Chapter Eight: Almost Like a Wounded Bird/Hallway Humiliation


"Why the hell would you do that?!" Shouted a loud female voice lace with a thick Scottish accent. The noise boomed throughout the small space of the pub kitchen, surely gaining the attention of the customers on the other side of the wall.

"Keep your voice down!"

"I'll keep my voice down when I damn well please. Anna, what were you thinking?!"

Anna sighed, crossing her arms and looking away from the young Scott. "She needed help. I couldn't just let her sit there and suffer."

"You mean like she did to you?"

A deep stinging resonated in Anna's chest when she heard the words. Merida had a point.

"I'm picking her up after work."

"You have five minutes until you're out. I can't believe you waited all day to tell me this!" The younger redhead huffed in frustration and stiffly turned over the food on the grill in front of her.

"I was trying not to think about it. Plus, I knew you would react like this." Anna shrugged, trying to come up with an explanation that would please the Scott. "And you're right. I have to go."

Merida threw her hands up in the air to accent her aggravation as she watched Anna walk out of the room without another word. She could be so stupid sometimes.

Anna took her time on the ride over to the set. It wasn't a long drive, but she needed the time to think. She questioned why she would offer to help the blonde in the first place. Surely she didn't deserve it. Ever since Elsa showed up, things inside her head had become much more complicated. She had spent a very long time putting the past behind her, trying everything she could to move on and stitch up the holes in her heart that Elsa had left behind. Eventually, the nightmares stopped, and she was able to cope with something that wouldn't kill her liver.

But that was before she had to come back and mess everything up, again.

Walking around the set was odd. There were so many people doing so many things, and with the light drizzle coming down from the sky, they all seemed to be in a rush to get things done and get somewhere dry. Anna laughed to herself. After all these years in The Highlands, she was accustomed to the rain, but these silly Hollywood headaches were so used to the sun, that even the minimal sprinkling scared them indoors.

"You need something?" A hand gripped her shoulder from behind, causing the barmaid to jump and squeal in surprise. When she turned around to face the voice, she was surprised to see none other than the one and only Kristoff Wolfe.

"No. I'm fine, thank you." She kept a straight face, not wanting to be bothered by another egotistical star.

"Really? Because I'm pretty sure I know why you're here, and if I had to guess, this is the last place you'd like to be. Don't you think it would make things easier on everyone if you just came with me?"

Anna thought it over for a moment. Her stubborn spirit told her to turn her nose up at the blonde and continue on her way to find Elsa. However, he did have a point. "Fine. Where is she?"

"Shooting. She won't be out for awhile."

"Then what am I supposed to do until then?"

"This way." Kristoff motioned for her to follow him. She stood still for a moment, weighing out her options. She could either wander around aimlessly looking for the actress, or she could go after him and make this whole process much easier. She was almost embarrassed for herself when she caught up to him and trailed behind him to wherever he happened to be leading her.

It wasn't long before they stood under a blue and white stripped tent that stood to protect a buffet of food from the rain. Anna took a look around, trying to ignore the distinct feeling of hunger that rumbled inside her stomach.

"Hot chocolate?" Asked Kristoff, holding out a small white Styrofoam cup.

The redhead eyed it suspiciously, but couldn't resist the temptation. She grabbed the cup from his hand and wasted no time gulping it down.

"So, nice bike you got there." Kristoff said casually.

"Yeah, it's pretty great."

"I have a couple myself, actually. Yours looks pricy, though. How much did you blow on it?" Kristoff was curious, and justifiably so. From what Elsa had disclosed to him, Anna didn't make the kind of money it would take to purchase something that nice.

Anna's muscles stiffened. What was it with everyone being so interested in her ability to provide for herself? Money was something she despised, and being reminded of it only made her think of why. "Does it matter? It's my bike, I paid for it, and that's all any of you have to know."

"Whoa, calm down there, feisty-pants. Just a question." Kristoff threw up his hands in surrender, hoping to pacify the fiery redhead.

Anna didn't respond. She stayed silent while watching people continue to rush past them, occupied with a million different things. None of them seemed to care about anyone else around them. It made her sick to see so many self-centered individuals all flocked together. She zoned out for a moment, thinking back to where she had seen so many people like this before. A quaint little town filled with nothing but selfish-

Anna looked down to see hot chocolate covering her uniform. A man in a suit, much too busy talking on the phone to notice where he was going, had bumped into her, successfully drenching her in the steaming liquid. She watched as he walked away without a second thought. The drink hurt when it made contact with her skin. The burning sensation caused her to hiss out in pain. She wanted nothing more than to say something to the man and make him realize his actions, but by the time the shock of the event had passed, he was already gone.

"Are you okay?" Asked Kristoff, genuinely concerned. He didn't wait for an answer as he took Anna by the arm and led her away from the food tent. It wasn't long before they came to a trailer with the label 'Wardrobe' written on the front. He opened the door and walked inside, leaving Anna out in the rain to question his actions. She got the point when he came back out with a very expensive looking green sweater, joined by a pair of equally as pricy jeans.

"Here. There's no one in there right now, so you can go in and change. I'll watch the door." Kristoff handed the clothes to her with a smile, hoping she would accept the act of generosity.

She didn't question his motives, walking into the trailer and changing as fast as possible. She took a look at her dress, eyeing the wet stain where the hot chocolate had spilled. It was a shame, but she was lucky enough to have back up dresses for times like this. Though, their intended use was in case of disasters relating her own clumsiness, not the inconsideration of others.

"You look great!" Said Kristoff as he offered to hold her stained dress for her.

Anna stood in the doorway of the trailer, a light blush tinting her face. Compliments from intoxicated drunks at work were commonplace, but coming from someone who wasn't completely inebriated was a change.

"Thanks." She smiled and joined him outside, noticing the light drizzle had disappeared completely. "So, do you know when they'll finish filming?"

"Nope. It's really unpredictable. We could get here at six, and not start shooting until three. We aren't really on a schedule, it just kind of happens. I haven't even gotten a scene today. It's been all about Elsa."

"Big surprise" muttered Anna under her breath.

"So, besides the whole bike thing, what do you do?" Kristoff asked.

"I work up the road at 'Wandering Oaken's Pub and Inn'. I serve food, make drinks, and take care of the guests and travelers that come to stay in our rooms. Though, to be honest, we get more customers over at the tavern then we do at the inn. Business has been slow the past few months. Elsa is the only person staying with us right now." Anna played with the sleeves of the sweater, admiring how soft the fabric was. She knew everything she was wearing was designer, and that information alone made her self conscious. She didn't trust herself enough to think that she wouldn't ruin them.

"So that's how you know each other?" Kristoff tried his best to play stupid. He knew everything he had to know, but suspected that the story would be much different coming from the redhead.

"Elsa and I? No." Anna subconsciously lifted a hand to play with one of her braids. She wasn't in the mood to explain something like this to a stranger, much less the famous Kristoff Wolfe.

"So, what's the story?"

"There is none." Said the redhead, no emotion evident in her voice.

"If there's one thing I've learned in my career, it's that everything has a story."

"Then, what's yours?" Anna crossed her arms and looked to Kristoff in question. If he was going to push for information, so was she.

"I'm Kristoff Wolfe. Handsome, charming, and a known lady killer." He flashed his trademark smile at her, earning himself a very unimpressed glare. "I like snow better than sun, cake better than pie, and dogs better than cats. Anything else you need to know?"

"I had a dog once." Said Anna sadly. "So I don't blame you on that one."

"I've never actually had a dog. I just don't like cats."

"They're great. Happy, loyal, loving..." Anna trailer off for a moment, recalling certain memories from the past. "You're never alone when you have a dog. They love you unconditionally."

"Sounds like you know from experience." Kristoff tried to approach the subject gently. This was obviously a sensitive matter.

"I do. I had a dog once."

"Have you ever had a cat?"

"No. I didn't need one. I had Sven."

"You're too good for a cat, anyway. You know that guy who bumped into you? He has a cat. He's probably being brainwashed by the evil thing to run into pretty redheads and ruin their day." Kristoff smiled when he heard Anna laugh. He relished in knowing that he was able to turn her mood around. Even being as arrogant as he was, he still cared.

"Y'know, you're not so bad, after all."

"Why? Did you think I would be?" The actor understood why she would get that impression, but wanted an answer regardless.

"I don't know…everyone just loves you. They think you're the greatest thing in the world. Women fall at your feet, swoon over your good looks, and-"

"Oh, I get it. You're jealous."

"Excuse me?" Anna's face contorted into confusion. What could he possibly mean?

"You think Elsa and I are a thing."

"I wouldn't care if you were." She turned her nose up at the thought.

"Wow. What a total crock of shit."

"I'm serious! I don't care what you do, and I really don't care what she does." She lied.

"Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart." The actor knew he was antagonizing the redhead, but found himself pushing her further and further.

"I take it back. You're every bit as bad as I thought you were. You two make a wonderful pair."

"Except we're not a couple, and we never will be."

Anna thought for a second. Something told her that Kristoff was telling the truth. Still, the rumors that floated around the two blondes urged her to believe otherwise. "I don't see why not. You're Hollywood's most eligible bachelor, and she's Elsa Andrews. She's gorgeous with her perfect body, incredibly soft hair, mesmerizing eyes, perfect smile…she's beautiful." Anna paused, taking a deep breath and sighing sadly before going on. "You're a handsome asshole, and she's a selfish bitch. You're perfect for each other."

"Maybe." Agreed the blonde. "But we're not together, and we never will be."

"Hah. Why? Because you're both too into yourselves to ever love anyone else?" Anna's bitterness was very evident.

"Well, maybe for me, but not her." Kristoff looked over his past memories with Elsa, picking up the pieces to put together for the redhead next to him. "See, her and I started out at the same time. We debuted together. When I met her, she was reserved and quiet. Almost like a wounded bird, or something. She didn't let anyone close enough to touch her, and I mean that in every way, if you catch my drift."

Anna's skin crawled. The last thing she wanted to hear about was anything having to do with Elsa and the most physical aspect of her life. Just the thought of it made her sick.

"I watched guys fall for her left and right, willing to do anything for her attention, but she always gave them the cold shoulder. Eventually, her distant and icy personality, mixed with her habit of constantly rejecting every guy who ever laid eyes on her, earned her the title of 'The Ice Queen'. I was the only one that ever got through to her." He looked over to see Anna staring intently at the ground. She might have been quiet, but he knew she was listening. "I started out like everyone else. She's beautiful, like you said. Having her would be the greatest trophy anyone could ever-"

"She's not a trophy, you idiot. She's a person with thoughts and feelings and she deserves better than you stupid stars."

"I thought she was a selfish bitch?"

"Well, she is. But…" She couldn't back up her point, and she knew it.

"Anyway, I wanted her, but she turned me down. I was no different than every other drooling dude trying to get into her pants. But, once I saw what she was doing, things made more sense."

"And what was that?" Anna questioned.

"Hiding. From herself, I think." Kristoff gauged Anna's reaction, finding her harder to read than he initially thought. "She hates herself more than anyone could ever love her."

"That's not true." Retorted the redhead. "I- someone loved her, once upon a time."

"See, that's the thing. I think she hates herself because of love. Only a girl with a broken heart could be that cold."

Anna scoffed, throwing her head back and rolling her eyes. "Broken heart? Yeah, right. As if either of you know the meaning of that."

"We do. Both of us."

"There's nothing in this world that could ever convince me that she knows what it's like to have her heart broken. People like her…all they know is how to shut people out. Hurt them. Love isn't something you know the meaning of." The longer this conversation carried on, the more resentful Anna became. She would never believe anything the actor had to say on this subject.

"You're wrong about us. About her. She knows what it's like to hurt. She knows what it's like to love. I've seen a lot of girls get their hearts broken – by me, mostly – but they heal. Give them awhile, and they get over it. But Elsa…I don't think she ever moved on."

Something about Kristoff's words struck a chord with Anna. He seemed so sincere when he talked about Elsa. Almost like he knew something she didn't.

"There's a reason she hates herself. There's a reason she's so cruel. There's a reason that every single guy who has ever tried to be with her has failed." He could see he was getting somewhere with Anna. The way her face changed and her body language softened made him think that maybe, though slowly, she was changing her mind.

"You don't know her like I know her…" She sounded hesitant, as though she was questioning her own words.

"I know her better than you think. And one thing that I do know is that, once upon a time, she must've fallen in love, and she never fell out."


"Hey Anna. Lookin' good today."

"Go away, Hans."

"Ouch. A little hurtful, aren't we?"

Anna rolled her eyes and shut her locker door, attaching the combination lock and giving it a spin. "I wouldn't have to be if you got the point."

"What point? Point here is, you're coming out with me Saturday night."

Hans arrogance never ceased to amaze the redhead. It was like he couldn't see past his own reflection. Now that he was captain of the football team, it only seemed to get worse. One would think that after gaining so many attractive female fans, he would toss out the idea of being with Anna, and go for one of the more popular girls at school.

"No, Hans. Point is, it's never going to happen, and you need to stop trying."

"I'm a South, we don't give up. Which means I'll pick you up at seven."

"Leave her alone, Hans."

Anna's lips instantly stretched into a smile. She knew that voice, and it was much more pleasant than hearing the captain of the football team harassing her for a date. She turned around to meet the source, absolutely ecstatic to see the girl behind her.

"This doesn't involve you. Stay out of it." Bit back Hans. "This is none of your business."

"I'm pretty sure it is. Last time I checked, Anna was coming with me to Corona this weekend." Elsa turned to glance at the redhead, who stared back at her in a look of question. "Isn't that right, Anna?"

The younger girl nodded her head furiously, playing along to the best of her ability. "Th-that's right!"

Elsa kept herself from giggling. Anna was a terrible liar, and even just watching her try was hilarious. "Now, don't you have somewhere to be? Practice, maybe? I'm sure you're just dying to go tackle a bunch of sweaty guys in uniform."

When Anna's laughter rang throughout the hallway, Hans found himself to be thoroughly embarrassed. What gave Elsa the right to try to humiliate him in front of the object of his affection? He made a mental note to get back at her later. "It's no wonder you're still single, Andrews. No guy would ever want a bitch like you."

"Considering I'm not single, I don't think I have anything to worry about." Remarked the blonde, letting his comments roll off her shoulders. "I'd get to practice if I were you. It's the most action you'll have all week." Seeing Hans seethe in anger was a rewarding experience for Elsa. She knew how bothersome he was to her best friend, and toying with him was amusing. It was good improv practice. "Come on Anna, I think we're done here."

Anna followed Elsa out of the building, walking side by side with her on their usual route home. She couldn't help but think how pleased Elsa looked when she put Hans in his place. Elsa wasn't the type to fight, and seeing her so happy to do it was a change. Though, at the moment, there were other things she was more curious about

"What was that back there?" Asked the redhead while playing the scene over again in her head.

"I don't like competition." Stated the blonde simply.

"Competition?"

"Someone needs to teach him that he can't always get what he wants. Especially something that doesn't belong to him." Elsa's voice was very serious. She was obviously upset with the football star's crude advances towards her best friend. "He's so into himself that it's like nothing else matter if it doesn't involve him."

"He called you a bitch." Anna recalled the comment, regretting not saying something at the time. Elsa didn't deserve insults like that.

"I don't really care, to be honest." She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "It doesn't matter if guys think I'm a bitch. I don't need to impress any boys."

"You said you're not single…"

"And I'm not." Elsa looked to Anna shyly. "…Right?"

Realization hit Anna like a brick. They hadn't exactly established anything, but from the looks of things, it was safe to assume. "Nope. Definitely not." The redhead smiled and playfully bumped against the older girl. "In fact, rumor is you have a hot date in Corona this Saturday."

"Last I heard, so do you."


Author's Note:

Yes, I know. It's Tuesday. I had a very unfortunate incident happen with my internet connection, but luckily everything was fixed tonight. I had this all ready to go on Sunday evening, but thanks to some people, that became impossible. I was planning on posting from work tomorrow because of the delay, but thankfully I got things working tonight. You have no idea how upset I was when I couldn't post.

I'm not going to waste a whole lot of time writing this note because I'm so anxious to just publish the dang thing already, but I do want to say that I am very grateful for your continuing support. Even with a full time job, I still hold this very high on my priority list. This makes me happy. You guys make me happy. I like being happy. Thank you.

Just a note, I don't hate cats. Not a huge fan, but I have nothing against them personally. No offense meant towards the feline species.

Also! Just a small apology for all the cursing in this chapter. I really do try to keep as much of it out as possible, even though I myself curse like a sailor on most days. I felt like each use of an inappropriate word was well justified. I won't throw around vulgarities just for the sake of it. I hope that's not how it came across here.

You guys are great. Stay safe, and enjoy the rest of your week. I'll see you soon.

-WIC.