The Untold Story

The Snow Ball

It's been 6 years since that Christmas. The children have grown up. And this year for the first time they will attend the Snow Ball, which is held annually on the eve of the Christmas holidays.
When the event was first announced, Ezra knew for sure that he wanted to go with Elodie. But he didn't know how to invite her. He wasn't sure if she would want to go with him. Elodie has been courted by a lot of boys, but she has never returned their affection. But Ezra decided to take a chance.
After one of the lessons, when they were alone, Elodie noticed the strange behavior of a friend and asked, smiling slightly:
"Ezra, are you okay? You look a little strange today. You've been avoiding me all day".
"I...uh... I'm just... I'm all right. Don't worry" - Ezra replied, slightly embarrassed, and turned away to stare out the window.
"And yet there's something you're not telling me" - Elodie walked over to Ezra and held out her hand, turning his head so that their eyes met - "Are you afraid of me?" - she laughed a little.
Ezra couldn't help but chuckle, too.
"This is ridiculous, Elodie".
"Says the man who's been shying away from me like I'm on fire all day. Tell me what happened?" - she crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Ezra seriously. There wasn't a trace of amusement left in her eyes.
Ezra knew that Elodie would not leave him alone, so he took a deep breath and blurted out in one breath:
"Would you like to go to the Snow Ball with me?"
Elodie frowned at the question, and then she was laughing out loud:
"I'd love to go to the Snow Ball with you".
Ezra stared at Elodie, unable to believe what he had just heard.
"You're not joking?"
"I never joke about such things".
"I've been restless all day, thinking about how to invite you. I thought you'd say no" - he said, still not looking at Elodie.
"Why were you so sure of that?"
"You've already been invited by several boys, and you've turned them all down. So how do I differ from them?" - Ezra frowned now.
"What do you think?"
And Elodie gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"I'll meet you at 7 pm near my house" - she said, and ran out of the classroom.
Ezra just stood there, unable to believe his luck.

At 7 pm, as agreed, Ezra was standing on the porch of Elodie's house. The weather today was wonderful, so he decided to wait for his friend outside, breathing in the fresh frosty air. Less than 5 minutes later, Elodie left the house with her parents. Mr. Bauer greeted Ezra cheerfully, patting him on the shoulder. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bauer was fixing Elodie's hair. Ezra was speechless when he saw Elodie. She was so beautiful that he couldn't help but sigh in admiration. She was wearing a snow-white dress covered with sparkling sequins. It seemed she floats. Her hair was pulled back in a neat updo and secured with a snowflake-shaped clip. Elodie was beaming. She quickly threw on her coat. Then Mr. and Mrs. Bauer wished them to have a good time, and Ezra and Elodie went to the ball.
Ezra and Elodie were startled as they entered the hall. Everything seemed so grand here. The entire ballroom was full of guests. Ezra and Elodie immediately noticed their friends. Owain and Mathilde were standing near the far wall, talking furiously. The Ezra and Elodie went to them.
"Hi, everyone!" - Elodie immediately rushed to hug them.
"We're glad to see you, too" - Owain groaned in Elodie's suffocating embrace.
"Hi, I hope we're not interrupting you" - Ezra nodded in greeting and shook Owain's hand.
"Not at all. We were getting bored. And this is despite the fact that the evening has just begun" - Mathilde winked at the guys. And they all laughed together.
The guests kept arriving. In the midst of the celebration a waltz was announced. Ezra and Elodie circled around the hall, enjoying each other's company.
When the dance was over, Elodie suggested that they go for a walk to refresh themselves.
"It's a beautiful starry night today" - Ezra sighed, looking up at the evening sky. He liked to look at the stars, it was comforting.
"I can't argue with that" - Elodie smiled. A faint flush rose to her cheeks. It looked even more beautiful in the moonlight, and Ezra couldn't help but admire her. This did not escape the girl's eyes. Ezra had never been able to hide anything from her. But this time she decided not to tell him.
"Elodie, I've been meaning to tell you..." - Ezra began, but stopped when he met Elodie's eyes.
She looked at him calmly, waiting for him to continue.
"You're an amazing girl. You've always been special. Even as a child you struck me. Your openness, your kindness" - the words were confused, so Ezra took a deep breath and continued - "You are smart, beautiful and always strive to help people. And your smile... it can illuminate the whole world. When I'm around you, I feel fuller. And I want to protect you from any danger. I ..." - he looked at Elodie - "I love you, Elodie. I've always loved you".
Elodie walked over to him and looked into his dark eyes, which reflected the moonlight.
"I love you too, Ezra" - she put her hand on his cheek.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course" - she smiled and continued - "You always helped me out if I got into trouble. You are cheerful, caring and always ready to help. We've been through so much, and I don't know what I'd do without you".
Elodie rose slightly on her toes and kissed Ezra on the lips. Ezra returned the kiss, placing his hands on Elodie's waist. They stood for a while in the fresh, frosty air and kissed, oblivious to the gaze fixed on them from the shadow of the building.