Chapter 19

"Here it is. The biggest chocolate rose bouquet I could find in all of Burgress!" Gaston announced.

He handed Hans the bundle of chocolate roses wrapped in white, blue, and pink paper and held together with a blue ribbon.

Hans took the gift with a pleased smile. "This is it. It looks like Jack has already asked the Ice Witch. Now it's time to make my move."

"She can't possibly resist this." Gaston agreed.

Turning back to Anna's locker, the Hans glanced around the empty hallway to make sure the coast was clear before he reached out and approached the locker. Gaston grabbed his books to return to class as Hans twisted the lock, finally hearing it open.

"Here you go Princess." Hans purred as he zipped open Anna's backpack and slipped the bouquet into it.

Once they were tucked in and all twelve chocolate bulbs were peeking out, Hans closed the locker and crumbled the tiny slip of paper that had Anna's locker combination written on. As Hans began to make his way back to class, he was unaware of Hiccup watching him around the corner. The moment the classroom door closed, Hiccup approached the spot where Hans dropped the slip and snatched it up.

"Handsome yet so clueless." Hiccup chortled as he flattened the piece of paper and turned to do Anna's combination.

Once her locker opened, Hiccup reached into his pocket and withdrew a shiny blue ribbon with the words Will You Go With Me to the Winter Ball? - Kristoff written neatly along the side.

"Please please please make this work." Hiccup whispered as he tied the ribbon around one of the roses and finally closed the door.

Wiping his hands along his pants, Hiccup gave the locker a brief, proud nod before he turned around and made his own way back to class.

Meanwhile, Kristoff and Anna were in the library. While Kristoff was reciting German phrases and asking her questions, Anna sat back in her chair and watched him expectantly. Her finger twirled her bright pink pen in the air and she struggled hard to keep a straight face.

Come on when are you going to ask me to the ball already? It's this Friday! Anna felt herself screaming inside.

Kristoff caught her slight frown yet he shrugged it off and looked at the next question.

"Hast du meine Katze gesehen?" he asked with a smile.

Anna pulled on a large, fake smile and sat up. "Nein."

"Okay." Kristoff shrugged and turned back to his book. "Ich habe meinen Stift verloren. Weisst du, wo er ist?"

Rolling her eyes, Anna reached out and slammed his book closed. Kristoff jumped back at the movement and Anna leaned in.

"Überprüf doch mal deinen Arsch." she hissed.

Kristoff blushed beet red and popped open his book. "Hold on I don't think…." he began, his hand skimming through the pages.

Anna groaned and snatched up her purse. "Wann wirst du mich bitten mit dir auszugehen? Why don't you figure that one out?" she finally snapped.

Surprised, Kristoff could only watch her as Anna stood up and marched out of the library.

"Was it something I said?"

The moment the bell rang, Hiccup grabbed his backpack and ran out of the classroom. At the end of the hallway, Jack was standing in front of the vending machine. He did not lift his head when Hiccup approached him.

"Hey so how's life with the Ice Queen?" Hiccup joked, nudging his friend.

Jack straightened and gave him a blank glance before he turned and began to walk away.

"Hey was it something I said?" Hiccup asked.

"Not in the mood for explaining!" Jack answered over his shoulder.

Turning around, Hiccup caught sight of Hans and Gaston standing by the water fountain.

"She should be at her locker by now." Gaston confirmed.

Hans smiled wide and swiped a strand of hair from his forehead. "Wish me luck!"

"Crap!" Hiccup breathed. He turned and began to frantically look around. There was no way he could let Hans see Anna getting the chocolates.

Think! Think! Think! Hiccup thought, glancing around the crowded hallways. His eyes suddenly fell on one particular individual and a somewhat smile appeared. He suddenly knew what he had to do.

Without a moment to lose, Hiccup slipped across the hallway and towards the triplets Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed.

"Hey you guys. Can I borrow your buddy here?" not waiting for their response, Hiccup grabbed Ed and pulled him aside.

"Hi Eddy long time no see! Look I need you to do me a small favor. You think you can handle it?"

Ed cocked his head to the side before nodding.

"Great! Then here's what you need to do." Hiccup leaned in and began to whisper into the boy's ear.

A few moments later Ed perked up and nodded.

Hiccup smiled and slapped him on the back. "Go get him!"

Ed though, remained standing in his spot, his brow arched. Seconds later his arm snapped forward, his palm up.

Taking the cue, Hiccup sighed heavily and slapped a granola bar into Ed's hand. "Don't mess up. That's all I got for today."

Hans was just rounding the corner and about to walk down the same hallway that Anna's locker was when he suddenly collided straight into Ed, who reached out and spilled his coffee right onto Hans' shirt with a small chuckle.

"Hey!" Hans cursed, jumping back.

Ed cackled and in a flash was gone before Hans could do anything.

"Idiot!" Hans rolled his eyes and wiped the hot drink from his shirt.

Around the corner, Gaston noticed him and walked over in disbelief. "What the heck happened?"

"What does it look like?" Hans snapped.

Gaston face palmed himself as Hans brushed past him and straight into the bathroom.

With a dreary sigh, Anna let her shoulders drop as she approached her locker. All around her, students were getting ready to go home. Everywhere Anna looked, she saw the colorful posters for the Winter Ball that was this upcoming Friday. The sight of them only made her more mad and impatient. She was so positive Kristoff was going to ask her out during their study session, but he went through the time as though he did not even know about the ball.

What if he doesn't want to ask me? Is it my hair? Anna picked up one of her braids and sniffed it. I knew I shouldn't have used the pina-colada shampoo.

Anna twisted her lock and opened her locker. Her dark eyes rolled up to her backpack and all of a sudden, the strawberry blonde felt her grip on her books loosen. Her books scattered on the floor and her eyes grew twice their size.

"What is this!" Anna gasped, reaching into her bag and withdrawing the huge, elegant bouquet of chocolate roses.

"Oh my gosh!" Anna's lips stretched out into a huge grin that reached from one ear to the next. Taking one of the roses, Anna breathed in the sweet chocolaty scent through the shiny pink wrapping and she giggled.

"I wonder who could've slipped it in." The sophomore looked down and picked up the shiny ribbon that was tied around the bouquet.

"Will you go with me to the Winter Ball? Love Kristoff." Anna let out a loud gasp and jumped into the air, her arms going around the roses and bringing them to her chest.

"Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! He asked me to the ball!"

Throwing her locker door open, Anna quickly checked herself in front of her mirror and grabbed her backpack. "He's gotta be here!"

As Anna practically sprinted through the hallway and rounded the corner, she noticed Hiccup standing by his locker, trying to avoid her glance and smiling into his locker.

She slowed down and hurried up to the boy. "Hiccup! Is Kristoff still here?"

"Yeah he's at the parking lot. I see you got the gift." Hiccup chuckled, nodding at the gift in Anna's arms.

Anna nodded and looked down at the bouquet, her cheeks flushing red and her eyes bright with joy. "Did you know about this?"

Hiccup shook his head and Anna's cheeks flushed even more red than before. "Isn't he just so sweet? I-I gotta go! I gotta tell him yes!"

Giving Hiccup a small wave, Anna turned and ran through the hallway.

Hiccup smiled and shook her head playfully before closing his locker and following after her. Just as he passed the bathroom door, he noticed it opening and Hans coming out.

"Hiccup! Get over here!" the senior growled.

Oh boy. Hiccup sighed and walked over to the senior. He struggled not to burst into a fit of laughter at the sight of the huge hideous stain in the middle of Hans's shirt.

"What can I do for you?" Hiccup asked.

"That pathetic kid Ed got his coffee allover me!" Hans snapped.

Hiccup forced himself not to smile. "Oh really?"

"That doesn't matter now. Listen Jack already asked Elsa out, which means Anna is no doubt allowed to go to the dance. So earlier today I slipped a bouquet of chocolate roses into her locker. She can't possibly resist that." Hans explained.

"Ooh yeah about that, I actually got a text from your girl just now." Hiccup pulled out his phone and looked at his screen.

Hans smiled and crossed his arms. "And?"

"And I hate to break it you but she's gotta stay an extra hour for some tutoring session." Hiccup fibbed.

Hans's smile immediately faded. "What?"

"I'm serious, she didn't even come out of the classroom. Look I know what you gotta do." Hiccup whispered, leaning in.

Hans frowned. "What?"

"You want her to be happy and surprised when she gets the roses right?" Hiccup asked softly.

"Yes." Hans gave him a nod.

"Well here's a great idea. How about you stay hidden behind the corner and wait for her to come out? Then you'll get to see everything. From her opening her locker to squealing with joy at the beautiful roses."

Hans rubbed his chin. "Okay Haddock, I'll try it."

"Hey you're not the only guy with the romantic mind. And what do you do when she finally gets the roses?"

"I appear and approach her." Hans answered, smiling.

"You got it!" Hiccup chuckled with wink. He turned and began to make his way down the hallway at the same direction in which Anna left.

As Hans turned and walked the other direction, Hiccup rounded the corner and covered his mouth with his hand to hold back the tempted laughter.

"Hiccup you are one sly devil."

"C'mon you stupid contraption! I'm freezing here." Kristoff groaned. He was sitting in his car and trying to turn the old heater on and warm himself but it was starting to get restless.

"Great…looks like I gotta visit Pabbie at the garage." Kristoff sighed and looked up.

There was less cars in the lot now that school was done, and he noticed a few students still standing at the drop-off, shivering in the cold. Kristoff sighed and checked his phone. When he looked back up, his suddenly eyes grew huge at the sight of a small, blushing strawberry blonde that was practically sprinting across the lot and straight at him.

What the… Kristoff wondered as he opened the car door and slipped out. He had just enough time to close the door behind him when Anna flew into his arms and smashed her lips against his.

Stunned, Kristoff fell back against the car door as Anna pulled back and smiled up at him, holding up the bouquet. "Did you slip these into my locker?"

Kristoff blinked at the bouquet and was suddenly speechless. "Um…I…."

His snapped up and he noticed Hiccup standing far behind him, nodding. "Yes I did!"

Kristoff then turned back to his friend and Hiccup held up one of the flyers for the dance. He pointed at the big white words. And it hit the blonde. Quickly, Kristoff looked down at Anna and smiled.

"So do want to go to the Winter Ball with me?" he stammered.

Anna giggled and pecked a kiss on his cheek. "Of course I want to go with you."

Kristoff's smile stretched from ear to ear as he wrapped his arms around the girl and gave her a second kiss that made Anna blush from head to toe.

Nearby, Hiccup smiled and wiped his hands together. "My work here is done."

While Anna was with Kristoff and Hiccup was on his way home, Elsa was in the sports store. She stood in front of the skates aisle, starring at a particular pair of elegant midnight blue hockey skates that happened to be the last pair on the shelf.

With a sigh, the girl reached out and ran her fingertips along the silver blades, suddenly imagining herself on the ice while wearing them. As she stroked the silvery snowflakes embroidered along the edges, the girl thought back to a time on the ice not too long ago, when she was alone with him.

"Urgh someday I'm going to throw these ugly boots!" Elsa groaned as she and Jack stopped at the stands to rest. She slumped down on the edge and began to rub her sore shins. Since they arrived at the rink, Elsa slipped and fell three times because of her old skates. Her bottom still ached as she sat down on the step leading to the stands.

A few seconds later, Jack slumped down beside her with a cheerful sigh. "Why don't you just get new ones?" he asked, turning to face her.

"If only I could, but you know how expensive the best skates are." Elsa assured him. She turned around and noticed Jack watching her with an intense look, as if he was thinking something through.

Elsa smiled. "What?"

Jack blinked and quickly shook his head. "Nothing,"

"Do you know what kind of skates I'd want?" Elsa asked. She smiled and pulled her phone out of her pocket.

"No, what kind?" Jack leaned back against his hockey stick, watching her.

He blinked and then noticed a blonde strand escape from her ponytail and fall over her cheek. As Elsa looked at her phone, Jack reached out and slipped the strand of hair back behind her ear. Elsa's head lifted and she turned to face the boy, their gazes locked. Elsa felt her cheeks flush as she looked down, her teeth biting her bottom lip. Jack smiled himself and when Elsa lifted her gaze back up at him, he quickly turned away and hid his smile.

"Hey Elsa." a deep yet all too familiar voice spoke up.

Elsa swallowed hard and closed her eyes as Jack approached her from behind, his hands in his pockets.

The girl frowned and pushed her backpack farther up her shoulder. Since their cold departure Jack hardly spoke a word to Elsa. They exchanged silent glances in the classroom and brushed past each other in the hallways with only an icy nod. And what was worse was that Anna blamed Elsa for the whole fight. On the next day, when Elsa told Anna about the night and Jack asking her to the ball, Anna only shook her head and said "You're impossible Elsa!"

They just don't understand. Elsa thought bitterly.

Realizing that Jack was still behind her, Elsa turned around and lifted her chin. "Hello Jack," she greeted in a cool voice. "Am I in your way?"

Jack frowned. "Not at all, I was just leaving."

And with that being said, the boy turned and began to make his way. After taking a few steps though, Jack felt himself stop and steal a glance over his shoulder. Elsa was holding one of the skates that she was looking at when he just came in. As he watched her, Jack could not help but remember the moment not too long ago, when Elsa spoke to him about wanting a new pair of skates, and how he made her blush when he touched her cheek.

A small smile appeared on Jack's lips as he pulled out his phone and walked towards the cash register. Looking behind her, Elsa frowned as she caught herself watching Jack wink at the young saleswoman and lean over the counter. The cashier smiled back and leaned forward as Jack whispered something to her. Elsa's frown deepened when she then noticed Jack glance back at her with a smile.

"Daddy! Daddy look there they are!" a high and overly excited voice pierced the air, causing Elsa to tear her eyes away from Jack.

Elsa felt her heart somewhat fall as a teenage girl hurried up to the aisle where she stood. A brewing jealousy coursed through Elsa as she watched the squealing girl grab the beautiful skates and turn around.

"Look Daddy this is it! These are the skates I want!"

Hey! Those were mine! Elsa thought impulsively.

"Aren't they just beautiful? Look at the snowflakes on them!" the girl sighed.

Elsa snapped her head and suddenly realized that the teen must be talking to her. She held onto her backpack strap.

"Yeah, they're amazing." Elsa whispered with a fake smile. She then felt a large lump grow inside her throat as an elegant looking gentleman approached his daughter.

The girl turned to her father with a large, hopeful smile. "Can we buy them Daddy? Can we can we can we? I need skates for Cindy's birthday this week!" she said, jumping up and down.

Please say no please say no! Elsa begged, unsure if she can watch her precious skates go home with this girl.

The girl's father smiled. "Of course darling." he then turned to the young worker who was arranging the winter jackets. "How much do these skates cost?"

The worker glanced at the skates and then at the father. "$200."

Elsa felt her cheeks flush at the high price, while the father shrugged merely and placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "We'll take them, come Emily."

The girl let out another loud squeal and hugged the skates to her chest. "Thank you thank you thank you!" she cried, pecking a kiss on her father's cheek.

Elsa watched in growing bitterness as the girl and her father moved to the ice skating section of the store, the girls' excited squeals trailing behind her. She was stunned that the pair did not even acknowledge or ask her about the skates, especially since the girl was standing two feet away. The moment they were gone, Elsa turned back to the empty spot on the shelf.

"Sorry bout that, that was last pair. We can order them online for you." the sales boy offered, seeing her despair.

Elsa shook her head. "No, I can't afford them anyway." she whispered and pushed her backpack farther up her shoulders.

With a glum heart, the girl made her way through the store. Silently, she passed the cash register along the way where the smiling girl and her father stood, as well as Jack.

Noticing Elsa move past them and towards the door, Jack straightened and followed her. "Elsa wait!"

Elsa sighed heavily and continued her way out, not turning around to him. "I have to go Jack."

Confused, Jack stopped in his tracks and watched her turn and disappear amidst the passing clusters of people, not looking back once. A few moments later he noticed the girl and her father walk out with large smiles on their faces and the skates clutched in the girl's hands. Shaking his head, Jack grimaced and leaned against the doors.