A/N: Originally posted to my tumblr.
The small dorm floor was littered with clothes strewn about. Shirts were tossed on the bed, shoes cluttered the floor, and leg wear was currently being flung from an open closet.
"Okay, okay! So jeans, shorts, skirts, or dress?"
"It's a casual lunch date right? Maybe jeans or shorts?"
Anna shifted through her small closet, pressing the phone closer to her. She bypassed her skirts and grabbed a pair of faded, worn jeans.
"I think I need to go shopping soon. Everything is so…old." Placing the jeans back on their hanger, Anna snatched the pair of khaki pants that were next.
"How about khaki?" she asked, tilting her cell phone closer so she didn't drop it in the dark, dark abyss that was her tiny, crowded, and dusty closet.
"Hmmm…"
The redhead could almost see Rapunzel tapping her chin, trying to visually imagine Anna's choice of wear for her upcoming date.
"Too dull, you need something brighter."
Anna grimaced and glanced back at her closet. "Punzie, everything I have in here looks like something from last century!"
The brunette on the other end let out such a loud squeal that Anna dropped her phone in pain and shock.
"How about those cute shorts you bought a couple of months back?! You haven't worn them in ages!"
Anna heard Rapunzel chatter excitedly as she rummaged on the ground for her phone, sneezing when a dust pile launched into her nose.
"Wait, what? What shorts Punzie?"
"Those shorts with the cute flower patch on the right side! You know, dark blue jean shorts? Light pink flower?"
Aha! Triumph! Anna snatched her phone underneath a wayward sweater and hopped out of her closet. "Oh right!" She paused suddenly. "Wait, where did I leave those shorts Punzie?"
"Uh…"
Anna glanced around her dorm, suddenly wishing her cousin was home and not out eating with Eugene. While she often had her arts and crafts materials lying around, the brunette was still by far a much neater person than Anna.
Not one part of their two-person dorm wasn't covered with some stray piece of clothing; discarded casually by said redhead when she decided it wasn't suave enough to take on a date. Especially when said date involved someone like Elsa.
Anna gulped, suddenly feeling very, very anxious.
"What if I screw this up big time Rapunzel? What if she thinks I have really bad table manners? What if I'm too under-dressed? What if she doesn't like my taste in fashion? W-what if I burp in front of her and she thinks that's really gross and she won't want to be around me anymore?"
"Anna-" Rapunzel tried.
"What if she thinks I'm too s-stupid to be around her? I mean, she's a really smart student! Any time the professor calls on her in class—on any subject—she always says something really, really meaningful and-"
"Anna, hey, hang on!"
"-I mean she comes from a long, long line of wealthy and successful business-y type people. Obviously, she's gonna want someone as smart as her to talk with-"
"Anna, wait, you're forgetting-!"
The redhead began pacing back and forth. "Maybe I should have planned this date out better. Damn it, why did I have to get so nervous when I was asking her out. I had a whole speech prepared and everything and-"
"ANNA!" Rapunzel screamed.
Surprised, Anna's foot caught on a random shoe and she fell, face-first into the floor. She lay there, still.
"What if she doesn't like me Punzie?" Anna whispered, phone clutched tightly to her ear.
She heard Rapunzel inhale.
"She said yes, remember?"
Anna's breath caught in her throat.
Right, Elsa said yes…
Shocking as it had been, the blonde had agreed in the most polite and sweetest way possible. The memory brought a light blush to her cheeks.
And with that, Anna felt her earlier excitement return. She jumped up, rushing to her dresser and opening it. "You're right Punzie!"
Rapunzel sighed, sounding visibly relieved before saying, "If you're looking through our drawers, check the bottom right one. I think I remember seeing it there."
Anna bent and pulled the right most drawer open, pushing through all of their shorts before spying the ones she wanted. The excitement bubbling in her chest increased tenfold. She was now one step closer to completing her date preparation.
I can't wait! A dreamy sigh escaped her as she clutched her shorts to her chest. Anna was about to tell Rapunzel she had found her shorts when she heard a distinct ringing from her cell phone.
Fumbling, the redhead said, "Oh oh! Hang on Rapunzel! Got another call waiting."
"Alright, but call me back soon!" the brunette said before hanging up.
Anna grinned before pressing 'accept.'
Beep.
"Hello?"
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU HAD A DATE?!"
Anna flinched back from the phone and held it at arms-length. She rubbed her ear. Second time today, really?
After several moments of continuous screaming on the other line of the phone—"Hello? Hello?! Are you listening to me Anna?!"—she brought it back.
"Geez Kristoff, calm down. People go on dates all the time. It's nothing to get worked over."
Her earlier bout of panic not withstanding of course, but she'd be damned if she told him that. Her pride would never let her admit it to her older, over-protective, though well-meaning (and reasonable, a part of her mind pointed out) brother.
"It is something to get worked over when it's my baby sister!"
Anna rolled her eyes.
"I'm 21 years old, I'm not a child."
"Doesn't mean you're not my baby sister."
Anna growled and fumbled through her drawers, looking for a decent shirt to wear. "What's gotten into you? You're not usually like this."
She heard Kristoff sigh on the other end of the phone, his voice going from angry to frustrated and slightly exasperated.
"Yeah I know, sorry. It's just-I'm just worried about you is all."
Her mild irritation softened and she grinned. "Don't worry about me. I was born ready for this!" She let out a squeal when she found her favorite baseball t-shirt.
Kristoff scoffed on the other end of the phone and said, "Calm down feisty pants. I'm still a little wary about your judgm-"
"Don't give me the judgment talk again," Anna snapped, feeling her earlier irritation boil.
"Alright, alright, geez! Don't go blowing my head off. It's just that last time-"
"I knowKristoff," Anna said. God, why was everyone reminding her about that? "But Elsa's different."
"Elsa?"
Anna winced. Damn, now he knows who she is.
There was silence on the other. Anna bit her lip and pushed back a strand of strawberry-blonde hair. While they didn't always agree on certain things, her love life in particular, she desperately wanted him to approve of her choice this time. Part of her was still that gangly fourteen-year-old seeking her brother's approval and support.
Another sigh and when he spoke again, Kristoff sounded noticeably less frustrated but still exasperated. "Well, I want to meet her soon."
"Of course, but not now and certainly not for a while!" she said when she heard her brother begin to protest. "You'll just scare her off with one of your speeches."
"Sven does not scare people-"
"Please Kristoff," Anna whispered, her knuckles turning white as her grip tightened. And he must have heard the desperation in her voice because he stopped. His tone softened.
"Alright, alright. But you'll tell me how the date goes when you get home right?"
Anna grinned, relieved to have her brother's support.
"Yeah, yeah, sure." Quietly, she added, "I know you just want what's best for me."
Her brother coughed on the other line and she knew he was rubbing his neck, flustered.
"Alright, well go knock 'er dead kiddo!" Kristoff said, sounding noticeably relieved and happy. Even quieter than her, he added, "Love you. See you soon."
"Bye, love you reindeer king too."
He laughed and hung up.
Anna squealed and hurriedly redialed Rapunzel's number.
"Okay, okay! So, I found those cute shorts, I have my tee-shirt set, and I got reindeer-king's approval. What else should I wear?"
"Ooh! How about those sneakers with all the colors and dots?"
Anna jumped to the other end of the room, feeling positively giddy.
"Can I have my girlfriend back?!" she heard Eugene say distantly.
I finally have a chance!
x x x
The cold temperature of their shared condo was pleasing and simply relaxing; the perfect day to lounge around and read whatever trivial, ridiculous, and stupefying gossip she could get her hands on.
Or at least it would be if it weren't for the pacing and muttering blonde in front of her.
"What do you think?"
Meg glanced up from her magazine, blinking at the two dresses Elsa held in front of her—one baby blue and the other lilac. Elsa shifted the dresses in front of her, looking down at them and then back up at Meg with a worried frown.
"Well?" she asked after a long moment.
Meg shrugged and went back to her magazine. "Looks nice, blue and purple always did look good on you."
"Ugh!"
Elsa turned around and stuffed the dresses back into her closet. It had been like this since the blonde had woken up, several hours early in the morning. She had woken up Meg after the brunette had heard her shuffling about in the apartment, trying on outfit after outfit, checking every attire in the life size mirror they had. Each dress shirt had been studied critically before being tossed aside after one of Meg's comments; too formal. Each pant suit returned to her closet when Meg deemed them "overdressed and overrated, seriously, you're going on a lunch date with your classmate, not a business partner." And every dress was simply not casual enough.
Elsa sighed and dropped her shoulders. She was nothing if not meticulous and if there was one thing she had learned over the years of meeting and greeting important business associates, attending gatherings both formal and casual, presenting in front of a prestigious group of people, it was that you always, always dressed right for the occasion.
This date was no exception.
"You're no help," she grumbled.
"And you're over-thinking it," Meg retorted. She flipped another page in her magazine. "What was wrong with those two dresses you just showed me? I said yes to those, didn't I?"
"Too long," Elsa mumbled, glancing out the window. The sky was cleared of clouds, the day sunny and without a breezy wind in sight. A long dress would just make her stand out. Her skin prickled at the thought.
As if reading her thoughts, Meg said, "You're going to stand out no matter what you do. You're going on a date with a girl remember? A girl who, from what you told me, is incredibly loud and hyperactive."
Elsa winced, drawing her shoulders in and wrapping her arms around herself.
Meg looked up and narrowed her eyes. "That's not all that's bothering you, is it Elsa?"
Damn Meg and her perceptiveness.
The brunette sighed and placed down her magazine, then patted the spot next to her on the couch. "Come here and tell shriveled up Ol' Meg all about it."
Elsa looked over her shoulder at her roommate, lip trembling slightly when she saw the sincerity in the other woman's eyes. She walked over and sat down, glad when Meg pulled her into a rare, one-armed hug.
"Whenever, you're ready. You still have plenty of time before you have to go, right?"
Elsa nodded against her shoulder, arms still wound around her torso. They stayed like that for several long minutes. At times like these, Meg knew better than to make sarcastic comments.
"I don't want to make a wrong move," Elsa whispered, feeling that age-old anxiety creep up her spine. Meg nudged her, silently urging her on. The blonde took a deep breath. "This is the first time anything like this has happened to me…I…"
don't want to hurt her
don't want to be hurt
scared…
"I want this to go perfectly."
Meg hummed and said, "That's unlikely to happen. I mean, dating's tricky. You might hit it off right off the bat or you might find out you're incompatible. Just," here she rubbed Elsa's arm, "enjoy the ride. More than likely, it's not gonna be perfect on your first date."
Elsa pulled back and gave her a tight smile. "I know, I just want to try."
Meg quirked one eyebrow at her. "Okay, I seriously can't wait to meet this girl if she's making you act like this."
Elsa flushed, grabbing her braid and playing with the end of it, eyes fixated on the platinum strands. "I-It's not like I haven't been nervous around other people before. I try to make everything else perfect too! You know that? It's the way I was taught."
If possible, Meg's fine eyebrow rose even higher. "You cleaning the entire condo until everything is spotless or making sure every letter you write is neat and elegant is a way different kind of 'nervous' than waking me up at 5 AM in the morning to ask me 'Does this look good on me?'"
Elsa's blush deepened and she shifted way from Meg. She folded her hands in her lap and cleared her throat. "Like I said, I've never done this before. I…" she gestured uselessly, "wanted to look…good."
Meg smirked and picked up her magazine again. "Yeah, I am so meeting this girl as soon as possible. You're an absolute wreck."
"W-what? No I'm not-"
"The good kind," Meg interrupted. "You're acting like a school girl. It's nice to see."
All at once, Elsa stopped. Her blue eyes widened and she stared at her roommate. She wrapped her arms around herself again and looked down. "Is it?" she whispered.
Meg looked up sharply. Elsa trembled a bit. The brunette reached over and took her friend's hand, recognizing the familiar shakes.
"You'll be fine," she said. Then, louder, "And if she hurts you, call me okay? I'll give her something to cry about."
Elsa laughed, though it was strained. She shook her head, blinking rapidly. "Don't, please. I-I do like her, remember?"
Shyly, she glanced back up. Meg eyed her, noticing the sparkle in those icy-blue eyes.
"Okay fine," she grumbled. "I think I'm going to start calling this 'Anna' Wonder Girl if she makes you act like this."
"I seem to recall a certain someone acting all dreamy and romantic after coming back with her date with a certain athlete, hmm?" Elsa said, smirking when she saw Meg go rigid.
"Okay!" Meg said, standing up from the couch and marching to their closet. "So how about a nice sundress? It's casual and would look great for this weather. Or you can borrow one of my jeans, how about that?" The brunette laughed nervously, pulling out a pair of light blue jeans.
Elsa giggled, covering her mouth with one hand. "Yeah, if you don't mind me borrowing something from yours I'd like that. Your wardrobe is more casual than mine."
Meg nodded and threw Elsa the jeans, then rummaged back in her wardrobe. She pulled out a dark purple blouse and nodded, satisfied. "Yeah, these will suit you just fine," she said, handing the blonde the shirt.
"Thank you Meg and thank you for the talk." Elsa clutched the clothes to her chest, smilingly gratefully.
Meg waved away her thanks. "Don't mention it. You deserve someone sweet."
Elsa blushed darkly.
"I'm dropping you off right? You know the place?"
The blonde nodded as she walked to the bathroom. "We agreed to meet somewhere close to campus. Drop me off near the café, please? I can walk the rest of the way."
"What? I still don't get to meet her?"
Elsa shut the door, giggling slightly when she heard Meg utter a "drat." She clutched Meg's clothes tighter, feeling her heart beat rapidly.
Just a little longer now. I can do this.
x x x
When they pulled up to the campus, Elsa felt—well she didn't know what she felt like. Nervous, scared, and utterly excited.
Meg turned off the engine and glanced at Elsa. "Alright blondie, we're here."
Elsa rubbed her fingers together, heart in her throat. "Thanks Meg," she said as she climbed out, giving the other woman a small smile.
"You just have fun with Wonder Girl, alright?" Meg laughed when Elsa blushed. Then she waved goodbye as she restarted her car and drove off.
Elsa glanced down at her watch. Ten minutes until two. Perfect timing. Her braid whipped through the air as she turned around and walked down the streets. She said to meet at Jasper and Horace's right?
Quickening her stride, she gasped quietly when she saw that familiar color of strawberry-blonde. For a moment, she stopped, taking in Anna's appearance. A dark blue and white t-shirt, colorful sneakers, and-
Oh those are cute shorts…
Elsa shook her head, her hands reflexively going up to rub her arms.
Get it together, Elsa.
Taking a deep breath, she strode right up to and behind the redhead.
x x x
Anna rocked on her heels, glancing every now and then at her watch. Her heart felt like it was going to burst from her chest and her stomach kept doing flips. To avoid being late—and knowing she didn't have the best track record with being punctual—she had been standing in front of Jasper and Horace's for a little under half an hour.
I can do this. I can totally do this. I was born ready for this! She mentally prepped herself, eyeing the street up and down. No sign of Elsa yet. Okay, be cool, Anna, be cool. Be smooth. Don't be…well don't be you for a couple of hours? You hear that brain?!
"I can do it, I can do it," Anna muttered to herself.
"Hi."
She jumped, whirling around to see Elsa just standing behind her. "H-hi me?"
A shy smile spread on Elsa's face, her blue eyes lighting up and twinkling. "Yeah, hi you."
Anna's face flushed and she gulped. Welp, so much for not being me for a day.Her eyes traveled down Elsa's slim figure and it struck her that this was the first time she had ever seen the blonde in something casual. Usually, Anna saw her wearing something conservative during classes. She looks good. Her eyes stopped where jeans met blouse. She gulped again and felt her knees weaken. Really good hips.
Elsa cleared her throat and Anna jumped again, realizing she'd been staring,
"Oh, hi."
Didn't I already say hi?
Elsa giggled, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. "Hi again."
Anna grinned stupidly and then glanced at Jasper and Horace's. "You ready?"
The blonde nodded and Anna, in a moment of her usual self, grabbed Elsa's hand and led her inside.
Have courage, Anna.
Elsa's fingers wrapped gently around her own.