It all went by in a blur, a week devoid of anything even remotely interesting. Overly long hours at the coffee shop led to a lack of rest, and what little was achieved had to somehow be managed between the care-taking of her mother.
So when Friday finally struck, she should have been ecstatic. She was going to enjoy herself for the first time in days.
But, instead of feeling better, she felt worse. Chaos became her bedroom, clothes tossed haphazardly around. Where once there had been crystalline perfection, there was now disaster.
And Elsa sat half naked on her swivel chair, damp hair from a shower clinging to the back of her neck as she surveyed the scene.
None of her clothes fit the term "casual dress." It was like her entire life style had come back to back hand her in that moment, leaving her glowering at the very existence of her sweaters and over-sized t-shirts.
It wasn't really the idea of looking stupid at a party that terrified her (though that in itself was horrifying enough). But it was the idea of looking stupid in front of Anna. Yeah, she was definitely getting over the woman.
Biting her lower lip, she cursed under her breath and stood, grabbing the first articles of clothing she deemed even remotely decent.
It would have to be good enough.
No one greeted her when she got there. People were coming in and out anyway, so she just headed in.
There weren't that many people there. Maybe twenty. She didn't see Anna or Kristoff, though.
There was music, low and subtle under the chatting of groups. In her light red blouse and best jeans, she didn't feel under-dressed.
Elsa made her way into a quieter corner, surveying.
The apartment was overall nice. A matching couch and armchair had been moved aside to make room for the guests. A rather large tv monitor sat chiefly on a chestnut table, pushed directly against the wall.
She took a few deep breaths and slipped back into the crowd, trying her best to get by without touching anyone in the process. She managed, reaching the kitchen easily enough.
Counters were scattered with drinks, anything from light beer to mountain dew, even a few cocktails. And the decently sized table in the center had snacks laid out.
Still no sign of the hosts of this little get together.
Making her way over, she gingerly pushed herself up onto one of the only free counters, ducking sideways to avoid a painful head collision with the corner of a cupboard.
Someone to her left snickered at her attempt, the sound making her jerk her head and accidentally hit it anyways.
"Ow," she breathed, hand raising to rub the area of impact.
A young man, seemingly her age, stepped forward from the door, smiling bashfully. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
When she looked up, she was almost immediately sucked into his trance like gaze. His eyes were indecisive, blue in their intensity but green in their wonder. His lips, though thin, wove up into the most innocent of smiles. His hair was swept back, such a stunning shade of red it nearly matched Anna's in its insistence.
Elsa found herself gaping, at a loss for words in his presence. If she was even remotely interested in men, she was certain she would've fallen head over heels for him right in that instance.
"Um, hi. I'm Hans," the man said, breaking an awkward silence that had transcended upon them without Elsa's knowledge.
She blinked, as if waking from a stupor. Her eyes widened as she realized she'd been staring, and she tore her gaze away quickly, hands coming up to fiddle with the end of her braid nervously.
"Oh... I'm Elsa," she muttered, cursing herself for acting a fool. No man did this to her. Certainly not this one.
Hans, unaware it seemed of her negative thoughts, strode forward. He pulled out a seat from the dining table, began to sit. But then, thinking better of it, looked to Elsa for permission.
"It's okay if I join you, right?"
After a moment's hesitation, she nodded. He sat down backwards, straddling the back of the chair and resting his arms on it.
"So, Elsa," he began, testing her name on his tongue, "you seem awfully familiar. Have we met?"
She cleared her throat, looking up at him again. He appeared genuinely curious. "I don't know... Maybe we went to school together?"
He laughed lightly. "Not unless you went to a private, all boys school, too."
A blush threatened to creep up her neck. "O-oh... Maybe you've ju-"
"Hans!" a light-hearted, surprised voice chirped. Anna's voice.
Both Elsa and Hans looked up, toward the entry way. Anna held the biggest smile Elsa'd ever seen on the young woman before. She rushed in, throwing her arms around the older man's neck.
"Hey, cut it out, dork," he laughed, nudging her playfully with his elbow.
"No way! You said you wouldn't be here." Her words were muffled as she pressed her face against his shirt.
Elsa watched the interaction awkwardly, clearing her throat when a heartbeat of silence passed. Both redhead's looked up.
"Oh, Els!" Anna bounced up, braided pigtails falling over her shoulders. "This is my brother, Hans."
Hans smiled, pushed Anna away from himself gently. "Ah, now I know how I know you. Anna wouldn't shut up about you."
Anna swirled on him so fast it was a miracle she didn't fall. She swatted him maniacally as he only laughed, proclaiming it was true.
And once more Elsa only watched, baffled, letting those words play on repeat in her head. Anna had mentioned her. Anna had spoken about her.
She could have died right then from a wonderful overdose of happiness and embarrassment.