She sat quietly on the edge of the pool, freezing. However she loved the silence, and how the wind whistled past her ears, brushing her cheeks on the way by. The midnight sky was clouded; not a single star to be seen. Even the full moon couldn't shine through the haze. She smiled up at the sky. Snow was coming. She could tell from how the air smelled, and how it pushed itself around her delicate form. It hadn't snowed in three years. The certainty of seeing its beauty again, even for just a moment, made her giddy.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash from inside the house, followed by some obnoxious laughter and raised voices. Annoyance flared up inside her, licking her nerves with red hot fury. Breathing slowly, the raging fire settled, shriveling down to embers. She had learned to control her temper many times tonight. She had come out here to get away from all the noise and people. As you can already tell, the plan has failure written all over it. However, she didn't regret coming to the party. There was only one thing that dragged her here every year.
The backdoor opened, spilling light onto the porch and littering the air with the home's hideous din. But along with all the undesirables, a boy of fifteen stepped out into the cold. He wasn't much of a boy anymore, she thought. He was more man than anything now.
She could always tell when someone lied to her. Reading people was her art. However, he was different. He was amazing at covering his thoughts. Only when he brought his guard down could she finally get to see clear through him. But that had only happened once, and at a brief moment. That is why tonight made her worried. What had happened to him? The way he walked, the way he looked at her, the way he sat next to her, the way he talked and smiled, all different. He was completely opened up.
"How've you been? School OK?" He inquired politely. She didn't like it when people talked to her. Only with him did she make an exception, but she still wouldn't speak. She just nodded, answering his question silently.
"That's good." (Awkward silence moment) He looked up toward the sky, expecting to see stars. She could tell he was disappointed. He loved the stars. He had told her the stories of all the constellations. Like Draco, Perceus, and Orion. Those were her favorites.
After a while, she found herself studying his face, taking in his near perfection. How she longed to shift closer to him, be taken in his arms. That was only a daydream she had had countless of times, and she knew it was never ment to be. She worked her way over to his eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. How true. With just one glance, she knew something was weighing him down. A great responsibility of some sort. . . Possibly the thing making him so open tonight? Anticipation swelled in her chest when he started to speak.
"Why don't you speak to me? To anyone? I'm really curious about what goes on inside that head of yours." Oh. Great. The most frequently asked question again. Doesn't anyone understand? She didn't know the answer to that either. Well, don't just sit mute, say something!
"I...I'm just weird like that." She wanted to smack herself as soon as she said it. 'I'm just weird like that'? She had to be joking! Dread filled her as she awaited his reply.
"Oh I don't think it's weird. Just... different."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"No...Yes..."
She laughed, then feeling self concious, looked down at her shoes. Please say something, she pleaded in her head. No more awkward silences.
He breathed through his nose and let it out slowly. "I'm really glad you came tonight. But... why aren't you inside enjoying the merriment? Plus it's warmer in there."
"There's just...too many people." He wouldn't understand that, she thought,He's a people person. Then why do you love him so much if you have almost nothing in common?
"And you came out here for some peace, right? I've been there before." Surprising.
"Really?"
"Ya." That was followed by another silent moment. She began to notice how cold it was out there and wrapped her arms around her shoulders, trying to hide the goose bumps. He noticed.
"Hey do you want my jacket? You seem cold."
Astrid looked up. "Oh...No it's okay. I'm fine." She was freezing her butt off.
"No please, here." Before she had time to protest, the jacket was draped around her shoulders. Warmth spread along her arms and sank deep into her chest, melting her heart. It was the most wonderful feeling. She pulled the jacket closer, getting a whiff of his colone.
"Aren't you cold now?" she asked him.
Looking surprised, he replied,"Oh no! I'm good." She knew he was lying of course, even without seeing him rub his arms when her back was turned. Sighing, she began to remove the jacket, and naturally he began to protest.
"Hey, listen you can have it!" he said, concerned for her.
She smiled kindly,"It's all right! I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
"No. I will worry about you."
She laughed jokingly."No you won't. You need it more than I do."
"No, you need it."
"The jacket's yours."
"Yes it is. But I'm lending it to you."
"It is an unwise lend."
"Is not. You deserve it."
"You deserve it more."
"No I don't."
"Yes you do. Just take the jacket!"
"It's my jacket and I decide who to lend it to. It's yours."
"Well what if I don't want it?"
"Then I would insist that you require its services!" Their voices rose in volume, overpowering the noise in the house.
"I refuse!"
"You can't refuse something you need!I won't let you!"
"Why not!?"
"Because I love you!" He shouted, then realized what just came out of his mouth and covered it.
"R-really?" Her voice wavered, the concept sinking in. She inched closer, as did he.
"Y-ya...You okay with that?" She didn't have time to answer, for their lips met. It blocked out all sound and thought from their minds, creating instant peace. The jacket slide off her shoulders and into the pool, forgotten. Just like everything else.
Suddenly, she pulled away, a puzzled expression on her face.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"That...That's so strange. It should have started..." Then something landed on her nose. She craned her neck up to the sky in joy. The first was followed by another, then two more, then ten, then twenty, soon thousands. Fluffy, white stuff fell from the sky, landing in the couple's hair. They stared at each other, wonderous smiles spreading across their faces, followed by a giggle, then bursting laughter. The two twirled and danced, until they fell dizzily into the snow. The night seemed to last forever, but there came a time when she had to leave him.
"Until next time." He told her at the door, kissing her hand. She smiled goodbye and was hustled out the door by her parents. Only when she had left the driveway, did he remember to fish his jacket out of the pool.
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