Chapter 2-Solitude (Anna)

Anna woke the next morning and stretched. When was the last time she had slept so good? She yawned and went into the living room, seeing Diane in the kitchen. "Hey Mom, what's for breakfast?"

"Good morning, Anna. As promised, chocolate chip pancakes. Would you like chocolate milk with them?'

"That sounds good to me!" Anna smiled as she sat at the kitchen table. "How'd you sleep, Mom?"

"I slept wonderfully. How about you sweetie?" Diane laid a glass of chocolate milk and a plate of pancakes in front of Anna. She went to the counter again and brought back butter and syrup. She sat by Anna, putting butter on her own pancakes.

"I slept sweet for the first time in a long time. I had some pretty rad dreams but I don't remember what they were about, just that I was having fun. So what happens today?"

"Well you woke up a bit late but we can still get you to school. Are you ready?"

Anna looked up from a mouthful of pancakes. "Ready for what?"

"Don't talk with your mouth full sweetie. Are you ready for high school?"

Anna nearly choked on her pancakes. "High school?!" She took a big gulp of her milk and looked to Diane. "Are you sure I'm ready for high school? I mean, I've never been to one before."

"I'm sure you'll do fine, Anna. You're a clever girl. Besides, you'll get to make new friends."

Anna nodded. "Well, I guess that's true." She finished her pancakes and milk, putting the dishes in the sink. "So, when do we go?"

"Well, you can't go dressed in your pajamas. Go find something to wear, get your school stuff together and we can go."

"Alright. You really think I can do this?"

"I know you can. You're a brave, smart girl." Diane smiled and gave Anna a hug. She watched as Anna went to her room to get dressed. Sure, she called her daughter a different name and she acted totally different, but she was still her daughter. And it seemed the medicine Dina prescribed was working. Anna hadn't acted nervous or like she was going to throw up. So that was a plus, too. Hopefully it would help her keep her grades up as well.

Anna dressed herself in a nice yellowish dress, putting on black flip flops, double braiding her hair. She brushed her teeth and got her supplies together. Before she left the room, she stood in front of the bathroom mirror. Her teal eyes sparkled, bright reddish hair in braids, freckles all over the place. Did everyone else really see her with white hair and blue eyes? She didn't see how but hey, to each their own. Anna shrugged and walked out with her backpack. Diane was waiting for her by the front door.

"Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be. Let's do this!" Her and Diane walked out and into the car. On the drive there, Anna stared out the window. What would high school be like? Would the teachers be like they were in elementary school? Did they still do nap time and recess? Did the teachers give snacks? Before she knew it, Diane had parked in front of the school. "Arendelle Preparatory Academy. This is where I go to school?"

"It sure is. Now remember Anna, people and teachers will call you Elsa. But that's alright. Just answer to it and it won't cause any problems or confusion for anyone else. Can you do that?"

Anna shrugged. "I guess so. What classes do I go to?"

"Luckily I saved your schedule from the start of the year. Here ya go." Diane took the schedule from the visor and handed it to Anna.

"Oh god, you're a life saver Mom. Thanks so much!" She gave Diane a quick hug and left the car. She walked a few steps and looked to the schedule. "Okay, first is English Literature with Miss Katri. Sounds easy enough." Anna stopped to dig through her backpack. "Just to be sure, was there any homework from any of these classes in here?" She double checked the list. English literature, earth science, algebra, world history, choir and dance p.e. First four were a check and the last two were homework free. Anna heaved a huge sigh of relief. At least whoever was here last had done the homework. One less thing to worry about. But now Anna had another problem on her mind: understanding the lectures the teachers would give. She took a huge breath and approached the double doors leading into the school. Everything was so much different than what she had expected. Lockers with combination locks lined the walls, kids were bustled in groups and teachers were walking around rustling through papers. Anna glanced at the schedule sheet, looking all around for her locker and its combination. Nothing on the front, she flipped it over. There she found Diane's writing. "Locker 23D, combination 21 left, 6 right, 7 left. I can always count on Mom to look out for me." She walked among the lockers until she found hers and put in the code. It unlocked and she opened it, curious as to what was in it. She found textbooks, some loose papers and a note from Kiri.

"If you're reading this, you're in high school. The teachers aren't as nice as they were when you were in school. There's no recess, snack time or nap time. If you thought the kids in elementary school were cruel, then get ready. These kids will find the smallest thing and make it out to be the worst part about you. Avoid getting in fights at all costs-you could get expelled and then you'd have to find somewhere else to go to school. Lunch comes after 3rd period and school is out at 2:15 p.m. I made a map to all your classes using the school map. I numbered which classes you go to based on your schedule. So, 1st period is marked with one and so on and so forth. I might not be able to help you but the least I can do is provide you with the information you'll need to navigate the campus. The cafeteria is marked with L for lunch so you'll know where to get your food. The code you need to put in the keypad after getting your food is 25553. Don't worry about taking the bus home, Diane comes to pick you up every day. For convenience, each class you sit in the back row. Once you walk in, stay with the first row of seats by the door and go all the way down the row. That's where you sit in every class. The teachers call you Elsa but that's normal. No one knows who you really are. There's not really many people you talk to, if only about assignments during class. Sad to say you don't have many friends. Hans, well if you see him bolt into the nearest girls room. He's out for vengeance after what happened with Nassiri. Good luck. Kiri."

Anna blinked and sighed. "Well, that's more useful information. I'll take it with me and leave it here in the locker before I go home. That way if Aya or Elsa needs it, it's there." She took the note with her and searched the locker for the map, finding that easily. "Well, here goes nothing." She followed the map to the first class and then took the back seat in the first row. "Oh crap," Anna smacked her forehead. She'd forgotten to take her medicine before she left. She nervously bit her lip, playing with the ends of her braids. The bell rang a few minutes later, startling her. "Oh, silly me."

The rest of the kids filed in and took their seat. A few lagged behind, looking like trouble makers. They stopped by Anna and banged her desk. "Hey freak, gonna be all snobby like you were last week? Or have you learned to be quiet? Just because you're a smart little kid doesn't mean shit here."

Anna didn't look up. "I won't cause any problems."

"That's better. Come on Cherie, let's leave this freak alone."

Kiri hadn't been kidding. The kids did seem more menacing then elementary kids. She made a note to stay away from them.

The teacher came in, glanced at all the students, called a few names and turned to the desk. She picked up a clipboard and began making rounds. "Everyone did their homework, I assume?" The class muttered various responses as she collected the assignment. Anna dug through her backpack and found it just as Miss Katri got to her. "I don't even need to ask if you did. You always did turn in your work early or on time." She walked passed, a few students glaring at Anna.

"If it weren't for you, there wouldn't be such a high grading curve in this class." One student hissed.

"Yeah, we were all passing with at least a B until you got here. Now we have C's and it's all your fault. Go back to junior high!"

Anna slunk down in her seat. "It's not like I wanted to be here in the first place. Just leave me alone."

"Hey, snarky little brat, you're only 13, we're 15. Shut up." A few paper wads hit her.

Anna, feeling insecure, closed her eyes. They kept whispering mean things and blaming her for them failing. "It's not my fault, I don't even want to be here," she muttered. "It's not like I asked for this. Just, just leave me alone." She felt things being thrown at her and heard some laughing in response to her covering her head.

"Look at her, being a baby and trying to hide. Maybe she thinks if she hides we'll go away." A snide girl commented, the class bursting in to laughter at her.

Why wasn't the teacher doing anything? Weren't teachers supposed to help? She tried to ignore them but the whispers just seemed to get louder. "Why did I forget my medicine today? Of all days…"

"Did you hear that Cherie? Little Elsa takes medication." Whoever it was laughed and threw something hard at Anna. "What's the matter Elsa? Are you retarded and that medicine makes you smart?"

"That's enough Katie! Everyone shut up or it's detention for all of you!" Miss Katri rolled her eyes. "Elsa, stop causing trouble."

"What?" Anna looked up. "I'm not even doing anything!"

"Don't talk back to me!" The teacher replied before going back to writing a passage on the board.

"I hate high school," Anna crossed her arms and sat back in the chair, annoyed.