The stars seemed to glare down at Winter through the branches above as though they could see through her calm facade. Leaves rustled in the cold breeze, whispering brazen accusations at her as she wandered through the field. Wildflowers and dry grass gently brushed her ankles with each step she took. The moon emerged from behind a heavy cover of clouds, illuminating the trail of parted flowers and trampled grass behind Winter that would later lead her back home.
She approached a large rock, wrapping her hoodie around her tighter in a futile attempt to stay warm. As soon as she layed down on the rock, a harsh chill crept through her thin jeans. The sky looked down upon her, and she looked back, finding calm in the peaceful scene above her: bare branches silhouetted against the dark sky, punctuated by the white lights of constellations. Laying here in the dark reminded her of once happy memories that were now tainted with pain.
Why, she thought, why did she push me away? The sharp cold of the rock gave her mental pain a physical manifestation, tethering her to the hard surface beneath her. As much as she wanted to avoid the memories of her last relationship, she couldn't help but think of her. The way her smile lit up her world with its brilliance, the way she sang — her voice was as sweet, smooth, with a slight edge. The way she spoke of her as though she was the only one in his world, the only star in her sky. She had worshipped Winter, and Winter her, but then abruptly pushed her away. She wouldn't answer her calls, wouldn't respond to her texts. When she saw her in public, she would leave before they could interact. She avoided anything that would remind her of Winter, as if in denial of what she had done.
Somewhere, deep inside, Winter knew that she had done nothing to drive her away or to trigger her resentful actions toward her. But that didn't stop her from blaming herself.
Why? The question echoed in Winter's head repeatedly, tormenting her. Why did she hurt me like that? Why did she hit me? Why did she leave? What did I do? She had no answers, no explanations for her sudden actions of malice. Her inner turmoil was unfathomable. The frustration was tiring, though, and her eyelids soon grew heavy. She turned her head to the side, gazing out at the field of wildflowers struggling to survive in the December cold, before shutting her eyes. Winter time brings about hard times, she thought, and appropriately, so do I.
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