Love Thaws: Melting

A Better Idea

Jessica's gaze flickered to her wrist. "Goodness, it's about 3am—"

"What?!" Elsa ran her fingers through her horrendously tangled hair, grimacing. She must look like a mess.

"Yep. I think you slept for a while. Which is very good, considerin' everything you've been through. My shift's about up, but I'll bring you somethin' to eat before I leave."

"Thank you," Elsa murmured.

"No problem. It's the least I can do," Jessica assured her before disappearing out of the waiting room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Elsa stood and stretched. With a stiff back, she made her way over to the window and parted the curtains tentatively. The sky was overcast with dark clouds, blocking the stars and moon. She yanked the curtains back into place and seated herself at the couch. The door swung open just as she sat down. A wonderful, delicious smell wafted into the room. Jessica plopped a white paper bag, with colorful strings of words printed on the front, onto the coffee table. She set a purple drink down beside it, the condensation dripping down the plastic cup.

"Can't ever go wrong with smoothies. I'm gonna go. If you need me, just ask one of the nurses to call Jessica. I've got some stuff I wanna do."

Elsa offered Jessica a small smile. "Thank you."

"Anytime, sister." With that, she disappeared out of the waiting room.

Elsa eagerly dug into the bag, pulling out a large container of fries and a big mac. She easily polished off the meal in minutes, ending with the wild berry smoothie. She sighed and tossed the miscellaneous paper in the trash. Guided by a nurse, she easily found the restroom facilities. Elsa gawked at her reflection. Saying that she looked worse than usual would be an understatement. 

Dark half circles were smeared under her eyes, contrasted oddly with her pale, pale skin. Her hair was an absolute mess. Usually, Elsa had it tamed into a bun. Wisps of platinum hair flew everywhere and strands interwove into snags and tangles. Her hair hung limply down her shoulders. And her lips. Her lips were cracked and raw, scabbed over. Elsa took in her ragged appearance once more and grimaced. She looked hideous. Sometimes it was a wonder why Jack wanted her at all. Elsa reached out and touched her reflection's finger. She finger combed her hair, which did little to help. She felt dirty, filthy. She could feel the invisible grime all over her. It made her skin crawl. 

Elsa had the sudden urge to scrub her lips again. She took a paper towel and gently rubbed her lips, which only made them bleed more. Elsa grimaced. She propped her elbows on either side of the sink and lowered her head so her fingers combed through her hair. She berated herself for worrying about her reflection, when she should be thinking about Jack. She left the bathroom without casting the mirror another glance.

She seated herself on the couch in the waiting room and fiddled with a lock of her hair. A few minutes later, a nurse opened the door, telling her she could see Jack. Elsa followed her down a long hallway before she was entered a small room. The nurse left her. Jack lay on the bed, his form still and pale, though he had more color than before. He was asleep, his strong chest rising and falling gently. There was a tall metal pole with bags of water and blood. Her eyes followed the translucent tubes to where they were injected in Jack's arm. Her stomach suddenly clenched. 

Elsa frantically grabbed the trash bin and regurgitated her big mac. Disgusted, partially with herself, Elsa wiped her mouth. She turned back to Jack, studiously avoiding his arm where the iv was inserted. Her fingers feathered across his prominent, handsome features. She gently tousled his silky white tresses, glinting silver in the light. She stroked his jaw, scratchy from a few days without shaving.