Time is precious, so waste it wisely!
The campus was even more beautiful than Anna remembered. Sure, she had visited Elsa plenty of times, but for some reason, it was different knowing that she was one of the students now.
Everything looked so historical; it was like Arendelle University was once a castle or something. Its buildings were made of stone, with many windows in every shape and size, and tall towers that seemed to touch the clouds. Anna felt as if she were in a fairy tale. And, lucky for her, there were many potential princes wandering the grounds. Though, she was set on finding one in particular.
Hans had to have been the most gorgeous guy in existence; she couldn't believe she had never seen him before. It wasn't as if Arendelle was a giant city or anything; it was a wonder they had never run into each other prior. And why the heck hadn't Elsa mentioned anything? How dare she see Anna everyday, and not tell her that her sister's soul mate was in her biology class or whatever! It was unjust; cruel, even! It was so... so... so -
"Stupid," Merida muttered under her breath, pulling Anna back to reality. So far, the redhead had been making comments to herself as they toured the campus with the other freshmen. "This is so stupid."
Anna sent her roommate a sympathetic smile as they continued down a corridor. They were in the Maths and Science building - Anna's least favorite one, so far. Despite its beautifully decorated exterior, the inside resembled a hospital, with a potted fern here and there and posters of the college's sports teams, as if to remind you that you weren't about to go into surgery.
Though, Anna would rather get her appendix removed than go to math class.
"Chatty ladies in the back; if you two could hurry up, that'd be great."
Anna felt her face flush as their guide sent her and her roommate a pointed look. Linking her arm with Merida's, she hurriedly picked up their pace. She didn't want to get on anyone's bad side before the semester had even started.
Professor Mega was a tall, slim fellow with a rather large head, who seemed to enjoy bossing others around; which was probably the reason he volunteered to be the tour guide. He had an air of smugness about him, though it seemed that nobody took him seriously, aside from the freshmen. Perhaps he was just all talk? Whatever his deal was, Anna hoped she wouldn't have a class with him. Math and Science were her worst subjects.
As the group exited the building, Anna hugged herself closer to Merida as the winter air seeped through her jacket. Despite loving the winter and the snow, she never could get used to being cold. It may have stemmed from her close-encounter with frost-bite when she was younger, or perhaps she was just more susceptible to the freezing air in the winter than a normal person. Though, she could see everyone else tighten their jackets as well.
"It's freezin' out 'ere," Merida mumbled into her jacket as she zipped it up all the way. "I wasn't expectin' this place ta be so cold."
Anna shrugged sheepishly, sending her roommate a quick smile. The younger Arendelle lived here her whole life, and still hadn't gotten used to their chilly winters.
But the sudden warmth she felt press against her back and around her shoulders nearly made her jump a foot in the air. Whipping her head to the side, she was face-to-face with a dazzling white smile.
"Hey guys," Jack grinned. He had sneaked up behind the both of them, before taking the liberty of draping his arms over their shoulders while walking behind them. "Having fun?"
Anna sent him a grin, thankful for his added warmth as they walked. He wasn't necessarily invading their personal space, though he was close enough to share his body heat with them. Plus, he seemed like a genuinely friendly guy, with an obvious infatuation with her sister, so she didn't feel uncomfortable talking to him again. If anything, he was probably disappointed that Elsa wasn't with them, but wanted to be polite, nonetheless.
"You're lucky I'm so cold right now, otherwise I'd tell ye ta buzz off," Merida griped, sending the guy a glare.
Jack merely smiled in response, before glancing towards the head of the group. "You know, I've been living here about a week and have a pretty good idea of where everything's at; want me to show you both around instead?"
Anna shared a questioning glance with her roommate; on one hand, their current tour guide was a bit of a jerk, and felt the need to show them every hallway while explaining the historical significance, but on the other hand, Jack was a new student, and had already gotten himself lost earlier that day. At least, that's what Hans had said.
But with Hans popping back into her mind, Anna knew that sticking with Jack would most likely lead her back towards her future husband.
"Sure!" she answered cheerfully.
He grinned at her response, before directing his sights towards Merida. "How about it?" he asked the redhead.
She merely glared at him from over her jacket, before rolling her eyes and muttering a defeated, "Fine."
Jack's grin widened, before he used his arms to usher the girls off of the path leading to the Arts and Literature hall, and instead towards the quad.
"Alright, this here is where it snows a lot," he laughed, removing his arms from the girls and pointing across the way. "And over there is the cafeteria, where they sell inedible food. I suggest never going there."
Anna giggled at his words, covering her mouth with her hand, while Merida merely rolled her eyes again.
"This is your idea of a tour?" she asked incredulously. "Makin' us stand out in the freezin' air as you point at random buildings? It's pointless!"
But Jack seemed unphased by the redhead's discouragement, and let out a hearty chuckle. "Believe me; it doesn't matter who gives you a tour or how 'good' that tour is; you're gonna get lost regardless."
Anna was sure his words would apply to her - she got lost in her own home. So having a bit of fun with the tour seemed like a good idea. Merida appeared to agree as well, though she was reluctant on saying anything.
Smiling triumphantly, Jack continued showing them around, pointing to and explaining what certain buildings were, which ones they'd never need to worry about, and the ones they should avoid at all costs.
"Now, in my whole week of living here, I have yet to go down Greek Row," he began, gesturing towards the residential-looking street, lined with large, Victorian-esque houses. "But, I have heard commoners aren't allowed there anyway, so it doesn't really matter."
Letting out a giggle, Anna glanced towards the street, barely able to see the rooftop of her future home, the Delta Zeta house.
"Well, I'm actually planning on joining a sorority," she explained, earning a surprised look from Merida, and a force-surprised look from Jack.
"You are?" her roommate asked skeptically.
"Following in your sister's footsteps, I take it?" Jack grinned.
Feeling a bit giddy at the way Jack 'casually' brought up Elsa, Anna nodded eagerly. "Yeah - I'm rushing Delta Zeta, Elsa's sorority! Oh, Merida, you should rush with me!"
The redhead looked entirely put off by the idea, while Jack's blue eyes scanned the houses absently. For some reason, his obvious infatuation with her sister made Anna want to squeal - Elsa rarely ever went out on dates. And anytime she did, it was always with some stuffy, business-y type who never had anything interesting to say, and Elsa would call Anna up afterwards and complain about how boring it was.
And Anna really wanted her sister to find someone interesting; and so far, Jack seemed pretty interesting, as well as interested in the elder Arendelle. A perfect combination, really.
"Why would I want to live with a bunch of prissy beauty queens?" Merida scoffed, sending Greek Row an offended glare.
"Actually, the Delta Zetas are Princesses," Jack mused, before his face flushed slightly at Anna's knowing look. "I mean, that's what I've heard, anyway..."
Suddenly curious on where Jack was getting all this knowledge, Anna tilted her head to the side in a somewhat teasing manner. "How did you know Elsa was in a sorority, Jack?" she began, suppressing her devious smirk as his face flushed hotter. "I mean, maybe I was wrong, but I had gotten the impression that you two didn't really know each other that well - and like you said, you've only been here for a week..."
It couldn't have been more obvious that Jack had done some digging, though Anna could tell it wasn't in a creepy, stalker-ish way. He was obviously just smitten with her sister, and because Elsa was, well, Elsa, she had probably just brushed him off. She was hopeless when it came to flirting.
"I mean, it's just common knowledge, you know?" he lied, if his sudden avoidance of eye contact was any indication. "I just kinda assumed she was in a sorority, and I had heard the nickname for the Delta Zetas, and then you confirmed she was in that sorority..." It was obvious even he wasn't buying his own excuse, though he didn't say anything of it.
Deciding to give the guy a break, Anna nodded her head knowingly. She had always assumed girls were the ones who switched into stalker-mode when they saw a cute guy, but perhaps guys did the same?
Speaking of cute guys, Anna realized they had yet to run into her future husband.
"So, how long have you known Hans?" she mused casually, earning a snort of amusement from her roommate. Sending her a sharp glare, the strawberry-blonde turned her attention back towards her sister's not-so-secret admirer.
Jack seemed confused for a moment, furrowing his brows in thought, before realization lit up his face. "Oh, Hans! I actually just met him," he replied with a shrug.
Anna felt her heart sink at his answer - she was hoping they were friends, and that he'd properly introduce them. But it seemed she'd have to take matters into her own hands, and find a way to ensure their paths crossed again. In a non-stalker-ish way, of course.
"Oh, right..." she replied, attempting to stifle down her disappointment. Maybe Elsa would know more? Though that thought wasn't very comforting - even if her sister did know anything, she'd be reluctant to spill. Elsa always complained that Anna got attached too easily, and that she should get to know a guy before going out with him. But Anna disagreed - it wasn't as if that had ever worked for Elsa.
An icy breeze suddenly hit the three students, causing Anna and Merida to huddle closer together while Jack rubbed his arms. It was then that the younger Arendelle noticed that her white-haired companion was wearing merely a t-shirt and jeans.
"How are you not an icicle?" she asked in horror - she couldn't believe she had even allowed the guy to show them around while exposed to the cold.
But Jack merely laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "This weather is nothing compared to where I'm from," he explained with a shrug.
Anna was about to argue further, but an obnoxious ringing sounded from Jack's pocket, and he quickly pulled out his phone. Looking at the screen, his face immediately shifted into a fond expression, and he glanced up at the two freshmen with a sympathetic smile.
"Sorry, I have to take this," he began, before glancing back towards their dorms. "You guys can find your way back, right?"
Both girls nodded in unison, watching as Jack sent them one last smile before rushing off to answer his phone.
"Well, that was a waste of time," Merida muttered, her cheeks turning pink from the cold. "'ow about we 'ead back?"
Anna opened her mouth to agree, but the ringing of her own phone interrupted her. Quickly digging through her pocket, she pulled out her mobile and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Would you and Merida like to go to lunch? I'm beyond bored right now," her sister's voice began, and Anna could literally hear the girl's scowl over the phone. "I'll pay."
Smiling at the thought of a warm meal, Anna gave her roommate a sideways glance. "Wanna go to lunch? Elsa's paying."
The redhead's eyes wrinkled from what Anna assumed to be a grin, though she couldn't see the girl's mouth.
"That's thee best idea I've 'eard all day."
Anna couldn't stop herself from grinning as the diner's warm air seeped into her bones. The quaint little restaurant had the cutest fifties-inspired decor, and the soft music coming from the jukebox in the corner was only adding to its charm. She had dined here countless times, since it was one of the only diners in their town, but she didn't think she'd ever get sick of their hot cocoa and chocolate pie.
Though, a toasted ham sandwich and fries sounded amazing, too.
"And for you, ma'am?"
Their waitress was a middle-aged woman with a sweet voice and kind smile. She was directing her question towards Elsa, who had yet to finish reading the menu.
"Just a grilled cheese, I suppose," the blonde decided, folding her menu and handing it back to the waitress.
The graying lady smiled as she gathered the other menus. "Alright! I'll be back with your drinks in a moment."
Elsa smiled politely, before turning her attention towards the window. Anna followed her gaze, rolling her eyes fondly once she realized her sister was only watching the snow.
"Thanks fer taking us out," Merida smiled, shrugging out of her jacket and laying it between her and Anna.
Elsa responded with a nod, though her eyes remained focused on the snowfall. It didn't take a genius to realize her mind was elsewhere at the moment.
"This place has the best chocolate pie," Anna began, hoping to squash the awkward silence that was bound to settle between the three of them. "Elsa and I always came here as kids and would get it everyday after school!"
The corner of her sister's lips tugged upwards, though she still seemed to be lost in her own world. Merida, on the other hand, appeared to be very intrigued by Anna's story.
"Chocolate pie? That sounds disgustin'!" she laughed, causing Anna to gasp dramatically.
"It is not disgusting!" she defended, sending her roommate a playful glare. "It's the reason I gained twenty pounds in fifth grade!"
Both girls began giggling at Anna's exclamation, while Elsa merely twitched her lips. Noticing that her sister was still off in la-la-land, Anna kicked at her under the table.
"Ow!" Elsa immediately sent her younger sister a glare, though the strawberry-blonde feigned innocence.
"How was the house?" she asked sweetly, hoping to figure out what was wrong.
"Fine," Elsa responded curtly, sheepishly rubbing her shin under the table. "A little too loud and crowded, for my tastes, but fine."
Anna knew that the elder Arendelle wasn't looking forward to sharing her home with the new sisters - especially since there was still one more rush on its way. But she also knew that Elsa would get over it. The blonde tended to stew in silence for a while, before coming to terms with change and embracing it. Well, maybe not embracing, but she'd eventually accept it.
"So you guys accepted a bunch of new girls?" Anna enthused, though a pang of concern shot through her. What if there were no more spots open?
"No, not really," Elsa shrugged, idly tapping her fingers against the table. "Just a few, actually."
Anna perked up at the news, and her mood only brightened when she saw their waitress coming towards them with their drinks.
"Alright, three hot chocolates," the older woman smiled, setting down their drinks. "And I'll be back with your meals shortly."
All three girls murmured a polite "Thank you," as they reached for their respective mugs.
Anna savored the taste as the warm liquid coated her mouth, letting it thaw her from the inside out.
"So gooood," she sing-songed, earning a snort of amusement from her roommate.
"It's just a 'ot chocolate," Merida laughed, taking a small sip of her own, her eyebrows raising skeptically as Anna shot her a glare.
"Just hot chocolate?" the younger Arendelle repeated incredulously. "What do you have against chocolate?"
The redhead's eyes darted cautiously between her roommate and Elsa, unsure if the strawberry-blonde was legitimately offended.
But Elsa merely sighed, sending her sister a tired look. "Quit being so dramatic, Anna."
Anna rolled her eyes fondly, before directing her attention back towards her roommate. "I'm sorry," she smiled, shrugging sheepishly. "I'm very fond of chocolate."
Merida quirked her eyebrow, before giving the younger Arendelle a smirk. "You're very weird, you know that?"
Anna opened her mouth to deny it, but was interrupted by Elsa's quiet giggle.
"Oh, she knows," the blonde mused, giving her sister a small smile. It seemed as if the elder Arendelle was finally retreating from her own mind, and Anna didn't want to send her back in with an annoyed retort, so she merely responded in the most mature way she could think of.
Sticking her tongue out at her sister, she swallowed down a giggle as Elsa cringed.
"That's disgusting, Anna! We're in public!"
Smiling triumphantly, the younger Arendelle ceased her childishness, and turned her attention back to her hot chocolate, her sister doing the same.
"'ow long 'ave you known Jack, Elsa?" Merida mused suddenly, causing both Arendelle's to choke on their drink. Anna tried not to laugh as her eyes darted between her sister's tomato-red face and her roommate's innocent smile.
"I barely met him today," Elsa scoffed, a little too defensively. "He had literally ran into me, spilling my drink everywhere, and then he had the nerve to ask me for coffee! Can you believe it?"
Anna had suspected as much, though her sister's sudden hostility threw her for a loop. Elsa was always calm and collected, regardless of the situation she'd be thrown into. She was never too quick to judge someone - or, at least, she was never so upfront about it.
"Did you say yes?"
Again, Anna had to bite back a giggle as her sister stared at Merida incredulously. The strawberry-blonde had no idea what her roommate was doing, but it was hilarious, nonetheless.
"Of course not!" Elsa nearly shrieked, her usual stoic-ness no where to be found. Somehow, Merida knew exactly how to get a rise out of the blonde. She'd have to teach Anna.
"Well, why not?" the redhead mused, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. "'e's pretty cute, don't ye think? And obviously into you."
Elsa's expression was a cross between horror and bewilderment. She seemed completely baffled by Merida's questions, and was at a total loss for words. Anna was confused as well, though she still found the whole conversation hilarious. Who knew her sister could turn that red?
The elder Arendelle looked as if she were about to respond, but the arrival of their waitress with their food interrupted her. Anna could see relief flash across her sister's face, and the blonde hurriedly began to eat her grilled cheese, slicing it into small pieces and bringing it to her mouth with a fork. Flustered or not, Elsa never forgot her manners.
Feeling slightly disappointed that they probably wouldn't get an answer, Anna too began to eat her own meal. But, with her hands, like a regular person - it was a sandwich, after all.
Sorry for the delay! Next chapter will be in Jack's POV, and should be up within the next few days. My internet was being weird, so I couldn't post, but it's working again!
Thank you for reading and reviewing! The new follows, faves, and reviews always make my day! :)
