Normally, Anna didn’t mind crowds. She rather enjoyed them in fact. Being an outgoing person, she took pleasure in mingling with people, catching snippets of conversation here and there, oft times chatting it up with random strangers, content to share her enthusiasm with like-minded people.

Now, though, she was nervous. Taking a look outside, she could see the huge throng of people growing more impatient by the second. Perhaps it was the frigid temperatures but she could see nary a smile amongst them. Most were dour, some were angry. And a few possessed a wicked glint of anticipation in their eyes.

She swallowed. In just a minute, the barriers that separated her from the outside world would be breached and she would be utterly defenseless, at the mercy of the hordes that were not known for their kind and gentle demeanor.

Well, not she. They. Anna looked over to her sister standing at her side. Utterly calm in the face of impending doom, Elsa looked so regal, so stoic, her platinum hair done up in a formal bun behind her head. Despite the ungodly hour, she looked absolutely perfect: make-up done just so, not a hair out of place, not a single wrinkle in her clothes. And when she turned her head to face Anna, the small smile she received almost made her forget their situation.

Almost

45 seconds.

Anna cleared her throat. “Elsa?”

“Yes?”

Anna reached out her hand and smiled when Elsa reciprocated, their fingers intertwining. She took a moment to just feel their connection and calmed considerably.

30 seconds.

“I love you.”

Elsa’s smile widened, her eyes filling with emotion. “I love you, too.” She leaned forward and pressed their lips together in a gentle kiss. Anna’s eyes fluttered closed at the sensation, groaning in protest when Elsa parted.

15 seconds.

“But don’t think you’re going to sweet-talk your way out of this.”

At that, Anna’s eyes flew open in mock-outrage. “What? I would never!” Then she glanced at the wall clock and shivered. “Um.”

Elsa squeezed her hand. “Courage, little sis. Remember, I’m right with you until the end.”

Anna didn’t turn away from the clock. “You better be. After all, you drove us here.”

Elsa chuckled as the clock struck midnight and the department store doors opened, allowing the shoppers waiting outside to begin pouring in.

Black Friday had begun.