Snowy Heartache: 1

The pure white flakes drifted to the ground heavily, blanketing the ground six inches deep. Businesses were closed, besides a particular few in hopes that someone would come and shop. The small city doesn't get snow often, especially like this, so many people panicked and stayed inside, except for one brave soul.

He grew up in an area where is snowed almost every day, so the thick, fluffy ice didn't bother him nearly as much as it did everyone else. He was causally strolling down the streets, tennis rackets strapped to his leather boot clad feet, hands stuffed in pockets, deep red scarf wrapped tightly around his mouth and neck for warmth. He took a deep breathe, savoring the icy sweet smell of the snow. The peace was relaxing to him, not a single soul was out and making a ruckus in the streets, no car motors roaring past or the honking of annoyed drivers at civilians crossing the street. No sound was made, not even by a bird. All was silent and that was exactly how he liked it during times like these.

As the brunette passed an alley way, he heard muffed whimpering and sobbing coming from it. The teenager stopped his lovely stroll and peered down the dim alley when he spotted a figure huddled against the wall, snow piled high upon their head indicating that they have been sitting there for a while.

The figure's back was turned towards him and judging by the size of their frame he came to the conclusion that it was a girl. Why is she out here in this snow?...Maybe the same reason you are. He mentally scolded himself as he realized that she had no jacket and only her loose pajamas on. Trending softly he advanced towards her, trying not to frighten her. She was sitting on her feet, arms folded against her stomach in an attempt to keep them warm.

Once the brunette was in front of the girl, he tapped her lightly on her snow covered head, but she didn't look up. He could hear the clattering of teeth and soft whimpering coming forth from her blue lips. When she didn't respond, he kneeled in front of her to get a better look at her. His eyes widened when he saw her face. Orbs the size of sauces showed sadness and fear swimming around within her; numbness of the very edge of her pale green irises. Tears fell to the ground beneath her and her caramel colored hair hung in her face in wet and iced strands.

Wait, I know this girl. She's in my classes. He thought in shock as he stared at her bewildered. What is a straight A student like her doing out here in her pajamas? She always dressed well, not fancy or bummed out, but well and never let herself look un- presentable. The young male could not recall a time where she ever went out in public bummed out, let alone in her pajamas. Her name was right on the tip of his tongue and before he knew it, he had said her name.

"Vera?" He said softly, placing a decently warm hand on the girls frozen shoulder. When she didn't reply he said her name again.

"Vera, it's me Levi." The brunette said hoping she would at least recall his name, though they had never really spoken in person except maybe twice. Vera twitched slightly and turned her frozen fear filled head to him, her eyes still wide. Levi let out a small sigh of relief that the girl was still alive.

"What are you doing out here in the cold without a jacket for goodness sakes? Are you crazy?" He asked bewildered that she didn't even have a jacket. The male took off his deep gray jacket and wrapped it around the shaking shoulders of the shivering girl. Levi was worried about the girl in front of him; he had never seen her like this. She was always collected and calm, but now, what he saw scared him. The light headed girl didn't reply, just simply stared at him with her pale eyes. He noticed for the first time how pale she was and how cold her body was when he touched her bare arm.

"Let me take you back home." He offered when she said nothing, but he was not expecting the reaction the girl gave him to that statement.

"No!" She yelled suddenly, startling the poor man. "No, no, no! You can't! Please, no!" She begged him, new tears falling from her frightful eyes. Vera gripped the side of her head as she shook it back and forth in a panicky way. This took Levi off guard for a second before he placed his rather large hands back on Vera's shoulders to stop her from shaking and moving. Vera flinched but she stopped moving.

"Okay, okay! I won't! But do you have any other place to go?" Inquired Levi as he gazed at the shaken teen. Why doesn't she want to go home? He wondered while Vera sat in silence.

"No." She finally said softly, moving her eyes to look at his sapphire ones with such sadness that it almost crushed his heart. The right side of his mouth dropped slightly as he thought.

"I can take you to my apartment until you feel better." Offered Levi kindly with a small, warming smile. Vera hesitated, pursing her lips and glancing down before giving him a quiet answer.

"Okay," No trace of a smile was found upon her lips; however her eyes showed how scared she was going to some stranger's house. But she remembered him. He was the quiet kid that had a hot temper. The kids were scared of him when they were little but as they grew older, people began to grow found of him and eventually he had a constant commotion around him.

"Alright then," he nodded his head before standing up, offering a hand to the snow covered girl. "The snow is starting to pick up, we better hurry. I don't have a car but I live only a few blocks from here." Levi stated looking out into the street. The snow had become thicker on the ground and in the air, he had to brush half an inch of snow off his shoulder before he stood up.

Vera just stared at Levi's hand, wondering if this was the right thing to do. If he would do what they did to her. Regardless, he was offering a place to stay that was out of the snow, it was all she had going for her at the moment, plus he didn't seem like he wanted to cause harm to her. She weakly took his strong hand and began to pull herself. However, she had been sitting there for who knows how long and so her legs were like jelly.

Vera wobbled before crashing down onto Levi. This took both teens by surprise, but Vera quickly pushed her self away from the brunette and backed away while trying to keep her balance, holding her sides and head hung low.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Said she softly and quickly, awaiting what he would do. Levi was very confused as to why she acted that way towards a simple stumble. She hadn't caused him to fall, anything it just too him off guard and stumbled slightly catching her before she fell.

"Hey, it's fine. Can you walk?" He inquired brushing off her actions. She nodded her head.

"Yeah,"

"Alright, well then let's get going." Levi began to trudge through the snow, his tennis rackets still attached to his feet. Behind him Vera took a shaky step forward and then another sinking into the deep snow before falling face first into the cold soft fluff, the gray coat, fluttering over her head. She hissed as the cold traveled through her thin long-sleeve and onto a burn she had on her arm.

Levi whipped around and chuckled lightly before helping the poor girl up. Vera glared at him for he had a smirk on his lips as he did so.

"Don't laugh at me." She pouted slightly.

"Sorry but seeing someone laying face first in the snow is pretty funny." He admitted with a shrug. "You sure you're able to walk?" He asked again as Vera brushed the freezing snow off of her.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She said again, knowing she wouldn't be able to. Vera was a hard-headed girl even if she was calm and nice. But that still didn't stop her from butting heads with someone when she was determined about something.

"Then go on. Let's see if you can." Levi told her, crossing his arms in an amused manner, knowing she wouldn't be able to. Vera huffed before taking an unbalanced step. Her leg gave out and she began to fall, but luckily Levi knew this and was prepared to catch her.

"I know you couldn't. Now don't be so stubborn and let me carry you." He told her and proceeded to lift her up bridal style. Her heart just about exploded as he heaved her up with ease. Vera froze, terrified at her sudden loss of contact with the earth. She clutched his shirt and buried her face within the crimson scarf that surrounded Levi's neck.

A small chuckle escaped Levi's lips as he started his walk back home, his tennis racket shoes sinking slightly into the snow due to the extra weight. Vera was shivering as the wind whipped and lashed at their faces and clothing.