Survival

Chapter 57

It was an hour later when rehearsal ended. Rapunzel managed to sneak away from the group and jog to the the back entrance of the gym where Elsa was still waiting and reading her book.

"Hey."

Elsa looks up from her story, looking unfazed, as if she has forgotten where she is. "Hey, are you finished?"

"Yup," Rapunzel blows a long breath of air as she tries to calm her racing heart after that extreme practice session. "Let's get out of here. Maybe stop by the local bakery and pick up some chocolate cake?"

At the sound of chocolate, Elsa sits up and smiles. "You had me at chocolate."

Rapunzel laughs and jugs her water bottle down in one giant gulp. "Let's go then."

They head out the gym door and eventually make their way out of the school. When they leave the Main Building, Rapunzel shivers despite her recent practice, so she unties the sweater that she tied to her waist and puts it on. She gazes at the dark sky and frowns, "It might rain a little earlier. We might need to hurry to the bakery if we want to make it back homee before it rains."

Elsa follows her line of sight and agrees. They descend the stairs and proceed to walk to the bakery that is luckily on their way home.

As they walk, the sidewalks have cleared due to the expectation of there being rain soon. Even the streets were a bit empty and hardly any cars drive by.

To  make conversation, Elsa turns to Rapunzel and says, "So I forgot to tell you, um, your mom said that this weekend we might take a small vacation at your family's lake house."

Rapunzel turns to her surprised. "Really? We only go there for celebrations mostly."

"Oh."

But Rapunzel playfully hits her shoulder. "But what is more celebratory than you becoming part fo the family?"

At that remark, Elsa grins. It was a rare sight to behold. Rapunzel can only count on one hand how many times she has seen Elsa smile so carefree, broadly, and without restraint. Rapunzel can only hope that as time goes by, Elsa will be able to one day laugh and smile due to happiness instead of only once in a blue moon.

Rapunzel was about to ask Elsa a question when she hears the scuffle behind them. She turns around but spots no one behind them. It was actually the wind ruffling a store's banner.

Even though it was only the wind, Rapunzel picked up pace util both girls were in the bakery.

•••

Elsa and Rapunzel decided to get the food to-go since it looked like it should be raining any minute now and so far the thunder has yet to ease up. It looks like it's going to be a heavy storm for the upcoming night.

When she and Rapunzel exit the bakery, Rapunzel was zipped up in the extra sweater she brought in her bag as they descended down the usually busy street.

The rough and heavy wind ruffles Elsa's hair as they walk. Rapunzel yelps as her ponytail sways behind her.

"How are you not cold? You're only wearing one sweater," Rapunzel asks in astonishment.

Elsa responds, "It's a pretty warm and thick sweater. Plus, the cold never bothered me anyway."

"Never?"

"Nope."

"Well," Rapunzel sighs, "I don't know about you but I am more of a Spring person. I prefer the sun and the warmth. Thank goodness it should be Spring real soon. I'm sick of all this rain and brisk weather."