Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Warning! Warning! Contains content that might make some of you uncomfortable. Proceed with caution.

(A/N: I haven't used one of these before, but I thought I should put one up just in case.)

13:39.

It happened so suddenly.

I had just got done walking the Glee Club through one of the numbers they were going to do for regionals and was currently on my way to the restrooms closest to the boardroom because I was going to bother the love of my life a little before the next class. (A few days ago there was an incident involving one of our teachers having an affair with a student, so while they tried to find a replacement for her, there was a sub in that class that didn't really have anything for us to do in the meantime. Naturally, I had better things to do that hour so I got a pass to help the Glee Club out.) Anyway, the Gleeks were doing fairly well, having won sectionals last month, but they still needed my help and how was I not supposed to pass up a boring class of reading for one that included dancing?

Oh yeah. Good deal. They'd decided to do a performance that showed their top dancers off and I had been working exclusively with the two when the rest began packing up. Seeing as I still had over just eight minutes before the next bell rang, I decided to take my leave with a 'see y'all later' and received gratitude pats from Aladdin, Tiana, Wendy and Peter before slipping out the door. As I sauntered down the hall, I suddenly chose to turn back around to stop by my locker so I could get my bag. (That way I wouldn't have to run back out of the boardroom to get it later.)

With my bag now on my shoulder, I continued my trip to the place Elsa had found herself a lot lately. I swear, that girl only had three required classes to actually attend, seeing as one was an English class that she needed and the others were a college classes. Other than that, she was usually keeping busy in the boardroom. And since it was after lunch, I knew she was relatively done for the day, leading me to slip in a few extra minutes with her.

I was nearly there when I heard the first one.

POW!

Flinching slightly, I instantly looked around for the noise that caused my heart to jump with wide eyes. Wh-

POP!

A scream and and the sound of footsteps retreating down the hall.

CRACK!

That second blast made my basic instincts snap together, that third caused me to crouch in fear and I wasted no time in ducking into the restroom instinctively because it was closest to me. My heart hammered in my chest, but I ignored it to quickly skid into a stall and lock the door behind me. Wh-what the heck?! My brain yelled in horror as all around outside the restroom door, I could hear people clamoring, shouting, running, and other doors closing for the next couple of seconds until everything went deathly quiet. Except for my heavy breathing.

Logic told me that it couldn't have been what I thought it was, but the atmosphere, my gut, everything else screamed at me that it had indeed been gunshots that I'd heard. Holy crap! Gulping down my sudden anxiety, I lifted myself up to stand on the bowl while I shakily brought out my phone. Was that what I think it was? What am I going to do? What if the restroom is where they come to hide? What if they shoot me?! I successfully forced my brain to shut up and pulled up a group message for Kida, Kristoff, and Olaf. 'Are you guys okay?' I could barely see the screen through all the shaking my hands were doing. Breathe.

Olaf: What's going on? They just shut off the lights and told us to hush?

Kristoff: We're okay. Still in Rivera's. Kida left her phone in her bag, but she's right here with me.

I blew out a semi-relieved breath. 'Alright, that's good to hear. And I don't know what's going on either.' That was a lie, but I didn't have the strength to write out a long message and if I did, they would ask me for my location. I couldn't have that.

Olaf: Anna. Where are you?

Crap. I swallowed thickly through my shallow breathing.

Kristoff: Please please tell me you're still with the Gleeks.

Olaf: You're not with Kris and Kida?! Gleeks? Where are you then? What about Elsa?

Just then, I grit my teeth in annoyance. At myself. Because why wasn't I with Elsa right now? 'I'm okay. Don't worry.' I sent anyway, making my head thump softly against the wall behind me as thoughts of my cowardice began to plague my mind.

Kristoff: Where the hell are you, Anna?!

Kristoff: You'd better not be out in the halls or the janitor's closet! I'll kick your ass!

I knew that last text was from Kida, but as the seconds continued to drag by at a snails pace filled with poisonous gas, I suddenly grew more anxious. 'I'm not outside. I told you I'm fine.' My hands were viciously shaky, but when there was another thud out in the hall followed by more sounds of running and I all but lost it, having to bite into my lip to keep from screaming my heart out. WHAT THE HELL?! Once it got quiet again, I then took a breath that wasn't calming at all and ignored the taste of blood in my mouth as I quickly pulled up Elsa's name. 'Snow Paw aré 6ou OK/?'

Snow Paw: Anna! I'm alright. Where are you?

Her reply was instant, leaving me just a bit more relieved knowing she had her phone with her. Also knowing that she was ultimately safe had my texts spelled a little better. For now. 'I'm okay. Worried about you more.'

Olaf: WHERE ARE YOU?! ANSWER ME!

Kristoff: O, we can't give away our positions.

Kristoff: Shooters have Smartphones too, so TAKE IT EASY!

A determined, yet fearful huff left me as I strained my ear to hear any other sort of sounds coming from out there. 'They're right, O. I'll be fine. I promise.'

Kristoff: Don't do anything stupid!

Snow Paw: Please tell me you're safe in a classroom, Anna.

They all know me too well. I thought through the pounding in my chest. 'Are you alone, Snow Paw?' Everything in my body was screaming at me to just shut up and stay right where I was, but I just couldn't leave Elsa by herself. If she said she was, I was immediately filled with resolve to get to her. Regardless that I wanted nothing more than to disappear like they could in movies.

Snow Paw: No. You can't. I won't have you wandering the halls.

Stepping down from the toilet, I swallowed thickly and listened once more to the silent hallways. 'Baby, unlock the door. I'll be there in less than a minute.'

Snow Paw: PLEASE don't be stupid, Anna!

Unbeknownst to myself, I felt something hot roll down my cheeks and only when I sniffled, did I realize how completely terrified I was. A quiet sob choked through me, making me furiously wipe at my face so I could send a message. 'Unlock the door, Sweetheart. I need to be there with you.' My hands started shaking all over again.

Kristoff: Hey, talk to us and don't just say you're fine.

Olaf: Anna, you're scaring me.

Placing my phone back in my pocket and with a trembling hand I quietly unlocked my own door to ever so slowly inch out until I was by the door. I'm so stupid. I thought as I wiped my eyes again. I should have gone there first! The fact that the boardroom was just off one of the main hallways, leaving whoever opened to it had an ugly dread fall over me. For one: if the shooter was right down the hall, there would be no hiding and I would be...

Just the thought was paralyzing enough to make my knees buckle. And I just told Elsa to unlock the door. My stomach lurched and I feared I would puke my guts up. IDIOT! But now I knew I needed to get to the boardroom first because if someone else came by, she would more than likely think it was me and be utterly vulnerable to them. Unacceptable. A sniffle left my nose and I forced down my utter hesitation so I could at least push open the door to carefully peer out. It might have been one of the most ridiculously stupid things I'd ever done in my life, but I couldn't stop.

I needed to get to Elsa.

The halls were eerily silent save for my gentle footfalls and the sound of the fabric of my clothes as I stayed low to the floor. One door. Janitor's closet. Tears blurred my vision and I wasted no time in wiping them again when my destination came into view. Somewhere down the hall, I heard another noise that caused my knees to buckle once more and I faltered in my steps, ducking down with my heart in my throat. Crap, crap, crap! What if it's them? Forcing my brain to shut up, I inched along on rubber legs, ears ringing uncomfortably, body shaking with an ugly mixture of adrenaline and straight up fear, but I got there.

The door was unlocked.

As soon as I turned the knob, the door disappeared from my vision and a hand darted out to yank me in with such force that I felt like my brain had been left out there. The door closed behind me again and I heard the sound of the knob locking before I was practically shoved toward the huge desk at the front of the dark classroom. When I came to a stop in front of Elsa's chair, I was hastily tugged down and immediately found my nose buried in familiar platinum blonde waves.

"You idiot!" Elsa's voice was a shattered whisper that broke off in a choked sob. She was just as scared as I was.

"I-I-I'm sorry." I blurted numbly, having not used my voice in what felt like forever. Seriously just a while ago I was laughing with Wendy and Peter! "I'm s-so sorry, Elsa." My hands came up to tangle in her hair and I felt the damn break all over again. "I'm sorry." I kept at it as more tears fell from my eyes at the realization of what I'd just done. How can I be so damn stupid?! Elsa's hands dug into my sides along with her face in my neck and we spent a few seconds just sitting there crying into each other.

"...it's okay, Gattina." She whispered thickly. "We're okay." Her words soothed me, making me blow out a harsh shuddering breath. Elsa was right. We were there in each others' arms now. Safe. It's okay.

And then there were more footfalls that made my eyes pop open. Elsa's arms tightened and when the doorknob suddenly rattled, I felt her entire body tense up around me since it was she that was straddling my legs. My heart stopped, but I didn't hesitate to clamp onto Elsa. Whoever it was trampled further down to unsuccessfully try another door and when another suddenly slammed loudly enough to echo down all the hallways, Elsa gasped. "Shh-shh." I whispered, adjusting myself to hold onto her better. Truthfully, I was scared out of my mind, but since I had Elsa there with me, I felt my utter protectiveness for her kick in and that allowed me to return the comfort she'd just given me. "I'm here." My arms tightened around her waist again. "Nobody is going to hurt you, Snow Paw. Not while I'm around."

"I love you, Anna." Elsa's voice held such a heavy tremor that it forced more tears out of my eyes. Out there, the halls went silent again, but that did nothing for either of us because we were still shaken up from that last incident.

"I love you more." I murmured softly, giving her another comforting squeeze before a sudden vibration in my pocket caused her to jump and almost let out a frightened scream. Luckily, she caught herself and I didn't hesitate to capture her mouth with mine. "I'm sorry. That's probably the others." Easing her back a little, I kept an arm around her waist and brought out my phone for us to see.

Kristoff: Anna L Crescent answer us! What the heck is happenning?!

Kristoff: I AM SERIOUSLY GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS!

Olaf: PLEASE TELL ME YOU'RE OKAY!

Instead of me using my one hand to text back, Elsa took it from me and wrote a message while I wrapped my arm back around her protectively. 'Guys, it's Elsa. Anna's right here with me and we're fine.'

Kristoff: HOLY CRAP THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR! Tell her I'm still going to tear her hair out when I see her!

Kristoff: You really need to give us your number, Mariani.

Olaf: Thanks for giving me a heartattack guys! Really.

Despite the situation, Elsa let out a soft chuckle before showing me their responses. Shaking my head, I then leaned back so I could wipe her face free of tears with my sleeves. "Did you tell your mom?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah." She replied, sniffling as my thumbs caressed under her beautiful eyes. "You?"

"I didn't get the chance to." After I said that, she pulled up my dad's name. "Tell him what's happening and that we're okay." Another unprecedented sob escaped her and I could see her hands shaking. Actually, she was shaking quite a lot, her face was a little paler than normal and it didn't even sound like she was breathing. It just suddenly looked as if she was utterly ready to flip out and I couldn't have that. "Baby, you need to breathe." I informed her gently as I wiped my own cheeks with a sniffle.

"I am." She kept her eyes away from mine. When my phone suddenly clattered away from us with her biting back a heavy sob, I shifted again and ever so gently let my arms loosen from around her. If what I thought was happening to her was true, then I wasn't sure how she would respond to me touching her so freely and I wasn't about to push it when there was still a potential threat out there.

"I know you're scared, love." I whispered tenderly, hoping she wouldn't try to scamper away. "But you're safe with me." Keeping my arms where they were, I tried to look into her eyes, even trying to lean over to peer into them. "I'm going to let go of you, okay?" Only when she gave her approval did I reach back around so I could get my water bottle out of my bag and once I did, I slowly presented it to her. "Can you breathe for me, Snow Paw?"

Instead of taking a breath, she reached for the water bottle and took a nice, long drink that made me let out a calming sigh. Okay, good. "I'm going to move your legs, okay?" I tried to keep my voice soft, yet sturdy enough for her to listen and it seemed to work until I felt her already tense body stiffen further.

"W-where are you going?" She asked quickly, eyes widening in fear and I thought I saw a trace of sweat on her brow.

Great. Fix it! I shook my head. "Nowhere, pretty girl. I'm not going anywhere." Without waiting for her other answer, I carefully placed my hands on her ankles before urging them out from under her so she could wrap her legs around my hips. "You're safe right here with me." I reassured her and then began to lean back in for a hug which she didn't refuse. "Breathe, baby. You gotta remember to breathe." Without prompting her to, I decided to take deep breaths myself until she matched my rhythm. "Just like that." I pressed a loving kiss to her temple. "We'll get through this, Elsa Mariani." My voice held a certain sternness that surprised me a bit because I was just as afraid as she was, but I wasn't about to let her freak out on me. That's the voice I was looking for.

After ten or more deep breaths, I heard just a little more strength in her voice. "I like the way this looks on you." She suddenly leaned back so she could finger the necklace hiding under my button up shirt. The small action of her focusing on something else at the moment seemed to have calmed her substantially, so I went with that and let her pull it the rest of the way out. Anything to help settle her down. I silently watched as her slightly shaky fingers lift the sword on the tip of the silver necklace higher up so she could examine it closer.

She was breathing regularly again, but there were still visible tears. "Did you know you can unsheathe the sword?" I asked with a small grin. Icy blue orbs that were outlined in red met mine and I ran my thumbs under her eyes again before my own fingers came down to unhook the small clamp, making her jaw drop when the golden sheath slid right off. "I guess that's what the little chain is for."

"I was just so excited to give it to you that I didn't even bother touching it." Elsa chuckled breathlessly.

Memories of Christmas instantly filled my mind with vivid clarity. I could remember the way she smelt, the amazing taste of her still lingering on my tongue, the soft blush she still had from my kissing her neck, the love in her eyes, the way her shirt and skin felt in my hands. I also recalled the way she'd reacted to meeting the few members of my family, the little ways her face lit up in awe or shock when Ragnar told her stories of his latest adventure of climbing Mt. Everest, the soft caring look she got when Amber spoke of her baby's movements in her stomach, the honey coated laugh when Leah's super, mature jokes got out of hand, the fear of meeting my grandparents (which wasn't bad at all) and just the overall look of gratefulness to have been able to participate in it all. I remembered everything about her. Just in case...

Initially she'd been a little nervous at first to give me my gift, since I already got her a necklace for Christmas, but once I saw the sword, I all but tackled her in a hug. I could barely believe that she'd thought to buy me something as awesome and fitting as a sword necklace. It was the coolest thing I'd ever seen and now it was mine and there was nothing more I could ask for from her. (Maybe a few kisses that got interrupted by the doorbell, but that was besides the point.) I just knew I loved my necklace and it almost never left my neck. Elsa's necklace was always present too. Unlike mine, which hung a little lower into my cleavage, hers fell just under her collarbones so it was a lot more visible when she loosened her tie and to say that the sight of its presence drove me absolutely wild whenever I saw it would have been a big understatement. Elsa was mine.

And I'm not about to let anything bad happen to you. "So we've been walking around for a couple of weeks now and you never questioned it?" I asked around a quiet chuckle, nearly forgetting all about the lock down and possible dangers just outside the door and leaned in to kiss her forehead. "You're an odd one." Was my added comment, making her sniffle before sending me a crooked grin.

"Well, I couldn't just go digging around in your shirts to see for myself."

"I would have understood."

We both smiled shakily at each other before we both leaned in for a kiss that ended with us embracing once again. A shiver ran through her body and I heard the quiet sob she released. "Mami left my dad because she caught him cheating on her." She whispered. My arms tightened around her. I honestly wasn't at all prepared for a sudden confession, but I wasn't about to stop her. Not now. "It was so devastating to her that she told me he left her for some stupid little Tween and I just didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to talk about him and the fact that he didn't even feel the need to apologize for hurting the both of us." Another trembling breath. "But I never said anything about it. I kept it all in while I spent weeks trying to help get mami back on her feet and when she suddenly decided to take her hurt out on me, I ran away."

"That day at the mall." I nodded, remembering like it was yesterday. It was actually a little creepy that I could recall all of these memories with stunning clarity. My next thought had me forcing myself to listen to Elsa and not what the movies said about having your life flash before your eyes before you kick the bucket.

"I don't hate them." She sniffled again. "My parents." I nodded in understanding. "While it's true that it'll take me awhile to really forgive my dad for what he did to mami, to me, I just can't find the strength to hate him. No matter how much I want to."

"He's your dad. Whether you like it or not." I nuzzled into her neck. I was aware of the many times he'd tried to get in contact with Elsa and when she actually gave in for once, she came right back from spending the day with him claiming that she wouldn't be visiting again anytime soon. While she didn't talk about what happened with him, I figured he did something else to scar her, but that time I was there to help her heal a little faster. My opinions about the guy changed rather quickly after that.

"I guess I just wanted to tell him that. You know," she took another shuddering breath. "In case we don't make it out of here." As soon as she said that, she took her phone out and sent the text, I noticed, she'd already typed out to him.

My hands slid back to rub comforting circles in her back. "We'll make it out, Snow Paw." I pulled back to give her a stern look. "And then he can continue to try to see you while you keep him at arms length until you're ready. Until her finally apologizes for hurting the both of you."

A soft sigh came from her. "I thought you'd be on his side, honestly." Elsa wiped her own eyes, making me reach up to remove her hands from her enchanting eyes so I could gaze into them.

"I'm always on your side, Elsa." I kissed both her cheeks. "I thought I was very clear about not liking the people who hurt you." Murmuring into her shoulder with another kiss to it. "That declaration counts for personal life too. And I don't know much about your dad so I'm even less inclined to give my opinions, but I know you and if you're uncomfortable with him, then I won't force you to try to do something your don't want to."

"A-Anna." That gorgeous face of hers broke again as her fingers gripped my jacket. "Sei così buona con me e io ti amo tantissimo per questo." Her next words were in Italian, but I could feel the obvious warmth, love, and gratitude behind her words and that made me sniffle too before closing the distance between our lips. Just then there was a noise down the hall that sounded like someone shouting that had us freeze on the spot and listen in with our hearts in our throats all over again. All at once the chills were back along with the fear as more called out.

But it wasn't a student's voice.

"ALL CLEAR!" Whoever it was sounded closer to the boardroom door. "All clear!" Others echoed further down the hall.

Later. 14:12.

Elsa's hand stayed in mine while her other one gripped my sleeve as well. On my other side, stood Kristoff with his massive arm around us and mine around his waist with Olaf under his other arm. Kida was on Elsa's other side with one of her arms linked under hers and the other around her waist as we all silently watched the police officers comb through each and every one of our lockers. They ultimately found a few things worthy of Weselton's attention, such as: some spray paint, a couple of lighters, a suspicious looking water bottle, and a few other things that would promote a trip to his office. But other than that, they had nothing else.

Nothing but a short assembly at the outside gym that shut the school down afterwards.

Another few days later. Lunch.

"Have they interviewed you yet?" Kida asked as she put her lunch down beside me.

"Yeah." I absently nibbled on a french fry, not feeling like eating whatsoever. "Said I didn't know anything." It pissed me off like no other because they just treated the whole thing so callously, saying things that sounded like they'd practiced it a thousand times until it turned monotonous and basically heartless in my opinion. How could they possibly have known what he was going though? How could any of us had known?

Still. They didn't have to romanticize suicide for me. There was enough of that online.

"How's Elsa taking it?" Olaf asked next, reaching over to grasp my hand comfortingly. I didn't need to answer him because I felt a warmth beside me that made a ghost of a smile tug at my lips.

"Elsa's taking it just fine." Said girl sat right next to me with almost no space between us. "How about the rest of you?"

"I heard the shooter was a sophomore that came on the van with the other kids from that foster home on Central." Kristoff hadn't even touched his lunch. "He'd been bullied and sent Smoot to the hospital before shooting h-" shoving his hand through his hair, he didn't bother to finish and instead stood up to leave. Olaf let go of my hand, not hesitating to follow after him and the scene caused my heart to clench painfully.

"So it is true?" Kida turned to us with wide eyes. Keeping my gaze straight ahead, I nodded solemnly.

"His name was Colt Henderson." My voice quivered, making Elsa take hold of my hand to grip it firmly. Anger suddenly presented itself in my mind along with the psychobabble the counselor and officers tried to comfort me with. Colt Henderson was a human. Not some sort of experiment gone wrong. And the fact that he finally snapped in the gym... "I-I know Coach has a mouth on him, but I never thought anyone would be destroyed enough by the guy to actually shoot him." A harsh gust of breath left my mouth and my vision got blurry. "A-and then to go and shoot himself..." I couldn't take it. It was such a mistake to come to school this week.

"I-I'm sorry, Anna." Kida called after me as I followed the other two out.

That night.

"I'm so sorry, Panda." Tears filled my dad's eyes as he cuddled me to him. We'd been talking half the night after I joined him in his bed because I couldn't sleep and just didn't want to be alone. "But know that you are loved. I know this is incredibly eye-opening and you'll be hurting for awhile, but I love you." He wiped his nose. "You're my precious little girl and I don't ever want you thinking you can't tell me something. Don't hide anything from me, please."

My insides clenched along with my grip around his shoulders. "I love you too, dad." I whimpered. "So much. And I won't. I can't keep anything from you." That's a promise. More tears drained from my eyes and quiet sobs shook through my body, but he was there. Crying with me, yet so firm. His strong heart thumped against my ear. Sturdy. My anchor in the sudden storm I'd found myself in after hearing the full story of the shooting.

While I was getting interviewed, they tried telling me that Colt had no friends, no one to talk to, how they didn't know where he got the gun, and other junk that couldn't process in my mind. I didn't understand why they decided to tell me those things either. It doesn't mean that he DIDN'T want help! I thought with clenched fists. Maybe he didn't want everyone to know he was a feeling that way, but that didn't exactly mean that he didn't want someone to know. It was illogical to think like that, but who could blame him? Anyone with those thoughts? On the other hand, Colt didn't need all the woes of the internet to ultimately aid him, if not, he simply needed to know he was at least loved.

I could understand how hard it would have been to get out of those tendencies because you live one way so long that something new feels strange and scary...but it could have been worth it.

I just wish I knew.

Home. Saturday.

Rooftop after rooftop, I found myself smoothing along after two other players that had glowing green and purple symbols over them. We jumped, climbed, dove, balanced, basically parkoured all over the place until something caught my eye and I slowed my chasing after the other two so I could turn back around. While the green and purple dots disappeared behind a chimney, I was too busy backtracking to see a cat on the roof with me. As I approached it, it let out a soft meow that had me smiling regardless that it was in a game.

"I thought you were allergic to cats." A softly accented voice said from behind me followed by a warmth around my sides as she settled with me between her legs.

"I am." I replied, not hesitating to relax into her as she wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her chin on my shoulder. "But he isn't." Gesturing to the clothed darkly dressed assassin on the screen. Elsa huffed in amusement and I felt her move away to press a kiss to the top of my head. Her whispered Italian after made me return her chuckle before pausing the game so I could lay my head back on her shoulder.

"You're adorable." I taunted, playfully nipping at her jaw.

"Ugh! I swear you two can be so darn sappy sometimes." Kida complained from my left, having been lounging on the floor a foot away from me reading one of her newest obsessions.

"Jealous?" I sent an empty smirk her way.

"You wish." She scoffed and then turned on her side, facing away from us with her book once again pressed to her nose.

"So, can you understand what she's saying?" Olaf wasn't ashamed in his staring at us and only barked out a laugh when Kristoff threw his half eaten doughnut at him.

"Don't be a pest." He then stretched out and purposefully landed his legs on my shins. Elsa giggled when I slapped them away. "My turn for Free Roam!" When Kristoff reached for the controller, I gave it to him without complaint.

"Knock yourself out." I told him and then turned to Olaf. "And I understand some words, but her language is pretty challenging to learn." And it was. I spent some nights trying to put words together with the Googles, but in the end it all came out sounding entirely like something else and I would rather tell Elsa things in English rather than have her laugh at me.

"Didn't we have an Italian teacher once upon a time?" He asked next, shifting to the side of the couch.

"Mr. Criss." I nodded. "But it turns out that he wasn't even fit to teach the language properly so he got in some trouble before ending up being a history teacher somewhere else instead."

"How?"

"He probably switched with someone else." I shrugged. Like I know about all the teachers. Although, thinking about that had me automatically thinking about Coach. He was alive. Which was amazing because he got shot in the chest.

Colt's funeral was held out of state in his hometown and once that was done, his family moved back there, so no one could really give their condolences if they wanted to. The rest of us just tried to move past it, but there was just something off. Something eerie about the school now. Like our innocence was taken from us and it didn't help that there were cameras and metal detectors set up now.

It could have been worse. A little voice told me and I agreed. Whereas some schools suffered terrible massacres, ours was between two people and I was so thankful that there weren't more lying in the hospital right now. Possibly the morgue. But that doesn't take the chill of the gym away. That was where it happened, so for the rest of the year, we were to use the old gym and there was someone else there in Coach's place too.

"While on the subject of languages," Kida flipped back over to grin at me, wrenching me from my unending thoughts back to the present. "Don't you know some Spanish?"

"No." It was my turn to scoff. "All I know is English and bad English." They're here with you. FOR you. The least you can do is have some fun with them before they have to go. I tried to force my dull energy away and dig for some that usually came so easily to me. I needed to smile at least.

"I won't believe it. I've heard you singing along to Selena on your iPod." Sky blue eyes narrowed suspiciously at me.

"Just because I sing in the language doesn't mean I know what it all means." I felt Elsa's hands flex against my stomach. "For all I know I could be singing about a sandwich." A wry chuckle fell out of my mouth that had those hands leave in search of my hands and once they found them, she wrapped our arms securely around me. Elsa knew me well enough to know when I was faking it.

"Like that's a bad thing." It was Olaf's turn to chuckle. "But you should try. I dare you."

"Yeah. And then we'll check and see what the song translates to." Kristoff turned around to smirk at us.

"No way." I shook my head and then snuggled deeper into Elsa's embrace, wanting nothing more than to sneak her away so we could be alone. And you'll be able to have a clear mind then? My jaw flexed in slight annoyance with myself. Doesn't hurt to try.

"It doesn't have to be all in Spanish." Kida was suddenly on her feet and trying to pull me from Elsa. I instantly growled at her and even Elsa reached out to hold me right where I was, making Kida raise a curious brow at us.

"Not in the mood." I muttered. I hadn't been in the mood for awhile, but they were more than ready to help me back out of the funk I'd fallen into. That was very clear.

"We just want to see you dance and smile." Olaf suddenly slipped onto the floor before draping himself over our legs like a lazy puppy.

"I don't think Elsa knows the dance." A better hint of a smile crossed my lips when a small scoff sounded from above me.

"I might not be able to sing, but I think I can keep up with you, Gattina." Her sweet voice fell into my hair, causing me to pout.

"Not you too, Snow Paw." I groaned.

"You don't back down from dares, remember?" She cooed, hands coming up to brush my bangs aside as I glare up at her. When her full lips pressed to my nose, my face fell and I let out a low growl before dragging myself up.

"Fine."

"Okay, I don't think I can keep up with you." Elsa whispered sheepishly as the song opened up. And electronic intro came out of the speakers and when the lights dimmed (thanks to Olaf and his theatricality,) I found myself actually a little nervous. The loud cheers from the other two weren't helping much either. "It's just us." She gave me a peck before stepping back from me.

"'Cómo puede ser verdad?'"

I started, regardless that I wasn't feeling it. But if they want a show...I can try, at least. The beat picked up and while the song wasn't exactly karaoke version, they couldn't care less.

"'Last night I dreamt of San Pedro. Just like I'd never gone, I knew the song.'"

Taking a few calm steps forward, I let my eyes stare straight ahead as little tremors shook through my body. Whoa. That's weird. I snapped out of it so the song didn't start my favorite part without me.

"'Young girl with eyes like the desert. It all seems like yesterday not far away,'"

Elsa sauntered up to me then and once we made eye contact, it felt as if something just clicked in me. Our hands touched, causing a more commanding shock to jolt through me. Oh, I was awake now, but something was still missing.

"'Tropical, the island breeze. All of nature wild and free this is where I long to be. La Isla Bonita.'"

Elsa's addicting voice joined in under mine for the chorus and I swear I felt the fire ignite in me as we spun around each other like it was second nature to us, like we did a session of Salsa dancing every day.

"'And when the samba played, the sun would set so high, ring through my ears and sting my eyes. Your Spanish lullaby.'"

Spinning me around, Elsa let go of me so I could walk (in more confidence than before) forward to sing the next part that would have originally been sung by someone else, but since the dare was for me, I chose to do it all.

"'I fell in love with San Pedro. Warm wind carried on the sea, he called to me: Tedijo te amo. I prayed that the days would last, they went so fast.'"

Again Elsa and I were stepping, spinning all over the place and moving our hips in sync. And she was singing with me. I swear I suddenly felt like myself again when we ended up moving from side to side together with the others staring at us avidly. A wide grin split my face as I again stepped away from leaning against Elsa.

"'Yo quiero estar donde el sol toca el cielo. Cuando es hora de siesta tú los puedes ver pasar.'"

As my arms raised, Elsa came up behind me until her chin was nearly resting on my shoulder again and it blew my mind to hear her singing the next part with me.

"'Caras tan bellas sin importar nada. Where a girl loves a boy and a boy loves a girl.'

That fire I'd felt before seemed to consume me as we joined hands, took a step back and then pulled each other in where I reached behind me to switch our hands as I turned. Once I was there, Elsa brought my other arm up and wrapped our arms around my head while the other joined ones slid down. In one smooth motion, all four arms fell around me and while I swayed my hips around, those arms slithered back off of me until we were grinning stupidly at each other from a step away.

There was still more to the song, but I didn't care. I wanted the love of my life's luscious lips right then and nothing sure of a tornado was going to stop me.

"Aw, get a room!" Kida groaned again.

"Don't say that! They might take you seriously." Olaf whispered, earning a few hard 'thumps' that made him yelp in pain.

"Just when it was getting good too." Kristoff added for fun.

Somewhere behind us, the song continued to play, the others went back to talking and laughing with each other while Elsa and I were busy locking eyes.

"Good to have you back, Gattina." She whispered before placing a loving kiss to my forehead. "I missed you." Another kiss to my nose. "That smile." One to both my eyes. "Your laugh." A chaste kiss to my lips before a sniffle left her nose. "Your eyes." Her own were welled up with gentle tears, making mt reach up to wipe them away.

And she had good reason to too. Ever since the incident at school, I'd been trapped in a daze. I wasn't quite sure how victims of PTSD acted, but I swear everything made me jumpy and I couldn't help feeling like the school was utterly haunted. It wasn't hard to think that way, honestly and the fact that I felt like I was walking around as a shell of myself had them all worried to the point where I was never left alone until they eventually needed to go home themselves. Of course it had affected all of us and had gotten Kristoff the first few days, but he was fortunate enough to have put it behind him faster than I did.

I had no real idea why it had affected me like it did. Sadly, I didn't even know Colt, but I knew Coach and I also knew that I wouldn't ever wish something like that on anyone. Maybe it affected me because it happened so close to home?

"Ti amo." Elsa whispered, prompting me to kiss her back.

"I love you more." I replied against her lips. She suddenly gasped in surprise as I spun us around, dipped her low like one of those cheesy movies before sealing my mouth over hers again. Behind us, I heard the clicks of cameras under all the cheering and catcalls that erupted.

Whatever the answer, I knew I wasn't alone and I was eternally grateful that I had my group of friends. I also knew I was appreciative of the life I had and the other countless people in it. All I'd gone through and would eventually go through, all I fought for, lost, gained, built, it was all worth it and I could ask for nothing more.

And maybe that was the answer.

'Everything stays right where you left it.

Everything stays, but it still changes.

Ever so slightly.

Daily and nightly.

In little ways.

When everything stays.'

A/N2: *wheeew!* I have no further comments.

Thank you for reading.

Tootles~