trust // a short story

t r u s t

He was like the wind.

He arrived in a rush, bringing the bitter cold of winter with him.

He churned the air, twisting and swirling my emotions like a single sock in a washing machine, tossing me around in an endless cycle of pain.

But first, I loved him.

It started on a crisp December day, the smell of Christmas abundant. The sun was hanging low in the sky, casting the perfect lighting on this winter wonderland. I twirled around as fluffy white snowflakes drifted about me, landing peacefully on my eyelashes and bringing joyful giggles to my lips. The sound of bells surrounded me and I closed my eyes, spinning faster and faster until my foot caught on a patch of black ice.

I panicked as I approached the glass-encased asphalt until I collided with a hard surface. Only, this surface was upright. And very warm.

"Looks like you literally fell for me, huh?"

My eyes tightly closed, I slowly cracked open one of my lids, peering at the person who spoke. The person who just happened to be holding me in his arms.

"I'm sorry," I gasped, trying to speak.  The shock of it all was still wearing on me.

"Don't be. It's not every day a beautiful girl falls into my arms."

I chuckled nervously, finally looking at him head-on. All words escaped me at that most unfortunate moment.

"I'm Penelope," I finally managed, coming to my senses. Dang, he was cute.

"I'm Felix. It's nice to meet you, Penny."

"It's Penelope." Really cute.

"Okay. So, Penny, why were you spinning around in the snow, exactly?"

He finally released his grip on me and I stared down at my feet, distancing myself. His contact was making my head spin.

"I really like snow." I grinned sheepishly.

His blue-green eyes danced with amusement. "You like it so much... You decided to spin around with your eyes closed? On ice?"

"I got a little carried away," I said defiantly. "What's it to you?"

"Hey," he held his hands up in a surrendering gesture, "Just asking.

"You look cold. Why don't I buy you a hot chocolate?" He stuffed his hands in his pockets with his head tilted down, glancing at me through his lashes. I felt an urge to ruffle his messy hair.

"Sorry. My mom always taught me to not accept anything from strangers." The corner of my lips curled into a small smirk, threatening to break into a broad grin.

His mouth mirrored mine. "But we're not strangers. I'm Felix and you're Penny. We know each other. And besides, I kinda just saved your life back there."

I hadn't realized we started walking. "That's fair," I conceded, not at all disappointed. "I guess I have to let you make it up to me somehow."

His lips did become a full grin after that. "Great. I'll show you the greatest little cafe in the entire world."

***

Several hours later, it was dark and quiet. The cafe closed long ago, and we spent that entire time chatting. He made me laugh and smile and feel alive. He sparked something in me I never knew I could feel.

"I had a fun night," Felix said, tilting his head at me in an adorable way. "I hope we see each other again."

"Me too."  I smiled brighter than I was in the first place. Which was pretty fricking bright.