I really don't have much to say about this chapter except that it's here haha. Thank you again for sticking with the story. Here you go, chapter 7.
Chapter 7: Alone
Oh thank God it's Friday. This first week of work really hasn't been that bad. Rose really seems to like me so that's a bonus. Honestly, I think I've done a damn good job dealing with customers. Hell, I might just say I'm a good as I am though, I still can't wait for tomorrow. One more day until I find out if Anna will let me take her back to Cutie Pies. It is a weekly thing after all. Of course considering everything that happened last weekend, Anna might not be ready quite yet. Let's just get through today first, then I can focus on what may or may not happen tomorrow.
Elsa pulled into a parking spot in front of Stems. As soon as she walked through the door, she was immediately greeted by Rose. "Good morning, Elsa! How are you on this fine Friday?" Rose was never in a sour mood. Elsa found it difficult to be anything but happy when she was around her.
"I am absolutely fantastic Rose." Elsa strolled behind the counter and threw her apron on. "And depending on how tomorrow goes, I might be even better."
"Is that so? Let me guess…" Rose tapped her finger to her mouth. "It has to do with that girl you were telling me about doesn't it?" Rose once again shot Elsa a look of confidence. Elsa rolled her eyes and smiled. "It does have something to do with her doesn't it?"
"No, not at all," Elsa responded sarcastically.
"Well, come on dear, give me the details. Only if you want to that is."
Oh alright, since you asked nicely. "Yes, it does have something to with that girl. Actually, it has everything to do with that girl." Elsa lifted herself up onto the front counter. "We sort of worked things out Monday when she got home from school. I was so nervous I felt like my legs were going to snap from severe shaking."
Rose laughed. "It was really that bad, huh?"
"Oh very much so. I didn't know what was going to happen so of course I was nervous. But as I was standing in her room waiting for her, I remembered the advice she had given me."
"And what was that dear?"
"That sometimes, we need to just go for it, because sometimes the unexpected isn't so bad." Elsa lightly laughed to herself. "It's kind of ironic though. The advice she gave me helped me begin to repair our relationship, but it's also what caused it to initially crumble." Elsa shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, relationships are confusing if you ask me, even within the family." When Elsa realized what she had just allowed to escape her mouth, her eyes widened and she threw her hand over her mouth. Oh shit! Please tell me I didn't just say that. Rose didn't hear that. She did not hear that.
"Oh family relationships are definitely the hardest to maintain. I think what makes it difficult is the inability to run away from family. Do you know what I mean, Elsa?"
Oh thank God she didn't understand what I meant. Bullet dodged. "I know exactly what you mean. In fact I'm sure I understand better than anyone." Elsa mentally face-palmed herself.Stop talking Elsa, you're not helping your situation.
"Why's that?"
"Let's just say that my sister and I have had our differences, some very recently." Why can't I stop talking? Redirect the conversation you idiot. "We've just uh…I don't know I guess…I'll tell you later Rose." Elsa hopped off of the counter. What better way to change the subject than to end the conversation altogether.
"Alright. Tell me whenever you feel like it. No rush." Rose showed no disappointment at all towards Elsa forabruptly ending their conversation.
"Will do." Elsa began wandering around the shop, ensuring all of the flowers looked presentable to any potential customers. Maybe it would be better if I kept the talking to a minimum today. Might just avoid another awkward situation. The last thing I need is my boss finding out I'm in love with my sister.
Elsa was putting the finishing touches an arrangement for a customer that had called in earlier. Thirty more minutes and it's officially the weekend. As much as I love this place, I can't wait to get out of here. Maybe Rose will let me leave a little early after I finish this last arrangement. What am I saying? Of course she will. Just as Elsa was wrapping up the flowers, a young man wearing dress pants and a button down shirt walked through the front door . That must be the guy I'm waiting for.
Elsa greeted the man. "Hello, welcome to Stems. I'm assuming you are the person that called in this morning."
The man walked over to the counter and leaned in towards Elsa. "That I am sweetheart." The man began exploring Elsa with his eyes. She did her best to ignore the man's comment.
"Well here you go sir. All wrapped up and ready to go. That will be $45 exactly." Elsa tried handing the man the flowers, but he continued to stare at Elsa.
"You know, these flowers were supposed to be for a date with a friend tonight, but I'm considering ditching her in favor of you." The man shot Elsa a flirtatious smile. "What do you think of that?"
Ew, back the hell off creep. "Sir, please take your flowers and pay for them."
"Ah come on baby. Don't you wanna have a little fun tonight? I can show you a hell of a time." The man retained a level of arrogance that made Elsa want to break every bone in his body. "I'll be gentle," he said winking at Elsa.
"Please take your flowers and leave before you make me have to ruin your pretty little face," Elsa responded with a polite yet hostile tone.
"So you think I'm attractive, huh? See babe, we'd be great together. You. Me. A couple of shots." Elsa was ready to cock her fist back and smash the man's face in. "Sounds like your best night ever right?" If he says one more word, he's leaving here with a broken nose. "Come on, I'll show you how a real man treats a smoking hot babe like you." One broken nose, coming up.
Elsa clenched her fist. Before she could wind up, Rose stepped out of the back room. "Is there a problem sir?" This dickhead is persistent. That's the problem.
The man quickly stood up straight and shoved his hands in his pockets. "No Rose, I was just making conversation with…" He waited for Elsa to give him her name, but Elsa remained silent. "I'm just here to pick up my flowers."
"Then pay the girl and go."
"Whatever you say Rose." The man obliged and gave Elsa the money for the flowers. He grabbed them from her hand and started to walk out of the shop. He opened the door and stopped. He looked back at Elsa. "My offer always stands." He made a kissing gesture with his lips and then he was gone.
Elsa held up a middle finger to him as he drove out of the parking lot. "Why do some men have personalities that make you want to vomit?"
"Believe it or not, he's a regular here. He comes in every other week it seems like. He doesn't really have a desirable personality, does he?"
"That's an understatement. Why would any girl want to date a guy like that? He pretends he's the ideal romantic, but in reality, he's just another typical asshole."
"Many men are Elsa." Rose looked down at her watch. "Well, it's not quite five yet, but after having to deal with that guy, I think you deserve to get out of here a little early."
I knew it. "Are you sure? I can stay for the next fifteen minutes. It's not a big deal Rose." Elsa tried to appear that she was willing to say, but she was already taking off her apron.
"Of course I'm sure. Go spend some time with that girl of yours," Rose responded with a teasing attitude.
"Oh I plan on it." Elsa threw her apron under the counter and raced to the door. "Thank you Rose. Have a good weekend! I'll update you on Monday about my girl."
"You better," Rose responded laughing.
Elsa waved and was out the door. She hopped in her car and headed for home.
Let my weekend begin! Elsa barged through the front door and threw herself down on the couch. Time to start planning my comeback weekend with Anna. But the question is, what will she let me do with her? Well, I can think of one thing, but that's for way down the road. Elsa let out a pleasant sigh thinking about a romantic relationship with Anna.
As Elsa was imagining a future with her sister, Anna came dancing down the steps. She was rocking her head from side to side and waving her arms through the air. Elsa was pulled out of her dream world by the sound of Anna's singing. Elsa was ready to sit up and greet her sister until Anna vaulted over the back of the couch and landed directly on top of Elsa. Anna quickly discovered that she had not landed on the couch.
"Whoa there fatass, I know I'm soft but the couch might be a bit more comfortable," Elsa said jokingly. She wedged herself out from under Anna and sat up.
"I don't know about that, you're putting on a little weight there...fatass. Besides, you enjoyed that anyway you pervert." Anna tried to respond in a joking manner, but Elsa did not perceive it as such.
"You know Anna, jokes like that aren't all that amusing. Please just...try to refrain from anymore jokes like that. Okay?"
Anna gave Elsa a look of disbelief but it quickly turned into sympathy. "Okay. Sorry."
Noticing the mood of the conversation had changed, Elsa did her best to change it back. "So, feel like doing anything tonight? I know I'm up for getting out of this house. "
Anna pondered her sister's question for a second. "Eh, what the hell. What did you have in mind?"
Score one for me. "Ummmm..." Elsa ran through her mind everywhere she could take Anna without pushing it. "How about a movie? We could go see Fury."
"I do want to see that one." Anna paused to think about the question again. "Movie it is. This isn't a date though."
"What did I say about making jokes like that?" Elsa responded with a serious tone.
"That wasn't a joke." Anna pulled out her phone to check movie times. "The next showing is in twenty minutes. If we leave now we can make it."
That kind of hurt but I'll live. "Well let's get going then." Both girls hopped off of the couch and walked out to Elsa's car.
As the girls were walking down the driveway, Elsa noticed a car parked about a block down the street that seemed strangely familiar to her. "Hey Anna, doesn't that look like the car of that asshole you threw the pie at?" Elsa asked, pointing at the car.
Anna examined the car for a quick second and then turned back to Elsa. "I mean it kind of looks like it but I know he doesn't live around here. If he did, we would definitely know about it." Anna noticed the look of concern on Elsa's face. "Hey, that could be anybody's car. Let's not worry about it, alright?"
"I'm just worried that we'll run into him and...something bad is going to happen." Elsa shook her head trying to rid herself of worry. "What am I saying? The likelihood that we'll run into him again is extremely low. Let's go." Elsa said, throwing on a false smile.
"There you go. See, there's nothing to worry about. Besides, he'll have to get through me first if he tries anything." Anna's reassuring tone turned Elsa's false smile into a real one.
The girls got into Elsa's car and made their way to the theater.
When they arrived, Anna jumped out of the car and grabbed Elsa's wrist. "Come on, we only have five minutes until it starts."
"Calm down Anna. You know there's always like fifteen minutes of previews. I think we'll be fine."
Anna's pace only quickened. She continued pulling Elsa towards the theater without responding. The two girls made it inside the theater, purchased their tickets, and found their seats. As the two girls were sitting down, they heard a whistle from behind them. Elsa turned around and found three young men a few rows behind them. One of the boys winked and blew a kiss to Elsa. The boy received a middle finger from Elsa in return. Fucking pigs.
"Why are some guys so repulsive?" Elsa said with a disgusted tone.
"Because that's how men are. That's why I chose women. Who knows how to treat a woman better than a woman?"
What better woman for you than your own sister? Elsa settled back into her seat to enjoy the movie.
"That movie was fucking awesome. I usually don't like Brad Pitt, but it was difficult not to like him this time. What did you think Elsa?"
"That was definitely one of his best. I especially liked the part where..." Elsa was interrupted by an incessant tapping on her shoulder. She turned around to see one of the boys from the theater with a confident look on his face. Oh God.
"Hi, my name is..."
"Not important." Anna cut in and stepped in front of Elsa. "What do you want?"
The boy stared at Anna with an offended look on his face. "Well before you so rudely interrupted, I was going to see if that beautiful girl behind you would like to go out to dinner with me." The boy tried to traverse his way past Anna, but she kept him at bay. Knowing he couldn't find a way past Anna, the boy directed his stare towards Elsa. "So, how about it?"
Anna took the pleasure of answering for Elsa. "Her answer is no." Anna grabbed Elsa's hand and interlocked their fingers. "Come on babe."
Upon hearing Anna's words, Elsa's cheeks turned bright red. "Yeah...whatever you say babe." Elsa tried to hide the goofy smile that was about to burst out across her face.
Before the boy could speak another word, Anna was pulling Elsa out of the theater. "Have a nice fucking day," Anna yelled back at the boy without turning around. Once the girls made it outside, Elsa spoke up.
"That was pretty...unexpected. What brought that on?"
"I know the douche bag type and that guy back there was the perfect example." After a few steps, Anna let go of Elsa's hand. "Plus, I kind of have a hunch that you're not much into guys these days."
"Is that such a bad thing?"
Anna gave Elsa a quick glance. "No I suppose it isn't. And before you say anything else, I only called you babe to make that guy believe we were actually a couple. Don't go thinking that I'm attracted to you like that."
"Understood...babe." Elsa replied in a joking manner.
"Shut the fuck up." Anna pretended to act serious, but Elsa knew how terrible Anna's acting was. She couldn't keep a straight face to save her life. After a few seconds of false seriousness, Anna began giggling.
"That's what I thought," Elsa said with a confident attitude.
Once they made it back to the car, they headed for home.
The entire ride back, Elsa's mind was running tirelessly. She was only able to think about what had just transpired at the theater. I know Anna is just trying to watch out for me, but she's never that defensive of me. There has to be more to this than she's letting on. I can only hope that's the case. I'll just have to make it my mission to find out. As Elsa was driving down the street towards home, another car came flying down the street from the opposite direction. As the car passed Elsa, she noticed that it was the same car she believed belonged to the man from last weekend.
Calm down Elsa. That wasn't him. That couldn't have been him. He doesn't know where we live. We're safe.
Elsa pulled into the driveway. As soon as the headlights from the car illuminated the front of the house, an expression of pure fear fell upon the faces of both girls. The front door to the house had been broken down. Elsa shut off the car and both girls scrambled to the door.
"Anna, call the police now!"
Anna wasted no time in pulling out her phone. "Okay...calling...them now." Anna's voice was shaky. She was barely able to hold her phone in her trembling hands. As Anna dialed 911, Elsa started to walk inside the house. "Elsa where are you going!? Stay out here. You don't know if anyone is still in there!"
"I'm just going to find mom. I'll be in and out in no time."
"Please just hurry, Elsa. I don't want anything to happen to you." Anna was on the verge of tears.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine." Elsa stepped into the living room. The door was laying on the floor in front of her. Elsa could feel her entire body beginning to shake, but she continued on. "Mom, are you in here?"
No response. Elsa pulled out her phone and turned on the built- in flashlight. She shined it around the living room. The TV screen was smashed and the couch was shifted forward. What the fuck happened here? Please be alright mom.
Elsa cautiously walked up the stairs to continue her search. When she reached the top, she called out to her mother again. "Mom...if you're up here, say something."
Still no response. As Elsa continued down the hallway, she noticed dark spots on the carpet. She shined the light down at her feet. The spots on the floor appeared to be a dark red color. Elsa's face turned ghost white as she imagined the worst possible scenario. The dark spots on the floor led Elsa into her mother's bedroom.
"Mom, are you in here?" Still no response. "Mom, please say something." She shined the light along the floor close to the bed. When Elsa saw the horror that lay on the floor in front of her, she dropped her phone. Elsa instantly broke into tears and dashed back down the steps. As she reached the front doorway, she stumbled outside and fell to her hands and knees. Elsa immediately caught the attention of Anna. She rushed to her older sister's side.
"Elsa! What happened? What's wrong?" Anna's voice was laced with nothing but pure fear.
Through her sobbing, Elsa was finally able to speak with a trembling voice.
"It's mom, Anna. She's...she's dead..."
Remember that dark ending I mentioned that I put on hold? That was it. I understand there might be a bit of confusion as to why it happened but I will clear that up in the next chapter.
