Jack
I knew Elsa has always felt distressed since her parents passing, and I get it. I was 12 when my parents died in a car wreck. It felt terrible, because Olivia, my younger sister, and I were in that car.
We walked out with a few scrapes. Luckily, our Grandmother lived in town and was happy to take us in. I know what its like to lose your parents tragically.
I mean, I'm okay now, but then again, it's been 6 years. Sophia and I have survived our tragedy, but Elsa seems to be barely clinging on. It's been almost 2 year, so the hardest part is still happening.
I remember when I used to go to therapy when I was 12 through 14, before we stopped because we didn't have the money, my therapist told me the first two years of loss were the hardest. And I found that true.
I mean, I guess I shouldn't expect to much smiles from Elsa. When I was 13 I almost robbed a bank with some 'friends', and during those years the cops knew my name. But my last session with the therapist, when I was 14 nearing 15, the therapist told me that recovering from the loss would be a life-time process. He said I had to be the example to Olivia.
Olivia became my 'inspiration' to make it through. She was imaginative, and kind-hearted. I couldn't let anything take that from her. And it's payed off. At 14, she has friends. She is doing really well for having lost two parents at the age of 8.
Although Olivia and I have done well in our recovery, I guess Elsa is different. She doesn't have a therapist. I don't think she really talks to her sister, either. I mean, I know Anna is doing very well, but she has Kristoff and some other friends. Elsa doesn't really have anyone.
I see her walking alone in the hallways, and sitting quietly at lunch doing work or just not eating at all. I see it in her eyes, just how defeated she feels. And today, I saw it on her wrist as well.
I don't know how to comfort without coming off as nagy or pushy. Elsa needs needs a friend, and I hope I'm doing that right.
She doesn't answer my texts sometimes, and she isn't all for calling. I can't be to forward or anything, because that's weird and I don't want to seem like desperate.
I mean, I totally wouldn't mind her and me becoming an us or something, but she needs a friend, not a partner. Right now, all I can do is just try to be there.
The night, I wrestle with anxiety trying to find the sleep. Tomorrow is a Friday, well today technically since it's 12:41am, but maybe I can convince Elsa to go do something with me.
I don't even know why I feel so anxious. I don't have any upcoming tests. I don't have any friends trying to backstab me. As far as I'm concerned, I don't think I've done anything illegal recently. What is it?
I hear my phone beep to the text tone of Elsa's.
Elsa: I'm sorry I've been so bleh lately. Just a lot going on. Thanks for everything.
I decide replying is the best thing. Thats, normal, right?
Me: No no no you don't need to be sorry! I get it! You're okay tho, right?
Elsa: I'm fine.
Me: You're sure? I'm here to talk. I mean it.
Elsa: I'm fine, okay.
Me: I don't think so. Fines one of those words people say when theyre not very fine.
Elsa: I don't want to bother you about it.
Me: Youre not a bother at all tho.
Elsa: I don't want to talk about it, ok.
Me: Okay.
Me: buuuutt do you want to go get some froyo after school tomorrow? I'll even pay!
After what seems like an endless time of waiting for her reply, she finally texts back.
Elsa: Okay, but I can pay for myself. :) thanks
Me: alright, well I'm going to sleep, so goodnight?
Elsa: Goodnight!
Me: try not to stress to much! Have a good night of sleep! See you tomorrow!
Elsa: haha thx. See ya.
Once the conversation has ended, I feel more relaxed. At peace, even. Guess the anxiety was just a passing thing. I place my phone on the little table beside my bed after setting the alarm on it for school.
I shut my eyes with a goofy smile to add to them, and thinking of Elsa, I fall into sleep.
I wake up, and as usual, get Olivia and myself ready for school, and head out the door.
Upon arriving to our seemingly massive school, I see Elsa walking in. I call to her, and she smiles at me, and stops in her tracks to wait for me.
1, that's amazing, 2, okay so she doesn't think I'm creepy, which is good. I have to play it cool, like she's my friend but also I'm chill about it? I'm overthinking this to much.
"Hey." She smiles softly.
"Hey, what's up?" What's up? That is the lamest way to say hello. I'm pathetic.
"Oh you know, the usual. School. Life. Things." She smiles, explaining in a simplistic humorous way. It's kind of hard to explain, but basically she's not cold or bitter about it.
"Ah, the usual... how normal." I try to tease but I think I came off rude.
"Well that's me, the normal." She shrugs her shoulders, smiling again.
"What's your first period again? I always forget, since I don't get to see you until fourth." I try to be lowkey complementary and I think it's working.
"Spanish, you?" She walks beside me, holding a soft smile, which is good.
"World Geography. I don't really get it, you know? Like we have maps and globes now, why do I need to learn this?" I joke, and she laughs with it.
"Same reason we need to learn math- so we sound smart even though we already have stuff tp figure it out with, I guess." She jokes back.
"Ah, I see. Well, I hate to end this conversation so shortly, but I gotta get going. Have fun in Spanish?" I suggest.
"And by fun you mean survive? Fun is not an option in that class." She states.
"But Spanish has Mrs. Pitrisha, right? She's hilarious!" I begin to call as I back away towards my class, and she goes the opposite to her class so we're left yelling across the hallway.
"She is. I guess fun might be possible!" She shouts back.
"You never know!" I call, and the conversation subsides when the first bell rings.
So the day continues, well outside of me, but I don't really pay attention. I'm just kinda excited about after school today. I'm kind of glad she offered to pay, honestly, because I've got barely enough for myself.
Let's see, my grandma knows I'm going, and Olivia has a ride home, and I can take the car I used to drive to school with, so it's all set. I'm good to go, all I have to do is act casual and cool. I can be casual. I can act normal.
"Psst, lover boy, how's it going with Elsa? Seen her naked yet?" Parker disgustingly jokes beside me.
I ignore him, despite the fact that he deserves a punch.I ignore him, which usually makes him go away. Parker is just a gross boy who, when he realized Elsa doesn't like disgusting dirt bags, decided it was his life mission to destroy anyone who likes her.
"Hey, frostie, I asked you a question." He has a harsher tone.
"Hey, Praker, I decided not to answer." I sarcastically mimic him.
He shuts up, but he will always be that way. He's just a stupid kid who won't go anywhere in life. He scoffs at me, and I continue begging for time to go faster. It's only third period, so I still have fourth period with Elsa, lunch, and two more classes, then athletics, then finally frozen yogurt.
Could this day be any slower? Ugh.
FINALLY the bell releases us, and I rush to my locker to grab the few things I need for English in fourth. I arrive pretty quickly to the class, and wait for Elsa to arrive.
She comes into the room, and places her backpack in her spot. Class begins, and the usual teasing and talking comes about. Mostly we talk about our Guided Reading notes we have to finish.
"What flavor are you getting? I'm getting oreo, possibly places every topping on it, you know, just the be on edge." I joke.
"I don't know, I haven't had frozen yogurt in forever." She laughs, letting off a warm glow to her.
"Why haven't you been?" I ask before I can even think through the question.
"It's just been a long time, okay." Her smile dissipates, and I think I know why.
"Oh, okay. Well, whatever, I'm glad I get to witness your first frozen yogurt in a while." I smile, lifting the mood slightly.
She laughs, but continues her work. I'm such an idiot, honestly. I need to think before I ask things! Of course she hasn't been since a while, because of the accident! How could I be so stupid! UGH.
We finish our notes just as the bell rings, and head towards our separate class.
The rest of the day seems so endless. Even lunch felt like forever. I noticed Elsa sat alone, but I didn't know if I should sit by her. Maybe she needed to be alone? Maybe I would be annoying by sitting? So many things could go wrong.
So finally the classes end, and I head out to find Elsa for the frozen yogurt trip. I find her at her locker, packing a few things in her backpack.
"All ready?" I ask.
"Yep! I'm kind of excited. It's been so long since I've had frozen yogurt." She smiles as we walk down the hallways.
"Hey, do you need me to carry that for you?" I say, referencing to a few binders and book in her hands.
"Jack, I can carry a binder and two books." She remarks teasingly.
"I never said you couldn't! Just offering." I laugh.
We continue talking until two seniors walk into the hallway; the "Stabbington" brothers, Ron and John. I don't think they're actually brothers, but they are annoying to deal with.
They give each other a look, and I know something is about to go down. I continue walking cautiously, preparing for who knows what.
John rushes Elsa and Don rushes me. Don pushes me against the locker, and since he's probably twice weight, it hurts like hell. John flips Elsa's books and binders up, and her papers fly everywhere. And just like that, they run down the hallway, finding comedy in this.
Elsa begins picking up her binders, scoffing to herself. I help her, or at least try.
"Elsa, don't worry about those guys. They're just big dumb losers, alright?" I say, handing her her Science book.
"Ooh, what language. Don't let the principle hear you." She sarcastically jokes, which probably means this didn't ticker her off as much as it did me.
"Well, you know me, always getting into trouble." I shrug my shoulders, adding to the joke.
She laughs, so I guess that's good. We continue walking out to my car, setting our stuff in it and preparing for frozen yogurt.
Since it's my car, I'll be driving. But since she's in the passengers seat, she argues that it's her duty to choose the best music. I roll my eyes, agreeing to it. Besides, I've never heard her music.
A song comes on that I don't recognize, but she seems to like it since she starts singing it loudly.
"What song is this?" I ask.
"Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots! Duh! If you don't mind me, I'm just going to sing obnoxiously to this k thanks." She says, proceeding to make excessive hand motions to the song.
"Nope, don't mind at all." I laugh to myself.
Several songs play before the yogurt stop, and she signs to all of them. Honestly, it's really hard to drive when the most beautiful person is singing off-key to songs I've never heard. It's actually super adorable, but I have to play it cool. That's how this stuff works. I think.
I park, and we head into the yogurt spot. She unplugs her phone from the connection chord.
"Sorry, but we're playing my music when you bring me back to the school." She says, smiling at me.
"Whatever, I'll deal with it." I tease back.
I open the door for her into the yogurt shop, and she joking says thank you. It's pretty empty, except for a few people.
One of those people is Hans. GREAT. Preparing for an excuse to get to-go yogurt in 3...2...1... Before I can even turn to say anything to Elsa, Hans interrupts me.
"Why are you two here! I thought having rats in restaurants was bad." He laughs obnoxiously to his two pals with him, as if he is funny at all.
I ignore him, and so does Elsa. If he keeps it up, I'm sure he'll get kicked out.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" He screams across the frozen yogurt place.
Pretty soon, a manager comes out. "Keep it down unless you want to get kicked out!"
I laugh to Elsa, and we continue to get our froyo.
I hear a gross breathe behind me. "Hey, Jackie poo, don't make me get kicked out. Just talk to me, we're friends right? How's my doll face doing? You know she'll be mine one day."
I shove him off of me, angered by his comment on Elsa.
"Didn't you hear? He'll kick you out of here." I say, purchasing my yogurt.
"Ah, c'mon! You're no fun!" Hans scoffs.
"Leave us alone, Hans." Elsa threats after buying her froyo.
"Oh shut up, doll face! I wasn't talking to you." Hans crudely remarks.
I clench my fist, trying hard not to just smack his now.
"Don't you want to fight, Jack? Let's play, you're so weak anyway. I could brake you in seconds." He taunts.
"Come on, Elsa, we're leaving." I say, heading us out the door.
"Jack!" Hans yells, but we keep going out the door.
As we exit outside I turn around just to see him rush into me and tackle me down. Elsa's screaming for someone, but all I can see and hear is Hans trying to punch the life out of me. He hits my face pretty hard, but I manage to escape the other thrusts.
He sits on top of me, saying how Elsa was his or some other delusional a few moments, a manager gets him off of me. I can feel blood from a small scrape on my face and probably a bruise.
"Get out of here, both of you! I don't want trouble in my shop!" The man says to Hans and I.
Well, this was a bust. To my face, and to Elsa.
UGH.