Snowflakes Fall and So Did I

~CHAPTER 99~

~ELSA~

"Thank you for letting our friends come over," I say to my uncle, outside his bedroom door. "I know the timing is horrible for a get together, but..." I swallow hard and look to the floor. "We really need each other right now."

It's true, but it's also partially a lie. They're only coming over because of something much deeper than what my uncle thinks. Something he will probably know soon, and his anger at me has me anxious. Anna might say I'm not at fault with Rapunzel's kidnapping, but I am. No matter what or anyone else says, I'm to blame. I should have spoken up about everything as soon as I heard Astrid, Flynn, Rapunzel, and Hiccup on Valentine's.

"Of course," Frederick says as he rubs his eyes. They were red and swollen. He looked like he didn't sleep at all last night, and he most likely didn't. I'm sure my aunt looks the same, but I haven't seen her yet. She's been in her room, locked away. I know exactly what that's like. Where my prison sometimes was my only source of comfort. I want to see her, but I'm still too emotional. I don't think I can handle seeing her so broken. I don't want her to comfort me; I want to be the one to comfort her and I can't do that right now.

"They can stay as long as they'd like," he continues then starts to turn back around to reenter his room. "Try not to make too much noise though, okay? I know your rooms are on the other side of ours, but your aunt had only found sleep at around six this morning. I don't want anything to wake her up."

I nod, my heart aching. "Of course. I doubt we'll get loud, but if we do, I'll make sure to get it under control. Thank you." I then reach forward to hug him, and he hugs me back immediately. "We'll find her," my voice cracks and my eyes tear up. "We can't give up when we haven't even begun to try, okay?"

Frederick gently tightens his hold. "Wisely said, my dear." He gives me a pat before releasing me. His eyes were glossy with tears again, but he forced them not to fall. "Alright now, go return to that sister of yours. I don't want either of you to be left alone even in our own home."

I nod again. "Agreed."

And with that, he heads back inside his room, while I return to my bedroom where Anna was waiting. She was sitting on my bed, holding a pillow, and completely spaced out. She looked over at me when I walked through the door, and I felt so small under her gaze. It wasn't an angry stare like it was before, but instead it was just...sad.

I sat on the other side of her and struggled to find the words. Anna wasn't saying anything either, but I have no idea if it's because she has no energy to speak anymore, is choosing not to speak to me anymore, or is like me and has no idea what to say.

But the silence was killing me.

"I know you don't want to hear it," I start, twiddling with my hands, "but I really am sorry. I was doing what I thought a good big sister should do. Even if it meant hurting you by excluding you."

Anna closes her eyes and sighs as she leans against the headboard. "I'm still very angry with you, but I guess I can see why you did what you did. After all, we might have lived under the same roof for years, but you've only officially come back into my life some months ago. You're still learning the ropes of being a big sister. You're not perfect. Neither am I. I mean, I literally said yes to a guy's proposal who I had just met. And then when we were going through the dating phase, I still ignored the red flags that I saw clear as day. I think I'm more of a fool than you."

"Actaully," I shrug and smile a little, hoping it would lighten her mood, "I think we're quite even."

Anna cracks a small smile. "I used to think we were smart, but I fear the closer it gets to summer, the more frazzled we get. Our first year at a public school sure has been a ride, hasn't it?"