"Don't forget your passport!" Rapunzel mentioned to Elsa.

"Of course. I must have told my students at least ten times to bring theirs. It would be ironic if I forgot mine," Elsa replied. She was leaving very early tomorrow morning and Rapunzel came to Elsa's place to help her with the last minute details.

"I can't begin to apologize for canceling on you…"

"It's fine, Punzie! I wouldn't have wanted you to come in this state anyway!"

"I'm pregnant, not disabled," Rapunzel complained.

Elsa still had a hard time coming to terms with that—her best-friend was going to have a baby! Wow. It seemed like they were just teenagers yesterday.

"Yeah, well, I can't have you puking all over Paris!" Elsa joked.

"Ha-ha. Very funny."

Initially, Rapunzel told her she'd be fine since she was only in her first trimester, but Elsa could see that she was frequently tired since becoming pregnant. Besides, her doctor had told her to go easy.

"Anyway, have you finished packing your suitcase? If not, I'll help," her best friend offered. Rapunzel headed towards Elsa's bedroom. "I assume it's this way."

"Yep." Elsa checked the administrative papers for the tenth time, just to make certain she didn't forget anything. Traveling alone is alright, but bringing forty students along… one thing for sure, they had better behave and thank me. Otherwise, I'm never doing this again! Fortunately, she didn't have much trouble finding a replacement for Punzie. Honeymaren, a biology teacher, had immediately offered to accompany her. Elsa didn't know her that well—she didn't speak a word of French—but she was good with students, so it was perfect.

"What kind of weather are you expecting?" Rapunzel shouted from the bedroom.

"Cold. Maybe some snow, too," Elsa replied, before remembering what was already in her suitcase. Oh God! No, no, no! Don't look in my suitcase! Elsa stood up and ran to her bedroom, hoping to get there before her best friend could see what was inside. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I think it's on top!

When she entered the room, Rapunzel was holding onto the blue chemise Elsa had purchased in Esméralda's shop. Her friend's brow was furrowed. Fuck...

"Huh? I didn't know sexy lingerie was normal French winter-ware," she declared.

"I… um… where did you find that?" Elsa asked, trying to figure out how she could weasel her way out of this. Dammit, I put it there just in case!

"In your suitcase."

"Really? I must have made a mistake. Let's put it back in the closet!" Elsa suggested before grabbing the garment, but her best friend wouldn't let go.

"I highly doubt you wear this every night to sleep… and I'm pretty sure you wouldn't wear this while sleeping with Honeymaren, would you?"

"I… um… Esméralda must've been here earlier; maybe she left it there as a joke!" Elsa lied.

"Didn't you tell me she hasn't been here in a week just before?"

Think, Elsa, think!

Then Rapunzel's eyes grew shrewd. "You're planning on spending a night with Anna!"

"Whaat?!" Elsa faked.

Her best friend squinted. "Is your whole story about spending an evening with your parents even true? Or just a ploy to spend a night with Anna?"

"What? No! I invited you to come too, by the way. They would have been happy to see you!"

"Still… why else would you bring something like this unless you're hoping you'll get to wear it for her? You don't have a girlfriend back in France, do you?"

"What? No, don't be stupid!"

"So, I was right—this is for Anna?"

Elsa sighed. There wasn't any point in pretending any longer. "I guess..."

"You guess?"

"I… it was her idea!"

"Elsa..." Rapunzel chastised.

"I know, I know… I told her it wasn't a good idea when she came up with this. But then I kept thinking about it, wondering if, maybe… you know."

"She's still your student!" Rapunzel protested.

"She'll be eighteen soon," Elsa argued, even though she knew her argument wouldn't hold water.

"So what? That doesn't change a thing! And, like you said, soon, not yet."

Elsa sat down on the bed and sighed again. "I know… it's just… she's driving me crazy. I love her so much, and I want her so badly…"

Rapunzel sat next to her. "You know how bad things could get if this got out. And I'm not talking about just losing your job, I'm talking about you going to jail. Up until now, even if found out about you two, you could at least argue you weren't her teacher when you two dated, that it was nothing more than a few kisses."

Elsa bit her lip. She hadn't told her best friend about the Halloween party.

"What?"

"We kinda went a little further than that. Recently."

"What?! Are you nuts?!"

"Yeah… yeah, I think I am," Elsa admitted, lowering her head. "I realize how crazy this is. It's just… I can't resist her any longer."

"How did this happen? Are you sure nobody else knows?"

"Yeah. Esméralda and Merida know. They set it up, actually. They invited us both to a Halloween party without us knowing the other would be there. Then we ended up locked alone in a bedroom and… well..."

"Oh my god… did you two have sex?"

"No, well… I don't think so."

"You don't think so?! Don't tell me you were drunk and high on top of it!"

"What? No! I mean, it began with a few kisses, then it turned into a make-out session. Eventually there was some… dry-humping?"

Rapunzel shook her head in despair. "That definitely counts as sex in my book. And in front of a court."

"I… I know… but I swear nobody knows what happened."

"Except for Merida."

"Well, yeah, but she's Anna's friend."

"She's still a teenager. Who knows what could happen. She could spill the beans by accident."

Elsa didn't reply. There were some nights when she'd struggle to sleep, thinking about what could happen to her if everything got out.

"And that wasn't enough, so now you're planning on spending a night with her in Paris?"

"Well… I'm not planning anything."

"But you're considering it."

"I… I thought about it," Elsa admitted. Walking hand in hand on the Champs-Elysées, having dinner in a fancy restaurant or in the Eiffel Tower, going back to a hotel together… she had plenty of fantasies about what they could do.

"You're crazy."

"I'm in love," Elsa defended herself.

Rapunzel stared at her sarcastically.

"Well, ok, maybe that doesn't excuse anything. But at this point… I mean, if nobody sees us, does it really make matters worse?"

"You can never be sure that you'll remain undiscovered, especially if you're in a public place."

"Four thousand miles away from Arendelle!."

"With forty students from our school."

"They've got a nine o'clock curfew."

"Oh, like they wouldn't be able to sneak out!"

"The families that house them would call me."

"Right. Just like the family that's housing Anna."

"So you're saying we shouldn't go out to a well-known place frequented by tourists."

"What I'm saying is that you should give up on the whole idea."

"I guess I can forget about a romantic dinner on the Eiffel Tower," Elsa joked.

"I feel like I'm talking to a teenager!" Rapunzel grimaced.

"I know… maybe you're right. Actually no, I know you're right. But there's still a part of me that really, really wants to ignore you and take the risk."

"That's a terrible idea..."

"That's a great idea!" Merida told Anna.

"I know, right? Imagine how romantic it would be!" Anna had been fantasizing about it ever since Halloween. She had hoped that she would get to see Elsa during the winter holidays, but her girlfriend had gone back to France to see her family. I'll give her my Christmas present in Paris. She was so excited about all of this.

"And it's the perfect occasion. You'll be thousands of miles from Arendelle without a soul knowing you're her student."

"Right!"

"It would be pretty bad if you got caught, though," Kris countered as he drove them to school. They were on their way to catch the bus that would take them to the airport for their school trip.

"Don't be a killjoy," Merida replied. "By the way, why didn't you think about sneaking out after curfew? Don't ye wanna have a date in Paris with your girlfriend?"

"My girlfriend isn't the teacher organizing the trip, so I think it might be a lot more difficult to pull off. Besides, I'm stuck with Gaston—don't forget that. Couldn't you ask Ms. Neige to bend the rules a little and put me and Merida in the same house? You must have some leverage with her!"

"Weren't you just saying we had to be discreet just moments ago?" Anna asked. "Besides, I need to be with Merida if I'm going to be able to sneak out without anyone knowing."

"I'll help you, but only if you tell me everything that happens afterwards! You didn't say much about the Halloween party."

"Because that's between me and Elsa!" Anna replied, smiling at the thought of what had happened. "Anyway this trip isn't only about Elsa! We're going to Paris! It's going to be amazing!"

"Well, I've been there a few times already, but yeah," Merida remarked.

Kris and Anna shared a knowing look and then rolled their eyes.

"Sorry," Merida added. "Besides, I'm sure it'll be better with ye than with my parents."

"Awwww, poor rich girl. Her parents dragged her all across the globe," Kris teased.

"Tsk."

They were almost there now, and Anna turned towards her friends. "Please don't mention anything about Elsa during the trip, ok? Nothing at all, even if you think we're alone."

"Of course."

"Well, we're all set now," Elsa told her colleague.

"Yep, I'm glad everything went according to plan at the airport." They were finally seated in the plane, but Elsa was still a little nervous.

"First time organizing a school trip?" Honeymaren asked.

"Yes! I think the students will love it, but it's so much work! And stress!"

"Yeah, but it'll be great. You'll see. It gives you a chance to see the kids in a different setting. And they'll see you in a different light, too. It allows for a more casual relationship between students and their teachers."

Not sure I need to go any further with that!

"Oh, by the way, is it alright with you if I don't sleep at the flat we're sharing one night?" Elsa asked. I told my parents I'd be in France for a week so we're going to see each other while I'm there."

"Sure, no problem."

"Good, thanks. Nothing definite, though," Elsa added, thinking she had a great alibi to spend the night with Anna now. I can make sure it's all a secret… but should I go through with it? Punzie's right, it's a huge risk.

Elsa turned her head to check once more that all her students were behaving. She smiled when she saw Anna gazing through the window with wonder.

"She's such a sweetheart," Honeymaren commented and Elsa quickly took on a stern demeanor.

"Yes, they're all pretty good kids."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far, but yeah. There are worse places to teach than Arendelle High, that's for sure!"

They spent the rest of the trip chatting about the other schools Honeymaren had worked at, as well as Elsa's former career. Soon enough, the plane was landing and they were in France.

Once they had collected their baggage and cleared customs, Elsa announced, "Ok we're in France now! So let's try to speak French. Before we head out to your guest homes, we're going to head to the Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe. Follow me and don't get lost."

She was afraid of losing someone in Paris, especially on the subway, but the school had given her a phone with a sim card and all the students had the number. Besides, it seemed as if some students were a bit intimidated. Merida was quite at ease though, and Elsa guessed that it came from the habit of being abroad. Well, let's hope everything goes well!

"I can't believe we're here!" Anna exclaimed once she and Merida were in their room. "It's such a beautiful city!"

"Well, Arendelle is quite pretty too," Merida replied.

"Yeah, maybe… but it's not the same when you're used to it. Our hosts seem nice, too."

After the afternoon tour they had left downtown Paris to head to the outskirts where they would be sleeping. The couple that came for them and that would be housing them seemed friendly, and Anna managed to speak to them in French. I guess I've made decent progress since last year. I'm pretty sure having a French girlfriend helps though, hehe. I wonder if our kids will be bilingual? It was then that Anna realized where her thoughts had led her. What the fuck, Anna? You're really getting ahead of yourself. She felt totally embarrassed by her own thoughts and wondered where they had come from. At the very least, she was glad nobody but her was aware of it.

"Remember this?" Anna asked with a grin as she showed Merida the lacy panties she had bought last year at Esméralda's shop. She had brought them along, just in case Elsa managed to find a way for them to spend a night together.

"Ye bet I do! That was so funny!"

"It seems like such a long time ago…"

"Yeah, and ye were dead certain nothing would ever happen between ye and Ms. Neige back then."

"I never would have imagined it could turn out like this, that's for sure!" Anna replied. "I still have to pinch myself from time to time to make sure I'm not dreaming."

"Well, it's a good thing I was there, because ye were ready to give up!"

"True. I guess I never thanked you enough for your help and support!"

"It's nothing, that's what friends are for."

"Well, I'm sure Kris was doing what he thought was right, too."

"Yeah… by the way, I always wondered… what about Ms. Neige? Did she tell anyone about your relationship?"

"Mrs. Fitzherbert knows, and I'm afraid she doesn't exactly approve."

"Well, I can understand that. From her point of view, it must be a really dangerous risk."

"Yeah… I hope she'll come around once I'm no longer Elsa's student."

There was a knock at the door, and Anna quickly put the lingerie back in her bag.

"Oui?" she asked.

"Le dîner est prêt!" a male voice said from the other side.

"Ok, merci! On arrive!" Anna replied. "Well, shall we?" she asked Merida.

"Yep! I hope we're in for some of that French cuisine we often hear about!"

"Think they're gonna serve us snails?" Anna asked with a grimace.

"They better not!"

They headed to the kitchen and found their hosts sitting at the table. They took the empty chairs and sat in front of them.

"How was your first day?" The man asked with a strong french accent.

"Great! We…" Anna started, before remembering that she was here to practice French too, so she tried to continue the discussion in French. It wasn't easy, but she managed to make herself understood. The food was great too, and she was glad to see there were no snails, frogs or whatever crazy things they could cook on the menu tonight.

"Did you like the food?" The woman asked in French, and Anna nodded enthusiastically. I could definitely enjoy Elsa cooking like this for me everyday!

"Yes, it was great, thank you!"

"I love the bread!" Merida added.

"Hehe that's great. We'll pick different varieties tomorrow. Would you like to taste some typical dishes during the week?"

"Yes that would be awesome! I don't think I can stomach it but Anna was just telling me she'd love to try snails!" Merida said with a grin.

Before Anna could respond, her hosts laughed.

"Of course! We usually keep them for Christmas or Easter but I think I have some in the freezer. I'll serve them tomorrow evening!"

"Me-merci…" Anna replied. I'm gonna kill you, Merida.

"So, you wanna go out tonight?" Honeymaren asked Elsa once they were settled down in the small flat they would share for the week. Elsa had originally thought that she would be here with Rapunzel, so she had picked up a cheap place with only one bedroom. Thankfully there was a convertible sofa in the living room. Her colleague had told her that she was fine with sharing the bed, but Elsa wasn't comfortable with that. She would have been perfectly fine sharing it with her best friend, but with someone she barely knew? No, thanks.

"Aren't you a bit tired? With the jet-lag and everything…"

"Oh, come on! You may be used to being here, but it's my first time in France and I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to come back again! So now that the kids are taken care of, let's enjoy ourselves!"

"Hmmm… I guess you're right! Sorry, I guess I just took all of this for granted."

Elsa searched the internet for some ideas. She didn't feel like heading downtown again, so she searched for something closer.

"Pub or restaurant?" she asked Honeymaren.

"Restaurant? We have to eat too."

"Sure," Elsa answered. She found something that looked good and didn't require reservations, and she called an uber.

"So, how is it that we've never spoken to each other?" Honeymaren asked once they were seated.

"Well, I don't know. I haven't been working there long."

"It's been almost a year, hasn't it?"

"Hmm… yeah. Damn, already? Time's going faster than I thought." Only a few months left and Anna and I will be free to date and do whatever we want. I can hardly wait. No more hiding, no more pressure, and most of all, no more worries about getting caught.

"Arendelle has a lot of teachers, though," Honeymaren conceded. "It's hard to be close to everyone."

Elsa nodded. "Maybe I didn't reach out enough either, since I'm pretty close to Rapunzel."

"You're best friends, right? I don't know her very well either. I mostly hang out with the science teachers, actually."

"Yes. I've known Rapunzel since we were teenagers."

"Just friends?" she added.

Elsa was startled by the question. "Well, yes. She's married!" And pregnant now!

"Oh, I didn't know! Sorry if my questions are coming out of nowhere. I know you're gay cause of last year's incident, so I was just wondering."

"It's fine, no problem."

"So, are you dating someone or you're single?"

"I… um, yeah, I'm dating someone, but it's a bit complicated," Elsa said, hoping she'd get the hint and not ask any questions about it.

"I see."

"What about you?"

"I'm single. Currently."

Her phone buzzed and Elsa smiled when she noticed that it was a text from Anna.

I don't know how expensive it's gonna be to send a text here, but I wanted to thank you for the trip! It's great! You're the best! Although I'm gonna have to eat snails tomorrow because of Merida… anyway… I think we're gonna be able to see each other soon? Love you.

Elsa struggled to keep herself from smiling too much. Don't worry, you'll love them. Just a piece of advice: don't chew. And yes, I think I'll find a way!

"Girlfriend?" Honeymaren asked.

"Yes, sorry!" Elsa told her.

"No problem."

AWESOME! Waiting for it! Have a good night! I'll be dreaming of you!

Elsa grinned even more and sent her a goodbye text as well before putting her phone back into her purse.

"Well, you seem to be pretty smitten!"

Elsa chuckled. "Oh, I am," she replied.