When a mysterious new guy joins my meteorology class, a blizzard comes to campus.
The new guy is sullen, frosty, and everything he touches turn to ice.
As the snow on campus gets worse, I must help him. Because he says his name is Winter.
And if hi...
Classes have been cancelled due to the extreme weather. I manage to pick up an extra shift in the cafe.
I haven't seen Winter since I was last here.
I can't stop thinking about him.
Sarah sits at the counter; head behind her Mac.
"You know that new guy?" I ask her.
"Mmmhmmm," she says absently, not looking away from her screen.
"What do you think of him?"
She shrugs, looking up at me.
"A little tense," she says. "Hot I suppose, if you like the whole sullen, moody kind of vibe. Why? You like him or something?"
The question surprises me.
"God, no," I say forcefully.
I think of those burning silver eyes, and the energy that seemed to pass between us when he touched me. Even as I say it I'm not sure if I'm telling the truth.
Sarah raises a knowing eyebrow. I shake my head.
"Honestly, it's not that...I just...there's something weird about him....have you noticed that..."
I pause. What I'm about to say is going to sound mad.
I sigh.
"The storms started when he arrived," I blurt.
And he turned a glass of water into a block of ice.
Sarah looks at me confused.
"So what are you saying? He's some kind of supernatural bringer of snow?!"
"Bringer of snow – exactly!"
She laughs.
"You, a Meteorology major, think some guy has brought winter to campus?! You've been working too much, mate," she says going back to her Mac. "If you like him, ask him out. It'll probably do you good to get out!"
I sigh, picking up my hot chocolate.
Suddenly the door bursts open, letting in a gale of wind. A guy stands in the doorway – a panicked expression on his face.
"There's a fight outside," he yells. "Some guy is getting beaten on."
Somehow as he says it, I know exactly who is involved. My heartbeat accelerates.
"Call campus security," I tell Sarah as I jump to my feet.
I don't bother to grab a coat. I rush blindly out into the storm.
It's getting dark already and the weather stings my eyes.
But I see them.
Three guys. And Winter.
I rush forwards. They're shouting at him – taking turns to push him.
Why are they doing this?
"Hey," I shriek. "Stop it. Leave him alone."
The wind circles them, enveloping them in its icy fingers. My hair whips my face as I try to get closer. Winter looks up suddenly as I approach; it's as though he senses me near.
Concern flickers across his face. His eyes blaze silver.
"Get out of here," he roars at me. "I don't want you to see this."
Before I can react, and while he is still looking at me, one of the guys takes a swing and punches him in the face. Winter doesn't even flinch. As his fist makes contact – the guy lets out a bloodcurdling scream. I hear the crunch of his knuckles. He falls back.
He looks at Winter, terrified.
"What are you?!" he shrieks.
The three of them bolt off, leaving Winter and me stood alone in the eye of the storm.
His face is unharmed. He holds my gaze; shame blazes across his features. He puts a large hand over his chest. There is pleading in his eyes.
"I don't know how to make it stop."
Then he turns on his heel and disappears into the blizzard.
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