A/N: As always, thanks for the reviews and comments, it's always great to hear feedback. Also, please don't hesitate to leave criticism about how I can improve my writing.
Enjoy the chapter!
Anna's phone buzzed. The third time today.
Groaning, she rolled over, grabbed the phone off her nightstand and answered angrily, "What!"
"Oh, hey, Anna," Replied a gruff, surprised voice. It took her a moment to recognize Kristoff. His concerned voice sounded again, "Sorry to bother you, I was just worried. You haven't been replying my texts and stuff. Rapunzel and the girls are worried sick, too. We're out right now. You, uh, busy?"
Before she responded, a higher, more excited voice emanated from the speaker, "Give me that! Anna, where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for two days! Please tell me you didn't make things worse with Elsa!" It was Rapunzel.
Elsa. The name sent a fresh wave of guilt and regret washing through her. She hadn't seen Elsa since the fight. Unable to bottle up the frustration and resentment that followed, she yelled angrily, "Don't talk to me about Elsa! Don't mention Elsa in front of me ever again!"
"Oh—okay, Anna, just calm down." Rapunzel paused for a second, mulling over what to say. "Hey, we're going to a party tonight at Eugene's friend's house. It'll be a good change for you, right? Do you wanna come? It'll be totally fun! I could get my mom to drive us over and pick you up. We could hang at the mall and then go over."
A party. With loud music and dancing and no thinking. That sounded nice. In fact, anything to keep her mind off Elsa would have been received with open arms. Without a second thought, Anna agreed. "Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks. See you in a bit." Biting her lip, she quickly got up, showered, and dressed. Not casting a second glance at Elsa's door as she passed it, she ran down the stairs and out the front door.
Elsa watched forlornly as Anna entered Rapunzel's car and tried to ignore the knife in her gut. Sighing, she sat on the wide windowsill and hugged her knees to her chest, eyes following the car as it began its journey down the long, winding road back to the city. The destitute house (and her heart) suddenly felt so much emptier without her sister's jovial presence somewhere in it.
It must have been for the millionth time that her regret and guilt came flowing back to her as she remembered her violent outburst two days back. She had always told herself that whatever she sacrificed for her sister's happiness would always be worth it. And every time she looked at Anna's beaming smile and innocent features, her convictions were reaffirmed. Faced with her father's 'lessons' and her mother's threats, the only thing that helped her through those was the thought of Anna, like a light at the end of the tunnel, smiling at her, spreading to her contentment that radiated off her like the rays of the sun.
And now she had ruined even that. Why did she have absolutely zero control over her tongue? Why couldn't she stop herself from spitting out the words of resentment that she hadn't even noticed building up? Of course, only Anna could have gotten a reaction out of her like that.
She hadn't ever regretted anything she had done for Anna's benefit. She still didn't. In fact, she'd wanted to shove the words right back into her mouth the moment they came tumbling out. She had done the next best thing: removed herself from the situation before she could say anything else and made things even worse.
Anna hadn't knocked on her door since. There was no doubt that her sister was angry; she had every right to be. When Elsa reflected on the events of the past week she understood that Anna was only doing exactly what Elsa loved her for: trying to make her happy again.
The knife twisted deeper as she thought about what she had said. She'd told Anna that she was a bother. That she was a pain in her side. Elsa closed her eyes and she thought of the pain and distress she would be feeling if their roles were reversed and Anna had said those words to her instead of the other way around.
Why did she say that? Oh god, why did she have to blindly lash out at her accepting and kind younger sister and thoughtlessly spit out whatever words that came to her mind?
She was falling deeper and deeper into her pit of self-loathing and self-pity when someone knocked on the door. Hope shot through her heart until she realized that her younger sister had already left with Rapunzel. She muttered something dejected and incoherent.
The door opened anyway. It was Gerda, holding a large legal-sized envelope.
"The mistress left on her business trip today. She told me to give you this," Gerda said, offering her the envelope. Catching the platinum blonde's despondent gaze, she added in concern, "Are you okay, dear? Still having an argument with your sister?"
"She hates me. She hates me, Gerda. And why shouldn't she? I said so many horrible things to her because I was so frustrated and tired. She'll never speak to me again," Elsa replied hoarsely, her throat raw from crying.
"Elsa, your sister could never hate you. All you girls need is to discuss your problems calmly. It'll turn out okay, you'll see," the older woman offered her a kind, wrinkly-eyed smile. "When Anna comes back, just talk to her. I'm sure she wants that more than you know."
Elsa took the envelope and nodded slowly. Anna had always been the one to take initiative and make conversation. Maybe it was her turn. She gave Gerda a small smile as the older woman exited the room.
Looking at the envelope, Elsa thought to herself, if it's more college applications, I swear to god—
Her hand reached inside and swept over something solid. Something square, attached to a keychain. Pulling it out, she realized it was a set of car keys. Confused, she stared at them for a second before realizing that her birthday was tomorrow and she would be legally permitted to drive without adult supervision. Her mother was giving her a car for her birthday? She pulled out a rigid square of paper that had a rushed scribble on it. You will find your new Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG in the garage. I expect you to drive yourself and your sister to school come January. Well, that explained it.
Her thoughts screeched to a halt as she pulled out the longer sheet of paper that was inside the envelope. The writing was her father's, printed on the company letterhead. Heart pounding, she slowly read his words.
Elsa,
How are you? I expect you'll be sixteen by the time you're reading this message. It's time to explain to you the things I couldn't say when before my death six years ago.
I hope life has treated you well. Knowing your mother, she'll be burying herself in work after my death. She will neglect you and your sister, just as I've asked. You may be wondering why we are raising the two of you so harshly. It's something I've wondered, myself, many times, in my childhood. 'Why is my father beating me? I did almost perfect on that exam'.
She flinched.
When you enter the real world, Elsa, there is only perfect and not perfect. No one is going to care you almost sealed the merger, or that you almost signed the contract. Either you did, or you didn't. I have been trying to teach you to fear imperfection your entire life, for one reason, Elsa. One mistake, even one, could cost you dearly. In two more years, you will come of age, and enter the business world. You will have to be cold, calculating, uncaring, cunning, so your partners and shareholders do not see your weakness and consider overthrowing you. Emotions like love, any kind of love, love for your sister, love for doing the 'right thing', will only prove to be obstructions. The sooner you realize that, the better.
Do you like your new car? The S-Class Mercedes-Benz has always been my favourite model when I was younger. Your car represents in part, who you are, Elsa. I picked your first one for you so you know what I expect of you at your age. I expect your next car to be a Porsche, or who knows, maybe they'll come up with something even better by the time you're reading this.
One more thing is of concern to me. And that is your sister, Anna. Even when she was little I could tell that she would be grow up to be a compassionate, caring, young woman. I neglected her when she was younger because you were the heir. But when I tried to change her, it was too late. Of course, I did not use the same mode of conditioning as I had with you. No matter whom I sent to teach her, she would always overcome them with her warmth. Your sister is a blessing, or she is a curse, but whichever she is, she is yours to deal with. I can only warn you: her optimism and willingness to see the best in people can and will be used against her in the future, and indirectly, will be used against you. It is too late for me to change her, so that job now lies to you. It is your decision.
Happy Birthday,
Josef Arendelle
On the bottom of the letter was a brand-new Platinum MasterCard.
Unsure of what exactly she should be feeling, Elsa sat down on the edge of her bed, knees as weak as they would have been if he were standing in front of her. Her head was a jumble of resentment, understanding, pity, bitterness, hatred, and last of all, anger.
Before she could sort out her emotions, her phone vibrated from her desk. Startled, she grabbed it and answered. "Hello?"
"Is this Elsa Arendelle?" Sounded a female voice from the other end.
"Yes, who is this?"
"I'm Linda calling from Southern Isles Jewelers. Your order is ready for pick-up. It will be held here for a week. Please bring your order confirmation slip and the rest of the payment."
It took Elsa a moment to realize the woman was talking about the necklace she'd ordered as Anna's Christmas present. "Yes, I understand. Thank you. Goodbye."
She hung up, her thoughts even more disorganized as she thought about her father's letter and Anna.
"Punzey, this is the best! Thanks for bringin' me here," Anna slurred loudly as she slumped against her friend's side, taking another chug of beer.
"Hehe, I know right? Eugene, you're a real sweetheart," Rapunzel, equally inebriated, leaned toward her boyfriend and planted a kiss on his surprised lips.
"Alrighttt!" Merida raised her bottle. "To the holidays!"
"To the holidays!" The group chimed.
Loud music blared throughout the house, drowning out all the reservations in Anna's mind. She didn't want to be careful today; she just wanted to let go. And she was feeling happier than she had in the past week. Crawling over to Kristoff, who was seated nervously beside her, she pulled him into a drunken hug.
"Thanks for calling me, Kersatawrf," she said as she snuggled into him, breathing in the scent of smoke and alcohol on his clothes.
The blonde boy gulped. The booze coursing through his blood made him brave. "Yeah, no problem, Anna. I… I really like you, you know?"
"I like you too," she replied groggily. That seemed to ease his tension and he awkwardly wrapped his arms around her.
Anna wasn't sure what prompted her to hug him. Maybe it was his blonde hair that reminded her painfully of someone. Maybe it was just being deprived of affection for so long by her sister that she desperately wanted to be needed.
"Hey guys, we havin' fun?" An unfamiliar voice yelled over the music. Anna looked up to see Henry Falk, and his brother Hans. She immediately jumped, although the alcohol made her a bit unstable on her feet.
"Hey, it's Anna, right? Where's your whore of a sister?" Hans jeered. "I still need to get her back for that little stunt she pulled!"
Untangling herself from Kristoff, she suddenly wished she were sober. Hearing the older boy disrespect Elsa again made her dizzy with anger. Flinging herself at him in a fit of frenzy, she aimed to punch his face, but she felt herself being slammed aside instead.
Hans was older than her, bigger, and despite being slightly intoxicated himself, he was still stronger. "Don't think you can use the same trick you pulled on my little brother, bitch!" he spat in her face.
"Hey! Get off her!" Kristoff yelled as he grabbed Hans' shoulder and tried to pull him off Anna, but Henry Falk intercepted him and knocked him off balance with a right hook to the face.
"Don't touch my friend!" Eugene threw himself at Henry, growling.
Suddenly the room exploded in a brawl of drunken frenzy, insults and curses. Anna wasn't sure where she was anymore, the loud music and alcohol was making the room spin. All she knew was that she was angry, and she wanted to hit someone. With a tipsy Rapunzel helping her to her feet she looked around wildly for Hans. He and his brother were facing off against Eugene and Kristoff in a tangle of limbs and blood. She felt Rapunzel tug feebly on her as she stumbled over and went to join Merida, who was preparing to jump into the tussle. The two fiery redheads managed to pull Hans off Kristoff, but the bigger man shoved them aside easily. He wasn't a football hero for nothing.
Anna was prepared to launch herself at him again when she heard the music stop and a shrill whistle cut through the air.
It was Adam, Eugene's friend. "Guys! Come on, this is a party! We settle our disagreements with drinking!"
Hans wiped the blood from his lip, grunted, and jabbed a finger at Anna, challenging her with a sneer. "Alright, little bitch, if you can stomach as many Jager bombs as me without hurling I'll eat my words about your sister."
"You're on!" she retorted, her bravado fueled by alcohol and anger.
"Show him, Anna!" Rapunzel cheered.
"Go fer it!" Merida yelled.
"Anna, don't do it, it's not a good idea!" Aurora pleaded, but Anna just ignored her. Out of all of them, Aurora was the only one who hadn't had any drinks. No one noticed her slipping through the crowd that had gathered and rummaging through Anna's bag.
Elsa looked out the window for the umpteenth time today, searching the night for any sign of the headlights that would have heralded Anna's return, seriously concerned about where her little sister was now. It was past midnight; she should have been home hours ago. She paced back and forth across her room, rubbing her arms nervously as she racked her brain for a reason Anna wasn't home yet.
Did she get into an accident on the way home?
What if she was kidnapped?
Maybe she's lost?
Is she so angry with me that she doesn't even want to come home?
Where the hell did she go?
She was futilely fighting the urge to push aside her pride and call her sister when her phone buzzed. The caller ID said it was Anna. Immediately she picked up and yelled, "Anna? Where the hell are you? Why aren't you home yet?"
"Elsa," breathed a voice on the other end, barely audible above shouting and music.
Elsa furrowed her brows. It wasn't Anna's voice.
"It's Aurora," the voice explained.
"Aurora," she said calmly, trying to keep her mind from making up reasons Anna wasn't on the other end, "Where's Anna?"
"We're at a party, and Anna got into a bet with Hans. If she can match his shots, he'll take back what he said about you. Anyway, you need to get over right away."
"Give me the address, Aurora, I'll be right there."
Elsa pulled on her jacket, grabbed her car keys and sprinted to the garage. After a minute of frantically pressing the unlock button on her keys to identify which of her family's collection of fancy cars was hers, she finally found the silver Benz. Opening the garage door and starting the engine at the same time, she floored the accelerator, brand new tires skidding and marking the garage floor, and raced down the long road to the city as fast as she possibly could.
The crowd roared and cheered as Anna downed another shot of Jagermeister and Redbull. Slamming the shot glass down on the counter, she glared pointedly at Hans, who effortlessly drained his own.
Adam poured them each another shot, "Here's to your sixth, guys."
Grinning arrogantly, Hans drained his again, and Anna followed suit, fighting the urge to throw up. Her vision was getting blurry, and she was feeling very light headed.
Adam proceeded to pour them each another shot, and paused when the shrill of tires skidding down the street cut through the music playing in the background.
Aurora was anxiously waiting for Elsa in the driveway. When the platinum blonde stepped out of the car, Aurora ran to greet her.
Elsa was livid, her glacial eyes burning with cold fury, "Where is she?"
"She's inside," Aurora said, shrinking back from the intensity of Elsa's anger.
Before she could open the front door, Elsa kicked it open violently, the sound of cracking wood attracting the attention of everyone in the house.
Anna's heart leapt as she made out the sight of her older sister in the doorway. Had Elsa always been so… dazzling? Her thoughts were a slur of confusion as the apprehension from the argument they had returned.
Elsa wrinkled her nose at the smell of alcohol, vomit, and marijuana, and ignored the pulsing dubstep still playing in the background.
"Hey! You can't come barging in here!" Adam cried, pointing at the door, "You're gonna have to pay for that!"
Elsa threw a wad of cash in his face to shut him up. The crowd parted silently, uneasy, and Elsa walked calmly over to Anna, grabbed her sister's hand and viciously tugged her away from the counter.
Hans opened his mouth to jeer at her, but he doubled over and vomited on the floor.
"Aha! I win! Eat your words!" Anna started laughing uncontrollably. Her glee was abruptly cut off when she too doubled over and threw up on the floor. Elsa tugged on her again.
"We're leaving, Anna." She said in a cold voice.
"No! Get away from me! I don't want to make you sacrifice stuff for me," Anna yelled in a drunken stupor. Tears started spilling from her eyes, "I don't want to be a pain in your side anymore."
She lost her footing and almost fell over until her older sister caught her. The last thing she saw was Elsa looking at her, eyes full of regret and concern… and barely concealed rage.
The alcohol removed her inhibitions, "I'm sorry," she whispered, tears streaming down her face, voice almost inaudible.
And then everything was black.