Once Upon a Winter

Chapter 2

7th November 2005 (Age-15)

I instantly regretted agreeing to Zack's idea once our tandem speedily spinned down the sloped street on its own.

Zack's hair was playfully tousled by the wind hitting us while mine whirled like a hurricane. We were racing down the path walk, near the fence that outlined our town forest, mostly used as a tourist attraction.

And in Autumn, must I add, it was breathtakingly beautiful. Leaves painted cheerful yellows and reds and oranges that induced pleasure and joy just by looking at them.

Zack abruptly jammed his foot on the speed brakes, once a three year old crossed our way, and tossed me over like a bull that jerked you far.

I landed flat on my back, luckily in a pile of raked leaves, Zack's voice was a worried shout as he hastily ran over to where I was. "Alice!" He exclaimed, his brows snapped together in visible concern. "Are you hurt?"

He pulled me to sit up by the shoulders and inspected me just to make sure I wasn't bleeding.

"I'm fine," I assured him with a smile standing up, and then playfully smacking his shoulder.

"What was that for?" He muttered, rubbing his shoulder.

"For being crazy enough to bring us down this road on a tandem!" I remarked.

The wind sent a few leaves from certain trees swaying magically to the ground, the setting sun peaking through golden tree limbs, covered with yellow maple leaves. Zack stared up, before inhaling heavenly, thoroughly enjoying the season.

"Alice I'll let you take the front seat on the tandem if you agree to ride it to Café Candy Cane." Zack bargained with me.

I bit my lip, frowning as I thought. "We'll go slow?"

He gave me an adorable lope-sided smile. "First seat decides the pace." He shrugged, "So is that a yes?"

I tucked in a strand of my hair, smiling as I nodded and we hopped back on the tandem.

ღ

"S'mores and Hot Chocolate." We said in unison, which didn't surprise me since me and Zack have been coming here and ordering the same thing since I was ten and he was thirteen.

Ellie gave us a knowing smile, not even bothering to write down our order, "And it'll be one Chocolate chip fudge and one Vanilla chocolate syrup ice cream to go with, right?" She more of stated than asked and we both gave her a small nod and approving smile.

Our school bags were slouching on the handles of the tandem, we hadn't gone home since the bell rang and Zack urged me into trying out bicycling together back home-taking the long route. My middle school was in the same campus as his high school, just different buildings. So as you can see, we stuck side by side there too.

Zack cleared his throat, successfully getting my attention, "Alice," he ran a hand through his pure black hair, the messed up spiky hair I've always loved. "Remember how you thought we should have a place just to ourselves-like a secret hide out? Or a place to think?"

I nodded softly, "Yeah." I smiled.

He returned it with a grin, ruffling his hair and letting out a puff of air he breathed, "You're going to love this."

I was eager to know what "this" was and as we paddled, playfully chiding at one another for our small blenders, Zack and I had cycled all the way to the heart of the town.

During Christmas season, it was here where the big Christmas tree would be put up. It was the most beautiful thing to see during the season. Each ornament on the tree from one person belonging to the town. It brought us all together in a special way.