When Snow Falls

Winter... the coldest season of the year. When snow and ice make driving harder and risky. The time of year that requires jackets, hats, scarfs, mittens, boots and long socks. The best time for warm cuddles by the fire, blankets and hot cocoa. My name is Abigail Seymor. I am 15 years old and I love winter. When I was younger my big brother Jackson and I used to make snowmen and have snowball fights. Those were the good old days; before Jacks was shipped out to the Navy. Now it’s just me and my mom. My father had retired after about 12 years of service in the U.S army. He passed away two winters ago in a terrible blizzard. We have a nice cozy Cottage at the edge of town. And just beyond the clearing is a beautiful pond. I always go there to relax and escape the day to day troubles. But in winter, there is no place I’d rather be. If I'm late for dinner, chores or out late at night. Go past our cottage, through the woods, into the clearing, and there, just beyond the trees you will see me gliding along ever so gracefully across the sparkling frozen Lotus Pond. This winter is the coldest one yet. My mom is worried about how we will survive this winter. After all, our food supply has been rather scarce. Food in town is beyond low; they haven’t restocked the stores in almost a month. And here I am writing in my journal while my mom goes shopping and Ghost, our beautiful, fluffy, white Siberian husky, sits by my feet gnawing on an old bone. A moment later my mom bursts through the door. As she does the door swings open and a gust of cold air swooshes in; sending shivers down my spine. “ Abigail !” she hollers. “ Abby !” I hear her call again as the front door slams shut and I come running to see what goodies she brought home from the store. As mom hangs her jacket, Ghost runs to his bowl and whimpers. I decide to snoop through the bags of food as I ask “What’s for dinner mom?” To which she asks “How about Creamy Turkey and Vegetable Casserole?” “Sounds good to me. Would you like any help?” “No, I got it... Did you take Ghost out for a walk today?” She asked, eyeing him as he scratched at the door and whimpered. “NO…” I say as I roll my eyes. Don’t judge, I had plans to hang out with Malcolm and his friends. But, I can’t tell my mom that; there’s no way she’ll understand. After all, Malcolm is only the hottest boy in school. With his thick curly hair, and his biceps, his deep, brown, mysterious eyes. I think with a sigh. Ugh! Why do things never go according to how I plan? I walk over to our telephone and call Malcolm and let him know I wouldn't be able to make it. "I have to take Ghost out for a walk. My mom wants me back in right after so..." "It's cool. I have a writing assignment my mom needs me to do. I'll see you at school tomorrow." "Okay...good night." "Good night." We say and hang up the phone. “ Here boy. Let’s go for a walk.” I call walking over to open the door. Ghost happily replies with a bark. "Grab a jacket!" Mom yells from the kitchen.

"YES!" I squealed as I left Mrs. Hob's office. I was at the Winter Wonderland ice skating rink. I had just sealed the deal and entered into one of the world's greatest ice skating competitions.! People from all over the world are joining! "Auditions begin next Friday! Practice, practice, practice!" Mrs. Hob's announced. Turning to me she says with a smile, "You can only get better." On my way over to the benches I see Malcolm walk in. "OH GOD, Oh God, Oh GOD!" I scream in my head. "Please don't see me, Please don't see me!" I prayed, as I hunted for my duffle bag. I turn around and "AaaKk!" I shout. He was right behind me! "Hey Abigail." He says ever so casually. "Malcolm.." I say breathlessly. "Looking for something?" He asks. " Yeah my duffle bag" I say as I continue my search. "This one?" I turned around and in his hands was my bag."Th-Thank you." Ugh, I stuttered God, why can't I ever just be cool! I take a deep breath as he smiles and says "You're welcome." I tuck a strand of stray hair behind my ear and ask, "What are you doing here?" You could imagine my surprise when he said "Looking for you." I tell you I was on the verge of fainting. If Mrs. Hob's didn't come over I probably would have. "Here mom, you're keys." "Thanks hon." She says, "I'll be working late so if you can pick up your sister from ballet, that'd be great." Mrs. Hob's says and walks away. "MOM??!" I say wide-eyed and maybe a little too loud. Malcolm quickly looks at me with his fingers to his lips. "SHHHH!" I give him a confused look and he explains, in a hushed voice "Nobody knows that." "Why?" I ask "Because..." "Because what?" I ask, still whispering. He sighs. I can tell he's uncomfortable with the topic. "Let's get out of here, yeah?" He asks spontaneously. "And go... where?" "You hungry? I am. Let's, go to Jimmy's." "Yeah..o-okay..sure..." I was stunned. Malcolm is asking me to go with him to only the best cafe in town! Oh God is this a...date!?!

At the cafe Malcolm and I ordered hot chocolate and scones. I ask why he doesn't like people to know his mother is Mrs. Hob's. "She's only the world's best ice skating champion for 10 years straight!" I say "Yeah I know. It’s just... well, She and I have been on the outs lately.." "Why's that?" I ask "Well she wants me to join the tournament but I want to focus on playing football." "Wait...you SKATE!?!" "Yeah..." he says with a chuckle and rubs the back of his neck. "Cool.." "Yeah, I guess.." "..maybe we can dance sometime at the Lotus pond...if you're not too busy that is." "I don't really do that sort of thing anymore.." "Oh, okay. Well, don't feel too bad when I win that scholarship and 100 k." I say slyly, hoping to somewhat change his mind. "That's how it is, huh? You think you're that good?" " Yes I do." I say tauntingly "Okay. Let's put it to the test. Tomorrow after school at the Winter Wonderland ice rink." He says smiling "Okay, bet! I''ll be there!" I said grinning and we shook on it. Later that night at dinner I told my mom about my day. She's really excited for me. "Please just remember to be safe alright." "Of course mother." I said then, kissed her on her cheek and went to bed. The next morning, just before the sun rose and the birds blessed the forest with their beautiful song, I went out to practice.

Later that day I made due on the bet Malcolm and I made. Never in my life have I felt so in sink and one with the ice and blade. He taught so much. I think he realized how much he likes skating. "Join the tournament with me." I blurted. He chuckled and hugged me. I'll think about it. Malcolm tucked my hair back, staring into my eyes he said " I like dancing with you Abby." I blushed and smiled. I mean what more could I say. He just smiles and says “Want to go again?” I nodded and we danced until my mom came and called me in for dinner. She even invited Malcolm to dine with us! Over the next few weeks Malcolm and I danced. He even agreed to enter the tournament with me too. But, that's not the best of it. Malcolm asked me to be his girlfriend! "Two more weeks Abby, we gotta get that move down. Are you ready?" I nodded "Okay, from the top now come on." I've been falling all over this ice. The move is to mount Malcolm as he balances me with one arm. I am to leap off into the air with a toe loop, lutz and axel. So far I've got the toe loop. The axel isn't so hard it's just a matter of landing without breaking my ankle and keeping balance.

Malcolm: 'So far Abby has the steps, it's just a matter of her executing them. She seems scared.' "Abby try just doing the steps, yeah? Maybe you can get a better feel for the move." Malcolm says to me "Alright" I reply. He glides to the end of the pond to rest a moment he seems tired. If only i can get this move right. I pick up my pace, taking a deep breath, I jump, twist in the air and..."Aaaaaaaahhhh!!!"

I screamed as I fell through the ice. "ABBY!" I hear Malcolm yell, but I can't move. My airways are clogged and my vision is clouded. Next thing I know it's pitch black.

Malcolm: I pull Abby from the pond. Her pulse is faint. Her breathing isn't steady. I call her name, nothing. I gently pick her up and start to walk back to the cabin. That is when snow falls. "Malcolm...." I hear Abby say in a raspy voice. "Shh.." I say gently. "You'll be okay.I'm taking you home." We called the doctor. He has us come in immediately. He tells us Abigail will be alright but she will need to rest a few weeks.

As I lay in the hospital, the snow fell harder and harder. Mom brought us hot cocoa every once in a while. Malcolm refused to leave my side. Even when morning came and he had to go to school. He stayed all the more. Finally his mother came and told him by the third day to come home and rest. I reassured him that I'd be okay. We shared a bitter-sweet kiss that lingered and he left. And the snow fell. It fell on the ground, on our school,my mom’s car, our cozy little cabin and...the snow fell on the lovely Lotus Pond.