The smell, it was almost like peppermint. And the touch, like the softest blanket. I could even hear it, singing as it fell, such a beautiful song. Like a siren singing to me, making me smile. Only to bring me to my death.

I twirled around in the white grass, laughing like I’d never seen it before.

The trees above me, looking like they’d fallen out of a fairytale. Covered in the white magic.

“Hayley! It’s freezing! Let’s go in!”

I laughed, watching Ric-his arms folded across his chest-wondering how someone could hate this.

“Ric!” I called, bending down. The feeling of the snow on my bare hands was amazing, freezing cold but at the same time like fire.

“Heads up!” I threw the snow at him. His pale blue eyes grew wide, fear flashing across them.

“Hayley! Come on! I’ve told you a million times. I hate the-“

I covered my ears, almost too late.

“Sorry!” I shouted, I wasn’t really sorry but, his eyes shined with a thank you so he couldn’t tell.

Ric shuddered as he stood next to me. His cheeks were a bright red, matching his scarf that was twisted around his neck.

“How are you out here like this?” Ric almost had a hint of laughter in his voice. He waved a gloved hand at me.

I looked down, I was wearing leggings now soaking wet. And a sky blue t-shirt.

I gave him a smile, “Everyone’s different.”

Ric snorted a laugh, “Different or crazy.”

I nudged him with my elbow, “Is there a difference?”

Ric nodded, his eyes shining with hope.

“Then your crazy,” I teased.

Ric rolled his snowy blue eyes, “Yeah right. I have a reason to hate the-“

I covered my ears again, now it just felt like he was trying to annoy me.

Ric grabbed my arm and pulled it away, “I hate the snow!” He shouted before I could protect my ears. It felt like a stab to my chest.

“Do you?” My voice was shaking.

Ric let my arm fall gently to my side, “Let’s go in. Your freezing.”

His voice had a little pinch of sorry. I took the apology even if he hadn’t actually said the words. It was as good as I’d get.

“Fine,” I replied, “Just one thing.”

Ric sighed, his eyes meeting mine, “Yeah?”

“Why do you hate the. . . You know.”

Ric but his bottom lip, his eyes shooting all over the place. He finally just shook his head.

“I don’t really know.”

“Please?” I begged, from the look in his eyes I knew I should stop.

He looked down, a tear sliding from his frozen cheek, “Something happened. Three years ago.”

Ric turned away from me, he started kicking the snow as he went, I followed.

It was all I could do to keep my mouth from opening.

“What happened?” I wanted to hit myself. If Ric didn’t want to tell me then he didn’t need to.

Ric kept his gaze on the sparkling sidewalk.

“Its not important. I was stupid, it didn’t end well. End of story.”

I bit down on my tongue, grinding my teeth together.

“How did it end?” I forced out, hating myself for it.

Ric grabbed at his scarf, like he couldn’t breath.

“Ric?” I asked, turning to face him.

He shook his head, taking in a deep breath.

Snow fell all around us, creating a white cloud. I wanted so badly to run around in it, laughing like a little girl on Christmas morning.

“What happened?” I whispered.

Ric’s gaze lingered on mine, “I was stupid,” he chocked out, “I didn’t notice when Loki escaped. I killed him. I killed my dog.”

I felt a smack across my face, but Ric hadn’t lift his hand, neither had I.

“Hey,” I put a frozen hand on his shoulder, “It’s okay.”

His teary eyes met mine, “It’s not. I killed my dog. I’d hurt him because I couldn’t get myself to understand I wasn’t a kid anymore. I was sixteen. Not six.”

I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close as his tears soaked my shoulder.

My whole life I had known the snow as a friend to create memories. Not as a stranger to create tears.