"So... did you see?" I asked.
"See what," He says.
"I'm serious, did you see that guy-"
"Ask you out? Pretty much."
"Did you also..see my sister..us?"
He nodded.
"Believe it or not, even though we're sisters, me and Leah weren't as close to each other. Being in a big family doesn't always mean it's a happy, jolly family oriented household."
"Continue."
"That guy you saw, well this is a secret between us okay?"
"Promise" he held out his pinky and I smiled then took a breath. " His name is Kemron, he's my sister's crush. She really really likes him. They met each other in choir and would sing duets for the school ceremonies. They used to talk a lot until he moved to Serena. He came back to Aurora last year. I only knew him because he was in my class," I sighed.
"So when he left, we met our grandpa for the first time. Our family is small, it's just us, so when he came, it was a surprise because we didn't know we had a grandpa. Leah got close to Grandpa and mostly talked to him. She used to be quiet and kept to herself a lot. She'd only be loud and outgoing with her friends though. But when he got hospitalized for anemia, we were all scared. When he had his first surgery, it almost failed. But after the surgery was a success, Leah changed. She started talking to me more and said she wanted to, to grow up, not just relying on Grandpa, but also on me and everyone else. It was the first time she ever decided to open up to me with anything. She told me she wanted to be a singer and an actress and I helped her research on what to do, even talked to our parents about her dreams. But, after today, she won't want to talk to me anymore."
"Why would she do that? She's your sister isn't she? Even if she's mad that her crush asked you out, it's not your fault is it? I'm sure she loves you and in time you guys will work it out."
"Because Jace, Leah never liked me since we were little. Sure we'd play together when we were younger, but somehow we grew up and she didn't like me anymore. So it was weird when she came to me and wanted to, you know, act like a sister."
"I see..."
"Well, it's getting late, we should probably head to the dorms before we get marked missing."
"Julia?"
"Hm?"
"Let's go explore that cave tomorrow together with Matthew and everyone. Yeah?"
"Sure, sounds like fun. And..thanks Jace, for listening to me blabber."
"Haha, don't thank me, I was just here to listen to all the juicy details of your life. And here. Your camera. I can't fix it but your photos are safe. "
I looked at the bag. I didn't want to open it. I was scared. I started tearing up again.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"My camera, my grandpa gave me it. Leah used to be jealous that I got a camera from him."
"Your camera, it was important to you huh."
I nodded and started crying. My face got all hot and snotty. He gave me a side hug and napkins from his pocket. I was surprised, I laughed a little. Something random, but funny. It calmed me down.
"Why do you have napkins in your pocket?"
"Well the guys wanted to sneak some snacks back for the night. I have some here. Do you want some?"
"Sure, all this crying is making me hungry. I'm a little sad though. I wanted to dance even if it was just once. You know, meet a prince charming and dance."
"I guess so? I'm not a girl, so sure, if that's how you feel."
It started to snow more, so we went inside the small building next to the pavilion.
"Wow, this room is beautiful. It's so warm and the couch, it looks sooooo cozy."
"Haha we might as well just sleep here tonight. Plus, I think the snow isn't going to let up."
I looked around the room and took off my coat. It was a cozy room with a huge couch, a TV, a fridge filled with food, game boards all over the shelves, and loads of blankets in the closet.
"Are we allowed to be here?"
"Of course we are, why do you think the door was unlocked for."
Then there was some ruffling and a blanket trotted towards me.
"Guh! Where'd you come from buddy?"
"Down Saive, Down."
Saive was a fluffy Samoyed.
"You know this dog?" Saive just kept licking my face.
I just smiled", Are you sure you didn't plan any of this?"
"Nope," Jace said as he left to the kitchen.
We could hear wood softly sliding on glossy tiles then a playful jazzy melody sang.
"We didn't get the chance at the bonfire, but would you like to dance with me?"
I laughed because this wasn't the romantic atmosphere I had imagined my first dance would be, "I would love to."
We danced in the mini ballroom-like kitchen space.
"Jace?"
"What is it?"
"You're a good dancer. Don't take this the wrong way, but I didn't know you could dance. Most guys don't really know how, even though we have dance classes."
"My mother taught me. She loved dancing."
"That's admirable. None of my older sisters care about dancing. Only the triplets would dance with me. They always follow me around."
"You really love them don't you? Earlier you sounded like you were their mom."
"I did? Haha, I practically raised them because my mom got really busy after she got sick."
"Now that, is admiring."
We finished dancing and then looked around the room some more.
"Woah they have The Flying Castle."
"Wanna watch it?"
"Yesssss!!!"
We fixed the couch with blankets and Saive plopped in the middle. We ate some more as we watched movies.
"It's getting a little late," I yawned.
"Really, a 'little' late. We watched The Flying Castle, Owl and the Moving Castle, and Ghosted Away."
A gust of wind rumbled and more snow fell.
Thunder knocked on the wooden door. Jace opened the door to a living snowman.
"You kids aren't supposed to be up here all alone," The man shuffled the snow off of himself.
"Haha, sorry Uncle," Jace apologized.
"Yeah, you better be sorry," said the smaller snowman.
"Arron!? What're you doing here?" Jace asked.
"Ptah, what do you mean what am I doing here? I'm here to bring you back," Arron smothered him in a frosty hug.
"Ugh, get off, you're gonna break my back," Jace struggled to say.
The young man sighed and took out a walkie talkie and chopped Arron's head with his hand, "I found them."
All we could hear was mumbling static, but 'Uncle' replied, "Yeah, I got it from here. The weather is too strong right now, so we'll see how it goes tomorrow morning."
"Do we get to sleep here?" I asked.
I got excited, we get to sleep here in this awesome room?
"Yep" Jace threw a thumbs up.
"For now," the uncle said in a low strict demeanor, "tomorrow, you three need to go back to the dorms, no more wandering until nightfall. You're supposed to return to the church by 6pm so things like this don't happen."
"You were wandering in the woods Arron?" Jace looked at the older boy suspiciously.
"To find you, duh," Arron said.
"Anyway.. I'm sorry, Uncle. But thanks for coming to check on us though," Jace pulled out a cardboard box of checkered boards, "We needed another hand. Julia, this is Arron, my brother, and this is my Uncle. He's a new teacher at Aurora."
"Um, nice to meet you guys," I said, a little embarrassed I was caught alone with a boy.
We played chess and other games for a few more hours then slept on Saive like a giant pillow and buried ourselves in the warm blankets.