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For her, the phrase “first snow” was distant and foreign.
Snow was nothing exceptional. It graced the streets of Summitville, painted Sunburst City
white, and even cloaked Velvetwood in its silent embrace.
She had never harbored an abundance of love or anticipation for snow, except when she
was 17. That year, having fallen for Leandro, she found herself eagerly awaiting each new
day.
Yet he was invariably busy, often away from home for long stretches, which only made her
yearn all the more.
Finally, on New Year’s Eve, she caught a fleeting glimpse of him, a hurried encounter
before she scurried off to her room to shower.
After her shower, hair dried and clothes changed, she emerged only to see him, similarly
freshened up, ready to step out.
He was wearing a coat. Seraphina’s heart sank, her eyes betraying a hint of
disappointment. “You… you’re going out again?”
“Yep.” Leandro glanced at her, stepping closer, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Can’t stand to
be without me?”
Turning her face away, Seraphina felt the sting of unshed tears.
She hadn’t seen him in days, and just when they had reconnected, he was leaving again.
The hurt welled up inside her, her eyes reddening with the effort to hold back tears.
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She truly didn’t want him to go, the disappointment was genuine, but the words wouldn’t
come.
Leandro chuckled at her pained expression, but his voice softened. “Had a prior
commitment, I’ll be quick. Will you wait up for me?”
She looked away, murmuring after a pause, “You won’t come back…”
She knew his habits too well; a late-night departure meant he wouldn’t return.
At best, he’d be gone for the day. More often, he’d vanish for days on end.
She was accustomed to it, shouldn’t have expected any different.
Without another word, Seraphina retreated to her room.
She had hurried downstairs to see him, but with him leaving, there was no point anymore.
Back at her desk, she slumped forward, the sorrow deepening.
Then, a knock at her door. Her heart skipped, guessing who it might be, yet hardly daring
to believe.
When Leandro stepped inside, she looked up, her gaze frozen on him.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“If you’re accusing me of breaking promises, I’ll have to be a man of my word this time.”
Leandro leaned against the doorframe, checking his watch. Frowning slightly, he peered
out the window, then said, “Before dawn. I’ll be back before then.”
Heat crept into Seraphina’s cheeks.
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Despite his busy life, he had come to make a promise, as if she were the unreasonable
one.
Yet, was she happy? Ecstatic, in a way she had never felt before.
“I’m leaving, okay?” Leandro sought her confirmation once more.
This time, she managed a soft “Okay.”
She didn’t leave her room, just perched by the window, watching Leandro descend the
stairs, get into his car, and drive off, her heart surprisingly full of joy.
That night, Seraphina lay in bed, sleep eluding her.
She kept vigil by the window, straining for any sign of him. He said he’d be back by dawn,
so she waited. From two to three, from four to five, from six to seven, Leandro did not
return.
At seven o’clock, Sandra had already sent three messages, urging her to get moving. They
had planned to hit the amusement park together, but Seraphina was utterly disinterested
now.
He had broken his word, again.
She despised her own weakness, knowing she’d soon be longing for him once more.
Frustrated and powerless, Seraphina got up, washed her tear-stained face, and dressed to
leave.
New Year’s Day was just breaking, the city still quiet, the Reynolds household no
exception.
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She stepped out of the main building, unable to resist glancing towards the parking lot –
no sign of Leandro’s car.
Biting her lip, she strode away.
Exiting the gates, the tears she had been holding back fell freely. Her cheeks stung in the
cold, crisp air as if they might crack. Gritting her teeth, she wiped her tears and continued
on.
Reynolds Manor nestled deep in a quiet, old neighborhood. Everyone had cars, and no one
bothered walking.
But she didn’t, so she had to walk two blocks to the main road to catch the bus.
Tears blurred her vision as she trudged along, until, at the corner, she collided with
someone.
Both in a rush, Seraphina nearly toppled over but was caught in a firm embrace.
Startled, her heart raced until she found herself in a warm, familiar hold.
For a moment, her emotions overwhelmed her, and when she looked up to see him, all she
saw was a blur.
Only when he wiped away her tears did Leandro’s face come into sharp relief.
It was him, truly him.
His eyes were red, perhaps from lack of sleep, his nose slightly pink, as if frosted by the
cold.
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“What’s this?” Leandro smiled at her, a playful tease in his voice. “I’m a little late and
you’re ready to run away from home?”
Her voice failed her, she was unable to answer him.
The sky wasn’t fully bright yet, tree-lined streets casting deeper shadows.
No cars, no people, just the two of them in their own world.
Suddenly, Leandro leaned in and kissed her.
His lips were cold, but the kiss sent warmth flooding through Seraphina.
It was a long while before she spoke in a hushed voice, “You said you’d be back before
dawn…”
“Yeah,” Leandro exhaled softly, “I thought I’d make it, but I didn’t expect the car would
break down on the road…”
Seraphina’s heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him. The car broke down on the
road, so he had… walked all the way back?
Tears threatened Seraphina again.
The car was broken; he could have rested nearby or stayed inside waiting for a tow truck,
but he had hurried back on foot because of a promise he made to her?
She stared at him, dumbfounded, wanting to ask, yet too embarrassed to voice it.
“Still mad at me?” Leandro leaned down and asked.
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Seraphina shook her head slightly, eyes downcast.
“Are you still going to run away?” he prodded.
“I wasn’t running away from home,” Seraphina retorted. “I had plans with a friend to hit
the amusement park…”
A chuckle escaped Leandro, “Oh,” he said before adding, “What if I asked you to bail on
your friend, would you?”
Seraphina found herself in a bind, “I’ve already promised her…”
Leandro sighed, a hint of disappointment in his breath.
Still, even with him looking at her like that, Seraphina’s gaze was hesitant, with no
intention of canceling her plans for him.
“You sure stick to your principles,” Leandro reached out to pull her along, “Let’s go then.”
“Where to?” Seraphina startled.
“You wanted to go out, right?” Leandro said, “I’ll walk you out. Though I didn’t see a single
taxi on my way back, I’m not sure when you’ll be able to catch a ride.”
Silently, Seraphina followed him, not mentioning that just a ten-minute walk down the
street was the bus she needed to take.
She looked at the hand Leandro was holding and quietly hoped, hoped that a taxi would
show up later, much later…
They emerged from the tree-lined street into the dim world, which was suddenly touched
by icy, feather-light flurries settling silently onto Seraphina’s eyelashes.
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It had started to snow.
On this first day of the year, as Leandro held her hand walking down the empty street,
Sunburst City finally welcomed its belated first snow.
Leandro reached out to brush a snowflake from her lashes, then chuckled at the sight of
the sparse snow upon her hair, saying, “If this snow gets any heavier, it would look like
we’ve gotten while hair and grown old together.”
Seraphina’s heart thumped heavily, her body feeling suddenly weak.
“Do you want to grow old with me, Seraphina?” Leandro asked.
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