervently. "Where are you? I need to talk to you."
"I am listening." Elsa frowns and exchanges a glance with Jo.
"I need your help," Hans says. "Where are you?"
"I am at work room 3," Elsa says, stealing another glance at her friend. "Jo's here."
"It's okay," Hans replies readily. "I will be there in a minute."
"Wait-" Elsa tries to say more but Hans's already hung up. She sighs, shoving her phone back into her pocket.
"What did he want?" Jo asks, watching Elsa's worried expression.
"I have no idea. Better not be something reckless," Elsa says with a small frown. "He's coming, though."
"Right now?" Jo asks incredulously. "Why so urgent? We still got work to do."
"Well, he didn't give me the chance to spit that out," Elsa sighs again and picks up her plier. "We should just try to finish as much as we could before he gets here."
"Arrgh, I always hate that guy," Jo grumbles but heads back to work anyway.
Elsa doesn't say anything. She knows Hans well enough to notice that the guy has his way of getting people (especially Jo) annoyed from time to time without himself noticing. She tried once to tone down the tension between the two, but soon found out it might be easier for her to conquer Mount Everest.
Two girls work quickly but fluently in silence as time ticks by. Elsa manages to finish three small bead string patterns before Hans shows up in the doorway.
"Elsa," Hans calls, rushing in to her side. He nearly knocks Jo off to the side as he reaches the table. Jo glares at him but doesn't say anything.
"Hans, what's up?" Elsa asks.
"I found a new job!" Hans exclaims, face litten.
"Oh, that's great," Elsa says sincerely. "What's the-"
Hans cuts her off at once, seemingly being too excited to wait for her to finish the question, "I got a position in marketing department of this newly established company called Primarians. I will be in charge of some new product marketing projects-"
"How would any reasonable company hire a college student to be in charge of their new product marketing?" Jo chimes in.
"Shut up, Cannon," Hans snaps. "And for your concern, I did a great job in my interview."
"Hans," Elsa intervenes, trying to sound comprehensive. "To be honest, it doesn't seem like a common decision a company would make based on one interview. It sounds a bit... inconsiderate." Hans doesn't seem to appreciate her effort though. She catches Hans throw Jo a dirty look before turning back to her.
"Okay, it might sound a bit unbelievable," Hans rolls his eyes when he hears Jo mirroring his words in mocking manner behind him. He continues. "But this is a new company. They need every person they find qualified."
"Still, nothing they'd requested?" Elsa asks.
"Well, there's something," Hans admits. "That's why I need your help, Elsa. You said that you were contacting your attorney, right? Have you decided how many stocks you're gonna sell?"
"No," Elsa says, eyebrows furrowed deeply. "Why'd you ask?"
"You see," Hans explains, "to be assigned as the project leader, I need to raise some money for the group. Since you're selling the stocks, can you borrow me some?"
"I am sorry?" Elsa blinks and stares at Hans astonishedly.
"You have money, right?" Hans says, both hands out in front of him, gesturing, "I mean my brothers won't lend me any that easy. It's only about ten grand, I can make-"
"Ten grand?" Elsa exclaims incredulously. "No, Hans, this is ridiculous. You shouldn't take this."
"Elsa, this is my chance," Hans defends, sounding offended. "If you are my friend, you should help me."
"I am your friend, that's why I'm telling you off," Elsa says.
"I thought you would be happy if I found something that I'd want to do," Hans' voice darken.
"I do, but not like this," Elsa retorts.
"It's just a couple grand, not like I am asking a hundred, what's the big deal," Hans sniffs.
"The thing is that I don't think this whole deal is trustworthy," Elsa frowns at his attitude, arms crossed over her chest defensively.
"Would you lend me or not?" Hans asks impatiently.
"No," Elsa replies firmly.
"You disappointed me, Elsa," Hans says, standing straighter. "You said I never tried to understand why you chose to change your major, but now you are doing the same. I only asked you to be supportive."
"Be supportive as in giving you the money so you can throw into some suspicious company? Stop being ridiculous, Southworth," Jo snaps at the redheaded boy as she sees her friend's hurt expression.
"Back off, Cannon," Hans snaps back, staring sharply at Jo before turning back to Elsa, "I bet you won't consider this much if it's Cannon who asks, will you?"
"Don't drag her in, Hans," Elsa presses, her tone hardened.
"Ha, go ahead! Back up your friend!" Hans sneers. "Like I used to have a friend called Elsa."
And without another word, Hans turns and strides infuriatedly out the door, leaving the two girls staring dazedly at the doorway.
Jo speaks after a moment of silence.
"He's quite a drama queen, isn't he?"
Finally a new chapter. A chapter that has killed most of my brain cells to finish it. And to be honest, I am very very worried about this chapter. I hope I didn't do too lousy a job here, and really really hope you would like it nonetheless, even though it is not the party date chapter you were expecting for. I just don't feel right to skip a month and get to the date scene immediately (there must be something happen in a month, even some fluffy moments), so please bear with me would you? I promise Jack would be there in the next chapter, though I can't promise how much there would be...
Anyway, I'd say you finally get to catch a glimpse of Elsa's story in this chapter! Though I didn't give too much details but I guess those are enough for good now. If you still got any question, PM me or leave a review, I would gladly answer them.
Special thanks to mowi, Shimmer Shine, AwesomeGuest, TPATFan16, Love-PRN, lovinglovexx, Trapid, Rose, Phoenixian Kaiba, and guest for reviewing. I am so happy to see you like the last chapter. I will keep working hard to get to the date scene as fast as I could! And again, thanks for all the good words and encouragement, they are just beautiful!
Please review and tell me how it is! I'd really like to know what you think about it.
