Backwards Chapter Index
Well I figured out how to make one of these as searchable synopses. This is for readers who want to just jump to a certain chapter to catch up, or if you’re looking for a specific scene, hope this can help :)
ARC 1: Getting to Know You My Friend
1. Introduction:
Meet our lovely dorky protagonist, Anna Suvi, and her best friends as they explore Arendelle University together on their first day.
2. Welcome to AU Crew:
Take a trip to the boathouse as well as meet the university crew team as the coaches and captains give the Freshmen a crash-course into the sport of rowing as well as the many famous rowers to come out of AU Crew!
3. First Impressions:
The first day of crew practice has arrived. Although not one for normal first impressions, Anna is about to learn some information that’s about to change the whole course of her anticipated college career..
4. Tribute:
Anna finds herself more invested in her efforts to volunteer help to a Senior she knows nothing about.
5. Something In the Air:
With an air of excited nervousness, it’s their first morning of practice in the Double! What other surprises lay in wait for Anna today once practice is over?
6. Liquid Doom:
It’s her first date with Hans and she couldn’t be more excited, until the hint of mystery surrounding her Double’s partner begins to unfold, and a seed of some new kind of thoughts is finally planted. Plus a swim test. Who actually likes swim tests anyway?
7. Tutor:
The nerves for their first race tomorrow loom overhead when Anna realizes that maybe her focus had been too much on rowing and trying to learn about her partner rather than school itself. Hopefully a fun evening spent with friends and boyfriend can ease her anxieties. (Author Notes include rowing terminology explained)
8. First Race:
It’s the first fall race and their Double’s debut! Following the experience, Anna proposes a race plan to Elsa, unsure what kind of reaction she could be met with by finally putting forth her own opinion. And maybe she’ll learn a bit more about her elusive partner through her childhood friend..
9. Pinky Swear:
With Coach Oaken on her side, the girls are pushed into Anna’s plan with each woman starting to find less resistance to each other’s rowing styles. And Anna learns the hard way to look both ways before making rash decisions (literally!), but maybe the outcome is worth it..
10. Reflection:
We get a first glance inside their typical tutor session, where Anna’s not sure if she’s taken more away from studying for her class, or from finally experiencing the personal feelings of Elsa’s family history. Later, after they finish a memorable final fall race, a crew party leaves her contemplating a subject she’d never once considered for herself.
ARC 2: Exploring the Feelings a Flutter
11. Make or Break:
As times goes on, Anna still can’t shake the subject from her mind, and only becomes more confused yet invested in her time spent with Elsa, as well as wonders what next semester may bring. But it’s perhaps their first 2K of the season that has her interest in the Senior more stirred than ever before.
12. Wanted:
The aftermath of the 2K has Anna reeling in wonder, so she seeks out some bubbly comfort in a friend. Then, a very successful study session leads Anna to make a difficult decision, one deciding between her desire to hang out with Elsa vs. her obligation of being a good girlfriend to Hans. What does she really want?
13. Possibly:
Now not only confused and worried by her growing revelations, she’s sleep deprived! Will a chat with her best friend ease the worries and give a label to what she’s experiencing toward Elsa? Anna figures things out with Hans, happy to find something that makes sense in her life, only to be given the most jaw-droppingly insane information about just exactly who she’s been rowing with all along.
14. Numb:
Anna and Elsa have a heart to heart following Anna’s previous obligatory decisions, only for the younger girl to feel her growing affections tossed to the wayside at the logistic talk of teammates, and she’s now scared to let anything slip up that could ruin their partnership. Then, her night slowly begins to spiral out of control as Hans forces her to make a terrible and unfair choice. (SA Trigger warning near end; you can skip as needed, there’s a gentler recap at the start of 15)
15. Be Strong:
The aftermath unfolds from the night before with Kristoff’s comforting and wise words on how Anna should proceed, giving her a sense of strength and empowerment. Anna’s surprised to learn that Elsa had thought Anna only rowed with her because of who she was, and ends up revealing her personal side of the arduous events leading up to the initial rowing situation. The cracks in a strong façade finally come through.
16. Interlude:
Winter break has arrived. Anna and Elsa spend some quality time together outside of academics and rowing. Anna confronts her worries that maybe her best friend’s label of her feelings toward Elsa aren’t what they seem.
17. It Sounds Fun:
Back to reality of AU Crew’s Spring semester, Anna confronts Hans and decides Kristoff had been right on how to proceed. Anna finds the courage to confide her secret in her two best friends. Although not having much time to interact within Elsa’s hectic Senior schedule, Anna’s friends encourage her to try making a move.. or at least a budge.
18. Brave:
The events of her ordeal with Hans are formally addressed to the administration, and Anna’s hesitance to sharing the situation with Elsa finally catches up to her. Hey, at least now they all know who they’re bunking with for Spring Training, whether it was what everyone wanted or not.
19. Totally Not a Date:
The Festival of Lights is upon them and Anna has to do her best to contain any hopes that Elsa could ever actually think that this is date-date. But as the evening goes on, could she maybe give in to that hope?
20. Cautious Don’t Live at All:
Anna deals with the confusing aftermath of her totally not a date night while he rest of the team buzzes happily about arriving in the Southern Isles to start Spring training. She may have lucked out coxing on the first day of training, but how in the world was she going to live through the rest of the week rowing in the Double after that night?
21. Tide’s Changing:
After a sudden upset in rooming arrangements, Anna feels her and Elsa start to reconnect through the week of rowing even though the awkward elephant in the room continues to loom. AU Crew will soon end the annual training with fun team traditions before heading home to reality again. Maybe the changing tide is all Anna needs to make this trip the most memorable of all.
ARC 3: Navigating New Waters
22. To Feel:
Elsa POV. A reflection on Elsa’s views of hers and Anna’s relationship through that point in time, recalling the events unfolding in the Southern Isles, as well as her painful memories of the not-so-distant past. She struggles to make sense of the changing tides between them. Is it really okay to lose control, if not just for a moment?
23. Exception:
Elsa POV. We get to see the glimpse to Elsa’s life, the schedules and responsibilities; her trying to adjust to the openness of what it’s like to let herself feel, despite still being a bit rattled by the new waters she’s trying to navigate. A little discussion with her childhood friend may be just what Elsa needs.
24. Can’t Do It Alone:
Elsa POV. Elsa continues to frequent the concerns of pursuing things with Anna, her family expectations, scholastic competence, and her competitive nature. With practices increasing together, the lines of her worries are blurring, defiance rising, and cares for the future waning; if just to extend the present.
25. Honesty:
Elsa POV. Elsa knows how strong Anna is and lets her know of her potential for rowing greatness, even if there are still some techniques to be adjusted. Is she getting soft? Anna finally reveals the full disclosure to what had transpired with her and Hans, and Elsa feels the reality check from her parents.
26. Sundays and Obligations:
Elsa POV. A small interlude, getting to know one another, Elsa now wanting the closeness of whatever she and Anna had become more than ever before, but then she’s handed a rude awakening; a reminder of the Domino Effect that any distraction could have on the other facets of her life. Will she be able to find a balance?
27. Game Changer:
Elsa POV. Their first Spring Season race is here and while Anna is beyond excited, Elsa is given some conflicting news, the feelings of responsibility piling up more and more, until she hits a breaking point during the race. An unexpected visitor then shows up at the race stirs the hidden anxieties, causing Elsa to make a reality check and a self-discovery that leaves her shaken to the core.
28. The Only Star That Guided Me:
Anna deals with what Elsa’s sudden decision means for their relationship and their rowing arrangement. An old face makes a surprising appearance in both women’s lives again, uncertain for the better or not. Following the next race, Anna comes to her own decision on what would be best for hers and Elsa’s future.
29. A Parallel Path:
Anna fights to figure out how to make Elsa happy while still not wanting to give up remaining by her side.. and she may have discovered just the means to do so. An itty-bitty sacrifice won’t be too much, right? She finally comes to realize her own reconciliations; a self-discovery that brings her knowledge of herself full circle.
30. Love is Alive:
With her new pleasantly dizzying discovery, how in the world was she supposed to keep her newly deployed façade for Elsa now? With a bit of help from some friends, that’s how! Time to take the nerve-wracking plunge with learning the Single, but as long as Elsa was there with there, she knew she’d be fine.
31. If Only For:
The events of the horrible night dredging up nightmares of the past, haunting, cause barriers to crash; ones so fortified, neither knew possible. The gift of every day, each precious moment shared together, and the fragility of it, finally dawns on the girls and both find themselves on the precipice of their feelings.
32: 47.5 minutes:
Dizzying. Magical. Bliss. But so short lived. The night’s magnificent after glow now leads to tension, emotions shoved aside and hidden beneath the surface; bubbling and angry and raw. How much more can either take of this constant push and pull before their relationship tears apart?
ARC 4: Moving Backwards to move Forward
33: Heart's in it:
There's a lot to come to terms with. Our girls spend some time figuring out where to go in the aftermath of the evening. The two show their feelings and understanding of each other more than ever. But will they realize that their hearts belong closer together than they previously thought?
34: Soon to be Memories:
As the semester nears its close, Anna is given a chance to reflect on where they've all come from over their school journey and where they all still need to go; preparing to bridge that gap toward the expected horizon. But new adventures aren't without gaining news, whether alarming or alluding to much much more.
35: Home Sweet Home:
Although left to process the most unexpected offer that either girl could have ever imagined, Anna and Elsa get a small reprieve. Two worlds have the chance to meet, offering a little insight into each other’s past, something both cherish, but there’s still so much more to learn.. and so much to discuss.
36: Family Affair:
The girls arrive in Stavanger, prepared to face Elsa’s parents for the first time together. Elsa has so much to still tell them, so many plans that need to be changed, and although Anna is rearing to help, things may not be as simple as she had thought. A roller coaster of emotions begins to rampantly careen, uncovered truths of the past meeting those hopeful of the future, churning into a raging storm of doubt as every hour ticks by.
37: Lucky:
With practice under their belt, both in their rowing and learning to freely be with one another, the time has come to put it all on the line; only one Erg Test remaining in their journey toward the ultimate goal. No matter what may come, whether by fate or just sheer dumb luck, they would do this together.
38: Spare:
It's the Night of Champions, where the greatest athletes in the nation have gathered together, and Anna can't be more elated. But when a ghost of the past reappears in Elsa's life, Anna's faced to wonder if this is really the place she belongs; both rowing at this tier, and beside the woman she loves.
39: Here and Now Parts 1 & 2:
(Elsa POV) Delving into memories can be painful, and if you look too far, some fears may escape back to the present. While Elsa deals with confronting her fall out with Belle, they also move forward into the Games, but when Anna's unsettling aloof behavior appears and even puts their performance at risk, Elsa fixes her focus to the needs of now.
ARC 5: Love is like a river..
40: Eye of the Storm Parts 1 & 2:
One of the hardest things for Anna and Elsa has always been communication; two strong-willed yet yearning individuals still learning to trust, together wielding potential to be an unstoppable force as fierce as a hurricane. And every storm comes with a brief respite which determines how to proceed; a time where love has chance to prevail, or crumble under its own fragility.
41: Stand by You:
Their whole rowing career had led them to this most prestigious of races, and neither Elsa or Anna can fathom giving up now, yet how can they possibly continue chasing this waking dream after something as devastating as this? A double-edged sword glinting; the sharp slice of pain, an inevitable ending. But in the end, it comes down to a mutual understanding to risk it all; to walk through Hell and back.
42: Always:
With the race events now behind them, it's time to address the aftermath and look towards the future, with one big question weighing on Anna's mind: Where will they go from here? With everything they've been through, all the soaring highs and plummeting lows, it's hard to believe that this could really be The End..
43: *Epilogue*
With a strong fondness present in Anna's heart, she cherishes not only seeing where she, Elsa, and all the familiar faces that she had experienced along the way have arrived at, but also the uniting sport that had brought them all together from the very start, all those 4 long years ago.
Bonus 1: Deleted/Re-worked scenes
Bonus 2: other Character POVs
Bonus 3: Within story side stories
Bonus 4: Fan requested ideas
Bonus 5: seggsy times??
Bonus 6: Belle backstory POV