Things I've Learned About Elsa:

-She's great at Uno

-She has a beautiful laugh

A light shining through the door wakes me up.

"Why is the door open?" I mumble into my pillow. "And why is the light on? I wanna sleep…"

I hear steps on the stairs and I grudgingly sit up and grumble, "Why is anyone awake right now? It's…" I glance at the clock before saying, "3:47!"

I glance back at the other end of the room and see that Elsa isn't in her bed. "Wait, what?" I mutter. "Elsa? Where are you?"

I creep out of the room and down the hall, whisper-shouting for Elsa. Soon, I hear soft crying coming from Mama and Papa's room. I peek in to see Elsa leaning on Mama, tears running down her face. I lean against the wall and eavesdrop, curiosity getting the best of me.

"I'm so scared to go back to school tomorrow," She sniffs.

Mama rubs her hair, like she does when I'm upset. "It's going to be okay, Elsa. You're a wonderful, kind girl, and I know you'll have plenty of friends soon."

Elsa's been dreading school all day. She wouldn't tell anyone, but I could figure it out. She barely touched her dinner. I tried to comfort her earlier, but she refused to admit that she was worried. While I hate seeing her upset, it warms my heart to see her open up to Mama.

"It's so hard to talk to people, though," Elsa whispers. "You were all so welcoming and made it easy, but the people at school aren't. Especially now that I'm known as some kind of troubled loner kid."

"Trust me, you will find someone at school who will welcome you warmly, and they may need you just as much as you need them," Mama says. "And, I'm sure they don't see you as a troubled loner. People have a tendency to think that everyone is focused on their mistakes, but in all honesty, I'm sure most of the school has forgotten by now."

Elsa hugs Mama and smiles a bit. "Thank you. For your words of wisdom and for listening to me complain about school in the middle of the night."

"You're not complaining," Mama assures her. "You're worried. It would feel awful to keep those worried feelings in."

Elsa gives Mama one last, long hug before slipping off if the bed.

"Good night, darling." Mama whispers sweetly.

Elsa looks at her and says, "Good night, Mrs. And-" She cuts herself off before hesitantly responding, "Good night, M-Mama."

Wait, did she really call her "Mama?"

Mama's eyes twinkle and she blows Elsa a kiss.

I grin with excitement and tiptoe down the hall. I slip into bed, careful not to let Elsa know that I heard that.

She called her Mama.

Our family is finally coming together.

I stare at the clock, impatiently tapping my foot. It's the last period of the day, and I'm on the edge of my seat with anticipation at how Elsa's day went. On the way to school, she had that look on her face that said she was both excited and scared, which I assumed meant that she was planning on trying to make friends.

Unable to help myself, I had asked her, "So, do you have any big plans for your first day back at school?"

I internally scolded myself after saying that. I hadn't wanted her to know that I'd heard her conversation with Mama, but I thought that had to give it away.

Instead of the suspicious look I'd expected from her, though, she just giggled and said, "No need to be sly, Anna. I saw you walking back to our room last night."

I sighed and launched into an explanation. "I wasn't trying to invade your privacy or anything! I just saw that you weren't in your bed, so I got worried, and I walked down the hall to find you, and then, I saw you with Mama and I heard a bit of your conversation-and by a bit, I mean just the middle and end of it-and I might have accidentally eavesdropped."

Elsa laughed and ruffled my hair. "That was quite the run-on sentence."

I pouted. "Well, I'm no grammar expert."

"I know, and that's fine," Elsa assured. "Anyhow, if it's making friends that you're asking about, then yes, I'm going to try talking to some people at lunch today."

I gasped with excitement. "Elsa! That's so brave of you!"

"Thanks," Elsa smiled half-heartedly. "I just hope actually have the bravery to put it into action."

"Of course you do," I affirmed, patting her back. "You're the bravest person I know."

Elsa gave me a worried but sincere smile. "Thank you."

"I mean it," I said firmly as the bus pulled up to the school. "Now, before you go to talk to anyone, just remember: no worries."

Elsa looked at me and, with a bit more of a confident smile, repeated, "No worries."

The bell rings and I snap out of my memories. I leap out if my seat and make a beeline towards the door, but before I can open it-

"Ms. Andersen, what on earth are you so eager for?" My teacher asks. "I dismiss you, not the bell. Now, take a seat. You will be dismissed last."

I trudge back to my desk, releasing the breath I didn't realize that I was holding. I put my hand on my cheek and watch the lucky ones leave.

When the last person closes the door, my teacher says, "Stop pouting, Anna. You may leave, but don't forget, you'll be meeting with your tutor tomorrow."

I perk up. My student tutor, Belle, is always great to see. She was assigned to tutor me when I recieved a failing grade in english during the first grading cycle. She's in eighth grade, like Elsa. Now that I think about it, they'd get along very well...

"Ms. Andersen? I believe that just a few seconds ago, you were dying to leave my class, and now you're simply standing here." My teacher cuts off my thoughts.

"Right," I say distractedly, my thoughts back to Elsa. Without saying goodbye to my teacher, I rush out the door and wait for Elsa by my locker. Soon enough, I spot Elsa twisting her lock across the wall. I excitedly shove my things into my locker and, forgetting to lock mine, I bounce over to Elsa.

"Sooooo," I grin, peeking over her shoulder. "How'd it go?"

Elsa glances at me and smirks slightly. "You shouldn't keep your locker unlocked," She says. "Someone might steal your things."

I pout. "It's not like I have anything valuable in there."

"I'd lock it if I were you," Elsa shrugs.

I slink over to my locker, twist it shut, and rush back over to Elsa. "Now, tell me all about lunch time." I demand, bouncing eagerly.

Elsa shuts her locker and walks down the the hallway with me. "I-I tried." She says, with her hands in her pockets.

"Wait, you mean no one let you sit with them?" I ask, balling my fists. "Those eighth grade jerks! I bet they don't even know what-"

"Anna, Anna, calm down!" Elsa says, holding out her hands as if to stop me. "I did sit with someone."

My excitement returns. "You did?" I clap my hands. "You scared me! I thought that you were all alone in there, but you did it! You really did! So, who was it? Is he or she nice? Can I meet him or her?"

Elsa smiles at me, but there's a tinge of sadness to it. "It, it didn't really work out, though."

My face falls again. "What?"

"It's fine, though," Elsa assured me. "Really, it might be for the better. I'm not much of a social butterfly anyway."

"Well, what happened?" I push. "Why didn't it work out?"

"It doesn't really matter," Elsa brushes it off. "How was your day?"

"Don't try and change the subject on me," I huff. "It obviously matters. What happened?"

"Fine, but don't overreact," Elsa says, pushing open the doors of the school. "I sat with this girl. She had a pretty unusual name, like Cruella or something. Anyway, we talked for a while and got along very well. But, then she asked if I wanted to skip fifth period with her, and I told her I wasn't into that kind of stuff. I'd planned on still being friends with her, though. We all make mistakes. But, she kept pushing me and pushing me, and finally, she just called me lame and left with her other friends, so I assumed that meant she didn't want to hang out anymore."

"What a jerk!" I fume. "You know, I've heard about her! I hear she kicks puppies."

Elsa rolls her eyes. "Not everything you hear is true, Anna. Don't be quick to judge."

"Sorry," I grumble. I take a deep breath and continue, "You know what? It's fine. There's always tomorrow. Besides, I can help you. There are some nice kids in your grade in my theatre class, and my tutor-"

"Thanks, Anna, but I've made a decision," Elsa stops my rambling. "I'm not going to force a friendship. I'm going to let it happen on its own and in its own time."

"Wait, what do you mean?" I ask. "You're not going to try?"

"No, that's not exactly what I mean," She says. "I'm just going to see if friendship comes to me. I'm going to let it happen naturally."

I give her a look of disbelief. "So, you're just going to wait for something to happen, like magic?"

"Not like magic," Elsa scoffs, stepping onto the bus. "Look, all I'm saying is that I'm not going to focus on this whole 'finding a friend' thing. Believe it or not, there are much worse things that eating alone. I can't just walk up to someone in the cafeteria and find a best friend for life. It will happen eventually."

"But, you have to take some kind of action, or you'll never find that friend," I argue, following her onto the bus. "Like I said, I can help you. I'll introduce you to my tutor, Belle, tomorrow. You two will get along really well. She loves reading, just like you."

Elsa tenses slightly as we sit down. She's quiet for a bit, as if considering it, but she finally says in a tight voice, "That's a kind offer, but no thank you. Like I said, I don't want to force a friendship. I will meet someone eventually."

Suddenly, I get angry at the fact that she won't try. "But, what are you so afraid of?!" I question, crossing my arms. "Rejection? Rejection is the worst thing that can happen in this situation, and it's not that bad."

Elsa's neutral face turns deeply hurt and I realize that I said something wrong. She looks down and mutters, "You have no idea how bitter rejection can be."

My heart breaks at how sorrowfully she said that. "I'm sorry," I tell her, putting my hand on hers.

She holds my hand and gives me one of her small smiles. "You have nothing to apologize for." She says.

"Did...did someone reject you?" I ask tentatively. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Elsa shakes her head, and I can't tell which question she's saying no to, but I'm pretty sure it's the second one. "I want to hear about your day," She says, looking up. "How was it?"

I launch into a story about my day, but I don't forget what I'm focused on. Don't worry, Elsa, I think to myself. If you can't do it yourself, I'll find a friend for you.

I spend the next day mentally planning how I'll bring Elsa up to Belle after school. I haven't seen Belle since before the adoption, but she's already well-aware of Elsa's presence because I rambled about her non-stop for the weeks preceding her arrival. I'm lucky that Belle is a good listener.

After the world's second longest day of school (the first being when we were waiting to officially adopt Elsa), the bell finally rings and I head to the library. Belle is already waiting for me at our usual studying table.

"Hey Belle!" I grin, sitting down in front of her.

"Hi Anna," Belle smiles. "So, if I'm correct, a lot has happened since we last saw each other?" She gives me a knowing look, as if she'd predicted that I was ready to start rattling on about Elsa.

"Yes!" I squeal, grateful that she brought it up first. "Elsa's super nice, and caring, and great, and, oh! Do you have any classes with her? Have you met her yet?"

Belle giggles and shakes her head. "No, but she sounds great."

"Oh, she is," I gush. Then, something occurs to me. What if Belle has heard about the Wesley incident? Oh, what am I saying?! Of course she's heard about it!

"Is something wrong, Anna?" She asks, noticing the sudden disappearence of my smile.

I sigh and say, "Look, anything you've heard about Elsa, besides what I just told you, is not true. Okay, she did lose her temper on Wesley, but that's only because she was trying to defend me and he was pushing her buttons anyway. Plus, she didn't beat him up like everyone says. I mean, she almost-"

"Anna!" Belle cuts me off, much like Elsa had to do yesterday morning. "Calm down. I don't listen to gossip, anyway. I mean, I did hear about what happened between Elsa and Wesley, but I figured that it wasn't the whole story, and I was sure you'd clear it up for me." I let out a sigh of relief, and Belle smiles as she continues, "You know very well that I never judge a book by its cover. Some of the best books I've ever read have had covers that are falling to pieces."

"Thank goodness," I respond, grinning.

"Now, let's get to work, shall we?" Belle says, pulling out the sixth grade textbook.

I falter for a moment. I was about to ask her if she'd sit with Elsa at lunch. But, I nod, assuming I can ask her afterwards.

The hour that Belle uses to give me my usual lesson on grammar goes by very quickly, and, soon enough, Belle starts packing up. As she packs, I say, "So, you know how I was telling you about Elsa earlier?" She nods and I continue, "Well, Elsa's pretty shy, and has had some trouble making friends. I was wondering if maybe you could sit with her at lunch?"

Belle pauses for a second and, after a moment, replies, "I would love to, but I don't exactly eat lunch in the cafetieria." Seeing my confused face, she explains, "I eat here in the library. It's a nice escape from..."

She trails off, and I ask, "From what?"

Belle shrugs and continues, "From this provincial life. I can enter the worlds of my books, and get lost there." She sighs. "You see, my fellow students find me odd, and they make sure I'm aware of it. When I'm in the library, they can't get to me." She swings her bag over her shoulder and says, "But, Elsa is welcome to join me in here, if she wants."

"I'll ask her," I respond. "I didn't know that the kids were so mean to you."

"Oh, don't worry about me, though," Belle says. "I'm fine." As she walks out, she calls, "Be sure to tell Elsa to come to the library! I want to meet her!"

"Okay," I call back, but I sigh once she's gone. I'll try to convince her to come, but I highly doubt she will since she "doesn't want to force a friendship."

I gather my things and walk down the hall, shoulders slumped in defeat. I'm about to go out and meet Mama in the parking lot when I hear-

"Hey Belle!"

I look up and see the quarterback for the eighth grade football team, Gaston, swagger up to Belle, followed by a kid that's only ever called by his last name, LeFou. I narrow my eyes and watch from afar. If they're the ones bothering Belle, I'm going to do something about it.

Belle sighs, setting her books in her locker. "Hello, Gaston." She responds bitterly.

Gaston pushes her aside and pulls the book she just set in locker back out. "What the heck are you reading?! This thing is like a brick!"

Belle sighs again. "Les Miserables by Victor Hugo."

"Why would you take the time to read all this?!" Gaston exclaims, flipping through the large book. "There's so many...words! And, the words are so small!"

"Believe it or not, Gaston, the words are quite interesting," Belle retorts. "Now, give it back. It's an old book, so it's fragile."

Ignoring her warning, Gaston tosses the novel carelessly back in her locker. "Well, I'm not here to discuss Les Miserablahblah."

"Les Miserables," Belle mutters.

"I'm here to make your day!" Gaston declares. "No, not day! I'll make your month! I'll make your year! Belle, you will be happy to hear that I have chosen you to take to the homecoming dance."

Belle pause for a second and turns to Gaston. "Um, that's a kind offer, but no thanks."

Gaston looks appalled. "No thanks?! Why would you,of all people, say no to me?!"

Belle's cheeks glow as she responds, "Because you're pretentious, rude, and you treat everyone like dirt."

Gaston scoffs. "Listen, Belle, you're not going to get another offer like this, so I wouldn't pass it up."

"Yeah!" Lefou chimes in. "No one else is going to ask the school oddball with the crazy dad!"

Belle's face turns redder and her voice cracks slightly when she says, "My father isn't crazy! He's eccentric, and there's nothing wrong with that."

I shake my head, ready to step in and help. But, before I can, I see a familiar blonde striding down the hall, shouting, "Leave her alone! She said 'no!'"

"Elsa?" I say in disbelief.

The four of them give me a brief glance, realizing that I'd been watching the whole time. Elsa spots that I was about to step forward, so she grins and mouths, "I've got this."

"Who are you?" Gaston asks.

LeFou gasps. "She's the girl who beat up that sixth grader last week!"

"Are you here to beat me up?" Gaston questions smugly. "'Cause I can't fight a girl."

"Of course not," Elsa crosses her arms. "I'm here because she said no, and you're taunting her. Just take the 'no', and move on! You've got practically all of the other eighth grade girls pining for you!"

"How do you even know this?!" Gaston exclaims. "You've been here for, like, two days!"

"Two and half," Elsa promptly corrects him. "And, I know this because I'm observant. They give you flirty eyes in the hall and during class."

"We have classes together?" Gaston mutters in disbelief.

"Yes," Elsa says exasperatedly. "Now, go! She said no, and she meant it." She motions towards me. "Come on, Anna. Mrs-erm,Mama's waiting for us."

"Fine," Gaston says bitterly, glaring at us. "The two school weirdos can go...read in a corner or something. See what I care!"

LeFou glances up at Gaston, and, while attempting to match the quaterback's glare, he chimes in with a weak, "Yeah! See what he cares!"

Gaston gives LeFou a quick flick on the head and mutters, "Shut up."

"Thank you so much!" Belle says to Elsa, her brown eyes shimmering with gratitude. "Those two just never leave me alone."

"It was my pleasure," Elsa replies. "It was hard to watch them being such jerks."

I smile at them. "Elsa, this is Belle, who I was telling you about."

"I assumed so," Elsa says good-naturedly. She turns back to Belle and adds, "It's nice to meet you."

"You too," Belle grins. "I don't suppose you'd want to join me for lunch tomorrow."

Elsa's face lights up as she nods.

I squeal and give her a not-too-subtle thumbs up. "Belle eats in the li-"

Belle stops me and says, "Actually, I think I'll be okay in the cafeteria tomorrow. It's better with a friend." She glances towards the door. "I'd better go meet my father. He's waiting for me outside. See you tomorrow!" With that, she runs out, leaving Elsa and I alone in the hall.

"Well, it looks like friendship came to you on its own, afterall," I shrug.

"Not exactly," Elsa admits. "I came with Mama to pick you up becaus

e I wanted to meet Belle."

"Really?" I question. "What made you change your mind?"

"You," Elsa answers, putting her arm around me. "I thought about our little talk yesterday, and realized you were right. I do have to try, otherwise, a friend may never come. To think, what happened with Belle never may have happened if I hadn't come." She sighs before continuing, "I suppose I was just scared because...because, I have been turned away a lot. I waited in that orphanage for five years before anyone adopted me. I was rejected by loads of hopeful parents. I-I suppose I just didn't want to face that pain again."

I look at Elsa in shock. This is the most of Elsa's past that she's ever revealed to me. I give her a watery smile and pull her into a hug. A bit shocked at my abrubtness, Elsa takes a moment to hug back. But, as soon as she does, she hugs me as tightly as I'm hugging her.

"Oh, Elsa," I whisper. "As long as I'm with you, I'll never let you go through pain like that again."

Elsa whispers back, "Thank you."

As we pull apart, Mama comes running in. "Girls! Are you okay? I've been waiting for you!"

"Sorry, Mama," I respond. "We're fine."

Elsa glances at me before saying to Mama, "We're perfectly fine."

Author's Note: Well, that took longer than expected. But, at least it didn't take as long as the last chapter! But, it's my longest chapter so far, so...yay!

Anyway, I had this Belle and Elsa friendship planned out since the beginning. I've always imagined that they'd get along well.

Off-Topic: I saw Frozen Fever and LOVED it! I loved the bit of Life's Too Short in the intro. I'm currently working on a one-shot that takes place the day after Frozen Fever, so if you're interested, it'll probably be up in a few weeks at the most.

Well, um, thanks for reading!