Chapter Three:

Two Days Later ; eleven at night

I was relaxed in my favorite, leather recliner – X-box controller in hand.

A bottle of sprite sat alongside a plate of dark chocolate squares on the coffee table to my right. The speakers I had set up sometime around the previous year all around the room blasted my iTunes playlist, the current song being 'The Drug in Me is You' by the band 'Falling in Reverse'.

"I felt the darkness as it tried to pull me down!"

I sang along to the lyrics loudly, not caring whether or not I was on tune with the singer. After all, I was the only one in the room.

"The kind of dark that haunts a hundred year old house!"

One of the many Stormcloaks in Windhelm rushed me, and I quickly relieved him of the heavy burdened placed upon his shoulders – his head.

"I wrestle with my thoughts; I shook the hand of doubt!"

I cheered at the kill-cam mode, popping a chocolate square into my mouth. I was now in front of the Palace of Kings.

"Running from my past, I'm praying feet don't fail me now!"

I rushed inside, following the General. It was time to kill Ulfric at last. Well, sort of. It was getting a little late – especially since it was a school night.

Saving as soon as the game loaded the interior of the palace, I shut my X-box off – doing the same for the speakers. "I think that's enough gaming time for tonight." I yawned to myself, stretching. "I'll bring justice to Ulfric in the morning or something. Then again, class starts at ten. Sooooo, probably not."

'Let's see, sleep or justice? Hmmm…' I pondered to myself, leaning my head back against the top of the chair. 'If I sleep, I make amazing grades… well, as good as I can. If I choose to behead a certain traitor, then I have to wake up a lot earlier and risk falling asleep in class. And… seeing how I already turned my gaming system… Wow, why am I even debating this?'

I pulled the blanket resting on my lap up to my shoulders, sighing. 'That, and considering how sleep holds the key to the one future I'm trying to reach, my hands are kind of tied here… Lucky you, Ulfric. You get to live another day or so.'

I snuggled into the plush chair, humming in delight at both the warmth and softness. This wouldn't be the first time I would be falling asleep in my gaming room.

I frowned. 'Actually, now that I think about it, it's been weeks since I've slept in my bed. I usually wind up in here by day's end to relieve a little stress. Huh…'

Shrugging to myself, I went back to snuggling into the back of the recliner. 'Well, at least I know I have a routine… sort of.'

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X

Taking a sip of the slightly warm, rather creamy hot chocolate in my hands, I gave a shuddering sigh as I let my eyes slide shut. 'Oh, take me away delicious, chocolate beverage of mine.'

Class was awful today. That leprechaun of a teacher, Weselton, had screamed at the entire class - for over forty minutes!

"The damn midget should've given clearer instructions." I huffed quietly. "How was I supposed to know that we need to draw the damn bridge with beams rather than support lines?"

'Then again, my faulty bridge planning may have caused the deaths of millions of little stick families... Oops.'

I snorted, despite the sad tragedy, and pulled my coat tighter around myself. I'd draw little bouquets of roses for the families later… I had bigger problem right now. Like the fact of how it was freezing outside. In fact, the clouds that covered every inch of the sky promised snow within the next handful of days. Or at least sleet.

I was okay with either one. After all, winter was my favorite time of the year. 'Tis the season to be jolly, or so they say.

I hummed appreciatively into my cup, nodding to myself as I took a sip. 'Jolly I am, Jolly I'll be. Unless, of course, it does sleet, and one of my windows shatters… Then I'll be pissed… But, as long as I can have a cup of this every day, then I will be at least somewhat happy.'

Hot chocolate was the beverage of the heavens. After all, only God himself could be so kind and so intelligent enough to make such a thing possible. 'Then again, weren't the Mayas were the ones to invent it? So maybe that makes them gods? That would explain how they managed to disappear so fast. They could have just snapped their fingers, and POOF they're in heaven, sitting upon their cocoa thrones.'

It did certainly explain quite a few things.

"Oh great and powerful hot chocolate gods, grant me warmth from this oh-so-delicious, six dollar beverage of yours." I mumbled playfully to myself, suppressing a giggle.

"Did you seriously pay six bucks for a drink?" A familiar voice asked suddenly, causing me to jump at the closeness of it.

Luckily, due to the top, I didn't lose a single drop of the said drink.

My eyes snapped open and up to a pair of friendly teal ones, but the pounding in my heart didn't stop. "A- Anna?" I stammered quietly, watching as she tilted her head to the left curiously. The girl hummed in acknowledgement, her gloved hands playing with the zipper on her green jacket. "So I see you remembered my name. That should become very useful to you sometime in the near future." The girl giggled, a lift of playfulness residing in her voice. "Do you mind if I sit?"

Huddling down in the collar of my jacket to hide my sudden blush, I slid over in the booth so that there was room for her to sit and then some. "What exactly are you trying to imply?" I muttered, just loud enough for her to hear as I went to take another sip. Oh, dear hot chocolate, calm my nerves… And my still, suddenly racing heart.

She grinned, sliding into the booth beside me – but leaving at least an arm's length of space for my comfort. How thoughtful of her. So, would someone please explain why I felt the need to both push her further away and tug her closer? …Me and my conflicting emotions…

"I was implying that I'd lost my teddy bear and was wondering if I could sleep with you instead."

To put it simply, I nearly choked on my drink.

Sputtering as I set the cup down onto the table in front of me with one hand, the other found its way to my mouth as a series of coughs wracked my body. Both my throat and my lungs burned as the hot liquid found its way into my airway, and my eyes watered at the unpleasant sensation.

Oh dear, why must thou be so cruel to me, oh hot chocolate gods? Why must I choke on such a delicious beverage?

I received no answer, but I suspected that the reason had to do something with the redhead sitting right before me.

After a few moments longer of nearly coughing up a lung and maybe my appendix, I waved off a few worried people – promising them that I was fine and that I was, in fact, not choking on a muffin or anything similar. Not that I bought one… They kind of ran out of double chocolate chip three customers before I got to the counter.

"Hey, are you dying?" Anna quipped, resting her head onto the open palm of her hand as she drew my attention back to her. "Because, I would really love that hat if you do die. Can I have it? Or would you rather be buried with it?"

Tugging my beanie down a tad further, I buried myself into my jacket once more in embarrassment. My gaze found its way to the table in front of me, and my hands fell to my lap. "… How do you know I don't want to be cremated? What if the idea of being buried terrifies me…?"

Anna gave a huff of laughter at my response. "Somehow, I find that rather doubtful about you. You don't look much like a type of chick who enjoys too warm of a climate. I think you'd enjoy the cold more."

I raised an eyebrow, tilting my head curiously. "And how exactly do you know that? Does my expression just scream 'I love snow' or something?"

"No, but your clothes do." The redhead snorted, twirling one of her braids around a finger. "After all, who wears that thin of a jacket in forty degree weather?"

"I thought it felt a tad colder than it should." I muttered, resisting the urge to smirk when she laughed. "But, honestly, you're right. I don't particularly love hot weather."

Anna wrapped her own, thick jacket around her more securely, smirking. "Not me. I prefer the warmth that summer brings than this frigid climate you psychos call winter."

"It's still fall, though…" I deadpanned, watching her nose scrunch up in a rather cute way.

"Ugh. Why do I live here? It gets too cold too fast."

"Don't jinx it." I nearly laughed. However, a smile was beginning to creep its way onto my face. "Next year it just might end up being thirty degrees in late fall rather than forty."

"Considering my luck, I probably just did." Anna groaned, dropping her head down onto the table heavily. "Then again, seeing as how I met you, my luck has been soaring lately."

I felt my face heat up in a blush at the sudden compliment, tugging at the edges of my hat again. "I- I don't see how…"

And I honestly didn't. I usually turned out to be a burden to a lot of people… other than my friends.

The girl turned her head so that she was staring at me, those shocked teal eyes of hers boring into mine. "Seriously? Do you not look into a mirror or something? 'Cause I will buy you one if I have too."

My beanie was now currently covering almost the entirety of both of my ears. Which, actually, was a good thing. It hid how red they were…

However, it did little to conceal the fact that my face was basically ablaze.

Anna smirked at her handiwork, watching as I nodded my head. "I- I have a one…"

She giggled at me, and I lowered my eyes to the table once more. "You are so. Freakin'. Adorable! Also, you may want to let off that hat. Stretch it too far, and you won't be able to be cremated with it like you planned."

I gave a huff of laughter at the unexpected yet expected jibe, lowering my hands to my cup. However, due to her recent compliment, my blush remained in place. "I thought we agreed I was going to be buried. After all, I'm not much of a pyro maniac, remember?"

"Yes, I recall." Anna hummed, finally lifting herself off of the table. "Anyway, speaking of mirrors –"

"I thought we passed this topic already… We're not even on mirrors anymore…"

"I know, but I just remembered a pick-up line involving one, and –"

"Oh, God, not another one." Sliding to the end of the booth, I abruptly stood, snatching up what was left of my drink. However, the girl was still finding it necessary to try and make me blush further. It was as if she were trying to see how long it would take until I passed out from all the blood rushing up to my face.

"Do you have a mirror in your pocket? Because, I can totally see myself in –"

I cut her off, my grip on my beverage denting the thick paper cup. "Don't even think about finishing that. You will end up with this drink all over your face. And, if the hot chocolate gods are merciful, it will shut you up."

I've heard that pick-up line so many times my first few weeks at collage, it wasn't even funny.

A nearby man waiting in line gave me a bewildered look as I said this, glancing over at the booth to see whom or what I was currently threatening. Anna raised an eyebrow at him, making a shooing motion with her hands. "Move along now. Nothing to see."

The man glanced back at me, then Anna, and back to me again. "Uhm, Miss… Are you okay?"

Glancing at him, my lips fell down into a frown. "I will be, thank you." I glanced over at the girl, mumbling, "See you, Anna."

He blinked, glancing back at the redhead right as I turned and made my way over to the front of the coffee shop. I had to press through a small crowd to do so, but I managed to get there in one piece. At least, I think so… for all I knew, someone could have stolen one of my ears.

I patted the sides of my head automatically, as if my body was trying to make sure the parts were in their rightful place. Of course, they were.

Pushing the door open – because doors that swung strictly inward were against building regulation – I stepped outside. My boots echoed across the parking lot as I made my way to my sleek, black Civic. Absentmindedly, I took a sip of my not-so-hot-anymore chocolate. Thankfully, it was still as delicious as ever. Then again, when didn't chocolate dance on one's taste buds?

The sudden image of a slightly unwrapped chocolate bar dancing around with a top hat and cane in hand flitted through my mind, causing me to chuckle.

Chocolate never failed to lighten my mood considerably.

"That guy was rather rude, don't you agree?" Anna huffed irritably, her voice sounding from beside me suddenly.

I squeaked – a tad loud might I add – at the abruptness of her voice, snapping my gaze over to where she was walking beside me. Apparently thoughts of dancing chocolate bars had distracted me from noticing the fact that she had followed me out…

Or perhaps she was just that quiet… A ninja in training perhaps?

Somehow, the idea didn't seem as farfetched to me as it should have… Maybe she was planning my assassination as we spoke…

Or maybe she was in alliance with Sebastian! I knew that cat was out to get me!

I narrowed my eyes at her, taking a few steps to the side – creating the required distance I would need in case she did try and murder me.

The girl chuckled, shaking her head. "Jeesh, calm down would you? I'm not going to kidnap you and use you as my main course at a dinner party or anything. From the look you're giving me, one would think you actual believe that's what I'm planning to do to you."

"You may not want to go all Hannibal Lector on me, but my cat might." I muttered, pulling my keys out of my pocket.

I pushed to unlock button, watching as my car gave a small beep in response.

Anna snorted, gazing at me curiously. "You're cat sound wonderful." She stated sarcastically. "What makes you think that it want to take a bite out of you, though?"

"It's the way he looks at me…" I responded, relaxing slightly.

Silence followed, enveloping us in its quiet embrace as we slowly made our way to the car….

Wait…

Why was she following me? Let alone interested in me? I basically ran her over the first time I met her! So… shouldn't she despise me right now?

Hearing a startled yelp, I turned my attention back to Anna right as the girl slipped on a small patch of ice – landing onto the freezing pavement of the parking lot.

Laughter bubbled up in my throat, and I had to bite my lower lip to keep from pointedly giggling at her. It honestly didn't help much. The redhead gave me a mock glare, crossing her arms in a pout as she huffed. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," I smirked, shaking my head at her as I forced the laughter down. "Are you having fun down there, or would you like help up?"

The redhead grinned up at me, holding out a hand. "Please."

Taking a hold of the girl's limb firmly, I felt a sudden jolt of… something make its way up my arm. I nearly dropped the redhead's hand abruptly at the unexpected sensation, but, seeing as how that'd be rude, I didn't. I did, however, the moment the girl was on her feet once more.

My own hand twitched slightly as I took a step back, wanting to put a little distance between us. 'What the hell was that…?'

Anna brushed off the back of her pants, grin still in place. However, it didn't stay long. "By the way… was I tad too forward in the coffee shop? I mean, I can refrain from using the more… hinting pick-up lines, if you want."

My blush returned, doing its best to battle the cold air around me as I tugged on my beanie once more. I nodded in response, scuffing my boot on the ground as I glanced over at my car. "That would be great… thanks…"

She grinned. "No problem."

A few moments of silence passed between us again, and I glanced back at my car once more. ".. I'm, uh… I'm just going to go…"

The redhead blinked before her shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. "Sure, don't let me keep you."

Anna gave me a wave as I retreated to my car, watching me go.

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X

The Next Day

Yawning, I stretched – feeling each and every bone that popped as I did. And, boy, did it feel amazing.

It was around four in the afternoon, but I had been driving around all day. There had been a lot of orders… even if it was still pretty early in the day…

I finished my stretching, stuffing my hands into my jacket pockets.

At the moment, I was on break.

The air around me was cool, rather than cold, causing me to sigh. It had felt rather nice yesterday…

But, winter was coming, and I could be patient and wait. Sooner or later the town would be covered in white, powdery snow… And I would love every second of it.

… As much as my car hated it…

Laughing, I watched in childlike fascination as my breath fogged up around me.

A hat bobbed past me as someone went to pull open the door of the pizzeria. The person was probably craving a late lunch… or an early dinner. However, the figure paused…

My gaze traced out random shapes in the distance – one being a tree twisted where it was fashioned rather oddly.

I hummed, titling my head. 'I wonder what did that… Perhaps a giant? Or a dragon? Or some force of nature not even I can understand?'

The figure from a few moments ago retraced their steps, their head tilting along with mine – blocking my view of the oddly shaped tree.

I frowned, my gaze flitting down to find theirs. And, I was surprised to find that it was a pair of all-too-familiar teal ones.

A grin tugged its way at the redhead's lips, revealing that lopsided, yet oh-so-distracting smile of hers. "Hey, Elsa… Do you believe in love at first sight?" Anna's gaze never left mine, and her grin never faltered as my heart proceeded to give a small leap. "… Or need I walk past you again?"

BOOM! That was chapter three! Anyway, please review! And thanks for reading! And, WOW eighteen follows already? I love it! Thanks! (Oh, and, special thanks to kaika-chan and t3l4m0n for their ideas!) Ideas and tips are appreciated! Thanks again,

Angel