Survival

Chapter 22

Elsa thought about the dance a lot. More than she cared to admit. At first, she didn't want to go after everything that happened last week. The thought of having Jack touching her anywhere made her feel sick as she remembers what the man did to her.

But then Elsa realized that her father would win. She'd be doing exactly as he wanted. And she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

So she told Jack "yes." And he looked relieved when he did.

The dance is two weeks away. After finals, the dance will take place on the last day (a Friday) of school before Winter break begins

And she still doesn't have a dress.

Elsa wasn't the type of girl to worry about silly things like what to wear to a dance. Mainly because she's never been to a dance, but also, she had other major things to worry about.

She can't actually afford anything expensive. Elsa saved up money ever since she was a child for emergencies. And while this wasn't an emergency, she can still spare a few dollars.

Currently, it's after school and Elsa decided it'd be good to head down to a section part of town where there are plenty of shops.

She takes the bus and in ten minutes she going into stores trying to find something under her price range.

After searching for two hours, she comes out of every store empty handed. She walks down the street until she's in front of a thrift store. Curious, she goes in and notices a clearance section to hopefully find something in her budget.

As she looks for clothes rack by rack, something eventually catches her eye. She tries it on in the changing room and likes it. She pays for it and heads out the door. She was walking down to the bus stop when someone calls her name. Rapunzel.

Elsa would figure after her accident last week, Rapunzel wouldn't want to talk to her. The clothes Elsa borrowed from her were returned the day after she let her borrow them.

"Hey."

"Hi," Elsa replies a bit stunned.

"How are you doing? Are you feeling better?" She actually sounds concerned.

"Um, yeah. I am."

"Cool." Rapunzel looks at the store Elsa just came out of and looks at her bag. "Shopping?"

Elsa nods her head.

"Can I see?"

Elsa looks at her confused. Thinking why is she being so...polite? She must have made a face or something because Rapunzel answered her.

"I know it's weird having me ask all these questions. But I really wanted to make sure you're okay after what happened, even if it was last week."

No. Elsa really wasn't okay. Most days she just wants to disappear off the face of the earth. Every day is a battle of its own. Sometimes Elsa can't think straight. She dozes off more than usual now.

She has Jack. But lately, the universe seems to be punishing her even more for hanging out with him.

"I'm okay." Elsa shrugs.

The slight movement of her shoulders had her shirt reveal a bit of skin. Enough that Rapunzel caught sight of the bruise on her side.

"What happened there?"

Oh, no.

Don't lie! It'll only make the story sound worse! Just tell her half the truth.

"I got pushed....at school."

Rapunzel is silent for a moment. She purses her lips before speaking. "Listen, I'm going to lunch with Merida, if you want you can tag along. You look a little hungry yourself."

She is. She's starving actually. Elsa hasn't eaten in almost two days. She hasn't seen Jack lately, and he usually brings her some of his lunch. So she's been hungry lately.

Rapunzel just loops her arm around Elsa's without waiting for a reply, and starts to walk.

***
The first half hour or so was awkward for Elsa. She's never had friends so she didn't know what to talk about.

But Merida and Rapunzel kept the conversation going. Elsa even laughed a few times. They started talking about girl stuff, like the dance that was coming soon.

Elsa couldn't remember the last time she hang out with a group of girls and found it easy to listen and partake in some of the conversation.

It felt strange. But it felt...great.

And even though these were the same girls who made her life miserable, she forgot about that. They have been backing off the past month or so.

She doesn't know why. They just have been keeping their distance.

When they ordered, at the end, Elsa settled for a burger and a chocolate shake.

•••

She took the bus back to her father's. Whatever relief she felt that day vanished when she now stood at the front of the house. She puts the bag with the dress in her backpack and slowly walks to the door.

She lights are on and the truck is in the driveway. That's never a good sign.

Elsa takes a shaky breath and enters. The living room is empty, and for a brief second she wonders where her father is until she hears something in the kitchen.

She was about to head upstairs when a stranger emerges from the kitchen doorway. She thought the noise was her father, but it was actually this strange man.

Elsa's heart bursts out of her chest as he walked to her. He grips her face and has her look at him.

"Definitely worth every penny. Your father is down in the basement. He said you should be home around this time."

He gestures for her to go upstairs, to her room.

And she does, with him trailing right behind her.

This is not how she planned on celebrating her 17th birthday.