By the time the first football game arrives, school had already been in session for a month. Surprisingly, not much had happened. I don't know what I was exactly expecting, but I thought more would happen with Jack, Mr. Black, and Miss Gothel. I also thought public school would be more lively. Then again, we've only been having classes for a month. People are probably still trying to fix their sleep schedule.

However, this week, Homecoming Spirit Week, has been the most lively I have ever seen the school. And it's all because of the first game later on tonight. I don't really understand why football is such a big deal, nor do I have any interest in the sport, but I'm going-more like being forced to go-to the game later on tonight. I wanted to stay home, but Rapunzel and Anna had begged me countless times all this week.

I managed to resist their puppy eyes and told them no over and over again, something I should have done to prevent the horrid accident years ago, and I was doing really well on my word too until Anna finally got to me. And it wasn't her pleading eyes that made me give in.

It was her hurtful words.

"I don't even know why I bothered," she had whispered to Rapunzel as I had walked to my room yesterday after coming home from school. "She's never going to change."

I know she didn't want me to hear because her voice was a soft, also inaudible whisper, but because I'm so good at staying quiet and listening to everything going on around me, I heard her loud and clear. Her voice dripped with sadness, and it caused my heart to ache with guilt. When we first moved in, I had told myself that moving here wouldn't be as bad as I thought it would. I had told myself that it's probably not too late to fix what I've broken, and here I am doing not doing anything about it. It's as Anna said...I'm not changing.

And I really, really want to, but I know it's not going to be easy. It's going to be hard, stressful, and definitely scary. I don't know if I'll ever be the girl I once was. I've hidden myself away inside a sad, reserved persona that I've come to believe is the actual me. But is it really? I sometimes think it is because I've only ever been "extroverted" with my sister and cousin. Before everything changed, whenever I wasn't with the two of them or if the three of us were on playdates with other business kids, I was always introverted. I was just never that way around my sister or cousin because I was comfortable with them and only them. Plus, those business kids were total brats.

The difference between my introvertedness then and now is that, back then, I never felt lonely or sad or...depressed. I took time to myself whenever I wanted to, but I never felt any negativity. Now, all I ever feel is lonely and sad and depressed. I forced myself to stay away even when I wanted to be around my favorite people because at 12 years old I thought I was a danger.

I know now that I was being ridiculous, but the damage had already been done. I didn't think there would be any way to fix it, I still don't, but now...now that Anna and I are in a new environment I have more hope than I did before.

So when she said those words, it made me realize that my chance to fix everything, or at least try to, is now.

I thought about it long and hard for the remainder of the day, and this morning I told them that I had changed my mind. Which resulted in her squealing and giving me a big, tight hug. It took me by surprise so badly that I didn't react fast enough to hug her back, but she didn't seem to mind. Honestly, I don't think she noticed. I don't think she even noticed that she hugged me too.

As of right now, I'm going through my closet, trying to figure out a good outfit to wear. What does one even wear to a football game? Should I just stay in the outfit that I'm in, which expresses our school colors? I'm already in jeans, and I can bring a light jacket in case the night gets cold. This would be the safest way to go. If I were to dress up I might get weird looks. Besides, I did enough dressing up this week.

Since my silky icy blue nightgown wasn't appropriate for school, I had to buy pajama pants with a matching shirt to wear on Pajama Day, which was Monday. Tuesday was Career/Business Formal Day, which a lot of people didn't really participate in, but my sister, cousin, and I did. The three of us each wore plaid double-breasted long blazers with high waisted plaid pencil skirts. Anna's was magenta, dark blue, and medium green; mine was light blue, purple, and white; and Rapunzel's was yellow, light purple, and apple green.

Wednesday, everyone wore pink, Thursday was Whacky Mix Match day, and today was School Colors.

"Elsa, it's me. Can I come in?" I hear Rapunzel say as she knocks on my door, causing me to look away from my reflection in my full body mirror next to my dresser and say, "Come in."

I walk over to my bed as my cousin walks inside my room, but I stopped in my tracks when I noticed her nervous reaction. "Uh...what's up?" I asked, unsure if I was ready to hear her response.

She closes the door and leans against it as she tugged at her hair and avoided eye contact. "Okay, sooooo," she starts, "Anna's in the Gallery room right now with mom, and mom told me to tell you that she and dad won't be able to drop us off to the game because their dinner reservations got messed up, so now they have to get there an hour earlier than intended. Don't freak out, but the only person who I knew I could count on to give us a ride is...Jack."

I didn't know which happened first: my jaw dropping, my eyes popping, or my breathing stopping. Either way, they all happened. "Wait, WHAT?!" I exclaimed then started to pace around.

"Please don't freak out," Rapunzel said, but I zoned her out.

"I-I already see him enough at school," I continued, panicky, "I don't want to be in his car! Nope, this isn't happening. I'm staying home. I knew this would be a bad idea. Oh my god kill me now." I quickly sat down on my bed before I could possibly faint, grabbed the closest pillow, covered my face with it, and flopped back dramatically.

Am I being a bit dramatic? Probably, but I think I have a perfectly good reason to be.

"Oh come on," says Rapunzel. I hear her footsteps and felt my bed dip a little when she sat down. "It's not like you're going to be alone with him. Anna and I will be with him too. Tooth most likely will also. You also promised Anna and I, and you know how I feel about promises. You never ever break them. Ever. Also," she giggles, "you're acting almost as dramatic as Anna."

Despite the horrible news, that manages to make me laugh. "Almost," I repeat when I removed the pillow. I then realized something. "Wait, so Jack's coming here to pick us up?"

"Yep."

"So he's been here before?"

"Yeah, loads of time to take me to games or to hangout with him and some friends at the Mall or movies or wherever. He's never been inside though." She pauses to giggle again. "I think he's afraid he'll break something or get it dirty just by looking at it. He acts as though it's some sacred place. I know it's a mansion, which doesn't compare at all to his home, but it's not like it's a castle."

So he's been here multiple times after school or on weekends to pick her up so they can hang out. She said with other friends, but has it ever just...been the two of them? She said they're best friends, and they do seem pretty close when together, and while I know a guy and a girl can be best friends, there are some cases where one always falls for the other. Does Rapunzel like him? Does he like her? Are they both secretly pining after one another? Oh my god, are they secretly dating? What if they get married? The last thing I want is for him to become a part of my family. Of course, if it were to come to that, I would never do anything to jeopardize Rapunzel's happiness.

"So do you," I start, trying to keep it casual, "like him? As in romantically?"

Rapunzel groans and flops back on my bed, laying in the opposite direction of me. For a brief second, I felt a little awkward, since we haven't laid back in a bed like this in forever just talking, but then I felt beyond happy that she still feels comfortable in doing so. She just flopped back as if she's never stopped doing it. Maybe if Anna didn't act so awkward around me, it wouldn't make me feel so awkward when I'm with her. Actually, it's most likely me being awkward around her which makes her awkward around me. I can't blame her either for not coming to my door anymore like Rapunzel just did because for years all I've done is ignore her pleas. She probably thinks there'd be no use to it.

If she were to ever seek me out again, I vow to not ignore her. I vow to change. Which means...I'm getting in Jack's damn car. Ugh the things I do out of love.

"Why does everyone always think that?" Rapunzel complains, snapping me out of my thoughts. "I admit we're very close for a straight guy and girl who aren't related, but I only see him as a brother and he's told me before that he only sees me as a sister. Also," once again she giggles, "you totally sound like you have a crush on him."

And once again, I was left in shock. "What on earth made you think that?" I demanded as I sat up to look her dead in the eye.

"One," she stuck up her index finger, "you were freaking out about being in a car with him when you knew damn well there'd be others with you. And two," she stuck up another finger, "you asked me, another girl, if I had a thing for him. Sounds like a crush to me. Wouldn't that be ironic? You falling in love with your sister's savior's son. I'm using that word ironic correctly, right? Anyway, one would think Anna would be the one to fall in love with him. Then again, she probably already has."

I shook my head at the ridiculousness of her words. I've already considered her crushing on him, and I do not want to have the thought back in my head. But me falling for him? Ha, not likely. We're both out of each other's leagues. He's not even my type...whatever that type may be. I certainly don't know what it is, but I know Jack doesn't qualify. Honestly, I don't even see myself being in a romantic relationship. I'd like one, but I don't see it coming true. That's okay though. I won't have that constant fear of hurting them or them hurting me.

"I do not, nor will I ever," I stated, loud and clear, "form a crush on him. And please, can we not discuss the possibility of Anna falling for him? I'd rather not think about."

Rapunzel sighs as she sits up. "Okay, okay, okay." She heads for the door but turns her head to smugly look back at me when she grasped the handle. "But just so you know, you and Jack would make a really cute couple."

"Cute does not equal compatible," I retort, which makes her giggle. I then remembered a thought I had a while back. "Hey, wait, does Aunt Arianna know that Jack is...the boy?"

Rapunzel shook her head. "No. I...I was afraid if I told her, she'd do something about it. Like...bake a pie or send money or something out of gratefulness. Just like with you, I didn't tell her about him because I was afraid she'd freak out. I didn't want Jack to know that I was there that night in case she said something, and was afraid it would cause problems with our friendship."

I nodded. "Okay." That was all I could think to say, and when she left, I laid back down on my bed.

I stared up at my ceiling, sighing as I felt so incredibly...stressed? Nervous? Tired? Worried? Sick? I guess overwhelmed is the appropriate term to use.

So incredibly overwhelmed.

My aunt and uncle were gone by the time Jack arrives, and every step to his car felt like I was walking in cement. He watched as my sister, cousin, and I walked to him, side by side with me in the middle, but his eyes felt like they were directly on me and me alone. Luckily, Tooth was in the passenger's seat, so I kept my focus strictly on her and not at the white hair boy who was watching us over her head.

"You girls ready for your first football game?" Tooth asked Anna and I as we climbed inside the backseat.

"Aaaahh I was born ready," Anna declared, making the Indian girl laugh.

"Ready for our team to win or ready to check out the players?" Jack asked, teasingly, as he looked at us through his rear-view mirror. His question made my sister blush, either because the second option is the truth or because he, a cute boy, had asked.

"Jack," she responded, humoring him, "don't ask questions you know the answer to. We all know my real reason for going."

Jack shook his head as he laughed. "I thought so." His eyes then glance over to me, and I look away. Just the usual routine. Nothing new.

When the three of us buckled up, we were off, and luckily no talking was necessary because Tooth had turned on the radio. However, while there was no talking, there was a lot of singing. It mainly came from Tooth, Rapunzel, and Anna. Their karaoke session actually made me feel a little more comfortable being in Jack's car. And as the girls sang, he and I just sat back and silently listened to our own private concert, smiling and laughing whenever we couldn't stop ourselves. Eventually he joined in with them, and let me just say...damn. The music was loud and he wasn't singing as loudly as the girls, so I couldn't really hear every ounce of his voice, but from what I did hear, I couldn't deny that it was beautiful. I wonder what he sounds like when he fully uses his voice without any music to cloud over it.

And of course, as soon as I heard his voice, I stared in astonishment. What else is there to him? What other secret talents does he have? The easy way is to simply ask rather than wait to find out, but the easy way is actually hard for me. So that's a big no.

When we finally make it to the field, the bleachers were already packed. Luckily, Merida and Moana were saving our seats in the very front. With them was Hiccup and Kristoff. I haven't spoken to them yet, so hopefully I make a good first impression.

"Well, if it isn't loser one and loser two," Jack says as soon as we approached them. I knew he was talking to the boys, but Merida didn't.

"Boy, you better not be talking about Moana and I," she warned.

"I was talking to Big Mountain and Little Pebble," Jack clarified as he gestured to the two boys who sat behind them. Rapunzel, Anna, Tooth, and I were already sitting with Merida and Moana when Jack walked up the step to sit with the boys, and as he does this he says, "Not everything is about you, you know. Plus, Moana isn't a loser. You on the other hand..."

She turns around to reach for him, but Hiccup stops her. "Merida, you're only encouraging him."

"Calm down, Hiccup," Merida says to her cousin, "I'm not gonna hurt him. I just want to talk."

Kristoff chuckles. "I didn't know talking meant beating the other up. Hey, by the way," he says this to me only. "Elsa, right?"

"Correct," I reply. "And you're Kristoff."

He nods. "Yeah, but your sister keeps calling me Christopher. Hopefully, you have better memory."

Anna scoffs. "And what's that supposed to mean?" Her voice dripped with pure, heavy annoyance; there was no playfulness at all, and it took me off guard. Did something happen between the two of them? They're in the same grade, so they must have some classes together where words were exchanged. I should ask her later; it might be good for some bonding.

"It means," Kristoff begins, his tone matching hers, "that you're forgetful. It's not that hard to understand."

I don't know what came over me, but I didn't like his hateful attitude towards her, and without even thinking, I blurted out, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk to my sister that way. And Anna, don't feed into it either. We're here to support our team and have fun. Not to quarrel like children."

Everyone fell silent and the atmosphere turned awkward, making me blush and suddenly feel insecure. They probably all think I'm a bitch. Luckily it only lasted for a few seconds before Jack and Merida both burst into laughter, breaking the awkwardness and heaviness that I felt.

"Damn, Kris, you just got told off." Says Merida.

"That was awesome. Didn't know you had some fire to you, Elsa," Jack says, and his praise-their praise-put a small smile on my face. However, it didn't erase the guilt I felt for embarrassing Kristoff. So much for a good first impression. I'll apologize later.

Much to my relief, he didn't seem all that offended. He merely rolls his eyes and smirks, saying, "It wouldn't be the first time I've been scolded. Plus, it's what I get for not being careful with the older sibling around."

Anna wraps an arm around me and says to him, "Yeah, so you better be careful next time." She turned to gaze to me and smiled brightly. "Thanks, sis."

I smiled back, feeling complete joy to see her smile at me in such a way. "You're welcome."

Before anyone else could speak a word, the cheerleaders make their way to the front of the bleachers and begin stretching. When Merida sees Astrid, she stands up, walks over to the railing, and says, "If you're wondering if the skirt makes your butt look big, I'll be happy to inform you that it does."

Most of the cheerleaders had looked at Merida with pissed off expressions, probably thinking that she was talking to them, but Astrid knew the comment was for her and smiled brightly as she flipped the redhead off. "The real question is if it looks good," Astrid had called out. She turns around to show us her backside. "Does it?"

Merida holds her thumbs up. "It looks fantastic." She looked back at the group and I to give Hiccup, who was blushing at the sight of the blonde, a mischievous smirk. "Doesn't it look great, dear cousin of mine?"

"I...I...um…," his face had become even redder, a little sweat had formed, and he gulps, loud enough for me to hear, "It...it doesn't look bad."

I couldn't stop the amused smile that had formed on my face while everyone else had burst into laughter. Merida turns back to look down at Astrid, "Hiccup agrees. He said that you really put the ass in Ass-trid."

Hiccup's eyes widen in horror. "What?! No I didn't!" He exclaimed, loud enough for other people to turn their heads in his direction. He stood up so Astrid could see him from where she stood on the ground. "Astrid, I did no such thing. She's lying!"

Astrid laughs. "I know, Hiccup. I've been friends with her for years to know. Plus, you're more respectful than she is. It's one of your great traits." The coach then calls for her. "Gotta go. I'll see you guys after the game." She turns around and gets in formation with her squad.

Hiccup sat back down as Merida returned to her seat, the smirk never leaving her face. When she sits down, Hiccup was quick to say: "You are so not funny."

"Hey, she called you respectful and said that it's one of your great traits. She wouldn't have done that if not for me. One day you'll thank me." Merida remarks.

"Well, that day certainly isn't today," Hiccup mumbles.

"Redheads," says Jack, shaking his head, "they're really are insane."

Hiccup chuckles. "I'm well aware."

Merida says, annoyed, "I am literally sitting right here and can hear every word. I'd appreciate it if you stopped talking."

She got her wish, because as soon as the words left her mouth, both football teams made themselves known on the field, and the game officially starts.