Chapter 02 - I've never met a real person with real sideburns

The train pulled up and Anna stepped out onto the platform. She was finally here in the city. The city where she'd find Elsa for the first time in 4 years. Her heart was pounding with each step. With just her worn out old panda themed school backpack filled with only the essentials, Anna anxiously pulled at the straps as she walked into the busy city streets.

"Elsa... Will you want to see me?" Anna asked herself out loud as she looked down at Elsa's address on her phone. She had felt so sure when she had packed up and left her accommodation at university but now she was here her stomach was twisting in regret and fear. She clenched her eyes shut as thoughts lingered on Elsa.

"Come on Anna! Trash that stupid bitch!" The chants from the spectating netball team members were anything but what you'd expect from young ladies to be saying.

Anna tried to zone out of the pressure of her netball trials. She knew being on the team wasn't a guarantee but she had worked hard to keep herself in shape and her skill up.

What she wasn't expecting however was her competition to be a certain blonde haired new student. Elsa, she'd found out her name from the various rumours going around the school, was not only the daughter of a rich multimillionaire but barely spoke a word to anyone. She came to school, did her work and went home to her massive mansion every day, by chauffeur no less. At least that's what the rumours said and Anna was inclined to believe them. Due to her stone cold persona and no nonsense attitude students had dubbed her the 'Ice Queen'. Another thing Anna was inclined to believe. The woman had been impossibly strong and unyielding in all of her netball tests so far.

How does she still look so damn fabulous? Anna asked herself as she couldn't help but stare at Elsa's slim frame and ragged breathing. Her eyes lingered too long on her sweat soaked uniform; her chest rising and falling so quick -

"Anna Summers! You're up!"

Anna snapped out of her errant thoughts and quickly took the ball from Elsa. She caught the blonde's eye for a brief moment and terror overcame her.

What if she can read my mind!? I was just looking at her - no stop! Just go out and do this so you can go home.

...She probably doesn't even like girls. Hell she doesn't even like people.

Anna held the ball and took a breath. I'm so going to lose this. She passed and the group of players assisting her in the exercise caught and defended until Anna had a chance to shoot. She did it ...And missed. Of course she missed. All she could think of was those perfect blue eyes and a uniform so drenched in sweat it should have been illegal to wear it publicly.

"Sorry Miss Summers. Miss Arendelle will be taking your place on the first team." The coach seemed genuinely sorry but Anna was sure Elsa would make a far better addition to the team. Maybe they'd go far this year.

Anna turned and walked over to Elsa.

"Hey, well done." She held her hand out. "Congratulations. You were really good. I'm glad you got in."

Elsa blinked in confusion and Anna was beginning to wonder if this was a mistake. Nobody left someone's hand hanging for his long... did they? Was Elsa really such an uncaring girl? Couldn't she see the rest of the team were watching? Anna, in her humiliation was about to withdraw when she felt a cold touch. She looked down surprised to see Elsa shaking her palm.

She's just played an hour of netball. How is she so cold? The question didn't linger long. Anna was caught completely off guard by her next action.

"Thank you," her voice was softer and lower than Anna expected. It sent a chill down her spine. And judging by the gasps from the rest of the team they were equally as surprised the Ice Queen had spoken. Elsa said no more and turned to leave, leaving Anna standing awestruck.

Anna took a breath. Focusing her mind, she stepped out to cross the road. Her eyes glanced up briefly to the green flashing man. It was her right of way. She thought nothing more of it. A horn sounded. Anna's foot lost contact with the tarmac and she was yanked backwards. Her braids skimmed the speeding car. Losing her already fragile balance, Anna fell into the arms of the stranger who had saved her life.

"Are you okay?" The man asked, face full of concern. Anna looked up breathlessly.

He is beautiful.

Her near death experience was put on hold as she gazed up into his dreamy green eyes. Without conscious thought, her hand grazed against his sideburns.

"Wow... I've never met a real person with real sideburns."

The young man let out a surprised chuckle. "You almost died and all you can think about are my sideburns?"

"I did almost die, didn't I?" Anna pulled herself away from her gorgeous hero and stood independently. "That man should not have jumped a red! Doesn't he know it's illegal? I hope there are traffic cameras and speed cameras to catch him! Maybe I should press charges." She was pacing now.

"Hey, hey slow down. I have a friend in law enforcement. I'll tip him off. In the meantime why don't I get you a drink?" He offered his hand to her like a gentleman. Anna looked him once over again. He certainly was handsome in his waistcoat.

A city worker? She wondered. One who clearly doesn't have to keep to a schedule. She added while accepting his hand.

"Hans Westergard," he introduced himself.

"Anna Summers."

The drinks tasted amazing, of course. Anna was already onto her third cocktail as Hans told her everything she needed to know about the city. Bumping into him had been a stroke of luck. He had her city guide map on the table and was drawing all over it listing the areas to avoid, the best restaurants, the bus and train routes she'd need. He was like an angel sent to keep her safe in this crazy place of people who thought it was acceptable to jump red lights.

A plate of food and many more drinks later he turned to her with the dreamy gaze that Anna would have fallen for had she been that way inclined. Hell, Anna was beginning to wonder if maybe she did like men as much as she did women. Why limit herself?

"Do you want to exchange numbers?" He asked her hope alight in his emerald eyes.

Anna stared at him dumbly for a good half a minute as her foggy brain tried to process his offer. Of course she wanted to exchange numbers. He was kind, funny and generally a great guy. But something stopped her from answering immediately. This wasn't how she met Kristoff. This felt more... - The penny dropped.

"You think this is a date?"

"Well, isn't it?" He scratched his back with a shy smile.

"Oh-my-god! I am so sorry! I just thought you were being nice. I really am so dense. This is what you get for going to an all girls school. I have no idea why my parents ever thought that was appropriate -"

"- It's fine, really. You have a boyfriend."

Anna paused at his words and looked up to face him squarely.

"Actually I bat for the other team." Her confession seemed to catch him off guard.

"Oh."

"Sorry, again. I've never had many guy friends so I completely miss the signs. In fact I've never had many friends full stop. And I don't really know how I feel about anyone. Life has been pretty complicated. I'm not saying I'd never date a guy. If the perfect guy like you came along it wouldn't be out of the question - oh god I just called you perfect -"

"- We could just be friends." Hans put it out there and Anna relaxed into a relieved smile.

She took a breath to compose herself before nodding. "That sounds good."

"So I never did ask you why you were in town. Or where you're staying." Hans took another sip of his cocktail.

"That's where it gets kind of complicated. An old friend from school moved here and I really wanted to see her again but she doesn't know I'm coming and I think she will totally freak out." The fear and anxiety were flooding back. What if Elsa shut her out completely? What if Elsa had found someone else?

"An old friend huh?"

Anna hung her head in shame. Was she really that obvious? She didn't even need to answer herself. She already knew.

"Alright, an old flame. God that sounds even worse doesn't it? She can't really be an ex. It's not like we ever dated. And it was more than a one night stand. Hans, is your life this complicated?"

Hans chuckled. "Right now? Definitely not."

Anna placed her head on the table to try to think without the room spinning. The alcohol was really starting to kick in.

"I think I better get you to your hotel. Where did you say you were staying?" His voice was laced with concern.

Anna felt a warm touch on her arm. It made its way up to her hair. She always loved it when Elsa played with her hair - Anna sat bolt upright realising it was Hans opposite her and not Elsa. Gods her mind was playing cruel tricks on her.

"I'm staying here." Anna held up her phone to show Hans an address. His face took on a deep frown.

"Are you sure?" He double checked.

"One hundred percent." Anna didn't catch his lingering look of caution. She was too busy finishing up her cocktail. A mistake, she was certain. But Elsa was in her mind now and she needed all of the Dutch courage she could manage. Her eyes hovered over the menu as she considered ordering one more for luck.

"I'll have a cab take you there." Hans was already on his feet and helping Anna up. She fell into him and leaned there for a long moment. She caught the scent of his cologne and... bleach? She couldn't be sure. Whatever it was it reminded her of her time in the hospital all those years ago. Scrunching her eyes shut, she forced those haunting memories away.

Hans supported her out onto the street and into the waiting car. If Anna had, had her wits about her she may have noticed the car had tinted windows and a customised number plate. If she had perhaps had fewer cocktails she may have noticed Hans shake hands with the driver and hand over the address. And just maybe if her head wasn't so full of fretting about Elsa she may have noticed Hans taking slightly too long with her phone before handing it back.

Anna leaned against him throughout the silent journey, her head clouded by both the buzz of alcohol and the anxiety of seeing Elsa again. Her head was so full of thoughts she barely noticed the car pull up in what Hans had called the shady side of town. He was insistent when he offered to escort Anna up to the apartment but Anna had flat out refused with more ferocity than she had intended. All of that stress from seeing Elsa again was really getting to her.

"I'm sorry. Thank you for bringing me here and for paying for the cab... and my drinks. I really enjoyed this evening. I'll keep in touch," she promised.

Hans leaned over and took her hand. He wanted to say more, it was obvious, but after some deliberation he simply kissed her cheek.

Anna felt an unexpected thrill. Maybe there was something in this whole dating a man thing after all... or maybe she had, had too much to drink and couldn't think of anything but Elsa's lips on her cheek.

"Call me if anything happens." He told her seriously and she nodded before saying goodbye.

Just what am I doing?

The block of flats towered above Anna. She took a deep breath as she made her way up to the number designated in Mrs Arendelle's email. Once at the door it took Anna a solid 20 minutes to pluck up the courage to knock. She stepped forward, fist clenched and ready to tap. The door opened mid-knock.

"Anna?"

Anna almost fainted. Standing before her was her blonde haired best friend. Hair tied back in a messy braid and wearing the most casual clothes she'd ever seen Elsa in: jogging bottoms and an oversized t-shirt. The look of surprise on her face flashed to one of annoyance. That mask was firmly back in place.

"They sent you, didn't they." It was a statement, not a question.

Anna meekly nodded. She couldn't speak. She could barely move. All of her emotions warred inside of her. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she wanted to do. But in the end she could do nothing but stare.

"I'd rather do this in here than out in the hall."

Anna blinked. She didn't believe Elsa would even allow her in but to her surprise she stepped aside.

Anna jumped at the opportunity to enter, not caring how desperate it looked. She was desperate.

Elsa closed the door behind her, clicking several locks in place. As she turned the pair came face to face properly for the first time in 4 years. Anna searched her brilliant blue eyes for any sign of loneliness or regret. Her heart simultaneously fluttered and sank when she realised both were abundant. Elsa still couldn't shut herself away completely. At least not from Anna.

Dropping her bag in the process, she reached out and touched her friend's arm. Without any words, Anna broke down in tears.