Full Summary:

St. Arin's High School: The most average place on earth. At least, that's the opinion of Kristoff Bjorgman, senior student. But when a mysterious girl transfers suddenly halfway through the year, strange things start happening, most of them somehow related to her and freshman Anna Rendale. Soon Kristoff finds himself caught up in a mystery like none other, and he must find the answer before a secret that should have been left hidden is revealed - or, before it's too late.

My name is Kristoff Bjorgman. I'm just your average senior student at St Arin's High School, so don't get all worried yet.

Yet, I said.

Y'see, everything was normal for me. In fact, everything was normal for just about all five hundred or so students in the entire school! We did our schoolwork, tried out for sports, dated, planned dances, snuck into the teacher's lounge, showed freshmen around, etcetera, etcetera. But... Then it all changed.

This girl transferred to my class from another school. Elsa Regale, I think. Ever heard of her? Y'know, platinum blonde, quiet, practically feared by everyone, even the teachers, even though she never did anything wrong. A perfect student in every way.

In fact, too perfect.

She never really talked to anyone, and only opened her mouth if she needed to. You never saw her parents, or her siblings, and always, always wore those gloves with the snowflakes on the back.

Always with the damn gloves. One day I'm going to rip them off, and see what she's hiding. Of course, I'm not trying yet. I value my dignity, thank you very much.

No, not yet. But one day...

And then there was that animal she carried with her everywhere. A white kitten, with an orange triangular splotch on its forehead. I swear, either she such a goody two-shoes that the teachers just let her have a pet, since they practically threw my labrador Sven out when I tried to bring him in, or that blasted animal is just invisible!

I'm tempted to go with option one, but I honestly think that it's the second reason. The teachers don't bat an eye when it scampers around, and almost step on it from time to time. Half the students don't even know what in the world I'm talking about when I bring the thing up... what's its name... Olaf! Yeah, him. When I try to ask about him, people either stare at me like I've lost my mind, slap me, or shake their head. Only a few others have even acknowledged its existence at all!

I tell you, something is up with that girl. Something... weird is going on here, and I'm going to find out what!

But enough of her. There's this freshman, Anna Rendalle, who I could swear knows something about this whole mess. I saw her in the first half of the year, peppy and cheerful, always trying to find some party or another to go to. Heck, she even tried to ask Elsa to come to one once!

She got turned down, of course. What did you think would happen?

But ever since Elsa's arrival, she's been acting more distant than ever. She doesn't try to party much at all, if ever. Now she focuses on school, and is always studying, though I don't know what she's trying to find out when she's on a webpage about 'How to Steal a Person's Gloves'.

...Maybe she's going along the same lines as me. Or maybe this is just how Anna is, and before was just a bit of freshman buzz or something. It really doesn't matter.

...I think.

Two more to cover. Hans Sudlanis, and Duke Wesel.

Let's see... Duke is an athletic jerk who got held back about four times. He's in his senior year, like me, though he's about five years older than any student in the school. He smokes, pushes people around, does drugs... It's a wonder he hasn't been expelled.

Did I mention he had the hots for Elsa?

He had it bad. Like, BAD. First day back at school, Elsa steps in the classroom, and BAM. Rainbows and puppies singing everywhere.

Or maybe it's a crack-induced hallucination, if you're Duke. Whatever.

But, obviously, he's figured something out. He HAD the hots. Not has. Had.

It started slow at first, but gradually everyone took notice. He'd corner Elsa, follow her around, stalker her, and tell her things which no one else has heard. She usually takes it like everything else; strong and silent, brushing him off, but I know better.

The first time I saw this happen was the first time I ever saw fear in Elsa's eyes.

Duke is up to something. Somehow he's involved in this whole mess. Maybe he's even the centre of it. I don't know, but then again, it's me who's trying to find out.

One more, you say? Right, right. Hans.

He's... Alright. Kind of like a prince, if you know what I mean. Elegant, kind, noble, all that usual schmuck. Practically every single girl in school is drooling over him. But you know what really makes me suspicious?

The way he acts around Elsa. Before, he'd always be dashing and handsome, y'know? Always kissing the hands of ladies and having a new girl twice a week. But a few days into the term, and he stops the act. He's harsher to them, more distant. Almost as if he's got his eyes on...

Yup. You've guessed it. Her. Her majesty, Elsa Regale.

Ha, I can't wait to see his face when she tells him she's not interested! I'd bet a million bucks she says, flat out, 'No'.

Of course though, somehow mister fancy-pants will somehow melt that heart of ice and be the first person ever to have a conversation with that girl. It'll happen. It's Hans.

...Crud, if it does happen, for real, I need to get a better job...

St. Arin's High School, two weeks earlier...

"Welcome back, boys and girls. Halfway through your final year already, aren't ya? Hoo hoo! Better enjoy it while you can, 'cause this ain't lasting!"

Mr. Oakenheart, Kristoff's homeroom teacher, and the only staff member taller than six feet tossed his bags to the front of the room and grinned. "A real howler of a weather we're havin' today. 'Spect there's at least a foot and a half of fresh powder out there, mm?"

There was a chorus of agreement around the room, which was cut off abruptly by the teacher slamming his hands on the desk. "OK! Enough 'a that. I've got some news for you lot, so listen up!"

"What, you finally lose enough weight to fit into the school uniform? Oh, that's right, you can't afford one!" Duke grinned, off-handedly reaching back to give one of his cronies a fist bump.

Mr. Oakenheart shrugged it off, continuing, "Now, I know we don't normally get a lot of students halfway through the year, but due to an... unforeseen circumstance, we have a transfer from out sister school, St. Della's High. Please welcome Miss Elsa Regale!"

Steady clapping filled the room as the new girl finally stepped into the classroom, making her way to the front. Even confined to the white-and-blue colours of the uniform worn by all others, she still radiated control and elegance. Head tipped down, book-bag clasped firmly in front of her, she would have made the spiting image of a model student, if not for the kitten perched on her left shoulder, or the pale blue gloves adorning her hands.

Duke wolf-whistled, exclaiming openly, "Daaaaaayum." Other boys appealed to more subtle antics, such as crossing out their dates for Friday in their agendas.

"Alright, could you introduce yourself and, mm... Favourite colour, food, subject, hobby, and worst fear."

Elsa blinked, surprised at the onslaught of words. "Um... I'm Elsa. Hi."

A few people waved, and she blushed.

"And, um... Ice blue, freezies, art, skating, and... No comment."

Mr. Oakenheart chuckled. "A regular little Snow Queen, aren't ya?"

Her eyes flashed, and for a moment they seemed to glow with an electric-blue light. "Don't call me that. Um, if you don't mind," she added, the light fading.

"Alrighty then. Take your seat over there, beside the boy snoring his face off. Oi! Kristy!"

Kristoff snorted, and muttered sleepily, "It's Kristoff..."

Elsa sighed, and strode over to the sleeping boy, placing a gloved hand on the back of his neck and squeezing. "Rise and shine."

"YAAH! Cold!" Kristoff shot out of his seat and whacked his head on the desk beside him, falling to the floor. Laughter erupted throughout the classroom, and the boy growled, glancing up to mutter, "What's the matter with y..."

Like staring at the face of beauty itself. That's the only way to describe it.

"...ou, and why are you so gorgeous? Wait, no! I didn't-"

Elsa jerked back, and raised an eyebrow, deadpanning, "Not interested."

Oh. Well, I guess I was expecting as much.

Dragging himself up, Kristoff took his seat again, shooting a glance to his left as she began to unpack her bags. The kitten was still perched on her shoulder, staring back at him quizzically, orange splotch on its forehead rumpled into confusion.

"What's up with the cat?" Duke had leaned back to Elsa, elbow resting on her desk. "And, by the way, I'm Duke. Nice to meet'cha."

The girl gave a half-hearted smile before kicking her book-bag under her desk. "Hi... Duke. Nice to meet you too, I think."

"Ah, real sweet. How about this: You, me, tomorrow night at the bar. What'cha think?"

"Duke!" Mr. Oakenheart barked, not turning around from his notes on the white board. "I know you want a social life, but please, do not discuss your romantic affairs in my classroom."

There were a few titters of laughter, and Duke growled, turning around again just in time to hear Elsa's reply.

"One, even though you're an overage drop-out, I'm not. I'm only 17, alright? And two, I wouldn't date guys like you, if I did in the first place."

Duke flushed, and he choked out, "Well, fine! I... I don't need girls like you anyways!"

You could almost hear the tension crackling in the air. Almost. Not yet.

"A-and," he continued, narrowing his eyes, "who would wanna date some freaky Snow Queen lady in the first place?"

The tension snapped.

Duke returned to the next class with a smoking handprint on his cheek and a distant look in his eyes. If you put two and two together, you could get five and say that Duke traced a hand with one of his cigarettes to get sympathy, or you could add up to four and get the obvious answer.

Elsa seemed a little more out of it that class, but kept her cool, even making it through a boring intro from Monsieur la Blanc about how important French was.

Kristoff payed no attention to this, though, and instead tried to get information out of Elsa about the kitten. Repeatedly. And almost every conversation went something like this.

"Hey, uh, what's up with that cat thing?"

"His name is Olaf. And why should you care?"

"Well, um..."

"Exactly."

And on it went. Fruitless conversations throughout the day, always with the same negative response. Always, always, always.

Finally, it was last period. Homeroom again. Halfway through, Kristoff leaned over, whispering, "So, even though you won't tell me about the kitten, what about those gloves, huh?"

You could practically see the fire ignite in her eyes.

Elsa stood abruptly, throwing her things together and heading for the door. "Mr. Oakenheart, I have somewhere to go, preferably not here."

"Hey, wait-" Kristoff began, but was cut off.

"Yes, I remember, the principal gave me your permission slip! Leave right at 3:21, or something, yah?"

The girl flinched, but nodded, and strode out the door.

"Wait a minute-" Kristoff tried. "I didn't mean to make you leave! Come back!"

"Be quiet, Kristy," Duke sneered. "She had 'permission'," he continued, with air-quotes on the previous word, "and no one like you could possibly make big ol' Snow Queen leave, huh?"

Kristoff grit his teeth. "She is NOT a snow queen!"

"Hey!" Mr. Oakenheart snapped. "No talking during the lesson, mm?"

The blonde sunk in his seat, feeling guilty. "Did I make her leave?" he whispered. "Did she really have an excuse to go?"

"Of course, to get away from you, Kristy."

"Shut up, Duke."

Finally, the day was over. All Kristoff wanted to do was find the nearest television, flick it on, and veg out for about five hours. Homework? Pfft, later.

"Ah, hey! Watch out!"

WHAM

Suddenly, Kristoff found himself face down in a snowdrift, a warm mass of something-or-other smothering him from above.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Two small hands pulled on his shoulders, lifting him up enough to let him take a breath. "Are you alright?"

"Uh, what do you think?" He glared at the newcomer, a small, strawberry blonde girl, who was staring at him guiltily. "Who are you, and what on earth were you doing?"

"Sorry!" she repeated, looking guiltier than ever. "I'm Anna! I know who you are, of course, but I wasn't really aiming at you, I was looking for Elsa, and I kind of wasn't paying attention, so-"

"AIMING? What were you DOING?"

She shrunk away, tapping her index fingers together slowly. "Uh... I miiiiiight have been experimenting with some 'borrowed' corporation tech..."

Kristoff raised an eyebrow. "Borrowed?" He tried to wriggle out of the snow, but couldn't, and sighed. "And, um, could you help me out of here?"

"Sure!" As she worked on digging out the snow, Anna's eyes widened, and she asked, "Oh, hey, have you seen Elsa? I reeeeally need to talk to her, and-"

"You know her?"

"Yup! Well, kind of. I think I've seen her before. Somewhere. Probably."

"You sound so sure."

"Hey! I just wanted to welcome her to the school, say hi, show her around all the secret little nooks and crannies, be an expert, you know?"

"...Anna, she probably knows more about this place than you do. You're a freshman."

At this, the girl stopped digging, and blew a very-mature raspberry at the helpless boy. "Whatever. Do you want me to help you or not?"

"Fine. Continue."

"But," she grinned, twirling one of her braids, "you have to appologize."

"What? Why?!"

"You basically insulted me!"

Kristoff rolled his eyes, and muttered, "There is no insult that goes low enough to insult someone like you."

"See what I mean?"

"Fine. I'm sorry."

She smirked. "Now... Say, 'Please release me, oh great and powerful Anna!'"

"No."

"I won't dig you ouuuuut..."

"I'd rather wait for the snow to melt, thanks," he growled.

"Fine." She went back to digging, and added, "You're lucky I'm such a kind person, otherwise I'd have left you here to rot!"

"One, it's winter, things can't rot, and two, someone else would pull me out before dark. Seriously. Not everyone is as heartless as you."

Anna giggled. "Whatever, Kristy."

"It's Kristoff..."

Elsa nervously glanced out of the hallway, and, when the last person had emptied from the school, made her run for the door. She almost made it.

Almost.

There, tacked on the bulletin board over the usual student council junk, was a bright red poster on which was scrawled in jagged blue, "I KNOW, SNOW QUEEN."

Keeping herself from running, Elsa gently placed Olaf on the floor, stepping back with one hand outstretched. Trying not to scream, after another check of the hall, she aimed one hand at the offending poster, closed her eyes, and slowly, slowly, pulled off her glove.

When Mr. Oakenheart walked down that very same hall a few hours later, the rest of the teachers were staring at the board, scratching their heads, and wondering how on earth a snowflake-shaped mark had managed to completely obliterate one of the walls.

"There. You're free to go." Anna kicked away the last piece of snow, and stepped back as the older boy pulled himself out of the snow, white powder coating him everywhere.

"Thank you," he muttered, shaking himself, spraying the dust everywhere.

"Watch it! Oh, and," she looked down at her feet, scuffing one back and forth, "I'm sorry for running into you. It was my fault, I guess. I should have used the F - Runners more carefully."

He stopped midway through pulling his bag on, furrowing his eyebrows. "F - Runners?"

"You know, sequel to the E - Runners?" she joked. "No, I'm kidding. There's only F - Runners, little air puff things you put on the bottom of your shoes, see?" She lifted a leg and tapped the sole, indicating the figure-eight shaped attachment that ran along the bottom.

"And what do they do?"

"Yeah, that's the thing..." After standing on her tiptoes, she managed to lean close enough to rest her chin on Kristoff's shoulder and whisper, "I don't know!"

"What." He didn't even bother to phrase the question, and instead spoke it as a deadpan.

"Yup!"

"You took stuff - er, borrowed," he corrected after she shot him the death stare, "that you don't even know how to use?!"

"Nooo... I borrowed the wrong thing! I was supposed to get the F - A: Jetz, but they were on the same shelf, and Dad isn't that organized, so I kinda might've mixed them up."

"Dad?"

"Yeah, well, I call him that, but he's really my uncle."

Kristoff shook his head, replying, "No, I mean your Dad invented all this stuff? Like, the F - Runners and the other thing?"

"Uh-huh! He works for the new company, what's-it's-name, down the road from here."

"...You don't know the name of your own father's company."

"Hey, he only joined a week ago, OK?" she defended, raising her arms. "How'm I supposed to keep track of everything, anyways?"

Kristoff sighed, leaving the question hanging, and began to walk. That little delay had cost him fifteen minutes, meaning that he had even less time to do his work.

Hey, TV first, remember?

"Where're ya going?"

He was pulled out of his thoughts by Anna, who was walking beside him, having to step twice as fast to keep up with the tall boy.

"Why are you following me?"

"Uh, I live this way. Duh."

"Oh, great." Kristoff tried to think of a topic to pass the time, and managed lamely, "So what do those Jetz things do? And the F - Thingy?"

"F - Runners, genius."

"Whatever. Just... What were you trying to do?"

Anna tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Uh... The F - Runners are kinda like... jetpacks for your feet? I think. I don't know, but when I tried them, little blasts of air sorta shot out. That's why I crashed into you. Does that help?"

"Oh, gee, I feel so much better knowing it was an accident," the boy muttered, but smiled nonetheless.

"I waaaaas going to use the F - A: Jetz to hug-tackle Elsa and make her fly..." Anna grinned.

"Wait, you were going to spontaneously tackle ELSA, and MAKE HER FLY?! I don't even..." Kristoff sighed, and put his fingers to his temples. "Look, you don't randomly scoop people up and fly them hundreds of feet above the ground as a 'welcome to school' greeting! They'll flip!"

"Really? I always thought they'd be all excited or something..."

"NO!"

"Hey! Snow queen!"

Elsa turned, trying to keep her anger under control. "What do you want?"

The boy grinned, walking up until they were nose to nose, albeit him being taller by about three inches. "I've got a message from Duke for ya, Frosty."

"What does that..." She paused, holding back words such as 'jerk' and 'idiot', and managed, "What does he want?"

"Oh, nothing... Just a little something about that new company... What's its name? Oh yeah, The Freak Association for Creative Talents or something. Lame name."

"It's Freedom. Not... that other word."

He leaned closer, foreheads almost touching, and whispered, "What, scared? Of course you are; you're the freak here. And just so things are clear, Duke knows. He knows everything. So you'd better watch it."

She raised an eyebrow. "And if I don't?"

"Then you might find... certain things... out of your control." The boy held up a piece of paper, indicating the all-too-clear figure on it. "You might have been the only person in that hallway, but cameras have eyes too, Snow Queen."

Elsa's eyes widened slightly, but she calmly replied, "You do realize that this is blackmail, right?"

"Whatever. Just remember, we're watching you. You can run, you can hide, you can do more of that creepy stuff," he sneered, indicating the picture. "But no matter what you do, you can't get away from us... Freak."

She locked her eyes with his, their faint glow barely visible, and whispered ever so softly, "I don't intend to."

Kristoff groaned, Anna's incessant voice finally managing to drill an annoying buzz into his head. Since when had his route home taken this long? Oh, wait, maybe it was just the way Anna was talking a gazillion miles a second.

"...and Dad said that he was going to try and patent his inventions, so he changed jobs a lot to find a good company, so-"

"Alright! I get it! Uh, I mean," he added, seeing the hurt on Anna's face, "I'm here! Like, home! So, uh bye?"

She stared at him a second, and then slowly, slowly nodded. "Uh huh."

"Is everything alright?"

The wicked gleam returned, and she smirked, replying, "Of course, Kristy! See ya!"

Kristoff growled as she ran down the driveway and onto the sidewalk, slamming the door with as much fury as he could.

"For the thousandth time today, IT'S KRISTOFF!"

Anna hummed quietly to herself as she plodded along the sidewalk, staring at her feet. Why did she feel... Kinda different when he shrugged her off?

"Oh, ew, if it's another crush, I'm gonna-"

THUD

Not watching where she was going, she somehow managed to run into the only other person on the street, knocking both the them and their books to the ground.

"Ow."

Anna covered her mouth, quietly yelling, "Ohmigosh. I am SO sorry! Here let me get your books-"

"No, I can get it; it's my fault, I wasn't watching where I was going."

"I wasn't either! I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I wasn't really looking ahead, and then, well, wham!"

"I guess we have a lot in... common..."

They both reached for the same book, and Anna blushed, handing it to the other, saying, "Sorry! Oh, hey, your uniform... You go to St. Arin's high, don't you?"

"Uh huh."

"What's your name? I'll look out for you tomorrow!"

"...It's Elsa."

Anna gasped, jumping to her feet, yelling, "YOU'RE Elsa? I had no idea? I always thought that you were all cold and mean, ya know, with the whole nickname 'Snow Queen', but hey! Here you are!"

Elsa flinched, and managed, "Just 'Elsa' is fine, thanks."

"OK, sure! And... Oh," Anna stuttered, as the other girl got to her feet. "I always thought you'd be... Taller." Anna stared, finally noticing that even though she wasn't that tall, Elsa was about two inches shorter than her.

The blonde sighed, blushing. "I know. I get that a lot. I didn't used to be, though..."

"Uh?"

"Ah, never mind. Sorry."

"So..." Anna scuffed her foot hesitantly, and grinned. "See you tomorrow?"

"I guess." Elsa smiled, and began to walk, opening the flap of her bag to let Olaf clamber onto her shoulder. "Bye."

"Oh, WOW! Is that your kitten? I just love animals, they'e so... Well, so everything! Dad won't let us get anything 'cause he says they'll mess up his work, but I just love to go to volunteer at the Humane Society! I mean, like there are all sorts of-"

"Goodbye, Anna."

Anna stopped, staring at Elsa's retreating figure, hurt. "Uh... OK then..." Sighing, she set off again, now feeling even more lonely than before.

Kristoff sank into the couch, sighing. Remote in one hand, he began to flip the channels, grabbing fistfuls of Doritos every few seconds and casually munching on them, crumbs dribbling onto the couch. Sven nuzzled at his heels, welcoming him, and eventually settles down beside the boy, content with the rhythmic clicking of the remote.

"-and over to the west on highway-"

Click

"-no matter what, friendship always-"

Click

"-taste my sword, demon! I now activate-"

Click

"-the fire that ravaged the once beautiful mansion seven years ago, and claimed the lives of three, almost taking another in the process. How's the scene, Jim?"

Kristoff paused, a handful of chips halfway to his mouth. Even though he didn't normally watch the news, something about the story made him stop. What fire?

"Thanks, Rachel. You see, after the disastrous fire at the beginning of January years ago, workers began to clear away the site. Two bodies were found, however, one remains missing, if it even existed at all. Investigators suggest that the intensity of the heat burned away the remains, leaving no evidence behind. Why it has taken so long to finally shift through the rubble is unknown to the public, but officials can confirm that the reason does not matter.

"Meanwhile, project director Michael Cullen reports that it will take almost a month to clear the whole ground, with the size of the damaged property at over 1 000 000 square feet. It is unknown how the fire was started, although the police have found evidence of supposed arson. If you have any information, don't hesitate to email us on our website, or call the number on the bottom of your screen. Now, new start-up company The Freedom Association for Creative Talents has yet to decide what they plan to do with the purchased lot, only stating that-"

Click

Kristoff turned off the television, slightly shocked. Three deaths? Why hadn't he heard of it before? There weren't really many accidents where he lived, and even though the fire had burned seven years ago, he still would have heard of it. Thinking, he reached for another handful, only to knock the bag to the floor, crumbs splashing everywhere with a loud crumple.

"KRISTOFF!"

The boy gulped, frantically trying to clean up the mess before his mother stormed in. "Y-yeah mom?"

"You'd better not have spilled those chips! I specifically told you that if you were going to eat in there-"

"Yeah, got it! Sorry!"

By the time he had finished getting the orange powder out of the snow-white rug, all thoughts of the fire had vanished from his mind.

The next day, the second day back from winter break, Kristoff managed to slip past Anna and make it to the school peacefully. No more snowdrifts, no more incessant chattering, no more hopelessly adorable pouts-

Wait, what?

Mentally slapping himself, he threw his bag down by the flagpole, pulling out his phone, trying to forget he even thought what he did. For a few minutes, everything was fine, with the simple actions of PuzzleBreaker to help him relax.

Of course, it didn't last.

"Whatcha got there?"

"Augh!" Kristoff fumbled his phone, letting out a sigh when he managed to just catch it, and whipped around, glaring at the owner of the voice. "What?!"

"Sorry!" Anna put her hands up playfully, in a mock defence. "I didn't know you were so into that game, OK? Yeesh!"

"No it's fine," the boy sighed, anger deflating. "I was just startled, that's all. I wasn't expecting someone so..." He stared at the younger girl, and managed, "...peppy this morning."

She shrugged. "Yeaaaah, a lot of people don't like my little 'wake-up-calls' or surprises and stuff... They usually say something about almost having a heart attack or something. Can you believe that?"

"No, really," Kristoff grumbled, rolling his eyes. "There's no way a SUDDEN SHOCK could give an unsuspecting person A HEART ATTACK."

"Well when you put it like that..."

"Oh, never mind." He shoved his phone away, and grabbed his bag off the ground. "Let's just go inside. I know school doesn't start for a bit, but we can-"

"Explore?!"

"No."

"Adventure?!"

"No!"

"Run around peeking into every room we can?!"

"NO! Look," Kristoff sighed, face-palming, "I was going to set up and get ready for first period, like A NORMAL PERSON."

Anna grinned sheepishly. "Ohhhhh. OK... Let's go, then!" Yanking his arm, she half led, half dragged him over the stairs and into the school, ignoring his protesting the entire way.

"Whoa."

The two stopped, stunned, taking in the massive snowflake-shaped mark engraved on the wall where the student council board had once been.

"What happened here?" Kristoff breathed, trying to think of a logical way it could have happened. "It would take so much time and effort to do that... You would definitely get caught in the act."

"Well, maybe they just had a thing against bulletin boards," Anna remarked, pointing to the the mangled pile of paper sitting in a heap by the mark. "Because that thing is TOTALLED. Anger issues much?"

"Ya think?"

They glanced at it on last time, then continued their walk down the hall, completely silent, until they reached the tell-tale split in the corridor that separated the two older grades from the younger.

"Soooo... See you around?" Anna asked, hopefully holding out a hand for a fist bump.

Kristoff stared at the energetic, lively girl who had knocked him into a snowdrift one day, talked her mouth off then and the next, and yet still managed to gain his trust. He smiled, and lightly tapped his fist to hers. "See you around."

Duke stared at the destroyed wall, cracking a wicked grin. Whipping out his phone, he thumbed the buttons and pressed enter, sending out a message to all of his cronies.

'It's confirmed. SQ=F Begin project launch 315.'

Chuckling softly, he stuck his hands in his pockets, an uncharacteristically toothy smile plastered on his features, and began his slow walk to homeroom, his deadly message floating in cyberspace, just waiting to be opened.

"No."

Anna pouted, and reached out her hand, only to have it knocked away yet again.

"I said, no."

"Please? Just one? I'll never ask you for anything again!"

Kristoff snorted, and muttered, "Yeah, I can totally expect you to keep THAT promise."

"But-"

"Nope. They're all mine." He wagged his eyebrows playfully before delicately dropping the cheese crunchies into his mouth one by one. "Mmmm..."

"Now you're doing it on purpose! Not fair!" the girl wailed, throwing her arms up in mock despair. "You withhold my favourite treat from me: the Curly Puffs!"

Kristoff laughed. "I feel soooooo guilty right now. Not."

A smile tugged at Anna's lips, and she scooted closer, drawling, "But them Curly Puffs be gooooooood..."

"No."

"I'll do your homework."

"NO! I'll get an even worse grade than I already have!"

"It can't be that hard..." She reached under the lunch table and pulled a binder out of his backpack and opened it to a random page. After scanning it for a moment, wide eyed, she carefully slipped it back, and inched as far away from the bag as possible.

"What?"

"That... Just..." Anna shook her head. "Next time you want to confuse me, just shove the nearest grade twelve math textbook in my face, alright?"

Elsa sighed, this time managing to exit the school without any incident. "Not like yesterday..."

"What happened yesterday?"

She flinched, seeing Anna and the strange boy (Kristoff, not Kristy, right?) standing by the flagpole, waiting for something. Waiting? Oh, right. Probably for her, to welcome her or something.

"Hi," began Kristoff, awkwardly extending his hand. "I think we got off to a bad start yesterday, so here. I'm Kristoff. Welcome to St. Arin's High."

"And I'm Anna! You saw me yesterday, 'member?"

"How could I forget? You almost tackled me," Elsa sighed, trying to step past the two. Unfortunatly, they had no intention of leaving. "Can I get through?"

The other girl furrowed her eyebrows. "We just wanna say hi and get to know you... Really! All I know is that Duke practically hates you!"

"I am well aware of that," the blonde sighed icily. "Please let me pass."

"But-"

"No. You aren't going to know me, or buddy up, or anything. Now, I really need to get by. Excuse me."

Anna grabbed her shoulder, whipping her around. "C'mon! Just a few questions, I promise! How about five?"

"Anna..." Kristoff gently tugged the younger girl away, stating, "I think she wants to be alone."

"No one wants to be alone!" the girl tried, in an attempt to argue.

"I don't want to be," Elsa replied flatly, eyes distant, "but I have to. Goodbye."

She turned, and began to walk, to be stopped yet again by the persistent, energetic blur that was Anna. "Why? Why are you pushing me away? You were so kind yesterday, forgiving me and everything! Why are you distant now?"

"Anna..."

"Why are you shutting me out? I want to help!" Anna yelled, voice raised. "Just let me in! Accept my friendship!"

Kristoff stepped forwards to intervene, only to be stopped by the hands of both girls as they glared at each other. "Calm down, guys-"

"No! Elsa, please! Just... Stop being so cold to others. Stop hurting them, hurting yourself. Let that icy heart of yours thaw! Please," she begged, stubborn in her approach. "Just give me a chance."

The older girl stared at the other's pleading face, at Kristoff's worried eyes, at the students watching them, ready to admit defeat, ready to open up to Anna.

A memory stirred as she reached out her hand, 'OK' barely on the tip of her tongue.

Never again.

Backing away, answer dying in her throat, Elsa turned and ran.

"I can't believe her! Being so cold to us like that! Maybe she really does deserve the title 'Snow Queen'!" Anna ranted, waving her arms to exemplify her point. "Ooh, hi, nice to meet you, oh wait, now I'm going to turn you down, shut you out, and act like a total b-"

"That's quite enough," Kristoff interrupted. "Maybe she was just having a bad day or something. Or maybe she just didn't like your approach."

"But that's the thing! Number one, every single person in the school has liked my "Hi, nice ta meet'cha" meet and greet. Even Duke! Well, he did offer me crack after that, but that's besides the point! No one can turn down their Anna Greeting!"

"No one except Elsa," he remarked dryly.

"Hey, even you got it. We're friends now, aren"t we?"

"Well..."

"Yeah we are. And number two, I know I've seen her before! I mean, who can forget a person like her? Kinda stands out, doesn't she?"

Kristoff shurgged. "Are you sure it just wasn't the internet or something? There are a lot of look-a-likes around there..."

"Positive. I have this really distinct memory of a lady that looks just like her..." Anna shut her eyes for a moment, and distractedly mumbled, "Except for the brown hair... Wait, what?"

"Brown hair?"

"That's weird. I just kinda saw a flash of this really dark hair, instead of platinum... I can see her face, though. It's Elsa. I'm ninety-nine percent sure."

"The other one percent is...?"

"It's not." She grinned sheepishly. "Yeaaaah... Maybe I should flip the percentages around."

"You think?"

Elsa leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. Why had she run? Sure, traumatic childhood memory, but no biggie, right?

Right. Not.

Olaf peeked out of her bag, yawning sleepily, and mewled for attention, pawing at her stomach. She smiled weakly, scooping him up and placing him on her shoulder, stroking him as she caught her breath.

She could always go back. She could apologize, finally be open with someone. Everything would be alright, then.

But it couldn't be. Elsa hated to admit it, but even sharing the pieces of information had made her feel exposed. Vulnerable. Weak.

She could never live a normal life. Not with the curse she was destined to bear. Not with the monster she was.

"I can never go back," she whispered, Olaf snuggling into her hair. "I can never tell them the truth."

Anna threw herself onto her bed, rumpling the perfectly folded corners and disturbing the perfectly arranged pillows. Staring up at the ceiling, she casually fiddled with her braids, mumbling things under her breath, most having to do with Kristoff, or Elsa, or both.

"Who does she think she is... And him mocking me... Why is he so damn cute-No! Not going there... Why are you afraid of me? And what's with the gloves..."

"Anna?" There was a light tap on the door, followed by the question, "Are you in there?"

"Yeah, Dad. Come in."

Lucian Rendalle, Anna's adoptive father and caretaker stepped in, surveying the clothes blanketing the floor, and the books scattered across almost every available surface. "I thought you said you'd clean this up a week ago," he frowned, brushing off the many accessories covering a swivel chair, taking a seat. "Remember, a clean room means-"

"A clean mind, yeah I know. It's just... It's that new kid, Elsa," she admitted, sitting up with a sigh. "I'm trying to be welcoming and stuff, but she's hiding so many things it's almost impossible to talk to her! I mean, is it me? Does she not like my approach? Or..." The girl trailed off, hanging her head dejectedly. "I know it seems like a silly thing to get upset about, but I have this nagging feeling I've seen her before, and if I get to know her, I'll remember... But I can't when she's being so hard to talk to! What do I do, Dad?"

Lucian sighed, gently placing his hand on Anna's shoulder. "Anna... I know you mean well. You just want to help, correct?"

"Y-yeah..."

"See, it's a good cause. And in the end, evil always falls to good. So give her time, Anna. Let her come to you on her own, alright?"

She smiled, sniffling, and leaned over to wrap her arms around him. "Alright. Thanks dad."

His mouth smiled, but his eyes were sad. "Your welcome, Anna. But please, remember, some secrets must be left hidden."

"What was that?"

Lucian shook his head, patting Anna's back softly. "Nothing important."

Nothing important at all.

Kristoff opened the door eagerly, only to be met with a face-full of fur as Sven tackled him to the ground.

"Ack! Get off!"

"Kristoff!" His mother's voice rang through the house, weary and grumpy. "Take that dog of yours out of the house! He's being a right nuisance, he is, so here!" A leash was flung into the snow beside him, finished with a, "Go wear him out around the block or something!"

Kristoff chuckled, fastening the length of cord around Sven's neck and placing his bag inside the hall before shutting the door. "Alright mom! Be back in an hour!"

Still smiling, he let Sven drag him down the driveway and out onto the sidewalk, ready for anything.

Almost.

"Whoa..." breathed Kristoff, marvelling at the newly-built manor at the end of the road. Tall, white marble pillars, with pale brown stone walling made for an impressive sight. Carefully cultivated gardens lined the entranceway, gate swinging on its hinges, enticing him to step in and take a peek.

"Wait right here, Sven. I'll only be gone for a minute, K?"

He received a bark in return, and, still slightly stunned, made his way to the front door.

He was just reaching for the knocker when a voice from above him yelled, "Kristoff?"

"Anna?!"

"What are you doing here?" she called, leaning out her bedroom window, am entire floor above him.

"What are YOU doing here?!"

"I live here, duh!"

He gaped, jaw falling open comically. "You're RICH?!"

"Um... Yes?"

His mouth stayed open for a little while longer, before he snapped it shut and shook his head. "OK, I think my brain's adapted to this catastrophe. So, uh... What's up?"

"Besides me, you mean?" she giggled, now almost dangling upside-down off the window ledge. "Nothing much, just thinking."

"About Elsa?"

"About Snow Queen," Anna corrected, frowning. "She was pretty cold today."

"She doesn't like that name..."

She shrugged, pulling herself inside. "Whatever. Hold on, OK? I'll be right down!"

"Wait, what are you doing to-"

There was a whoosh of noise, and the girl fell, or rather, flew, through the window and onto the ground beside the now-yet-again stunned boy. "F - A: Jetz," she grinned, tapping the small devices strapped to her shoes. "Gotta love 'em."

"Why am I not surprised..."

"It's me, genius!" Anna smiled, playfully punching him on the shoulder. "You should know me better by now! Anna Rendale: Spontaneity Unlimited!" She broke down giggling, smiling from ear to ear.

Oh, how wonderful it was to hear her laugh again.

Power flurried to her fingertips, exploding out of her and into the air before being absorbed by the open gap before her. She sighed, pouring even more forth, gritting her teeth as her vision flickered. It was more than usual. More than she could normally expel.

Then again, normally she didn't run away from the only person she ever cared about.

Sure, memories were tricky things. Always finding a way to somehow disappear, or change. But some stayed the same. Some would always hold strong.

Like that one she had remembered earlier. The one that had changed her entire life.

She gasped, wrenching her hands free from the port as excess energy winked into little snowflake-shapes, dancing around before settling in her hair. The hole fizzled, and the cuffs retracted, sliding into the wall with a click, leaving no hint of the transfer that had taken place seconds before.

She remembered the countdown. The dreaded, cursed, wretched countdown that ripped apart all of reality and took away all she had. The countdown changed everything, and though for some for good, for her it was a tragedy.

Why was she the victim? Why did she have to suffer at the hands of others, like some sort of twisted saviour to bear their sins? Why her?

She knew why, but refused to admit it.

She could have stopped it. She could have stopped it all. The destruction, the annihilation, the despair, the agony, the suffering...

The death.

She knew it all along, and yet still refused to accept the truth.

She sat and watched as the numbers ticked by. The ones that would seal hers and many other's fate.

The countdown.

3... 2... 1...

Alright, you may think you know where this is going. In fact, you probably do have some idea you think is right. Let me set you straight:

You don't.

I can guarantee that not a single person can guess what will happen. Think not? Fine. Drop me a review telling me how you think this will happen. I'll reply back with, "Nope, not even close."

OK, OK, enough with the harshness. WOOT WOOT 7000 WORDS! Let's hear it for Teddy!

*silence*

Well OK then.

So, yeah, drop me a review. I'll do my best to keep updates at least every two weeks, but no promises. School, ya know?

Reviews help though. Just sayin'...

Yup.

PS: I own the cover! No stealsies! (Oh wait, you can't see it because fanfiction won't let me upload it... Curse you faulty error codes!)