This one took longer to get out than I'd intended. Sorry for the delay! It was started before I left for Disney World, and only finished today. I'm terribly, I know.
Next chapter will be out soon. MAIB will be getting one first, though.
More fluff in this one. Next chapter will get into some more meaty stuff. Perhaps.
Until next time,
Dex
Hold My Hand
Chapter III
Anna awoke to the faint sound of a chime.
Or maybe it was a tune. It was muffled, but the more conscious she became the more she could make out a melody.
And lyrics.
It was a song.
Slowly, the girl raised her head, groaning softly as she stretched out; her legs, then arms, and finally her back, loosening stiffness with small 'pops' and 'cracks'. "Wha–" The redhead blinked blearily, her eyes still heavy with sleep. "Where–?" Anna's half-lidded eyes peered around the room, flicking between the far window and the blue sheets beneath her.
Blue sheets.
Right, she was in Elsa's room. Propping herself up with her arms, the ginger turned over until she was seated upright. She smacked her lips, stifling a yawn, when she felt vibrating in her pocket. Still somewhat groggy, she pawed for her phone, managing to pull it out of her jeans.
Oh right, she'd fallen asleep in her clothes. Good thing she came straight to Elsa's room after her talk with her father, completely neglecting to change into her pyjamas. Rolling her aquamire eyes at her own silliness, she raised her phone and unlocked it. Her alarm silenced at her touch, and she'd solved the mystery of the mysterious noise.
As soon as her screen lit up, she noticed an unread text. Humming, she tapped the icon with her thumb, and the chat popped open before her eyes.
'Wake up, sleepyhead,' Read the text, 'I'm halfway to school, and you're going to be late if you don't get ready.' The corners of Anna's lips twitched into a smile. Classic Elsa: always looking out for her little sister.
Standing, the redhead wobbly made her way to the door, opening it and stepping out into the hallway. Mindful of Elsa's need for her bedroom door to be closed, she pulled it shut with a soft click before heading to her own room.
Across the hall, Anna entered her bedroom, heading straight for her dresser to pick out her clothes for the day. Picking out a dark green T shirt (featuring the silhouettes of the Kanto starter Pokémon, in a deeper shade of emerald) and a pair of denim jeans, the redhead laid the clothes out on her bed before walking to the bathroom.
Upon entering, Anna reached into and turned the shower on, turning back to the mirror as she proceeded to brush her teeth and tame the unruly mess that was her fiery hair.
A knock at the bathroom door caught her attention. "Anna?" Her mother called through the wooden barrier. "Are you up already?"
"Yeah," The ginger girl replied, wiping at the mirror as the growing steam fogged the smooth surface, "I'm just hopping into a shower. I'll be out soon."
"Did you want a drive in?"
Anna caught her own reflection in the mirror, and gave a curt nod to herself, satisfied with her brushing job. "Yeah, please, if you don't mind."
"Nope, I don't," Idun hummed, carrying an armful of dirty laundry towards the stairs, "I'll meet you downstairs when you're ready."
"Thanks mom!" Anna shouted, though Idun was already out of earshot, having gone down the stairs.
While the redhead hopped into the shower, Idun busied herself with some quick chores, tossing a load into the wash, and another into the dryer. Setting the dials and listening to the gentle hum of the machines rumbling to life, the brunette woman reached for an empty laundry basket when she heard the phone ring.
Riiiing–riiiiing–riiiiing.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," The teal eyed woman hurried up the stairs, grabbing the cordless phone in the kitchen, raising it to her ear. "Hello?"
"Mrs. Alstad?" The familiar voice on the other end spoke. "This is Dr. Buld; we spoke yesterday in my office."
"Oh, yes, of course," Idun leaned against the counter, keeping the phone between her ear and shoulder. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh no, not at all," The woman replied quickly, though her voice was even. "I only meant to call and check up on Elsa, and to see how the questionnaire was going."
Idun smiled. "Do you normally make a habit of checking up on all your patients?"
"Not usually," Dr. Buld admitted, "I do have another reason for calling." Idun turned to the counter, collecting up the mail her husband had dropped there before leaving, sifting through the various bills and flyers.
"Oh?" The brunette woman hummed, her eyes flitting between the various names on the envelops.
"Yes," Dr. Buld answered, "I was speaking to a colleague of mine, and he made a rather…unorthodox suggestion. I mulled it over last night, and seeing as our next appointment isn't for a week, I've decided I'd like to try something; assuming you're willing, of course."
Setting the mail down, Idun took the phone in her hand and held it to her ear. "I'm listening."
"Mom," Anna shouted as she ran down the stairs, fully dressed with her backpack on her shoulders. "Mom!" The redhead whizzed down the hall, turning sharply into the kitchen, her mouth opening to shout again when her eyes fell on her mother, quickly noticing the phone in her hand.
Idun mouthed a 'shh,' the index finger of her free hand raising to her lips briefly, which caused the teen's lips to seal into a tight line as she gave a nod.
Mouthing back an apologetic 'sorry,' and receiving a small nod of acknowledgement from Idun, Anna stepped around her mouth and walked to the fridge. If she had to wait until her mother was off the phone, she wasn't in a rush, and she supposed she had time to grab a quick breakfast.
Only half listening, the freckled girl pulled an apple from the crisper and took a bite. Between mouthfuls of juicy apple chunks, she overheard snippets of what seemed to be the tail end of a conversation between her mother and whomever she was speaking to.
"Alright, I'm sure we could try that," Idun chewed lightly at her thumb nail, her uncertainty about whatever it was obvious on her slightly contorted expression, "for a week, at least. You really think it will help?"
Anna could hear the muffled voice on the other end of the line reply something, and she continued to munch on her apple.
"Yes–yes, of course; we'll try," Idun sighed softly, "thank you."
"But do remember," Dr. Buld's voice filtered into Idun's ear, "this is only meant to help. Please monitor Elsa's behaviour, even the smallest aspects, nothing is unimportant."
"I will," The brunette woman assured, "we will see you in a week. And thank you for the suggestion." Anna turned, tossing the finished core into the compost bin, before turning back to see her mother hanging up the phone and popping it back onto the base.
"Who was that?" Teal eyes flicked to meet lavender.
"The doctor Elsa and I spoke with yesterday," Idun smiled, reaching for her purse and keys, "I have a little surprise for you and your sister after your classes today." Anna blinked, her mouth breaking out into a wide, unabashed grin.
"What sort of a surprise?" She inquired, eyes lighting up.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise," Idun quipped; a classic parent answer. "Now come on, let's get you to school before you're late."
Reluctantly, Anna followed her mother to the car without pressing the matter further.
"So you're supposed to be getting some sort of mysterious surprise," Kristoff clarified, sitting across the picnic table from Anna.
"Yep," The redhead beamed, taking a generous bite from her sandwich and chewing the mouthful of bread and meat. "Nah sher wha eet is, tho," She sputtered around her food. Kristoff rolled his eyes.
"Swallow before you talk," Her admonished, then shoveled a few forkfuls of his own lunch–homemade stew–into his mouth.
With an audible gulp, the redhead continued. "Sorry," She replied, and the blonde quickly dismissed with the wave of his hand as he chewed, "but yeah–as I was saying, not really sure what it is. Mom was all cryptic about it."
"Lots of stuff is cryptic with your family," The burly teen teased, chuckling at his own joke. Anna puffed her cheeks.
"Hardly," She was quick to defend, "and besides, it seemed harmless enough. Doubt she'd smile if it was something I wasn't going to like, but still..."
"Then quit worrying about it," Kristoff murmured, finishing off his bowl, "you always get yourself so worked up."
"Seems like something I should get worked up over," Anna countered, taking another bite and chewing thoughtfully.
"Why?" The blonde quirked a brow at his younger friend, unconvinced.
Anna swallowed. "Well, uhm–" Gnawing at her lower lip, the redhead took a pause. "I guess 'cause it could be something important."
"Just 'cause she was talking to some doctor before doesn't mean it's something you need to get all anxious about, feisty-pants."
"Yeah but–"
"I mean," Kristoff interrupted, sitting back in his seat as he put the now empty Tupperware into his backpack, "what was Elsa even seeing the doctor for, checkup or something? I doubt it's really that big of a deal." Anna jutted out her lower lip in a petulant pout.
"Just a checkup, yeah," She lied, if only for Elsa's sake, as she wasn't sure how her sister would react to her telling their mutual friend about her condition, "but still. I am curious."
"You're anxious," The blonde corrected, "just chill out, you'll know by the end of the day anyway." As if on cue, the lunch bell rang and Kristoff stood, hefting his bag strap over his shoulder. "You coming?"
"Yeah, right behind you," Anna answered, collecting her own things and following the blonde back into the school building.
Elsa periodically checked the clock.
It was habitual, but she found her eyes repeatedly flicking to the time, just for the sake of checking.
It was eleven fifty six, four minutes to the end of her lecture, and she was quickly scoping out the nearest exist.
She'd already determined the best route to leave with, and waiting until she head the rustling of other students packing up to begin doing so herself.
At about two minutes to the end, the two girls seated in the desk in front of her began shoveling things back into their purses.
'I suppose I can pack up too,' The blonde mused, shutting down her laptop and closing it. She slipped the computer into its case, then into her messenger bag, and adjusted the strap on her shoulder while eyeing the door.
"–So until next week, please read from pages four hundred to four hundred and fifty in your course packs, and prepare a few questions ahead of time. You're not handing it in, but it'll be handy to have it written down all the same." Half aware of her professor drowning on, Elsa quickly jotted down the numbers '400-450' on her palm with a pen, before quickly scrambling to her feet and treading towards the door.
With her head low, and eyes trained on the ground, the blonde made her way across campus towards the nearest bus stop. She held one hand around the shoulder strap of her bag, and the other buried in the deep pocket of her sweater. The blonde hummed along with the soft music of her iPod flowing into her ears through her headphones (which she always wore in her ears, regardless of whether or not she was listening to music).
When she reached the stop, she looked around, and then checked the time with her phone. It took about an hour for her to get home from campus, and it'd be about fifteen minutes until the next trip. Quickly calculating in her head, Elsa decided she'd bus to Anna's school rather than home, to surprise her sister by meeting her there.
It'd only be about a two hour wait, completely doable.
Especially for Anna.
Elsa blushed lightly and buried her face down, pressing her nose against the front of her sweater.
"Anna…" She murmured softly, a faint smile on her rosy lips.
When the bell rang to signal the end of the day, Anna practically sprinted out of class. She completely bypassed her locker, rushing down the polished hallway, skidding out the front door and leaping down the six steps leading up to the dual front doors.
"Anna, wait up!" The redhead's feet kicked at the stone walkway as she halted, whirling around to see Kristoff rushing out after her. "Where are you going in such a hurry?" He half demanded, panting as he doubled over and braced his hands on his knees.
"Sorry Kristoff," Anna beamed, "I just wanted to get going–you're right! I shouldn't be worried, I should be excited!"
The blonde stood upright and gave her a look. "I didn't say that–"
"I'm sure this is something great!" The ginger practically bounced, swaying and energetically moving about. "I'll let you know tonight, okay?" She bound forward and gave Kristoff a tight hug before whipping around and running down towards the parking lot.
Slightly stunned, Kristoff shouted after her. "Hey–what? Okay! Bye then!"
Anna waved with her whole arm as she rushed off, rounding the fence and speeding down towards the visitor's parking. It was only when she spotted a familiar head of platinum blonde that she slowed, nearly tripping over her own feet as she stumbled the last few feet of sidewalk.
"Anna–c-careful!" Elsa squeaked, quickly rushing to her sister and catching Anna as she finally lost her footing and fell forward.
"Elsa," Anna gasped, her sound somewhere between a statement and a question, as her hands latched onto her sister's shoulders.
"Glad I caught you," The blonde giggled, helping Anna back. "Why were you running?"
"Uhm, excited I guess!" Elsa blinked.
"For what?"
"Oh–right!" Anna chirped, "You weren't home when mom got the call."
Elsa arched a single brow. "You're going to have to clarify what all that means, Anna."
The redhead breathed, composing herself. "Mom got a call from that doctor you guys spoke to yesterday, and apparently she made some sort of suggestion." Elsa's brow knit, as the slender bridge of her nose scrunched. "Anyway, mom is taking us somewhere after school. Or, now, I guess." Nodding slowly, Elsa turned, looking around.
"She's picking us up from here?"
"Well, me, but us both now." Anna quickly caught her sister's hand and laced her fingers, undeterred by the gentle jerk Elsa's arm reflexively made before relenting and relaxing into the tender hold. "How long have you been waiting here?"
"How do you know I've been waiting here?" Elsa half smiled.
"Because you've still got your bag, so you must have come here straight from school." Anna explained.
"You caught me," Elsa shrugged.
"No, you caught me." Anna quipped, squeezing her sister's hand gently. "Thank you again." She added quickly, while brushing a few strands of loose hair behind her ear with her free hand; an action that did not go unnoticed by the blonde, who in turn smiled fondly at the endearing sight.
"Sort of my duty as the good big sister to not just let you fall on your face," Elsa hummed, "especially in public."
"All the same," Anna quickly spoke, "thank you. And mom should be here soon."
"Alright," Elsa smiled to herself, quietly enjoying her younger sibling's closeness. It was rare she felt comfortable, but Anna always seemed to make her feel peaceful.
A honk of a car horn, and a tug at her hand, raised Elsa's head as their mother's car pulled up.
"Come on girls," Idun smiled, "we need to get there before they close."
"Before who closes?" Anna asked, reluctantly releasing Elsa's hand to open the car door and slide in, followed by the blonde. Both girls buckled up and their mother turned to smile at them.
"You'll see when we get there."
Elsa followed Anna up to the large blue building, tentatively looking around as her mother and younger sister entered. Stalling outside, the blonde gazed up at the massive sign hanging above the automatic doors, fidgeting.
"Elsa?" Anna ducked back out before walking over and taking her sister's hand once more. The blonde's fingers twitched, but she allowed her hand to be taken. "Come on! Mom said we get to go in and pick now."
"Alright," The blonde allowed herself to be lead inside, following her sister's steps as they entered and approached a large glass display case.
"Aww," Anna crooned, "they're so cute." Elsa watched her sister detatch and kneel down to eye level, practically pressing her nose to the smooth surface of the case. "Which one of these little cuties do you like best?"
Elsa gnawed at her lower lip. "Uhm, I don't know…"
Anna huffed. "C'mon Elsa, not every day your parent takes you to the pet store and essentially says 'pick whatever you want'–"
"Not whatever you want," Idun corrected her youngest as she walked up, accompanied by one of the employees. "I already told you, just one from here."
"Awh, but mom," Anna whined, pawing at the glass separating her from the adorable fluffy cuteness.
The young girl at Idun's side, about Anna's age, couldn't help but snicker to herself at the display. "If you'd like," She walked over, unlocking the case with her keys, and lifting away the panel covering the opening, "I'll let you pet and hold them."
The redhead squealed and immediately leapt up, rushing over with her hands extended. "Yes, please!" The employee laughed again, brushing her short blonde hair aside before reaching in and scooping up the nearest critter. Anna bounced on the spot, her hands alternating between reaching out and wringing together excitedly.
"This one here's a little girl," The female employee said, handing off the small creature to Anna, who took the animal with much more gentleness than her mother had thought she was capable of. "Just support her entire body and she'll stay still for you."
"O-Okay!" Anna squeaked, cradling the little beige coloured critter to her chest. "She's really small."
"She'll get a little bigger, but she's a Netherland Dwarf, so not too much bigger than this." The young girl explained, while Idun and Elsa watched over Anna's shoulder. The ginger turned, smiling widely to her mother.
"Mom, look at her little ears," She cooed, freeing a hand to stroke it over the little animal's back, "Elsa, Elsa, look!" The redhead then turned to her sister and raised the rabbit up, practically shoving the animal's twitching nose into her sister's face.
"She's very cute," The blonde smiled slightly, extending a single finger and very carefully pressing it on the rabbit's forehead, stroking lightly.
"You should hold her," Anna insisted, extending the bunny out further. Elsa hesitated.
"I'm not sure Anna, maybe…later." The redhead pouted.
"Her fur is really soft, and I bet it keeps her warm," Elsa raised her blue eyes to meet her sister's warm teal, knowing full well what she was getting at. "I bet she'll be just as good for you as she is for me."
"A-Alright," Elsa slowly held out her hands, shaky, but ready to receive the small animal. Carefully, Anna handed off the little rabbit, and to Elsa's surprise the critter didn't move an inch. Quickly, she pulled the rabbit into her chest, allowing it to nestle there comfortably. "She is…really cute." The small smile on Elsa's lips began to grow, extending out into a full grin while Anna's eyes widened happily.
"She seems to like you," Idun stepped over, looking down at the little rabbit in her eldest daughter's arms, smiling fondly at the sight. "What do you think?" Elsa couldn't help but stare down at the bunny in her arms.
"I…I like her," She answered softly.
"Oh my gosh!" Anna gasped, pressing her face against the glass, eyes blown wide. "Look, look! I like the little white one; may I hold her?"
"Of course," The employee reached in, grabbing the small ivory coloured critter, handing it to the redhead. Anna took her gently, pressing the little rabbit to her chest, cooing sweetly.
"You're so cute," She crooned, lowering her nose to rub into the bunny's soft fur, "I could just cuddle you forever."
"That's actually her sister," The employee smiled, pointing to the caramel coloured rabbit in Elsa's arms, "and a BEW."
"BEW?" Anna parroted, raising her head.
"Mhmm; blue eyed white," She clarified, gesturing down to the rabbit's stunningly vibrant eyes. Anna inhaled sharply and whirled around, beaming.
"Her eyes are like yours, Elsa, you should pick her!" The blonde curled her arms in closer, coddling the rabbit in her grasp.
"But I…like this one," She murmured softly, "I want to keep her."
Between the girls, Idun knew what was coming, and when her youngest turned to her with wide, pleading eyes she began to speak. "Anna, I said just–"
"I know you said just one, but mom please," The redhead pleaded, "we can't separate sisters! I promise I'll take care of her."
Idun broke.
Relenting, she raised her hands in surrender. "Alright, alright," She couldn't help but smile as Anna's own grin widened–it was infectious; "but you have to promise me you'll take care of her."
"I will, I will! Thank you, thank you!" The redhead nearly spun, though she was mindful of the rabbit in her arms, as she moved over to Elsa and raised her little bunny up to press its twitching nose against its sisters'. "You get to stay with your sister."
In front of her, Elsa smiled endearingly, and ever so slightly lifted her rabbit to meet Anna's.