Rivals (A Jelsa Story)

Chapter 6 - Opening Ceremonies

Elsa's POV

I stood still on the platform as Mr. Genie moved us all into position. I chose not to even look at the DreamWorks student council – I didn't want to come across as rude, but I also didn't want to accidentally make eye contact with an attractive person and get more nervous than I already was. I would meet them properly after the ceremony, I decided I could observe them then.

Behind me, Rapunzel poked my arm, but I swatted her hand away. I didn't need any distractions.

"Woo," Astrid said quietly, making me turn my head to face her. "You guys ready?"

"Not really," I replied, laughing a little.

"Don't worry," she said reassuringly. "The worst we can do is stumble over our words, and even if we do, so what? We were voted king and queen, we know the majority of these people like us."

I laughed again. "That's true."

Once we were all in position, Mr. Genie turned around to face the audience. People were still coming in, but after a few minutes everyone had taken a seat.

"If I could have your attention please," Mr. Genie said, speaking into the microphone on the podium. "We will now begin." He turned to us, nodded, and stepped back to stand with Ms. Fairy. The four of us stepped up and huddled around the podium.

"Good morning everyone," I said, smiling. "And welcome to the Touchstone Games hosted between Disney Preparatory School and DreamWorks Academy. My name is Elsa Winters."

"And I'm Hans South-Isles," Hans read.

"And we are the elected representatives from Disney."

"And my name is Hiccup H. Haddock III," Hiccup said.

"And my name is Astrid Hofferson."

"And we are the elected representatives from DreamWorks."

"It is an honor to be hosting the opening ceremony for this event," Astrid read. "And we hope you all have a great time and make new friends in this environment designed to promote healthy competition and socializing."

"And now," Hans read, "we will introduce the head administrators from each school."

"From Disney Prep," I read, "please welcome Headmaster Roy E. Disney and Deputy Headmaster Michael Mouse."

"And from DreamWorks Academy," Hiccup read, "please welcome Principal Mannen Moon and Vice Principal S. Shrek."

Everyone applauded as the four men made their way to the podium. Mr. Disney and Mr. Moon each made a short speech about how excited they were to be here and how they hoped everyone would have a good time. They then walked back to their places, and we stepped back up to the podium.

"And now, without further ado," Hiccup read, "let the games begin!"

The space was suddenly filled with sound as loud cheering erupted all around us. We stepped back from the podium, and Hans and I shook hands with Hiccup and Astrid as the cheering continued. Then people started to get up from their seats and leave the arena.

"Great work everyone," Mr. Genie said, coming up to us. "Rapunzel, Merida, I believe you need to leave to join the debutantes?"

"Yes, we do!" Rapunzel sounded like she'd forgotten about that. "Could we get our things from the back room, please?"

"Of course." Mr. Genie led the way back down the stairs and into the room, where we all grabbed their belongings.

"See you at the pep rally?" Merida asked as she walked by me.

"Um, duh," I replied.

"Awesome." Merida shot me a finger gun and followed Rapunzel out the door.

The rest of us made our way out of the room not long after. Once we were outside, Ms. Fairy asked if she could talk to Hans and me.

"Do you two think you could give them the tour?" she asked us once we were away from the group.

I was confused. "I thought the debutantes were giving the tours?"

"They are. We realized this morning that we assigned all of them to all the other groups and forgot about the student council. All of the members are busy, official and unofficial. You're the only one left. Could you?" Ms. Fairy gave me a pleading look.

I sighed. "Alright, sure."

"Thank you so much!" She smiled brightly and handed me a paper. "Here is everything you need to show them. Let me know if you need anything or if there are any issues."

She turned to the DreamWorks students. "Elsa and Hans will be taking you on your tour today. Here are your schedules for the week." She handed them each a piece of paper. "If you have any questions I'm sure one of them will be able to answer them. Have a good rest of the day!"

She left, leaving us and them to awkwardly stare at each other.

"Hi," I said. "I'm Elsa."

"I'm Tooth," the girl from the student council said. She must have been the one Merida was talking about; her hair was short, feathered, and dyed brilliant shades of blue and green. She wore a slim-fitting halter dress with a gorgeous design of blue, green, and gold feathers. Gold feather earrings dangled from her ears, and a gold bangle bracelet hung on her wrist. We smiled at each other. Merida was right – she was very pretty.

The boys were all wearing the same thing as Hans in different colors. They told us their names one by one.

"I'm Bunny."

"My name's Sandy."

"Jack."

My eyes lingered on the last boy. His skin was very pale, maybe more so than mine, and his eyes were a bright blue. But what stood out most was his silvery, almost white hair. I had never met anyone my age with silver hair. It was actually very nice-looking, the way it complimented his eyes and seemed to sparkle in the light.

I realized I was staring and quickly looked down, blushing. Thankfully, Astrid jumped in to take the attention off me. "We've already met."

"Right, yes." I cleared my throat and looked at the paper Ms. Fairy had given me. "Alright, well, if you all would follow us please."

Hans and I walked through the arena with the DreamWorks kids following us. Once we were in the halls, he broke off and started walking in a different direction.

"Where are you going?" I hissed.

"Home," he replied. "I don't have to do anything else today."

"Um, excuse me? You have to help me give the tour."

"No I don't. You said you'd do it, I never said I would."

"Oh you stupid –" I remembered the DreamWorks students were still behind me and caught myself. "Excuse us for a moment please," I told them, grabbing Hans' arm and dragging him over to a corner.

I let him go and pushed him around to face me. "Hello! You can't leave me to give the tour all by myself!"

"Oh relax princess, there's only..." he counted them over my head. "Six of them. You'll be fine."

"Don't call me princess."

He smirked. "You're right. Princess is your sister's title, you're my queen." He winked at me as he walked away, calling "See you later!"

"Not if I can help it," I grumbled.

I heard an awkward cough and slowly turned to see them all staring at me. I took a deep breath.