「 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙎𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙨」

Chapter 3 - Meeting Millie

(3,432 words) Adylene's POV:

The chilly wind blew by me as I swiftly walked through the cold October wind. I pulled my coat a little closer to me and zipped it up a little higher. I looked around my surroundings and saw the familiar park, my smiled brightened up a little brighter seeing all the Halloween decorations. There were orange lights intertwined into most of the bushes and trees, with those fake spider webs that you can buy at the dollar store wrapped around the benches.

I called this my special spot. Well, it wasn't really special at all; it was just a park. But it was special to me. I couldn't even count the number of times I had visited here when everything was becoming just- too much. I always sat at the same bench that I claimed as mine long ago. And when someone sat there, I went and sat on a bench by the playground and watched the little kids playing and being happy.

Where I stood, by the entrance of the park I could see all the striking colors of the treas. Deep oranges and reds and yellows. It was breathtaking and my smile only got brighter and bigger. I settled down on my bench, brought my legs up to my chest and started eating my sandwich.

It was almost like I could taste the cold and I loved it. The people in my school would see the first frost and shake their heads, saying that they couldn't wait until spring. To them not only was spring and summer set in a much more comfortable temperature, but they thought that spring was much more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing then winter. Afterall who could blame them, everything looked and seemed like it was dying at this time of year. But I found winter much more beautiful because of that. Yes, maybe the leaves fell, leaving the tress looking bear and unprotected but winter didn't leave them naked, it gave a blanket of snow to warm them.

Summer was hot and unbearable for me, the hot weather made people wear less clothing, and maybe for them they could be comfortable, but I felt out of place and self-conscious.

Winter was safe for me. The first thought that came to mind when thinking about winter was sitting by a fire, safe and warm and sipping hot cocoa. Even though that hadn't happened in many Christmases past for me, it still brought a sense of comfort to me.

For the trees it may look like they got stripped bear, but for me it felt like another layer of protection was added.

"Hi!" I jumped and looked down and saw a little girl, maybe six or seven, and immediately I calmed down my racing heart.

"Hello," I said quietly, looking at her and then around the park, "Where's your Mummy?"

"Oh, she's watching my sister over there." She pointed towards a little girl, younger than her and a woman playing together.

"Does she know that you're over here?"

"No-o-o, but she can see me! And she always tells me that I can play but I have to stay in her sight, so, it's the same thing! I'm just talking to you!" She exclaimed excitedly and I laughed.

"Oh..." I gestured around uncertainty at her, "Would you like to sit?"

"Yes, please," She made her way up the bench and sat, still wiggling around a little, making me giggle again. "What are you laughing about?"

"W-well, you're just very cute." I said, I turned in my seat to face her with a little smile on my face and in return she giggled and poked my dimple.

"I know. My Momma tells me all the time, and my older brother does too. He's a very nice older brother!"

"Oh? What's he like?"

"He's the bestest! He gives me piggy-back rides, and bakes with me! Although, he isn't a very good baker," She added as an afterthought, but quickly continued, "But! That's okay! Momma says he just needs a girl to straighten him out, but I don't understand that because I'm a girl and he isn't very bend-y looking in the first place."