Love Thaws: Melting

Optimistic

"Who had that same name," Jessica finished. Jessica swallowed and took a step closer. 

She was still beautiful, but now she kept her sleek black hair whipped into a professional twist and a pair of glasses graced her petite nose. Elsa thought the look suited her. 

"E-Elsa?"

Elsa was unable to do anything but nod dumbly.

"I-It's been ages. Wow, I haven't seen you since... graduation." Jessica set the clipboard on a nearby table and gave Elsa an awkward side hug, which Elsa failed to return in her dazed state. Jessica sat down on the opposite couch. "Wow, you're-you're okay. Wow. I just can't believe it's you!"

The utter shock began to wear away. A strange mix of apprehensiveness and relief swirled within her. Elsa swallowed. "Well, it's me."

Jessica smiled brightly. "How are you doing?" Her expression suddenly turned serious. "Where did you go?!"

Elsa twirled a lock of her hair nervously. "I was..."

"I mean you just, like, disappeared! But I guess I would too, after pulling that stunt."

Elsa pursed her lips. Did Jessica realize she had powers? The intelligent gleam in Jessica's dark eyes told that she knew more than she was letting onto. Elsa's apprehensiveness increased tenfold. "You knew it wasn't a stunt."

Jessica smiled. "It's much more likely to be a stunt than... something else."

Elsa clasped her hands. Would Jessica use this as a chance to back-stab her? "So, what are you doing in Colorado?"

Jessica quirked an eyebrow, but didn't comment on the change of subject. "After... my father was apprehended... he still had some business he'd left unfinished. We had some unsavory characters hanging around our place, so I thought it was time for a change of scenery. I wanted to leave the past in the past. So, now my family's here and I'm attending medical school. I work some at the hospital. They're showing me the ropes and stuff. So, what are you doing in Colorado?"

Elsa almost grimaced. "I... um, just..." She squirmed in her seat. What to tell Jessica? Jessica watched her patiently, one leg nonchalantly draped over the other.

A small smile curved her lips. "You're still not much for talking, are you? Then let me do the talking." Jessica straightened, uncrossing her legs. "First of all, and I don't know how you did it, but that wasn't some sort of stunt. You have these... powers. Secondly, you left—disappeared—because you were forced to. It's quite possible you disappeared so abruptly because you didn't want publicity, you didn't want to be ostracized, or there something more serious at stake. Just tell me how off I am."

Elsa was briefly stunned. She hadn't expected Jessica to think so... logically. Elsa mentally kicked herself. She—more than anyone—should know not to stereotype. Elsa bit her lip. What had she to lose? Jessica already knew about the powers. "You're right on the first account. The second's a bit trickier... I was abducted by the AMD—"

"What?"

"Agency of Mutant Detainment. It's a government organization."

Her slender black brows nearly raised to her hairline. "I didn't know something like that... existed."

Elsa pursed her lips. "Unfortunately."