Chapter 07 - The perfect present for the perfect superhero

Choosing a birthday present for Elsa was impossible. What did you buy a woman who simply had everything? Anna opened her purse and sighed deeply. A handful of coins and notes greeted her. It wasn't like she could get a job at her age. Well, anything except a paper round but that was basically child labour with the money that'd pay. And most importantly, she'd never make it up at the crack of dawn every morning to deliver the damn things. No, Anna had to rely on the small allowance her parents gave her and the odd cleaning and gardening jobs she could pick up from neighbours. It was tough, especially when Elsa didn't understand the concept of reciprocating gifts. Anna would never be able to afford something equivalent to the phone. She had considered making something. That would be priceless after all. Except Anna wasn't exactly creative either. She couldn't paint a beautiful picture, or create a wonderful sculpture, nor could she weave words into a beautiful poem, and that she had tried.

Fresh out of ideas and almost out of money, Anna wandered the shopping centre aimlessly in the hope inspiration would strike her. Everything she passed was too expensive or just not right.

"The perfect present for the perfect superhero," Anna slumped back on the bench exasperated. Elsa really had been a superhero. Anna could just imagine her in a mask and cape flying around the city beating up the bad guys and saving the world. She'd be juggling her superhero responsibilities with her real life. Her dad would make things difficult, but maybe that's how she'd get her tip offs for where the crime was going down. He'd know people who'd know that sort of stuff.

"And I'd be the only one she'd tell." Anna wore a small smile as she sunk into the bench. "Maybe she'd teach me her amazing fighting skills and then I'd be her sidekick or something." Closing her eyes, Anna allowed the day dream to fly in her imagination.

"You'd be whose sidekick?"

Anna flung herself forward, almost head butting Elsa in the face.

"Christ, Elsa! You can't just sneak up on people like that!" Anna held her poor, thumping heart.

"You were sitting on a bench mumbling to yourself. I was worried," She said in concern.

Past the initial shock of being caught day dreaming about the woman, Anna looked up to see Elsa in a snow white winter coat. The subtle hints of makeup were present, highlighting those long lashes and high cheekbones. Not that she needs any makeup to look beautiful. Blonde hair was tied tightly back tight into a bun; no loose strands escaped... and were those heels? Anna blinked. High heels. The sort of shoes Anna could only dream of one day being able to wear, let alone walk in.

Gods, she looks incredible.

"Elsa!" A voice along the street tore Anna from her staring.

"One moment, Mother," Elsa called back.

"Sorry. Father is opening a new store. It's not something he is usually involved with but it's going to be the flagship store for his company. Why don't you come?" She offered.

Anna looked at Elsa, positively glowing in her formal wear, and then down to herself in her worn out jeans and old coat.

"Elsa, you know I really would say yes if I could, but have you seen me? Have you seen you? I can't just walk into your party dressed like this!" To illustrate the point Anna did a twirl. By the time she had turned to face Elsa again she had already taken her arm.

"It's not a party. More like a reception. And the public are welcome. That's the whole point of a grand opening," She said as they walked.

How does she move so fast in heels? Anna was too wrapped up in her thoughts to argue. So when Elsa stopped before an exceptionally well dressed middle-aged couple Anna cocked her head to one side in confusion.

"Mother, Father, this is Anna Summers, a friend from school. Anna, these are my parents." Elsa made the introductions.

Anna was still blinking with that dopey expression as the cogs turned in her mind. You're introducing me to your parents? Oh gods, stay calm, Anna. Stay calm. Just say something normal. You're a normal girl.

"It's – nice – to – meet - you!" The words flew out of Anna's lips too quickly. She held her hand out to shake theirs. This was the correct protocol, right? It was too late, Anna had committed. Thankfully Elsa's parents took her hand and shook it, albeit it with a slight pause. They looked as uncomfortable as Anna. At least she wasn't the only one suffering. "You look beautiful - I mean, not as beautiful as your daughter – wait – I didn't mean – erm - I just haven't seen you wear that coat before -" Anna cut herself off before her mouth ran away with itself.

"The school doesn't expect formal dress, Miss Summers," Elsa's mother's tone was laced with impatience. She spoke as if that one line explained everything, and to Anna it really did. Elsa didn't have friends like her outside of school. Elsa couldn't wear whatever she wanted whenever she wanted. Thoughts flashed back to when she overheard Elsa on the phone to her father.

Her life is so far apart from mine.

Anna would have taken a step back had Elsa not been holding her arm so firmly.

Elsa's father checked his watch. "We need to go," He said without emotion.

"I'll meet you after the formalities are over," Elsa said, releasing her arm. Anna suddenly felt so alone at the loss of contact but her words kept her steady.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Miss Summers," Elsa's mother said by way of farewell. Anna watched as Elsa left with them, a feeling of sadness sweeping through her. There was something about them that seemed... off. It didn't feel natural. Then again Anna's parents struggled to make ends meet. If they had been showered with wealth and fame then maybe they'd be as disjointed and distant as the Arendelles.

No. We'd never be like that.

Elsa stood at the reception repeating her father's mantra in her mind. Conceal, don't feel. It was surprisingly easier than she had expected. It had been months since she had unleashed a full blown storm, and at times when she felt one would happen she was able to temper her emotions before it could manifest fully. Her efforts hadn't gone unnoticed by her parents. They had given her a slice of normality by allowing her to attend a regular school, and in return she'd grown far more than she ever believed possible. And now here she was, at an official event as a family.

"The minute you feel like it's too much tell me," Agnarr told Elsa firmly for the hundredth time.

"I'm fine, Father," Elsa promised him exasperated. She was ready to live up to his expectations as his heir. For the first time in so long she felt like she could be the perfect daughter he wished for.

"You've been doing so well, both here and at school," Iduna assured Elsa, which filled her with a sense of pride. She was making them proud. She took their concern and approval in her stride, never betraying her nervousness. Just because she was keeping it together didn't mean the fear of slipping up wasn't there. She wore her mask firmly in place though, never letting the world see inside.

"Thank you, Mother," She said formally.

To her relief, neither of them commented on Anna. She wasn't ashamed of the bubbly redhead, far from it. She was just unsure how she'd ever defend her to her parents. Anna was everything her parents disliked; unkempt, clumsy and too talkative. Ironically it was everything Elsa found endearing. It was thrilling introducing her to her parents, proving to them she had connections outside of their little bubble.

Thoughts lingered on Anna as Elsa shadowed her parents as they greeted patrons and business partners. She hadn't seen her during her father's speech and she had absently wondered if her friend had decided not to show up. She wouldn't have blamed her if she hadn't but she couldn't shake the pang of disappointment.

The reception spanned across the second floor of the store, using the large open space to provide an area for guests to mingle and talk. Wine and canapés were served by passing waiters. It was more formal than she had expected, not that she should have been surprised. An event like this was all about image and her father wouldn't miss the opportunity to reinforce it. That being said, among the business partners and family friends there were patrons who had walked off the street. Whether it was the promise of a free drink or because they were really invested in Arendelle Corporation, she did not know. It made for an amusing combination of social classes though. It was something Elsa found fascinating to watch.

During her distant gazing a flash of red caught her eye. Her heart leapt. Anna stuck out like a sore thumb across the room, looking lost and confused. Elsa smiled. She pulled away from her parents and walked across to greet her.

Anna had the gift bag in one hand and a free glass of orange juice in the other as she scouted the room for Elsa. You'd have thought it would be easier to spot the celebrities at this sort of event but the crowd made it difficult. Not only that, there were so many people dressed up. She was questioning why Elsa ever thought this was a good idea. She knew I was only wearing old clothes. Anna was torn between excitement at seeing Elsa all dressed up and nervous over the entirely awful birthday present she was about to hand over. Okay, so the excitement was winning out. Seeing what Elsa was wearing underneath that coat was playing on her mind too much.

"Excuse -" but Anna was cut off as a woman turned and collided with her. The glass flew from her hands showing them both in orange rain. Why is it always me? Anna asked herself. She scrambled to her feet and offered her hand out to the well dressed lady. The woman harshly knocked it away.

"Do you have any idea how much this dress costs?" The woman demanded, struggling to her feet ungracefully on her own.

"I-I'm so sor -"

"- You walked into her."

Relief shot through Anna at the sound of Elsa's voice. There was a flash of lilac. The drop dead gorgeous blonde stepped in protectively between them and Anna was grateful to have someone to hide behind. It had absolutely nothing to do with how she got to gaze over the faint freckles on Elsa's back. Backless dresses are the best.

"She walked into me," the woman argued. Anna shrunk back even more. How was Elsa standing so tall and confident? The incident had garnered enough attention to create a small wave of silence and a crowd around them.

"I will be sending you my dry cleaning bill," She leaned around to threaten Anna.

"She will not be paying for an accident cause by you," Elsa growled.

"Elsa," the low tone of her father cut through the crowd. Anna saw Elsa visibly tense. He stepped up between them, giving Elsa a warning glance before turning back to the woman. "Have your bill sent to my office. I'll personally pay for it -"

"- She is at fault -" Elsa argued in disbelief.

"- Enough Elsa."

Anna instinctively put her hand on Elsa's arm. She wished she was brave enough to help her. She just saved you again and you can't even speak.

"Mr Arendelle," the woman's tone twisted to one of smug gratitude. "That is very kind of you. And might I suggest having a guest list for any future events."

"She is my guest," Elsa rumbled under her breath but the stern look her father gave her halted her from arguing any further. She turned on her heel, took Anna by the arm and dragged the poor, confused redhead away from the spectacle.

"Are you okay?" Anna whispered in concern as she ran to keep up.

"I'm furious," Elsa replied flatly, not slowing for a second as guests moved aside to let them storm past. She pushed through a door which was labelled 'staff only'. Anna was quite certain they were going to end up lost in the bowels of the store as she followed Elsa through the halls and stairways.

"Please don't be on my account. It's okay, really -"

"- It's not okay! She walked all over you and Father undermined me in front of her. It was her fault, Anna. I saw it." Elsa shook her head in irritation. Pushing through another door the pair stepped out into cold afternoon air. The horizon stretched out ahead of them as they stood on the rooftop. "He still treats me like a child. I thought coming here was the start of something new. I've been doing so well. I've been perfect."

You really are... "Wait, perfect?"

"Sorry. I forget you've only just met my parents." Elsa stopped by the rail. Anna glanced over at her, giving her time to get her thoughts together. "They want a perfect daughter. Every time I think I get close something happens."

Anna opened her mouth to apologise.

"It's not your fault. This would have happened one way or another," Elsa sighed. "It's inevitable."

"That sounds like an awful lot of pressure," Anna murmured, leaning on the rail to gaze across the city. Anna stood beside her for a long time as she tried to think up something clever or witty to say back. She'd even settle for comforting, but she couldn't think of anything. She didn't have any personal experience with family troubles. Her parents were great. They understood and supported her. How could she even pretend to know what Elsa was going through? "I'm sorry your parents suck," Anna hesitated. It was lame but it was all she had.

"I know they don't do it on purpose," Elsa continued. Anna listened patiently, letting her get it off her chest. "I mean, they do make it a hundred times worse. They believe we have to uphold some unwritten social code to maintain our perfect image. Imagine if I had a boyfriend -" Anna winced, heart crushed under the implication Elsa liked boys. "- and we were caught kissing or doing worse. It'd be headline news. It would be the worst thing that could possibly happen to my parents."

And probably me too. Anna sighed inwardly.

"Why does it matter what the newspapers say? Why does it matter what other people think of us? We could be happy without all of that."

Anna knew it too well. She had spent years trying to impress friends who didn't really care. "I know it's probably not much consolation, but I'll always be here for you. I don't care if your hair isn't perfect, or if you fall over in high heels - not that you would. You can walk in those things like a professional. What I'm trying to say is, you just being you is perfect for me."

Way to make it sound totally creepy. Why is she even still friends with you?

Elsa tore her gaze away from the cityscape and turned to face Anna. Her breath caught. Anna was so close. Elsa was trapped in those sincere teal eyes. Just a few inches more and Elsa could taste those pink lips. Thoughts drifted further and a thrill shot through her body.

She always says exactly what her heart is telling her. I'm so envious. Why can't I tell her what she means to me? She won't reject you. She's just told you she thinks you're perfect. ...But when she said it she didn't know you had a total girl crush on her. And Father will be furious if he ever found out. She sighed inwardly. It was all she needed to think to kill her mood. The irony of her father allowing her to attend an all-girls school to keep her away from shenanigans with boys was almost comical. Not only had she realised she very much liked women but she'd found the perfect woman. How do I tell her?

"Actually I got you a little something for your birthday on the way here. It was actually the whole reason as to why I was shopping." Anna pulled up the gift bag. "You look like you could really use it today." She thrust the bag out to Elsa and, bewildered, she accepted it.

"How did you know my birthday is coming up?"

"Oh erm, I accidentally saw it on your school file," Anna said with an innocent smile. Elsa blinked twice and then shook her head. Of course the little minx looked through the whole file. But she didn't really mind.

"You really didn't have to get me anything," Elsa said seriously as she opened the gift bag.

"I wanted to. You got me the phone and well, we're friends. Friends get each other birthday presents."

Elsa pulled the black fabric out and unravelled it to reveal a t-shirt. She flipped it over and gazed down at the bright yellow Batman logo. Elsa looked at it in surprise. I don't ever recall speaking to her about superheroes before. Why would she get me this? Am I overanalysing it? She asked herself, almost certain she was. Realising she was spending all of her time thinking and none of that time thanking Anna, she looked up quickly.

"It's great!" She overcompensated for her confused first reaction. Way to go Elsa. This is the first present you've gotten from a friend and you're making her feel bad.

"I can exchange it if you don't like it -"

"- No, I love it! Thank you, Anna. It's perfect," She assured her. Anna seemed to relax and Elsa took a breath. "And thank you for coming today. I know it was a bit of a mess but I enjoyed talking to you."

A pause. Elsa's eyes trailed down to Anna's inviting lips again. You could do it. She's standing right there. No one will see you up here -

"- Elsa! There you are. We've been looking everywhere for you," the voice of her father at the door almost made her fall off the building.

That was too close. She berated herself for not being more careful.

Agnarr didn't need to say anything else. His face told her all she needed to know. She was in trouble for causing a scene and sneaking off up here. There was some relief too though, but Elsa couldn't work out whether it was truly for her or just because she hadn't made it snow.

"Coming, Father," She replied while looking at Anna longingly. Why can't this be easy?

Anna gave her a supportive smile. Something about the look eased Elsa's heart. Without words, the two girls turned and headed back into the building on the heel of Elsa's father.

She said she'd always be there for you. She will wait until you are ready.