A/n: I own nothing.

[Warning: Trigger Self-Harm]

If you don't wanna read it skip that part, rest is all clear.

Chapter: 01 "Beautiful Dreams"

About 6 years earlier…

Like any other day, it was a fair day, cloudless, clear, and pleasant. I could hear the birds chirping from our huge garden. It was a good change of pace from all the hot and sunny days.

Anyway, here I was living in my grandparents' house and currently sprawled over their recliner, reading a fucking smut fiction while they were watching some sappy romantic comedy movie of their time. That's right, it was a black and white movie, just like them…

My grandpa was maybe a little over sixty years with perfectly dyed black hair that will make your eyes burn if you watch it too long. He was the town's junior preacher, middle school teacher and took multiple different jobs each year, which I don't seem to recall correctly. On the other hand, there is my grandma, the ever content and happy-go-lucky kind of person, and last but not least there's my baby brother, Marshall. But I like to call him Marshmallow because he's just like a marshmallow, round and fluffy and also 'cause it always annoy him when I call him that.

He's now trying to somehow sneak into what I'm reading. Don't worry my dear bro 'cause you can't understand a thing- you're just too young for it.

"Really, man. Get away…" I growled, pushing my brother's face away from the screen. But he's completely oblivious to my protest and pushes himself into my side again. Annoying goof won't get away that easily.

"Grandma… tell him to get away from me!" I whined.

"Don't disturb your sister. Come here watch with us." She said without looking away from the Television screen. Gee, thanks granny.

He ignored her too. obviously...

"Grandma… look at him!" I whined again, but this time she shushes me.

I brought my middle finger at him and ran upstairs to my bedroom. To be honest I was a bit scared to enter my own room. It's not because it was haunted or anything, the truth is that I was scared of being alone with myself. But I also don't want them in, so I locked my door so that they can't barge in.

I look around the room to see if anything needs their attention, but everything was perfectly neat and clean. So I walk up to my window and peek outside and to my horror, I saw her… again. Our gaze met and I stumble back but manage to maintain my balance.

"Hey, no locked doors in this property!" I heard my grandpa yell and pound at the door. I looked at the door and then out the window. I could hear my heart was beating rapidly.

She was gone.

This was the third time this week and umpteenth time this year.

I opened the door and start apologizing before he could even say a word. After he's BP comes back to normal, he left with a warning of this being my last chance or else I'd be grounded for a week like I wasn't grounded right now. After he left, I ran back to my window. Am I seeing things? Is something wrong with me?

I wish I know the answers to my own questions. I was getting a bit giddy, so I pop open my laptop and waste thirty minutes of my life doing nothing. I should have done something productive. Therefore, I shut it down and ran downstairs to do something productive.

I headed straight to the kitchen to have some snack for 99th time that day. What? I'm a teenager that thing happens, alright!

"Come out, come out, where ever you are…" I said in singsong voice while grabbing some shit.

I ran back upstairs and dumped all my food on my bed. I grab a granola bar and munch it all down in a record timing. That was when I notice that my cellphone was missing.

I started to panic and blindly start searching everywhere but I couldn't seem to find it, maybe I left it downstairs while grabbing my snacks. Shit…

I ran back downstairs and met with a very confused grandmother.

"Are you alright, Sweetie?" She asked.

"Yea, I-um… have you seen my cell? It was somewhere here?" I said, swiftly looking around the house.

"Uh- which one was it? Maybe I can help find it." She replied questionably.

"Nah, nah! I can find it myself." I said but my voice came out muffled, as I was currently upside-down inside the couch. Yeap! I might tossed it here while grabbing some food.

"Honey, we were right here that time, it won't be here." She said. Hmm… maybe… maybe not…

"Hey someone's sitting here, can't ya see?" My dear grandpa… always the nosy one and I was the Number 01 in his 'Hit List'.

"Sorry, old man. I can't see ancient souls." I grunted before bolting towards the kitchen, my grandma joining behind me.

"Maybe just give it a miss call from the land-line." I. AM. THE. IDIOT.

"Of course! Thanks granny." I grab the dirty old phone and dial my number.

Ring…

Ring….

Ring….

Where the heck is my cell?

"It's upstairs, Dee Dee." My grandpa loves to call me with weird names. Not just me, my brother, my granny are no exceptions. He once called her a pudding with a hole in the core, weird right? In addition, my brother and I were sitting right there! Well, that's him. The Town's Junior Preacher! More like Ex-Preacher.

I went upstairs and sure enough, the ringtone wasn't coming from my door. It was coming from my brother's!

"What the actual Fuck?!" I yell and barge opens his door. He shrieked and turned tomato red in embarrassment or was it... Fear? I internally smirk to myself. Someone's in trouble~!

"Do. Not. Touch. my things again, is that clear?" I growled, and snatch my cellphone from his hands.

"S-sorry, sis." He stutters out.

I didn't answer him because if I did I would have yelled. Therefore, I just grab the doorknob and slam it shut behind me. I made a beeline to my room and sat myself on my office chair. I checked my cellphone and found that the page of that stupid fiction was still wide open, which means he was reading it. Ugh! Now I have to give him a parenting talk. He might not understand it but as a sister, I have to make it clear.

Now that I was alone again in my room, the same unsettling feeling starts coming back at me. Am I crazy? Do I really need to see someone? This weird feeling always start with these weird questions. But I really saw her, didn't I?

This feeling was killing me, so I went to my bathroom and sat on the toilet seat. I didn't need to freshen myself, I just need to think clearly, to distract myself from this need, urge or whatever my thoughts were going to. But it wasn't helping, it never does. So I stood up and walk to my cabinet.

Warning:

I careful took out two razor blades that were hidden under it. I then drag one of the blades on the pad of my thump. Yeap, it's sharp.

I slid out of my shirt and took one of the blades, placing it carefully on my arm. The moment of truth.

I slid it on my arm; blood wasn't coming so I try to drag it harder. This time blood starts seeping out. It makes me feel so good. So, I slice again and again. Blood and tears both were now gushing out of my body at the same pace. It's okay, don't cry… everything will now go back to normal.

"I'm sorry. So s-sorry…" I stutter between my sobs to no one in particular.

After I was done with cleaning and wiping, I slid under the covers and sleep took over me in a matter of seconds.

Elsa…

Elsa…

"Don't go…"

Elsa?

"Please…"

ELSA!

I shot up

"Elsa?" My grandma asked, my room was pitch black but I was able to outline her face. She looked concerned."Elsa, baby are you alright?"

"I-I… saw-nothing. I'm fine." I was out of breaths. "What are you doing here?" I manage to ask.

"You were crying and weeping in your sleep-" she sighed, "-And lying to me isn't going to solve your problems." She tsked me, "Do you need your inhaler?" She asks, seeing that I was unable to speak- or maybe breathe.

"Y-yes, it's in the drawer of the nightstand." I said between my panting.

She shuffled into the drawer for a bit, then hand me the inhaler, which I quickly puffed in my mouth.

"It was the same dream, wasn't it?" Well, no point of lying here, so I didn't answer. She didn't seem to be looking for one.

"You should take my advice." She said tentatively.

"-to go to the 'Crazy Teen Group Therapy'?"

"No honey. It is a group of beautiful young people, who have some trouble in their lives. You can-"

"I have trouble in my life?" I cut her off.

"N-no, but you can have people; friends who could understand you better than anyone of us." She was trying so hard- almost forcing me to go there for a quite a time that I almost felt bad for her. Almost.

"I don't need people to understand or help me…" I protest.

"Honey, it's for your own good and your grandfather also wants you to go meet new people. Maybe you can also find someone special." She said the last part under breath but I heard her clearly.

"You mean, in a group of crazy people?" I raised my eyebrow at her. Is she really that persistent.

"Okay, that's enough. They are not crazy, and you're going and that is final." She spoke with a little authority.

"Isn't school enough to meet new and crazy kids?" I whined.

"Good God, Elsa. Your grandfather is right. You are becoming very stubborn day by day." She half told, half joked.

"Fine, when's the next meeting or therapy of this 'Group Therapy for troubled teens' happening?"

"You mean, you are ready to go?" she ask, her eyes lighting up.

"Now, now, answer quickly before I change my mind." I said. She rolls her eyes, "Real mature, granny." I tease.

"Don't get too much of yourself with me, young lady. I'm still you grandmother." She sort of berate me.

"Soorryyy..." I said, stretching the apology in a childish voice.

"Ugh Okay. Its 3:00 PM this Thursday." She said.

"But-but… I have a school and classes till 4 pm." I lied Thursday was the shortest day. I would be free after 2 PM.

"Don't lie to me, Elsa. Your grandfather has already checked your schedule." She tsk me, again. Ugh, damn it.

"And a job…" I added.

"Thursday's your off."

"Fine, but I will take only one meeting or class-therapy or whatever it's called." I was out of my excuses.

"Elsa… Fine, it's your life." She sighed and stood up to leave. "But you should know what you wanted with yourself." With that, she took her leave.

I sat there staring at the door for a while then returned to my computer chair. What is it that I wanted in my life? I don't even know what I wanted right now, and she's saying with my life!

I grab my cellphone and starts playing Asphalt 8. Yeap, that's what I want right now.

Today's Tuesday, so I have 41 hours and 54 minutes remaining till I have to go to that stupid meeting.

`o`

Ring…

Ring …

Ring…

"Hello?" I ask groggily. I just woke up to the sound of the ringtone blaring from my cellphone. Actually, I woke up last night after two hours of sleep and couldn't sleep until maybe 2 AM.

"Where the hell are you? You already missed your first class!" came the concerned voice of my beloved friend, belle.

"Wha- what time is it?" I sat up in my bed. I missed my first period!

"Its 10:00 AM, where are you?"

"In my bed… couldn't sleep last night, thanks to someone." I said irritatingly. My grandma had broke havoc last night and went back to her beauty sleep 'cause I was talking to a friend after midnight.

"You're with someone? Oh, that totally explains it," she squeals. "Sorry, I won't disturb yo-" she sound embarrassed.

"Wait-what? No-no. I am alone; I mean I was and am alone. I just slept late at night." I cut her off. Geez... what's with her anyway…

"Oh… um-well, hurry up. Next class is at 10:30 AM." She then hung up. I got off the bed and ran into the bathroom.

Today not only my morning starts on a bad note but I also have my joining at that group. So today's gonna be my worst day of this year, I'm sure.

I was out and ready in less than ten minutes.

"So, who's the new girl?" I ask belle.

"Oh you mean Rapunzel's cousin?" She replied while chewing on her sandwich.

"Yeah, Rapunzel's cousin. How come I never know that she has a cousin?" I ask, dubiously.

Rapunzel and I became friends since the start of freshman year. She was bubbly kind of person, with IQ level bellow hundred. Not that she was stupid or something. She was just… gullible. And the IQ part was a joke, or maybe truth I don't know.

Anyways she has told us that she'd be introducing her cousin, who was new in this country, to us during lunch break and especially address me to behave or best stay away from her. I ask why to which she said she's just too innocent for your taste. Rude much?

We were now sitting inside the cafeteria in our school, waiting for our remaining friends to come join us. I was gulping down my soda while she was nibbling her sandwich.

Belle and I were sort of like best 'formal' friends. We'd never do stupid things together except for a bit of flirting which I can't help, but always opt for each other's company over anyone else's.

She was reserve, modest and shy kind of person and I on the other end was almost ninety degree opposite from her, can't say one-eighty 'cause I too have some self-respect. No wonder how we become friends almost instantly.

"Hey, you alright?" She asked. Her hand was waving in front of my face.

"Nah, I'm fine. I just zoned out for a bit." I smile apologetically at her, "Sorry, what were you saying?" I ask.

"I was just saying that apparently she came from Norway this week, maybe that's why." She says calmly, not even bothered that I didn't heard her the first time. She's always serene, even during examinations, which always irritates me, because it made me look like I'm the one who's overreacting.

"How do you know all this? And wait- Punzie's from Norway?"

"No, she's one-fourth Norwegian or whatever. I can't recall." She shrugs.

"Okay, Mr. I-know-everything." I replied in mock hurt.

"Oh don't be jealous, I'll always be your best bud. No matter how dumb you are," She smiles devilry.

"Meh, jealous my ass. " now I'm just annoying her. These sort of words always make her snap.

"Oh c'mon Elsa, I can't possibly know everything. Besides your grades are better than mine, I don't know why." She sighs while slumping in her seat. It worked again. She always say some senseless rubbish during her snapping.

She was a hard worker and I on the other hand didn't have to work that hard, I just catch things really quickly. Therefore, I always study about two months before exams and scores same marks as her, only she study every single time, even on holidays.

Am I talking too much about her? Yes? Well I'm gonna shut up from now.

"So you admit that you're Number. 02?" I tease. She glares me, but then her glare turns mischievous.

"I may not know something 'bout some blonde chick, which I'm eager to find out." Now it's her turn to tease. Well, two can play this game. By the way she didn't get my 'Kids next door' pun.

"Oh really? Care to elaborate?" I smirk when her face begins to redden.

"Y-you know… t-that- okay that's so unfair," She stutters. We maybe best buds but remember when I said she was shy and modest. She didn't know a thing about me like that.

"Hmm… that's a shame." I tsk her.

"What?" she asks. God she so cute when she's blushing.

"You, my dear. You are almost two years older than me, but you're still carrying your V card." She somehow manage to blush some more.

"W-well, I-I'm waiting." She replied now brightly scarlet.

"Waiting for what my dear? Prince Charming?" I said in an old lady's voice.

"Uh-S-something like that." Wow, my baby is turning into a tomato.

"Good luck with that. Maybe you should try throwing these hulk of a books at people's faces in order to get their attentions." I finished, receiving a sweet hard punch to my gut. "OW… What?" I ask in bewilderment.

"If you're done with your stupid recommendations, shall we head back to our class?" she asks sweetly, sarcasm dripping through her each word.

"Nah, I'm going up the roof-" I didn't get to finish my sentence.

"You're going up there to smoke, right?" she scoffs.

"I need it," I replied quietly.

"Els, you were fine just now. What happened? Was it because of my punch?" She said while throwing her arms in air.

"Nah, I can take these so-called light punches," I chuckles but her expression was still solemn.

"Then?" She raises her brow.

"I just- fine, I'm going to that sick teen group therapy, that I don't want to but my grandparents are sorta forcing me to, and I also need my fill." I finish.

"That's it?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Rapunzel goes there too,"

"Seriously? Why?" I ask. It was weird; I never thought Rapunzel would go to places like that.

"I don't know. Some personal issues maybe." She said quietly so that only I can hear her, not that there was anyone else around us.

"That's kinda stupid."

"That's rude of you, you know." She said.

"Okay, Fine. Let's head back 'cause I don't think guys would be coming here now." I said while slipping out of my chair. I had enough conversation for today. I just need some peace and quiet place now.

"You're not going up there again, right?" she asks carefully.

"Nah, just towards washroom." I lied.

While she was heading towards her class, I quietly slip past her and head towards my destination. I move swiftly and quietly up the stairs.

School roof was one of the only place students weren't allowed to go. That's one of the things why I love to go here. Second, well nobody was there so I have my liberty to do anything I want from there. Egging cars parked in the parking lot to peeing down the lawn. Okay- maybe that's too far, I never had actually done that peeing part. I just like to smoke in a quiet place.

While I was jogging up the last step, someone bumped right at me.

"Oomph..." I turn to grab the person from falling down the stairs.

"Ahh...!" The person shrieks. Fair enough, it was a girl given by the sound of her voice and also by the way her slim waist feels around my arm.

An awkward silence fell between us, where I was holding her from falling down the twenty steps and she was awkwardly grabbing my neck. Shit, Don't just stand there, move… Move!

But I can't… Why? Well, 'cause Duh… I was a bit busy gawking at her…

To say she was near me was totally an understatement. She was literally on me or maybe the other way around. She was inches- no scratch that, she was centimeters away from me. So close that I can smell her deodorant. Keep your lewd thoughts inside your pants, perv!

Before I could help myself, I inhale deeply and her smell burst through my nostrils to my head, making her breath hitch. I could feel myself getting dizzy in her sweet flowery smell. So alive, just like summer.

I look in her eyes and our gaze met, causing her to breath heavily, her breath caresses my lips 'cause of our close proximity… and my body went on autopilot. It was then I realize that I started to grow harder… Oh God... Help me!

It might sound like a romantic, sappy or cliché movie scene, but in reality, it was extremely awkward and embarrassing. I wish I could just disappear right now.

"S-sorry… uh- yeah…" I said, awkwardly helping her stand upright.

"No! I-I m-mean… I wasn't looking where I was going. So, sorry… yeah…" she stutters out, awkwardly tucking back a stray fringe of hair behind her ear. Cute.

"Are you alright?" I ask, looking around her body for any signs. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Yeah… uh- no. I'm fine. Thanks for helping me… from falling down…" she was constantly looking at the floor to avoid my gaze.

I took the time in admiring her features. She was wearing a black blouse with a baby blue jacket and pinkish skirt with simple stockings underneath. Her hair was in braided pigtail. Moreover, she's a Redhead, that's a bonus. More like strawberry blonde, but not that it really matters.

She was looking absolutely beautiful, stunning even.

"Yeah, uh- it would be a nasty fall." I stumbled out awkwardly, I cleared my throat and try to avoid her gaze, "-were you going somewhere?" I ask, I could feel some heat creeping up on my cheeks. Well it was better to have all the heat here rather than there. Pervert stop it…!

I was sure she had noticed me ogling her but when I looked at her, her body language was telling me she didn't notice it. She was looking over her shoulder.

"Well yes, could you tell me where's the Art Studio?" she seems to be lost. "I just got lost," Did I said that out loud? or she can read minds?

"Oh, it's right down the hall to the left." I gestured to where it was.

"Okay- well uh, thanks." But she didn't move, she stayed there longer than to be considered normal.

"Um…"

"Oh- yeah, I'm getting late, so I should be going." Was that the blush I saw tinted on her cheeks? Score!

"Yeah, you should…" I said with my signature lopsided grin.

"Yes, thanks again-for saving me from the fall and uh- it was nice meeting you." She then finally left with a hesitant goodbye wave.

Now that I was alone again-wait what was the reason I was here? Oh, right I was going to the roof.

Up there in the fresh breeze, I didn't need to smoke. To be honest, I didn't want to. That was the first time. Was it 'cause of a certain redhead or something else? I was just thinking about it when my cellphone rings.

"Hello?" it was my grandmother.

"Hello, honey. How are you?" she asks but it was clear that she called for something else.

"I'm fine. What is it?" I was growing nervous do not know why.

"Well, it's about today's meeting. It's shifted to next Thursday, so can you come home by yourself?"

"Hmm, yeah fine. I'll be home at 2:30 PM." I replied. And can I just say Phew!

"Okay, bye honey." She then hung up.

I sat there for awhile, breathing in the soft breeze, it was crisp, cool and refreshing. My mind starts recalling all the events that happened today, especially my encounter with a certain blushing redhead. It was then that I realize that…

I didn't even catch her name…

A/n: Sorry 'bout the Self-Harm scene, but I won't be writhing it anymore so chill. I wanted to ask if I should continue with their past and wrap it all up in the next few chapters or do alternative chapters of past and present? Anyways, thanks for all the R&Rs, I really love it.

Constructive criticism and Ideas are always welcome.