a simple love story

1.(Kate's pov)

Morning of the first day of sophomore year, and I was already weary. The lack of motivation weighed heavily on me as I glanced out the window at the haunting snowy weather. But, of course, I had to go. With a sigh, I got up, folded my bedsheets, and began getting ready. It was almost eight, and I had a lecture at 8:45. I grabbed my bag and headed to the bus stop.
The sky was still dark, and snow was falling steadily. Once, I might have romanticized the beauty of falling snow, but now I just despised it. I stood at the crowded bus stop, shivering. When the bus arrived, the crowd surged forward, and I almost fell, but I managed to get on. I couldn't afford to be late for the first lecture of the semester.

I finally reached the lecture hall and saved seats for my friends. "I swear to God, I don't like this freaking winter," said Phoebe , one of my roommates, as she plopped down beside me.
"Agree," chimed in Anne, another roommate, as she sat on my other side.
"Where is Sara?" I asked, looking around.
"Don't know," P replied with a shrug.
The lecture started, and by the time it ended at 10:30, we had a break until 1 PM. We decided to head to the cafeteria to kill some time. The warmth and the smell of coffee were a welcome relief from the cold outside.

After finishing our classes for the day, my roommates and I headed back to the dorm. It was 8:30 PM when we finally reached. We freshened up and started preparing for dinner. As I walked into the kitchen, I saw him. He was standing there with headphones on, watching his phone, just like the first time I had seen him.

But this time, things were different. I knew him now, and he had a way of making my heart flutter every time our paths crossed. He looked up, saw me, and smiled, a smile that seemed to melt the chill of winter, if only for a moment.
"Hey," he said, pulling off his headphones.

"How was your first day back?"

"Exhausting," I replied with a small laugh.

There it was. The awkward silence after small talk. Whenever he is around, I can’t seem to be talkative anymore. I really wanted to talk to him more, but what could I do? I was bad at this.

“How was yours?” I asked with a small smile.
“It was nice.”
“Great.” Again!

I proceeded to cook while he stood near the kitchen window, the soft glow of the evening light casting a warm halo around him. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was charged with an unspoken anticipation. I stirred the pot on the stove, stealing glances at him, wondering if he felt the same.

He moved closer, the scent of his cologne mixing with the aroma of dinner. 

“What are you making?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“Just some porridge,” I answered in a low voice.

“Where are your roommates?”

“Oh, they are busy with something else,” I said.

“Hmm.”

“Which classes did you have today?”

“Ah, one lecture and two classes,” I told him about today’s schedule.

“It’s kinda hectic, right?” He smiled knowingly, being a senior and all.
I nodded my head with a smile.

“It’s okay. I know you’ll get used to it,” he said, patting my head gently.
I was taken aback because it had been so long since he last patted my head. The simple gesture made my heart race even more.

“OK, bye,” he said, leaving after that.
I was left standing there, my face blank but my heart and stomach full of butterflies. The kitchen felt empty without him, but the warmth from his touch lingered. I smiled to myself, feeling a new excitement about the semester ahead. As I stirred the porridge, I couldn't help but replay our brief conversation in my mind, savouring every word and every glance.

Maybe winter wasn’t so bad after all. It was, after all, the season that brought him closer to me.

But if you’re thinking that something is going on between us, you’re totally wrong. It’s purely one-sided—my side. He’s just kind-hearted, treating me like any senior would treat a junior. Yet, my heart tells me he’s different with me. But I don’t want to be delusional.

I completed cooking and brought the pot to the room. My roommates and I ate together, chatting and laughing as we sat on the floor. After doing the dishes, I started my homework and prepared for tomorrow's classes. Still, I couldn't help but replay that small interaction with him in my mind over and over again. I found myself smiling like a fool, but I couldn't help it.

Every time I thought about his smile, his gentle pat on my head, my heart danced. It was a small moment, but to me, it meant everything. The night stretched on, filled with textbooks and notes, but my mind was elsewhere, lost in the warmth of his brief touch and the hope that maybe, just maybe, this winter would bring us closer together.