The truth about snowflakes

Rated: K+/ T

Genre: Romance, friendship, suspense, drama.

Disclaimer: None of the characters of the story are mine. This is a work of fiction. No copyright laws are intended to be infringed.

Chapter I

It was winter holidays, and bubbly Anna had found herself a part-time job as a librarian. Having been raised with books all over her house, it was inevitable for her to love them. Each night, she would pick one, prepare herself a cup of hot chocolate (a must) and just snuggle in her bed, ready to enter a whole different world, immersing herself immediately in her book. This job was almost dreamy: she would be surrounded by heaps of different books, and would be able to talk to people-, which of course, was a plus for her, when she wasn't being all quirky, that is.

The alarm clock was set at 6 am. Anna's turquoise eyes struggled to open as she found herself slamming it and throwing it to the floor. When she kicked her bed sheets to a side, a cold breeze made her entire body shiver. She had left her window slightly opened and forgot to close it the night before.

-"Geez! –she exclaimed- …well if that didn't wake me up…" and stood up to prepare herself for her first day at work. She looked at her wardrobe for a few seconds before grabbing a plain tee, a green jacket (her favourite), and a pair of blue jeans. She then proceeded to the bathroom, only to see her messy reflection: her hair was all over the place, and she had smeared mascara across her face.

"Oh my gosh, I definitely can't show up like this! It's my first day! What impression would I give!? I look horrible! Oh no, no, no…" she instantly tried to comb her ginger wavy hair but decided to make 2 braids instead- it was definitely a bad hair day. She splashed her face with cold water and looked up at the mirror once again.

"There. Much better" –she smiled, contented with what she saw in the mirror.

Anna made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen, where she grabbed her boots and her red vinny, and made herself a hot chocolate to go. She wrote a little note to her mom and left it on the counter.

"off to work mom! See you in some hours. Love ya! xo"

Lucky her, the library was only a few blocks away from home, so she could go walking. Although it was freezing cold, Anna loved how everything looked in winter: so white and fresh. Like walking through clouds, she thought. The day was misty, and the cold breeze of a winter morning made Anna shrug, so she hurried her pace, making sure she wouldn't slip on ice (as she did most of the time) or trip on something.

She then spotted the library: A small, cosy-looking place in a corner, which looked rather antique. She smiled as she looked at her cell phone and read 8 am. Right on time, made it! She told herself as she knocked on the door.

A big man, with a huge back (which Anna though was intimidating) greeted her.

"Hallo! You must be Anna, ya? – The man said with a thick German accent.- I'm Oaken, please come in" and made kind a gesture with his hand.

"I am. Thank you…Oaken." She said with a sheepish smile, wondering how such a big man could look so though yet be so adorable.

"Come, follow me. I will show you your desk and you can put your bag behind it. I guess Gerda already told you everything, ya?"

"Ya! –she replied happily, excitement starting to build in her stomach- she already showed me everything. Thank you!"

And with that, Oaken made his way to a room and shut the door, leaving her in charge. Anna went behind the wooden desk as told and took off her vinny, her fingers slightly combing her auburn hair. The smell of wood and old books filled the air, and Anna wished she could be able to sneak around at some time and check out all of them. Her curious and impatient mind already racing at the thought of which one to pick first.

She placed her To-go Starbucks mug on her desk next to her spot, and threw her bag in a corner. She sat there fiddling with her fingers for what it seemed hours, and decided to check her phone – 9.30 am. She had already finished her hot chocolate, and was impatiently waiting for someone, anything to come in. But then again, who in their right minds would? She thought, since it was a freezing morning. And with a sigh, she let her head rest on her hand.

Just when she was dozing off, she heard a small crack made by the old wooden door and the sound of some bells, indicating that someone was coming in. Anna immediately straightened up and cleaned her face- she was drooling. In a desperate attempt to make herself look presentable she fell off her chair.

"Ouch! Well done, Anna" –she said in a low voice, touching her bum. "Well done, getting bruises in a library…on your first day!"

"Excuse me, are you okay?"

Anna looked up from where she was lying to find a pair of blue eyes looking at her. Her mouth opened to talk, but instead she couldn't stop looking at the mesmerizing blonde that was looking back at her. Her braided hair was platinum blonde, and her cheeks and nose were a bit rosy. Her porcelain skin, white as ice, contrasted beautifully with her fluffy oversized blue sweater.

The blonde, obviously waiting for an answer, shot up an eyebrow.

"Me? Oh me?! Yes! I mean, I was just sitting down here and then suddenly oof! I'm on the floor and hit my bum really bad just when you came in, and I wanted to stand up quickly but then I saw you and …and now I am rambling nonstop and … I should seriously stop and… are you okay? Like, god, of course you are, I mean…I'm so going to shut up now." She blushed and stood up, now facing the blond girl who was obviously weird out, since her blue eyes were now wide open, but her lips where curled in a slight smile.

"S-s sorry" –Anna bit her lip nervously, strangely intimidated by this girl, not even daring meeting her eyes.

"It's okay" – she responded. "I was just wondering if you could help me with something. Oh, and I would like to return this book" she said while looking down at her bag, delicately looking for it.

Anna was now face to face with the blond girl, desk in between, and as she looked up to see her (she took advantage that the blond wasn't paying attention) she realised the girl had small freckles across her face. Wow, well that's cute. I don't like mine, but hers…- Anna's thought was cut short.

"Here" –the blond girl placed the book on the desk. Anna realised the blonde was taller than her, as she had to look up to meet her blue eyes.

"I love that book! –Anna said with excitement, as soon as she laid eyes on it- I can't believe someone actually read it too, I mean, nobody these days reads a lot, you know, internet and stuff, so reading is basically left aside, and I can't believe you read this book! – her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

"I think it is beautiful" – the blonde girl replied with a grin and a soft voice.

Anna was in a world of her own, consumed by the enthusiasm of sharing one of her passions with this oh-so-interesting girl.

"…you are. Wait, what!? I mean, the book, the book is beautiful" – Anna's face turned a fierce red as she covered her mouth in an attempt to stop her quirkiness. The other girl just smirked and raised an eyebrow, turned around and started to walk towards the bookshelves, expecting Anna to follow her for help.

Anna rapidly shook her head what's wrong with you today? she mumbled, and followed the other girl through the bookshelves.

"So, what exactly are you looking for?- Anna asked shyly, trying to erase from her memory what happened some minutes ago.

"Not quite sure." The girl replied, walking slowly through the shelves, narrowing her eyes. She was analysing the titles of the books, giving her back to Anna, who was instead, analysing her. "What do you recommend?" She asked, as she turned to face Anna, whose eyes shot up quickly to meet hers.

"Well uhm, that depends. –she paused- I like mysteries, drama… and adventures! If you like that, I know some books that you may enjoy"

"I have enough drama in my life" –the girl replied sarcastically with a small laugh. But Anna could see she was not lying…there was a hint of pain in her voice. "I need something that will keep me distracted, and make me feel like I'm in another world. Freedom, happiness. Something …worth reading." She finally said, her eyes fixed on the floor.

A part of Anna felt she needed to hug that girl. She didn't know why, but she felt something wasn't right. Really, Anna? She's a stranger, for god's sake! Cut it off. She left that thought aside, thinking it was rather stupid, and instead proceeded to look for a book she had enjoyed.

"Here you are! - Anna said, handing a rather new book to this girl.

The girl took it from her hand, not even looking at it, and went directly to the counter. Anna stood there confused, and then followed the blond again.

"Aren't you even going to ask me what it is about?"

"Should I?"

"Well, I mean, I thought you may be curious and you know, a book is rather personal so maybe-"

"…Looking for Alaska" – the blonde replied, reading the title. She grinned. "Do you know what the word Alaska means?" – she said, looking straight at Anna, with a defying smirk on her face.

"Well yeah, it's the continent! And I have read it. I know I am clumsy but please" – Anna replied, startled, crossing her arms.

"Alaska… 'That which the sea breaks against'" -the tall girl said, looking down at the book again, her long finger tracing the title unconsciously.

"I-I did not know that. Wow. You are… I mean, that is interesting"

The blond girl smiled faintly. Her eyes still fixed on the book.

"It is." –her eyes now met Anna's. "I'll take it. If I don't like it, I know who to blame now."

Anna laughed. "But you don't even know my name! Ohhh… -she paused, and bit her lip. Evidently, the blond girl had just asked her name- I'm Anna" – she replied with a shy smile and a bit too enthusiastic.

"Well, Anna, thank you. This was…interesting" The blond replied, smiling warmly at her, while signing a sheet of paper with her name and date acknowledging she had taken the book.

Anna was too taken aback by the blonde's big blue eyes and her flawless skin; she then lowered her gaze and contemplated her delicate frame, which was hidden under her blue oversized sweater. But just imagining it was enough to disconnect her from reality for a minute. Before she could realise, the blonde was already leaving, closing the door behind her.

What had just happened!? God, Anna, really? You didn't even ask for her name. Wake up! You surely freaked her out with your weirdness; she'll probably never come back at this time to leave the book. Not after you creeped her out like that! God I'm such a weirdo, perving on a girl! She's even a stranger! But…she asked for my name. If she asked, it means …she wanted to know me…?

She looked down at the form the girl had signed and read:

Elsa.

Elsa. Her name is Elsa.

When will she come back? And I wonder… what does her name mean?

And that thought followed her for the rest of the day.

Hi guys! this goes for everyone of you who ship Elsanna - (and/or like John Green) ;)
Please leave reviews and tell me what you think about it. Or if you have an idea or something you want me to write about just let me know. I'll do my best to post every Sunday.

Love to you all 3

C.