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Sins of the Past

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Chapter Seventeen

"Is the coast clear?"

I gave a start, surprised by Elsa's sudden reappearance.

"A rhetorical question, of course." She began, as she spontaneously materialized into view in front of me. "I hadn't felt your mother's presence for an extended period of time, hence why I returned."

I could only stare dumbfounded up at her from my position on the bed, her journal sitting right on my lap in plain sight.

"I had been thinking about you, Anna." Elsa continued. "About your strange... 'receptiveness' to my abilities in particular. My working theory at the moment is that—"

Elsa paused, seemingly noticing for the first time the book that I held in my hands. I could only stare back in stunned silence as she scrutinized my facial expression, her own morphing into that of suspicion.

"Your face speaks volumes, Anna. Is there something you wish to tell me?"

You know that feeling of dread you get when you've been caught red handed? That awful and terrible feeling when the guilty blood rushes to your cheeks because you've done goofed and you know it? Yeah, I had that feeling.

I gulped, figuring that honesty would be the best policy here.

"I... I was reading your journal." I stammered, before subsequently exploding into a rapid fire string of words. "It's-just-that-I-got-bored-because-I-had-nothing-to-do-and-then-I-got-curious-about-you-because-well-you-know-ghost-but-I-couldn't-find-out-anything-about-you-online-so-I-figured-maybe-your-chest-here-would-help-so-I-went-to-take-a-look-and-I-found-this-and..."

I trailed off when Elsa shook her head in blatant disappointment and turned away quietly.

I felt incredibly awful.

"You read it in its entirety, did you not?" She asked, in a low voice, her previously cheerful mood having turned somber.

I nodded to Elsa's back, and then caught myself and gurgled out a weak. "Yeah."

"Then you know what happened." She said simply.

"Kinda? I think I got the gist of what happened." I squeaked. "Though your journal ends after Valentines Day, so I don't know anything about what happened next..."

"And you wish to know?" She asked. "Why?"

"I-I just wanted to... to see if I could, like, help or anything—"

"—Is this why you befriended me in the first place? Because you pitied me?" Elsa interrupted, whirling back around to face me in an instant. Her eyes now glowed an angry crimson red, in the same fashion as they once did when we first met in the bathroom. "If so, then consider our friendship over. I do not need your pity."

I could again only stare back in stunned silence, my jaw hanging wide agape, as I processed the accusation thrown at me all of a sudden. I felt tears prickle the corner of my eyes and vainly tried to keep them from spilling.

"As I thought." Elsa intoned, her expression hardening. "I will admit that our time together was most enjoyable Anna, and for that I thank you." She turned away again. "However, in light of these recent events I hereby give you and your mother three days notice to vacate the premises before—"

"—Look, Elsa." I interrupted angrily, haphazardly throwing the journal across the room without a care for where it landed. "I know it was wrong of me to intrude on your private life. I get it, and I feel really bad for having done it. Oh wait, no I don't, because it's already helped me understand why you've suddenly become such a colossal douchebag right now."

Elsa whirled back around to face me once again, and I could literally see the temper flare in her eyes like never before. I'd likely be afraid for my life had I been more clear headed, but right now I was far too upset to care so I pressed the offensive before she could get in another word.

"You know what else your journal taught me? That you didn't have many friends growing up, so let me learn you something for once. Do you know how much it hurts when a friend misinterprets something you said and is immediately willing to oh-so-casually toss aside your friendship because of it?! I had only wanted to help! Helping each other is what friends do! And don't give me any of that crap about not needing any help or something stupid like that because your mere existence proves otherwise! So get off your high horse, and accept the fact that I care about you."

My vocal strength had by now worn itself out, as did my sudden surge of anger. I fell back onto my bed, suddenly feeling very, very tired.

"I never had any pity for you though, Elsa..." I whispered, my voice hoarse from shouting. "...only respect."

Elsa may have said something in response afterwards, may even have come up with a solid rebuttal, but if so I'll never know because I closed my eyes right then and there and drifted off to a very welcome sleep. Looking back however... I realize that I was by far the biggest douchebag back there.

I woke later to the sight of Elsa floating above my bed, waiting patiently. Her demeanor was noticeably calmer than before, though she had an unreadable look written upon her face.

"Oof. What time is it?" I groggily muttered, as I rose to a sitting position.

"It at the moment is still Sunday." Elsa replied evenly. "7:21PM to be precise, if your clock is to be believed. You have slept for approximately two hours."

"Oh." I said simply, staring somewhat awkwardly back up at Elsa. "So... about—"

"—Your mother had called earlier while you were asleep to inform you of the fact that she will be working a late shift today at the local hospital, and said to not wait up for her and fix yourself something to eat in the meantime." Elsa stated. "I have taken the liberty to prepare you a supper of sorts. It is waiting for you downstairs."

"Oh." I said again. Can't complain about free food, and I was feeling kinda hungry to be honest.

"I guess that means you were running around again in my body or something while I was out?"

"That would be correct."

"And since you've made me something to eat, does that mean you won't be kicking us out or something anytime soon?"

Elsa smiled ruefully. "Applaudable inductive reasoning Anna, in which you again would be correct. I, however, feel as though an apology is in order, as I allowed my emotions get the better of me. I have said things that I otherwise would not in the heat of the moment, and for that I ask for forgiveness. I understand now that your intentions were noble, even if however I maintain that your methods are at best questionable."

"It's okay. I forgive you." I smiled back at her. "And while I don't regret a single word I said back there I do legitimately feel bad for snooping. Can you forgive me as well?"

"Consider it done." Elsa laughed. "Now why don't you go have your supper, before it becomes unpalatable?"

I got out of bed and made to do as was asked, Elsa following suit behind me. I arrived in the kitchen to find a plate sitting atop the kitchen counter finely adorned with four expertly made open-faced sandwiches. Each slice of bread was decorated with various sliced meats and spreads, and I could already feel myself salivating in hungry anticipation. I eagerly grabbed the plate and immediately headed off to the kitchen table to chow down.

Elsa went to "take a seat," at the opposite end, watching with a smile as I devoured her creations.

"Are they any good?" She asked. "It goes without saying that my cookery skills may have degraded over the years, and that my own taste buds are woefully inadequate for the job of tasting my handiwork."

It honestly was really good, each individual slice practically a work of art. Hell, Rapunzel, herself a deli worker, could definitely learn a thing or two here. I told this all to Elsa through a mouthful of food, and smiled as Elsa's face lit up in joy before she then proceeded to sternly lecture me on proper table etiquette.

I sighed in contented happiness as I finished up the last bite, slouching in my chair.

"Those were great."

Elsa chuckled. "They really must have been, considering how noisy you were whilst consuming them. If anything it is a miracle that the neighbours have not yet arrived to complain."

I laughed, throwing up my hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I get vocal when I eat things I like."

"That much is for certain."

I chuckled a bit myself, before getting up to wash the crumbs off my empty plate. As I was midway between the kitchen and the dining room however...

"Anna?" Elsa asked, somewhat apprehensively. "Do you truly wish to know happened afterwards? I am willing to divulge, if you are wiling to listen..."

I think I know what I'll be writing about for the next few chapters.

Now the big question I'm asking myself is: how in the world am I going to end this story?