Elsa, still stunned, slowly walked toward Liam.
She gasped again when recognition hit her.
"No way... Mr. Liam?"
Liam gave her a confused look.
"Mr?" He scoffed. "That's offensive. We're probably age mates, or maybe I'm a year older. Do I really look old to you?"
A flood of questions rushed through Elsa's mind.
Did Mr. Liam attend my high school? Why didn't I recognize him? Why...
But Liam interrupted her thoughts.
"Anyway, you still look unwell. You should rest here a bit longer," he said, eyeing her with concern.
Elsa snapped out of her trance, still staring at him.
"Since when have you been attending this school? Did you start here from your junior years?" she asked, curiosity spilling from her voice.
Liam chuckled lightly.
"Of course I did. Why are you acting like this is breaking news? Do you know me from somewhere?"
Elsa's eyes widened.
"No way... No way! How did I miss this? How didn't I notice him back then? What did I miss?"
Liam tilted his head, teasing.
"See? You're definitely still not well. The ball probably scrambled your brain a bit. Just wait for the nurse."
Elsa eyed him and gave a small grin.
"Well, I didn't know you talk like this."
He folded his arms.
"We've never talked before, so how would you know how I talk?"
Elsa cut him off, her tone suddenly serious.
"Anyway, I don't have time for you yet. I'll figure you out later. But for now... you said you know Mira, right?"
Liam nodded.
"Oh, yeah. She brought you here with me. She had to go to the teacher's office and asked me to wait with you until she got back. Why?"
Before he could finish, Elsa spun on her heel and dashed out.
"She's so weird..." Liam muttered, watching her go.
Elsa's heart raced as she sprinted toward the teacher's office.
Please, please let it be Mira. Even if this is a dream... I don't want to wake up.
She flung open the door to the teacher's office. Mrs. Tara Dean, her homeroom teacher, looked up immediately.
"Elsa? I heard you were rushed to the clinic. Are you okay? Did you run down here?"
Elsa panted, trying to catch her breath. Seeing Mrs. Tara again overwhelmed her with a warmth she hadn't felt in years.
"Mrs. Tara..." she whispered with a soft, trembling smile.
Mrs. Tara walked over to her.
"How are you feeling, Elsa?"
Tears welled up in Elsa's eyes as she hugged her.
Mrs. Tara, surprised, chuckled gently and hugged her back.
"Uhm... Elsa? Are you sure you're fine?"
Elsa pulled back and nodded, smiling through her tears.
"I'm okay, ma'am. Really."
"Alright then. Mira said she was going to you. Did you meet her on the way?"
Elsa had forgotten for a second why she came.
"Oh! Yes! Thank you!" she exclaimed and rushed off again.
She reached the school clinic, eyes scanning frantically. Just as she was about to enter, she saw Mira stepping out.
Mira's face lit up.
"Elsa! Where did you go? You're not fully recovered yet! You blacked out—you need to rest!" she scolded, concern in her voice.
Elsa froze. Mira was right in front of her. Talking. Alive.
Tears welled again. Her hands trembled.
"Elsa? Are you okay? Why are you just staring at me like that?"
Elsa's voice shook.
"M... Mira. Is this really you?"
Mira frowned, confused.
"You've asked me that twice already today. What is wrong with you? We literally hung out yesterday!"
Elsa's voice cracked.
"C...can I touch you?"
Mira laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
"Miss, have you finally lost it? Since when did you ever ask before touching me?"
Elsa reached out and gently took Mira's hand. The moment their skin met, she gasped. Tears flowed freely as she stared at Mira's hand, then her face.
"This is real. You're really here. You're Mira."
Mira's smile faded as concern filled her eyes.
"Hey… you're crying? Do you feel pain somewhere? I told you to wait for the nurse, you're obviously not well—"
Elsa couldn't hold it in anymore. She pulled Mira into a tight embrace, sobbing into her shoulder. Her whole body shook as the tears poured out.
Mira, still unsure what was happening, rubbed her back gently.
"It's okay, baby. I'm here. If it hurts, we'll see the nurse when she's back. It's okay..."
Later, they sat together on a clinic bed. Mira wiped Elsa's tears and, like she always did, pulled out her handkerchief and held it up to Elsa's nose.
"Blow," she said, just like always.
Elsa laughed through her tears and did as she was told.
Mira tucked a strand of Elsa's hair behind her ear.
"Are you sure you're okay? You cried a lot."
Elsa forced a smile and held back fresh tears.
"I'm okay, Mirabel. Just… leftover shock from the ball incident. I promise, I'm fine."
Mira didn't look convinced. She took Elsa's hands.
"You sure?"
Elsa nodded quickly.
"100% sure."
In class, Elsa couldn't focus. She kept sneaking glances at Mira, heart full. Sitting beside her again felt unreal.
"Elsa! Elsa!"
The teacher's voice snapped her out of it. Mira poked her arm. Everyone was staring.
"Would you like to tell us one of the characteristics of seedless plants like ferns?" the teacher asked.
Elsa froze.
God, it's been years since I did biology…
Mira quickly scribbled the answer and subtly pushed her notebook toward Elsa.
"Um… they are mostly found in wet and moist areas?" Elsa said cautiously.
The teacher raised a brow.
"Mira, I know you told her right? ."
Mira looked away.
"Elsa, bring your mind back to class," the teacher sighed.
Elsa nodded sheepishly. She and Mira exchanged a silent giggle.
The bell finally rang.
"Mira?" Elsa asked as they packed their bags.
"Hmm?"
"Can I... sleep over at your place tonight?"
Mira paused and stared at her.
"Okay, you're definitely acting weird. Since when do you ask for permission? You practically live at my house."
To elsa its been years already since she saw mira so she didn't know how to act around her anymore
Elsa laughed nervously.
"Just teasing you! Of course, I'm coming over."
Mira still looked suspicious.
"Elsa, did you forget what today is?"
Elsa blinked.
"Uhh... what do you mean?"
"Girl! The Eclipse concert? You've been hyped about it for weeks!"
Elsa gasped internally.
Oh my God. The concert! May 6, 2019. I completely forgot.
Elsa saved up for months to buy tickets for the concert, although mira insisted that she could buy the tickets for them with her money, but elsa rejected the offer and told her that she had already saved up.
"No no no! I didn't forget. I just didn't bring it up. Of course we're still going!" Elsa looped her arm through Mira's and smiled brightly.
Mira laughed.
"That's more like it. You scared me."
They took the bus home, chatting and laughing. Mira waved goodbye, saying she'd meet Elsa at her house later so they could head to the concert together.
When Elsa stepped inside, she saw her father reading the newspaper.
She paused, tears filling her eyes again.
After Mira died, I shut him out completely... I was such a fool.
"Hey... you're home," he said, looking up.
Elsa ran into his arms, sobbing.
"I missed you so much, Papa."
"Huh? I wasn't even gone for a whole day!" he laughed, hugging her tightly.
Her mom walked in with a plate of sliced apples.
"What's going on?"
"No idea," her dad whispered.
Her mom placed a slice in Elsa's mouth.
"Here you go, sweetheart. You're not a baby anymore, crying because your dad went to work?" she teased.
Elsa smiled softly.
"I'm still your baby, though."
"Always," her dad said, kissing her head.
Elsa headed to her room. She sat before her mirror, thoughts spinning.
How did I get here? Was it dinner with Mr. Liam? Why is Liam even in my past?
She didn't know how or why. But one thing was clear.
She wouldn't let Mira die this time.
Elsa wore a tank top with a flowered pattern skirt, she sat in front of her mirror and starred at her face and letting her hair down—something younger Elsa never did.
"Wow… I didn't know I was this pretty," she said to herself.
Elsa was so stunning, even as a teenager. Her face card was insane—her long, black, silky hair made her stand out most times, which she hated. She wasn't too tall, just a little bit petite, and her skin was incredibly clear. The highlight was her well-defined body shape; people always told her she could pass as a model.
As beautiful as Elsa was, she couldn't stand a chance next to Mira. Mira was the very definition of an angel fallen from the sky. Many people often said she didn't look real or assumed she had work done on her face through surgery. Her body shape was also smoking hot, and her skin was so clear, it was almost blinding.
Elsa and Mira were both two gorgeous teenage besties, but the truth was, Mira was prettier.
Elsa began putting on some makeup, which was unusual for teenage Elsa. Normally, she would pack her hair into a bun because she hated how long it was, but now she let it fall down. She had made up her mind to appreciate her beauty more—especially her hair.
When she was done, she opened her drawer, picked up the two tickets there, and grabbed her bag, ready to go. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled as she stormed out of her room
Her father laughed as he looked at her from head to toe.
"Who exactly are you? And where is my daughter? Because the Elsa I know doesn't wear makeup or let that waterfall of hair flow down."
Elsa rolled her eyes playfully and spun around with a small grin.
"Well, get used to it, papa. Maybe I decided to level up a bit."
Her mom walked over and gently adjusted a strand of Elsa's hair behind her ear.
Elsa smiled, biting her lip to hold back tears. Her heart swelled with love and guilt all over again. How did she let herself push these amazing people away in the future?
Her dad stood up and clapped dramatically.
"Now, go and break hearts—but just not yours, okay?"
Elsa laughed. "I'll be fine. Mira's with me, remember?"
As if on cue, the doorbell rang.
"That must be her!" Elsa said, quickly grabbing her bag. Her mom handed her a bottle of water and a tiny pepper spray from the shelf.
"Just in case. I know there'll be a crowd," she said with a knowing smile.
Elsa chuckled. "Thanks, mom. Love you both!"
"Be safe!" they both called out as she stepped out
Elsa got outside and saw Mira waiting there for her.
Mira gasped immediately she saw her.
"Woah... who exactly are you? Did you kidnap my best friend?" Mira said teasingly.
Elsa laughed softly.
"Do I look that good?"
Mira walked towards her.
"Girl, you look so hot! I mean, you always look beautiful, but today is just... just different. You look like another person entirely, especially with your hair let down," Mira said excitedly.
"Well, I have decided to spice things up a little and let my hair down. I want to appreciate my long hair more," Elsa said as she playfully touched her hair.
Mira smiled as she locked her arms with Elsa.
"That's the spirit, girl! I'm loving this new youuuu!" Mira said in excitement.
They both laughed
They both walked to the bus stop, chatting and laughing. Elsa tried to absorb every detail—the way the sky looked, the sounds of the street, Mira's voice, the familiar scent of the evening breeze. This was a memory she'd buried deep, one she never thought she'd live again.
At the venue, the crowd was already building. Teenagers buzzed with excitement, holding glowsticks, banners, and posters. The arena was alive with energy.
They were both excited. People were flooded there; at one corner, merch items of the Eclipse boys were being sold.
Elsa looked around, and everything felt nostalgic, as she had already experienced it before—but she was still excited to relive the memory.
They got through the crowd, waved their tickets, and were soon in the front section. The lights dimmed. The screams started.
Elsa gripped Mira's hand tightly as the first beat dropped and the band ran onto the stage. The crowd went wild.
For that one night, Elsa wasn't the girl who came back from a tragic future. She wasn't burdened by grief, guilt, or fate.
She was just Elsa. Seventeen again. Standing beside Mira. Singing their hearts out. Laughing. Living.
And somewhere deep inside, she promised herself—
This time, I will protect her. No matter what.
---
Elsa had never been more happy. The joy she felt was so great that she didn't want that moment with Mira to ever end.
Soon the concert ended. Everyone started finding their way out.
They finally stepped out and were outside the building.
Elsa smiled widely.
"I had so much funnn, thanks for accompanying me," Elsa said as she gave Mira a cute pout.
Mira couldn't help but laugh at her cuteness.
"If I don't accompany you, who else will? You are stuck forever with me. I won't ever let you go. We will grow old together," Mira said as she smiled widely, kicking hands with Elsa.
Elsa's smile slowly faded at Mira's words. If only Mira knew...
Elsa thought to herself that as far as she was here again, she would do everything in her power to save Mira.
Elsa quickly smiled again.
"Sure... of course we are going to grow old together, and our kids will be as close as we are," Elsa said.
They both laughed.
Mira started searching for something in her pocket.
"What's wrong? Did you lose something?" Elsa asked curiously.
"Yes, I think I forgot my phone in the toilet when I went the other time. Let me go get it," Mira said.
Just then, something jogged Elsa's memory like a déjà vu.
In the first timeline, when Elsa and Mira went for the concert and Mira went back in for her cellphone, when she was rushing back, she tripped from the stairs and sprained her ankle. Mira was hospitalised for a week.
Immediately Elsa remembered, she gasped and quickly held Mira's hand back, stopping her from going.
Mira looked at her hand, then looked at Elsa.
"What are you doing?" she asked curiously.
"Don't go in there," Elsa said pleading.
Mira let out an awkward laugh.
"What do you mean, Elsa? I can't leave my phone and just go back home."
Elsa still held her back.
"No! You can't go in there!" Elsa said as she raised her voice.
"Okay, now you are acting weird. Why don't you want me to go pick my phone? It's not a big deal. I will be back; you don't need to follow me," Mira said, starting to get annoyed.
Elsa said frustratingly,
"Mira, it's just a cellphone. You have the money to buy tons of it. Can't you just let this one go?"
Mira became annoyed and yanked Elsa's hand away.
"What is wrong with you! Why are you acting this way? You are beginning to creep me out.
So because I have the money to buy a new one, I should abandon this one when I can obviously get in there and pick it up?" Mira yelled back at her.
Elsa saw she was getting annoyed and realized maybe she went too far. She sighed heavily as she tried to calm down.
As far as it isn't Mira going there to pick the phone, then the accident wouldn't happen, Elsa thought to herself.
"I'm sorry, Mirabel. I didn't mean to offend you," Elsa said in a calm tone.
Mira sighed heavily.
"It's fine. You don't need to apologise," Mira said in a calm tone too.
Elsa looked at Mira.
"Let me go get it then. Why don't you wait here for me? I will be back soon. You left it in the toilet, right?"
Mira nodded.
"Yes, I did. But why would you want to get my phone for me? Can't I follow you?" Mira looked at her curiously.
Elsa stuttered,
"Armm... armm... just think of it as a reward or a thank you for following me here," she said, forcing a smile, trying to convince Mira.
Mira wasn't still fully convinced, but she agreed anyway.
"Okay then, I will be waiting here."
Elsa sprinted off immediately and went inside.
Mira stood outside and waited for her.
Elsa got to the toilet and found the phone. She sighed in relief as she took it.
She went back outside and walked to where Mira was still standing.
"Here you go," she said as she placed the phone in Mira's hands.
Mira smiled softly.
"Thank you. Satisfied now?"
Elsa nodded as she smiled widely.
"Yes. Let's go."
They got into a cab and were going home.
Elsa was so relieved that she prevented an accident that should have occurred. She was so happy that at least she protected Mira.
Mira followed Elsa home that day because she was going to be sleeping over at her place.
The two girls headed to the room after they had dinner.
The lights were off, but the room was still faintly illuminated by the moon spilling through the curtains. Mira was curled up beside Elsa, wrapped in a blanket with little stars on it. The soft rhythm of her breathing filled the quiet.
Elsa lay on her side, staring at the ceiling, her heart wide open and aching.
"You still awake?" Mira's voice came, soft as a whisper.
"Yeah," Elsa murmured.
A beat of silence.
Mira was quiet for a while, then added, "You're different, you know. Since this morning."
Elsa's heart skipped. "Different how?"
"I don't know… you're like… more you than usual." Mira gave a sleepy chuckle.
Elsa felt a lump rise in throat.
"I'm honestly fine mira" Elsa said softly
"You sure? You were always the one with the plans." Mira turned onto her back, gazing up. "Remember when we were ten and you made us an emergency apocalypse kit?"
"We had glow sticks and Capri Suns," Elsa smiled, eyes glistening. "It wasn't exactly survival-grade."
"But you made me feel safe. Like you always knew what to do."
Elsa blinked rapidly. "That's funny. Because I've never been more scared in my life."
Mira reached up toward the ceiling, hand brushing the air. "Sometimes I get this weird feeling. Like something's coming, you know? Like time's trying to tell me something, but I'm not listening hard enough."
Elsa sat up, suddenly tense. "What kind of feeling?"
"I don't know." Mira's hand fell gently back to the mattress. "Just a gut thing. It passes. But when it does, I get this urge to hold on to everything. Like life's speeding up, and I want to hit pause."
Elsa stared at her, frozen.
Elsa whispered, "What if you could pause it? Or rewind it?"
Mira turned her head, looking up at her with soft eyes. "Then I'd go back to tonight. Right now. And stay here forever."
The room felt too small for Elsa's chest. She reached down and gently brushed a lock of hair from Mira's forehead.
" I'm glad you are my bestfriend and I love you " elsa said softly
Mira smiled, her eyes fluttering shut. "Me too."
And then she was asleep.
Elsa stayed awake for a long time, watching her, memorizing the soft rise and fall of her breath. She promised herself—silently, fiercely—that whatever it took, she would protect Mira even if it means losing everything.
---
The next morning:
Elsa woke up before Mira. She smiled softly as she watched Mira still asleep. She got up and walked to the kitchen, where her mom was already making breakfast.
"Good morning, Mama," Elsa said as she walked towards her mom.
Elsa's mom smiled widely.
"Morning, angel. Did you sleep well? You girls were quite exhausted last night."
Elsa nodded. "Yes, I slept well. Mira is still asleep."
After a while, Mira came out from the room as she yawned and walked toward Elsa and her mom.
Elsa smiled softly.
"Good morning, Mama," Mira said to Elsa's mom.
Mira was fond of calling Elsa's mom
' Mama'. Elsa too addressed Mira's mom as 'Mama'.
Elsa's mom smiled widely. "Good morning, sunshine. Did you sleep well?"
Mira smiled and nodded. "I sure did."
The two girls sat at the dining as they munched on some apples before breakfast would be ready.
"Elsa, can you come and assist me here? I need you to turn this water from the heater into the teacups," Elsa's mom yelled from the kitchen.
Elsa sighed and was about to get up and meet her mom.
Mira stopped her.
"Let me do it," Mira said as she headed to the kitchen.
Elsa nodded and smiled. "Okay."
Mira got to the kitchen.
"Mama, let me do it," Mira said as she walked towards the heater and carried it. As she was about to pour the boiling water into the cups, her hands slipped and it poured on her wrist.
Mira screamed in pain as she dropped the heater.
Elsa's mom turned as she heard the scream.
"Oh my God, are you okay, Mira?" she said as she took her wrist under running water.
Elsa ran towards the kitchen immediately. She gasped and ran towards her mom and Mira.
"Oh my—are you okay?" Elsa yelled.
Mira just remained silent and winced in pain. The spot became red and a bit swollen.
Elsa became scared and worried.
"What is going on? This wasn't supposed to happen," Elsa thought to herself as she looked at Mira's bruised wrist.
As far as Elsa could remember, Mira wasn't supposed to get hurt by hot water. That morning was supposed to go smoothly—so what exactly is going on?!
Where did it all go wrong?
---