I recomend you to read Elsa's POV first if you're also reading Light in the darkness, but of course, it's up to you.

Chapter 6. The truce.

I'm in trouble like I've never been before. Why? You may be wondering. Well, it's because my parents found out about something I didn't want them to find out. No, I'm not talking about my strange relationship with Hans, nor about me constantly bulling Elsa, I'm talking about my grades being outright unsatisfying, to say the least. Due to my continue absence at most classes, I've failed almost every single one of them, and it's not even half of the school year yet! Well, I'm ruined, but what was I supposed to do when my friends asked me to stay with them? That I couldn't because I had to attend to class? They would've taken it the wrong way, and I could've lost them.

But of course I couldn't tell that to my parents. This is how the conversation went.

That day I arrived from school as always and placed my backpack on the floor of my room. Since my parents hadn't arrived yet because it was too early for them, I decided to listen to some music, so I got out stuff from my backpack and threw it randomly across my room before finding my ipod and headphones and lying on my bed just to relax. I didn't even noticed the failed exam that landed on top of my desk.

I woke up from the sleep I had unconsciously drifted on when my mother suddenly pulled the headphones out of my ears saying with a strict tone that gave me goosebumps:

"Anna Summers! What's the meaning of this?" She was holding a piece of paper in front of my nose. My eyes took some time to fully recognize what it was, but when they did, my heart began racing like crazy. However, in my panicked state, I just was able to form one question in my mind, and, as usual, I spoke without thinking of the consequences.

"Wha-… what are you doing here this early?" I asked numbly. Normally my parents would be at their work until the sun had hidden on the horizon; they almost never got out when I had just arrived from school.

"We were allowed to leave early due to lab disinfection." My father, who was next to my bed, answered. As he did, I sat up and rubbed my eyes. "Apparently some bacteria was accidentally released and it was too dangerous for us to remain at the building until they were sure it had been totally exterminated, so here we are." Well, that explained it, after all my parents work at a very important lab of biomedical research (they are molecular biologists, if you're wondering) and, even if there are extreme security measures, accidents happen. "Now answer you mother's question." His tone changed into a stricter one. "Why did you failed that exam?"

Well fuck, I had almost forgotten about it! I'm screwed.

I bit my lip worried, wondering what to say to save my life, but as seconds passed, my parents' gazes became harsher and I really started to worry. I decided to just answer without thinking too much on it.

"I'm sorry!" I said. "I-It's just… school is more complicated than I had imagined, but I promise I will improve!" I expected them to take compassion on me, and it somewhat worked with my father, but my mother's stared became almost furious, though worried at the same time.

"Complicated, you say?" She asked with a scolding tone which made me retreat into my bed. "You're aware that your house-taught education was of higher level and, therefore, more complicated, and you did never had a problem with it. Look at this problems!" She said pointing to the exam. It was a math exam with a big, red and ugly 40 painted on it. "They are so easy that you should be able to solve them without a second thought! The main errors you committed were mistaking signs and doing bad simple operations like adding and subtracting. What's wrong Anna?"

In that moment her gaze softened a little and I realized she wasn't really mad, but concerned about me. If I played well my cards, hopefully there would be no punishment. However, I'm not a good liar, so I had to say something that was partially true.

"I-I… school… it's difficult because other things, not only the academic stuff, but the relationships with my classmates and teachers and… friends, mostly friends. It's… too complicated." I sighed and hung my head down, looking defeated, though I was confused. I didn't actually know if I was just acting or there was something more on it. After all, I had been wanting to speak with my parents for a while now, but they were always too busy, and I just ended up not telling them when I had the opportunity because of my pride. But here I was, spitting it all unconsciously and without being able to stop it. "All this issues about human interaction just keep… distracting me."

Hans and his touchy hands keeps distracting me. Not to mention Elsa and the ambiguous feelings I have towards her.

"It's okay." My father assured me, touching my shoulder. "You've been isolated your whole life. No one expects you to fit into the social world without a little struggle." I looked him and he smiled at me, and I obviously returned a little grin. "After all, it's only one exam. I'm sure you can still save the subject."

"Uh… Actually about that…" Again, my mouth spoke without my permission and I regretted it when I saw the frowns at their faces.

"It's not the only exam, is it?" My mom asked. I bit my lip and it alone answered her question. "And it's not the only subject." I nodded.

She grabbed my backpack and searched within my notebooks and papers retrieving all that had a grade. The ones which were from the beginning of the school year were pretty good, but the newest ones were definitely terrible. I wanted to stop her, of course, but it would've only made it worse. As my father saw them too, his gentle smile became an angry grimace that made me want to jump off the bed and run away as fast as I could. When they had finally saw all of my awful exams, they turned to see each other and father said:

"This is far worse than I thought. Maybe she wasn't prepared to face the world yet. I told you she's too oblivious, innocent and trustful to be out there!" Hello, I'm right here, you know? I can hear you. "We should've never let her attend to school."

"Maybe you're right." My mother said. "This grades reflect that something's happening, and I've also noticed her unusual behavior; being distracted, more distant from us, quiet, using provocative clothes and going out with her friends way too much (friends that she doesn't want us to meet, may I add), not to mention that she speaks for hours during night with someone named Hans." Fuck, I thought they were asleep! "And not about usual themes, but about sexual ones." Great, and she just had to listen yesterday's conversation. Wonderful. "I think this must be because of the influence her friends have on her."

"Great. Now that we're in agreement…" My father spoke. "Let's go to the school and tell the principal she won't be attending anymore." He turned to me. "Anna, you'll return to be home-schooled."

"What?!" I screamed, shocked. "No, no please no. Please! I'll do anything. Please! Don't lock me here again." I started crying, tears flowing out of my eyes as a river. I really didn't want to return to my previous life. "Please. I couldn't possibly live like that anymore!" My mother hugged me and I reciprocated despite all the anger and desperation my parents were inflicting on me. I really needed some comfort.

"Shhh, Anna. Calm down." My mother said soothingly, obviously noticing my sad sobs and wanting to do something to make me feel better. It didn't work.

"How could I calm down?!" I snapped, getting out of her embrace. "For ten years I was caged here with nothing to do, no one to talk to…"

"What are you talking about? There are servants in this house and your teachers…" My father interrupted my outburst. Fatal mistake.

"They are old people, for god's sake!" I yelled louder and angrier. "It's not the same. I have to interact with someone of my age, if not I would become crazy, be antisocial and never, ever have a boyfriend!"

"I don't have a problem with that." he said and I growled in frustration.

"And do you know what's worst of that?" I prepared myself for the final strike. If this didn't make them understand and take compassion of me, nothing would. "I couldn't even talk with my own parents because they were 'too busy for me'." I mocked their voices and expressions. Father was about to say something again, but I didn't give him the chance. "Have you ever wondered if my imprisonment and lack of human interaction through my whole life may be the cause of my poorly developed abilities to tell the difference between someone who wants to be my friend and someone who's trying to hurt me? Or you were too worried with your stupid bacteria and viruses to even think for a second about your stupid daughter who, unfortunately, wasn't born with Einstein's intelligence like you?!" I cried harder this time, almost uncontrollably, as I let out of my chest all the resentment I had towards my parents. It hurt even more to say it out loud than to admit it to myself inside my head.

"I won't let you speak like that to us!" My father yelled angrily. "You don't know what's best for you…"

"Oh, so I suppose you do!" I cut him, unable to put a hold in myself. "Why don't you go and lock me in a chamber with cushion-walls where nothing can hurt me this time? I'm sure I would be an exemplary citizen after ten years inside it, and that I would be perfectly able to tell the difference between correct and incorrect!"

"Listen lady… !" He started.

"Enough!" Mom yelled. None of us had noticed her before, but she had tears at her eyes and seemed very pissed. "Go to your room!" What? I'm in my room.

"I'm in…" I started.

"Not you." She said and turned to look at my father. "You. You're only making it worse. Let me talk to her."

"B-but…" He tried to oppose.

"Do it. NOW." That tone gave me goosebumps and I could've felt sorry about my dad if I hadn't been utterly mad at him. He rose from the bed and quickly got out without saying another word, clearly surprised and scared. My mother has always been a calm person Strict, yes, but very calm, so this was strange. Once he was gone, my mother turned to me and I gulped in fear. "Now, Anna, it's time to have a serious talk with you."

"M-mom, look…" I wanted to be a little more reasonable so not to make her angrier but still convince her about letting me attend to school, but she rose a hand to indicate silence, and I obeyed.

"I want you to know that I'm not happy about your grades in the slightest." I retreated into my bed more. "And I'm not happy about your new attitude or the great influence you let your friends have in you. Nor am I happy to know you are having intimate conversations with a guy who you haven't even mentioned to us before, and I preferred if you didn't talk to him anymore."

"But…" I tried to protest. Who did she think she was trying to decide who could be my friends and who couldn't?

"However…" She said in a very intimidating tone that instantly shut my mouth. "You will continue going to the school." My eyes went wide. I wasn't expecting that, I thought she agreed with my father about this, but maybe I was wrong. "You're right, it's not healthy for you to be locked in here, it never was, but this time I'll stand up for you and try to erase your father's irrational overprotection for you." I really wanted to scream in happiness, dance around and hold my mom tightly, but just as I was opening my mouth to thank her, she spoke again. "But there's one condition." I frowned at this. "You are going to improve your grades, and by this I mean really improve, and you will stop talking to Hans."

"Hey that's two conditions!" I retorted, exasperated at her for wanting to keep me away from Hans when she didn't even know him.

"Fine, then two conditions." She just answered. "After all, I can't really be sure that you're not talking to Hans anymore. I'll just have to trust you to make the right decision."

Trust me? Well, that's new. However, I don't think we both have the same idea of "the right decision".

"Whatever." I answer making an annoyed gesture which she ignores. "I'll do my best, I'll have better grades from now on."

"Good." She said standing up. "And if you have a problem or something, please don't hesitate to tell us. We'll be here for you, I promise."

Ha! As if I could ever believe that!

"Fine. Thanks mom." I said despite my thoughts. "I should do my homework now, though."

"Okay." She answered and got out of my room.

So here I am, overly stressed because if I don't pass with perfect grades the next few exams and essays, and do all my homework, I'm going to return to the prison I call home and stay inside there, probably for the rest of my lonely life.

"Anna?" I hear Meg say, while she walks at my side, in an accusing tone.

"Uhm…" What did she said? "Sorry, what?"

"You know, it's not nice not to listen to someone who is talking to you. "She crosses her arms and pout. I hate her when she does that, she looks just so cute! However, I'm not falling in her trap this time."

"Well, you don't ever listen to me when I tell you not to be so touchy."

"Mmmmh… good point." She says with a little grin. "But I just can't resist your illegal cuteness and your beauty!" She elbows me teasingly.

"I'm not cute, and I'm not beautiful!" I say sadly and frustrated. "I'm not perfect like you. All of you." She frowns at my words.

"Says who?" She asks angrily. "Hans?"

"Yes, Hans." I sigh.

"Don't listen to him. You are more perfect than any girlfriend he could ever deserve. You shouldn't be his friend with benefits." She touches my arm comfortingly, which, as usual, makes my skin slightly tingle at the contact pleasurably, but this also happens with most of the girls sometimes, so I've never paid it any mind, even if with Meg it's more recurrent.

"I know." I say. Suddenly I feel the urge to tell someone about my feelings, and who better than Meg, my crazy but nice and trustworthy best friend? I'm just tired to keep it all inside; I was never one to keep secrets for too long. "At first it was… funny, y'know? And exciting. Like a game, but I never really liked it completely, so now I just… I don't know… I still like Hans, but if I can't be his girlfriend I preferred it if we stayed as just friends."

"Do you still want to be his girlfriend after everything he's done to you?" She asks frowning.

"Of course!" Is my immediate response, but they I bit my lip and look away. I want to be honest for once, not only with Meg, but also with myself. "Well… maybe not. I know he couldn't possibly love me." I chuckle. "When I met him, I thought he was my true love, but I was just too innocent. True love doesn't exist. There's only sex."

"You know? I used to think like you do, but love does exist Anna." Meg says with conviction. "Maybe Hans can't love you, but that doesn't mean others couldn't!"

"Really?" I ask angrily. "Maybe someone could've loved me before. But look at me now! I've done disgusting things. I'm not worthy of anyone's love." I stare at the floor frowning and feeling bitterness at my own words. They hurt more because they're true; if my parents knew about what I've done not even them could love me anymore.

Suddenly I feel a pair of slim arms holding me and I quickly return the hug. I need someone to comfort me right now, to tell me that I'm wrong.

"Yes, you are." She says placing her chin on my noddle. "You are an amazing person, Anna, you just followed the wrong path for a while, but I'm sure you can still find the right one." I can hear the smile in her voice as she says those last words.

"I'm not sure. I'm kind of a disorientated person." I pout, even if I know she can't see me, but she surely can hear it in my tone of voice. "Sometimes I'm not even sure where every room of my own house is."

"It must be a very large house, then." She chuckles. "But seriously Anna, you just have to be yourself. It's not good to always try to please the others, I'm talking from experience. And you're such a wonderful person."

"You're always giving me compliments." I say giggling.

"It's because I love you." She says as a matter of factly. "Even if you're a pain in the ass sometimes."

"Thanks, Meg." I say grateful, letting go of her, but when she still keeps holding me, I just laugh and push her away slightly on the chest so I can look at her eyes. "If you were a man I would definitely want you as my boyfriend."

"Yeah." Her expression falls for a second before going back to normal. "Come on, feisty pants, we should hurry to English before that crazy teacher arrives and asks for the homework before I'm able to copy yours." She says with a teasing smirk I hate and like so much.

"Hey! You said you'd only copy the sources." I complain.

"That, and a couple of questions I couldn't answer." I frown and she smiles even more.

"And why would I allow that?" I ask, pretending to be mad.

"Because you love me." She says while leaning towards me so much that it almost seems she is going to kiss me. I blush, feel my heart racing like crazy and gulp loudly, not knowing what to do, or even what to think. I know women don't kiss other women, but it's really tempting. Suddenly I feel my backpack being tugged off my shoulder and see Meg running away and laughing at my stunned expression. Damn! She is such a tease!

I run to chase her, pretending that I'm angry but actually having fun.

I'm in the English classroom and Meg is copying my homework… not all, of course, just a little part of it. Ariel hasn't arrived yet, but that's not a surprise; she's been skipping this and a few other classes to go see her secret boyfriend at some college. I, on the other hand, am staring at Elsa's usual seat as I've been doing the past week because she hasn't attend to school all that time. It's very strange actually, for what I've been told she never, ever misses school, so I'm a little worried. Not because I care about her… or maybe I do, but mainly because she's been very strange lately; she is very thin, as if she hasn't eat anything in weeks, she has big and dark bags under her eyes, her skin is paler than usual, her clothes are always wrinkled and her braid a little messy, her stare is distant and her attitude depressed. She literally just sits there with her head resting on her notebook not doing anything in the whole class! It's as if nothing mattered to her anymore, and it scares me; she's like someone at their deathbed. I wonder if she's sick, and sometimes I think that's the case because of the deteriorated state of her appearance. But at times I also wonder if it's my fault, after all, it started the day I stole her headband… it made me realized that perhaps she actually has feelings, and maybe that's why I stopped bullying her that much; because I don't want anything serious happening to her, and I know I couldn't possibly bear with the guilt if it were my fault. But still, she could be dead for all I know, and the pain that thought brings me is almost unbearable; I can't imagine not being able to ever see her again, and never have the opportunity to say I'm sorry.

The teacher arrives and I prompt Meg to give me back my homework so I can give it to the teacher. She reluctantly does, since she hadn't finished copying yet, and the teacher comes to take them. Just as the class is about to start, the door opens and someone arrives, someone who hadn't come in a long time and that I'm actually very glad to see alive and healthy… well, as healthy as she can be; she seems to be even worse than the last time I saw her.

Elsa walks until she's standing in front of the teacher and hands him a note. He reads it before nodding, telling her something and sending her to her seat. As the class goes on I get distracted as usual, but I try to pay attention, I really do! But how do you expect me to do that when Elsa is back? And she is actually trying to take notes (even if she's not succeeding) and being the more alive I've seen her in the past month and a half. Even if she still seems very depressed, at least she's not defeated, there's hope in her eyes.

"Hey, feisty pants, why have you been staring at the ice queen all this time?" Meg asks with an annoyed voice. "She's not really that beautiful."

For a moment, I'm panicked because I think I've been discovered about actually feeling something else than hate towards the blonde, but I decide to change the subject and (hopefully) make her forget everything about it. So I turn to face her and give her a little smirk.

"You are jealous, aren't you?" I tease her, moving my eyebrows up and down suggestively.

"Oh, shut up." She says slapping my shoulder and turning to the chalkboard, pretending to be paying attention. I sigh in relief, just as I'm think she's dropped the subject, but in that moment she speaks again. "I'm just curious, you're obsessed with the girl after all." She says without turning to me and I don't know what to say for a moment.

"I… I'm not… obsessed with her." I answer.

"No, you're just infatuated." She retorts rolling her eyes.

Infatuated? But… Elsa's a girl. I can't be infatuated on a girl Meg, come on!

"Seriously Meg, I am just curious, after all she hadn't attend to school in a few days." I try to say as much natural as possible.

"Yeah… and during all that time you kept staring at her seat." I'm about to protest, but she sees me and keeps going before I can say a word. "And even before that, you couldn't endure more than a day without talking to her, even if it was just you saying nasty things and her trying to ignore you. And don't even make me start with all the things that happened when you two were friends. I know you feel something strong for her; I don't know if its love, hate, or just insane obsession, but you can't fool me." Well, now she sounds somewhat angry. I better convince her that I don't feel anything towards Elsa.

"I don't…"

"Stop trying to lie to me over something so obvious!" She raises her voice, dangerously approaching it to that limit when the teacher hears you and kicks you out.

"Okay, fine." I pout, hopping that, if she sees me, she won't stay mad at me (without a real reason, my I add), but it doesn't works since she keeps staring at the front, frowning.

Several minutes pass, and now I'm actually able to somewhat pay attention (just because now I've memorized every single detail of Elsa), but the class is about to end and I'm thinking the teacher would actually let us get out early because he has already finished today's lesson, but then he speaks:

"Now, before you go, I need to tell you about something you have to do during winter break." Protests and growls can be hear everywhere. "You'll have to prepare a little conference about a subject that'll be assigned to you, and you'll work by pairs, pairs of two people, no more, no less. You'll expose it in front of the class the first two weeks after the break, so you have plenty of time and, therefore, I expect it to be an excellent work, original and creative. Am I clear?" We all nod with defeated and upset expressions. Why don't teachers want us to actually have real vacations with lots of sitting on a couch just watching Christmas movies and enjoying the warm atmosphere while drinking hot chocolate? They really hate us, don't they? "Good, now please write your names on a paper and give them to me so I can give you your topics."

They all start talking with their friends and I, naturally turn to Meg and say:

"Well, so should I write our names or will you do it?"

"I'm not pairing up with you." She says, still sounding upset.

Oh come on! Don't be so childish. Why are you even upset anyways?

"B-but we're friends!" I exclaim, not believing her refusal. "Who are you going to work with if it isn't me?"

"I'll just write Ariel's name." She answers shrugging. "I know she comes here only when the comet Haley pass, but she's still an student on this class."

I can't believe her! TRAITOR!

"But you'll have to do all the job!" She eyes me with a boring expression, as if not wanting to discuss any further. "And who am I going to pair up with if it's not you?"

"Wow. I'm pleased to see that you only chose me because I'm your only option." She says sarcastically.

Okay. Maybe that came out wrong.

"There's sure there has to be some antisocial pathetic being over there in the classroom without anyone to work with them." She says. I look around but only see pairs writing their names on paper. Meg sighs. "I'll give you a clue: you couldn't stop seeing her the whole hour."

Elsa.

Well, working with Elsa may be a good idea, I mean, she's known for being an exceptional student after all, but she probably won't want to prepare this conference with me, much less on vacation; she's probably been looking forward for this opportunity of getting away of me. Besides, it seems to me that she isn't planning on pairing up with anyone since she's just sited there looking miserable while everyone else already has a partner.

"Meg, please, work with me." I say turning, only to see her already finishing writing her and Ariel's names and giving the sheet to the teacher.

"Sorry, feisty. Too late." She answers.

I groan in frustration and turn around to see if there's someone, anyone, alone. No, no luck. Only Elsa. I groan again and get up from my chair to then walk slowly towards the blonde. I feel my hand palms sweating so much that I have to wipe them on my jeans, my heart's rhythm also increases its speed, and I feel butterflies again.

Damn! I thought I had this controlled, or maybe even eradicated, after her constant rejections towards me. Guess only one week of absence makes me worry enough to allow this stuff to return

Once I'm in front of her I open my mouth but think for a minute before actually saying something.

Should I say hello? Should I apologize? Should I ask her about her absence? Should I just ask her to be my partner? But if I just ask her, which approach should I use? Should I tell her 'Hey, we're the only ones who don't have a partner, let's do this together'? Or that would make her upset as it did with Meg? I have no fucking idea! Someone help me!

"Hi." I hear a tired and soft voice coming from the girl in front of me that now is directly looking at my eyes.

"Uh… uhm… hi." I say, not expecting her to speak to me first. Well, may as well make this work. "Uhm… look, I came in peace, okay? I just don't have someone to make this conference with and I think you don't either, so… what do you say?" I give her my best smile, hopping it will convince her. She looks down to her chair and many seconds pass in silence. I'm starting to get nervous thinking she'll say no, when she finally speaks, but the answer is one I wasn't expecting.

"Don't try to fool me like that please. It won't work." She seems quite sad.

Wait, does she think this is a joke?

"I'm not joking!" I say putting up my hands. "I swear, please, I need a partner."

She looks at me for a moment with a gaze full of doubts and suspicion. I don't blame her, though; If I were her I would be doubtful of me too.

"How do I know you won't try to wrong me?"

"How do I know you won't try to gain my trust just to hurt me?" I know, I should be over that by now, but hey, she hurt me! She looks at me with a look I can't fully interpret. Anger? Frustration? Exasperation? All of them? I'm not sure. What I'm sure is that we need to trust each other, even slightly, to make this work, and I have to be the one earning her trust again, because hers is the most damaged one. I sigh. "Look, I know you don't want to do this, and honestly neither do I; I'd prefer to work with Meg, but she's angry with me, so…" Yeah, I'm definitely not helping my cause. Why do I have to be so used to say awful things to Elsa that I can't say something even slightly nice? "Fine, let's just call a truce, okay? I won't bully you and you won't try to harm me in any way while we do this. Deal? "I ask with a hopeful smile, tending my hand to her, hoping she'll accept. She looks at my hand, then at me and speaks."

"O-Okay." She takes my hand reluctantly and in that moment I feel as if electricity roamed over all my body. It's a very strange yet pleasurable feeling, similar to the one Meg gives me, but at the same time different, stronger. "After all I don't have a partner and there seems to be no one available except you… I have no choice." She sighs and looks at the floor, but still without releasing my hand. I take notice of it, but I don't mind, so I don't say anything. However, I can't say it didn't hurt me what she said, but I did tell her the same thing, so I guess we're even.

"Good." I say smiling, glad that she didn't reject me, and letting go of her hand. "Then I'll write our names." I do so and give the paper to the teacher , who in return gives me another one with our subject written on it: Pirates. I like it actually; I've always like the Pirates of the Caribbean movie. I return to Elsa and give it to her. "See, this is our topic." I expect for her answer but receive none, so I keep talking. "Let's exchange phone numbers so we can contact each other during vacation. I want to start this as soon as possible to get over with it quickly."

"F-fine." She says taking her pen. "Dictate it to me."

I do so and then take out my phone to save hers. I'm surprised to find this isn't a cellphone number, but a house one.

"Uhm… won't you give me your cellphone number?" I ask.

Of course she won't! She doesn't trust me.

"Uhm… actually I don't have a cellphone." She looks quite ashamed as she answers.

"Oh." That's good, it's not as if she didn't trust me enough, but still it's strange. Most people of our age have one! "Why? Because you don't like technology?"

"No, i-it's just…" She looks at me very sad for a second before deviating her gaze again. "I don't want to talk about it." She seems very uncomfortable about the topic, so I decide not to push it. "Besides, I don't get out of my house too much during the break, so you'll be able to contact me at every hour and every day."

"Okay, thanks." I say. "Expect my call soon. See you before Christmas! "I wave her goodbye and quickly leave the classroom, wondering how things will turn out from this. Maybe we can have an opportunity of being actual friends? I hope everything goes well; I really want to be someone in the blonde's life and not only her bully."

Maybe this isn't a bad thing after all.