Searching for a Perfect Day

by harukaze

Due to unforeseen circumstances Elsa, after a five year absence, returns home to tie some loose ends. Modern Day AU. Eventual Elsanna. Femslash. Incest.

14. Chapter Fourteen: The Differing Views

Chapter 14: The Differing Views

There's nothing she can wish for more than this entire thing to blow over. How her week started should've been a good indicator for how the rest of it would go. The stares and mutterings haven't ceased—if anything they've grown exponentially. She susses that she'll get used to it in due time, but right now, especially because of the falling out with a person she considered to be a pretty good friend, everything is within hearing range, and none of it is good.

She's not sure how it's become a trend as well, but after her last class, someone would always be waiting for her just outside its threshold. Kristoff had been the usual, a sheepish smile across his wide face that she answers with a roll of her eyes. This happens for three straight days until she literally has to tell him, to his face, that she doesn't need a babysitter and she understands that he didn't mean to…well…shatter a friendship into irreparable pieces.

"I need to learn to lock doors after pizza deliveries. Will you learn to let this go? Please?"

His chocolate brown eyes soften as his face resumes the sheepish smile. "I just think you two should talk. Not…yell until your voices are hoarse and neither of you are able to think, but just…talk."

Anna's grip on her helmet tightens as it swings at her side, pushing the metallic double doors roughly as she exits the school. To her growing chagrin, her blond friend follows step by step.

"I remember talking," the redhead says, giving a mockingly thoughtful look that the young man rolls his eyes to. "I remember telling her to say her piece because I know I'm not doing anything wrong. And instead of understanding. Instead of trying to see me instead of the situation, she…she…" Anna breathes in roughly, stopping suddenly and facing her therapist who has to stop abruptly so they don't end up as a pile of bodies in the middle of the parking lot. "I'm tired of people telling me that I'm wrong," she says resolutely, locking eyes with his, and seeing the flash of apology in his countenance makes her want to scream at the injustice of everything all the more. "I'm tired of people judging me with their eyes. And Christ, only a couple of people are truly aware how close to home this is actually hitting and yet I get stares and mutters…like I'm making out with Elsa in the middle of the classroom or something! One of these days…I'm going to do that. Maybe it'll shut everyone up."

"Something tells me you'll get the exact opposite effect…"

She turns around and begins trekking to her motorcycle with renewed vigor. "Well, at least everyone'll be saying something worthwhile instead of the crap I hear at a daily basis."

Her ears pick up Kristoff's heavy sigh behind her. Another turn and she gets to her vehicle, her steps slowing as her eyes catch an unfamiliar classmate standing by her motorcycle. She notes the way the girl's eyes light up as she strides closer, unsure whether she should shove her head in her helmet or not.

"Hi."

She scans forest green eyes upon a pretty face, long brunette strands tied back in a neat ponytail, NYU's purple sweater on an otherwise thin body, and boot cut jeans.

She seems friendly enough, but Anna's tired and frankly, wants to leave the school as soon as is earthly possible. "Hi," she greets back, but it's short and clipped, and she can see the surprise in the other girl's eyes at how brusque she is outwardly.

Kristoff gives her a little nudge from behind, but she ignores it. She knows she sounds just a tad hostile, but it really isn't her fault that people can't see she wants to be alone.

"I'm Sidney," the brunette says with an unsure smile, hand extended for a shake.

Anna sighs inwardly. In other circumstances she'd be so much nicer. Today…

"Anna." She shoves the helmet in her head and flips her visor, narrowed eyes locking at the girl's widened greens. "Sorry if I seem bitchy Sydney, but my week sucks so far and I'm not one for meeting new people when I'm in this mood."

She's given an apologetic smile she can't return.

"I'll cut to the chase then," the other girl says. "There's a rally in Albany a week from now…on Saturday. It's the first week they'll be discussing your mom's appeal for the change in the incestual statute. It would mean a lot if you joined us."

That could quite possibly be the last thing she'd voluntarily do…

She looks away from hopeful eyes, following a random car going the opposite direction and sighs outwardly. "No…thanks."

The girl looks taken aback by her definite deference. She engulfs the silence by shuffling for her gloves and putting them on.

When ten seconds pass and there's no word from either of them, she gives a small shrug and straddles her motorcycle.

"W-why not?"

And now she's taken aback because, really, is it that surprising that she doesn't want to be in the face of this controversy?

"Sorry?"

"Y-you…The things I hear about you—

"Maybe you shouldn't listen and believe everything you hear."

Sydney takes a step back as the motorcycle comes to life, joining the evening air already noisy from the nearby commute. Anna eyes Kristoff's silent, observing form, revving the engine to get his attention momentarily.

"Stop shadowing me Kristoff. Don't wait for me outside of my classrooms anymore."

The young man steels his resolute face. "If you speak with Jenna—

"I'll speak with Jenna when she decides to stop acting like the victim. I'll see you Tuesday evening for the session. No sooner."

"Anna…"

"Good night Kristoff."

She doesn't give the girl at the side another look, resigned on leaving the school like a bat out of hell.

Since the incident with Jenna, Anna's been resolute about not being so outward about her problems to Elsa. It's not as if she's hiding them; she's quite aware that they're both knowledgable of the strain this outside pressure is exuding at the start of every Skype session or phone call. She can see it from how the other girl's light blue eyes narrow in concern just from first sight, lips pulled downwards, and wrinkles showing where they shouldn't upon a youthful face. And it's because of this that she doesn't want to "talk about it". It's already taking up such a large portion of her life. She doesn't want it to invade her little slice of heaven more than it already has. She's only glad Elsa understands this, and doesn't pressure her in talking about how crazy her day has been or what's bothering her now. It feels like the time that they're spending together is the only portion still untainted…regardless of the interruption only a few days back.

She finds that the only thing she can be thankful for is how this entire thing has lined up with her finals schedule. It's very easy to claim she's busy when she really is. Her homework has piled on to the point of no return. Exams are just around the corner. And her finals project as well as the looming showcase?

"Buttercup?"

Elsa laughs into her ears, procuring the only genuine smile of the day to flit on her features.

"Yes, sunflower?" the older girl jibes in the other line.

She sighs, followed by a well placed pout the blonde doesn't see, but can definitely hear. "I'm working on it."

"So it would seem. Frankly I liked 'snuggly bear'. Not sure why you stopped that one."

Anna laughs, shaking her head as her eyes land on the mural only a quarter of the way finished. "Doesn't have the right amount of pow I suppose." She decides to get right on the point, because this upcoming weekend will make the rest of the quarter a living nightmare if she doesn't start managing her time wisely. "I actually come bearing bad news."

"Will I not see and speak with you for a while?"

Anna purses her lips in repressed shock. "Are you sure you're not psychic? 'Cuz seriously Elsa…it's like you take it right out of my brain sometimes."

"Only trying to make sense with reason baby sister," the older girl quips. "Three more weeks to go. I'm sure you need a lot of time considering you wasted one entire weekend being here with me instead of focusing on schooling."

"Wasted? Wasted?" The redhead fake scoffs indignantly. "Any time with you is not wasted…older sister."

Elsa merely laughs. "In the meanwhile you'll come up with better pet names, I assume?"

"Priority number one!"

The blonde chuckles, the warmth in her chest heightening in tandem. "Don't overwork yourself."

She sighs, fingers coming upon the mural: pictures of nothing, but the older girl glued upon its surface. "You too."

"Love you Anna."

"Love you too. I'll message you…every now and then. You'll be busy too?"

"Yes. Working on some projects and homework from other classes and the group project is not quite done yet either. Don't worry about thinking I'll be unoccupied. The best form of preoccupation is simply out of commission."

"I love and hate how good you are with words."

Elsa chuckles. "G'night sunflower."

"Night…pumpkin."

"No!"

The redhead smacks her face with her open palm, albeit lightly. "No…sorry…you're right. I'm not thinking!"

"That's mom's—

"I'm well aware that's how mom used to call us when we were kids Elsa! I'm really not trying to make this relationship weird enough as it is, trust me! I'll work on it!"

"If it wasn't already priority number one, I'd force you to move it up…"

"Love you too, you stinker!"

And that is how her weekend and she assumes the next few weekends or any time off after school, really, starts.

It hasn't really occurred to her before, what with peers telling her that she's such a "people person", but she finds this facet others associate her with, just isn't true. Other than Kristoff who still manages to text her regardless of how she brushed him off, no one else has tried communicating with her. She tells herself that this is a good thing considering she does need alone time and can't be disturbed at this very moment, but it doesn't stop the stray thought from lingering in her mind.

If she really thinks about it, Jenna's the only other person who's tried to really cut through the haze that has surrounded her since her parents' sudden passing. Others have called and texted, but only her ex had actually gone to her, an action she had hated her for, at the time. She doesn't want to admit it quite loudly, but upon retrospect seeing a friendly face really had been helpful.

Anna had never really taken in to stock at how admittedly lonely her life is. Prior to Elsa's five year disappearance had been high school and really, that had been a world all on its own. It was easier to build repertoire with people she'd seen daily and for years; make strangers into acquaintances and, from there, turn them into what can easily pass as somewhat friends. She'd never needed a best friend—her sister had been ample enough for that role and, quite frankly, she didn't want anyone else to fill it at the time.

And when that role became a big, gaping supermassive black hole…

She's always known that people have the tendency for coming and going. When she was young, this wasn't really something that flitted through her mind, unimportant as it was. She knew she wouldn't be able to hold on to anyone or anything from high school—she didn't really want to. She wanted to wipe that stage of her life from her memory, save for its glorious upstart, and being around anyone from, what was admittedly, the darkest portion of her life thus far has never been something she thought of dwelling in.

By the time college started, people just became background noise. She was still friendly enough outwardly to pique the interest of peers—even show mutual interest at times. But always with reflex motions of keeping everyone at arm's length. It seems that the only people able to break through the barrier were the ones with iron fists…always ones she had pushed and pushed and pushed until giving up became the only option available. Kristoff was one. Jenna had been another. No other could be bothered.

Which is okay, isn't it?

She's never had any delusions that she needed people; only specific persons. But is it wise to push away those who have already put up with pretty much all of her?

This thought lingers with her all week in a haze of homework, projects, stares, mutters, and by Thursday, shoulder nudges.

Bullying is an area Anna doesn't have much experience in. And at first she accounted the rough nudges to her arms and shoulders to a more than usual crowded hallway. She might've even wanted to delude herself into thinking this if she wanted to be most dense human in the face of the planet, but come Thursday…

"Mother fucker…"

The nudge isn't very strong—enough to make her body sway slightly, but that could've been dismissed, easily. But the words…the heavy stress…the mere implication…

The sudden block in her throat is painful, the roaring in her ears deafening the noise of the crowded hallway. Everything seems to slow down as she turns, grazes her eyes on short brown hair over a Caesar cut, glinting narrowed brown eyes, and a towering heavyset body.

"What did you just say?"

She can barely hear her own voice as the words repeat in an endless mantra in her mind.

The unfamiliar boy smirks, backpedals, and retorts, "Why? Should I change it to father fucker?"

Anna sees red.

She grips the bottom of her motorcycle helmet for a moment before pitching it and herself forward, the helmet careening into the young man's surprised face who manages to get a palm up just in time to deflect it. Anna's hands are clenched into a pair of fists, her legs and blind anger lurching her towards the towering student.

The past week flies over her head: the surmounting frustration, her so-called friend, strangers bent on making something out of a situation that she has no control over.

And nothing would make her happier than punching this boy's smirk off of his smug face.

"Hey! Woah! Stop!"

A strong arm wraps tightly around her waist just as her fist flies forward, missing the boy by at least a foot.

The smell of strong aftershave reaches her nostrils, the silence of the hallway finally settling in her ears instead of being drowned by her still palpitating heart. The boy steps back once, twice, just as both of her wrists are being encompassed around strong fingers and an able body steps in her peripheral, blocking her view of her classmate, and taking her completely out of her anger induced entrancement.

Her tunnel vision recedes, eyes unlocking from the red haze as she looks towards her captor and simultaneously wrenches her arms away from his grip.

"Miss Andersen, I would advice you to stay where you are and do nothing."

She catches a hard inhale, air stuttering into her heavy lungs as her eyes catch her helmet on the floor, still spinning in the middle of a clearing hallway, students stepping back and giving what seems to be a messy, but open circle.

"Mr. Stein!" the middle aged professor calls, pointing at the unfamiliar boy and beckoning him closer. He does, unwillingly, their eyes catching and Anna can still see the leer and unimaginable disgust lining his narrowed pupils.

Professor Tidwell stands as the only body between them, his right hand upon the redhead's shoulder and his palm spread over her classmate's sternum, giving the two of them back and forth stern looks before glancing at a paused hallway.

"What is everyone waiting for? Your class starts in five minutes! Get there now!"

This shatters the silence, shuffles and bodies parting at breakneck speed to their destination.

Anna wants to join the fray, but the strong clutch upon her shoulder stops her. She's mildly aware of another unfamiliar classmate grabbing her helmet from the floor, trekking to her, and handing it with an apologetic half smile that she can't decipher before giving him a small thankful nod and takes the proffered helmet. Her grip on it tightens, eyes locking back up on her tall classmate who eyes the other boy before looking back at her and giving her an undivided look of contempt.

As soon as no other classmate is within earshot, their professor's rough voice slices the tense silence between the three of them.

"What the hell was that? Ethan, explain."

"Not sure," her classmate says rather airily. "I accidentally bumped into her—traffic and all, and she turns around and chucks her helmet at my head."

Anna's jaw clenches, left hand shaking uncontrollably from its balled fist and the need to use it as a boxing glove strikes her as the best idea she could ever possibly have. It seems her professor can feel the anger thrumming from her body though because his grip on her shoulder tightens, a wordless voice of authority.

"Anna?" he calls, barely able to unlock the death stare between her and the tall young man. "Is this true?"

"Mostly," she retorts, trying ardently to stamp the brimming frustration from overflowing and throwing all of her self-control out of the window…again. She eyes the brunette and adds on, "Are you gonna get to the part where you call me a mother fucker and a father fucker in the same minute or were you gonna gloss over that conveniently?"

Her peripherals catch her professor's eyes bulge in shock, but mainly notes the feral grin atop the young man's face. He leans forward, their teacher's palm digging into his chest in warning as he shakes his head at her.

"Oh, excuse me," he says lowly, sarcasm dripping into each and every terrible word. "I conveniently forgot that they're dead. Would sister fucker be more accurate?"

The growl that erupts from her throat echoes in the already silent hall, but before her anger could form it into anything else, their professor comes between them again, his hands coming upon Ethan's collared shirt and bunching the cloth in tight fists.

"You are out of line," Professor Tidwell says between clamped teeth, pushing him further away from the redhead, but unable to unlock the stare down between the two students.

"Everyone thinks it, you know!" His yell echoes, bounces away and back, eliciting the attention of stragglers to come back to them tens of feet away. "Why else would mommy dearest bring it up? Just wanna keep it in the family, right?"

"Enough! Dean's office, now!" The professor's grip on his shirt is palpable from the obvious strain, pulling him away and to the opposite direction. He turns back slightly and gives her an unfamiliar look. "Anna, get to class. If you do any skipping between now and your final class, consider your showcase privilege stripped. This is not a warning."

The redhead maintains her ground, her entire body shaking in violent convulsions as she watches the young man and her professor walk away. The last thing she sees is the quickly becoming familiar animalistic smirk aimed at her in between nudges and pulls from Professor Tidwell.

In the end it didn't matter that she heeded his words. She might've attended every class thereafter, but her mind was definitely not there. Just…that expression. Those narrowed eyes amidst a hard face and a just as frozen smirk…like a silent promise being given.

That is what replays in her mind all day.

The rest of her day becomes a blur of fast forward and slow motion, and before when there was an emotional berth of separation between her and her classmates, today, after the hallway incident which apparently spread like wildfire across the campus, there's a physical berth as well. The seats around her are empty save for the last minute in which no option is left. Even then, she hears it, from grunts of dissatisfaction to sighs of annoyance. A couple of students even make it a point to pull their desks further away, the scraping sound across the floor adding to the growing snickers in an already formidably thick air. Most of the teachers either ignore or can't see it.

This does nothing but raise the helplessness and frustration already nearing its boiling point.

The last bell rings, but it doesn't assimilate. Neither do the scrapes of chairs and bodies leaving for the day. But at least the murmurs are gone, and the stares and snickers with it.

"Anna?"

She looks up to see Professor Reilly standing before her, a matriarchal look of concern upon still young, but aging features. The redhead swallows the dryness itching the back of her throat before looking around and noting the emptiness of the classroom. She blinks a few times in an attempt to get her bearings straight, arms mechanically gathering her things still sitting atop her desk and shoving them carelessly in her backpack.

"Sorry, kind of out of it today," she says, and that's mechanical as well.

She hears her professor sigh just as the zipper of her backpack resounds loudly between them.

"Professor Tidwell told me about the incident this morning."

"Kinda surprised you didn't hear it just from standing around."

The hand upon her shoulder bears a familiar weight and she shrugs it off accidentally while putting on her backpack. Concerned brown eyes lock on hers and she wants to apologize but the words die in her throat.

"If something like that happens again, please get someone."

"It's easier to say when you're the one outside looking in."

"I know. I know it is, Anna," her professor says with a nod and another loud sigh. "But I need you to look past that and think about your well-being. That rude boy…did you realize how much bigger he is than you? How…easy…it would've been for him to fight back after the initial shock wore off that you'd actually fight him? If Professor Tidwell hadn't been observing from a distance, I have no doubt that you would not be here before me having this same conversation."

"Well you can rest assure that Ethan would've gotten his fair share too."

And Anna knows it's the wrong thing to say, but it doesn't stop the words from erupting from her mouth. She looks away just as her teacher clamps a couple of fingers over her temples, head shaking in obvious disagreement and disappointment. The redhead merely grabs her helmet and begins making her way to the exit. Before she can cross the threshold, her name rings across the empty classroom, her eyes finding her professor's still worried countenance.

"Please thread carefully…with everything."

She gulps the discomfort down the depths of her roiling stomach at words sounding with such disparity. She looks away from the older woman, afraid of what she'll find there.

"This…is just starting. And from my past experience, it can only snowball into a perfect downward spiral. When people want a scapegoat, they'll find it. They'll find it in the most obvious place from the most obvious candidate. I don't want them to find it in you. Please…thread carefully."

Anna's grip on the doorframe strengthens, her thumb grazing over the thick white paint and looks outside at an empty hallway. For the first time in days, not seeing Kristoff's familiar form leaning against the wall waiting for her sends a drop of trepidation in the pit of her gaping stomach.

"The fact that you have to warn me…" The redhead bites her lip, shaking her head outwardly, feeling her plaits bounce against the expanse of her neck. "That's the bigger crime."

She leaves the classroom without looking back, trekking the now ingrained route towards the parking lot. Her mechanical steps take her there—her brain's certainly not doing it— and looks up to yet another person standing over her motorcycle, just like the beginning of the week, only this time there's a glaring difference to the familiar scenario.

The young man standing beside her vehicle turns, forest green eyes widening as he begins backpedaling, giving her ample room to see the destruction. The tires are slashed, both handlebars wrenched and scattered a few feet away. The beautiful arctic white paint, or what's left of it, is either respray painted in red lewd words or scratched beyond recognition. The head and rear lights are shattered, glass shards glittering like gems amidst the setting evening sun and bits of upholstery foam and tattered leather littering the entire area…unwanted trash, laid and forgotten.

"You realize that this requires a lot of responsibility?"

Anna's vice-like grip on her helmet slackens exponentially, the thud of plastic upon blistering cement echoing across the otherwise empty parking lot. Her vision blurs, the weight in her chest squeezing the air out so painfully it's hard to breathe.

"You need to take care of this. More importantly, you need to take care of yourself. This isn't a toy. Your mother and I will allow you to keep this only if you promise to always, always be careful. We don't care what happens to the bike, but we do care about what happens to you when on it. Always be responsible…alright?"

The hot tears come unbidden—leak out of her eyes and splash in rivulets down the sides of her face. She lets them go, her blurred peripherals catching the look of concern from the stranger to her right, but her vision is tunneling once more to the wreckage that was once an unbelievably wonderful eighteenth birthday present. Because more than the price tag, more than the fast bike and the knowledge of her need to escape from everything and giving it to her, this had been a symbol of her parents' infallible trust. Trust that she would do the right thing when presented with the choice; trust that she would take care of herself and never fall to constant pressure; trust that when she's falling, she'll seek them out and lean on them.

A showing of mutual understanding that she needs room to spread her wings, and flying back to them is as inevitable as her needing to fly away.

Her jelly legs are able to lead her thoughtlessly to the cemented parking curb, crumpling atop it with her arms encompassing her bent legs and head tucking between. Darkness greets tightly closed lids as she tries to drown out the screaming cicadas amidst the pounding of her ears while keeping the bitterness coating the back of her throat down.

So many emotions are swirling in her system that it's hard to gather what it is she's actually feeling and where one begins and another ends. What she is aware of is that she's sad and simultaneously furious and confused…and just a tad vengeful.

The clenching of her teeth join the racket in her rushing ears, spots of light sparkling behind her lids from being shut too tightly. She's shaking…and she's quite sure it's not from sadness regardless of the hot tears dammed in the corners of her eyes.

She wants recompense…and she's not sure how it'll come to be…but she will get it.

"D-do you need a ride home?"

She lifts her head up infinitesimally at the sound but doesn't look up at the stranger now standing a few feet away, her stare locked before her and unable to see or assimilate anything. She meets the question with pronounced silence, her eyes grazing at the bent mini license plate of her bike before slowly moving her entire head to look at her company, craning her head to get a good look at his blurred face. Her arms clench the tight hold on her legs further.

"Who are you?"

There's no curiosity in her voice. Just a dead question seeking no question and uncaring if given one. Her head futilely reminds her that he is familiar albeit not a member of her usual group of…friends…if she still has that even.

A familiar stranger…

Forest green eyes crinkle in concern before giving a lopsided smile brimming with pity…and anger.

"I'm Mel."

His arm swings slowly to her, fingers gripping the opening of the flipped visor of the proffered helmet and déjà vu hits her from the action.

"You're from this morning."

He nods, eyes swinging between the hanging helmet and her unlocking arms. She makes no move to take it this time, merely gives it another look before fixing her stare back to the almost empty lot ahead of them. He sighs and shuffles the helmet under the crook of one arm.

"Can I please take you home?"

Anna bites back a scathing retort, reminds herself that he's merely being friendly and blaming him for something that's obviously not his fault isn't fair…regardless of how seemingly unfair everything is towards her at the present moment.

She breathes the hot evening air in before shaking her head once. "I'll call someone to pick me up."

"Then I'll stay with you 'til they get here."

Anger flares through her chest, head whipping to her classmate's direction and spitting out, "I'm having an awful day. I want to be alone. I don't want nor need some stranger Prince Charming hanging around. I don't need you."

The young man's lips purse tightly before he lets out another sigh followed by a helpless shrug. "And I don't feel comfortable leaving you by yourself in a darkening parking lot next to your motorcycle that's obviously been vandalized…Who knows if whoever did it will come back?"

"Let them…" she growls under her breath, hands balling into strained fists and shaking in tandem to the live wire thrumming in her system.

"Then…two is better than one…right?"

She nips the inside of her cheek, the smarting pain from the action enough to keep her grounded. Swiveling her attention back to the tall man, she shakes her head and laughs a small sardonic laugh. An unattached part of her, barely sitting at the surface of her subconscious shakes her head in quiet disapproval, but the redhead's too far gone in her crowded mind to care.

She gives a small, uncaring shrug, mutters, "Do whatever you want," and leans her forehead back onto her thighs.

The need to call Elsa and vent seizes her, but she knows the older girl's still in the middle of class. Venting to a voicemail isn't quite the same…A small part of her wants to sound dire enough for the taller girl to physically come to her and make it all better regardless of how selfish it may sound.

Two weeks…

More shuffling gathers her attention, Mel squatting at her side while giving her an unreadable look. She sighs, finds pity even in her emotional state, and scoots over, giving him ample room to sit beside her, albeit with some space, which he takes with a suppressed smile.

Uncomfortable silence surrounds the two of them momentarily, drowned out by the unfettered wing beats of loud, infernal insects in tandem to the honks of the evening commute. Her ears pick up the sounds so much more clearly since her eyes are still tightly shut, hoping for some semblance of control to take over even as her mind screams the utmost need for retribution.

"It's not really fair, is it?"

Her eyes open infinitesimally, gaze lingering at the tiny gaps between the fabric of her jeans as the young man's soft voice and his rhetoric question lingers between them.

"I mean, you haven't even done anything wrong. It's all assumptions from some bigots who can't handle change."

She digs her forehead into the rough fabric, calming the infancy of throbs creeping into what she can feel could become a steady migraine.

She's not sure why she's saying it…Maybe to prove something to herself? Maybe for everyone else's benefit…

"And if their assumptions are right? Would it be justified then?"

"Nothing about this is justified."

Forest green eyes lock with hers, pain, pity, suppressed anger—a swirling menagerie of emotions unconcealed beyond agonized irises. He looks away sharply, knowing from her inquisitive stare that she's trying measure something from his gaze.

"They have it painted to be so…convoluted," he states, deep voice barely a whisper. It's as if he's afraid of speaking just a pitch louder, regardless of the fact that it's just the two of them in an already emptied lot. "We just want what everyone else has…It doesn't seem that much to ask, is it?"

Another rhetorical question that streams between them, answered only in each of their private minds.

"Yet the entire state's acting in a frenzy," he continues, undeterred. "People want change, but when it happens they protest about traditional values. Ninety-nine percent of the population is unaffected, yet everyone wants a piece of the pie. It's so ridiculous…It makes hiding the better alternative."

The realization is slowly dawning on the redhead, but as she pushes her own problems in the side and focuses on this stranger's words, the familiarity of it strikes such clear resonance it's almost hard to breathe when she finally gets to the obvious conclusion.

He looks at her again, the momentary cognizance mutual between them.

He gives a small half smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "Sidney…you remember her?"

Anna can barely nod, pushing through the haze of the past week and remembering a tall girl, brunette, ponytail, NYU sweatshirt, and forest green eyes. She swallows the rough patch coating her throat and curls her arms further against her shins.

"Whether we're ready for it or not, this tidal wave's coming," he says, voice ominous and troubled. "She told me you couldn't give a damn—that it has nothing to do with you. Others seem to think otherwise…" He gestures futilely over her mangled motorcycle. "Regardless of your stance, I wanted to first…offer my condolences, because your parents—your mother especially—seem like really, genuinely good people. Second…I wanted to thank her personally, but considering how impossible that feat is…" He trails off, shrugs, and trails a finger over a scratch on the helmet's surface. "I think your mom wanted a place in which everyone—the minority included—to be happy. A lot of politicians claim to want to be the voice of the people, but they fail most of the time, always stuck in the crossroads between right and wrong and easy and difficult. Your mom saw a problem and probably even against better judgement went with the difficult, unpopular decision. But the fact that someone can call it out—see a problem and say, 'Let's fix this because we've evolved enough to need this to change'…

"I've never gotten fully behind a politician before. Steered clear, actually. They always had their own agenda and screw everyone else who's caught in the crossfire. But with this…" She can hear the rough swallow, see his fingers tremble into a balled fist and Adam's apple bobbing in discomfort. "I really wish Senator Andersen could've seen to this fully. I mean…it's not as if we know how it'll turn out…even though we have a rough guess as to how, but…something tells me the outcome would be so different if she were here."

Anna breathes through the heaviness in her chest, cheeks resting against her knees. The position is putting a strain in her bent back, but she hardly cares nor pays it attention. Her mind is swimming in memories of a warm, albeit usually apologetic smile that she hasn't been able to decipher sans one month back.

"She didn't do it without reason." She's not sure why she's saying this out loud, to a stranger more-so, but her gut tells her it's the right thing to do, so she follows it willingly. She feels Mel's heavy stare on her, but ignores it, eyes grazing over the pattern of her jeans. "Both of them were so wonderful. It sucks that I can only see it now fully only because they're gone…"

"Hindsight's twenty, twenty…"

The redhead smiles ruefully, arms uncoiling and legs splaying before her, inadvertently kicking red and clear shards away. She turns to him, eyes searching and he does the same to her.

"Do you think it's wrong? Feeling this way?"

He smiles, and it's boyish and handsome, and dare she say it, kind of…free. "Do you?"

Her lips turn upwards…and she's not sure how it's possible today of all days, but a specific brand of optimism hits her in waves that she hasn't felt since her departure from LA.

She breathes the cool night air in, the humidity still sticking in her skin, but upon closer look, it would appear that some heavy clouds are finally starting to settle into the city—a short reprieve to the smoldering days and sweltering nights.

"No," she answers clearly and without apology. "Nothing else feels right and everything else feels wrong."

He chuckles, nodding in understanding. "Couldn't have said it better myself."

The open show of camaraderie…of finally seeing someone other than her sister in this position…teetering between right and wrong, questioning every move and feeling…She doesn't know Mel's story yet, but it matters little to her what it could entail. She's sure he'll repeat a lot of the running commentary that's filled her mind to the brim for the past month…and do what Kristoff and even Elsa has been unable to since the start of it: assuage the fear, mitigate the loneliness.

Ever since the newscast hit, the isolation had been jarring. Jenna's sudden knowledge was the exclamation mark she didn't need to acknowledge it. Because as much as Kristoff has been supportive and as laid back as anyone could be with what he knows, Anna's felt something lacking. Because of course her blond friend can't really know how it's been. He's just like everyone else…Outside the realm of controversy—able to see this in an opinionated point of view but able to turn it off after it's been picked over and over.

He doesn't live with it. Not like they do.

A decision hits her then and there. And it's easy, and she doesn't question it for a second.

"Is that offer for a ride still in the air?"

Forest green eyes widen before an easy smile and tandem nods. "Definitely," he says, standing up but not before grabbing her helmet and offering it to her again, the third time that day.

She takes it from him this time, caressing the surface before grabbing it with a sure hand. "Let's go out to dinner. Call your sister to join us and you both can tell me about the rally in Albany this Saturday."

He's definitely taken aback by her words. "Y-you sure?"

"Definitely," she mimics and gets up as well.

Her bones pop in protest from the movement, glass scrunching at the bottom of her shoes as she takes another long look at her motorcycle. She sighs loudly at the destruction, gathering his attention to it as well.

"Sorry…about your ride…"

She shrugs, but it's halfhearted. Meant to look as if she's unaffected when it's furthest from the truth.

"Something tells me it can only get worse…" she says quietly. "Whatever's the case, it's certainly not going to get easier. It's fine…It's just a bike."

She doesn't have to look at her present company to see that he doesn't believe her nonchalant words, but he lets it slide.

"Sidney's class ends in fifteen," he says, glancing at his phone while walking back to the direction of the campus. She trails him a half a step away. "You really sure about this Anna? I mean…after today, I wouldn't blame you for wanting to run away."

"Funny…because after today, it feels like I don't have a choice except the exact opposite…unless I don't want to live with myself. Frankly, I'm tired of feeling the latter."

He gives her another small look mid-stride, but says nothing. She figures he doesn't have to say anything. She can feel it…the calm before a storm.

Because running away isn't a solution to any problem, and neither is hiding. She can act as if this whole issue isn't important and she's completely unaffected…or show that she's not some small girl anyone with self-important views can bend and bully to their will. She could live every day…like today—like this past week: show an outwardly cool and nonchalant front in front of her sister who sees the strain regardless of how much she tries to hide it…or fight for what she believes is right.

When put in that sense…it becomes a no brainer…

She wonders briefly if Elsa will try to talk her out of it…

O—O

Light blue eyes are wide—have been for…thirty seconds. Perfect pink lips are parted in surprised silence and Anna feels that maybe…she should've at least said hi first. Broke down the conversation to "How was your day's" and "How're your finals coming along's" before getting to the nitty gritty. Again…she needs to exercise the need to think before speaking.

She nibbles on her bottom lip before asking unsurely, "So…what do you think?"

"Let me…let me gather my wits Anna."

She sits straighter against her headrest, the bottom of the laptop cool against her exposed leg, and waits.

Elsa drags a deep breath in and gives her an inquisitive look. "Can I break it down…just so I know we're in the same page?"

The redhead nods. "Go for it."

"There's a rally in Albany on Saturday."

"Yep."

"As far as you're told from…a pair of siblings who…share…the same…interest—

"They're like us Elsa. Together. Have been for…years. I would think you of all people wouldn't have a problem saying this kind of thing out loud…" she says, rolling her eyes as the taller girl huffs at her.

"There's hardly a place for meet and greets with like personas and interests—

"You're saying it like our relationship is an extracurricular activity."

"No! I just…it's not everyday you actually get to meet people who knows exactly what it's like and…"

She trails off, wonderment coating her words that makes the smile in Anna's face light up.

"It's why I want to go…" she begins, ready to lift off into a tirade that could show a good enough reason to a too worried sibling…and lover. "To support it and…the opposition's going to be crazy, but…I think people have to know that there are sides to it that are really glossed over and there are facets that are okay! It's not all…pedophilia and abuse. There's…there can be consent and love involved and I know it sounds completely naive to believe that people's views can change. I mean, it won't be easy because people can just be outright ignorant and I don't foresee changes overnight, but…if we can reach out to some. Not everyone, but those who matter. Th-this is how gay marriage started. Hell, this is how the acceptance for the generalization of it began…and mom paved the way for it. If I let this opportunity pass without doing something…that would feel like the bigger sin. I-I might as well start packing our bags and start looking for a place in Jersey…"

She swallows the accumulation of water from excessive speech down a parched throat and clears it, Elsa's look of disapproval and worry still strong, but wavering. Bringing their parents into the conversation usually does that…and a small amount of guilt eats at her belly from playing that card here, but she remains steadfast.

This feels like an important decision and it's not one she can selfishly make by herself. Not without Elsa's full knowledge and agreement.

The blonde sighs and it's riddled in consternation, apprehension, and worry, but amidst it is also concede and submission. Anna's face lights up immediately upon recognizing the telltale signs of defeat.

"But!" And at this her sister gives her a firm look that keeps her attention rooted. "At first sign of trouble, I want you out. I've seen how these protests can end Anna. I don't want you to be in the thick of it when people begin seeing it as a rife opportunity for mayhem more than a place to call out injustices and show viewpoints. There will be people there that couldn't give a damn about this. Please be aware of that, keep a low profile, and please…at the first sign of trouble…leave. Get the people you care about and get out as fast as you can."

The redhead gives a lopsided smile. "Can't be that bad."

"It can," Elsa says seriously. "It has." She stops momentarily before continuing rather apprehensively, "Would it be too much to ask for an hourly report?"

Anna laughs. "Yes…and I understand why you're so worried, but please don't be. It's…it'll fine. I'll be fine. I promise. You'll be busy finishing up your project anyway. You probably won't even realize the time…"

"I think knowing the time and adding three extra hours on top of it doesn't need realization anymore. By now it's just reflex."

"Two more weeks…" Hope brims from the redhead's chest just from merely saying it out loud. "And besides," she says, getting back to their original topic before off-roading from it, "I'm going to convince Kristoff to come. He'll save me from the big bads if anything. Not sure if he's adept to any martial art form, but he's big and bulky. Should stave off unwanted attention if anything."

Elsa sighs again, but she can see that hearing this has appeased the older girl somewhat.

"Besides…honestly…what's the worse that can happen?"

Her sister can only shake her head, white teeth coming down to worry a plush bottom lip. "I know you've pretty much made up your mind on this matter already Anna, but I want to just clarify that you don't have to do this. Regardless of the events Mom's put in motion, we can still come out of this relatively unscathed. We don't have to be in the center of controversy or…even live in the city of it. There are many options and stones we haven't turned. Fighting this head on with teeth bared is just one of them."

"But it's the only one that ensures I can look at myself in the mirror every morning and be happy with what I see."

The words tumble from her mouth smoothly, her eyes deferring to the keyboard of her laptop but not before seeing Elsa's eyes widen in shock and concern. She swallows past the rough patch in her throat, ignoring the swirling of her upset stomach, and releases a soft sigh under her breath. She hasn't spoken about the goings on of her entire day with the older girl—had actually decided against it so Elsa wouldn't worry herself sick, but omitting it seems just as sinful, so she retells it…leaving nothing out. When she gets to the confrontation with the boy in the hallway, the blonde is shaking in disbelief, fingers clawing through her bangs as rough expletives stream through pursed lips. By the time she gets to the motorcycle, the older girl is pacing the space beside her bed, disappearing from the small vantage point of the camera before coming back and disappearing again in the other side. Regardless of the fact, the redhead doesn't stop the story telling.

"It's kind of why I want to go on Saturday—hell bent on it…actually," she finishes, following Elsa's slowing movements as the older girl stops her frantic pacing and kneels at the side of the bed, light blue eyes piercing hers and a new bout of distress coating her irises. Seeing the anger there doesn't hinder her—if anything, it's ample reminder of her state just mere hours back upon finding her thrashed cycle. It propels her to get to the point and have her sister see reason. "I refuse to be bullied over this. I refuse to let strangers judge me. I refuse to hide myself away when mom did this so we can be happy. She—they…did this for us. I know we can run away from all of it. It would be so easy. We have the means…we have the money…but…they've always taught us to do the hard right instead of the easy wrong. This is just another example of it."

The blonde's brows are knitted in deep trenches, but Anna sees the acuity beneath the troubled visage. The loud sigh is simultaneous to the curt nod. "I understand," the older girl says softly, and gives a small half-smile brimming with unspoken worry. The redhead wants to smooth the wrinkles over her forehead, caress the jawline from it's cramped clenching. "I'm sorry…I just wish I was there to comfort you, at the very least…and also to pummel your stupid classmate."

This gathers a weak chuckle from the redhead, her finger grazing at a cold computer screen where Elsa's full cheek should reside. She can't reiterate enough how much she misses the taller girl. If today had happened exactly as it had with the exception of having the older girl waiting for her at home instead of through a computer screen, this would've been bearable. She figures anything could be bearable so long as Elsa's with her.

"Two more weeks," the smaller girl repeats, laying back tiredly into the comfort of her smushed pillows and pulling the screen of the laptop to follow her change in position. Her chest flutters in arrested anticipation, pouting at the apologetic smile the older girl is gracing her. "What's that look for?"

"My own ineptitude."

Anna grouses, smacking the screen and earning a mild chuckle from the other end. "If I'm not allowed to say those things about myself, neither are you," she grumbles, narrowing her eyes playfully at the other girl who takes the higher ground at maturity by sticking her tongue out. The redhead mimics the action to a tee. "I can't wait 'til you get back here you stinker…So I can kiss you and kick you at the same time whenever I want."

"I love how you aim so high Anna," her sister retorts just as quickly. "And I'm not surprised at all that the pet names that have stuck insofar as endeared twice or thrice are jerk and stinker."

The smaller girl laughs, feeling lighter since the segue between conversations. "Still trying, but those ones are winning so far. They're the most accurate ones after all."

Her sister's face smooths over, and to Anna this feels enough. It has to be. Just for now. She wants to shrink this distance in whatever way possible, and it feels as if standing up to what she firmly believes in is one of the only surefire ways to achieve this.

This is living up to a promise she had made for her and her sister: to protect what is theirs. To face adversity. It matters not if she wins in the end. Realistically she has no delusions about how impossible this feat is. But standing by is not an option.

Living another day in close resemblance to one she's just endured…is not an option. Not for her. Not for anybody.

The thought of Elsa enduring something like this flits through her mind.

She'll protect what's theirs.

Or die trying…

O—O

When Mel stated briefly that they would be the minority, she believed him. She truly did. But this isn't a minority. A minority is possibly one out of five, or even one out of ten. She was never really good at the whole probability subject in school. But she knows…this isn't a minority.

There's a yearly tulip festival in this same city every year that goes on for about a month. She's only gone once with her parents and that had been a couple of years after Elsa's retreat to the other side of the country. There's only one thing she really remembers: standing in front of a field of butter yellow tulips and her eyes locked on the anomaly: a bright red, rebellious blossom jutting proudly in the crowd.

That memory and this circumstance has such glaring similarities that it invites a shiver to wrack through her spine, Elsa's serious words an imminent warning: "At the first sign of trouble…leave."

There are road blocks between the two opposing sides, officers standing in the cleared middle portion perked in awareness and vigilance. There's a lot of everything: signs, yelling, coordinated chants, and in the surface just peeking through, a bit of anger and unrest.

One doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what the majority of the population thinks about this entire situation.

"Hey, glad you could make it!"

It doesn't take very long for Mel to spot them, but he has to yell over the din of the noise to be heard.

Anna smiles at him even though she knows it's riddled with anxiety and nervousness. "This is Kristoff, a great friend of mine," she says, side stepping to make the introductions, "And his brother, Sven."

Mel's eyes light up in surprise for a second in between handshakes, eyeing the brothers as they both shake their heads vigorously at the suddenly unasked question.

"They're just here to support," the redhead tacks on, earning wry smiles from the two brothers as the handshakes commence.

"No, no, of course," Mel says, his face lighting up. He turns and motions for his sister to join them and another minute is expunged on greets.

In the middle of perfectly adapted ice breakers, Anna looks over the crowd on "her side" of the proverbial fence and counts thirty people…max. A sweep of her head and her vision swims of the countless opposition. She can't stop the dread and helplessness from pooling in the pit of her stomach.

"Seems kind of impossible, isn't it?"

She looks over at Sidney, catching a sigh as the other girl stands beside her.

"Well, it's not like we didn't know that already," the redhead says, half-jokingly. She sobers up rather quickly as she locks eyes with a random stranger on the other side of the road block who leers at her before shaking his sign vigorously and yelling unknown expletives, the words: sinners, pedophiles, godless, and more of the same swimming through her vision before she forces the break off. She looks back at the other girl and attempts to smile off the nervousness. "How long have you and Mel been here?"

"We got here with the group at seven this morning," the brunette answers, nodding at the group of people behind them. "More are supposed to come in before noon, but…"

She doesn't have to finish. Anna wouldn't be very surprised if people did come only to slink away after a mere glance at the opposition standing shoulder to shoulder in the other side. She swallows through the consternation coating her throat and gives an uneasy smile.

"Got an extra sign I can swing around?" Kristoff asks suddenly at her other side and earning a grin from the brunette girl.

"Course."

Everyone's given a sign before momentarily being herded into the crowd and joining the same display of enthusiasm.

Anna and politics have never really been much of acquaintances, a fact which is made more funny because of the position both of her parents have over the entire state. Her interest in the practice has always been close to nil, something her mom and dad never really cared for. They were good at what they did and they sussed she'd find her stride elsewhere—politics is hardly for everyone. A small part of her is wishing currently though that she should've paid attention more whenever they spoke about matters openly at the dinner table…because a lot of the jargon being thrown around in regards over the legal matter for the repeal has her asking a lot of questions in her mind, but aren't speaking loudly in fear of strangers giving her that look. That look that plainly, sarcastically asks: "Aren't you the Senator's daughter?" A look that says she should know the in and outs of this entire debate, but the fact of the matter is…she doesn't.

Other than knowing there's a big injustice to be called out, she's not actually sure what she's doing here with…maybe a thousand people…in front of one of the many buildings making up Albany's City Hall. At this point so late in the game, she's a bit afraid to ask.

What she has heard amongst the crowd is that this repeal isn't something that happened overnight—not that she's naive enough to think that. It makes her wonder though…just how long her mother and father had been keeping this under the radar. It's not an easy thing…asking for a repeal. More than the legislative process and the time and effort put into the hiring of professional lobbyists, staffs, and the gathering of intel from what could be oppositions, there's also their professional lives at stake. Because just as her classmate had yelled so proudly at a not-nearly-enough empty hallway…they must have a reason to want a more than one hundred year old statute to change.

"So we're kind of at its infancy right now," Mel says in their small huddle, eyes peeking over the crowd as she, Kristoff, and Sven hang on to his every word. "I hear there's going to be a boatload of hearings. Senator Andersen laid out this grand plan for expert testimonies and the like, but since she's not here as acting author, so someone else is taking her spot—most likely someone less astute and generally unqualified. It doesn't really hit close to their home, so there's no real incentive for whoever that person is. It's just someone your mom appointed to take her spot as author if…something were to happen…" He ends in a rough trail off and then a shrug.

"So you're basically saying we're lucky it's made it this far?" Anna asks, switching the overbearing sign to her other hand.

"I'm saying with your mom out of the picture and general outrage from the population, the committee will have a pretty easy decision ahead of them. But your mom started paving the way to something and more than anything, that's a step in the right direction. If it goes through as she's planned though…if she's taken to every point of view—every scenario and this goes through the committee and into the House or Senate…" he whistles sharply, eyes glinting at the mere prospects.

"Is one day enough time?"

Mel shakes his head. "The committee gives it time to sink in. They might be able to go through all the testimonies and witnesses today, but the formal decision will be made and announced in two weeks so that they can review both sides and make a proper vote."

She doesn't want to say that all of the information isn't making her head spin, but he only chuckles and nods in easy understanding.

"It's a lot to take in, but…ever since the news for it hit, a lot of interested parties, me and Sidney, and well…" he gestures at the crowd beside them, "everyone here really…took a long look into it. After all, we're the ones that'll be affected the most."

"Didn't think it could be possible to feel anymore guilty about not being knowledgable, but here we are," Anna states wryly, but he just shrugs in response.

"Just the fact that you're here is enough Anna, seriously. Don't—

He cuts himself so abruptly that she's confused for a moment before she follows his disbelieving gaze to a man and a girl walking from the outskirts of the field towards their side.

"Is he for real?!"

Kristoff and Sven share her mutual look of bewilderment as Mel breaks through their huddle and power walks purposefully to the man, Sidney's worrying call falling on deaf ears. It doesn't take the alarm bells ringing in Anna's mind to follow him, the brothers hot in her heels.

"What the hell are you doing here?!"

Even through the general noise, the redhead can hear the anger laced in Mel's usually laid back tone.

"I have every right to be here," the man just says simply, a sneer splashing over a mature face that doesn't seem to fit there because someone his age shouldn't outwardly show that much immaturity. He gives them all a once over, smirks, and side steps away, the girl following him wordlessly.

Anna trails her eyes over a tucked red polo shirt over khakis, short graying hair, and a set of flinty eyes on an otherwise normal face. The man exudes the aura of every maturing husband or granddad-to-be next door. The girl following him is most likely his…

The fact that she gets to the conclusion so slowly makes her want to smack herself in the face. Then the mere thought of the implication sets off unwanted gag reflexes to erupt at the back of her throat.

"She just turned eighteen…" Mel says, voice barely above a whisper. "You can be sure they've been…together…for a lot longer than that…"

The disgust is hardly veiled in his voice before he stomps after them, his sister rolling her eyes in exasperation before following him again.

"That was also known as the pot calling the kettle black, right?"

The familiar voice causes the redhead to turn her neck abruptly, eyes widening at the unexpected form of her (ex?) friend standing a mere meter away. Hazel eyes are also riddled with loathing as they drag from Anna's to the retreating siblings and then the…couple? Father and daughter? Whatever they are, it doesn't sit well in the smaller girl's subconscious.

She pushes it all away, almost gladly, in favor of her present situation.

"You're the last person I was expecting to be here," the redhead finally says when she gathers her bearings enough to turn her full attention to her ex.

"Yeah, I should be in the other side of the fence," the blonde mutters. "But…Kristoff invited me so…here I am…although maybe he didn't think that I'd come to deter instead of promote…"

Anna narrows her eyes at her therapist who can only sigh loudly, palms coming up in a neutral and placating manner. Sven could only snicker beside him.

"Honestly, I think you two are due for a talk," Kristoff says, walking until he stands right beside the two of them and giving them both meaningful looks. "A real talk. And what's a better time than now to do it? Although honestly I thought you wouldn't come…" The last bit is directed to Jenna.

"Anytime is better than now you jerk…" the smaller girl mutters, garnering a small shrug from the blond.

"If you won't admit it out loud that you shouldn't be without friends right now, then I will Anna," Kristoff says in a deadpan manner and giving her a solemn look. "There are times when you need people. People you can trust wholeheartedly. Notwithstanding the…event…from last Monday, I'm sure you and I can agree that Jenna is one of a very short list. Say that you don't want to speak to her—to mend whatever that's left. Make this official, right here, right now, and I won't say anymore. Otherwise…there's a Starbucks a couple blocks away. Get some coffee and talk. I'm sure you won't miss much in the next…hour or so."

She can't come up with an appropriate come back, eyes flittering to the twins that she can make out even from this distance to be having a few choice words with the uninvited guests heatedly.

"If Mel and Sidney asks—

"You went for coffee…which is the truth," Kristoff says evenly, arms crossing across his broad chest.

She rolls her eyes and mutters, "Fine" before giving Jenna another look and leading the way to the nearest corporate coffee joint.

It takes them a half an hour to find one.

"Seriously Anna, I forgot how bad you are with directions…"

"I was promised a Starbucks in every block. I didn't think I'd need to get the directions on my phone, okay?"

Their eyes roll simultaneously, Jenna holding the door of the coffee chain open for her to walk through after finally getting their drinks. Regardless of the shop being located pretty far from the protesting venue, they still had to wait an upwards of fifteen minutes, stilted silence permeating the air between them during the entire walk and wait for their order.

A small playground/park is noticeable only a block or so away so without asking the taller girl, Anna leads the two of them towards it, the discomfort only broken by long sips of their respective cold beverages. The park itself is relatively busy considering the day and the sort-of fair weather. Clouds have been settling in the past few days, but rain has yet to make an appearance. The redhead's only glad that the committee hearing was scheduled in an opportunistically cloudy day.

Heat stroke isn't fun for anyone.

They wordlessly pick an empty square cemented table with a set of cemented backless…chairs. Or what could be constituted as chairs—something to sit on. The smaller girl figures the set up is for random public chess matches, similar vacant matching tables and chairs littering their vicinity.

She puts her drink on the table and Jenna does the same, hazel eyes meeting hers with scrutiny. The happenstance from five days back flashes through Anna's mind again, and she clenches her jaw firmly so this doesn't start (and end) just as badly as it did the last time they "spoke".

"So…" Jenna says, eyes darting to the redhead's eyes and back to her drink in what can only be seen as a small bout of nervousness.

Seeing it lights a bit of hope in Anna's mind—that something may be salvageable if they both thread carefully enough.

The blonde continues in a soft mutter, "Should we cut through the bullshit or…"

"Probably best," Anna answers, before taking a swig of her iced white chocolate mocha, fingers coating from the condensation in the plastic cup's side. "Before you get started though it's not…" She scratches a spot on her forehead, eyeing the green straw while mulling over her words. "If it was up to me…I would never have told you about it," she says evenly, locking with hazels unapologetically. "And if I would ever have a change of heart about that, I definitely would not have you find out the way you did."

Jenna sighs, looking away. "Yeah…I figured…"

The despondent reply deflates the smaller girl's hope that this could turn into anything but the reassurance they both want of a failed friendship. If it comes to that though, at least neither of them would have any qualms about the ending of it being far from mutual.

"Do you get…why I'm so against this?" the blonde asks, and it sounds just a tad rhetorical. "After…after seeing that old guy and…what we both can assume is either a niece a daughter or a granddaughter…"

Anna's eyes close tightly just as a bout of nausea hits her from hearing the things her mind had begun to spin since seeing…that.

She nods in reply, even though she doesn't want to.

"Anna."

The calling of her name, so serious and solemn, takes the redhead out of her fogged mind. Jenna's face is forcibly stoic, eyes narrowed in muted fear and lips pursed so thinly they're almost unnoticeable.

"I'm going to tell you something…" she says, voice impossibly soft and low, as if talking any louder will detonate a bomb nearby. "And it won't leave this table…is that clear?"

The smaller girl can only nod, the back of her mind warning her futilely that she won't like what she'll eventually hear.

Her ex drags a deep breath in, her clenched jaw ticking momentarily before she begins, "When I was six, my mom took me and my brother to live with her brother in Arizona."

Just from the way it starts, Anna's mind already begins to reel, stomach roiling in protest at already spinning scenarios. She doesn't say anything because her throat is closed up—a small favor because her mind is drowning in curses.

"He…was nice. Cordial. An entrepreneur. He had some kind of swimming pool cleaning business. Regardless, he was kind of well off and since my mom and dad were in the middle of a fight bordering divorce, she turned to him for help."

A heavy silence drops between them, beverages creating ringed condensation upon the stone table, forgotten. The redhead can see the hidden pain so clearly in the other girl's still stoic expression, and she wants, more than anything, for her to stop, but the words are lodged in her blocked throat.

"You can guess what happened…" The helpless shrug almost makes the redhead stand up from her chair and sweep the taller girl in a tight hug, but the words are still spilling, unbidden. "It's not hard to manipulate a six year old," Jenna continues and there's a tightness in her voice that wasn't there before. A swirling of anger, regret, and coiling bitterness. "He…see, the strange part was even though I was young, a huge part of me knew that there was something wrong about all of it. But…I wanted to be a good girl. Mom was having a rough time, and I didn't want to add to her problems. He twisted it…insofar as telling me that it's owed for living with him—for providing a roof over our heads."

"Jenna, I'm so sorry…"

The words come out as a croak, but her body springs forward, the corner of the stone table hitting her hip, but the smarting pain didn't deter her from bending over and hugging the taller girl like a lifeline. Inside her encompassed arms she can feel the blonde's thin body shaking, and she's not sure whether it's from anger or from trying to conceal all the emotions that are barraging through like a rushing river.

Her mind's eye conjures a six year old blonde child, innocent in all the wonders of the world and becoming…tainted…by someone who should know better. And her brain yells in repetitive pleads that this sorry excuse for a man she'd never met better be rotting in a prison cell somewhere, but a sick and helpless part of her knows this is most unlikely the case.

Jenna sits back suddenly and catches her wrists in a death grip, hazel eyes boring into her own as unshed tears pool at their corners. She sees her answer in those greenish-brownish depths and her chest burns at the injustice of it all. Her next words are like ice cold water drenching the top of Anna's head.

"How do you know she's not manipulating you into feeling the way you do?"

The question feels like a slap, and she's taken aback by such a turn in the conversation before remembering what they were speaking of prior to the tell-all. Words leave her as those eyes burn on in inquisition.

"That man…with that girl, from earlier," the blonde continues, undeterred by the redhead's shaking head, "I will bet you everything that, that relationship—if it can even be called that—is based on nothing, but manipulation. That poor girl has been conditioned to believe that she needs that man—that no one else can be better for her. Tell me…how is that different to what my uncle did to me? How is it different from what your sister has done to you?"

"You're twisting it to something that it's not!"

The taller girl springs from her seat, leans forward and traps Anna between her arms. The table is hard against her back, but the smaller girl can't feel it, head still shaking vehemently in protest.

"Elsa loves me. She—

"Yes," Jenna nods, but it's certainly not a sign of agreement. "Yes, she loves you to the point where she fulfills every portion of your life that you need. Fills every gap. Every hole. Becomes the perfect answer to every question…and then leaves. Leaves because she knows this will undo you. Leaves because she wants to see you fall without her. It's not some…gallant expression of love Anna. She left because she wanted to, and she came back because she wanted to—

"She only came back because our parents died!"

"Is what she wants you to believe, but I can guarantee you that she had never meant to stay away. She would've come back. She would've found reason to. Because that's what they do, Anna. They leave their mark. They make you question who you are and what you feel. They give you hope, so that they can strip it. And they live for this stuff. They live to see that you can't go on living a normal life without them—without their continued effect in your everyday life.

"I still think about him…every day. I think about what he's changed mentally—whether I'm gay because of what he did, or what might've happened if my dad didn't come in and win the custodial battle. I think about everything he's done and how it's changed me. Sugary words full of lies and manipulation.

"What has Elsa done for you? She became your world, abruptly left without reason, knew of an impending downward spiral, because let's face it, she controlled it to be that way. And when you think all hope is gone…she comes back—like a guardian angel, here to save the day. And look at that! She has all the right answers again. She takes care of everything without batting an eyelash. Then, because it might be some sick game she goes off to, she tells you she'll leave again. And you know, this time she can't leave you here by yourself. And you'll do anything to make her stay. Anything."

Anna's eyes are tightly shut, fingers gripping the edge of the warm stone table behind her. The wild beating in her ears come in rough pounds, stutter breaths claiming a heavy chest, and her mind whirling, scattering in every direction. She attempts to gather the cooling air in her lungs, willing for her mind to desist its franticness and focus…Focus…

Her mind's eye presents it to her: the proof only she can see. It doesn't matter though because only her opinion matters.

She remembers the skipping of her heart as she sees the older girl again, for the first time in what feels like forever, a still beautifully regal face scrunched in consternation, stuck in her own mind as people stream past by her in a busy airport. She remembers the fear in those light blue eyes—of rejection, of being unwanted…because of feelings she can't control. Feelings that are now up in the air and accounted for. She remembers the hesitance—shaky hands balling into fists instead of reaching out to her. The poster child of always attempting to do the right thing regardless of how jarringly difficult that comes to be. She remembers utmost devotion. Her mind swimming from some pain syrup medication she had to ingest because the throbbing from her broken arm had been excruciating.

"I'm so sorry, Anna."

The redhead can still hear her, then, eight year old sister's apology in her ears, fingertips grazing over her bangs softly, carefully, as if touching her would result in even more injuries. And she wants to ask why the older girl's sorry. It's clearly not her fault the redhead had lost her footing on the way up the treehouse and had fallen remarkably.

"I should've been there…I'm so sorry."

She remembers a soft kiss planted on her forehead, her lips twisting in a happy grin at the feeling of unadulterated warmth spreading through her chest.

"I'll always protect you. I promise."

Anna opens her eyes, her grip slackening on the table behind her and standing up straighter. It doesn't take much to see that Jenna can feel the difference in her stance. She locks eyes with the taller girl, the blonde taking a tentative step back as she gathers another lungful of clear air.

"Elsa's not your uncle."

Hazel eyes widen at her words, at the smoothness and calmness of her voice, bereft of the anger lancing through it the last time they spoke.

"Elsa's not that despicable guy parading his daughter or niece or whatever. She's…" she stops, pauses, and shakes her head helplessly, a just as defeated smile gracing her face. "There's nothing I can say or do to make you understand. Because honestly, it's something between me and Elsa. It will stay that way forever.

"I understand your point of view. And thank you…for showing it to me unabashedly. But it changes nothing. I still love Elsa. And I know Elsa loves me. Not…not in the obscene way everyone will think or assume, but the special way only she and I know. And for me…that's more than enough. Everything and everyone else is just background noise."

A gust of air blows between them, nearby trees rustling in tandem. It sends pleasurable goose pimples to erupt through Anna's exposed arm, her gaze going up to darkening clouds and back down again towards her…friend. She can still see the confusion in Jenna's face, as if she's trying to decipher a millennia old question and failing repeatedly.

"If you don't want to be my friend anymore I completely understand," the younger girl adds, feeling as if she needs to tack this on just in case. "I won't fault you for feeling the way you do and we can leave this entire thing right here and never look back. But at least know that…I see it now. What you mean—what you've been trying to get across. And I understand it. Thank you…for telling me like it is; for not sugarcoating it. You're…you're a wonderful friend Jenna."

The older girl breathes in deeply, face stitched in incomprehension. She gathers a hand up and rubs her forehead deeply before settling an unsure gaze at the redhead. She shakes her head and gives a depressed smile, brushing back loose blonde strands behind the shell of her ears before her expression settles on a tough decision.

"So were you."

The words are said softly, carried easily by the wind, but the haunting echoes reverberate in Anna's ears on replay. The redhead stands rooted in her exact position as the other girl gives her another sad smile, turns, and walks away. She stays in her spot well after the blonde's figure disappears through a street corner, the finality of the action feeling like another nail to an already stifling coffin.

It shouldn't feel so freeing…but it does…and that thought bounces around the walls of her mind as she begins the lonely trek back to the group.

O—O—O

"I can't believe we're finally done…"

"And we have three days before the presentation so…definitely enough time to do practice runs."

Elsa nods in silent agreement, eyes scanning over their finished project and reigning back the sense of accomplishment wanting to burst in undiluted exulted screams. Seeing the final product in a three dimensional format of what had just been ideas on paper not too long ago—seeing it translated to perfection for everyone to catch a glimpse of the goings on in her usually brimming mind…

She chuckles in relief, sighing softly as Kareem hands her an already opened Blue Moon and clinks the bodies of the bottles together.

"To a great head architect," he toasts, getting a couple "Here, here's" from the others and garnering a small smile from the blonde.

"To a great group," she replies easily, clinking bottles with the rest of her classmates gathered around the larger than life model.

The bittersweetness of the drink coats her tongue as she takes a swig, joined by the others in a rare perfunctory celebration. She susses that after all the hard work all of them has given into putting her vision into reality and more than succeeding at it, this small reprieve is somewhat owed.

Her eyes glance at the entirety of the model: the castle and its towers, steeples, and trebuchets, the snaking battlement, the farmlands, the pier, the tavern, the many outlying manors accompanied by tudors and straw/wooden houses. Pride bursts from her chest easily at how perfect it's turned out.

"It's really easy to picture actually living in it, yeah?" Kareem asks beside her, garnering a small nod and smile at her end which he returns with a familiar mild grin.

The sore subject that is her sister hasn't been breached by either of them since that day. He's remained true to his word however—the rest of her group and, furthermore, their entire class has remained blissfully ignorant of her private life. She's been waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop ever since his tell-all, and it's not as if there hadn't been any opportunities for him to do so.

That same day when the rest of the group had clambered in her condo and everyone had stared in wonderment at a suddenly finished environmentally filled map, she had to, of course, give a reason for it, the utterance of Anna's name sounding much too loud regardless of how she took care in merely whispering it. She and Kareem had locked eyes then, her expression pointedly goading, testing to see if he's someone who lives up to his words or simply one who lies for the greatest foreseeable benefit. He had merely smiled and kept his silence, a growing trend that's been invariable for more than two weeks.

In that timeframe, she's also tried reading into him some more, hoping to see flashes of what he's really like under the surface of warm smiles and easy deference. Insofar…she's come up empty handed, but still…

No one can be this nice without an ulterior motive.

This thought has been a repeated mantra bouncing in her busy mind, but as of late, it's grown more and more silent after each expiring day. There's nothing to stoke the fire so it only makes sense that it should die sooner or later.

She's always been pretty good at reading people…

Her final verdict of her Middle Eastern classmate stands as being one or the other: he's a really good actor that will bring her ruin someday or he's truly genuine in indifference to what should be a brow raising subject.

Elsa can only hope to never find out.

"So regarding the presentation…" The blonde takes herself out of her reverie easily and drops her drink on the coffee table before capturing the attention of her group mates. "Each of us has been pretty much taking care of separate portions of the model. It only stands to reason that we'll present it in that manner. I expect everyone to have a brief outline of their presentation by tomorrow evening. We'll do a few rehearsals together within the next couple of nights to smooth out any rough edges and by Wednesday we should be good to go."

"Aye, aye captain," Ben says with a dragging sigh, tipping his head back and swallowing a rather large gulp of his beverage. "But we've been at this since noon…Can we…can we be done for the night? Please?"

She chuckles, turning her neck to glance at the clock that reads just after six. She wonders briefly if Anna's home from the rally yet…and pushes the worry that's been eating at her stomach since waking up this morning to a lively text message: (emoticon grin) G'morning star shine (yes I stole that from Willy Wonka. Deal with it), I'm heading to Albany with Kristoff and Sven. Not sure what to expect, but please don't be worried about me and focus on your schoolwork (I'm quite aware you should be saying that to me, but again, deal with it). I'm not sure when I'll be home tonight, but rest assure I'll be calling you as soon as is humanly possible. I'll tell you more about what happens in Skype. Love you! (emoticon heart, kisses, hugs, grins, blushes, stars, snowflakes).

Elsa suppresses a grin from the recollection, mildly aware that all of them are waiting for her say so.

Nodding, she adds on, "Since we're already celebrating the completion of the project, you guys wanna stay for dinner? I can order pizza."

She feels just a tad guilty at seeing what is clearly surprise etching each of her peers' faces, including Kareem's. She's been kind of on slave driver mode the last two weeks. Being told a reprieve is okay probably sounds like a godsend.

"Meat lovers." Ben's the first to get out of his shock induced stupor, his sudden answer pulling the corner of the blonde's lips in a suppressed smirk. "And stuffed crust. Your treat, right? Pfft, of course it is. You can afford it."

She rolls her eyes at his jest, quite used to his special brand of humor by now. "Yes, it is my treat, considering I brought it up." The blonde looks at everyone else, eyeing Kareem especially. "Just cheese, Kareem?"

He nods rather sheepishly. "Sorry…can't eat anything that isn't halal."

Elsa merely shrugs and looks at Andrew and Hayley for their opinions.

"I'm good with what's being ordered," her Vietnamese classmate says. "I'm Asian…I eat anything."

"Hawaiian with olives and onions," the only other girl in the room puts in at the last second, causing everyone to look at the brunette in mild disgust which she answers with a snort and obvious eye roll, "Don't wreck it 'til you try it," also adding kind of waspishly, "And I'm on my flow so your opinions don't matter."

Elsa chuckles as a round of further aversion plasters on the boys' faces, echoing ewws erupting from them in near chorus. She gathers her phone from her pocket and walks to the balcony to ensure a quieter spot to call and place their order, her group mates still making a cacophony of noise as she shuts the sliding door close. It only takes a couple of minutes, but when she gets back, it seems a semblance of normalcy has returned to the group, Kareem, Andrew, and Hayley situated and looking at the model like gods upon the earth while Ben lounges on her sofa, the TV's remote control twirling in his hand.

"So Elsa…" he starts, gathering her attention, "You have this sixty inch smart TV that you never use. Can I please turn it on?"

"Why is it that whenever you use that word, it comes out to sound more sarcastic than anything?" Kareem asks, taking the words verbatim out of Elsa's head.

Ben ignores him and just looks at her pointedly, still twirling the remote control casually through his fingers.

She shrugs in answer, not quite wanting to agree with him of her disuse of the equipment, but not wanting to lie for something so small either. "Be my guest," she says easily. "The pizza will take roughly thirty minutes so…"

She begins making her way to her room, but not before catching the sly smirk upon her blond classmate's face.

"I noticed you haven't made your usual twenty minute break to your room today," he says slyly, causing her to roll her eyes. "Anna busy?"

"Anna's none of your business," she replies easily and with humor, grasping her phone tighter and entering the small hallway leading to her bedroom. "Please answer the door and let me know if the pizza arrives sooner than expected," she calls over her shoulder. "I'll be in my room."

"Yep…"

She means to trudge through her hallway undeterred, but the catching of specific words upon her ears makes her freeze in her steps instead, her attention focused solely on an anchorwoman's steady voice.

"…rally in Albany. The majority of the people in attendance are protestors who've been here since seven this morning…"

"Change the channel," Kareem orders, and it's too serious and too sudden and definitely too out of character for him, causing Ben to sit up straighter on the sofa and for Elsa to turn and set her eyes on the television before looking at them.

Ben's eyes narrow in speculation before he smirks, punching his thumb at the remote and turning the volume even higher.

"What's wrong Singh?" he asks rather mockingly. "Incest not your cup of tea?"

Kareem's jaw clenches, eyes catching hers momentarily before he stomps over to Ben's form, the blond getting up from the sofa quickly and defensively. Elsa's between the two of them in record time.

"Change the channel," Kareem repeats again, this time his voice completely tinged in warning.

"The fuck's the matter with you?" the other man retorts and suddenly they're eye to eye, an electrical charge coming out of nowhere and filling the once neutral room in dread.

The blonde spreads her palm out to both of their chests, her fingers catching on the fabric of their shirts as she separates them with a rough push that only manages to nudge them a half a foot apart.

"I don't want to watch this," the almond skinned man grunts lowly, standing his ground as Ben gives an uncaring shrug.

"That's too damn bad because I want to," is the easy answer. "Close your eyes. Shut your ears. Leave the room. I don't give a fuck what you do. I want to watch this. I want to watch it even more now than I did five minutes ago just because I know it'll piss you off."

"Stop," Elsa warns between gritted teeth, Ben's blue eyes drifting towards hers momentarily.

"I'm not getting why this is a big deal," Hayley says suddenly in the background, shrugging for good measure.

"Yeah, it's been pretty much national news since it hit two weeks ago," Andrew adds on, and that little bit really is news for the blonde.

She had thought that the matter had stayed in the relative confines of New York—it's hardly an important concern for the rest of the country. But then again it's not very surprising that it would garner this much national attention as well, considering it might be the start of a precedent.

She should've followed it much closer, being busy with her schooling notwithstanding.

I was too careless…

"Can we keep watching it? Kinda interested on if they'll shed some light on where the committee might be going with this," Andrew says, suddenly a couple feet away. His dark eyes are eyeing both male classmates as he leans steadily against the arm of the sofa akin to a coiling spring.

"Shit…" Kareem curses under his breath, giving her a look she can't quite decipher before shaking his head and walking away, back towards the model.

Ben chuckles sardonically before plopping back down on the sofa, leaving Elsa to stand awkwardly in spot until she turns and takes a seat as well, eyes landing on an earlier recording of a number of people protesting, signs and coordinated chants going off in a background of steady noise.

"I kind of wanted to speak with you about this Elsa, but…we've been kind of busy," Andrew states, causing her to sit ramrod straight.

She whips her head at his direction, brows stitched in confusion. "Why?" It doesn't help that she can't stop herself from sounding so defensive as well…

The Asian man looks taken aback at first before saying as if stating the obvious, "'Cuz it's your mom's repeal…right?"

Oh…

"I hope you know that it's not really a secret that your mom's a senator for New York," the young man continues, looking wary in case he says the wrong thing. "I mean…everyone in our graduating class knows it. It just…kind of became something everyone knew. Just like everyone knows Kareem's mom owns an architectural firm. Or how Janice got the position you declined for AECOM. Just, you know, somewhat moot information….so yeah. When the news hit that a senator in New York with the same last name as you asked for a repeal…it didn't really take long for me to connect the dots that, that senator was your mom. It's the same person…right?"

She breathes in deeply, aware that everyone, sans Kareem who looks like he's drilling a hole through their model just from sight alone, is eyeing her attentively.

"Yeah," she says and nods in afterthought. She clears her throat and hopes she doesn't look as flustered as she feels. She's always been aware of the fact that her classmates just kind of knows who her parents are—were. "Yes, this was my mom's repeal," she states softly, finally getting around to answering his question.

Andrew whistles. "It's a bold move…Re-election for senate was due this year, yeah?"

The words are dying in her throat, and she kind of wants to walk away, either towards her room or the balcony to gather her thoughts so she doesn't look so discombobulated, but that would be even more strange in and of itself.

"Yes," she replies again, shaking her head internally to urge her brain to stop giving one word answers. She focuses her attention at the TV, still feeling her classmates' eyes on her. "Her sixth year would've termed on November."

"Do you know if it was a tactic for re-election? 'Cuz…shoot, this is a hella unpopular move. I mean…I hear it's tossed the state in this sharklike feeding frenzy. You're probably glad you're not there right now."

But Anna is, her mind reminds her uselessly, the need to call the smaller girl seizing her. She can only shrug outwardly and keep her tense position. "I don't know. We'll never know…"

Her morose words puts a screeching halt on the questions from her classmate, the interrogation session ceasing with permeating awkwardness. Everyone's attention turns to the television to dissolve the intensity coating the air, experts on so and so subjects vying for their say on what's seemingly a beaten-dead-horse matter.

"Well, of course this is an unpopular opinion," a burly man in a tight suit says with a booming voice across the screen. "And I think the committee will make the right decision to keep the statute unchanged. Have you seen the tapes from Albany today? Thousands of protestors amidst maybe a handful of supporters. If this gets past the committee and goes to the House Floor, you can bet there will be riots on the streets. This is not 'The Next Gay Agenda'. This is and forever will be cultural taboo. Frankly speaking, I don't know what Senator Andersen was thinking when she put this plan to motion."

"Well John, that seems to be in the mind of a lot of citizens upon hearing about the repeal," another male anchorman states. "Senator Andersen has been a favored representative of New York since her election five years back. Not so much as a voice for the people, but she was certainly able to get things done in a concise and clear manner. The only time that people had questioned her for being a bit liberal was during the repeal for gay marriage. With that matter, she was front and center of the controversy, and when it's revealed that one of her daughters is a lesbian, her fervor made a lot more sense. I don't want to be the one to say this out loud, but…is it that far of a stretch to think that this and that are correlated?"

"That's…that's poking a whole other hornet's nest Tom. But I just got word from a correspondent in Albany that one of Senator Andersen's daughters is actually present in the rally in today. We are going to bring you to a live feed in Albany and possibly an interview with Senator Andersen's daughter after this brief commercial break."

The room is deathly quiet. Even the sound of her swallowing to reprieve a dry throat rocks through her eardrums in what seems like a cacophony of noise before a too happy commercial about cleaning supplies jets off in an array of sound and colors.

Elsa's stomach is twisting cruelly, trepidation coating every surface of her skin. Her mind fruitlessly fires off that she should've listened to Kareem and demand for her classmate to turn the ruddy television off before it could turn into the avalanche it's currently snowballed to.

One thing's for sure: she can't let them see what's about to transpire in the other side of the screen.

"Turn it off."

She can feel their stares at her, Ben's being the most pronounced.

Turning her neck, she slowly looks up at him and repeats in the same deadpan voice, "Turn it off."

"Why?" His voice is loud, edgy.

She shakes her head, deflects the question wordlessly and stands up, palm outwards in a silent gesture for the remote control. The blond stands as well, and only for the second time since sharing a project with him does she realize just…how tall he is compared to her. Dark blue eyes bore right over hers, hands grasping over the remote so firmly that his protruding knuckles are white against his thin skin.

"What're you and Kareem hiding?" he asks, eyes darting to the almond skinned young man before looking back at her. "Why is this such a big deal?" He smirks suddenly, the abrupt change from the reigned anger taking Elsa aback. "What's your sister's name?"

She stops breathing, trepidation turning into real, unadulterated fear that fills her chest mercilessly. The roaring of blood pounds in uneven palpitations against her ears, and she's acutely aware that she's shaking, but for all her control, or lack thereof in this matter, she's unable to stop the tremors from swinging into every portion of her body.

Kareem's by her side momentarily, pushing his arm forward and with grating teeth grunts out, "Give me the remote."

"We welcome you back to tonight's headline. Joining us from Albany is correspondent Maya Schiller who is in the middle of the other side of this controversy. And who better to be the voice of the supporters for Senator Andersen's repeal than her daughter? We'll take you now live in Albany."

"For fuck's sake Ben, just give me the remote!"

Kareem surges forward, palms colliding into Ben's chest in a rough push that sends the other man sprawling backwards, arms akimbo to maintain balance. Blue eyes narrow momentarily as the blond gets his bearings back, and as soon as he's able to, steps forward to push the dark haired boy with the same, if not stronger, ferocity. Andrew is between them in seconds, Elsa stepping back from the violence, but only because a familiar face is looking back at her from across a larger than life screen, green-blue eyes shiny with unspoken determination and pink lush lips set in an indifferent frown.

"I'm here with Anna Andersen, younger daughter of Senator Helene Andersen. And I do apologize for the noise, but we'll try to conduct this interview in the eye of the storm, so to speak. Anna, you're obviously—

The TV cuts off, everyone in mid-action stopping just as suddenly. Four pairs of eyes drag towards Hayley, the brunette standing beside the television and the black ripped cord laying limply against her palm. She's looking at the three guys with barely disguised exasperation before setting her attention on Elsa, face contorting into stoic neutrality.

The sudden silence weighs upon the air much more heavily than the earlier string of noise and it's broken only by a dull knock upon the front door.

AN: Sorry this was super late. I'm slowly finding out that the holidays aren't the best time to put time out to write. I'm thinking the next update might be in January. Sorry :( And I know there's not much of the two girls interacting on this one, but I needed to get so much in before Anna's POV switches and /sigh. Sorry…yes…again with the sorries. Next chapter…is shaping up (in my mind) to be the reunion chapter so…I promise more of our pairing then. Til next time!

FreelanceBum: The ending for this story (certainly something I've thought of but haven't quite gotten my mind wrapped around yet) is the possibility of them moving…which seems like a cop out honestly, but being realistic tends to limit my options. Life imprisonment…geez…Doesn't it sound super ridiculous? But yeah…based on some of the stuff I wrote in this chapter, also sadly, not justifiable per se, but…it's certainly something to think about. Haha refusing to look up terms shows your age by itself! That level of stubbornness is only something acquired from a long period of habit, a trail I'm sure I'm paving for myself.

Caliax: Haha "appropriately jarring and libido killing". My work here is done…

SakuraAyanami: I figured people would see the studio confrontation miles away. I tried to set it up to at least be somewhat surprising, but it is what it is. Harebrained Anna forgot to lock the door after opening it for the pizza guy…at least that's what my mind put in and forgot to write down. Sorry haha. A bit more of Jenna is shown here…honestly I'm not sure what to make of it, but it lessens the whole black and white perspective.

IcyWindbreeze: It's not easy. Anna has found this out and Elsa will as well in her own way…next chapter.

vladivostok: I want to bring them back too. I've been getting author's remorse by killing both of them…I should've just killed ONE. Your advice is a sound one…and it might be the only one viable from the scenarios ticking in my head of what's more to come. Naruhina…hmm…Naruto and Hinata? Sorry if I seem ignorant of this ship, I've stopped watching Naruto for years. And you made me search what Pevensies is…hahaha. And can someone tell me how Jenna's name is utterly gay? Please? I made it up off the top of my head with no thought of it being a gay or straight name, but you and others have been all, "what a gay ass name". I kinda wanna understand it…I'm slowly finding out that a happy ending will be hard to conjure. I'm still all for it, but I think the girls will be battered and bruised by the end of it…and it won't be the nice, tight, yellow ribbon I want at the end. It's making me a bit sad. Thank you for the long and enjoyable review. Saying at the end that your thumb's about to fall off and then having to cut it, made me think you were gonna cut your thumb. I was gonna say you shouldn't—that it's counterproductive…but I've come upon my senses…just in time :D

Guest: :( sorry updates aren't coming so soon as "nowww". I wonder if this is the same guest as earlier…I'll just treat it as such. Updating is all I think about these days. You would not believe the guilt that eats me when I can't do it on time.

Mel-Nonymous: I loved your troll, so you can be as trollish as you want, so long as it's in that way. There's such little light in this chapter…seriously…Next chapter is gonna be just as bad…/sigh. But it needs to be done…or so I tell myself. I hope to never, in any circumstance, with anyone (stranger or otherwise) walk into the middle of cybersex. Just…not fun for anyone involved. There's never any doubt who Anna would choose…even after the tell-all from this chapter. Now in regards to Kareem…I hope this chapter kind of clears his allegiance up. In all honesty, I really like Kareem in my head. The sisters will also, in due time (hopefully). I still love long reviews so be it trolly or ranty, lay it on me! Haha.

Volchise: I think realism is the only thing I have going for me now…seriously. No unicorns and rainbows here my friend. Instead we get pushing and shoving and…apparently vehicle vandalizing too.

iwantaparrot1: Ahh, I'm glad I was able to somewhat show Anna's feelings for Elsa. Honestly it's one of the things that I don't think I was being upfront with enough. I guess it somewhat shows here too…but yeah. A happy ending. I've been thinking about the ending, considering that it might? end soon? I don't know…I don't have it all planned out like I should. I want a happy ending. Realistically…I guess we'll cross that path when it gets there. I do want a happy ending though…and I'll strive for it, but…it seems more and more impossible after the ending of each chapter.

Tripower: Anna lost her for real in this one, but at least it's a better form of severance than the last chapter. I've been shooting these plot bunnies at my gf, but she's adamant in me finishing this first…so it must be done. I hope you don't feel obligated to do fan art, but if you have the time for them, I'd love to take a look :D

kenfromnhus: Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! And…happy holidays.

Kurrent: Prior to last chapter, it feels like I haven't been doing Anna's POV justice. Like, in my mind, there's certainly affection and devotion from her to Elsa, but it just hasn't translated well, especially because of perspective switches. I kinda hope it translates better after this chapter as well, 'cuz a reunion in which they're not both in the same (romantic) page would be a bit awkward. Maybe I should have that recipe you've made checked out per chapter haha. Not a lot of spiciness or fluff on this one. It's one of the reasons why I didn't want the plot to come in (just kidding). It ruined everything! And I completely agree about the pain and heartache just making the rewards sweeter. I think it's why I like to read so much angst in general…for that hope that it'll get better. Thank you for the lovely review, as always, but…sorry if I seem ignorant. What's a triple negative? Haha, I might've done something inadvertently!

CanITellUSmThin: Sorry for having Jenna ruin sexy time. Hopefully, the next sexy time (if it does happen) won't have the same consequences.

actionpotential: I live for intense chapters! O.O The AU premise stuck in my mind: mom and dad are alive, and they gather Anna to visit Elsa after their school year is over to take them to California Disneyland without Elsa's knowledge. The story starts and goes from there. I have so many scenarios from this AU of my AU it's not even funny.

Daizy22: Consulting a lawyer will come next chapter…considering it's Elsa's perspective and she seems like the type to think of these kinds of things rather than Anna. After this chappy, I really do hope people see Jenna's perspective a bit more cuz it truly is a sad thing. Anna may think that friendship is severed, but for me, it's merely on pause since there is serious understanding and caring from both parties. Jersey and Rhode Island are starting to look like plot devices for a happy ending, regardless of my mind screaming hell no on that since the beginning. I stubbornly want them to stay home 'cuz in my mind, they shouldn't have to run. /sigh. My AU of this AU: the parents are alive and their plan to get their family back together starts as a planned trip to California and surprise Elsa with Anna in tow…my mind has the parents already shipping them so hard it's not even funny.

RachellovesRain: Don't cry…it's okay. /pat on the back

Star: I don't remember Elsa's tell-all to her father being sad. Regardless, I'm sorry you teared up, but yay for feels? The technicalities are kind of grayed aren't they? Honestly I'm also not sure if they can get off the hook considering they're sisters and not brother to sister, although with where my story's going, it honestly won't matter in the end. Legalities aside, it'll be just one problem of many.

barbara: Ahh, hi. Hope this chapter sorts out your questions/statements regarding Jenna and her (seemingly) overreaction. As Anna so deftly puts in the story (because I thought of it, but forgot to actually mention it), she forgot to lock to the door after the pizza was delivered. I think it'll get to a point in the story where it won't matter what they have or will do. It's shaping up in my head that they're branded as guilty regardless of action so…yeah. Hope it won't come out to be so bad for the two of them, but from what I'm cooking up in my head…/sigh.

Guest: Oh man, I love(d) SVU. I used to watch the crap out of that show and…I think I remember which eps you're talking about. A lot of people will spin this out to their advantage, but just like you said, to actually obtain proof of illegal activity will be the most difficult part. People have a way of finding their own loopholes though.

Lame guest: Shh don't talk about r9k without the reverence. You're gonna get sniped…Honestly though, there's really nothing to compare. Two different works by two completely different people. Sorry if the premise is roughly the same what w/ modern AU icests themes being one in the same, but I try not to compare other people's writings and just take all the reading at face value. I'm glad you're liking the fic and here's more of…less stuff. Haha.

Guest: I swear to god you guests need to start being like the guy up top and having an adjective before your name so I can tell you apart somewhat. Sorry for that preamble…let's get started. Your review is nothing like any review I've gotten so far so, thank you. Seriously. It showed the convoluted side of this fic that I was hoping to not ever translate through words, which is why I actually wanted to do both of their perspectives. To show the mindset and the struggles and emotions and whatever else the reader can't know unless it's put out in these long ass monologues that are just there solely for character development. With that said, it feels like you've read through Elsa's perspective and none of it assimilated or you just ignored them fully—read something else entirely which may be the fault of the author for not being articulate enough. With Anna's case being just a suffering dysfunctional person without Elsa, I guess I can agree that I definitely have painted her in this perspective…although the breaking point would be moreover their parents' passing. If we count that as Elsa's fault then she's definitely the antagonist you've painted her out to be. Regardless of the matter, I don't think I can set this straight. If Elsa's your painted bad guy, she'll win. She'll win with flying colors and Anna tethered to her like a flag to a pole. Am I apologetic for that? Nope. Just like in the movie Swordfish, I always did like it when the bad guys prevailed haha.

J-Popper: I always feel as if there's nothing that happens per chapter. Thanks for sticking around.

shtoops: Moar angst? I don't know if there was angst in this chapter, but the struggle isn't over yet, so there's that to look forward to.

Guest: I know…I know it's been two weeks. It's actually been THREE WEEKS. I'm sorry. I write whenever I can, but I'm just too busy these days. Please forgive the tardiness.