Always

nine

LUNA

"It's snowing." I breathed out, my eyes catching the numerous snowflakes falling down the sky.

A smile curled on Kyler's lips, his head tipping back as he stared at the sky. A small snowflake came to land on his nose. I laughed, reaching out to flick it.

"It's the first snowfall of the year." He commented and I nodded, meeting his eyes again. They crinkled at the corner as he threw an arm over my shoulders, pulling me to him as we walked back to the front of the building. I didn't question it as we walked away from his car, stepping out into an empty park. People seemed to either be hurrying home because of the cold or this place just wasn't that famous.

The sweater I wore was warm, but not warm enough to protect against the snowfall and Kyler seemed to notice that. His arm tightened around me, his hand gently rubbing my shoulder.

We stopped at one spot in the park as the snow grew thicker and Kyler blew out a breath.

"Wait here." He murmured, not giving me a chance to question or argue as he rushed back to his car. My arms came around me as I stood there, blinking the snowflakes landing on my eyelashes and trying to figure out what he was up to.

Just a moment later, he rushed back and I made out the parka in his hands. "Here."

"Kyler-" But before I could get any more out, he draped the jacket over my shoulders, wrapping it tightly around me.

"You didn't have to." I murmured. He gave me an aggravated look.

"I did. You were shivering your ass off." His arm came around me again and I welcomed the warmth. "Don't want you catching a cold now, do we?"

I tipped my head up to look at him, noticing him already staring down at me. I smiled, reaching up to brush away the snowflakes landing on his hair but it was of no use. I laughed as more began piling up.

"Thank you." I murmured. I had no idea what I was thanking him for; the jacket, taking me to the rooftop or getting me out of my room and mind at this hour. There was just too much to thank this boy for.

"Anytime, Hudson." His voice was soft and husky.

"It's the first snowfall of the year." I repeated his words. "I'm glad you're here with me."

And I was. I was glad to have a friend with me right now. I was glad to have someone by my side who could make me laugh and smile and forget about everything just for a moment.

The look he gave me was affectionate. "Me too."

He looked around, blinking away the snowflakes in his eyes. "Come on." He tugged me down along with him as he laid down on the slightly snow-coated grass. I laughed, but silently followed along, spreading out beside him. 

"Did it snow often on Long Island?" He asked.

"Yeah." I closed my eyes as snowflakes fell on my face. "Every winter. But I never got to enjoy it much."

I could almost hear the frown in his voice. "Why?"

I shrugged. "The orphanage had a strict rule of keeping the kids in when it snowed."

He was silent then. I tensed, ready to turn and see his expression but before I could, he continued.

"How'd you-" He paused, his voice softening. "How did you end up there?"

I froze. This was what I least expected right about now.

"My...mom-" I broke off, sucking in a deep breath. I was quiet for a bit, trying to collect myself. I stiffened when I felt Kyler reach for my hand but slowly relaxed and interlaced our fingers together. "Elena Parker. She had me when she was just seventeen."

This time, it was him who stiffened. I closed my eyes tightly. "She was-She is the best woman I know. She was so young at the time. She wasn't even ready to be a parent, yet she's the best parent I could have asked for." I smiled to myself, ignoring the crushing pain in my chest. "She always wanted to be an astrologer but she couldn't afford the education. She saved every last dollar she had for me."

I blinked back the tears. "She told me she didn't regret it. She told me that I was the best dream she could have ever asked for. But I still knew that her old dreams lingered." I choked out. "She was always so selfless."

"Sounds a lot like you." Kyler whispered. I turned my head, smiling over at him. It was the best compliment I could have received.

"She would have really liked you." I told him honestly. I watched as a huge smile split on his lips but it faded quickly.

"What happened to her?" My own smile faded. I didn't turn away from him, but refused to meet his eyes.

Would it be worth it telling him about it? Would he think of me as any different?

"She..." I drawled, swallowing the lump in my throat. I inhaled a shaky breath, sitting up. I heard him shuffle beside me as I dropped my head into my hands, breathing heavily.

When was the last time I had spoken up about this? In the therapy sessions I was forced to attend the months after it all went down? To all the psychiatrists I had walked out on? To the other girls in the orphanage who hadn't cared to speak a decent word to me?

I had never spoken to anyone about this directly. So why Kyler?

"She attempted." I breathed out. That was it. I couldn't voice it out completely. "And succeeded."

I didn't raise my head to gauge his reaction and kept going.

"I never knew my father. Mom never talked about him. We only had one picture of him in our apartment. He left before I was even born."

The howl of the wind was the only sound filling my ears. Finally, I lifted my head, swallowing down the lump in my throat as I turned to face him.

His lips were parted just slightly and dark eyes roved over my face. His nose was bright red by now and his hair was falling into his eyes, coated with snow.

My heart slammed against my chest and just as I opened my mouth to say anything, Kyler's arms came around me and he crushed me to his chest.

The breath was knocked out of my lungs and for a moment, I sat there stiff as a plank. Warmth flooded my chest as I fought back tears, wrapping my arms around him in return.

"Thank you for telling me, Luna." He whispered, burying his face in my hair. My arms tightened around him.

"Thank you for listening." I replied.

"Always."