Seven Dates – Chapter 1:

The taxi pulled up outside the restaurant. Crap, I'm late. Just a little late. Elsa stepped out of the taxi fumbling to pull out a note from her purse. The night is cold with a bitter wind adding an extra bite. Unwilling to keep her friend any longer she tells the driver to keep the change. Elsa studies the restaurant front, all she can see is a main desk with two corridors either side. There is a theme of elegance in the restaurant. Paintings with extravagant frames, bold red wallpaper with black stencils of flowers; dark pine lining the skirting boards, and a thick red carpet. Elsa steps inside, breathing out a heavy sigh of relief when feeling the warmth against her face. The receptionist looks her way, a look of boredom clear on her face. All that was missing would be a nail file and for the girl to be chewing gum to fit the stereotype to the letter.

"I-I uh... I'm here for the uh, speed dating?" Elsa said trying to catch her breath. The receptionist rolled her eyes and gestured to the corridor on her left. Elsa nodded with a 'Thank you' before heading down the corridor. There was a open door frame at the end of the hall on the right. As Elsa got closer she could here peoples voices growing louder. Her stomach churned with nervousness, Why am I doing this? Violet, you so owe me. Elsa turned through the doorway expecting a restaurant with couples seated at every table. Instead, she was greeted with a large white banner with bold black text reading 'Speed dating!'. Elsa raised her eyebrows with narrowed eyes to give the impression of Really?

"Hiiiiiii!" A high pitch voice cried making Elsa jump slightly. "Are you here for the speed dating? We're just about to go through the rules for this evening." The voice belonged to a short young woman, no bigger than 5-1'' with shoulder length black hair, excitement clear in her features.

Elsa felt the embarrassment in her cheeks when she realized that she had been the last to arrive... and that all of the evening participants were in a group staring at her. "Oh, u-um, yes I believe I am."

The short girl smiled broadly at Elsa, "Come, come, join the group". Elsa, still red faced, quietly slipped to the back of the group, looking down to avoid the eyes on her. "Now then, welcome everyone to our weekly speed dating! I'm Nicole and I'll be the host for this evening. First off, how many of you have been speed dating before?" A few members of the group raised their hands. "Right, well, lots to go through then!" The girl took a deep breath in before beginning to talk at an incredible speed. "Sooooooo, first each girl gets a table. Guys sit on the opposite side of the table. When the bell rings after around three minutes all the girls-NO WAIT- all the guys move to the table on the left. If you reach the end table on the left walk to the furthest table on the right and begin working your way left again. The night is over once you've met each person once." The girl exhaled. Elsa had barely been able to keep up. She wondered how the girl hadn't passed out after the first sentence.

A person raised their hand in front. A large man with a brown mustache, green jumper and a hat clearly too small for his head. The man spoke with a Deutsch accent. "There is a scoring system, ya? We mark boxes for each person?"

Nicole raised her hands to emphasis her surprise at her forgetfulness "Oh yes, of course! You'll be given a piece of paper with the numbers one to-" She stopped to stand on her tip-toes to get a head count. "-fifteen, sixteen, sixteen! One to sixteen. You write down the persons name at the beginning. We collect the paper at the end, if both people have marked that they enjoyed their date then we'll give you both each other numbers." The girl giggled like a school child. "Then the rest is up to you guys."

Elsa looked around at her following dates for the evening. None sparked any particular interest and she certainly couldn't imagine giving out her number to any one of them. Speaking of which, I don't see Violet. Where is she? Elsa quickly slipped out her phone to give her friend a quick text. "Yo, where you at? I don't see you." She returned her phone to her pocket and attempted to pick up the speech from Nicole.

"-and we'll be monitoring each table closely. If any one of you feels in danger or threatened then stand up and walk away immediatley." That last rule made Elsa twice as nervous about who she would be talking with. "Apart from that. Girls!" The black haired girl clapped her hands together. "Collect your paper from me then go find a table. We'll send each guy over to a random table."

Elsa made her way to the table second from the right. Some of the other girls had broken the rule of only sitting at one side straight away, but the host didn't seem to mind. Elsa felt her phone buzz lightly in her pocket. She pulled it out to reveal a text from Violet. "Wait, whaaa? Didn't you get my facebook message about not going tonight? Kind of got cold feet halfway through the day."

Elsa drew her eyebrows together with anger, typing furiously on the touch-screen keyboard. "NO. NO I DIDN'T. YOU MEAN I'M HERE ALONE?! AND WHY WOULD YOU NOT TEXT ME THIS!?"

The response is immediate. "I keep telling you to check your facebook more often! Why waste texts when I can send you messages on there for free? Anyway, good luck have fun Icey ;)" Elsa put her phone away, scowl clear on her face as she folded her arms together. Great, I can't even rely on Violet to come save me. Is it too late to run? Elsa's concentration was broken by a loud * ding *, the first dates were beginning to walk over. Oh God, oh God, it's too late. Before Elsa had the chance to stand her first date was sat across from her. A short old man, with a long grey mustache and toupee that didn't quite cover all of his baldness. I guess I could always climb out of the window.

"Not thinking of running my dear are we?" said the man, peering curiously at her.

Elsa laughed nervously "Uh, n-no" Not yet

"Good!" The old man bowed. "I am The Duke."

Elsa blinked. "I'm sorry, 'The Duke'?"

"Well, that's not my proper name. Have to keep a but of mysteriousness in these dates don't we my dear?" The window definitely seems like the best option here. How did this guy even get into this age group?

"They call me 'The Duke' at my wares shop around the corner from here." Explained The Duke.

"Oh! You're the owner of Weaseltown Wares then?"

"WESELTON * ahem * Weselton my dear."

The rest of the first date seemed last forever. The Duke saw it appropriate to woo Elsa with his knowledge of accountancy and managing stock. Elsa tried her best to look as interested as possible but by the end she felt like she had a new view on the meaning of the phrase "soul numbing boredom". The bell eventually rang in mercy. Elsa hadn't been allowed to talk long enough to introduce herself or even mention her name for that matter. If I can endure that, I'm pretty sure the rest can't be that bad.

Elsa sat back in her chair massaging her temples, attempting to wake her brain from it's slumber of bordem. She didn't even notice her next date sit down. "Oh!" A voice said. Elsa's head shot up. A girl with a freckled cheeks and auburn hair sat before her. She wore a green long sleeved shirt rolled up to her elbows; opened at the front to reveal a black skin-tight shirt underneath. "I'm sorry I totally didn't hear the instructions right. I thought the girls had to move tables." The redhead blushed. "God, this is embarrassing"

Elsa chuckled lightly "Don't worry about it. That woman spoke so fast I was worried that she was going to faint from lack of oxygen."

The redhead giggled , extending her hand towards Elsa. "My name's Anna, Anna Christian."

Elsa shook her hand shyly, "Uhm, Elsa Helland, pleasant to meet you Anna Christian." Anna smiled, Elsa continued "I guess we should get to know each other for three minutes. I'm afraid that if either one of us stands the other might get tackled to the ground."

Anna laughed a sweet laugh, the noise was like music to Elsa's ears. "I know what you mean! When she said that rule I expected a her to point to some large security guard as a deterrent to those who dare to break her rules."

"Best keep your head down then. Think I just spotted a security guard behind you looking for rule breakers." Elsa gestured with her head.

Anna turned to look for the guard. Elsa giggled when the redheads cheeks turned pink. She turned back to Elsa with narrowed eyes "Guess you should keep your head down too. I heard he doesn't like late comers either." The redhead stuck her tongue out. Elsa returned the gesture. After a moment of silence both girl begin to laugh. "So, Miss Punctual." The girl teased in posh, well spoken voice "Do tell me of your profession."

"Well Miss Anarchy." Elsa responded in her own well spoken voice mocking tone "I am responsible for administrative duties at our finest city council." Anna raised her eyebrows. "I know right? Make sure to keep your feet on the ground. Many people have fainted when they hear of my hardcore days where I send emails to people and call up appointments."

Anna blew air through her nose and smiled. "Well, does it make you happy?"

Elsa hadn't expected such a question. She'd never really considered her job as anything other than that; a place where she carries out her duties and gets paid. "Uh, I-I'm not sure. I wouldn't say it's what I want to do forever."

Anna cocked her head "Well what would you want to do if you had the chance? What makes you happy?" Elsa felt the pressure from the question weigh on her, she folded her arms. "I-I'm sorry, that was a little forward of me."

"No, no it's fine." Elsa smiled. "Drawing. I like to draw." Why did I tell her that? I don't even talk to Violet about my drawing, let alone a complete stranger.

Anna's eyes went wide with excitement, "That's so cool! I've always wanted to draw! But I'm so clumsy most of the time, I swear my drawings look like someone attached two bricks to my hands and asked me to draw." Elsa raised a hand to hide a giggle. During that moment waiters passed behind Elsa with food for the buffet at the end. Both girls took in a large sniff of the aroma as a giant chocolate cake; nearly the size of the host, went by. "Chocolate" Both girls drooled at the same time. Elsa jumped in surprise when Anna's hand lunged forward to tie a little finger around her own "Jinx!"

Elsa blinked. She opened her mouth to talk. Anna waved a finger "Nuh-uh! Not until I say your name." Elsa jutted out a bottom lip in a pout. Anna couldn't help but feel her heart melt when she saw the pout accompanied with puppy dog eyes. The bell rang signaling the end of the three minutes. Both girls looked around in confusion. Elsa, true to the jinx, kept quiet as Anna spoke "I guess times up. You were much better than my first date, he had these ridiculous side burns!" Elsa shook her shoulders with a silent giggle. Anna stood and began to walk off but paused for a moment to look back at Elsa. "Nice to meet you... Elsa Helland."

Elsa sighed, released from the curse of the jinx. "The pleasure was all mine Miss Anna-rchy" She winked, Anna blushed before returning to her table.

The evening continued, bells rang, more dates sat down. Each only seemed really focused on themselves, showing off their success in their careers or flaunting their riches. The only other date that seemed to be some what genuine was the large Deutsch man that had asked a question earlier. Though he wasn't really Elsa's type, she sensed that the man was at the evening for a bit of fun. All Elsa could think of whilst each date passed by was of the young redhead. Her question echoed in Elsa's mind 'What makes you happy?'. Elsa hadn't been asked a question such as that in many years. Yet a girl filled with personality and light had asked it within three minutes. Every so often Elsa would look over to the redhead at her table. No matter who sat down Anna managed to somehow talk with them; finding common ground. By the end, her dates always appeared to be smiling and laughing. She's certainly charming. Elsa's eyes went wide when she realized Anna had turned and caught her looking. The redhead sent her a smile before Elsa snapped her head away with a red glow in her cheeks.

The end of the speed dating eventually found it's course. Elsa stood to stretch leting out a relieved sigh. I'm so gonna go home, get in my pajamas, watch Netflix and eat chocolate in bed. She looked down to the piece of paper she had been handed at the start; each of her dates listed with no tick of interest next to them. A thought crossed her mind. Should include Anna in the list? No, no!Why would she want my number? ...Why do I want her number? Still, I might just do it in case she wants to be friends or something. Another voice whispered in the back of her mind ...Or something more? Elsa blushed and dismissed the thought with a a shake of her head.

* Ahem * Elsa sharply turned to find Nicole before her. "May I have your paper please, Miss?"

"Of course!" Elsa reached for her paper and scribbled Anna's name in the box for her second date. She passed the paper to the girl who thanked her before returning to stand in front of the group who had formed by the buffet. Elsa smiled as she eyed Anna staring intently at the large chocolate cake at the end.

"Now! I will sort the results of your papers and give each of you a note at the end. The note will contain any numbers from your matches. But fear not if there are no numbers on your note! Love is something that takes time my dears! There will be plenty more speed dating sessions." Thank God they're not mandatory. Elsa thought. "Until then, help yourself to the buffet!"

At that last announcement everyone charged for the buffet. Elsa flew to the other end of the table to tackle the large mountain of chocolate cake whilst everyone was fighting over the main dishes. Elsa didn't realize the person next to her until they had collided when reaching for the plates. Both girls bumped into each other with an 'oof'. Elsa shook her head slightly to refocus only to notice Anna on the floor. "Oh my!" Elsa gasped "Anna, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you." Elsa extended a hand to pull the younger girl up from the floor.

Anna stood she dusting herself off, laughing "Don't worry about it, it was totally my fault! My vision was only filled with that mountain of joy".

Elsa laughed. "I hereby sacrifice my first pick of a piece to you as compensation." Elsa bowed slightly. Anna offered a polite refusal but Elsa insisted.

As Elsa waited patiently for the redhead to cut a slice of cake she found a plate thrusted into her hands. Elsa looked up to see Anna with a plate of cake for each of them. "Here!" she smiled. "I cannot cut in front of a fellow chocolate lover." Both girls gave shy glances at each other whilst enjoying bites of cake. Small smiles at their lips.

By the time they finished their first piece Anna had chocolate smudges either side of her lips. Elsa laughed as a look of confusion crossed Anna's face; cocking her head slightly. "You um have some chocolate around your lips." Anna's hand shot up to rub furiously at the chocolate marks. Elsa could only smile as she watched the adorable redhead adopt a pink flush in her cheeks.

Anna groaned "Ugh, you'd think after 21 years I'd get the hang of eating by now".

Nicole cleared her throat, "If you would all please return to the front." Both girls turned to join the group, walking side by side with a second piece of chocolate cake in hand. "The results were very fast this evening. Tonight is a slightly smaller group than we're used to, so there wasn't too much to go through." The girl held the thirty two notes in her hand, waving them enthusiastically. "Now, to avoid awkwardness, I'll hand these out one at a time. I'll call your name, then after a bit of time I'll call the next one and so forth until everyone has received a note."

"Okay, first! Anna Christian" Elsa glanced to Anna who meekly waved at her before walking to the front. Elsa noted the looks from the guys as she approached the front. I guess she made a good impression with everyone. Anna looked at her note and went bright red. And I guess she got the number she wanted. Good for her! Anna practically sprinted from the room, much to everyones amusement. Elsa sat back down, enjoying the cake whilst she waited for her empty note. Her name was eventually called after a few minutes. She took the note and left almost immediately. There's no need to check anyway. Though as she walked down the corridor to head back outside, curiosity spread through her mind. She slowly opened the note. There was one piece of text on the note. Elsa's heart skipped a beat as she read 'Anna Christian' followed by her number.

Oh my God, I have her number... I have her number?!

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