strangers.

c h a p t e r | 1 2

"Do you believe in love?"

The question had come off as something near casual and close to thoughtful. Sofia kicked at the small chunks of snow and ice in her pat, her sheepish gaze deliberately not resuming upwards. It was a thought she often had; a question she had contemplated herself before. Eventually she came to the conclusion that love was lot of thing: rare yet true, difficult yet precious, dangerous yet beautiful. From her perspective, it was something not granted to everyone, especially not easily. But she couldn't but wonder what that would feel like: to be completely and utterly in love.

Ian face scrunched up, making a thoughtful noise. He thought about everything he knew and didn't know. Did he believe in love? There were some people that believed in soulmates; two souls destined to unite. He didn't really think that was the case.

"I think I do. That a single person could make you smile just by walking into the room, that just spending time with someone could make your whole damn week." He exhaled before continuing."Yeah, I believe in love."

He stared out, a small smile on his face. He was zoned out in his own thoughts, obviously something related to what they had been talking about. Little did he know, Sofia was looking up at him, judging his expression. For some reason, seeing the elated expression on his face, and the possibility that that could be because of someone else, had an unknown feeling gripping her heart.

She looked back down, noting the details of her shoes, trying to stop the hurt from physically presenting itself on her facial features. She was half surprised when she heard his voice asking the next question in the game.

"First kiss?"

He tried to say nonchalantly, but even he even cringed inwardly as he heard himself utter those words. Well fuck. Why did he ask that question if he knew the answer would affect him regardless?

To his complete surprise, the girl didn't answer. Instead, a pink blush was painted on her cheeks. After a moment or two of nothing, she shook her head. Shock was clear in Ian's expression. She hadn't hadn't had her first kiss? Unbelievable.

She was an amazing person, so kind and wonderful. Not to mention she was beautiful looking, to say the least.

No matter how skeptical he was, the news brought him a sense of happiness, and dare he say, relief. He almost actually let out a breath of relief, but stopped himself, because he realized that explaining that would be a slightly awkward situation.

The girl beside him was drowning in different thought. First, the feelings, and now this? She already knew that anyone she would ever care for would end up suffering, some way or another, yet here she was, with him. Not only that, but apparently fate had decided that this was a perfect situation for her to embarrass herself. Why didn't she just lie? She could've said that it was a long time ago, or she didn't remember it, but no, she just had to go ahead and tell him that she had never been. Sure she had own insecurities, but this somewhat put a cherry on top of it all. What would he think? Would it finally tell him, ' hey! I'm an awkward person who nobody really likes. You shouldn't either!'

Rather, Ian found the words stumbling out of his mouth before his conscious comprehend then. But of course, on the outside, his tone came off as casual as nonchalant.

"Yeah? Then tell me what you would imagine to have your first kiss like."

Sofia couldn't believe she was having this conversation with Ian of all people, but she didn't hesitate much before answering. Her voice gradually showed more hints of giddiness as she spoke.

"It's funny, kinda, actually. Um, I actually always had this thing for a kiss in the snow. I mean, kisses in the rain are romantic and all, but I just imagined my first kiss being in the falling snow. Beautiful flurries and all."