The Stories I'll Never Write

The Walk Home

"You know, most people find me intimidating."

"I can see that." I said with a smile, watching her zip up her boots. "But whatever they find intimidating, I just find endearing."

She side eyed me with an eyeroll, a shy smile on her lips as her hair fell into her face. She stood up, brushed down her shirt and reached for her jacket, I grabbed it before she could and held it out for her.

"You're not going to win me over by being a gentleman." She whispered as she put her arms in, stepping away from me and buttoning it quickly.

"Win you over? I thought I had already done that." I chuckled, leaning against the doorframe.

"Oh, have you?" She asked, crossing her arms. "And why would you think that?"

"Well, youre giving me the time of day Id say that counts for something right?"

She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it with a smile.

"I suppose youre right."

"Would you let me walk you home? I promise Im not being a gentleman; I just happen to need something from the store near your place."

"Ahhh yes of course, just happen to need to go that way at well past midnight?"

"Of course! You never know, I might get lucky, and they might still be open."

She giggled and nodded, grabbing her purse from the table.

As we left, I held out my hand while we walked down the stairs and she held it without letting go. She walked closely next to me as the snow fell silently around us in the soft glow of the streetlamps.

"I dont know why people hate the snow so much." She whispered, as if talking at normal volume may wake those in the houses on the street. "Its so still and quiet, as if youre the only one left in existence."

"I think people more so dont like the cold." I chuckled.

"I guess youre right, maybe Im just warm blooded." She laughed back, pulling my arm in closer to her. "Don't worry, Ill make sure you dont freeze."

"Well, whos the one being a gentleman now." I whispered back to her, giving her hand a little squeeze.

She shook her head, smiling at me. Her dark hair looked beautiful in the lamp light; the snow looked like perfectly placed glitter.

In that moment, my feet hit a patch of ice and I tried to let go of her hand as to not take her down with me but she held on tight and held me up.

"Well look at you, I have to make sure you can make it to the store in one piece, right?" She giggled as I found my footing.

"I guess youre right." I laughed, beginning the walk again. "Apparently Im like a newborn giraffe the minute it begins to snow."