A/N: Thank you to my amazing beta, sedryn, for helping me out!
And thank you to my readers ^_^ you might need some hugs. I'll provide tissues. *give tissues and runs away*
Too quiet. It's too quiet.
The clock ticked with ease and the ticking echoed. It felt too long, waiting for each second to pass.
I sat on my bed, staring at the wall. A few minutes, hours, perhaps a day had already gone by, I wouldn't know. My fingers fiddled with the ring and her radiant heat lingered on me. I could still feel her. Right there and then, I was beginning to miss her.
And when I wanted to cry aloud, it was nearly impossible.
Belle was gone and I was alone—and, perhaps, forever.
Things had gone terribly wrong before, but I was never this fucked up in my life. Driving two girls away from me was never meant to be. I was wrong, and been wronged. But I would take all the blame.
It's sickening.
Taking a deep breath, I eyed the jewelry that was in my fingers. It sparkled with life and the light danced around with grace with every turn and every shades of shadow and glow. My lips stretched to a smile.
My mind raced through the question 'if' and 'when'. Anna would be married to Hans someday—but all I could ever think about was Anna in a wedding dress, running through a field and I was there.
She had her ring on and I had mine.
What a deluded fantasy.
I gazed at ceiling. This is a fantasy to live for.
My phone jingled and I picked it up. It was a text from Anna.
"I had a great time with you. Let's meet again next week, Elsa! :)" –Sent Friday, 4:15PM
I grinned, from one cheek to another. I was glad she had a great time… especially given that we had a couple of slip-ups.
My fingers started typing, disregarding the box.
"I'm glad you had a great time. We should meet again, next Monday… or whenever you'd like."—Sent Friday, 4:15PM
Sighing, I rubbed the bridge of my nose with my body hunched over. Now, I had to worry about how to tell Anna about Belle—she went away, a few angry moments ago, when I answered her too vaguely. Too hesitantly.
My phone rang. "I have something to tell you, so… we can meet next Monday." –Sent Friday, 4:17PM
I almost laughed, but I was calmer than usual. Maybe because I was alone, I could let go of any stress and anger. I always wondered if she really knew what I had in my mind, even if she said otherwise. We both had something to say to each other, face to face. There were times when we would lie to each other—we were professional at it—but this was a time of honesty. Loyalty, even.
I stared at the screen, contemplating. I'd do anything to avoid hurting her now. Even if I had to lie to make her feel better,I'd be content.
Smilingly, I understood now, why Anna would call me a liar. And I'd admit I was more than a liar.
"I do too. We will meet next Monday. Same place, would that be okay?"—Sent Friday, 4:18PM
"That's good. And when I talk to you… I want you to be understanding."—Sent Friday, 4:20PM
Suddenly, my heart stopped, my head raced to every possible scenario. There was nothing.
My fingers were on the keyboard, deleting and rewriting the same sentence all over again. Yet, I knew it was wrong to ask her what she wanted to talk about—it was beyond doubt she wouldn't want me to say what I wanted to tell her through texting and phone calls. Reluctantly, I began typing.
"Of course, I will."—Sent Friday 4:22PM
I scowled to myself at the unsatisfying feeling left by those four words. I felt her smile through her text—it wasn't the most delightful one. Neither was it the most agonizing.
"Great. And Elsa… I'm glad I can get to see you again." –Sent Friday 4:22PM
Somewhere in between the lines, I suffocated and ached for a little hint. I questioned, whether she really was willing to see me… and whether we had been feeling certain ways towards one another. But one thing, I knew it wasn't, was that empty love we had. Neither would I say it was hatred.
I texted her goodbye. I inhaled sharply and slowly plopped down to the bed.
Saying goodbye was hard—especially when my mind wandered to places where it shouldn't be going. The worst possibility that I'd thought of… was Anna getting hurt.
Glaring right into the ceiling, I saw my face. The anger and the distraught were fuming inside of me, ready to burst if I wasn't careful. My body felt drastically hot. It's rare.
This thought was haunting—worse than the nightmares that'd taken me to places I'd never wanted to be in.
"He wouldn't…" I whispered to myself.
I'm just paranoid.
Turning to my side, I was pressing down on my shoulder. I'd hardly noticed at all.
"He wouldn't do this. He promised," I reminded myself. It was only an assumption, after all. Shutting my eyes, I could not bear to see Anna suffer—I opened them and winced at the ghastly vision.
The silence was deafening and the only sound that was barely registered by me was the beating of my heart. It amazed me how free I felt without anyone that kept me in chains. . The feeling was unfamiliar and unsettling. But amazing, at the same time.
I felt restless. At this time of the day, I only wished Belle would be here. Nevertheless, Belle was not Anna.
Moreover, I wondered about the day ending differently, if Belle would have stayed... And Anna…
I glowered. I would not even dare to begin thinking about what Anna would have been doing now.
Soon, I fell asleep.
Olaf intruded into my office the next day. I did not even notice until he came up front to the desk.
He sat down, legs crossed.
I looked up to smell the familiar scent of Chinese food and heard the shuffling of bags on my table. He's shoving my papers away…
But I pretended that I didn't notice with him humming so gracefully and warmly, like in the summer.
"Would you like some lunch?"
Tilting my head, I focused my vision on his tender (as usual) smile. Olaf was too kind, and it made me wonder if he had ever been… not too kind.
I smiled and turned back to my laptop. "I'm not hungry."
Olaf placed his hands on his lap, thumbs twiddling together. He started humming again—whistling. For a while, we were quiet while I worked away for… two minutes, perhaps. The silence was suffocating.
Giving up to this awkwardness, I leaned back against my seat, a hand propped to my forehead and my elbows on the armrest. "Yes, I would like some."
A break will do, anyway… after three hours of constantly looking at my screen.
And there was that grin. It relieved me to see him smiling like this for once and so eager to have lunch with me. I couldn't remember the last time we spent some time together, as friends. Maybe… the last time, we had something like this was when we were still students.
On the inside, I was glad. Months had gone by since that day, and this was the first time he was elated, and thrilled.
He's like a child.
The smell of sweet and sour pork charged into my nose. My stomach growled, embarrassingly loud, but Olaf didn't seem to care.
"I wasn't quite sure what to get," he said, taking off covers to covers. "I got some of my favorites. I'm sure you know I have a great sense of taste, I'm sure it'll suit yours." His giggles were delightful and the mood brightened.
My eyes glittered with sparks of joy and I leaned in. I took another whiff. "This is fantastic, thank you, Olaf."
Olaf settled himself down in his chair. "I… just wanted to see a smile, for once. After all the recent events, I think it's worth a try that I cheer you up. If… it wasn't too much to ask for."
It wasn't.
I turned my attention to him. His words were preventing me to speak and to think, and I was left speechless. Thankful.
He cleared his throat and got up, walking over to the side to make a cup of coffee. There must've been a blush igniting across his cheeks.
"Thank you." I started. He turned around abruptly, forming a gentle glow.
Coming back, he placed a hot cup of coffee in front of me, with two sugar cubes on the side.
"I'm relieved that you're happy then. Even…" He chuckled, and fingers tentatively ran through his hair. "Even if it was for the smallest of things… like these."
But it wasn't quite small—he'd been trying to cheer me up for months… and yet, I chose to ignore it. He deserved better than a thank you and I did not deserve to be someone that he could call friend.
"I don't know what to say, Olaf…" I murmured. "Or to do, rather."
Olaf shook his head. "Elsa, there's no need for that. It's enough for me to see you like this. You should eat."
Looking down at the table filled with paper and food, I took a sip of coffee.
"Food, not just a sip of coffee."
I raised my eyebrows. His expression never changed and it was preventing me from knowing what he was truly feeling.
And I'd yet to tell him about Belle. I contemplated whether or not she was worth talking about. But one thing I knew, was that Olaf and Jack had always paid extra attention to her. They loved her, but there was something odd between them.
My stomach churned.
Clearing my throat, I settled the cup down and picked up a pair of chopstick.
They need to know.
"I hope… whatever that's been going on… it hasn't damaged the friendship we have," he started.
I blinked, wide-eyed from the startling voice piercing through my thoughts.
"No… it hasn't." I grinned solemnly.
He let out a relieving breath, a hand on his chest. "Oh, thank goodness." He eyed the ceiling in comfort. "I thought… you'd hate me after what… after what I've said to you." Olaf swallowed and it was as if he was taking the whole world with him. Perhaps, the way I'd been all these time had burdened him. And he proceeded to hide this anger, just so he could be with me.
It frustrated me. I shook my oblivious head from the terrifying thought.
"I don't hate you." I shifted in my seat, leaning back and legs crossed.
"That's good…"
"And I hope you have no grudge against me."
He tilted his head. "Now, why would you say that?"
This was the moment where I'd say 'fuck it'. Taking a gulp of air, my heart felt as if it'd turn into a biting burst of cold air. All that ran through my mind was Belle. My fingers intertwined. They were forming cold sweats, and shaking. I'd done this before… yet, how could I be nervous now?
Crap, crap, crap.
"I have something to tell you."
The music blared loudly through the nightclub and I was by the balcony, sitting by the couch. People filled the dance floor, but I paid no attention to those who were below me. It was dark, but the dim lights were enough so one could get around. The air filled the place with the smell of alcohol. That was enough to make anyone drunk and anyone acting as if they were not in their body.
"Miss Snow, would you like some company?"
I picked my head up to see a woman in a crimson miniskirt and heels that were painfully high. She swayed her hips and I stared, almost hypnotized by the movement. I didn't let it distract me and now she was in front of me.
Don't do this.
Leaning back to the cushion, I gazed at her as she poured me a new flute of champagne. She handed it to me and I took it with no hesitation. "I didn't ask for company," I replied.
She grinned, and sat next to me, legs crossed. "I think… you need one."
I didn't falter and neither did my body let her touch me. And I couldn't touch her.
She frowned, disappointment crossed on her face. "Ma'am?"
"No," I mouthed.
I hadn't told Olaf where I was going, but he suspected that I was going out for the night. Again. He worried too much, but this was the only time I could ever let loose of myself.
Taking a swig of the rest of my champagne, she spoke, but I paid no mind of it. I was thinking about Anna again.
My expression darkened, and visions blanked out and I was deep in thoughts.
"I'm just a replacement, right?"
Her voice ringed through my ears and it was not going to escape from the other. I grasped the woman tightly, and she made out a moan.
A replacement. If only I could laugh at that, but it was nothing that I should be chuckling about. Regardless of what she thought she was to me, I truly loved her. It burned to hear her say these words. And it was anything but a pleasant burn of desire and pleasure—it hurt and stung with every word she sounded.
But she was nothing like a replacement. Anna was Anna, and I loved both.
"Miss Snow…"
I blinked. "What is it?"
"Are you alright?" She ran a hand on my thigh and quickly I grabbed her wrist, tighter than I expected. She winced.
"Stop it."
She sent a puzzling gaze. "What?"
"I said stop it." Pushing her away, I got up and stood behind the railing. Putting my hands in my pockets, I looked down to the dancing crowd. The desire was gone, but what was left was the emptiness. Perhaps, the two girls I'd fallen in love with left me behind with this feeling—
Belle?
My heart stopped when I realized she didn't go back to France yet, but she was here. I gripped onto the railing hard, contemplating on if I should go to her—but the question 'why' was running in my head. Why was she still here?
She was smiling, looking cheerful than ever. No, who was with her…?
Squinting, my heart sank low deep into the pit of my stomach. She was talking to someone… a redheaded man with a well-tailored suit in the bar. Laughing, her arms were wrapped around him in a hug. She was whispering something—I blinked, and cold sweat started to form.
It can't be…
Inwardly, I nearly found this laughable. I'm seeing things. I've been drinking… I'm seeing things.
I shook my head and felt arms wrapping around me.
Taking another look, I stood still and quiet… and I felt as if I was a piece of ice. Ready to melt down slowly, the longer I stared. My expression was dark, and empty from any emotions. And the kisses that were warm on my skin let me register what was around me again. I didn't need another look, I knew who it was.
"Hans." I mouthed.
My knuckles turned white, palm reddening from the tightness.
"Miss Snow… A room…" Ah, I wasn't alone.
"Get out," I murmured, and took her arms away from my waist. "Did you hear what I just say?"
"W-What—"
And I burst into the big ball of flame that I held in for so long.
"I SAID GET OUT!" I turned abruptly. "GET THE FUCK OUT!"
"But what about—"
I shut my eyes, irritated and completely in exhaustion. "Just go. Please."
Looking scared and partially worried, she left in silence. . And I was left behind, eyes on the both of them. Belle must've said something to him, because they were walking… arm in arm together through the crowd and drinks in their hands.
I grimaced disgustingly at the two to the point where I needed to get myself cleaned. This was unbelievable. For a moment, I believed that I was just having another freak show of a nightmare.
Biting my tongue proved that it wasn't anything of that sort. By then, I'd rather prefer having one than having to experience this torturous reality. Oh, how ironic that sounded.
But I had trusted Belle. And I had trusted that bastard…
All I could ask myself now was how am I going to tell Anna?
I sat outside of the café, staring at the glittering jewelry in the black box for the longest of times.
The sky was bright and clear of clouds. Streets were filled with people and drivers were honking at one another with such impatience.
And waiting for Anna to come was agonizing.
No, pretending that everything was normal proved to be more stressful, especially if I'd keep silent until we meet. Pretending that I could… truly be friends with Hans… the feeling that boiled inside of me, as he spoke with me a couple of times, was unbearable.
I took a deep breath, shutting the box.
All I wanted to do now, was to give this to Anna—not as a commitment, but as a present. Perhaps, I could say… it could be a late birthday present. A Christmas one, maybe.
One for Anna… One for me.
I patted my neck to feel the necklace and the ring strung around it.
"Ma'am?"
Looking up, a waitress with a notepad, smiled beside me.
"Yes?"
"Should I take your order now?"
I turned my head to see a familiar redhead, waving in front of me. She was only a few steps away and I smiled. "Coffee, would be alright."
"One hot cup of coffee, coming right up—" She came running with her Vans.
"Actually…" I smiled as Anna raised her eyebrow, and took a seat in front of me. "Two hot coffee and eggs benedict." I watched Anna smile gratefully at the waitress, patting her empty stomach. I endured the urge to roll my eyes.
"Two as well?"
"Yes, please."
"No problem, Miss."
When she left us, I felt the atmosphere thicken and the heavyhearted feeling came surging in. I looked at Anna with a smile across my face. "You're late."
She groaned. "You're just super early."
I tilted my head. "I tend to do that sometimes."
Reaching for my pocket, I gripped the jewelry box. I trembled with nervousness. But it wasn't as if I was going to propose to her—no, I'd been nervous many times, but Anna… With her cheerfulness, it was hard to imagine seeing her angry. Although, I'd see it plenty of times. It was not a pretty sight.
"So… I said I had something to tell you right?" She shifted in her seat uncomfortably. Her hands were between her laps.
Suddenly, my hair perked up at the back of my neck. It was chilly today, but it was extremely chilly for me. "Yes." The coffee arrived but all we could do was stare at each other.
She scratched the back of her head and ran a hand down her braid. Odd. "But first, how are you? I know we've… after that day, we barely had the chance to talk… so I was wondering—"
"I've been busy with work." I took a sip of coffee. The plates of food came. I thought Anna would've dug in by now… but she remained still. And being busy with work… it was true—I only wanted to avoid talking to Anna about Hans. "Sorry, I didn't have much time to have a real conversation with you." I smiled. What she didn't know, I was just too scared to tell her.
Anna nodded. "That's… you know, that makes sense. A woman with priorities and responsibilities needs to get things done. I get it. I mean, Hans… is like that too."
I froze. "I'm sure."
"And you said you need to tell me something too?" She picked up the cup of coffee, taking a long sip.
"Actually, I want to give something to you."
She raised her brows, intrigued immensely. "Oh, you can't be serious…? You've given me a car… like a third of your yacht and now, what? A house?"
I chuckled. It seemed like a genuine laugh. "No, it's more valuable than that—"
As I began to grab a hold of my box, I saw a glimmer of light that shone so brightly in my eyes around Anna's fingers. My heart sunk and I stared. I couldn't believe it. No, it couldn't be… No matter how many times I blinked away the light shimmering towards me, it was nothing but real. It was reality.
A ring…
I paused and my heart stopped from its sinking motion. I could taste the coffee and possibly, yesterday's lunch.
"Elsa?"
Blinking, I looked up. For a moment, I saw a brief flash of fear. Soon, it all faded to worries and a hint of joy. So she'd been happy even without me.
"Is… something wrong?" Oh for God's sake. What had ever gone right between us?
With a heavy heart, I shoved the box inside my pocket. "Actually… I think I left it somewhere in my apartment. We should go back there after this."
The look I had was filled with guilt and regret. Not showing it proved to be quite difficult. I felt crushed.
She fiddled with the saucer. I couldn't keep my eyes off of that thing hugging her elegant finger.
"That's fine. Yeah, we can go back to your apartment."
But I was already having second thoughts. Maybe it'd be best if I kept the rings to myself. What I assumed about Anna and my future, I assumed wrong.
Silence.
Anna noticed me staring at her finger, grim and with total regret.
"So you're engaged." The words struggled to fall out. That was one thing I didn't want to say. My chest felt like it was in flames.
I blinked as she wrapped her hand over her other. She hid it away from me, and her eyes hid away her joy and relief.
Picking my eyes up at her she looked away so bitterly. I could almost taste it.
"That's what I wanted to tell you, Elsa."
"Since when?"
"Since last week. When we met."
I shut my eyes from seeing the apologetic glow of her face. This wasn't something I could prevent. And I'd be unreasonable if I got angry.
Nodding, I took another sip of coffee. The silence was deafening. My heart had been ripped apart to pieces and it turned into frozen little bits. Mended together again, and it'd be ripped to shreds immediately. And altogether, everything stopped; I felt anything but warmth and love. But I doubt, this was a dream.
Why? Why me?
Putting the cup on the saucer, I forced a smile. Although a smile was on my face, tears coated and rested on my pupils. No, stay strong. She'd need me to be strong.
"Do you love him?"
God damn it! It wasn't what I wanted to say.
Anna looked at me, bittersweet. Still, her… whatever that look was couldn't possibly heal this heart ache.
"I do."
I twitched. "Does he love you?"
She tilted her head in confusion and suspicion. "I… I really hope he does."
This wasn't the time for hope. And hope… never existed in my dictionary. The last time I'd hope for something, I'd broken a girl's heart. My body felt an urge to collapse. She didn't know, but she needed to.
Gripping my knee, I sighed. I could barely see her with the tears blurring my sight.
Taking a deep breath, I looked up to the blue sky and the clouds moved with the wind.
"Are you… you're not mad, are you?"
I laughed, a hand running down my hair and I kept my gaze onto her. She had her lip half way between her teeth. She didn't seem nervous. Rather, looking closely, she was looking expectantly. "No, of course not. But…" Tapping my finger on the table, I took a moment to think. Ah. "But... don't you think it's a little too early?"
My ex-lover glared and her expression twisted. "W-What—"
"You've only been with him for a little over half a year."
She crossed her arms, and I knew I'd just crossed the line—I didn't know which.
"At least I've known him ever since I was a little kid… when you weren't there for me, he was."
"I've stayed with you too-"
"The day, you put me in the car, and you began talking to Belle, that's when I knew, you never were beside me."
"Anna, I loved you."
"And so did I."
I tightened my fist together, and I let my eyes wander away from her.
"He's a good man, Elsa."
You can't be serious.
I shut my eyes, gritting my teeth and my muscles felt tense. How could she be this naïve?
"He's a good man…" I whispered to myself, and I mocked her. "He's a good man?" I repeated, louder. Her eyebrows raised in shock.
"Elsa… he's…" And I knew, she was speechless and a hand covered her face. She chuckled, but I didn't find this a bit laughable. "I'm… better off being with him, Elsa."
You're crazy, I wanted to say. But instead, I nodded, although completely in disgust on the inside. Well, I shouldn't be the one talking. I did her wrong and nothing but her forgiveness would relieve me from this hell. But maybe, I was just seeing things that evening.
"Okay…" I nodded in acceptance. There was no more point in arguing-I'd always let her win, anyway.
"You're right, you are better off being with him." I smiled tightly, but she looked so helpless and hurt. I couldn't ignore it, but if that was what she wanted, she could have it. I had no right to stop her. "Congratulations, Anna."
The sky grew darker by the time we got back to my apartment and the stars shone beautifully around the black span of space. Inside the apartment, it was empty from any warmth. I didn't leave the lights on again—I wasn't very fond of the lights when I had a view like this.
I pressed a cool hand on the window. Anna moved around the apartment.
"It looks the same as usual."
Looking out the window, I tilted my head at the sound of Anna behind me, leaning against the piano. She crossed her arms.
"I always thought you look so beautiful… but… miserable when you just stand there every night." Little balls of fogs formed with each exhale I took and wiped them away, after.
"It's a beautiful view."
"You like to think."
I grinned. "I like the peace and the silence, that's all. In here," I turned to her and my hands gesture around the room. "I'm all alone… in the dark, and then I see this in front of me. It's bright… loud… And then, I don't feel all alone anymore."
Putting my hands in my pocket, I felt the box. It was warm and my cheeks heated.
"You said you have something to give me?"
Damn it.
I couldn't figure out what I should give her-the ring, or… what I'd seen. There wasn't much time, so with the burst of confidence, I turned to her. She was serious and I knew, there was no way to bring a smile out of her. I grimaced at the thought of tears falling down her face. And either action would do just that. Although, one, I could imagine, being more horrible than the other.
"So you like Hans."
"I love him."
I forced down the disgusted sigh. "And Belle?" I heard. She looked around. "Odd… she's not here. Elsa—"
"We broke up."
"Oh."
I almost laughed. "Oh, is right. No, it's more like… oops." I wrapped myself in my arms and eyes were forced to the ground. I was ashamed. "Oops," I repeated in a silent tone.
Then silence engulfed the room of darkness. She didn't look shocked… rather, she looked remorseful. She pitied me. But I didn't take any of it to heart.
"That's… I'm sorry." I wouldn't blame her speechlessness. I would be too.
I shook my head. "Don't be, I deserved it."
"You don't deserve any of this, Elsa."
"I could say the same to you." I came close to her, looking down at the girl who… seemed as if she regretted everything that happened between the two of us. "You don't deserve to be used like this… Not by me… Not by Hans."
She blinked, frowning and looked at me. "What?"
Chills ran down my back, my hair standing up straight.
"What are you talking about? Elsa?"
I swallowed and the rest of the confidence I had, faded out. "You can't marry him, Anna." I grabbed her shoulder and only loosened when she flinched in surprise.
Her eyes were quickly glistering in heartbreak. "W-Why?"
"He's… He's cheating on you."
"W-What?"
My mouth felt dry, and I was more nervous than ever. I wish I'd not seen a thing.
Anna looked at me as if I was crazy, eyes wandering in search of some answers in my expression. She scoffed, gently pushing me away. "No, you're…" A laugh. "That's not funny, Elsa."
Coming up to her again, she only backed away. "I… I'm not kidding. And I'm definitely not lying, Anna."
She ran her hand through her hair, grabbing a hold of her fringes. Anna began pacing back and forth in front of me, looking down to the ground. Her eyes widened in shock, and I could almost imagine cold sweat forming throughout her body. I was worried, but… I was more scared for her.
I grabbed her arm tightly. "Anna-"
"No, you're only… you're only telling me this to get back to me right…?" she asked, looking at me with the fear I'd never seen before. "I… I know you don't like Hans, but… this is a whole new level of hatred, Elsa."
"I don't hate Hans, Anna, you need to listen—"
"Then why are you saying these things…?" Slowly she slipped off my grip. And suddenly a chuckle with the sound of disbelief, filled the air. "Y-You cheated too, Elsa. You don't get to say these things about Hans. He's a good man, Elsa!" Tears rolled down her cheeks and I stared in horror. She gulped. "I-I know, he's bullied you, but he's changed… A-And I'm sorry that this happened to you but you have to see past that, Elsa…"
What had she become…?
"Anna, I swore, I'd tell you everything, and this is what I'm telling you."
"Stop lying to me…"
"Hans… he doesn't love you. He doesn't—"
"STOP LYING TO ME!"
And suddenly, with the force of her palm against my cheek, I was gazing at the blank wall, and she was out of my sight. Just barely. I could taste the copper on the corner of my broken lips and finally, something inside of me snapped. Tears flowed freely but I was in too much of a shock, to even begin to notice. Turning to her, my voice was hoarse and too weak to get loud.
"Anna…"
"You've hurt me… you've cheated too and I… I'm still here by your side. E-Elsa, I forgave you b-but please just let it go—"
"I know," I grabbed her arm. She was shaking. "I know, I'm sorry… you don't have to accept this, or me… but I'm telling you what I saw three nights ago—"
"So this is what you've become, Elsa Snow…?" She shuddered in my hand and the warmth of her skin was dimming to a bitter cold. "This is how… lowly you've become to earn me back…? This is your definition of what love is?"
"No, Anna, I'm trying to protect you!" I yelled, anger fuming through my nose. My mind was blurred but I knew, getting angry and frustrated wouldn't help at all. And neither would it help our relationship. "He's cheating on you, don't you understand?" I growled.
I can't help it.
And streams of tears rolled down her cheeks, like waterfalls. She shook her head, trying to tug away from me, nails in my skin. I didn't care. "There you go again… saying that he's cheating… when you were the one that did that to me."
"You can say anything you want about me, but I'm telling you what I have—"
With a growl, and all her might, she pushed me away from her and I stumbled back quick and hard—
My eyes widened and my breathing turned into desperate gasps as I slammed my shoulder against the hard surface of the glass walls. I swore I heard a crack. It burned heavily and extended down to my arm immediately. It felt like fire growing larger with every touch. I grabbed my shoulder, and whimpered, falling down to the ground on my knees. "A-Anna…" I looked up, vision blurred with pained tears. But I knew how I looked. Scared.
And that scared little girl was only there in my dreams.
"I… A-Are you…" she stammered, and hesitated to help me. Anna paused her footwork and her reaching hand. "I-I'm sorry… D-Do you have to—"
Taking a deep breath. "I-I'm fine…" I staggered and forced myself up. "I'm fine." I looked at her, sweats forming but I did not let the pain get in my way. "It's okay, Anna…"
"I-It's… It's not…" She ran her hands through her hair. "I-I need to get you to the—"
"Stop… it's okay. It doesn't hurt." My heart pounded loudly, and the stinging pain-the burn was growing larger. I might get a bruise. And she remained silent.
"Please… trust me… Anna…" I begged. "I don't want to see you get hurt…"
She shook her head, and backed away. Anna looked at me in fear… and I was a monster that hungered for that fear. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm hurt, Elsa… I really am. I… I want to trust you, but… we've caused so much damaged to each other, that I can't…"
My ears rung with her words. "Anna, please…"
The door opened and her eyes lingered so helplessly. And I knew, at this point, we were both looking at each other with the same feeling of hurt.
"It was a mistake to come back and let you hurt me again. Thank you for your time, Miss Snow."
