• Chapter One:
    Petals of Winter






    "Royce, White Carnation"

    I sat there staring at the nowhere covered with white snow.
    My hands are freezing but my cheeks are still warm. I caught a glimpse of the girl beside me.
    Her short black hair provided her no protection from the cold and her ears are already red.
    She tucked her face under her scarf hoping to get more warmth.
    Her frozen white hands embraced her cold figure.
    I tried to catch a glimpse of her but she didn't even catch me once.
    I fell inlove with her the first time I saw here in this same bus stop. I know she doesn't know me, so I just watch her everyday secretly.
    Even though I don't know her name, or where she lives, or what her life is like, all I know is that I like her.
    And that everytime I see her, my heart beats like crazy.
    I must try my best to look cool in front of her.
    That is the least I could do.

    "Ah, the bus is here."

    My voice broke the silence. I stood up and walked near the stop sign.
    The gentle girl stood up and went near me, causing my heart to almost faint.
    Not knowing what to say, I turned my head and looked at the sky.
    I was deep in thoughts of what topics to talk about that I didn't notice her attempt to talk to me.
    I finally thought to myself that any topic is fine just as long as I could hear her voice.

    "It's cold today, isn't it?"

    I can feel my heart beating fast, afraid that she may ignore me.
    My head turned her way and pretended to look at the coming bus.

    "Yes, it's cold."

    I almost didn't hear her voice because her face was half buried under her scarf.
    The bus came and she went inside it very gently.
    I noticed her hands shaking, she must be freezing in the cold.
    While I went to my seat, I can't help but smile.
    Her voice was like an angel.






    "Sharon, Gardenia"

    I hope he notices me.
    His golden hair and green eyes is enough to make me warm in this cold weather.
    I secretly took some glances at him, hoping to take a closer look.
    His lips are red. I tried to look at him longer but he looked at my way and so I pretended to tuck my face under my scarf.
    My heart was beating fast. I was afraid that he might find out about me.
    He might think that I was weird.
    I can feel my whole face becoming red so I tucked my face deeper to hide it.
    My hands were trembling.
    I was too preoocupied with myself that I didn't notice him standing up.

    "Ah, the bus is here."

    His voice was deep and gentle.
    I want to get near him so I gathered my courage and walked beside him.
    I was so happy to be near him that I could almost faint.
    Trying to think of what to say, I looked at the sky.

    "Um...the..the.."

    I said in a stutter. He might not have heard me because he was looking deeply onto the sky.
    So I just looked down and didn't say a word.

    "It's cold today, isn't it?"

    He spoke to me for the first time. My heart raced even more and my face became more red.
    I have to answer him.

    "Yes, it's cold."

    I said it very awkwardly. I hide my face under my scarf in utter emarrasment.
    The bus came and I hurriedly went inside it.
    I was embarrased but, he talked to me.
    And that made me happy.