Broken and Beloved (5)
Conflict and Exposure

Elsa loved the university library. She loved the peace and quiet, the aged yet crisp smell of library books. She could lose herself in a good novel or two for hours. But today she could find no solace in such an endeavor.

Not when Anna failed to show up on campus. She was supposed to pick up Elsa after both of their last classes. Elsa didn't mind waiting. But after an hour, she tried calling her sister to remind her.

Elsa frowned at she heard next. "Hi, you reached the voicemail of Anna Arendal. Sorry I can't be available right now. Please leave a-"

Elsa hung up before it could finish. She already left a few messages, with increasing levels of impatience and frustration. She tried to take her mind off of it by reading.

An open copy of The Kite Runner rested on her lap. She never got around to reading it until now. It told the tale of two Afghan boys, one of whom undergoes a journey of redemption to right the wrongs he had made against the other boy, who died later in the book. The novel was both tragic and beautiful. Elsa loved those kind of stories. But she couldn't take delight in The Kite Runner's poignancy and well-written prose when all she had on her mind was how late Anna was.

Elsa took her eyes from the pages to text her sister. She got no reply. Elsa frowned, feeling a sudden spike of irritation in her chest. 'Why isn't she answering her phone? She should have been here hours ago.'

A gentle tap on the shoulder made Elsa turn her head. It was the librarian, a kindly old lady who took a liking to the young woman in the wheelchair. "Closing hours are early today, dear. Everyone has to leave in half an hour."

Elsa blinked. "Oh, right. Thank you." Her polite reply masked the frustration that mounted within her. On a whim, Elsa tried calling Jack instead. He was quick to answer.

"Hey, Elsa. What's up?"

She sighed. "I'm so sorry to trouble you, Jack. My sister hasn't come over to pick me up. I've been trying to call her, but she wouldn't answer the phone. I'm practically stuck here. I...I was wondering if you'd be so kind to drive me home."

"Oh, sure! No problem at all!" From the comfort of his dorm, and a bit groggy from his nap, Jack scrambled to grab his keys and leapt out of bed. "Hang tight, I'm on my way."

He heard her blow a gusty sigh of relief. She was glad to have called him, after all. "Thank you so much. I owe you."

"No need, Elsa. Where are you right now?"

"In the university library."

'That explains why she's pretty quiet,' he realized. "Okay...I hope Pitch isn't around to bother you."

"He's not. He wouldn't cause a ruckus in the library." Jack's concern put a smile on Elsa's face. "I'll wait for you outside, then."

She hung up, relieved that she could go home after all. A library volunteer offered to save Elsa the trouble of returning the books herself. After turning in her seat to make sure her backpack was still strapped to her wheelchair, Elsa left the closing library. Streetlights illuminated the roads, and car lights streamed past her vision as people started to head home. She stopped between a streetlight and a bench before the parking lot, so she could be easily seen. She forgot what Jack's car looked like. She had only seen it once. Fortunately, after a few minutes, she recognized him instantly as soon as he stepped out.

He greeted her with a slight lopsided grin. "Hey, Elsa. You look stranded."

"I know." Her own smile was weary and resigned. She sat back as Jack wheeled her through the parking lot.

"Beautiful evening, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Bunny and North thought I was taking you out on a date when I told them I had to pick you up."

Elsa blushed a little. Thankfully it was dark and she had her back to him, so he didn't notice. She didn't see it either, but Jack turned a bit red as well.

He carefully carried her into the passenger seat. As he started the ignition and backed out of the parking lot, Elsa tried calling her younger sister for the umpteenth time. She held the phone to her ear for some time. Tight-lipped, Elsa exhaled sharply through her nose in irritation.

Jack frowned. "Nothing?"

"It's not like her to miss a call. She never ignores my calls, either. I wonder what she's up to."

"First time for everything, I guess."

Elsa furrowed her brow. "She did mention a few days ago she wanted to pick up kickboxing. Maybe she's at a club meeting and she forgot to tell me."

It didn't take long to reach her house, since it wasn't far from where she went to school. Jack paused at the driveway and pointed past his window. "Is this your house?"

"Yes, it is. Oh, it's him again."

Elsa was surprised to see Kristoff at her front door. One hand carried the pizza and the other rested on his hip. He looked impatient. Next to him was a tall young man Elsa didn't recognize. He had messy brown hair, wide eyes and a perpetual goofy smile. He was never still. He shuffled his big feet and fidgeted with his fingers. When Jack's car came up, the young man tugged at Kristoff's sleeve and pointed. Kristoff seemed to recognize Elsa as Jack helped her out of his car.

"Hey, maybe you can finally help us," he said gruffly.

"What seems to be the problem?" she asked.

"I have another pizza delivery for this place, but no one's answering the door." Kristoff gestured to Anna's car. "Someone must be home, though."

Elsa sighed. "I'll see what I can do." As she wheeled up to the door, she glanced back at the two. "Is this your brother Sven?"

"Yeah." Kristoff stared down at her, wary of her response.

Elsa gave Sven a warm smile. "Hello. It's nice to meet you."

"Hellooo." He said it with a lowing sound in his throat, almost like a bull. He towered over her, mostly because she sat in a wheelchair, so he stretched out a large hand and patted Elsa on the head. She blinked in surprise and Jack burst out laughing. Kristoff caught Sven's wrist and shot him an admonishing look.

"No, Sven. You don't touch people like that."

Elsa laughed. "It's fine. He's so friendly."

Kristoff looked a little relieved. "Glad you think so. He really is. But everyone else thinks he's annoying, and I have to keep him in check. He doesn't grasp the concept of personal space." He glanced at the receipt taped to the pizza box. "Um...you ordered sausage and extra cheese, right?"

"I don't know," Elsa replied. "My sister must've made the order. I had no idea she bought pizza."

Jack looked to Kristoff. "I don't think we've met. Name's Jack Frost."

The taller, older man made a brisk nod. "Kristoff Bjorgman. You two a couple?"

Kristoff's offhand inquiry came out of left field, completely shocking Jack and Elsa.

"Wh-what? No, we're not," she sputtered.

Jack too looked flustered. "I'm just here to drop her off," he quickly said.

Elsa tried to calm her fluttering heart as she turned to him. "Thanks for driving me home."

He made to head for his car, but seemed to change his mind. "I'll hang around until you get inside the house. I don't want you being stranded again."

She gave him a grateful smile.

Part of Jack felt angry at Anna for leaving Elsa behind like this. He saw how bright and friendly she was. It wasn't like her to do this. What could possibly make her act this way?

Kristoff, Sven and Jack watched as Elsa turned her ear to the door and leaned in close. She recognized the faint sound of Anna's favorite R&B song playing on speakers. It sounded like it came from the living room, but Elsa knew the song when she heard it. As soon as the lull in the music came around, Elsa knocked on the door as loudly as she could. She used Anna's signature knock, the one her sister always used when they were kids. A few moments later, the doorknob clicked and turned as Anna answered the door. She blanched and looked completely aghast.

Her small voice finally broke the awkward silence. "Oh. H-hey, guys..."

Jack's blue eyes darted between Anna's shocked face and Elsa's glare.

'I should probably go now,' he thought.

Kristoff looked like he wanted to leave too, but he had pizza to deliver.

Jack made a quick little wave to Elsa before he hurried away.

Elsa opened her mouth to say something and Anna burst into a flurry of frantic apologies. "I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry! I completely forgot to pick you up, Elsa. I was so caught up with other stuff that it just went over my mind." She hung her head in shame. "I'm terrible. How could I forget you?"

Elsa was about to launch into an ear-blistering lecture, but the sincere regret and dejection on Anna's face made her hold her tongue. She couldn't stay angry at her sister for long. In the end Elsa gently shook her head. "Just don't do it again, okay?"

"I promise!" Anna quickly assured her sister. She craned her neck to see Jack get in his car. "I guess I have him to thank for taking you home. He's so nice to you, Elsa. It's adorable..."

Kristoff cut her off. "Can I just give you the pizza and get going now?"

Anna finally seemed to notice the pizza deliverer, who looked very irate at this point. "Oh, right. Sorry." She opened the door wider to let everyone in. She took the pizza from Kristoff just as quickly as he thrust it at her. She cracked it open and her face brightened.

"Good, the order's done right this time."

Before his older brother could stop him, Sven surprised Anna with a hug.

Kristoff slapped a palm to his face as he pulled his autistic brother off of her. "No, Sven. What did I tell you?" Then he sighed. "This is why I keep him in the car."

Anna laughed. "It's okay. I didn't mind."

She skipped to the kitchen to put down the pizza and get money for Kristoff. "I hope you don't mind that I have a guest over."

Her offhand remark made Elsa stop. Her eyes flew wide with surprise. "You-Wait, what...?"

Then she saw Anna's guest reclined on the couch. Upon seeing more people come in, he immediately sat up and rose to his feet. He waved at Elsa. "Good evening. You must be Anna's older sister."

"Who is this?"

Both Anna and the guest looked taken aback at her sharp inquiry. The latter responded politely, "My name is Hans Westergard."

Elsa stared, sizing him up and still trying to fight back shock. He stood as tall as Kristoff, though perhaps not as sturdy and well built. His auburn hair narrowed down to prominent sideburns on both sides of his face. When he talked, Hans sounded smooth and refined as Kristoff was coarse and gruff.

Anna touched Hans' arm in a way that made Elsa think that maybe they were a little more than just friends. "We go to the same university. We even share a few classes together! I just wanted to invite him over for dinner at our place. We didn't do anything weird or suspicious, I promise. All we did was finish each other's sandwiches and watch a movie."

Hans looked a little hapless. "Anna insisted that I come here, and I couldn't find it my heart to refuse her kind offer. Everything she said is true. I've done nothing to harm your sister or make her uncomfortable, I swear. If I made it seem I came into this house unwanted and uninvited, I sincerely apologize."

Hans sounded quite nice. Maybe too nice. Something about him made Elsa wary and kept her on her toes (metaphorically speaking).

Anna glanced between Hans and her sister. She looked flustered and let out a gusty sigh. "I guess this isn't a good time to tell you..."

Elsa stiffened. "Tell me what?"

Hans and Anna shared a brief amorous gaze. Finally, Anna mustered her courage. "We want to get married. Like, right away."

"Don't worry, Elsa. We've discussed this," Hans quickly said. "We won't leave you alone. You can move in with my twelve brothers at my family's house. We can all take care of you."

Anna's voice was bright with unbridled enthusiasm. "See? It's all been arranged, more or less. We just thought we might ask you first so we won't rebel and elope. I didn't think you'd want that. And I don't want to leave you alone, either. So...can Hans and I get married?"

"You, and him? Married?" Elsa didn't think she could get more shocked. But she proved herself wrong.

Anna and Hans still linked arms, waiting for Elsa's response with bated breath.

It took Elsa a while to find words. "I...I only got to know Hans just now. How long have you known him, Anna?"

"Since freshman orientation."

"Two months?"

"And two weeks," Anna meekly added. "So almost three months."

Elsa shook her head. "No. No, absolutely not. Hans, thank you for your kind offer, but I can't accept this. You are not marrying him, Anna."

Her sister's face fell. "But why-"

"Anna, do I even have to explain myself?" Elsa tried and failed to keep her usual calm composure. If she could walk, she'd be pacing all over the house right now. "You're not out of college yet. You haven't finished freshman year. You're not even done with one semester, for God's sake!" Elsa felt a day's worth of stress and frustration accumulate within her. She felt like a pot boiling over its lid.

Anna looked woefully dismayed, and cringed a little at the strong disapproval in her sister's voice.

Elsa continued her tirade despite herself. "Three months is not long enough to really know a guy before you marry him. You need to think things through. We don't live in some sort of fairy tale, where it's okay to dash off with the prince of your dreams and not think about the consequences, or worry about any responsibilities. Marriage is a huge step in life that requires a lot of time and thought. Honestly, I don't think either of you have considered that. What makes you think I'll say yes to something as ridiculous as this?"

Anna looked visibly offended. "It's not ridiculous. It's true love."

"Oh, it is? What do you know of true love?" Elsa regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth.

"More than you!" Anna retorted. "I've been here for you when Mama and Papa can't. I've done everything for you, Elsa, everything I could to make your life not as bad as it could've been, if not better. Please, all I ask is for one thing in return. Just one."

Kristoff looked like he wanted to speak up and remind Anna about the cash, but thought better of it and awkwardly remained in the house with Sven.

Elsa had to steel herself from succumbing to her sister's heartfelt pleas. She didn't care so much for the look of hurt on Hans' face, but it was Anna's that made her almost regret her harsh tone. She loved Anna dearly, but this was something she just could not approve. Elsa hated going against her little sister, but she held her ground. "I'm sorry, Anna...my answer is still no. I'm always grateful for everything you do for me. But this is not about me being obligated to return the favor. It's common sense. You can't marry a man you just met." Elsa looked away with a heavy sigh and her voice rang with finality. "This discussion is over."

Hans raised his hand. "Elsa, if I may-"

"No, you may not. Please leave our house now."

Dead, heavy silence reigned. After what seemed like an unbearable stretch of time, Hans moved to pack up his things.

"It's not fair," Anna whispered.

The heartbreak in her sister's voice made Elsa grip the wheels of her chair. She sighed. "I'm supposed to look after you after our parents died, teaching you right from wrong. I failed to do that. I failed as a big sister."

Anna trembled with anger she fought to suppress. But it burst out. "Look after me?" she cried. "I feel like you're controlling me. If anything, I'm the one looking after you. I feel more like a caretaker than your little sister."

Elsa flinched. Her heart wrenched. Those words hurt her like a deep wound. "...Is that how you really feel about me?" she whispered.

Anna's eyes grew wide and her mouth parted in horror as she realized what she had just said.

Elsa looked away. Her whole body trembled. The living room suddenly seemed much colder, as if a gale of frost blew in. She fought to rein in the emotional tumult raging inside her. When she saw thin ice emanating from her hands, coating the wheels of her chair and the floor under her, she realized she failed. Fear washed in to top her sorrow. Now everyone knew.

Hans pulled Anna into a protective embrace. Kristoff gaped at the iced floor. Even Sven lost his goofy smile.

Elsa's eyes welled with tears that froze on her pale cheeks. "I'm nothing but a burden. I'm a danger to you, too." She turned in her chair faster than she ever had and went straight for the door.

Anna's voice called her. "Elsa, wait-"

She ignored it. All she could think about was getting away as fast and as far as she possibly could. Elsa used slick ice to propel the wheels under her, leaving a frigid trail in her wake. She didn't care if anyone saw. She just needed to get away. She steadily picked up speed and momentum, nowhere as fast as a car, but still faster than she had ever gone before.

Jack was on his way home when something sped past the corner of his eye. He turned and his jaw dropped. It was Elsa, speeding on ice! He hit the brake and the car came to a screeching halt. He unbuckled his seat belt and threw open the car door.

"Elsa!" he called.

She was too far away to hear him now.

His mind spun from shock and a flurry of questions. 'Where's she going? What's with all the ice? Why does she look so sad?' The last question on his mind made his heart wrench. He had to go after her, to make sure she'd be all right. Intrigue took hold of him as well. Since when did Elsa have powers of ice? He just had to see more of it for himself.

Out of sheer, strange impulse, more out of instinct than reason, Jack grabbed his sketchbook and a few pencils. The shepherd's staff materialized in his other hand. He tucked the sketchbook under his arm and flew after her.