Anna
After World Literature, I ditch Olivia during our lunch break.
We always eat lunch together, but I know she doesn't mind.
She has her carrots to keep her company.
I don't know why, but she always has to pack carrots in her lunch.
It's her favorite food.
She's not a health nut or anything. She just really likes carrots.
I plop my tray down next to Kristoff's, who is sitting at his usual table all by himself.
Sorry, Kristoff; you get company today.
"We got an A!" I sing out as I scoot into my seat.
"Uh, yeah." He shouldn't act so excited...
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see him glancing at me with an unsure look upon as his face. I ignore his uncertainty, shoveling food into my mouth without a care in the world.
"I wanted to thank you for cooperating." I add. "Do you see what happens when you put effort into something? You succeed."
"Yeah..."
This boy is infuriating.
I eat my lunch while babbling on about nothing all that important; he "yeah's" along nonchalantly.
I can't believe I left Olivia and her carrots for this guy.
It's obvious that he doesn't want me around, but I don't particularly care.
He'll get over it eventually.
"So, do you have anything you like do to?" I question. It's my best attempt at small talk. "Like... hobbies?"
He raises his eyebrow at me, almost as if to say 'you actually think I'm going to answer that?'.
"Do you?" He challenges me.
"Well, I like to Facebook stalk. Wait... no. I'm joking. I wouldn't do that." I stutter. "I wouldn't... never mind."
I'm sure my face is bright red.
He looks amused.
Oh Anna, why must you always say things before you think about what you're actually saying?
"Do you Facebook stalk me?" He asks.
"I don't think we're friends."
"We aren't?"
"Not on Facebook."
"What about real life?" He looks up from his food to peer at me, the question shining in his eyes.
"Well," I start. "I'd like to be."
He tilts his head, as if he isn't at all sure of what he's looking at.
"Hm." All I get is a grunt in response.
I'm not entirely sure at all what that is supposed to mean.
"I like riding horses." He switches subjects on me.
"Oh."
"I have a horse. I board him at a stable in town. His name is Sven." He hesitates before adding, "He's like my best friend."
Somehow I know that this is a special piece of information he has shared with me.
It's something personal and I get the feeling that Kristoff doesn't give away anything personal to just anyone.
I also get the feeling he has a big bag filled with secrets buried deeper inside that tough surface.
"I'd like to meet Sven some time." Because I have a feeling that if I were to meet
Sven, it would mean Kristoff and I were friends. I also have a feeling that if we were friends, he would hand out more of those secrets he keeps stashed away.
Lunch break passes, as does the remainder of the school day.
I endure the bus ride home to the Oaken's.
As soon as I am in the door, I dash to my room to tell Elsa my news about Hans.
While the computer is booting up, I ponder over what I'm going to write to her.
I start to wonder if maybe I shouldn't tell Elsa everything.
Maybe it's better that she doesn't know I'm going to be at the Prom.
I don't want her to avoid me.
I settle on this:
Hey Elsa,
I have major news.
Do you remember me telling you about that new guy I just met the other day?
Well, he asked me out last night.
I'm so exhilarated beyond all possible words.
I've never had a date before.
What do I do? What do I say?
He's so perfect, Elsa. I wish you could meet him.
I wish we could talk about this face to face.
Do you want to get together?
Anna
Elsa
I avoided Jack all day as best as I could.
He knew something was wrong, just as he always does; but he doesn't push it because he never does.
The school was abuzz with Prom Nominations, which I tried to ignore. It was impossible, but you can't blame me for trying.
The green and gold posters were on every wall, in every hallway.
I saw them on every door. I saw them being passed from student to student. I saw them being crumpled onto the dirty, tile floor.
Green and gold blurred together in a radiant display of school pride.
I didn't bother to nominate anyone.
I didn't want to scrawl anyone's name on a silly piece of scrap paper.
I didn't want anything to do with any of it.
Is royalty truly based on nothing more than a popularity contest?
We all are already fully aware that Rachel Corona is going to be crowned
Prom Queen, with Flynn Rider at her right-hand side.
I already know that my stomach will churn at the sight.
Rachel is no queen.
I sigh.
Who do I think I am to make that assumption?
Rachel is gorgeous, popular, and perfect.
Of course she's the only one qualified for the job.
I'm the one who isn't a queen.
I will never be a queen or anything else for that matter.
These are the ponderings of a girl as she walks home from a long, trying day of school.
I'm ready for the weekend.
I'm ready for a break from all of this.
As soon as I take one step inside the Weseltons' home, Mr. Weselton is already pouncing on me. "Have you thought any more about what we spoke of the other day, Elsa?"
"Yes." I respond, curtly. "My answer is still no."
A shiver runs up my spine as I leave him there to go to my room.
I can feel his eyes burning into me with each step.
Something just feels so... off.
"I hope you reconsider." I hear him mutter under his breath before closing my door behind me.
I should know that regardless of whether or not it is a weekend, there is no break from any of this.
I sit on my bed with my sketch pad on my lap.
I ruffle through the pages to my drawing of Anna.
I sit for hours just like this; staring at the ceiling with Anna closer to me than she will be ever again.
It's just how I want it to be.
I don't want Anna any closer than this.
I swear myself away from Facebook for the weekend.
I don't want to read any of her messages.
It's just too painful.
