Elsa's Point Of View
I knew I should have held it in. I didn't want to come inside this god forsaken hospital to use their bathroom and I didn't want my conversation with Jack to end. I was getting really invested in the bucket list he was making. It was a good distraction. But no, my bladder decides to be disruptive, which has led me to where I am now, staring into a familiar face I haven't seen in a long time.
He hasn't aged a day. He has the same wrinkles, the same brown skin, the same eyes, the same smile, the same body, the same everything. I never thought that I'd ever see him again. I thought the same with Jack, whose name I only just discovered once I started school. But the doctor in front of me...I've known his name for six years.
Dr. Stone.
The doctor who had treated Anna. The doctor who I had just ran into. The same doctor who is looking at me with concerned eyes.
"Are you alright, miss?" He asked, but I could hardly hear it over the thundering of my own heart in my ears. Can he hear it too?
"She's fine, sir," Rapunzel says, coming to my rescue since I was very obviously malfunctioning. "It's just been a really hectic night for us."
Dr. Stone nods in understanding. "That's how most Fridays are. Take care now." And just like that, like nothing at all, he walks off in the direction that he was originally going. Does he not remember us? Does he not remember seeing my crying 12 year old face? Or my cousin's? I knew that Jack remembered me, so how come he doesn't? I know he's a doctor and that he's seen hundreds of patients who look alike, but surely he would have remembered me? What's funny is that I dreaded the fact of Jack remembering me, and now I'm upset that this doctor apparently doesn't.
And before I could stop myself, I suddenly find myself calling out to him. "Hey, wait!" He turns around, puzzled, and so is my cousin who's looking at me like I've grown a second head. But instead of asking him if he remembers me, I say two words that are long overdue. "Thank you."
"For what, dear?" Dr. Stone asked, confused.
"For treating my sister six years ago," I tell him and that's all I say. If he doesn't remember then he just doesn't remember and maybe that's a good thing. And maybe this will help him remember without giving away too much information which could somehow lead back to Anna. If he does remember then...then he just does and is treating it like it's no big deal.
Because when you're a doctor, seeing people who you've seen before isn't really a big deal at all, is it? He knows how to heal and move on after a death. I...I don't. I don't know how. Even when I didn't even know Jack's father.
As soon as the words left my mouth, I quickly turned around and walked away, not wanting to see a reaction and thankful that he didn't try to stop me. Because to be honest, I'm not sure if I want him to remember or not. And while Rapunzel didn't try to stop me either, she did try to get an explanation out of me.
"What was that about? Why did you say that?" She asked once we made it outside.
"I honestly don't know," I reply with a shrug and a racing heart. "Perhaps my conversation with Jack earlier made me more brave. I really did needed to thank him though. It's way overdue."
"You better hope that he doesn't say anything to Kristoff," she says, and before I could ask her way she continues. "That's his grandfather."
And just like that I stop in my tracks and felt deathly sick. I remember being told that Kristoff was adopted when he was five by a doctor, but never in my wildest dreams did I think it to be Dr. Stone. "Oh god," I say as I clench the fabric of my shirt above my stomach, "Punzie, why didn't you tell me that? You said he was adopted by a doctor but you never said anything about it being Dr. Stone!"
Rapunzel winces at my sharp tone. "It slipped my mind. I'm sorry. But in all honesty, if he does end up telling Kristoff, if he remembers that is, I doubt Kristoff would confront Anna about it. He doesn't exactly like her. At least that's what Anna tells me. Plus, you saw how they were towards each other during the game earlier."
"Why is that anyway?" I asked, genuinely curious but also wanting to change the topic a little.
My cousin shrugs. "I don't know the entirety of it, but from what Anna told me, she wanted to talk to him on the first day of school to lighten him up since he appeared grumpy, but apparently he didn't want to talk so he snapped at her. Told her to leave him alone because she was annoying him. They've been a bickering pair ever since."
I merely hummed in thought and wished she had told me that herself. Now she'll never tell me anything ever again because of our fight.
We made it to the car then, causing our conversation to end, and when I saw Tooth back in the front seat, I couldn't help but be a little surprised. I had thought we were going to be sitting in the spots we had arrived in, but it's really not important. I climbed in the backseat with my cousin and when we were back on the road, Flynn says as he looks at his phone: "Guy and Tulip will be waiting for us. They're the only ones awake."
Guy and Tulip. I know them. They're both in my grade. I even saw them at the game earlier. I didn't see them at the party because I was occupied, but it's obvious they're not there now since they're waiting for Flynn. Guy is Eep's boyfriend and Tulip has hair that would make you think she's related to Merida. Only she's not because...well...she's an orphan. "How does that work?" I blurt out to Flynn, wanting to not think of Dr. Stone and my sister. "You all are orphans and yet it appears you have special privileges? Such as playing football and going to parties. Is it because of your age?"
Flynn nods. "Yep," he pops the p, "Once you turn 16, the rules lessen."
"But what if one of you takes the opportunity to run away?" I inquired some more. Because surely that's happened before. "You leave and just not come back."
"A missing person report will be filed, but that's it," Flynn says with a shrug, as if it's no big deal. "Not much is done because there's not much to do. Sometimes the police just don't care enough to look hard enough or to even look at all. After all, who would want to look for an orphan who is never going to get adopted because of their age and who is going to end up on the streets anyway?"
"Oh Flynn," Rapunzel sadly breathes out, "That's so sad. Have you-"
"Ran away?" He finishes for her as he looked into her eyes deeply. He looks away from her a second later to stare at his hands in his lap. "I have indeed." He then scoffs and lifts his head to look out the window. "I was 12 and of course I didn't even last a week. I went back and have forever been grateful for Mildred for taking me back in with happy arms. Hattie was a different story. She wanted me gone. Said that those who leave shouldn't ever come back. That they should stay gone if they wanted to leave so badly. I have until I graduate until I'm gone for good."
As the thick silence engulfs us, I couldn't help but feel guilty for bringing the conversation up and scolded myself for it. This is what I get for trying to be social. Rapunzel, however, broke the silence by continuing with the topic. "So...they're just...going to throw you out? Like trash?"
She sounded like she was on the verge of tears and it caused me to look over at her in fear that she would break down. Flynn gave her the same worried expression I was giving her, and after a moment of staring, he cracks a smile. "Oh Blondie, are those tears in your eyes? Don't cry for little orphan Flynn. Mildred always makes sure we're taken care of when we leave the orphanage. I'll be fine."
Rapunzel forces a nod. "Okay," she says and leaves it at that. Jack quickly took over then.
"Okay," he says as he reaches for the radio, "No more talk about orphans. It's making me sad. Let's sing along to songs about sex and drugs instead. Okay?"
And of course, we all agreed.
When we arrived, Guy and Tulip stayed true to their word and were waiting outside for us on the steps. Eep was there too, still in her cheerleading uniform, which hugged her curves amazingly, and sitting in her lap was Guy, which totally reversed the usual girl-sitting-in-boy's-lap stereotype. They were whispering probably sweet words to each other while Tulip was walking back and forth in front of them, texting away on her phone.
Upon seeing us, the three of them all look over and get to their feet. Jack parks the car along the sidewalk but doesn't turn it off. "Alright, Flynn," he says as he turns in his seat to look over at his friend, "This is where we say goodbye. I missed a fun party because of you."
Flynn rolls his eyes, "Don't blame me. Blame Blondie over here." Rapunzel smacks him again across the shoulder again.
"Oh shush," she says as she grins. "It was you who scared me which led to me knocking you out."
"Which can we not tell anyone about?" Flynn asked. "I don't want the whole school to know that I got knocked out by a frying pan from a girl who can seriously swing."
Jack laughs. "You seriously think I'm going to keep this quiet? Sorry, dude, but once Monday rolls around the whole school will know. Including the elementary kids."
Flynn groans in annoyance. "You suck."
"Well, how else am I going to make money?"
"Ew Jack!" Tooth says as she, Rapunzel, and I all make the same disgusted look.
Flynn opens the door as he and Jack laugh at us. "Well, I guess I'll see you guys later. Try not to hit anyone, okay Blondie?"
My cousin giggles. "I'll try. And you try not to get hit, okay?"
Flynn grins. "I'll try." He then shuts the door and walks over to where Eep, Guy, and Tulip stood, waiting. Once he reaches them, he turns around and waves at us, causing the other three to wave at us as well. The four of us in the car wave back too before Jack takes the car out of 'park' and starts driving again.
"Where to now?" Jack asked, and Rapunzel answered, saying the one word I've been dying to return to.
"Home."
.
.
.
When Jack makes it to the manor, I was filled with relief at finally being home, where I can go to sleep and stay asleep until Monday. Tonight took a lot of energy out of me. I bet Rapunzel feels the same. She had fallen asleep on the way over here, unconsciously leaning on me when she was out of it. Her head was on my shoulder and it took everything in my power not to lean my head on hers and fall asleep too. The last thing I want is to fall asleep in a mischievous boy's car. He might take a picture and use it for blackmail.
Tooth had fallen asleep too, leaving Jack and I to be the only ones awake. He glanced at me a few times through the rearview mirror, probably checking to see if I was awake, but no words were exchanged. He's probably just as tired as the rest of us. The radio was the only noise that filled the silence, playing the same songs I had heard earlier in the night. I wasn't paying attention to it at all. Instead, I was replaying everything that had happened to me today starting from this morning. How is it that this morning was only hours ago, but it feels like years? So many years.
"Okay," Jack says, his voice low so he doesn't wake up Tooth. He turns in his seat to look back at me. "We're here."
I nodded, but didn't move. "I can see that," I replied, smiling softly. "Thank you by the way. And I don't just mean for the driving. Thank you for...for confronting me. A huge weight that has been there for years really has been lifted off my shoulders. I hope now I can finally...I don't know," I shrugged and avoided eye contact, feeling shy, "...find peace I guess. Find...myself. And it's all because you were brave enough to talk to me when I was too scared to talk to you." I found the courage to look back at him at my last few words.
Jack returns the soft smile I had given him and says, "You're welcome, Snowflake. Just know that you don't have to be afraid to talk to me anymore. About anything. We're friends now, and believe it or not, I'm a really good friend. The greatest actually. I'm also a really good listener. You women like that in a guy right?"
I smile as I shook my head and rolled my eyes. "No comment." That's the second time I've told him that tonight.
Jack chuckles before replying. "By the way, at the game earlier when you accused me of not being in a relationship or being a love expert, you didn't really offend me. I really was just teasing. You were right though. If Hiccup is going to take advice from anyone it should be from someone who's in a relationship or who knows a thing or two about love. I don't qualify for either."
"Neither do I," I respond, my voice sounding softer than a whisper, almost inaudible.
Jack looks like he's going to say something else, but nothing comes out of his mouth, and instead of talking he just stares at me for a second or two before looking away and clearing his throat while he rubs his neck. "Well...um…" he clears his throat again. "I guess neither of us should give him advice then." He softly laughs at the end of his sentence but it sounded nervous.
"That's very true," I admit, feeling a yawn coming on. I didn't fight it as it came and when it did Jack chuckled again.
"Looks like someone's tired," he said, amused.
My face felt hot from the blush that formed on my face and I was thankful for it being dark. But even in the dark I could see how tired he was too. Perhaps he can see my blush after all. "It looks like we all are. Drive safe okay?"
He nods. "I will." He says nothing more and that's when I took the opportunity to shake my cousin awake. She woke up, still half asleep, and said her mumbled, sleepy goodbyes to Jack and Tooth (who heard nothing of it since she was still asleep). Rapunzel stumbled a few times as she practically sleep-walked towards the large front doors of her mansion, and of course I stayed close to her in case she ended up falling, but when we reached the steps, I stopped following her to turn around and wave to Jack, who waved back.
And when my cousin and I were finally inside, I slowly closed the doors so I could keep my eyes on Jack's vehicle a little while longer, watching it as it drove away. Weird how earlier today I didn't want to be inside of it with him at all, and now here I am wondering...when will I get to drive around with him again?
.
.
.
She should be used to all the tall, intimidating strangers that seem to lurk in every corner of the large ballroom. She should be used to the boredom that quickly comes to her when she's forced to stand by her parents' side until they let her go play with the other kids. She should be used to not playing at all when her sister, cousin, and friend play with kids that are too snobby to her liking. She should be used to standing against the wall and watching. She should be used to feeling sad when she's alone.
But she's not used to any of it at all, and really what 10 year old would?
This time though...it's different. This time something new happens. Because out of everything, the one thing she's definitely not used to is seeing someone at her Aunt and Uncle's Annual Christmas Eve Party who is her height-another kid perhaps-wearing a large thick coat that reached the floor and looked as though it is eating them, had their face covered with a scarf, and their head covered with a winter hat. The person was covered from head to toe. She couldn't see their face or their ears or their mouth or nose or their hands or feet or even their hair. The only thing she saw was their eyes. And dear lord they were the prettiest eyes she has ever seen.
She could see actual snowflakes in them. And how could she not when he was standing directly in front her, leaving not even five inches between them? She would have stepped back if it wasn't for the wall she was already pressed against.
"Hello there," the Coat Monster said and waits for her to reply. From the voice, the girl could easily decipher that the Coat Monster is a boy.
"Um…" Elsa starts out as she continued to eye him suspiciously. Because why on earth is he wearing all of that? How is he not burning up? Why is he so close to her? Doesn't he know anything about personal space? He's kind of creepy. What is going on? Is this a trick? Was he set up by her sister, cousin, and Olaf? But surely not, since she was watching them the entire time.
"Hello," she finally says, obviously nervous, and she swears she thinks he smiles. Maybe it was because the scarf around his mouth raised a little, or maybe it was because his snowflake eyes literally sparkled in delight at her reply.
"Do I frighten you?" The Coat Monster asked.
Elsa didn't know whether to nod or shake her head, so she does neither. "I am not scared of you. Just...weirded out is all." And amused.
"Hey, I'm not the only weird one. You are too. You're the one in the room who is glued to the wall all by yourself," the boy says. "Why aren't you playing with the other kids?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Elsa replied, but there was no attitude in her voice. Just sadness that the Coat Monster could easily detect.
"Oh...I'm sorry." He says, sounding guilty, which made Elsa feel guilty too.
"No, don't be," she assures him, "You were just being curious. My sister and cousin are curious all the time too." She tried to look beyond the covered boy who was blocking her view to see what her family members and their friend were doing, since that was what she was doing right before the mysterious boy showed up. However, she couldn't see them and didn't want to fully try to look for them either in case the Coat Monster thought her to be rude. Because surely when someone is talking to you and you start to look for someone else, it's considered rude, right?
"What's your name?" The Coat Monster asked, but Elsa shook her head.
"I don't tell my name to strangers," the newly 10 year old heiress says in the most polite but serious tone she could manage. The last thing she wanted was to come off as snobby like the other children.
"We're only strangers because we don't know each others names. If we did, we wouldn't be strangers anymore."
And even Elsa had to admit he had a point. However, she stood by with what she said. "I'm sorry, but I can't. I won't. Mama, papa, auntie, and uncle say it's a dangerous world we live in and that we must always be careful."
The boy Coat Monster nods in understanding. "Oki doki then. Can you at least tell me why you're sad? You look sad. It's Christmas Eve. You shouldn't be sad. You don't have to talk about it though if you don't want to. I'm just, as you said, curious. My dad would say I'm nosy."
That managed to get Elsa to giggle. "I think that word works better for my sister too. As for why I'm sad," she paused, unsure if she should be speaking to someone whose face she can't see. Even if he is just another kid like her. However, she quickly decided that she didn't see any harm in it and continued. "I'm just lonely is all. My sister, cousin, and friend are playing with some kids I don't like and who I know don't like me so...here I am. That's why I'm not playing."
"Ooohhh," the boy began, "Well, if they're meanies, I can assure you that they're on the naughty list. I'm on the naughty list too, but I'm not mean. I swear it. I bet you're on the nice list. You seem really nice, so I don't know why those other kids wouldn't like you. You're really pretty too."
And just like that, her face instantly heated up. "T-Thank you." She sees the fabric around where his lips should be rise a little in what she thinks is a big smile again.
"This is when you say I look pretty too." The boy Coat Monster says, making Elsa laugh again.
"Okay," she says, her smile not once faltering. "You look pretty too."
The boy laughs. "Why thank you, pretty lady. Oh and don't worry about those meanie kids. Santa's my grandfather, so I'll just tell him to put extra coal in their stockings."
"Your grandfather? But how can that be?" Elsa asked, not believing him, but still consumed with curiosity. (Or rather nosiness).
"It has something to do with birds and bees I think. I don't really know." The boy replied, then raised an eyebrow in a challenging manner. "You don't believe me, do you? It's true, you know."
Elsa merely shook her head. "I have never heard of Santa having any grandkids or kids of his own. Therefore I don't believe you when you say he's your grandfather."
The boy held up his gloved index finger in what Elsa could only guess was in a philosophical manner. "Ah but you see, just because you haven't heard or seen something, doesn't mean it's not true. All you gotta do...is believe. And do you know what I believe?"
"What?"
"I believe I can make you laugh again for a third time with the best joke ever."
The corner of Elsa's lips curled upwards in amusement. "Is that so?"
The Coat Monster nods. "Yep."
Elsa straightens her posture against the wall, knowing that she's going to be talking to this mystery boy for awhile, and says, "Very well. Make me laugh."
And he did. Only it wasn't because the joke was funny. In fact, Elsa didn't find it funny at all. She found it rather...dumb. But she wouldn't dare say that out loud. She hates hurting people's feelings. But while the joke was dumb, she really was deeply amused by it, or rather his effort. Actually, it was because of how lame the joke was that he was able to get a laugh out of her. "See?" The boy says. "I told you I could make you laugh for a third time."
Elsa nods. "I never doubted you." She smiles widely and feels happy for the first time since the party had started. She found it rather odd that a stranger was able to bring her comfort and joy, especially when it was in only a matter of minutes, but she wasn't going to complain about it. Because if she mentally complained about it then Karma or Fate or whatever might happen that'll cause him to leave. And while she knows she's only known him for a very short amount of time, she doesn't want him to leave. He had managed to change her whole mood so quickly, he made her feel less lonely, and if having a friend for the evening meant not knowing his name or face then so be it. She might get scolded later for befriending a stranger, but for right now all she cared about was the fact that she wasn't alone anymore.
"I have some more jokes if you'd like to hear them?" The boy suggested, eager to share, and Elsa found herself nodding once more.
"I'd love to hear them all."
.
.
.
The sound of my phone buzzing wakes me up, ending my dream-my memory- and bringing me back into the reality I was not ready to return to yet. Sunlight filled my room, being so bright I didn't even need to look at my alarm clock to know that it was sometime in the early noon hours. I had slept for a long time, but I'm still so very tired. Perhaps it's because I had tossed and turned in bed last night for what felt like forever. My mind just wouldn't shut up. It went back and forth between everything, specifically Anna and Jack.
Jack.
I had just dreamt of our first time meeting. Our real first time meeting. Two years before what I had originally thought was my first time seeing him. However, the second time I saw him should still count as a first since I was actually able to see his face.
I still can't believe it. And not just him. I can't believe that any of last night's events happened. Perhaps I dreamt it all. A part of me kind of hopes I did, but another part of me kind of doesn't. I know it really happened though, and I know that what's done is done. The only thing that's left to do is wait and see what the future has in store for me.
I hear my phone buzz again from where it laid on my nightstand beside me, and when I moved to see the notification, I was surprised to see that it was a text message from an unknown number. The only contacts I have are Aunt Arianna, Uncle Frederick, Rapunzel, and my parents. I don't even have Anna's number. Is this her?
But when I read the message, it definitely wasn't her. It was, however, about her.
I heard your sister is engaged. So when's the wedding? I am invited right?
After all, don't you think I should be the guest of honor? My dad did save her so I think I should.
I had no idea who it was until I read the last sentence, and once I did my entire body instantly perked up and the last bit of sleep that lingered in my eyes vanished. Well, speak of the Devil and he shall appear. Before I knew what I was doing, my fingers started typing away.
Jack how on earth did you get my number? And no you are not invited because there isn't going to be a wedding.
He replied back not even a minute later.
I got your number from Rapunzel. We just got done talking about her not telling me about you and about Anna and Hans. Why didn't you say anything last night about them? She also said that you two ran into Kristoff's grandfather Dr. Stone. How did that go for you?
I didn't tell you about the fight because we had Flynn to worry about and because I didn't want to talk about it. It was our first ever fight. As for Dr. Stone I think I handled myself pretty well.
(If you consider stressing out about it later after being informed he's Kristoff's grandfather the definition of handling it pretty well.)
Your first ever fight? Damn that's impressive. So have the two of you sorted everything out yet?
No I just woke up. Plus, I don't know how I'll even be able to approach her. What if I make things worse?
Or what if you make things better? Try thinking positive. The much needed conversation between us went well. Maybe if you talked to Anna everything will turn out okay too.
Maybe. I'm just...scared. What if she doesn't want to talk?
Then you make her listen. You're the eldest, so you gotta show dominance. You gotta show her that you're in charge because you're older. It works every time for me. Then again my siblings are well behaved. They don't go off accepting drunken proposals from pretty people lol
That's not funny at all
Sorry I can't help it. I like to tease *wink wink*
Pervert
Whoa man you have a dirty mind. I wasn't even thinking about that. You're nasty
Before I could reply back, he sends another text.
Going back to Anna and Hans tho, are you sure neither one of them weren't drunk? It would make a lot more sense
I nearly dropped my phone because what if he was right? Was Anna drunk? No, she knows better. Even if she did accept a proposal, she knows of the dangers of alcohol. She wouldn't see danger with "love". I quickly shook my head at the thought of her even drinking any kind of alcohol. She doesn't even drink wine when it's offered to her at a business event, so there's no way she'd drink beer. Therefore she couldn't have been drunk. Her words weren't slurred and she didn't look how a drunk person usually would. Her words of anger and hurt weren't expressed because they were under the influence of alcohol...she said everything with a sober mind.
Hans I'm not sure about, but I don't think Anna was. Also not all of us can be so lucky to have siblings that are well behaved like yours.
Yeah I lied about the well behaved part. My siblings are monsters.
I smiled as I typed my reply. I doubt that.
They're related to me so of course they are.
Oh...yeah you have a point there lol
Haha but seriously…talk to her
I sighed as I reread his message over and over again. Talking to her is going to be harder now; way more so than it was talking to him.
I'll do what I can
And I'm going to take a guess and say you don't want to talk about her anymore, right? You didn't want to last night so of course you must not want to now
That's correct
What would you like to talk about then?
The bucket list, I quickly typed, not skipping a beat, How is that coming along?
Pretty good. I'll give you the written list on Monday. I added a few things to it and I'm sure more will be added on to it as time goes on. And I'll have you know I'm more invested in this than I am with our homework. Speaking of which, did you finish your homework for math?
I did, but I'm not going to just give you the answers. I struggled with it, so you will too.
Jesus, you're evil.
Jesus is not evil
Oh ha ha. If anyone's evil tho it's Mr. Black and Miss Gothel. Mainly Black tho. An evil teacher for the evil subject that is math. They're perfect for each other
I nodded my head in agreement even though I knew he couldn't see it. Mr. Black and Miss Gothel are the strictest teachers I have (and the creepiest-I've caught them countless times staring at me). I think it might have something to do with them both being new to the school too, but you don't see me or Anna being intimidating. It's different for teachers though I suppose. When you're a teacher you can't have students walking all over you. Also, I'm sure I have a resting bitch face, so perhaps I look intimidating after all. I doubt it but it's possible.
Before I could start on my reply, Jack sends one more message.
Hey, I gotta go. I'll text you later Snowflake. Try not to miss me too much
I rolled my eyes but smiled as I began my response. Trust me, I won't.
Damn that's cold. That's okay tho. You'll warm up to me soon.
You think so?
I know so. I believe it
I was reminded of what he said to me when we were ten, about him believing that he could make me laugh for a third time, and I couldn't help but smile. I set my phone aside, feeling that there was no need to reply to him, especially since he's busy, and laid back against my pillow. I stared up at the ceiling, sighing at pretty much everything going on in my life, but still smiled. Because even though things are bitter between my sister and I, at least things are finally settled between me and the boy from my past.
And it makes me wonder...how is he going to affect my future now that I'm getting to know him? These last six years were hell when I didn't know him. Will my future be better now that I do? I can only hope so and I can only hope the same with Anna. I hope she can forgive me, but more than anything…
I hope she doesn't really leave.