I know I said I was done writing fanfictions and I am, but Frozenfever9712 asked for one last chapter. I know it was a while ago, but better late than never. Shout-out to MaraMystic!
In the end, Anna did leave her sister.
The very thing she was most terrified of doing. It surpassed all the fear her father instilled in her through his ruthless and meaningless beatings. It was more painful than every lash combined and even more heartbreaking than losing her mother at the young age of five. It was like moving with Melanie all over again, but this time was different.
This time it was voluntary.
"I just can't believe our little Anna is going to college soon!" squealed Rapunzel. "It seems like just the other day you welcomed her into your home, Elsa, and into our hearts." Elsa gazed lazily into her smoothie, numb ears only half listening to what Rapunzel was rambling about. "Els? Hey Elsa! Are you okay?" Rapunzel nudged her friend's shoulder.
"Hmph," grunted the now twenty-six year old Elsa Anderson. She looked up just in time to see Rapunzel's eyebrows scrunch together and a pleading look take over her features as if she were waiting for an answer. Put on the spot, Elsa said the first thing that came to mind. "Uh... no?"
Rapunzel sighed. "If you were listening you would've lied and said yes."
"Oh, well then yes."
"No it's too late now. Elsa, you've been acting like this since Anna's graduation. Tell me what's bothering you."
Elsa took a long, and somewhat intentional, sip of her drink. Rapunzel pulled a face of impatience, prompting Elsa to sit the smoothie back on the table with an eye roll. Sighing, she braced herself. "I'm not ready."
"Ready for what?"
"To let go."
"Of what?"
"Not what. Who."
It took her a while, but once Rapunzel realized what she was talking about she pouted. "Oh Elsa. Why didn't you say anything before?"
Elsa shrugged, tapping her almost empty cup on the table. "I thought I was the only one and I didn't want to bring it up."
"We're all going to miss her, Elsa. But we're also happy for her, first and foremost. Four years will be over before you know it and she'll be back here."
"Four years is longer than two and that's all I got with her."
"She's not going away forever. She'll be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas and wow, what am I saying? She hasn't even left yet! You still have a month together!"
"Yeah, but that's it."
"Just make the most of it."
Elsa downed the rest of her drink, pondering her friend's words. Rapunzel was right.
She was going to make the most of their time and she knew just how.
"So you know how we went to the beach last summer?"
"For my birthday?" She laughed. "Yeah I recall."
"I was thinking we could do something a little different this year."
"Well what did you have in mind?"
Elsa took out the box that she'd been hiding and placed it on the kitchen table.
"Umm... a box?" Anna cocked an eyebrow. "And suddenly going to the beach sounds like a great idea."
"No, no." Elsa pushed the box over to her sister. "Look inside."
Anna eyed Elsa carefully before opening the box. "Strips of paper? What are you getting at here, Elsa?"
"Read one."
The younger girl picked one at random and spoke the words written on it. "Have a picnic?" She looked at Elsa. "What does this mean?" She dropped the paper back in the box.
"It means have a picnic," she said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Elsa replaced the lid on the box and carried it to the living room to place on the fireplace mantle with Anna tagging behind her. "We pick one every day and do what it says."
"Cool, but can we start tomorrow? I have plans with Belle today."
"Are you planning to see those boys again?"
Anna avoided eye contact with her sister as she grabbed the car keys and headed to the front door. "Maybe..."
Elsa sighed, but smiled. "Have fun." She kissed her sister's cheek. "And stay safe."
"I will, Els. I always am."
"I know, but I have to say that every time just in case. Do you have your phone?"
Anna patted her pockets. "Yep and before you ask, yes I do have my inhaler even though I haven't had an attack in over a year." She opened the door and walked out to the car.
"It's just a precaution," Elsa shouted after her. "Love you."
"Love you, too."
The next morning Anna found herself wondering what she'd gotten herself into by agreeing with Elsa's Box O' Fun once she'd drawn their first activity. "Ride bikes around the neighborhood?" She glared at her sister in disbelief. "Elsa you know I never learned how to ride a bike!"
Elsa sipped at her coffee and grinned. "That's why I'm going to teach you."
It only took two hours for Elsa to coax Anna onto the bike and another four to get her to ride further than two inches. But by the end of the day, with her sister's trust and support, Anna managed to ride across the street and back on her own. With celebratory hot chocolates (who cares if it's summer?) and pizza, Anna deemed that activity a good one.
But who knew what tomorrow held?
After the first week or so, it became a ritual. Wake up, eat breakfast and pick from the box. Complete activity, go to bed and repeat the next day. The month flew by with picnics, beach days and movie nights. Anna particularly enjoyed the two day camping trip with Kristoff while Elsa preferred the girl's day out with Rapunzel, Merida and Belle. Whether it was something small like a ride around town or something big like hiking a couple miles into the woods, Elsa loved every second she got to spend with Anna. And the feeling was mutual. But all good things must come to an end and before they knew it, there was only one day before Anna's departure.
And Elsa couldn't sleep.
It was like that time a couple of years ago, except this time their roles were reversed. With Elsa being the one wide awake and troubled and Anna fast asleep, no worry in the world. At least that's what she thought until a soft, panic-stricken voice crinkled over the walkie-talkie that she still kept on her bedside table, even though it grew out of use long ago.
"Elsa." Anna was crying, Elsa could tell. "Please...I need you." Her plea was cut off, probably by a sob, but that was all Elsa needed. She was across the hall and into her sister's room in less than a second. She found Anna with her knees drawn to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. Olaf rested by her feet and her face was glistening with a mix between sweat and tears. She looked up after Elsa came in. "Els." She reached out to her sister.
Elsa walked over to the bed and took Anna's hand as she sat beside her. The younger of the two immediately scooted closer to her sister. She buried her face into Elsa's neck, sniffling and crying into the collar of her flannel pajama top.
"I can't do this," she whimpered.
Elsa wound her arms around Anna, swiping her copper and soiled bangs out of her forehead. "What can't you do?" she asked softly.
"Leave you. I don't want to. I wanna stay here with you."
And for a second, Elsa indulged into her selfish thoughts. If Anna didn't want to leave for college, then she didn't have to. She could stay and they could figure something out. She could find Anna a job and...she was being irrational.
"Sh, don't worry about it," Elsa cooed. "You'll change your mind in the morning." Elsa felt Anna shake her head against her shoulder. Elsa disregarded the action and slowly laid her sister back down, still holding her tight. "Sleep now." She pulled the covers over the both of them, stroking her fingers through Anna's hair.
"Please stay," Anna whispered with quivering breaths.
"I'll be right here," Elsa reassured.
By morning, all was forgotten. Things went as planned. The party for Anna and Belle was short. Everyone said their goodbyes, even Sven came by to see his favorite cousin. Sadly, Melanie couldn't make it, but she sent a nice card by Sven. The cake was eaten, memories made, car packed and girls ready.
Mostly.
Locked in a long embrace with her sister, Anna didn't want to ever let go. "Thank you...for staying last night," she whispered sheepishly into Elsa's shoulder.
"Of course." Elsa drew back and looked, really looked, into her baby sister's eyes. She wanted to say 'anytime', but felt it inappropriate at such a time. "If you ever need to talk then call me and I'll pick up before the first ring.
"Promise?" Anna quirked an eyebrow, getting a laugh from Elsa.
"Yeah, I promise."
Anna held out her pinkie. "Pinkie promise?"
Elsa rolled her eyes, but gave in and wrapped her little finger around Anna's. "Pinkie promise." Anna grinned in triumph. Elsa gave her another hug and a long kiss to the forehead. "Be good."
Anna nodded once, noticing the tears welling up in her sister's eyes, and turned around to see Belle give her father one last hug and kiss before looking to her.
"Ready Anna?" Belle asked.
"Yeah." Her voice cracked. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They walked off the front porch and to the car. Anna waved to Rapunzel and Merida, and Kristoff and Sven, but smiled her famous smile at Elsa before getting in the passenger's seat.
Elsa was the last one watching as the car disappeared down the highway.
So yes, in the end Anna did leave her sister, but it was okay. Because she would be back and she would forever remain in her heart.
Ahh, I did it again.
Sorry if they seem out of character, I've been out of practice. I just wanted to surprise you guys with one last chapter, but I swear this is it. I'm still writing, though. Just not fanfictions for those of you who asked.
Peace.