Survival

Chapter 24

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

Elsa jumps a mile in her skin as a voice booms behind her. She was too focused on the pain to notice and hear the supply closet door open.

"Elsa!?" Jack yells, his eyes wide as he beholds the scene in front of him.

Elsa's fingers shake to the point where she drops the razor and her wrist now hold four new bloody lines.

This was not how the night was supposed to go.

***

(Morning of the Dance)

Today is the last day before Winter Break. Today is also the winter dance. Elsa made sure to wake up early and shower and fix herself up since she doesn't plan on coming back.

She plans to wait in school until the dance starts. So she packs everything she'll need; her dress, her flats, and hair accessories. Elsa will stash them in her locker until it's time for her change for the dance

While her dress isn't the most flashy, she hopes Jack likes it. It's blue, her favorite color. It may be a little cliche to wear blue to Winter Formal. But she doesn't care. She likes the dress.

Today. Today Elsa is determined to make this night memorable, because let's face the fact that she will never have another night like this. It's her first dance. And nobody, not even her father, is going to ruin the day for her. Elsa is determined to live like a normal teenage girl. Even if it kills her.

***

The day went by rather quickly, mostly since the semester is now over and there is nothing left to do anymore. Elsa spent the day with Jack, and she didn't fail to notice how distant he became. It was almost as if he didn't want tone around her. She wanted to desperately ask why he won't look her in the eye, but Elsa was too afraid of what he might say.

When it was after school Jack and Elsa bid each other goodbye until the dance which starts at eight o'clock and will take place in the gym.

It's currently three o'clock after school. Elsa has plenty of time to kill. She spent all her time in the library where it's quiet and she could be alone and not have anyone bother her.

Elsa kept thinking about things that could go wrong; Jack might stand her up, her dress can get get ruined, people might ridicule her. Or she can have a panic attack right in the middle she and Jack dance. She's never held another person in years. What if Elsa can't stand the feeling of his hands on her hips? What if she can't stand Jack holding her?

That's how Elsa spent the rest of the time; going over every worst scenario. And when she looked at the clock on the wall, to was time get ready for the dance.

***

Jack decided to keep it simple; black jeans, white dress shirt with the sleeve rolled up to his elbows, and a black tie.

"You look so handsome," his mom squeals, and she steps forward to pick any loose lint from his shirt.

"Mom," Jack groans.

"Okay, okay. You know I still don't understand why we don't know this girl."

"We're not together. I felt sorry for her so I decided to take her to the dance."

His mom scowls. "That's not nice."

"It's not as if she knows."

His mom lets out a big sigh. "Alright, well, you're going to be late. Get going."

"I'll let you know if I'll be home late." Jack give his mom a quick peck on her cheek and disappears downstairs where Emma sits on the couch watching television.