Traveling Star, Wandering Chaos

I Don't Like Snow Anymore

"Mẹ, Mẹ, nhìn kìa trời đang có tuyết rơi!" I shouted, pointing at the falling white snow from my window. Mẹ nodded, sweeping the floor with an old broom. I turned to her, getting off from the couch, "Con đi ra ngoai chơi được không??" I asked.

Mẹ looked down at me and patted my head, "Được nhưng phải mặc ấm nhé," she agreed. I nodded, running upstairs, and rummaging through my closet for my winter coat. I put on a sweater, long socks, pants, and a coat and rushed down the stairs; I tugged on Mẹ's shirt, asking, "Con đi được chưa?"
Mẹ nodded, crouching down to zip up my jacket and pull up my hood. She went upstairs and came back with her coat on, then followed me to the backyard.

I ran through the thick snow, scooped up a handful of snow, and threw it around, sending the white powder high into the sky as Mẹ watched me from the deck. It didn't take long for me to slip on the icy ground and fall on my butt. Mẹ ran from the deck, pulled me up from the snow, and brushed the white powder off my pants. "Bạn có ổn không?" she asked, looking really worried.

At the time I just smiled, "Con không sao Ma," I scooped up as much snow as I could hold and held it up with both hands and showed it to her, "Con có thể giữ cái này được không?"

Her worried face turned into confusion, as she asked, "Tại sao?"

"Để tôi có thể cho Minh xem khi anh ấy về với ông!" I answered.

-----*-----

Man, I was really stupid as a kid. Well, this was one of the first times I had seen snow, and I was like eleven, so I'll give past-me a pass this time. But only this time.

Sigh. I miss those times! Every time it snowed, I'd drag Mẹ or Minh outside to play in the backyard with me. We built so many snowmen that it looked like we were raising an army, and snowball fights would turn into all-out warfare. Winter was probably the most fun season for me. But now, a harsh cold wind had run through the cave entrance making me hug my blanket tighter; Yeah, I don't think I like snow anymore.

I rubbed my hands together and bundled myself up in my blanket. Cold, so cold. Why'd we have to end up in Antarctica? It's fucking freezing- I mean, that was obvious, it's snowing outside, but that doesn't mean I can't complain about it! Another gust of freezing air blew through the cave. Oh for fucks sake! I looked over to my bag with my Graphien book inside. If I could just get to it then I could start a fire. I reached for it but more cold was coming. I drew back my hand. Oh my god, at this point becoming machine fuel is better than this. At least I wouldn't suffer before I die. I think. Then I heard a crunch of snow, "Have you found anything?"

"If some wet twigs count, then yes," Minh answered, holding some sticks in his gloved hand.

"Is this all?"

"Oh, I apologize for my insufficient hall, Madam! Unfortunately, trudging through a snowy wasteland for hours in search of sticks is quite difficult to accomplish!"

"Okay, okay, I get it," I rolled my eyes and stared at the stick in his hands, "This should be enough to start a fire," I added, turning to my bag, "Can you get my Graphien book?"

"Do you have leprosy?"

"No."

"Then you get it."

"Fine," I conceded; scooting towards my school bag, I felt a gust of cold , bitter air brush by my neck, and stopped. I looked at Minh, who'd been watching me, and I put on my best puppy face, "Minh, it's too cold, can you get my book for me?"

"No."

"Dang it," I failed. I should've known that wouldn't work on him. Welp, at least I tried... maybe if I try one more time. But the moment I turned back to him, but he looked at me with the 'mom' stare... never mind, it's not worth it. I scooted over to my bag and quickly snatched my Graphien book before retreating my hand back into my blanket. I scooted back to my spot, seeing that Minh had set up the sticks like a sad mini fire pit. How stupidly depressing! God, I'm starting to sound like Minh's emo ass. I opened my book and flipped to a fire spell, "φιℜ𝔈." A golden flame ignited in my hand- so warm. I moved it to the sad fire pit and watched as the sticks caught on fire and burned a red-hot flame. Oh, my god, I feel so much better! I moved closer to the fire with Minh sitting down next to me. "Aren't you warm enough already?" I asked, staring at the layers of thick winter clothing he was wearing.