You Look Stunning

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10th

It's been a week since Journey has talked to Aaron. They didn't choose to not talk, but Journey had been going hard on all her classes. It'll be an additional present for her when she sees her mom and dad's proud faces. It's finally Friday, and Journey just tuned out of her last class of the day. She checks her phone and sees a bunch of missed calls and texts from Aaron. She calls him back.

"Aaron?"

"Oh... hey Journey. What happened?"

Aarons heavy, musky voice gives Journey the impression that he just woke up. It kind of excited her. 'Did he sleep through his class?'

"I'm sorry, I was just extra focused on school. Well, I will be until Christmas and New Years ends."

"Are you free now?"

"The real question is are YOU free now? You sound tired."

"I'm fine, i'm already up and getting ready."

"Alright then, i'll get ready."

ENDED AT 5:46PM

They hang up and Journey searches for something to wear. She decides on an oversized school hoodie with grey sweats. 'It's going to be so cold today.' Journey opens the door for Aaron, smiling. He smiles back, and leads her down the stairs to his car. "So Aaron, feeling any better from the accident?" "Physically, yes. Mentally, no. I'm pretty sure I told you about how my dad sent spies to warn me, right?" Journey nods her head. "Well, I can't stop thinking about it. What if I accidentally attempt to tell you again? What if they hurt you?" Journey's heart melts as she realizes he's stressing out because of her. "Don't worry about me. After all, we're just friends, right?" That didn't sound right coming out of her mouth. It made her feel weird, like they should be something more. But they just met, so they had to keep it here for a while. "Yeah... just friends." Journey looks out the window as he drives in silence. 'Did he want something more too?'

"We're here!" Aaron exclaims. Journey looks out the window, seeing a huge park full of snow. The best part was that it was only them there. They both get out, and Journey runs to the middle. She plops her body belly-first onto the snow. She sits down, feeling the beautifully cold snow. "Come on Aaron, it feels so soft!" Aaron shakes his head, he doesn't want to get wet. Journey runs over to him and pulls his arm. Aaron lets her lead him, but is caught off-guard when she pushes him in the snow. Aaron wipes the smirk off her face when he throws a snowball at her. "Ahh!!" Journey throws a snowball back at him, and it hits his back. They start rapidly making snowballs and throwing them at each other, laughing like crazy. Journey gets close to throw a snowball at him, but he pulls her down, on top of the snow. She pulls his leg, and he falls next to her.

They both lay down, looking up at the darkening sky. Aaron sits up on his elbow, moving a piece of hair away from her face. They are both covered with snow. "Hey Journey?" "Yeah?" "You look stunning." "As do you." "You look more stunning, my princess." Journey blushes a deep red, and hides her smile. He lays back down, enjoying her warmth. Their hands entangle with each other, scared to let go. Maybe for warmth, maybe for something else.

Aaron carries Journey bridal-style back to her room at 9 PM. She fell asleep in the car. He knocks on the door. "Yes? Oh.. Who are you?" "Im Aaron, you are?" "Ava. Nice to meet you. I'll uhm, get Journey. You can go on, it's kinda late." Aaron nods and walks away as Ava carries her. Journey is very fit and light. Ava closes the door and places Journey on her bed. "Oh gosh! Journey got herself a man," Ava smirks to herself. She puts the covers over Journey, and goes back to her own bed.

Journey wakes up to the sound of birds chirping. This usually annoys her, but it made her feel happy. She looks out the window and sighs. It has finally snowed on her part of town, and it was beautiful. The snow perfectly glistened on the trees. Some students and staff were at the nearby lake skating. The lake is frozen solid, so Journey might go out there and skate herself. She puts on a festive outfit and grabs her skates. She barely knows how, but she could figure it out. She spots Ava skating and calls her over. "I thought you would never wake up!! The lake froze over so everyone is here. Even your prince charming." Ava smirks. Journey shows a weird smile, confused by what Ava said. "Your boyfriend dropped you off at our dorm last night. You were sleeping." Journeys body obviously wasn't told that it was cold, and her cheeks start heating up and blushing intensely. "That wasn't my boyfriend, it was just Aaron." "Just Aaron eh? Sure it was." Ava winks and skates away, leaving Journey speechless. She sits on a bench to put on her skates when she feels a warm presence beside her.

"Hey Journey." Aaron smiles. Journey returns the smile, and finishes putting on her skates. "I'm going to go skate, you coming?" Journey starts blushing when she remembers she barely knows how to ice skate. "I don't really know how." Aaron stands up, smirking, and puts out his hand. Journey grabs it, wobbling a little. He leads her out to the middle of the lake, holding both of her hands. Onlookers are taking glimpses at them. "Don't be scared, it's just like normal skating." Journey looks down at her feet, afraid of falling. Aaron goes faster, skating across the lake. The onlookers are staring now, applauding. Journey follows his lead, and they skate together, giddy with happiness.

It's now dark, and people are going back inside. Journey and Aaron are taking a walk through the beautiful nearby forest. They make their way through the frost-colored forest, trees of lime green and white, as it sparkles in Journey's eyes. Blackbird calls run through the clearing, the sky a dark, navy blue. Journey runs through the trees, letting the wind blow in her hair. Aaron catches up with her, smiling in her direction. They see a log, and they both sit. But then, Aaron stiffens. "Journey listen to me carefully." Journey nods her head, scared of what was happening. "Run back to the dorms. Don't look back." Journey shows a hint of displeasure, but she knows this is for a reason. She runs, not looking back. She hears Aaron yell in pain, and she breaks down outside of the dorm building. She wipes her tears and walks into the building, but sees an unexpected visitor.