I saw her again a week later. When I was allowed to return to school after recovering from my concussion, and after she stopped with her day-reporting.
In that week, I thought a lot about Elsa. Though...that really wasn't any different than normal. But this time...it was more in a way, that I was trying to remember who she used to be. Reminiscing, in a sense.
She moved to our elementary in third grade. She was quiet and reserved, which we all thought was weird. She didn't really play at recess, instead opting to go to the library. She always went back to the corner where the lights would flicker oddly, and she would sit and read the encyclopedias. I knew that because after she moved in, I stopped going to recess. Observing her seemed more exciting, somehow.
She had made it to "J" by the time I worked up the courage to go up to her.
"What are you doing here?!" she demanded.
I shrugged, before turning to go.
"Wait!"
I stopped.
"Your name...it's Anna right?"
I nodded.
"Your hair is pretty."
I shrugged.
She shifted uncomfortably. "Braids are hard. I can never do them."
I went over to her, my hands poised to touch her hair. But she jerked away.
"What is on your hands?!"
I looked down at my hands, before reaching into my pocket and pulling out a half-melted chocolate bar.
She grimaced, turning back to her book. I then took my leave, shoving the rest of the chocolate bar in my mouth.
I have always loved chocolate, you see. Even now, existence seems impossible without it. Chocolate was what got me through that ridiculous concussion.
But when I looked at Elsa, after not seeing her for an entire week, I realized there was something I desired even more than chocolate.