The Exchange

Chapter 32

"Hey check it out. It's snowing!" I snap my head towards the window at Niall's comment. He's right, little white flakes are floating to the surface and sparkling on the porch. I move closer to the back door to look out at the sight.

"I guess that means winter isn't far away." Harry mumbles standing behind me.

"I hope it's not as bad as last years winter." Liam states and everyone mumbles their agreement.

"It's okay, we have an extra hand to help shovel this year." Harry laughs.

"Harry, We aren't going to make Mira shovel." Louis protests but I shake my head.

"Why not? Shoveling isn't that bad." I say, "It's kind of relaxing and a good strength workout."

"Yup, she's definatley helping to shovel the stairs." Harry repeats and I nod.

"Do you like winter?" Louis asks making me shake my head quickly.

"Of course not! But it is something you get used to." I shrug, "You know, the first snow fall is magical."

"Really?" Niall asks.

"Yeah, they say if you make a wish on the first flakes of the season it will bring what you ask for."

"I wish there was no winter in London." Louis mumbles getting up from the table. I giggle knowing that many people would like the same thing, including me.

"So what are you wishing for then Mira?" Liam asks. I ponder for a minute. Every year I ask for those perfect four years of highschool I've always planned. Come to think about it, the snow kind of brought me my wish, just not in an expecting way.

"Good grades?" I say but I know that's not actually what I want. I already have what I've always wanted. I think hard for a moment but then it comes to me. Something I've kind of already been wishing for but not on something concrete.

***

Strangley the snow doesn't melt away instantly. It lies on every visible surface outside until somoeone comes and steps on it and melts it away. There are alot of places no one steps on though and the snow accumulates and builds up.

I walk on the man made path through the field on my way home from school on another snowy December day. My hair is blown off my neck and I feel a chill run down my spine from the snow that's getting inside my jacket. I think I'll have to make myself a hat.

""Hey Mira!" Harry calls as I approach the steps with a shovel in his hand.

"Hey." I say bouncing up the stairs and opening my arms to give him a hug. "I'll just put down my bag and come help you."

"You don't need to love, I'm almost done."

"It's not a big deal. Why are you the only one shoveling." Harry just shrugs in response so I nod as if understanding. "I'll be right back."

I open the front door and dust some of the snow off my coat.

"Hey guys." I call dropping my bag infront of my bedroom door and putting my boots back on.

"Where are you going?" Louis asks.

"To help Harry."

"Why?"

"Because he's shoveling alone. Besides, two hands are better than one."

"He didn't tell you he lost the bet." Niall suggests. Wait what bet?

"What bet?"

"We were playing quarters."

"Okay then." I nod. They are so weird but I love them! "We'll be in, in a minute."