TheAcademy

TheGhostBirdSeries

Sound

of

Snowfall

♥

AWinterShortStory

♥

WrittenbyC.L.Stone

Publishedby

ArcatoPublishing

Copyright©2014C.L.Stone

http://www.clstonebooks.com/

PublishedbyArcatoPublishing

http://www.arcatopublishing.com

Allrightsreserved.
Thisbookisaworkoffictionandanyresemblancetopersons,livingordead,orplaces,eventsor

localesispurelycoincidental.Thecharactersareproductionsoftheauthor’simaginationandused
fictitiously.

FromTheAcademy

TheGhostBirdSeries

Introductions

FirstDays

Friendsvs.Family

ForgivenessandPermission

ADropofDoubt

PushandShove

HouseofKorba

TheOtherSideofEnvy(April2015)

TheScarabBeetleSeries

Thief

Liar

Fake(January2015)

***

OtherBooksbyC.L.Stone

SmokingGun

SpiceGod

TableofContents

TitlePage
CopyrightPage
SoundofSnowfall

AlsoByC.L.Stone

SoundofSnowfall

Note:Thisshortclipisaglimpseintoascenethatwillbeaddedtoabookdowntheroad,butdoesn’t

containessentialplotspoilers.

E

arlymorninglightwokemefirst.Itwasthegrayglareofwinter,withthesunstartingtorise,andthe

surroundingtreesandneighborhoodshidingitsarrival.Thedaypromisedtobecold,andsectionsofmy
bodywaschill,evenwiththeblanketaroundme.

Withoutopeningmyeyes,IsensedKotainthebednexttome.IknewthatNathansleptontherollout

cotnexttous.North,Gabriel,Silas,LukeandVictorwerenearbyinsleepingbagsspreadoutalong
Kota'sbedroomfloor.Ismelledthemintheair:Kota’sspice,North’smusk,Luke’svanilla,Silas’socean,
Victor’smoss,Nathan’sleather,andGabriel’snewblend,whichIthoughttobecranberry.

Tome,thatwaswhatsmelledthebest.Ididn’thavetolooktosensetheywerethere,andtheysmelled

wonderful.Myheartfluttered,evenwhileIwasstillpartiallyasleep,warmedsimplybythedifferent
scentsblendingtogether.

Itwaswintervacation.Wehadtwoweekstoourselves.Twoweekswithoutacrazyprincipaland

vice-principallookingoverme,orsneeringstudentstryingtolookintomylife.Itwouldbethelongest
amountoftimeI’dspendwithallofthemforanylengthoutsideofschool,withouthavingtoworkatthe
diner,dealwithschoolwork,ordoanythingfortheAcademy.

“Everyoneneedsabreak,”Dr.Greenhadsaid.Icouldalmostenvisionhimtryingtolecturemelike

hedidinclassatschool,butfailingtohidethegrinonhislips.“Thatincludesyou.Weworkhard,butwe
takeholidaybreaksveryseriously.”

Myskintingledwithchill,wakingmefurther.Ihadn’trealizedwhilesleepingthatpartsofmewere

almostnumb.Despitethesheetandblanket,Iwasstillfreezing.ItwasusuallymoderatelywarminKota’s
room;whywasitsocoldnow?Perhapstheweatherhadchangedquickly,andtheheaterwasn’tableto
keepupatthemoment.

Itfeltoddtobeupstairs,knowingErica,Kota’smother,andJessica,Kota’ssister,weresleeping

downstairsandknewIwasupherewiththeboys.Maybetheydidn’tknowthatIsharedthebedwith
Kota,butEricatrustedtheboystonotdoanything“unbecomingofagentleman”asshecalledit,witha
laughandateasingwinkatKota.Kotablushedwhenshesaidthat.

Iturnedinthebedslightly,drawntoKota’swarmthandpeekedathim,tryingnottogetcaught

looking.

Hishandsomefacewasstill.Hischestwasbare,whichsurprisedmebecauseIthoughtIremembered

himwearingaT-shirtthenightbefore.Theglassesweregone,althoughtherewasaspotonhisnose,
closetohiseyes,ofwherehisglassesnormallyrestedonhisface.Hedidn’topenhiseyes,buthemust
havesensedIwasawakeanywaybecausehestartedtomove.Hethreadedhisarmaroundmyshoulders,
invitingmein.

Irolledintohimandsnuggledupagainstafirmchestandmylegsfoldednearhis,drawntobodyheat.

WhenIwaspressedupagainsthim,hetuckedtheblanketaroundmybody.Howtheboysmanagedtokeep
theirbodieswarmwhenIendedupcoldwasbeyondme.

Hedidn’tsayanythingandIdidn’teither.IthoughtIshouldbeshyaboutsnugglingwithKotawhenthe

otherscouldwakeupandseeus,butifKotadidn’thaveaproblemwithit,Iwasn’tgoingtoobject.Iwas
toocoldtomoveaway.Theboyswerestillsleeping,too.ItwasprobablythequietestIeverheardthem
whentheyweretogether.

Isettledandstilled.IthoughtmaybeI’dfallenasleepagain,butwaslisteningtotheirbreathing.
AsIwaslistening,somethingcaughtmyattention.Myeyesopenedalittle,staringatKota’schest,

unsureofwhatIwashearing,thoughI’dheardthesoundbefore.Myhalf-asleepstatewasn’tputtingto

wordswhatitwas.Itwasaverydelicatesound,soft,cracklinglikeafirehissing...butsofter.

Therewasalsoafamiliartasteintheair.
Iknewit.Iknewitinmybones.
Excitementsurgedthroughme.Iforcedmyselftostill,grinningagainstKota’schest.“Guys,”Icalled,

nearlycooing,thesoundmuffledagainstKota.

Someonegrumbled,thoughnotKota.
“Guys,”Isaidlouder,pullingmyheadawaysoIcouldbeheard.
Agrunt.Arustleofasleepingbagassomeoneflippedover.
“Guys,wakeup.”
“Gobacktosleep,Sang,”Northsaid,hisvoicegruffanddeep,sleepy.“It’stooearlytogetup.”
Thatwasafirst.Iwasusuallythelastoneinbed.Theboyshadahabitofwakingme,urgingmetoget

upandmovequickly.

Iquieted,andlistenedagainforthesound,notwantingtobewrong,butitwassodistinct,

unmistakable.“Weshouldgetup,”Isaid.

Northclearedhisthroat.WhenIpeekedoverKota,IcaughtNorthdragginghisblanketoverthetopof

hisdarkheadofhair.Hisbroadshoulderscausedtheblanketmaterialtotentaroundhim.“Baby,sleep.”

Kotareachedahandup,rubbingmybackagainstmyspine.“Sang,”hesaidsoftly.“Letthemsleep.

It’svacation.”

“No,”Isaid,evenIclosedmyeyes.Iwouldnormallyagreewiththem,buttheywouldn’twanttomiss

this.“Getup.Guys,wehavetogooutside.”

Gabrielgaveoffaloudgroan.“Trouble,Iloveyouandeverything,butshutthefuckupandgobackto

sleep.”

Idismissedthelovecomment,knowingitdidn’tmeananything.It'swhathesaidwhenhewantedany

ofustoshutupordosomethinghewanted.“Guys,”Isaid.“It’ssnowing.”

Kota’shandatmybackstilled.“Sweetie,you’redreaming.”
“Noreally.It’ssnowing.”
Kotachuckled.“Youcan’tevenseethewindow.”
“It’ssnowing.Iswear.Icanhearit.”
TherewasadeadsilenceandIknewtheboyswerelistening.
Someonesnortedandthenlaughed.“You’resofullofshit,Trouble.”
“Meanie?”Ising-songedhisname.
“Trouble,”hemumbled,hisvoiceslurred.
“Golook.”
Gabrielgroaned.“No.You’retrickingme.”
“Iswear,”Isaid.“It’ssnowing.”
“No,itisn’t.”
IturnedawayfromKota,layingonmyback.“Ibetyouadollar.”
“I’mnotgettingupforadollar.”
“I’llbetyou...whatdoyouwant?”
“Gabe,”Lukesaid.“Don’tfallforit.She’llgetyoutogetupandthenwhileyou’reup,she’llgetyou

togetsomethingforher.Likeacupofwaterorsomething.It’sanevilgirltrick.”

“Guys,”Isaidinamoreurgenttone.Whydidtheyneverbelieveme?“Iswear.I’dbetmysoul...”
“Nobettingyoursoul,Princess,”Victormumbled.
Igrumbled,frustrated.“Gabriel,”Icalled.“Golook.”
“No.”
“Please?”
“Fuck,no.”

“Goddamn,”Nathansaid.“Someonegetupandtellherit’snotsnowingsoshe’llgobacktosleep.”
Ishovedmyhandsintomyface,yawningandstretching.IcouldhavetoldthemIheardgunfireand

they’dstillsleep.IturnedenoughsoIcouldpeekoutattheboys,overNathanbundleduponthecot
nearby.Hewasonhisback,buthiseyeswereclosedandanarmoverhisfacetowardofflight.Ispotted
Gabrielonthefloornearby,hishairstickingoutfromjustunderhisblanket.Theblondemixedintothe
russet,andthelockswerewild,twistedaboutandstickingupinplaces.“Gabriel,I’llgiveyouanything
youwantifI’mwrong.Crossmyheart.It’ssnowingoutsiderightnow.”

Gabrielgruntedintohispillow,archedhisbackandslowlydrewhimselfupuntilhewassittingback

onhisheels.Hisshirtwasoff,hisbarechestarippleofleanmuscles.Heeyeballedmethrough
narrowed,sleepyeyes,focusingonmyface.“Iswear,Trouble,thereisnopossiblewayitissnowing.
ThisisSouthCarolina.South.Ithasn’tsnowedhereinlikeahundredyears.”

“AndI’mtellingyou,Icanhearit.It’ssnowing.I’mfromIllinois.Itsnowsthere.Iknowwhatit

soundslike.”

Gabrielshovedhisblanketaside,crawledoverLuke,andstartedtokneewalkovertoKota’s

window.“Trouble,youaskedforit.Youcan’thearsnow.It’simpossible.I’mgoingtowantamassage.
I’mgoingtowantyoutowashmyhairforamonth.I’mgonnagetyoutopaintmynailsathousandtimes.”
Hegottothewindow,wrappingafistaroundthestringstotearopentheblinds.Hisheadtiltedtoward
thewindow.“I’mgoingtomakeyouwearskirtsfortherestofwinter.I’mgonna...holyJesus
motherfuckingChrist;it’ssnowing.”

“Nowyou’refullofshit,”Northsaid.
Gabrielspunaround,staringatme.“Howthehelldidyoudothat?”
“Dowhat?”Iasked,mychestwarmingandhappyIwasright.WhileIwasarguing,partofmewas

worriedImighthavebeenwrong.OrmaybeitwouldhavestoppedwhileGabrielwasdelaying.Isatup,
suckinginairandstretchingagain,suddenlywishingI’dwornmorethanacamitankshirtandshortsto
bed.

“Youmusthavelooked,”hesaid.“Youmusthavegottenupandsawitwassnowing.”
“Shehasn’tmoved,”Kotasaid,rollingontohisback.“Isitreallysnowing?”
“Toldyouguys,”Isaid.Icrawledoffthebed,stepping,wobbly,overNathanonthecot,andalmost

fallingtolandonLuke.Lukegotuponhiselbows,butImovedawayquickly,weavingmywaybetween
SilasandNorth,andheadedtothestairs.

“Whereareyougoing?”Gabrielasked.
“Gonnagoseethesnowbeforeit’sgone,”Isaid.LikeIwasgoingtowaitforthemwhenthefirst

snowwasoutside.Sure,I’dseenitamilliontimes,buttherewerepalmtreeshere.Iwantedtoseeapalm
treeinthesnow.

“What?Wait.”ItwasKota,whohadsatupinbed,rubbingathiseyes.“Youcan’tgooutwearing

that.”

IwasalreadypastVictor,whowasattheend,closesttothestairs.Ithumpedmywaydowntothe

bottom,openingKota’sbedroomdoor.Ihadbeenright.Icouldhearitsnowing.Iwasgoingtogoseeit.

IwasopeningthedoortothegaragewhenIheardtheothersmovingandtheirfootstepsdownthe

stepsbehindme.Ihurriedoutintothegarage,metwithanevenstrongerwallofcoldthemomentI
steppedintothespace.

Maxwasinhiscratewagginghistail,andgavemeonebarkingreeting.Ismackedthebuttontoopen

thebigdoor,urgingittohurry.

GabrielandKotawerethefirstonestoarrivebehindmeasthegaragedoorfinishedopening.I

smelledthemcomingbeforeIeventurnedtolookatthem.KotahadshovedonaT-shirt,theonehe’d
wornlastnight.He’dalsoputonhisglasses.Hisgreeneyeswerewideawakenow,lookingbeyondme.

Gabrielwasbarechested,hiscrystaleyeswide,hislipspressedtogether.Istoodjustinsidethegarage,
gazingoutintothemorning.

Acleandustingofwhitecoveredtheyardandthedriveway.Itwasawetsnow,withbigfatflakesthat

fellheavilyagainsteachother.Itwasjustcoldenoughtokeepitbuildingforawhile,butIknewoncethe
suncameupoverthetrees,thesnowwasdonefor.MyskinprickledwithcoldbutIignoredthefeeling.
ThetwinpalmtreesinKota’sbackyardlookedstrangewithalayerofsnowtryingtocollectatthebase.
Therewereafewtrailsfromcartiresalreadyinthestreet,wherethesnowmeltedquickly.The
neighborhood,forthemoment,wasstill.

KotaandGabrielfellinlinenexttome,staringouttothewinterscene.Iwonderedifeitherofthem

hadseensnow.Theywerefromhere,butIdidn’tknowifthey’dbeenoutofthestatebefore.Kotakepthis
armstuckedintohisbody.Gabrielshifteduphisblacksleeppants,theedgeofhisboxerspokingout
aroundhiswaist.

Ididn’twantthemtowasteamoment.IsnaggedGabriel’shand,marchingforwardtodraghimwith

me.

“Sang,”Kotasaid.“Don’twalkbarefootinthesnow.”
“It’snotgoingtobesnowmuchlonger,”Isaid.Imarchedout,leavingthedrycoldofthegaragefloor,

andmeetingthewet,freezingbiteofsnowagainstmyfeet.Theinstantmyfoottouchedthesnowonthe
drive,itmelted,leavingmyfootprintstomessupthepuresheetofwhitealongthedriveway.“Comeon,
Gabriel.”

Gabrielhesitatedforonlyamoment,beforehesteppedout,lettingthesnowmeltaroundhisfeet.

“Shit,”hesaid.Heclampedhisarmsoverhisbarechest.“It’scold.”

Imarchedaheadofhim,makingapathandheadingtowardtheendofthedrive.Thesnowswirled

aroundmyface.Ibreathedintheicyair.IthoughtIwouldn’tseesnowthisyear,orwithinthenextfew
yearslivinginthesouth.Ididn’tknowwhereIwasheaded,afterall.Sincetheboyscameintomylife,
nothingwaspredictableanymore.

ButknowingitwassnowingoutsidewithoutlookingwasapparentlyonethingIcoulddothatthey

couldn’t,andIwasgoingtorevelinthisforaslongaspossible.Imaynotgetanotherchance,ifittruly
didn’tsnowintheareaexceptmaybeonceeveryhundredyears,likeGabrielhadthought.

Iweavedmywayacrossthedrivewayandback.Itwascold,butknowingthehousewasrightthere

andIcouldgowarmupmadeiteasiertoenjoybeingbarefootinthesnow.I’ddonesimilarbeforeup
north,inIllinois,atmyfamily’soldhome.Afewminutesinthesnowwouldn’tcausefrostbite.I’dreturn
andwarmmyfeetupinsidequickly,maybefindingapairofshoesbeforedoingitagain.

WhenIturnedattheendofthedrive,Northemergedfromthegarage.Hisworehisblackt-shirt,his

blackpajamapantsstuffedintobootshehadshovedon.HeheldoutapairofKota’sgreenrainbootsand
aleathercoat.Whenhewasclose,hedroppedthebootsatmyfeet.“Baby,”hesaid,“don’twalkaround
barefootinthecold.You’llgetsick.”

Imumbledathankyouinresponse,andIstuffedmyfeetintotherainboots.IletNorthslipthecoat

overmyshoulders.Hezippedupthefront,thenleaneddownandplantedakissonmycheek.Hislips
warmedmychilledskin.

“Toldyouitwassnowing,”Isaid,grinning.
“Istillthinkyoucheated,”hesaid.“Yousawitsomehow.”
Istuckmytongueoutathim,marchingawaytogobacktowardthegarage.
KotaandGabrielbothhadbootsonnow.Gabrielhadajacketon,too.Kotahadpulledonhiscoat.

Theothersemergedinvariousstagesofdress,withshoesstuffedonandjacketsinplace.Theyall
steppedout,glancingaroundtheyardandneighborhood.

Nathanwasaheadofmost,makingatrailwithhisbootsagainstthepavement.HewenttoKota’scar

parkedinthefarside.Hetouchedthesnowthere,pickingsomeupandshiftingitthroughhisfingers.His

redhairwasstartingtocatchsomeoftheflakes,makinghishairlookfrosted.

Silasstretchedhisarmsoverhishead,twistinghisneckuntilitcracked.Hescratchedatthehairon

thebackofhishead.“Aggele,”hecalledtome.“Getthesnowtocomelaterinthedaynexttime.”

Irolledmyeyes,bentoverandscoopedupahandfulofsnow.Ihadtogatheralotasitwasstartingto

meltinmyhandthemomentIpickeditup.ItosseditatLuke,whohadturned,staringoffatthebackyard.

Ithithimsquareintheneckandhecringed,hisshouldershunching.Helookedbackatme,makinga

faceandmovingstiffly,likemovingmadethesnowcolder.

Revengelitupthebrowneyes,andIknewIwasintrouble.
Iturnedandstartedhaulingmyselfawayacrosstheyard.I’donlyplottedmyassault;Ididn’thavean

escapeplan.Diveinheadfirst.That’showIworked.

ThesplatofwetsnowhittingmythightoldmeLukewasrightbehindme.Imadeawideturnaround

thehouse,sailingtowardthebackyard.ItwashardtoruninKota’sboots,astheyweretoobig.Itwas
morelikeaquick,stompingmarch,andIwasleapingmorethanrunning.

IransmackintoGabrielcomingaroundtocatchme.Hecaughtmebythewaist,andwebothwent

tumblingtotheground,slidingagainstthegrass.

“Ow,”Isaid,rubbingmyhipthathadcrashedintohis.Iwasstillwearingtheshorts,despitethecoat,

soIgotmybuttandlowerbackwetwithsnow,andmylegswerefreezing.

Gabrielhadhishandpressedagainsthischest,laughing.“Ohmygod,it’stoocoldforthis.”
“Sang,”Lukesaid,standingaboveus.AsIlookedupathim,hedroppedahandfulofsnowontomy

face.Cold,soakingwetnesssmeareddownmycheek,circlingmybodyagainstmyjawandneckand
drippingaway.

Iwipedfuriouslyatit.IleanedoverGabriel,grabbingmoresnowandtossingitatLuke,buthe

dodgeditandstartedrunningbackaroundthehouse.Hecalledouttome,andthenmadeataunting,sing-
songtoneasheran.

Ijumpedup,readytorun,whenGabrielcaughtmebytheankle.Hediditsoquickly,Inearlyfellon

topofhimagain.“No,wait,”hesaid.Hepickedupahandfulandgotup.“Youwaithere.I’llchasehim
backaround.”

Thisledtoeachofusscoopinguphandfulsofsnow,makingslushysnowballsandflingingthemat

eachother.Nathanjoinedthegame.Hecaughtmeandheldmeup,allowingLuketotossoneatme.I
struggledagainsthim,butwhenLukemisfiredandcaughtNathanintheface,hereleasedmeandstarted
running.

Icircledaround,andmanagedtogetupontheporch,whereIdiscoveredafreshbundleofsnow

collectinginadriftinthecorner.IgatheredwhatIcould,makingahugeball,andwhenNathanwas
chasingLukeinloopnumberthreearoundthehouse,Ithrewandthenducked.

“Ugh!”Nathancriedout.“Peanut!Thatwasmyeye.Andmymouth.”
Igrinned,andknewifIstayedwhereIwas,I’dbecornered.Iflewovertheothersideoftheporch

andstartedtorun,collectingasnowballasIwent.

LukeandGabrielcontinuedtochase.IwasjustaimingasnowballatNathan’sheadwhenIcaughtone

intheear.

Iturned,findingKotagrinningguiltily,pointingafingeratSilas.Silaswassmirkingashepointeda

fingerbackatKota.

Iwasn’tsurewhichonetobelieveinthemomentandmadeadashafterthem,ameltysnowballin

hand.KotastartedrunningoffandIgavechase.Hewasrunningcarefullythough,tryingnottosliponthe
snow,whereIwasalreadydirtyandwetsoIdidn’tcare.IgotcloseenoughthatIcouldaimmysnowball.
Ithithimintheback.Notassatisfyingwhenhehadacoaton.

Kotalaughed,turningaround.Hecaughtmebythewaistandpickedmeupoffthegrounduntilthe

bootsalmostslidoffmyfeet.IwasbreathlessandhotaroundmychestandneckwiththecoatIwas

wearing,eventhoughmylegswerenumb.

“Youmissed,”hesaid,swingingmearound.
“Igotyouintheback,”Isaid.
Hereleasedmeandreachedforhisshoulder,brushingattheclumpofslush.Heturnedbackaround,

catchingmychinandsmiling.“Areyouallsatisfiedwithyourselfnow?”

“Yes.”
“Good,”hesaidandlookedovermyshoulder,winkingatsomeonebehindus.
Someonehookedfingersintotheneckofmycoatanddroppedabighandfulofsnowdownmyback.
Istiffened,turning.Silaswriggledhiseyebrowsatme.
Iplayfullyshovedathim,scoopedupsomesnowandpreparedtothrowitbutstoppedshort.Silas

wasstandingstill,asifhedidn’tcareifIthrewasnowballornot.Plus,hewaswearinghiscoat.Itmade
tossingathimlessfun.

IchangedmymindandwasabouttorunoffafterGabrielandLukeagainwhenIdidasecondtakeat

Silas.IthoughtofwhatIcouldgetawaywith.Keepingmyeyesonhis,Ihookedmyfingersintothefront
ofhispantsanddroppedthedrippingsnowballdownthefront.

“Shit,”Silassaid,smackingmyhandawayandpullingbackfromme.Heopeneduphispants,shoving

ahandinandmovingthingsaround,scoopingoutthelittlebitthatremainedandhadn’talreadymelted
againsthisbody.Heshivered.“Sheevencheatsatsnowballs.”

“Thatwasn’tcheating,”Isaid,laughing,althoughitprobablywas.IfeltalittleguiltyaboutitbutSilas

wassmilingandthatseemedtomakeitokay.

“Howdidyouknowitwassnowing?”Victorasked.He’dbeenstandingtothesidequietly,hishands

inthepocketsofhislongtrenchcoat.Hishairwasnicelymussedonthesidewherehe’dslept.Hisfire
eyeswerelittoasimmer,subduedforthemoment,butstillcurious.He’dbeenquietthiswholetime,just
watching.Iwonderedifhewasboredortoocoldtoparticipate,buthelookedmorecuriousnow.

Ishrugged.“Ijustheardit.”
“Whatdoesitsoundlike?”heasked,steppingforward.Hiswavybrownhairacrosshischeek,alittle

longerthesedays.Eveninpajamapantsandacoatandjustwokenup,hehadanelegantlooktohim,and
carriedhimselfwithhisshouldersback,andhisheadhigh.“Canyoushowme?”

Heavyflakeswerestillfallingaroundus.I’dbeensureitwouldn’tlastbutitwasbuildingonthe

ground.Ifitcontinuedafterthesuncameup,it’dturnintoaslushrain,whichwouldgetridofthesnow
quicker.Ilookedaroundtheyard.Withtheotherboysplayingandscramblingforsnowballs,Iwasn’tsure
itwasquietenoughtolisten.

IheldoutmyhandtoVictor.“I’llshowyou,”Isaid.
Victorperkedupatthis,asdidSilas,KotaandNorth.Victortookmyhand.Heliftedmyhandand

helditbetweenhispalmsatfirst,warmingmyfingers.Ileadhimawayfromthesnowballfightand
towardthetwopalmtreesinthebackyard,andtheopeningtheyprovidedbetweenthemthroughthethick
sectionoftrees.

Icrossedunderneaththetrees,headingintotheflattenedgrassofthepathinthewoodsbehindKota’s

house.Oncemyhandhadwarmedabit,Victor’sfingersintertwinedwithmine,histhumbslidingbetween
myforefingerandthumb,smoothingouttheskinonthebackofmyhandandwarmingme.Isteppedin
untilwewereinthemiddleofthewidepath,awayfromthehoveringtreebranches,andwehadaclear
viewofthecloudsaboveus.

Istopped,stoodstillandlistened.Thesnowfellaroundus.“Canyouhearit?”Iasked.
Victorliftedaneyebrow,shakinghishead.“WhatamIlisteningto?”
Itwistedmylips,findingitasdifficulttodescribeaswhatmusicwouldsoundliketosomeonewho

hadneverhearditbefore.Insteadofansweringhimrightaway,Iclosedmyeyesandlistenedharder.The
windblewsoftly,causingthesnowtodriftalittle.Thebirdshadstoppedsinging.Carsweren’tdriving

by.ThiswashowIhearditupnorth.Whenitsnowed,especiallythefirstsnowoftheseason,theworld
stops,watchingandwaiting.Animalsstopmoving.Bugstopbuzzing.

Islowlycurledmyfingersintohispalm,tryingtowarmthem.“It’sliketheworldfellasleep,andall

youcanhearisitbreathing,”Isaid,mycheeksheatingasIrealizeditwasprobablystupid.Itriedto
correctmyself.“It’slikefirecrackle,verysoft.Theworld’sjustquietenoughtobeabletohearit.”

Victordidn’tlaugh.Hecoveredhisfingersovermine.Togetherwefellintothesilence,watchingour

worldblanketwithsnow.

IturnedslightlytoseeifKotaandSilaswerestillthere.
Allsixoftheotherswerestandingbehindus,eyesopen,quietandlistening.Theirheadswerecrested

withwhite,asI’msureminewas.Nathan,LukeandGabrielweremuddiedandwet.Silashadhisarms
wrappedaroundhimself.North'sbreathdriftedfromhisnoseinvisiblepuffs.Kotatouchedatthecorner
ofhisglasses,thelensesfoggedatthebottom.

Myheartmeltedlikethesnowflakesthatlandedonmycheeks.Idon’tknowhowIknewitinjustthat

moment,butIdid.

Snowfallswerebetterwiththeboys.
Aswithmanythingsinmylife,theymadeeverythingbetter.NowthatI’dexperienceditwiththem,I

wouldn'tbeabletoimagineasnowfallwithoutthem.Asmuchastheyhadthingstoshowme,toteachme,
Ihadmyownlittletrickstoshowthem.

ItwasthefirsttimeIfeltIwaspartofafamily,andwantedtogothroughmanymoreexperienceswith

them,sharingeverythingIknew,andexplorenewplaceswiththem.ItwashowIfinallyfeltwhatitwas
liketohaveafamily,whereyoucaredofwhattheythought,andwantedtoshareyourworld.

Ourworld.TheboysandI.Dr.GreenandMr.Blackbourne,too.Iwishedtheywereheretoshare

this.Iknewsomeday,though,thattheywouldbe.Iwasn’tsurehowIknew,Icouldsimplyfeelit.They
werehome.

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ABOUTC.L.STONE

Certification

MarvelourofWonder
ActiveParticipantofScarySituations
OfficialMemberofF.A.M.E.

Experience
Spent an extraordinary number of years with absolutely no control over the capping of imagination,

fun,andcuriosity.Willinglytakespartinimpossibleproblemsonlytocomeupwiththemostludicrous
solution.Duetounfortunatecircumstances,willnolongerexperiencefeelingonasmallspotonmyleft
calf.

Skills
SecretKeeper|OccasionRiser|BarefootWalker|MagicMaker|RestlessReckless|

GravityDefiant|FairyTaleReader|StoryMaker-Upper|AmusinglyBaffled|Comprehensive
Curiousness|UsuallyUnbelievable