Chapter 15 Past and Present
Jack's POV
Anna could hardly keep back her laughter. "You want my permission to pursue my sister? Man, you've got it bad!"
I put my hand on the back of my neck. "I guess. So, do I, or don't I?"
"Oh, you have my permission! I'm just not sure you have Elsa's."
Anna had a point, but I refused to be discouraged. "Great! Now I just have to wait for tonight," I thought aloud.
Interest sparked in Anna's eyes. "What's happening tonight?"
I hesitated. "Promise you won't tell Elsa?" Anna nodded eagerly and I told her my plan.
As I finished, Anna looked thoughtful. "You really love her, don't you? I mean, North will be pretty mad if he finds out you were somewhere without his permission."
"I know. But it's worth it for her. I just hope she likes it."
"Oh, she will! No need to worry," Anna assured me. "And you wanna know why? 'Cause she likes you!"
That took me by surprise. "She does? She told you that?"
"More or less," she replied.
That would explain the song she sang to herself. The song did kind of fit her.
Anna snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Hello! Earth to Jack! Pay attention to the sister standing in front of you."
I blinked and shook my head. "Sorry," I murmured.
Anna smirked. "So you were thinking of her."
"Hardly a minute goes by without me thinking of her," I confessed.
"Not hard to see why," Anna said.
"Not hard to see why what?" Elsa asked, walking into Anna's room.
I froze. Now what?
"Not hard to see why you two would make a good couple!" Anna answered quickly.
I silently breathed a sigh of relief. Thank you, Anna.
Elsa's face went red and she studied the ground. "Oh."
I cast a side-long glance at Elsa. Did her expression mean she was embarrassed because she felt the same? Or because she was embarrassed her sister thought that way?
Elsa was looking at me with a confused look on her face. "Is something wrong, Jack? Why are you staring at me like that?"
I blinked and realized I was gazing at Elsa as if I were studying her. My face went warm and I turned my head away. "Sorry," I mumbled. I began to float toward the door. "I'll just go." I sped out the door and down the hall.
Nice going, Jack.
Elsa's POV
I looked after Jack, feeling sad. Why did he leave so abruptly? Was it something I said? I sighed and turned back to Anna, who had an I-told-you-so expression on her face.
"What?" I demanded.
She giggled. "You've got it bad!"
"Got what?"
"Something for that frosty friend of yours."
"W-what?" I stuttered. "Th-that's crazy! I don't have feelings for him!"
Anna continued to grin. "And yet you're stuttering. When have you ever stuttered?"
She had a point. Maybe I do like Jack. No, Elsa. I scolded myself. Conceal, don't – I stopped and turned a panic-filled face to my sister.
Her grin disappeared instantly. "Elsa? What's wrong?"
"I almost concealed myself. Again." I sighed for a second time. "Okay. Maybe I do like Jack." I sat down on Anna's bed.
To my surprise, Anna didn't squeal like a teenager, or run out the door to tell Jack. Instead, she sat down next to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Elsa?" I turned my head to face her. "Remember to let it go."
I managed a small smile. "Where did you hear that?"
Anna returned the smile. "You forget that you made Olaf as you sung that song."
I shook my head. "I should have known."
The door suddenly burst open. "There you are! I've been lookin' all over for you, lassies!" cried a young woman with wild red hair. She wore a navy-blue dress with a quiver of arrows at her hip, and a bow slung over her chest. She had her hands on her hips and her pale blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
Anna leaped up immediately and went over to hug the newcomer. "Merida!"
Merida grinned as she returned Anna's embrace. I got up slower than Anna had, and walked across to greet my friend.
"Merida." I nodded to her.
Merida shook her head at me. "Even though you were queen 300 years ago, you still maintain your polite regality."
I laughed. "You're as observant as always. When did you get here?"
"Only a few minutes ago. Ran into Frost in the hallway and he directed us here." She gave Anna a sly look. "You can come in now!" Merida called over her shoulder.
A tall, grinning, blond haired young man came into the room. "Hi, Anna."
Anna flung herself at the young man. "Kristoff! How are you here?"
Kristoff swung her around and kissed her. "Some guy named Jack persuaded Tooth to get me from Elsa's memories."
I couldn't believe it. Jack had asked Tooth to get Kristoff? Why did he do that?
Merida looked sick as she watched Kristoff and Anna reunite. "Can you do that later?"
Anna just threw her head back and laughed in pure joy.
I smiled. "Come on, Merida. Let's go." We walked swiftly out of Anna's room, and I shut the door. I turned to Merida. "Do you have a room yet?" I asked.
"I don't," she replied.
"Then let's get you one."
We quickly found a room that suited Merida and was obviously made for her. It had a normal bed, dresser, and a bookshelf, but apart from that, the walls were covered with shelves filled with weapons. Merida crossed her arms approvingly at the sight.
I had an idea. "Would you mind if I did something to the front of your door?" I inquired.
"No," she responded. "What are you goin' to do?"
"I'll show you."
We stepped outside the room and I faced the front of the door. I lightly brushed my fingertips along the wood at eye level, and something began to carve itself into the door. When it finished, Merida gasped. There was her name, carved into the wood with a bow on the left side, and an arrow weaving through her name.
She ran her hand along her red painted name, then turned and hugged me. "Thanks, Elsa! It's so awesome!"
I smiled as I returned the embrace. "You're welcome." I broke away first. "Now, we should get some rest. The sun's going down."
Merida nodded. "Good night, Elsa."
I walked to my room and changed into a nightgown, slipping into bed. I was almost asleep when a hand covered my mouth and caused me to jerk into wakefulness.
"Sshh!" hissed a male voice. "Don't make a sound!"
Dun dun duunnnnn! Sorry about the cliffhanger, but I kind of like knowing that you guys are desperate for another chapter because of them. I know, I'm super mean. Let me know what you thought! And have a super fantabulous day!
