Hey, guys! This is to inform you that this is the very first fanfiction that I've written, so please be patient with me and enjoy! I've been crazy about Jack Frost since the ROTG release and the Jelsa ship found its way to my heart very easily.
I just want to say thank you to Furiyan for blessing us with your incredible imagination! 'Of Ghosts and Valkyries' is probably one of the best things I've ever read and it is truly the inspiration behind publishing my own story. I hope my writing can be even half as good as yours was!
Disclaimer: I do not own under any circumstances the characters of Dreamworks or Disney. This is published solely for the purpose of entertainment.
Enjoy reading :)
Chapter 1: Coming home
"Hey, guys," Jack greeted, waving to his friends at the parking lot. It was the second month of his sophomore year in Arendelle State University, and so far things were going along great for him. Most of his closest friends were accepted into the school as well which helped Jack move around better and learn new experiences when he was around familiar faces. He was a Law major and doing a minor in economics, but he was taking other classes like Psychology, Ethics and Civil Studies. Everyone around him knew not to let his playful demeanour and mischievous self fool you; as serious as he was about having a good time and pulling fun pranks, he was even more serious about his studies. He graduated high school with honours, earning a scholarship to get into the elite university. He had a strict upbringing, since his father was a retired Military officer. His mother was still extremely kind and lenient towards him, helping him to be the jovial person he was. His sister was 9, still in elementary school, and he loved her like his own. Since his father was not always around, he took up the role of a father figure in her life at a young age of 10 when she was born. He never complained about having to look after her, or to bear his father's extremism. It shaped him to be a better person, and he was always thankful for whatever experiences he had, whether good or bad, as he could learn from both.
"Hey, Jack!" Hiccup Haddock Stoic waved back and Jack joined them as they lounged near Hiccup's car. He looked around and smiled at his friends; Hiccup and Astrid Hofferson were, as usual, tight to the hip since they were in a relationship from the end of high school; Merida Ferguson was packing her bow in its case after showing it off, Flynn Rider and Kristoff Bjorgman, who were actually Juniors, were busily discussing a new video game that they had recently been hooked up with. Rapunzel bounced towards them clutching her bag pack, as her thick, luscious blonde hair danced over her shoulders. "Oh my God, could you believe the traffic? It's amazing that I made it on time!"
Jack noticed as Flynn blushed at her sight, and he smiled. Jack had actually dated Rapunzel in high school for some months, but they broke it off mutually after agreeing that they were losing the spark between them. Jack was happy about the decision, since realising his friend Flynn had developed a huge crush on her, which he thought Rapunzel was oblivious to. Then again, she was oblivious to a lot of things, he thought with a smile.
"Where's the other one? Weren't you two manufactured together to be together?" Merida asked, her Scottish accent thicker than the air around her, indicating Rapunzel's best friend Anna Winters, who was a freshman like her. Rapunzel rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. "Anna might not be coming today, or she might be coming late."
"Why?" asked Astrid, sitting against the hood of her boyfriend's car.
Rapunzel tugged her crop top. "Umm, something about going to the airport to pick her sister or something."
There was a collective gasp from the group. "Her sister is coming? From Germany?" Hiccup questioned.
Rapunzel nodded. "Apparently, she's done with boarding school and then she did try University there but she's not liking it as much. And besides, Anna told me that she could easily get a scholarship here in Arendelle, while the Universities there are more selective and more costly." She let out a soft laugh. "Not that it would bother the Winters Family."
Jack glanced at Merida who was hiding whatever emotions she was feeling. Jack knew that she was best friends with Anna's sister since kindergarten, but she had been whisked away to Germany when they were ten to attend a boarding school there as she developed rage issues when she became mentally affected due to the death of her parents when they were on a boat trip. Merida lost her best friend whom she never got in touch with, and Anna was deprived of her sister, her only real family left. Anna lived with her Grandma and visited her sister annually, but everyone knew they hated being apart. Jack thought it was a real crappy move of the Winters family to send a child away to deal with her issues at a time when she needed love and attention from her family the most.
"All that I know is Anna is really happy to have her back," said Rapunzel.
"Why didn't she tell us about this?" asked Flynn.
"She wasn't really sure until last weekend," Rapunzel replied, scratching her head. According to her, she didn't want To believe it until she saw her sister."
"Well, I'm really happy for her," Jack spoke up. "Boy, I couldn't imagine day with Pippa."
"Well, I don't think she would say the same about you." Jack turned at the direction of the voice. It was his friend, Tadashi. "What are you guys talking about?"
"Anna's mysterious sister is coming back home," Kristoff explained.
Tadashi's eyes grew. "Oh, really? I passed by their house on the way here and saw furniture being delivered to them."
"Anna is surprising her with a room she would like," Rapunzel said, matter-of-factly. "I wonder what she's like. Anna hardly talks about her, except about this."
"She used to be really kind," Merida chimed in, surprising the others. "I'm sure she'd be the same."
Hiccup glanced at his watch. "Shit, we'd better get to class." He turned to Jack. "Which building are you headed to?"
Jack looked at his schedule, still familiarising with it. "Umm, business."
"Oh, me too," said Kristoff. "I'll come with you."
The group said their goodbyes and separated. Jack walked with Kristoff to the business building. "So, Kris, how's is going with the whole Anna situation?" asked Jack, addressing the crush the older boy bad.
Kristoff blushed as he ran his hand through his dirty-blonde hair. "I don't know man. She has no clue that I like her, and she is still dating that sleezeball with sideburns." He groaned. "What does she even see in him?"
"He's a smooth talker, so any girl would be blinded by him"
"Yeah, but Anna is not 'any girl'." They stopped of Kristoff's class. "Okay, see you at lunch."
"See you, man," said Jack, heading away to his class, looking at his schedule while he did. It was a long day ahead.
...
"Elsa, do you like it?" asked Anna, as they stood at the doorway of Elsa's new room. She was still left speechless at the work Anna had done in a few days' time. The bed was against the middle of the left coral pink wall, with a fat and soft mattress sitting on it, covered with a white bedspread, teal covers and duvet and decorated with white and teal pillows, and soft plush coral pink cushions. The rest of the wall was covered with white shelves, surrounding her bed with a large amount of books, which catered to her immense love for reading. The centre wall had a long bay window with a window seat, and a one-seater swing sat in the right, filled with teal cushioning. Towards the left wall was a large desk for her studying, compete with drawers and a some small shelves that hung above her desk, also with a white leather rolling chair. There was a door beside her desk, which led to a walk-in closet with a full-length golden framed mirror slanted on an empty wall. Near the door that opened up to her room was a white chest of drawers, on top on which sat a makeup mirror. A hanging shelf hung from above, decorated with cute plants and ornaments. The room was covered with white wallpaper, except for the left wall, and buried with soft, furry carpet in white on the floor. Elsa felt her breath taken away as she saw the hard work her sister put in to making this room for her; she had gone out of the way to make it special for her, from the furniture to the pink framed photos on the wall. She fought back her tears, as she turned to her sister, who was still waiting for an answer. "Anna, I'm speechless." She hugged the younger one and Elsa could feel Anna smile against her shoulder. "Thank you so much for this. I never in a million years would've expected this."
Anna blushed as she pulled away. "It was nothing. I'm just happy you're back."
"Me too," Elsa said, smiling at the beautiful strawberry blonde in front of her. A woman now, aged 18. Over the last nine years, she had only seen her 9 times. Each year she came to visit, she saw her sister grow and blossom into the beauty she was now. Only her eyes held the same innocence she had as a kid.
"Gosh, you look beautiful," she whispered, stroking her hair.
Anna beamed. "Not more than you, though. You look like a freaking goddess, dressed in a damn sweatshirt and jeans!" She pouted. "How is that even possible?!"
"Oh, drop it," Elsa replied, nudging her sister's hand.
"We should go shopping!" Anna exclaimed, clapping her hands and jumping on one spot. "I mean, most of your outfits are like for the winter, so we can get some clothes for you now, and you look like this queen when you walk into University tomorrow."
Elsa shook her head. "Let's cut out the whole queen thing and focus on the getting clothes part. You're right; I hardly have any clothes for the summer."
"It's alright, I'm here for that! Let's go now!" Anna exclaimed, tugging at her sister's sleeve.
"Girls! Dinner!" They heard their grandma call out.
"After dinner," Elsa whispered to Anna.
They found themselves downstairs at the dining room, surprised at the crowd of people present ; their aunts, uncles, cousins and even their great-grandfather in a wheelchair. Elsa walked to him and he cupped her face in his feeble hands, bringing her down closer to plant a kiss on her forehead. "We missed you, pumpkin."
Elsa kneeled down. "I missed you too, Pappie."
His eyes studied her face. "You look like your mother."
Elsa smiled at the memory of her. "That's the best compliment anyone has said to me."
Soon, she found herself enveloped by her relatives, as they hugged her, talked to her and some even got choked up when they saw her. After dinner with everyone, some of their cousins volunteered to go with Anna and her to help them with their shopping. Though Elsa smiled, she felt overwhelmed and nervous at the same time to be around her family. This was the first time after nine years. She wanted this for so long, but her heart had grown so distant over the past that she questioned if she should even be her.
Pushing the thoughts that struck her head, she followed her sister and her cousins to the car. Lots to get done.
...
"Jack, wake up, baby," he heard his mum say as she shook his shoulder. He opened his eyes and yawned. "Gosh, I wish I had a day off."
She smirked. "Jack, you're in college, not working in a coal mine." She headed out of his room. "Hurry up and get dressed. Breakfast will be done in ten."
Groaning, Jack reached for his phone that sat on his night stand. There were some Instagram notifications and a text message from Tooth. Hey, Jack. You looked really cute yday ;) I was wondering if you'd like to grab lunch with me today, it read. Jack rolled his eyes and tossed his phone on his bed, ignoring the text. Tooth had liked him since last year and he bore it at the beginning but now it just got on his nerves. She was not his type; with her outgoing personality and her flirtatious flipping of her black, dyed with streaks of green and pink, hair.
After a shower, he dressed into a white t-shirt and black jeans. He brushed through his hair a bit and sprayed on some cologne. Grabbing his bag pack, he rushed downstairs to the kitchen and saw his father at the table, a newspaper in his heads. He saw his mum signal him to sit at the breakfast bar with Pippa and not the table, which meant his dad was not in a good mood. Jack tried to make subtle movements but his father caught him with the corner of his eyes. "Jackson."
"Father," said Jack, staring at his shoes.
"You're late to wake up. You're late to have breakfast. And now you'll be late for college," his father said sternly, folding the newspaper.
"He was tired from last night's soccer practice-" Jack's mother began, but she was stopped by him when he raised his hand.
"Jack, did you pick a college in the town so you could continue to be smothered by your mother?" he asked, his tone hinting with insult.
"No, Dad, it's one of the most elite schools in the country, and I got a scholarship," Jack retorted.
"Do not talk back to me," his father instructed as his voice raised, making Pippa cower.
Jack threw his hands in the air. "You asked me a question!"
"You will not raise your voice in front of your father," he said, his voice booming. "Do you know other boys have to wakeup an hour or more earlier than you to make their breakfast, iron their clothes or work part time jobs? Not everyone has their mother to do it for them in their dorms."
He frowned. "Get. Your. Shit. Together."
Jack turned to his mother. " I'm going to go, Mum. See you, Pips."
"I'm not done, Jackson," his dad called after him but Jack just walked on out to the driveway. He staggered into his car and took a deep breath. "Okay, push it away."
Arriving at the parking lot, he first opted for the cafe outside the University. He sat down to eat his the muffin and chocolate croissant. His thoughts wandered in front his eyes ; his dad yelling, his mum trying to defend him, Pippa hiding her face in fear. He wondered why his dad felt the need to raise his family the way he was treated in the military. Mum used to say that he was different before the army, but Jack wouldn't accept being in the military as a reason to be an ass. Many soldiers were actually saints towards their families, since they knew they importance of the lives around them, but not his stone hearted father.
He let out a sigh and carried his coffee out with him to the parking lot, a smile crept on his face when he saw his friend at their usual spot near Hiccup's car.
"Great practice last night, Frost," said Flynn when Jack arrived. "You were on fire."
"Right back at you," Jack declared, earning a wide grin from the captain of the soccer team.
Astrid took a sip of Jack's coffee. "Wow, that's strong!"
"That's how I like it," Jack said, with a smirk. "And that'll teach you not to drink from other people's cups."
"I was thirsty!"
Jack grinned and then saw Tadashi arriving with his, since recent, girlfriend, Honey Lemon. "I saw Anna's car pullover," he informed, pointing in the direction of a white Mercedes parked in a distance.
"Do you think she's here?!" Rapunzel asked, giddy.
Merida smiled at her. "What are you so excited about?"
"I don't know, it's just like some movie, you know? Trapped in a foreign country after a tragedy, coming back home all different... I wonder how she looks. I've seen her pictures as a kid, but how will she look now?" Rapunzel said, standing on her toes. "Will she fit in with us? I mean, she's from foreign country and she's like more European and posh, and we're like savages when compared to her!"
Kristoff shook his head." Calm down, Punzie. You'll pop a vein."
"That'd be a sight!" Hiccup teased and Astrid shoved him disapprovingly.
"Hey!" Rapunzel pouted, placing her hands on her waist. "I'm just concerned okay? I mean, I want to try for Anna."
Flynn put an arm around her, making her blush. "Just be yourself. Who'll not love you?"
"Let's all be ourselves, and make her feel welcome," Astrid suggest, to which everyone agreed. "I mean, what a childhood, right? Being cast away to deal with her own emotions just because she chose to show it?"
"That was completely shitty," Jack said, putting his hands in his pockets. "Why would someone in their right mind do that?"
"Well, she is the heir to her great-grandfather's company," Merida blurted, a fact she would've known as her former best friend. "Maybe it was planned. Obviously, her mental stature would be worse than it was, meaning it could give the people in her family who made such a move a reason to remove her legally as the heir."
"Whoa, Mer, do you actually think that?" Flynn questioned, surprised as everyone else.
She shrugged. "It's just an assumption, but I could be wrong."
"Poor thing," Astrid said, wrapping her hands around Hiccup's arm.
"Shush, everyone, Anna is coming over," Honey Lemon whispered, her eyes fixed on the strawberry-blonde hopping over. Rapunzel embraced her. "Anna, I missed you yesterday!"
"Aww, me too," Anna said with a huge smile to everyone. "I was busy preparing my sister's room before she arrived. And when she did, I didn't spend a minute without her." Her eyes were gleaming with happiness which warmed Jack's heart. "I dropped her and my grandma at the main building. She still needs to run some things by management, get her schedule and all. Grandma did whatever she could last week, which has made this process much easier for Elsa, actually."
"Oh, we were hoping to meet her now!" Rapunzel wailed.
"Especially Merida," Flynn snickered.
The red head punched his arm. "Did not!"
Anna passed her a kind smile. "When I told her you were here, she felt relieved. She said she wants to catch up with where you both left."
Merida's expression softened. "Really?"
Anna nodded. "Of course, Merida. Only your fierce personality can match up with hers."
"Umm, guys, it's almost time for classes," Kristoff announced, pointing at the University clock tower.
The group groaned and walked away to go their separate ways. Jack reached his economics class and sat next to Hiro Hamada, Tadashi's brother who was only 14, but was a child of gifted talents. "Hey, Hiro."
He smiled. "Hey, Jack. Just in time. Professor North is already here."
A huge man with white hair combed back and a long white beard marched into the class, tossing his books on his desk. "Very, very disappointed with everyone's reports on the economic consequences of the great depression," he exclaimed, his booming, Russian accent reaching every corner of the lecture hall. Jack gulped. "Such a simple task, which no one had taken seriously. You all disappoint me!"
The students glanced at each, wondering what to say or what punishment would come next, when they suddenly saw North hold his stomach, roaring with laughter. Confused, Jack looked at his professor wipe a tear from his eye from laughing so much. "I am just messing with you! You should see your faces, though," North exclaimed, imitating the shocked expressions of the students. Some people joined in to laugh with him, while others still remained confused. Jack face-palmed himself.
"I'm actually pretty impressed with everyone's work," he admitted. "This class is going to be fun to teach." He raised his arms. "I expect big things from all of you. Continue the focus and determination that you have at the beginning of the semester till the end. You'll be able-"
"Professor North, a word please." A voice from the entrance interrupted the Professor. It was the Dean of the University, Dr Valka Stoic, who also Hiccup's mother. North followed her out and the class buzzed with sound again. Jack noticed slight commotion outside but he could not make out what was happening.
"He's a nut case, isn't he?" Hiro asked, smirking.
"Oh, yeah, that he is," Jack agreed. "He actually pulled the same stunt with another class last week."
"He's probably doing it all on purpose to keep the students' attention," Hiro said, scribbling robot designs on his note pad.
North's voice boomed through the class again. "Silence!"
Professor Stoic walked in holding a girl's arm. "This is Elsa Winters, everybody."
Jack felt short of breath at the sudden appearance ; this was Elsa?! Never would he have been able to imagine her as beautiful as she really was here in front of him. Her platinum blond hair was tied in a high bun, with few strands of hair framing her perfectly sculpted face. Her cerulean blue eyes were shy, and her face held no makeup, since she actually didn't need any, Jack thought. Her alabaster skin was pale, showing her red cheeks prominently. She was tall and slim, with a strong posture, as though she could dominate the air around her, but her face showed that she was nervous, biting at her lower lip furiously. She dressed simply; a black, floral top that reached her hips with a V-neck and thin straps hung on her slender frame; inside she wore a white, short-sleeved t-shirt, and a dark pair of denims covered her long legs. She clutched nervously at her messenger bag, staring at her sneakers.
Professor Valka led her to an empty seat in at the front next to Fiona and left the classroom. North approached Elsa at her table. "Welcome to my class, Ms. Winters."
"Thank you," she replied in a soft murmur, Jack hardly heard her.
The class went on as usual, but Jack found himself unusually distracted, stealing occasional glances at the blonde few seats in front of him. He watched as she busily wrote in her notepad, listening attentively to a rambling Professor North. Her mind never wandered or wavered as she sternly restricted herself to the teacher and the board. Jack noticed that she would occasionally stretch her hand or scratch the back of her neck. Whatever tiny thing she did was done with elegance and caution.
"Jack!?" Hiro shook him, making him jump. "Are you even listening?"
"What?" he said, lost.
Hiro sighed. "Professor North assigned another random report to do for the weekend."
"Oh, okay. What's the topic?"
"It's on the board!" Hiro almost screamed. "What's up with you?"
"Umm, nothing. I'm still tired from last night's practice," he lied, which Hiro didn't buy.
"Yeah, right," the younger boy retorted.
"Okay, class dismissed. Remember, your report is due next Wednesday. Have a great weekend, children," North concluded, finally sitting down at the his desk. Students began to file out of the class, while Jack slowly packed his things, asking in his head if he should go and say" Hi". Maybe I should wait until I am with everyone. What if I never got the opportunity to speak with her then? Would she hate me? Would I be intruding her privacy if I walked over?
He stood up and slung his bag pack over his shoulder, only to find that Elsa was already leaving the class. Muttering a curse at himself, he stormed outside. He had one more class before lunch. He turned his head to see Elsa walking away in the opposite direction, turning heads of guys and girls in the hallway, while being completely oblivious to the attention she was receiving. Jack smiled and headed to class, knowing for sure that he was going to be distracted again with her image stuck in his head.
...
"Stop touching my food, Pigeon-brain!" Merida screamed at Astrid who was reaching out for a fry from the redhead's tray. Jack was with his friends, except for Anna, at their usual table in the cafeteria for lunch.
"Whoa, Mer, sorry," she said, turning her fingers to her boyfriend's plate as she snatched a fry. Hiccup sighed. "Astrid, if you wanted fries, why did order the onion rings?"
"I want the onion rings, but your fries look good too," she admitted.
"You have issues," Flynn pointed out, with a mouth full of lasagne.
"And you have no manners," Astrid fired back, with a look of disgust.
"Stop it, guys," Tadashi instructed. He slowly nudged Jack. "So, Jackson, a little birdie told me you were distracted by a new blonde today at class."
Damn you, Hiro.
Jack pretended to look shocked. "What?! I was perfectly attentive in class. Everything was normal."
"Oh my Gosh, Elsa was in your class?!" Rapunzel squealed. She squirmed into the space between Jack and Merida. "Tell me everything about her!"
"Punzie, your stupid hair is in my face!" Merida shouted, pushing the blonde strands away from her. Rapunzel ignored her and waited for an answer.
"I just saw her. There's nothing much to tell."
"Was she pretty?"
Jack gulped involuntarily. "She's okay, I guess."
"Punzie, I'm warning you. Get back to your seat before I squeeze your small neck!" Merida scolded.
"Geez, okay," Rapunzel surrendered, returning to her spot next to Flynn. Jack silently thanked Merida as he let out a sigh of relief.
After a few minutes, Anna approached the table. "Hey. Elsa is getting her lunch, and I've finally managed to convince her to sit with us. That's fine by all of you, right?"
Honey squealed. "Of course. We're dying to meet her."
"Okay, I'll be right back," Anna declared, running off to find her sister. The two came back and Jack suddenly felt the same way he did in class; his pulse quickened and his lungs seemed smaller. She clung on to her tray, desperately looking anywhere but at them.
"Everyone, this is Elsa, my sister," Anna introduced.
The group greeted her, except for Merida who stood up and walked up to her. Elsa caught her eyes and her mouth fell open, tears glistening in her blue eyes. Merida let out a sob as well, which was weird for the group since it was their first time seeing Merida anywhere close to letting her emotions overcome her. Elsa let down her tray and hugged Merida without saying any words, and she hugged her back, smiling.
"Aww!" Rapunzel, Honey and Astrid cooed.
"Come and eat with me, Elsa," Merida offered, leading her friend to her spot. Elsa nodded and sat between her and Jack. Jack's body straightened and his palms felt sweaty. What is happening?!
She smelled divine; fresh and very autumn. His head felt light-headed at her scent. Her face seemed even more perfect up close, but Jack reluctantly tried not to look at it, not wanting his friends to know something was up.
"So, Elsa, I'm Rapunzel Corona," Rapunzel said, a huge, welcoming smile plastered on her face. "Anna's best friend."
"Yes, I know. Your name is all over the letters she used to send me," said Elsa. Jack realised how clear her voice was; it was quiet and yet powerful at the same time.
"Aww, really?" Rapunzel asked, hugging Anna who was seated beside her.
"Too tight, Punz," Anna commented with a laugh.
"I'm Flynn Rider, and this is Kristoff," Flynn said, flashing his smoulder, making Jack roll his eyes.
"My name is Tadashi Hamada, and this is my girlfriend, Honey Lemon," Tadashi introduced.
Elsa raised her eyebrow. "That's an interesting name."
"It's actually a nickname," Honey said quickly, "which will never leave me, apparently."
"I'm Hiccup Stoic."
"As in, the Dean's son?" Elsa observed.
"Yes, he is," Astrid answered for him. "I'm his girlfriend, Astrid."
Elsa flashed a smile at her. Soon, all eyes were on Jack, waiting for him to speak up. His throat felt dry and his eyes wandered before he could get anything out of his mouth. "Umm, I'm Jack Overland Frost," he finally managed to say, turning to face her. Her blue eyes stared into his own and he felt the hairs on his neck stand. This was definitely a spark at their eye contact; he could almost lose himself in her gaze. They were the bluest blue, almost a match to his own. He felt his chest burn, but it was a pain he almost enjoyed. What the hell was happening? There was a light pink streak on her cheeks and she immediately turned her gaze away, standing up. "I'm going to-umm-use the washroom."
"Elsa, shall I come with you?" Anna offered, readying to stand up but Elsa shook her head.
"No, I'm fine," she declined politely before rushing away through the crowd of students in the lunch room.
"Is she okay?" Rapunzel asked. "Did we make her uncomfortable?"
Anna bit her lower lip in concern. "I think she just feels a little overwhelmed."
"Jack was definitely overwhelmed," Hiccup joked and Jack glared at him.
"His face when he introduced himself was hilarious!" Flynn continued, with a laugh.
"'Uhh, I'm Umm Jack umm Overland umm Frost,'" Kristoff mocked in a heavy, dorky voice. The boys roared with laughter, hitting their hands on the table while the girls giggled.
Jack threw his head back and groaned. "Stop it, idiots."
Anna leaned closer from across the table. "Jack, do you like my sister?"
Jack's eyes widened in shock. "I just met her today!"
Astrid smirked at Anna. "He didn't deny it."
"Jackson and Elsa, sitting on a tree," Honey and Rapunzel sang. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
"What are you two; eight?! Give it a rest."
"You like her!" Merida exclaimed, ruffling his hair.
"Oh my God, I met her today. Just a few hours back," Jack wailed. "Can you please let me eat in peace?"
"Umm, no," Flynn said coyly.
"Jack, buddy, it's written all over your face," Hiccup claimed, throwing a grape at Jack.
"Oh my God, imagine you and my sister dating!" Anna shrieked like a teenaged fan girl. "You'd be like the hottest couple in the college."
"Can we not get ahead ourselves, guys?" Jack pleaded.
"Are you saying you don't feel anything towards her? Not even the slightest attraction?" Astrid asked, tugging on her braid.
Jack closed his eyes and pressed his head against the table. These were his friends. They obviously saw past him.
There was a soft mumble, that almost made it hard for the group to hear if they weren't so attentive on listening to the answer he had to give. "Maybe."
...
Elsa shut the bathroom door behind her and looked at the mirror. Her cheeks were still red. She washed her face quickly, trying to keep her shivering hands still. What was she feeling since saw him? His icy, blue eyes were almost hypnotising and his imperfectly perfect silver-white hair didn't help either. She remembered the light, cute freckles that decorated his face, his chiselled but soft jawline and his pink lips were pursed as he looked back at her. She shook her head, trying to push his image out of her head. She had never felt this way before; Elsa was always in her own world, avoiding any attention or interest in others. She hardly had any friends in Germany, let alone allow herself to like a boy. But this boy... he blew her mind. Her heart felt fluttery and yet at ease; it was as though it was meant to be.
Elsa looked at herself again, regaining her posture. "No, Elsa. Conceal whatever emotions you are feeling. Don't show, don't show."
She dabbed her face with a napkin from the dispenser, still staring at herself in the mirror. She had pledged long time before that she would never let her emotions overcome her. She needed to be strong; she couldn't let the same thing that happened nine years ago occur again. Someone would surely take advantage of her weakness, if she decided to show it again. She couldn't be sensitive or emotional in any way.
She turned on her heels and returned back to the table. This time, she sat beside her sister and Hiccup gladly passed her tray back to her.
Anna probably noticed the tension on her face. "Are you alright, El?"
Elsa nailed a smile on her face. "Yeah, of course. I felt a bit drowsy so I washed my face."
"So, Elsa, how are you liking the college so far?" Rapunzel inquired.
"It's nice; more of an open environment than in Germany," Elsa responded, mixing her salad . She could feel Jack's eyes on her, but she fought with herself to avoid his gaze.
"How was life like in Germany? Did you have a hard time saying goodbye to your friends?" asked Astrid, before grabbing a tater tot from Kristoff's plate.
Elsa shook her head. "I didn't have the trouble. No one passed more than colleague for me over there. I didn't want go through a whirlwind when the time for me to go back would come."
Rapunzel held a sympathetic expression. "Oh, that's so sad. But, never mind! You're here now and we will be your friends, because you're not going anywhere!"
Elsa smiled at her, and continued to eat her lunch. As the gang carried on their usual conversations, she thought to herself that she couldn't be more than colleagues with the people around her as well. In the end, there would be fights, heartbreaks and commitments that Elsa couldn't risk to face. She didn't want them to feel absolutely obligated to be her friend just because she was Anna's sister or she was a girl with a rough childhood.
It was like anyone she met looked at her with pity, which she was determined to change and she knew making friends was not the way to do so.
"Elsa," Rapunzel broke into her thoughts. "Have you thought about signing up for extra curriculars? Like, sports or clubs?"
"I haven't still thought about it," said Elsa.
Merida's eyes lit up. "Oo, you can join archery! I'm the captain of the team and I do training sessions sometimes too."
Elsa shrugged. "Archery isn't really my thing." She took a sip of her sparkling water. "Maybe swimming or track?"
"Jack," Astrid began, her eyes fixed on him, "aren't you on the swim team?"
Elsa cursed herself for saying that as Jack's face reddened. "Umm, yeah," said Jack. He looked at Elsa with a shy smile, making her stomach knot. "Maybe I'll get you signed up?"
"I'll get back to you on that," Elsa blurted, quickly shifting her gaze back to the food she was poking. She heard her sister squeal when a guy with red side hair and a tall physique approached the table. "Hans!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. Elsa winced at the PDA; she was not getting a good vibe off of this man who looked too old to be in college with the grossest side burns
"Elsa, this is my boyfriend, Hans," Anna said, sighing like a hopeless romantic.
Elsa turned on her seat to meet his view. "Hello. Anna has told me so much about you."
He grinned. "Is that so?" His eyes unusually wandered over Elsa, making her feel uncomfortable. He hugged Anna around the waist. "I actually came over to invite you and your friends to our Kappa Delta fraternity party tonight. Be at the frat House at around 9." His glance shifted to Elsa again. "Bring your sister too."
After he left, Anna sat back down at the table. "He's so amazing!"
"I'm just glad I'm getting free beer tonight," Flynn said, and Rapunzel rolled her eyes.
"Should we go? The last few fraternity parties we went to were pretty wild," Merida recalled.
"Of course we should," Anna said excitedly. "Hans invited us, so we must. And college is about new experiences!"
"Anna's right," Rapunzel chimed. "I don't know what I'm going to wear!"
"You'll come, right, Elsa?" Anna asked, holding her sister's hand.
Elsa shook her head furiously. "No, I can't. I've never and don't want to be at a frat party."
"Come on, Elsa, it'll be fun," Honey added.
"I don't know. It all seems to much with the drinking and the boys and the noise..."
"We'll all be there, and we'll look out for each other," Hiccup assured. "You can have a good time and meet people."
"This will be good for you," Anna pleaded. "A new experience. A new life. This is what you wanted."
Elsa sighed and let out a soft laugh at her sister's puppy dog face.
"Wow, she laughs," Kristoff said sarcastically.
"Okay, I'll come," Elsa said, giving in. "Just for an hour."
The girls cheered and began discussing their outfits while Elsa pondered if this was a good idea. But she owed it to Anna for being so patient with her. She didn't want her sister to be worrying about whether she was having a good time or not, or if she was fitting in or uncomfortable. Elsa knew that she was worried for her, and she wanted to put her mind at ease. She didn't want to be a burden for her sister, though she dreaded the thought of having to go to a party. She glanced at her watch. Eight hours till that painful ordeal.
...
"Remind me again why you've decided to go with that outfit," Elsa asked her sister as they drove to the party, with Merida listening to her iPod at the backseat. Anna wore an off shoulder, long sleeved blouse that was tucked in her denim shorts.
"What? It's going to so hot in there," Anna reasoned, her eyes on the road as she took left turn. "You remind me why that's YOUR outfit."
Elsa glanced down at the clothes she was wearing; a white t-shirt that had 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S" printed across the chest tucked into a black and white vertically striped, wide-leg pants. Her hair was pulled back into a bun and she added a white, floral bow-knot headband as an accessory. "What's wrong with my outfit?"
Anna laughed. "Elsa, you're going to a party, not walking down the ramp for a French runway."
"I don't want anyone getting any wrong ideas."
Anna sighed. "Loosen up, Elsa! Just be yourself and have fun! Besides we're all going to be there with you." She used her free hand to give Elsa's a squeeze. "So, what did you think of Hans?"
"Other than him being a cave-man who attends college?" Merida spoke up, scrolling through her phone. Anna shot her a glare through the rear view mirror. "Merida, don't be mean!"
Elsa shrugged. "I don't know, he seemed okay," she made up. "I still need to get to know him better. He seems a bit older."
"That's because he's repeating his final year since he didn't get through his exam," Merida explained before Anna could say anything.
"Merida!"
Elsa was shocked. "Anna, he failed? Do you really want to be with this person?"
Anna shook her head. "Elsa, it's not like that! He was having family issues that took place during the exams, which distracted him and took away his focus."
"That took his focus away? Not his fraternity or throwing huge parties?" Elsa questioned, concerned.
"Just get to know him better and then we'll speak," Anna said, pulling the car to a spot a few metres away from the frat house. The girls got out and Elsa had to almost cover her ears from the blaring sound of the music at the party. People had already arrived while the girls stayed near the car, waiting for the others. Soon, two cars parked near theirs. Elsa sighed as she saw Honey, Astrid and Rapunzel dressed almost as the same as her sister. They squealed and hugged each other, commenting on each others outfits.
"It's like some Blonde Con," Kristoff teased, and Elsa laughed. Her eyes caught Jack crossing to the street to join them after parking his car. He was tall and slim; not covered with bulging muscles, but fit. His navy blue t-shirt hung on his slightly broad shoulders and he wore a pair of dark denims. His lean physique and his striking features were a dangerous combination that did not help her to look away.
He caught her staring and she blushed profusely, turning her head to hide her face. Merida observed her. "He's not going to bite, you know."
"Huh?" Elsa countered, clueless.
"Why are you avoiding him?" Merida whispered. "I saw you at lunch and even after college."
"Umm... I am still getting used to everything," Elsa covered and she was relieved when Merida bought it. She followed the others in to the frat house, the scent of alcohol and cigarettes making her nose twitch. She was surprised to see girls dressed worse than her sister and her friends; mini skirts, skimpy dresses and two pieces. Anna was right; it was warm though there was air conditioning. Guys whistled at her, some purposely brushed against her or winked at her, causing her anxiety to rise. Her sister's boyfriend welcomed them and pulled Anna away to the dance floor. Flynn and Rapunzel joined them, while Merida, Hiccup and Astrid rushed off for a competition ot beer pong. Elsa found herself alone as she rubbed the side of her left arm. She found a couch in the den where she took a seat. The music was too loud for her. The smells made her want to barf. Every where she turned, the scene would revolt her, so she stared into the phone on her lap.
She felt a sudden weight on the couch, finding herself beside two huge and drunk guys. "Ohhhh, what do we have here?" one said, scanning Elsa from head to toe, while the other whistled.
"Never seen you around, Princess," the first one said as he moved closer to her, his breath stinking with beer.
Elsa stood up to leave but the guy caught her by her forearm. "Where are you going, doll? Don't you want to talk?"
She winced. "I'm going to ask you to leave me."
The two guys laughed. "Or what?"
"Or you'll be sorry," Elsa warned. She kept calm and pushed nervous thoughts away from her head. "Let go of my hand."
He tightened his grip, yellow teeth in a disgusting smile. "Make me."
Hope you enjoyed that! Thank you so much for reading, and please review and let me know what you think. The next chapter will hopefully be longer than this.
Until next time!
Jelsa all the way!