Who: Annabeth Chase and Anna of Arendelle When: Early June (after the frost) Where: Baxter Bakery What: Random Encounter Rating/Warning: Low/None Status: Complete when posted!
Working at the bakery had been one of Annabeth’s better ideas at the beginning of the school year. Audrey had been so relax with the schedule that she hadn’t felt overwhelmed while working and doing school at the same time, but now she was increasing her hours since summer was fully in effect now. Because of that she was beginning to get a good feel for the regulars and noticed when a familiar redhead entered the store. She vaguely remembered her coming to see Peeta and she stepped over to greet her, “Good afternoon, what can I get you?”
“Hi. Sparkling caramel latte, please?” Anna said, giving a smile. It was tired, and somewhat dim, but still there. She couldn’t help herself. Even when her life was falling apart, she was still smiling. And she had Peeta. He might have been the only thing keeping her sane in this world right now. “Is Peeta around?” Maybe he wasn’t working. She could have had the day wrong.
“Can do,” Annabeth responded brightly before grabbing a cup to put down the order on it and then rung up the purchase, “I haven’t seen him yet today. Would you like me to check the schedule and see if he’s coming in later?” She normally wouldn’t do that for someone, but she had seen the redhead quite often around here, but she didn’t want to assume the two of them were dating. Peeta was a nice guy and the last thing she wanted to do was complicate anything in someone else’s life.
“Nah, that’s all right.” Anna said, breaking into a shy, tired smile. “I’ll just text him. He might not even be coming in today. We’re supposed to meet up, but I was really distracted at home and couldn’t remember where.” Her parents’ recent death meant that Anna was doing a lot of things that she hoped she wouldn’t have to do for a really, really long time. Going through their things. Taking over bill payments. Dealing with lawyers. Poor Elsa was taking over the business aspect of their father’s affairs, while Anna was dealing with the household things. “I really need the sugar and energy to get through the day today.”
“Gotcha. I’ve done that before and sometimes I’ve just completely spaced on meeting people. It usually tends to happen when the exams are going on at school. I get into my studying and time just seems to disappear,” Annabeth knew exactly how the girl felt, “And sugar and energy, I can do. I’m Annabeth, by the way. I’ve seen you around before, but I’ve never properly introduced myself.” She stepped off to the side to start working on the drink order as she spoke.
“Hi, Annabeth.” Anna’s smile grew a little brighter. “I’m Anna.” She added. “Peeta’s my… well, he’s my boyfriend? I think. I mean, we go out and uh… I think so.” She sort of regretted saying it, because she and Peeta were still so fresh and new--she wasn’t sure if that was proper. And Annabeth worked with Peeta, they were bound to talk. She worried that Peeta might get scared if he heard she was going around telling people they were boyfriend and girlfriend. At the same time, Peeta was one thing keeping her sane while everything else was going crazy. She wasn’t sure what she’d do without him.
“I know how that goes. My boyfriend, Percy, was like my best friend for a while and then we started going out and stuff. It gets confusing in the beginning, doesn’t it?” Annabeth answered with a nod of her head. It sounded just like when she and Percy started dating - everything is new and you don’t want to do anything to mess it up. She finished up the drink and brought it over to her, “You’re lucky though, Peeta seems like a great guy and man can he bake. I need to get my boyfriend to make me cupcakes or something some day.”
“It does,” Anna blushed deeply, glad that Annabeth seemed to understand, though. “Peeta is wonderful,” Anna’s smile went much more shy, her heart thundering at the thought. “Oh yes! He’s really amazing. I mean, cupcakes are the one thing I know how to cook, but Peeta’s better than for just cupcakes. He… remember the night of the frost? I didn’t have anywhere to go, so he let me stay in his bed.” Anna accepted the cup with her drink in it, then her jaw went slack as she realized what she’d just said. “No! I mean… he gave me his bed, and he took the sofa. So I had a warm place to stay!”
Annabeth couldn’t help but giggle a little when Anna had to explain the bed situation to her, “That’s so sweet of him and don’t worry, I’m sure he was a perfect gentleman about it. He seems like the type. But I’m really glad he was able to help you out - that night was quite scary for that time of the year. Having someone there to be there for you is quite important. He’s definitely a keeper, if I had to say so.”
Anna flushed even more deeply. “I think so, too.” It was something she did in the dreams; fall fast. And, apparently, it was something she did in the real world, too. At least Peeta wasn’t anything like Hans. So far, anyway. She knew Peeta’s last name, so that was a step in the right direction. “We’re planning a Disneyland trip, and I’m so excited.”
“Oh how awesome! I’ve been to Disneyland a couple times and it was so much fun. Go early in the day and stay until they do the fireworks at night, it will so be worth it,” Annabeth really should plan another trip to Disneyland in the future - maybe after she got back from Scotland. Maybe she should even plan for a group of them to go together.
“I’ve never been before! I’ve been trying to do some research online to figure out what are the best rides and what I can skip. I have a feeling it’s going to be busy,” Anna said, nodding a couple of times. Her excitement was growing. It was so much nicer to think about Disneyland and Peeta than almost anything else in her life at the moment. “We’ve got three whole days there, so I’m really, really excited.”
“That is more than enough time to experience everything. You’re going going to have to make sure to pick up some Mickey Ears or something. Be super touristy if you can. I’ve always wanted to get one of those massive Mickey shaped balloons that they are always selling on main street,” The light in Anna’s eyes and the excitement in her voice was getting to her. Annabeth was almost tempted to whip out her phone and start researching prices and figuring out when she could go.
“Oh my God, I’ve seen those in pictures. I’m going to take so many pictures, you have no idea. I’m sure Peeta is going to be sick of me saying ‘okay, time for another selfie!’” Anna beamed. “I’ve done some research online, and I have our whole trip mapped out. I’m sure things won’t go according to plan, of course, nothing ever does, but… there are just so many things I want to see!”
“I’m sure that someone will be looking out for you and you’ll get to see everything you want. And if you don’t get to see it all then you have a great excuse to go back another time!” Annabeth pointed out with a loud laugh before she heard her name being called from the other end of the bar, “Oh crap. I better go help out with the line. It was really great to meet you, Anna, and I hope we get to talk more soon!”
Anna nodded, brightly. “I’m debating just getting us year-long passes right off the bat. I mean, it’ll pay for itself in no time. Especially since they come with free parking.” She was giddy about it all. But then Annabeth had to go back to work. She nodded. “Great to meet you, too. We’ll definitely see each other again soon.” She waved, then turned to head out and leave the cafe to its other customers.