A/N: So it seems that Aleks fell from grace in the last chapter. As much as some people may dislike her now, she still has her role to play. She isn't the enemy, even if she seems like one. But we'll start to see her fade into the background for a little bit in the next few chapters I think.
This chapter isn't real exciting, but it's pretty important. Especially for Elsa.
Next chapter will focus solely on Elsa and Anna, I promise. I think some light fluff is overdue.
Also, I know that 41 follows and 15 favorites isn't a whole lot. But considering how relatively small the Frozen fandom is, and how even smaller the Elsanna fandom is in relation, I'm pretty proud of that. Tbh, it's 41 more follows and 15 more favorites than I expected. You guys rock!
Constructive criticism is always welcomed. It's your guys' comments that give me most of my motivation to write this!
So without further adieu, chapter 5!
"So, explain the whole 'redder than normal face and puffy eyes' thing why don't you?" Rapunzel said between bites of her chicken alfredo. After around fifteen minutes of driving around hopelessly lost, the duo finally found the Italian place Rapunzel had saw. The redhead sat across from her cousin in the back of the dimly lit restaurant and spent most of her time looking down at her food. She had hardly touched it and was knocking around a meatball that had fallen from her meatball sub leaving a trail of marinara sauce on the plate. The clack of a fork on the plate echoed throughout the establishment, and Anna sighed.
"Roommate has a hell of a sister." She muttered, eyes never leaving the meatball she was still toying with. The memory of being verbally and emotionally assaulted by Aleks was still fresh in her mind and heart and although she tried to forget about it and enjoy spending time with her cousin, the distasteful memory still lingered. The cheery demeanor of Rapunzel did help however as Anna didn't feel the same tightness in her chest as before. She couldn't help but feel better around the short haired brunette, she had some strange aura around her that seemed to brighten the mood of everyone around her. At times it seemed like the literally glowed due to the disposition of not only herself, but those she affected. Anna still felt sore however.
"Tell me about it." Rapunzel placed her fork down and took a sip from the glass beside her plate before shifting her green eyes to Anna's turquoise who had perked up at her inquiry. "You know I'm here for you, Anna-banana."
The sentiment immediately brought a warm smile to the redheads face as she placed her elbows on the table and placed her chin on her interlocked fingers. "Well, I was reading the package that Eugene had sent on your behalf at the time whe-"
"Did you open the package? Did you like it?" Rapunzel was giddy with glee as she jumped in her seat with a wide smile.
"No, I was about to when I heard the doorknob to the dorm open. I didn't know who it was so I kinda hid under the counter in the kitchen." She continued and started to absentmindedly play with one of her twin braids. It was a tick of hers and she always seemed to resort to it whenever in stressful or uncomfortable situations. Rapunzel stabbed a piece of chicken with her fork and shoved it in her mouth, scraping the metal as she pulled it out. The sound was like metal on a chalkboard to Anna and it sent a chill down her spine.
"I heard two girls talking, one of them sounded kind of-" Anna searched for the word that would perfectly describe the tone of Aleks' voice. It definitely wasn't warm or inviting in the slightest, quite the opposite in fact. "-cold. That's the best way I can describe it I guess." She nodded to herself and noticed the curiosity on her cousin's face. It was a wonder her face didn't stick like that how often she made it. Rapunzel has always been curious about absolutely everything and never turned down the opportunity to learn or experience something new. Which was probably why her and Eugene got along so well, her genuine curiosity for the world perfectly reflected how outgoing he was. "Anyway, I heard another voice. And this time it was quiet and nervous but it was really pretty actually. She probably has a wonderful singing voice now that I really think about it." Although it wasn't very likely she'd find out judging how stone cold the other girl had become after she had popped out from under the counter. It was like she just faded into the background and became invisible. The only thing that made her presence noticeable is when she would shift in her seat.
Anna shook her head and stopped herself from veering off topic. "Anyway, when I heard the first girl lean up against the counter I figured it would be a good time to introduce myself before I seem like a total creep from awkwardly hanging out under the counter the entire time." She then gently rubbed her nose and grimaced slightly when she realized how tender it still was. "I guess I shocked her and then she socked me right in the nose." She shrugged and noted the discontentment on her cousin's face across from her. It was clear she wasn't satisfied with just that.
"...and?" Rapunzel raised an eyebrow at the redhead. "I've seen you in gym class and softball, Anna. I know you can take a hit." Which was true, if nothing else, Anna prided herself in her ability to get back up after being knocked down. It was something she was pretty good at after being knocked down as much as she was.
"It's just... the conversation that followed wasn't very pleasant." She turned her head and gazed at the brick floor beside her trying to hold back more tears figuring she had cried enough today. It was the very first day of a new chapter of her life and it started on a bad page. Even though she was looking away she could still feel green eyes burning a hole in her face.
"Sitting over there and simmering about it isn't going to help anything."
"Can we just say that she plucked at the heartstrings a little too hard?" Anna managed to get out with a little bit of hope when she raised her head back up and tore off a small piece of her bread to shove in her mouth. "It's okay, Rapunzel. I can handle it." That's totally a lie. The brunette across from her seemed to have read her mind from the look of discontent painted on her face. "I've made it this far, haven't I?" Barely.
"I worry about you, Anna." She extended her arm and placed her hand over Anna's, which was abnormally cool despite the warmth of both the weather outside and the warmth of the restaurant. "Even when you came over outside of school, you always looked stressed out about something." Which was also true. If it wasn't her grades, homework, a boyfriend at the time, or an extra-curricular activity, it was something else causing her stress.
"Did I?" She asked with genuine curiosity. "We always had so much fun whenever we hung out though." It wasn't often that they were able to, however. If her grades weren't up to a certain standard she wouldn't be let out of the house until they met said standard. Anna's parents have always had those high expectations and accepted nothing less. If they wanted a glass of water, Anna should have came back with a pitcher full. If they asked her to weed the garden, Anna should have mowed the lawn as well. If they told Anna to pick up groceries, she better be prepared to cook them too. They always claimed it was to prepare her for the future where mistakes aren't accepted and the more she accomplishes, the further she'll go.
The brunette nodded. "Even on the holidays."
Anna shoved another chunk of bread in her mouth. "Well, I'm okay Rapunzel."
She retracted her arm to take another sip from her drink. "Can't say I believe you, Anna. Would it help if I talked to whomever it is giving you trouble?"
Anna imagined how that conversation would work out. Sure, Rapunzel was stubborn as a mule and was certainly convincing about most things. She did manage to stop Eugene and his former friends from robbing her and instead got him to take her out on a date after all. But in this case, Anna didn't think any degree of stubbornness or how convincing she was would help. The way that girl backed Anna into a corner and made her buckle was something the redhead wasn't used to. At least not physically, and especially not in front of other people like that. She was normally able to keep her cool and stay level headed on the outside regardless of how she felt. Rapunzel however, was a being of seemingly endless emotion. Everything she did was filled with emotion from the moment she woke up to the moment she went to bed. She showed it, too. Whatever Aleks did to Anna, she would probably do tenfold to Rapunzel.
Anna scrambled to get the words out of her mouth fast enough. "Nononono, noooo nononono... no." She didn't realize how loud she frantically let the words spill until patrons from the other side of the restaurant were staring at her. She nervously gave a small chuckle and shrugged it off. "N-no thank you, I mean."
Rapunzel shifted in her seat and adjusted her posture so that she sat a little bit taller. "Are you sure, Anna? I mean it wouldn't take long at all and I'm sure I could get her to back off."
Anna almost considered it for a moment before remembering how defenseless she felt in her presence. She didn't want her cousin going through that.
"Yeah, I'm sure." She smiled, hoping her mask would get Rapunzel to forget the idea.
With a sigh, Rapunzel decided to drop that subject but was still curious. "So-" She started with a shrug. "-how about the other girl you mentioned?"
The question blindsided Anna and she placed her hands on either side of her face. She really hadn't even noticed the other girl. She had long blonde hair that appeared to be kept in a large, single braid. After Anna made herself known, she just completely stopped talking and the redhead thought that was kind of strange. She didn't introduce herself, say hi, or anything. Anna didn't even get a good look at her.
"I can't really tell you anything about her." She muttered, partly out of fear that Aleks was waiting around the corner just waiting for her to say something bad about the blonde and punch her in the face again.
Rapunzel shot back and seemed slightly disappointed at the answer, her curiosity unfulfilled. "Nothing at all? About either one of them?"
Anna shrugged again. "Nothing that's really interesting." A half smile tugged at her lips as a way of saying sorry. "Like I said, I bet the blonde sings very well."
Rapunzel smiled and rolled her eyes. "Well I guess that's something." She finished the last bite of her chicken alfredo and pushed the plate away from her. "While we're out, is there anything you'd like to do? It's still kinda early."
Anna sat there and thought about it. All of her necessities were in the duffel bag. Clothes, toiletries, and a handful of assorted candies and chocolates. Pretty much all she needed to sustain life. Her mind drifted back to the bedroom and how empty it was. The window without curtains would certainly allow her eyes to be ruthlessly battered by the sun in the morning, if she could even manage to fall asleep without sheets, blankets, or even a pillow.
"Oh yeah, if you don't mind taking me to pick up some stuff for the bedroom?" It took Anna a moment to process what she just said as Rapunzel looked at her with a strained face trying not to let out a giggling fit. Her face grew redder than the sauce on her meatball sub when she realized what she just said. It definitely sounded better in her mind.
"Oh, nononono! Not like that!" She started, noting the increased restraint on the brunette's face. "I mean I don't need any of that kind of stuff, because that's totally taken care of!" Rapunzel raised an eyebrow. "I have two hands and they normally serve me pretty well so it's not like I need anything else for that kinda stuff but even if I did I wouldn't need someone to help me shop for that stuff." Her cousin's resolve fell as her loud laughter echoed through the restaurant and attracted the eyes of everyone around them. As she listened to the high pitch laughter, she dropped her head in her hands and was positive she couldn't be more embarrassed. Way to ramble, Anna. You just told your cousin you wouldn't go dildo shopping with her cause your fingers serve you just fine. She shook her head and a low chuckle left her lips. It was kind of funny, actually. When Rapunzel finally calmed down and wiped a tear from her eye, Anna smiled and rolled her eyes.
"I meant pillows, blankets, sheets, and that kind of stuff."
"I know, but it was great." Rapunzel replied in between lingering giggles.
"Aleks." Elsa's tone was stern, uncharacteristically so considering how quiet and timid she normally was. It was totally new for the blonde, she was not used to asserting herself in any kind of situation. She was most comfortable in the background of most situations, blending in to not draw any unwanted attention to her. But this time was different, she suddenly felt empowered and couldn't pass up the opportunity to have her opinion heard even if it was only to her sister whom was the only one she was comfortable talking to for extended periods of time.
Aleks raised her eyes from the steak she couldn't get in her mouth quick enough. She slowed her chewing and placed her utensils on her plate. Swallowing her bite, she noticed the determined look on her sisters face. Picking up a napkin and wiping her mouth, she looked at Elsa with widened eyes. "Yeah, what's up?"
Elsa cleared her throat and straightened in her seat. This was really something she was not used to doing. She played with her hands under the table, rubbing her palm with her thumb to try and distract herself from the nervous lump growing in her throat. "I-I think you went just a little too far back at the school." She tried to sound as calm as she could, but she couldn't prevent the nervous undertone.
Aleks raised an eyebrow at the sudden boldness of her twin. This was abnormal even to Aleks who has spent more time with Elsa than anyone else. "How was it any different than any-"
"You've never made anyone cry like that." Cutting off her sister, or anyone for that matter was extremely bold and even a little cocky for Elsa. She took a deep breath and noted the shock plastered all over the woman's face who sat across from her. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful for all you've done for me." She hoped the added sentiment would alleviate some of the shock, and maybe a little hurt from her twin's face.
"You know why I do what I do, Elsa." She replied, equal parts hurt and shock just as Elsa guessed. "You think I like doing what I do and looking like a total bitch to everyone around me?!" She placed slender fingers on her collar bone to explain her point better. "For us?" She placed a hand on Elsa's shoulder to even further prove her point.
Elsa suddenly felt a surge of guilt flow through her body. It was true that Aleks had a reputation as a 'total bitch' as she put it to everyone who had either seen her stand up for her or heard of such instances. It essentially made them both outcasts, people were afraid to approach Elsa in fear of Aleks. People were afraid to approach Aleks because she was Aleks. And for the most part, Elsa preferred it that way. Most of the time she was able to keep to herself with little to no worry of other people getting too close to her. Although sometimes, she wished she had more people than just Aleks to talk to. She was her best friend of course, but it practically eliminated any variety in Elsa's social life. But she knew her sister's heart was always in the right place.
"You think I don't know that, Aleks? You think I don't understand being ostracized against my will?!" Her voice was a little louder than she intended, and she was glad that the restaurant was nearly empty.
"What's with the sudden change of your entire demeanor?" Aleks shot back in her seat and crossed her arms. "Just this morning and even this afternoon you were all nervous and saying 'I'm not ready' but now you're ready to face the world?" She looked genuinely confused under the hurt that still showed on her face.
"I know I was." The blonde replied softly. She shrugged and opened her mouth to speak but had troubles finding the words."This is one person, and I'm going to be stuck with her for the rest of the year."
Aleks shook her head and covered her face with her hands. "You know the effects one person can have." Her reply although muffled, was sharp. "I know you haven't forgotten how fathe-"
"Don't bring that up!" Elsa almost screamed as a single tear carved it's way down her porcelain cheek. Their father was a very sensitive for both of the sisters but probably more so for Elsa.
"Elsa, I still hear you cry yourself to sleep most nights despite being in different rooms back with Grandmother Gothel." She started, immediately getting off the subject of their father at her sister's demand. It was true though, many nights Aleks would be kept awake because she heard quiet sobbing through the walls. Be it bad memories, a nightmare, or even night terrors Elsa didn't sleep well often. Many nights she made her way to her room to try and comfort her, but it hardly ever worked. Sometimes it only made it worse. So whenever Aleks heard the sobbing through the walls, she simply chose to leave candy outside of her door. It was a small gesture, but she knew how much her blonde twin loved candy. And she'd do anything to ensure her sister's well-being. "I'm just trying to reiterate that you know how big a difference one person can make."
The blonde wiped the welling tears from her eyes and dropped her head, knowing very well her sister was speaking the cold hard truth. "You never know until you try..." She muttered softly. Raising her face until her icy blue eyes met her sister's. "She just seems different than anyone else." Elsa remembered how the redhead looked completely defenseless as her twin loomed over her. She wanted to badly to intervene, to jump in front of Aleks and tell her that enough is enough. But she couldn't, it seemed like she was frozen in place as she continued watching her assault Anna. It was different to her this time though. Previously whenever Aleks had words with people it came with relief and gratitude for Elsa because she had felt perhaps threatened to a certain degree. Normally she felt protected by her sister as possible would-be bullies buckled in defeat. But after the initial shock she felt once the redhead poked her way out from under the counter, she was willing to give her a chance after hearing her failed attempts at defending herself. And once she saw her run away in tears, she wanted to get up and make sure she was alright. Even if she couldn't do that, she was still able to tell Aleks her opinion on the confrontation.
"What about the whole ice magic thing, Elsa?" Aleks asked, raising her hands and wiggling her fingers. "We've managed to keep it a secret from everyone except three people. Two of those-" Her blue eyes widened and she leaned in a little closer. "-are dead!"
Elsa sighed and cast her gaze to an empty spot on the floor beside her. "We're used to concealing it. We're used to not feeling it." She softly muttered and brought a hand up to gently caress the ends of her braid, twirling blonde strands between slender fingers.
"So what if she finds out?"
Elsa locked her eyes with her sister, and for the first time she saw Aleks seem to bow under her. "I'll handle it." Her tone was much more serious than Aleks had ever seen her twin before.
"Elsa, I don't want you getting hurt." Aleks sounded frustrated as she rubbed her temples. She knew her sister had a good head on her shoulders, she knew right from wrong.
"I know, Aleks. But this is one person. It isn't like I'm going to try making friends with the entire campus." Elsa placed a reassuring hand on her sister's and gave a smile in hopes of lessening her worries. "And besides, I have to learn to stand up for myself eventually don't I? I'm tired of being known as the loner. I'm sure you are too."
Aleks raised her head and copied her sister's smile, although it came off a little weaker. "You're right. I am tired of scaring off everyone. But what caused the whole shift in your outlook?"
Elsa shrugged, not really knowing herself. She didn't feel ready to make her way through a large crowd of people. She still doubted she could handle being in a crowded restaurant without freaking out which is why they often chose restaurants that didn't appear to have too many people in it. "I guess I just took what you said in the car this morning to heart." Her sister's opinion always had great weight with Elsa and she didn't take anything she told her lightly. All Aleks ever tried to do was watch out for Elsa, so of course her opinion would carry a lot of weight with the blonde. When she was telling her that this whole thing would be good for Elsa in the long run, she did think it through a lot. So, she was willing to try and make things better. Baby steps of course. Talking to one person is a small enough step that Elsa was willing to try it. She was living with her, so she'd have to eventually after all.
"You know where to find me, right?"
Elsa gave a quick nod. "A floor below me, room 404 right?"
"You've always been the smart one." Aleks smiled, she was probably just as nervous about all this as Elsa was. But her sister made a very prominent point. They were both tired of being alone, and this was a whole new chapter in their lives.
Finishing their food with irrelevant small talk between bites, Aleks pushed the plate away from her and placed a hand on her stomach and give it a hearty pat. "Think we'll need to pick up anything for the rooms?"
"Well the dorms appeared to be pretty well furnished. Assuming the rest of the room reflects that, what else would we need? We have all the necessities in the back of the car." Elsa answered, thinking about anything that they may have forgotten. They had clothes, school supplies, and toiletries. Aleks even brought her beloved Playstation 4. Elsa didn't really know why though, she wasn't sure how much time she would actually have to play it with how much studying she'd probably have to do to maintain a passing grade in her classes. Back at their Grandmother's, Elsa would constantly have to hound her to get off of the thing and do her homework when she was in danger of failing. She'd always respond with 'just one more game', and she'd have to resort to standing in between the screen and her sister with a textbook in hand to get her to study. Aleks just didn't share the same work ethic as Elsa, if it didn't interest her she'd forget about it and go find something that more suited her fancy.
"Yeah, you're right. Those dorms do look pretty fucking sweet though." Aleks commented with a wide smile which quickly faded when realization dawned on her. "I haven't even met my roommate yet." She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "I really hope they aren't a dweeb."
Elsa could just smile and shake her head at her sister, hoping that everything would be alright from the new found confidence welling up inside of her.
Anna stood at the edge of her newly made bed, smiling contently at the bed set she had chosen. It was just a simple dark, forest type green but Anna loved how warm and inviting it made the bed look. She even found a matching set of curtains which blocked out the last remaining rays of sunlight as it set. Placing her hands on her hips, she gave the room a good look over and was content with it. It wasn't made for royalty or anything, but Anna liked it. Maybe one day she'd go out with Rapunzel again and they could pick out some décor for the room to fill the bare white walls. The redhead was about to make her way over to her duffel bag to begin unpacking when she heard the door to the dorm click open.
She peeked her head through the doorway and gave a sigh of great relief when she noticed it was only Elsa who came through unaccompanied. The memory of her confrontation still weighed heavy on her heart, but the time spent with her cousin alleviated much of that. Although she definitely did not want to have another run in with her. Anna turned back into the dorm and moved the duffel bag from the floor onto the bed to begin unpacking. She decided it would probably be best to just leave Elsa to do her own thing, because quite frankly the redhead was scared of her. So when she turned around to see the blonde staring at her through the doorway, she gave an audible yelp that echoed through the hallway.
"Hi."