Elsa was still berating herself when she was being driven home from school. She was oblivious to the normal hum of chatter inside the bus and watched the passing houses in a daze. She wouldn't have gotten off at all, had someone not nudged her. She grabbed her backpack, letting it hang loosely off of one shoulder. She hopped off of the bus, Anna trailing behind her with her endless chatter.
"So, you and Jack Overland, huh?"
Elsa froze(not literally). "What?!"
"You, Jack, together."
"We are not together."
"We'll you're gonna be!" she replied in a sing song voice.
"Anna, I'm just not a people person."
Anna rolled her eyes. Her twin braid buns made her look extra perky. "Elsa I'm not talking about being a 'people person.' I'm talking about true love!"
Elsa's listed an eyebrow. "True love?"
Anna rolled her eyes. "Puh-lease, Elsa, don't give me that look."
"What look?"
"The oh-yeah-right look."
Elsa sighed and slid the spare key out from under the welcome mat. She unlocked the door before returning the key to its hiding place. She trudged up the stairs with Anna following close behind. She walked into her room before whirling around.
"Anna, there's nothing going on between me and him."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Anna, I have homework." She began to close the door.
Anna wedged her foot in. "Elsa, please wait. Don't shut me out! I won't talk about it again. I never get to talk to you. Not at school—which I can understand, me being a freshman and all—and not at home either!"
Elsa was tired, she could feel her control slipping. "Go away, Anna."
The effect was instantaneous. Her sparkling turquoise eyes dimmed and her shoulders slumped. "Okay..." She slid her foot away from the door. "Bye," she whispered before shuffling to her room.
Elsa sighed before closing the door and twisting the lock shut. She let her backpack drop to the floor and plopped herself onto the bed. She watched her white ceiling fan turn around and around. Her room was blue with white snowflake stickers decorating her walls. The beige carpet was soft and short. Off to her left was the door. On her right was a window and in front of her was a white vanity, adjacent to her closet door. The room was wide open and clear compared to Jamie's and Anna's rooms. Jamie. Elsa figured he must be back from school by now. Elsa picked up her notebook, skimming over what she had to do for homework and groaned. School had left her entirely drained. She pushed the books off of her bed. They landed onto the floor with a 'thump.' She sighed and sank deeper into the cushions of her bed. Her stomach rumbled quietly. Snack time! Elsa swung her feet off the bed, swung the door open, and padded down the stairs. She opened one of the higher cabinets and grabbed a bar of chocolate. She frowned. It was already half eaten and recently. Anna. Elsa finished off the rest of the chocolate bar, savoring each smooth, flavorful square. She dusted her hands off of any invisible chocolate crumbs before crumpling and tossing the wrapper. She quickly ran back upstairs and prepared to start on her math homework.
Elsa suppressed a groan as Mr. Pitchiner—the math teacher—began another lengthy explanation. Thank God for the math book. Otherwise, Elsa would be lost along with the entire class. He continued jabbering meaningless and excessively long description of ellipses. She could feel an oncoming head ache. Elsa raised her hand. Mr. Pitchiner purposely over looked her for half an hour.
"Yes, Elsa?" His narrow, yellow eyes flashed.
Elsa smothered the urge to shudder. "Can I have a hall pass?"
"Why would you need a hall passss?" he hissed.
"Because I need to go to the restroom."
The idea that she would dare leave his torture chamber seemed to anger him. "Very well, but I expect you to be back promptly. Otherwise, detention awaits." He smiled coldly.
He scrawled something on a piece of paper and slid it towards her. Elsa glanced up briefly, observing his gray pallor, jet-black hair slicked back in the front, but spiked in the back, his aquiline nose, and narrow face. When he straightened, he towered over everyone. His thin lips curved in a sinister smile. Elsa snatched the hall pass and was out the door. She breathed a sigh of relief as she escaped the room and headed towards the restroom facilities. She glanced up and came to a halt. Three boys. Two on the left, one on the right. She recognized them, but didn't know their names. They were slackers, trouble-makers, and hellions. She kept walked forward.
"Excuse me," she murmured.
She kept her gaze trained in front of her, knowing better than to cower or back away. A long, lanky leg tripped her. She fell to the ground, knocking the air out of herself. Her math book—which she accidentally took with her—slid across the floor. She was beginning to get up when she saw a pair of legs in front of her. She looked up. It was a guy with a broad face and thick, black brows, all veiled by a hoodie.
"You can't cross here until we say you can, princess," he spat.
She slowly stood up. "Please, I need to go. I have a hall pass."
She held it up slightly. He snatched it, tearing it in two.
"We don't care 'bout no hall pass, babe."
Elsa shivered. Her hands became ice-cold. "I need to pass. Excuse me."
She moved to the side and began walking. She was roughly shoved from behind and sent sprawling onto the floor.
"Hey!" She heard a voice echo through the halls.
She looked up. Jack was sprinting down the halls. He was by her side in an instant. The three boys didn't look mildly intimidated.
"Well, if it isn't preppy brat Jack."
Jack's eyes narrowed. His body was rigid and tense. "Stay away from her," he nearly snarled.
The hooded boy shrugged. "Whatever."
Jack turned towards her. His expression softened, but he didn't smile. "You okay?"
He held out his hand. She hesitated and, against her better judgment, took his hand. He gently helped her up. She nodded breathlessly, almost wishing she had her gloves off so she could actually feel him. She started walking, with him next to her. Suddenly, another push sent her sprawling to the floor. She didn't make a sound as she crashed to the floor. His azure eyes flashed with fury as he spun around. In one fluid move, Jack approached the boy and swung his fist. He landed a cleanly executed side punch and the boy fell backwards. Blood began running from his nose. He swiped at the blood. Seeing it, he began muttering vulgar words. Jack remained where he was, his chest heaving, fists clenched at his side. He looked more than ready to punch him again. He finally staggered onto his feet and fled. The other boys followed suit. He turned towards her. He still seemed to be shaking with anger. Elsa watched him cautiously, afraid of what he might do next.
"I suppose you'd best get to class," he finally murmured.
Elsa nodded mutely. He pulled her upright and followed her back to class, stopping at the door. Elsa didn't even look back, afraid of what she might see and even more so of what she might feel.