Elsa – 6:47
An awkward, wet feeling brushed across Elsa’s cheek. With a disgruntled groan, the pale skinned girl reluctantly opened her eyes and was met with the icy blue gaze of a young Siberian Husky. She stroked her hand down the back of its neck and pushed it slightly, easing the animal off her bed. “Olaf,” she muttered groggily. She gripped a corner of her blanket and wiped it against her cheek in an effort to clean off the slobber. She stretched her arms out and emitted a loud yawn, relaxing her muscles as she forced herself up. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, smacking her mouth. Ew… she thought, tasting the morning breath. She smiled meekly at the white dog as it jumped onto the bed beside her, pushing his head under her arm in a plea of attention. Elsa obliged, scratching the pup under its chin as she glanced toward the closed blinds of the window. She could see the light shining through the cracks of the blinds. Suddenly, her heart sank and an overwhelming feeling of dread washed over her. The sudden realization of what today was finally arrived. It was the first day of the school year. She let out a heavy sigh and narrowed her eyes at the digital clock.
6:48
A gleeful Olaf perked up at its owner and stood on her lap, his front paws against her chest. “Dammit, Olaf. Next time, wake me up later…” She began to shift on the bed, motioning the canine to get off.
Elsa brought her hands up to her face, wiping the crust off in hopes that doing so would wake her up some more. She trudged over to her bedroom door and pulled it open. The brightness of the rest of the house compared to her bedroom blinded her for a moment. She parents always loved to let the sun in. It annoyed her. She always preferred her space dimly lit. As she made her way down the hall, Olaf eagerly at her heel, Elsa noticed her younger sister Anna’s bedroom door. A small huff escaped her as her lip curled slightly. She couldn’t help but wonder if she was up already, preparing for her first day. It wouldn’t surprise her. Her sister was always more energetic than her, almost unnaturally so. If anyone would be excited about starting the new school year it would be Anna. She entered the bathroom, having to remove Olaf from the room several times, and started to get ready.
Dressed and packed, Elsa checked the time. 7:10 Her chest rose in aa heavy sigh. She was really dreading this day. Despite her desire to be more worldly and more…sociable…the damage from years of isolation was done. She couldn’t see herself making too many friends. In three years of High School, Elsa had made little progress. She had a few acquaintances, people she would talk to on occasion, but none of them really meant much to her. None of them really cared to get to know her. But, they were nice people. Maybe, this year would be different. Maybe someone who isn’t paid to listen to her would make the effort to engage with her.
The seemingly sweet voice of her mother shook her train of thought.
“Elllllllsa, are you up, dear?”
Elsa rolled her eyes. She had always been so nagging. Maybe it was just her being protective but it sure as hell was overbearing. She grabbed her shoulder bag and walked out the hallway and peeked over the railing.
“Yes, mother…” she called down, trying not to sound irritated. “I’m about to leave.”
“Are you taking your sister?”
Elsa turned to face her sister’s door. Was she? She didn’t remember talking to her about rides. By now, her sister should have been ready. Maybe. She walked over to her door and gave three soft knocks.
“Anna, you ready? I’ll just, uh, wait in the car.” With that, she headed down the stairs, grabbing a piece of French toast from the breakfast table on her way out.
Her car wasn’t the most amazing thing in the world. It wasn’t exceptionally old but it lacked many of the features her classmates had. It was a simple pale blue 2006 Toyota Corolla, the most convenient thing about it being that she could charge her phone. The engine running, Elsa turned up the radio and closed her eyes, enjoying the early morning radio show as she waited for her sister. She took a bite of her toast and sighed. Once her sister enters the car, she’d drive the two of them to the magical world of Walt Disney High School. The only thing that eased her mind was having an art elective as her first class.
This was going to be a long day.