The Replacement

Monday morning hit like a pick-up truck. It felt like a miserable day where I would fake sickness. From the way I was acting, it would have been believable, except for one thing: Never, ever, in my life, had I been sick.

So I woke up (butt crack of dawn), got dressed (in suffocating clothes), and brushed my hair (too exhausted to put it into a bun). Then I trudged downstairs, a scowl permanently printed on my face.

"Well, don't you look lovely today! You even have your hair down," Hummed Aunt Cory. She handed my a dish of scrambled eggs.

"Morning," I muttered and chose a seat next to Anna.

"You're late," Anna whispered to me, "Is everything okay?"

I hadn't realized how long it had taken for me to get ready. I chocked on my eggs when I realized it had taken me approximately 3 hours to get downstairs.

Anna patted my back and laughed.

"I'm taking that as a no."

"No, no! I mean yes. I mean... I'm fine," I tumbled over my words, pulling out a heavy smile as the finale.

Anna shrugged, turning her attention to Rapunzel.

"So, are you up for that double date tonight?"

Rapunzel, who'd previously been picking at her food in boredom, looked up enthusiastically.

"Oh, you bet! I can't wait for yours and Hans's company!"

I gritted my teeth. I wasn't in the mood for this.

I gave up trying to eat my breakfast and dumped the dish in the trash.

"I'll be at the bus stop!" I called out.

Right then, my mother bustled down the stairs.

"Oh, I'm going to be late."

Mother turned to look at me. I averted her gaze and quickened my pace.

"Oh, Ellie!" My mother called to me.

My shoulders slumped and I feigned indifference.

"Yes?" I asked, schooling my features.

"If you're on your way out, I could drive you," Mom offered.

"Um, that's alright." I bit my lip and adjusted my backpack.

Mom gave me a soft smile.

"Oh, come on. The bus makes you wait."

Mom didn't give me much of an option; she just walked over to the door and held it open for me. I reluctantly followed.

After what took a much too minimum amount of time, we were on the road.

"You didn't have to sit in the back, you know," Mom said.

"I know." I looked out the window.

"Is school going well?" Mom asked.

"Yes."

Mom sighed and looked into the rear-view mirror.

"Listen. I don't know why your father refused to let you back into his home. But I do know that I will never say what he said to you."

The memories punched into my stomach. I remained silent.

When the school pulled up, I practically sprinted from the car. However, my mother was somehow able to catch my wrist.

"Elsa."

"Yes?" I replied warily.

"I love you."

My throat closed up and I nodded, unable to reply back.

Everything before and after lunch remained a blur. But lunch itself was a different story.

I was by myself at the back table; thankful Rapunzel was gracious enough to leave me in peace.

Not five bites into my sandwich, however, Hiccup slid into a seat in front of me.

"Elsa."

"Hiccup," I replied.

"So, you're being a Replacement for Jack," Hiccup stated in a hinting tone.

"I am."

"Jack said he wouldn't ever do that. Ever. In fact, when he first heard about he—"

" 'e wh't?" Merida asked.

I froze up.

"Nothing." I replied hurriedly. I picked up my lunch and stood up.

"N'a, n'a. S't down. I d'nt bite."

The way Merida was acting made me sick. She looked so sincere, but I knew just wasn't.

"No. No I won't," I leaned forward on the table, closer to Merida, "I do not enjoy being spied on by one of Rapunzel's drones."

I was seething, and, worst of all, both Merida and Hiccup looked scared. It wasn't that I was so worried about their fear, rather how my magic was feeling. I looked down at my hands and swallowed at the sight of barely visible frost. However, I quickly averted my gaze and focused it on the floor, afraid that Merida and Hiccup would look at what I was seeing.

I lifted my hands from the table and put them at my sides, not sure of what to say next.

Merida took a breath.

"Ah t'ld 'er 'at a' ya did wa' 'and by the register."

I looked up at her.

"Ah d'nt 'ell her a'out," Merida leaned forward, " 'im."

I jerked back, surprised.

Hiccup cleared is throat.

"As much as I love this 'bonding moment', I've got an issue that you may want to hear."

Not feeling much of an opinion on whatever he was talking about, I turned to Hiccup and nodded.

"As I was saying before Red here burst in, Jack was acting strangely before he and Rapunzel, you know, broke up. He was rambling on and on about how stupid and shallow your...job...was."

I snorted.

"I think the whole school would have been talking about it right now if that were the case."

"...because Jack and I hang out during school hours," Hiccup replied sarcastically.

"Fine." I sighed, "What are you saying, then?"

"I'm saying that Jack's going to set you up somehow."

A/N: So... yeah. It's not late yet! So I'm on time!

Well, anyways, thank you! Could you believe I got 13 reviews? Of course you can! You contributed to it!

So please keep it up!

Love,

Sammie

P.S. Disclaimer.