Anna was thoroughly enjoying her new-found closeness with Meg. The pair had spent most of the weekend together; on Friday after she'd visited her brother she'd texted the brunette like she promised she would and within ten minutes of arriving back at home Meg was calling her. 'Come downstairs, Gingersnap.' Rolling her eyes at the pet name, Anna had obliged and hurried down to the main lobby of her building.
Meg had been waiting for her, arguing with the doorman (a young man named Jim Hawkins whom Anna had seen a few times, usually getting yelled at by his mother who also worked in the building) about something. When she'd walked over to Meg's side the brunette had grinned and thrown an arm over her shoulder. "Anna agrees with me, don't you Anna?"
"Uh, yes?"
Jim had rolled his eyes. "Whatever, lady. We both know I'm right."
Meg replied with a scoff. "Absolutely not, you little-"
Anna intervened, bringing her hands up in a defensive gesture to quell the tension. "Whoa whoa whoa, what are you guys even arguing about?"
"We're not arguing, we're having a civil conversation about our favorite rides."
Anna blinked. Rides? "You mean, like… Merry Go 'Rounds?"
The two brunettes had just looked at each other before bursting out into laughter. Heat flared in Anna's cheeks, shoulders scrunching up to her ears. Meg used her free hand to wipe a non-existent tear away, still chuckling as she looked down at Anna's red face. "No Gingersnap, not like Merry Go 'Rounds. We're talking about something a little bit… faster." She grinned devilishly, pulling Anna in the direction of the door. "Come on, I'll show you what I mean."
Anna could only follow along, still embarrassed. Well how was I supposed to know they weren't talking about amusement park rides… what other 'rides' could they be talking about?
When they finally made it outside, Anna understood. Her jaw dropped at the sight of a deep purple motorcycle parked at the curb. "Don't tell me that's…" She trailed off, unable to form words.
Meg was looking at Anna, smirking at the look of utter awe on the redhead's face. She turned back to the bike with a proud smile, walking up to place a hand on the seat, stroking it lovingly. "Yep, this is my lover. 2013 Yamaha FZ6R, custom paint job." She threw a leg over her bike, settling into the seat before grabbing the helmet that had been hanging off the handlebars. She then held it out to Anna, chuckling when the redhead pointed to herself, mouth still hanging open. "Oh come on, don't tell me you're scared-"
Before she'd even finished Anna's face had split into a wide grin and she'd snatched the helmet out of Meg's hand. Lavender eyes blinked in surprise, hand still outstretched as she felt Anna mount the bike behind her, excitement radiating from every inch of her body.
"Scared?" she exclaimed, "No way! I haven't ridden one of these in forever!"
Meg turned to meet Anna's excited turquoise eyes with an excited smile of her own. "I didn't know you rode! You totally don't seem like the type."
"Well, I mean I've never ridden a real motorcycle before. But when we were younger, Hans and I would visit my cousin Rapunzel at our uncle's ranch and ride their ATV's all over the place. I always left Hans in the dust, which is something I will absolutely never let him live down. But yeah, ATV's. They can't be all that different, right?"
And once again Meg's grin turned devilish. "Oh Anna…" She retrieved her own helmet but paused before putting it on. "There's a world of difference." Grinning at the challenging smirk the redhead had sent her, Meg put her helmet on and soon had the engine purring like the world's sexiest house cat. "Hang on," she shouted over the roar, "it's about to get fast up in here."
Gentle warmth settled in her abdomen as Anna's arms wrapped around her waist. She grinned when she caught Anna's excited whisper.
"I like fast."
And soon the world was flying by, the bike spurred on by Meg, who was in turn spurred on by the delightful sound of Anna laughing, positively ecstatic. The redhead was still grinning when they'd sat down at the coffee shop twenty minutes later, Meg having taken the long way around so she could enjoy the feel of having Anna pressed up against her back, warm arms wrapped around her. It also succeeded in loosening Anna up, which had been Meg's true goal.
"So, I'm guessing you enjoyed the ride?" Anna nodded immediately, still smiling. Meg chuckled, looking up when the waiter came over to take their drink orders. She ordered coffee, and cocked a brow in Anna's direction when the redhead ordered hot chocolate. "Hot chocolate, really? What are you, four?"
Anna snorted. "Please. I'm a connoisseur."
"Of what? Child-like behavior?"
"Of chocolate. If we're going to be friends, the first thing you need to know about me is that I love chocolate. Like, a lot. Like, if I had a scale of the most important things in my life, chocolate would probably be up there with Hans and sleeping."
Meg laughed. "Good to know where your priorities lie. Alright, well if we're talking about favorites, then here's what you need to know." She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, grinning. "I love music. It's my life. In fact, the only reason I come to this coffee shop is because one of my favorite local groups, The Muses, performs here every Saturday. I also can't go without my daily dose of sarcasm, otherwise I shrivel like an old woman."
"Somehow I doubt that's true."
"Has a day ever passed that I haven't been sarcastic?" Anna rolled her eyes but shook her head 'no'. "Then how do you know it's not?"
Anna raised her hands in surrender, Meg grinning triumphantly. After a few minutes of exchanging random trivia information about each other, their drinks were brought over. The brunette merely nodded when her coffee was placed before her, but Anna gave a grateful 'thank you' to the girl that brought their drinks. The first thing Anna did was whisk some whipped cream off the top of the beverage, licking it off her thumb and humming in delight. Meg smiled softly and proceeded to load her coffee up with sugar.
Seriously. She poured packet after packet into the steaming mug, unaware of Anna's eyes on her.
Anna couldn't help but grin. For such a 'rebel' she sure has a sweet tooth.
After Meg had poured what looked like six packets of sugar into her drink, she finally noticed Anna staring. Her cheeks turned pink, swirling a spoon in the coffee as refused to shy away from Anna's teasing eyes. "What?"
"For someone who just made fun of me for having a sweet tooth, you sure do seem to have your own."
Meg shrugged nonchalantly (though the effect was slightly ruined by the fact that she was still blushing), bringing the mug up to her lips to take a sip. Anna did the same, careful to avoid getting whipped cream on her face.
Turquoise eyes wandered around the café, still enjoying her liquid chocolate as she admired the simple décor. There was a small stage over in the corner, and she guessed that was where the band Meg had mentioned performed from. Most of the chairs were occupied, a good mixture of people populating the room. She actually recognized one or two people from school; she guessed this place must have been popular. Anna's face went blank as she continued to stare, though after a while she had stopped truly taking anything in. She felt... odd.
"What are you thinking about?"
Anna jumped, almost spilling her hot chocolate as she turned back to Meg with the mug still up to her lips. Meg immediately brought a hand up to her mouth to hide her laughter, and Anna blushed. Putting the mug down, she glared at the brunette half-heartedly before her shoulders sank. "I don't really know, actually. I mean, I feel kinda out of it… like I'm supposed to know this place or at least have heard of it. You come here all the time, I see a few other people from school here, and... it makes me think that I'm supposed to have a place. A place where I go to unwind. Only I don't." Her eyes were downcast now, staring at the table top as her hands clenched into fists in her lap. "When Kristoff and I hang out, it's always at the apartment. When I leave the apartment, it's either to go to school, run an errand, or to visit the institute."
Her eyes shut. God… how did it take me this long to realize? For the past three months my days have been a cycle of school, Hans, and sleep. Obligations.
(Oddly enough, her visits with Elsa were left out of this generalization).
I love my brother, I really do, but…
"Anna." Her head shot up. Meg's eyes widened at her appearance. Without a word she stood, grabbing Anna's hand and dragging her to the bathroom. Anna stuttered out questions as she was pulled along, but Meg ignored her.
Anna couldn't see her face, but the brunette was absolutely livid.
She pulled Anna into the bathroom without a word, bringing Anna over to the sinks as she quickly checked each stall. When she was sure no one else was with them, she locked the bathroom door, a hand trailing slowly down the wood.
"…I knew it." Anna narrowed her eyes in confusion. Meg turned back around, her own eyes now sad. She walked slowly to Anna's side, hesitating before cupping the girl's cheek. "Anna, you're crying."
Anna's eyes widened and she brought a hand up to her face. Her cheeks were wet. She turned to look at herself in the mirror, and a quiet sob escaped her. She was crying.
"B-but, I don't…"
Meg pulled her back around, thumbs brushing away the tears that she could reach. She looked incredibly sad. "I knew it. I knew this was taking its toll on you. God, Anna… you're only sixteen! You're supposed to be going out and having fun, not forcing yourself to grin and bear the brunt of your brother's problems." She pulled the redhead into a hug, arms wrapping around her shoulders protectively. "I'm not letting you do this anymore. I can't let you be alone."
Anna stood frozen for a moment, tears still streaming down her cheeks, before her eyes screwed shut and she buried her face against the taller girl's shoulder. She clung to Meg, quiet sobs escaping her.
For so long, she'd been pretending she was okay. That she was fine with the way her life was. That she didn't want to cry every time she left the institute and came home to an empty apartment. That every time a football or a cheerleader passed her in the hallways at school it was easy for her to just look away and ignore the menacing glares they sent her.
Apparently, after three long months, she just couldn't do it anymore.
Meg held her tighter, happy to let Anna use her as a teddy bear. "We'll find you a place. Hell, this can be your place if you want it to be. Tomorrow The Muses are playing again, and you're coming with me to see them. If you so much as mention Hans or the institute, I'll clock you one. No arguments."
And there were none.
After Anna had finished crying, Meg had taken her home. With a quick hug and a threat to tear down Anna's door if the redhead dared to ignore her calls the next day, Meg drove away. Anna had watched her go, a grateful smile on her face.
The next day Meg came over early to help her get ready.
'You wear your hair the same way every day, Gingersnap. I'm fixing it.'
'But you wear your hair the same way every day too!'
'Because it makes me look sexy as hell. Listen Anna, resistance is futile, so just sit down.'
And when Anna walked through the café doors, auburn hair down with gentle waves curling through it (Meg's work), she blushed at the attention she immediately received. Half the room had turned to give her appreciative glances. A boy from school that she recognized even wolf-whistled at her from one of the far tables. She wasn't used to the feel of her hair down, and as she fiddled with the ends of it Meg had rolled her eyes and pulled her over to a table near the stage.
The band had come out soon enough, and when they did Anna giggled at the excitement that lit up Meg's face.
The two spent the next four hours surrounded by happy, shouting people, bobbing their heads to the music, laughing, and trying to sign along when certain songs demanded it. Well, Anna tried; Meg already knew all the words.
It was the most fun she'd had in a long, long time.
Neither Hans, nor the institute had crossed her mind once.
And now that it was Wednesday, she couldn't wait to tell Elsa about it. Yawning as she walked through the halls to the visitor's lounge, she felt her phone buzz in her pocket.
Pulling it out, she grinned when she saw she had a text from Meg.
'Dad's trying to tell me I should quit it with the attitude. Told him he should quit it with the mustache.'
Giggling, Anna typed out a quick response. 'I don't know, I think your dad might be on to something…'
The redhead put her phone on silent then and dropped it into her purse. Elsa deserved her full attention. And speaking of Elsa, the blonde was already in the lounge waiting for her. When she saw Anna she beamed, standing up and crossing the room to greet her. Anna's own steps quickened, excited to see the other girl. They ended up meeting in the middle, and Elsa held up her right hand. Anna didn't hesitate to press her own against it, a blush warming her cheeks when Elsa immediately slid her pale fingers between hers, squeezing softly.
Her smile grew tender as she watched Elsa stare down at their intertwined hands, the softest and happiest of smiles lighting up her face.
I don't think I'll ever get over how beautiful she is.
"Hi, Elsa. Miss me?"
The blonde nodded enthusiastically. Anna leaned in to whisper conspiratorially, "So, the salted caramel. How was it?"
Elsa blushed at her sudden proximity, her grin morphing into something that managed to be both nervous and excited at the same time. Anna was disappointed when all the blonde had to offer was another shrug. She sighed, disappointed, before straightening back up. "Oh well. There's still plenty more where that came from. First, why don't we sit down?"
Elsa nodded, and Anna was surprised when the blonde began pulling her over towards the couch. That was a first. Elsa had never before been this sure of herself and for her to take the lead in their interactions was a bit of a shock to Anna's system.
As if sensing her surprise, Elsa turned to glance at the redhead, faltering when she saw the look on Anna's freckled face. But Anna sent her a reassuring smile and after a moment the blonde smiled back, shyly, before once again facing forward and continuing on. When they reached the couch Anna saw Elsa's sketchbook, tiny and blue, resting on one of the cushions. Ever since Anna had gushed over how excellent an artist she thought Elsa was, the blonde brought it with her to their visits, happy to draw whatever the redhead requested if it got a smile out of the girl.
Which it always did.
Anna plopped herself down, Elsa slightly tripping as she followed, trying to keep their hands locked together as she fell into the seat beside her. When Anna sent her a curious glance however, Elsa shied away, releasing the redhead's hand and cradling her own against her chest, the other coming up as if to shelter it. Anna frowned.
"Elsa, if you wanted to hold my hand all you had to do was ask."
Elsa's eyes snapped to hers, an even mix of disbelief and hope shining in them. Anna smiled tenderly, holding her hand back out, palm up. Elsa looked down at it with an odd sort of curiosity in her eyes as her hand slowly reaching back out, fingers all of a sudden shaking. Instead of grasping Anna's hand right away though, the tip of a single finger brushed down the length of the redhead's palm, stroking the skin softly.
Anna shivered.
Elsa noticed.
Eyes quickly glancing upwards to gauge Anna's reaction, she did it again, this time applying more pressure. All of a sudden Anna was nervous, and she had no idea why. The way Elsa was looking at her… was she teasing her? The tiniest of smirks now graced Elsa's features, so that may have been a plausible answer…
…but the way the blonde was biting her lip was not.
"E-Elsa?"
Suddenly brimming with a confidence Anna had never before seen, Elsa's other hand came up to grip hers gently. That one single finger continued its lazy strokes, now following the lines on Anna's palm and tickling the skin.
All the while Elsa was watching her.
Unfamiliar warmth had begun to grow in the pit of Anna's stomach. She was almost sure her face was red, because all of a sudden the room was way too hot… but the skin of Elsa's hands was still cool, and the sensation was completely throwing Anna for a loop.
"I-I… um, I don't-"
But all of a sudden there was a finger against her lips, shushing her. Elsa was once again holding her hand, their fingers intertwined. There was a cat-like satisfaction in the other girl's eyes, and Anna found her own gaze falling to the floor, unable to take the intensity. She could feel the tips of her ears burning.
Elsa turned to grab her sketchbook then, flipping to a page before holding the book up for Anna's inspection.
Just like that, Anna was back to normal. "Aw!" She gushed, "It looks just like him!"
During her last visit Anna had shown Elsa a picture of Sven, the reindeer that Kristoff looked after for his family. Eyes narrowing down at the phone screen, Elsa had only studied the picture for a minute or two before handing Anna back her phone, her face serious as she nodded like a soldier ready for war. Now, a week later, here he was, immortalized on paper.
Elsa released Anna's hand to gently rip the page from the book, folding it in fours before handing it to Anna. Anna took it gratefully, sliding it into her purse just as Elsa grabbed her hand again. She grinned at the adorable way the blonde continued to smile at their intertwined hands, the confident creature she'd seen minutes ago replaced for the shy girl Anna was used to.
The peace of the moment was broken however, when an orderly rushed in. The force he threw behind the door forcing it to rebound against the wall with a loud bang, and the two girls looked up. Mr. Oaken, who'd been sitting quietly at his desk, immediately stood. The orderly who'd come in looked terrified, and out of breath. "Mr. Oaken," he said between gasps, "come quick, sir!"
What he said next made Anna's blood run cold.
"It's Hans!"
...I feel like this is the part where you guy start hating me.
...sorry not sorry.
-Cel
