Snow Fall Between Us

Connection and bonding

After the library day, Lena didn’t forget about Bryan easily. She kept acting like everything was normal, but it wasn’t. Sometimes, while she was drawing or sitting in class, her thoughts drifted to small moments: the way he spoke, the way he didn’t rush her, the way he listened. She didn’t know why it stayed in her mind, but it did. A few days later, Lena went back to the library earlier than usual. She chose her usual spot at the back and sat down. She opened her sketchbook, but didn’t start immediately. She just waited. A short time later, footsteps came closer. “I was wondering if you’d be here,” Bryan said. Lena looked up slowly. “Why would you wonder that?” He smiled a little. “Because you always sit here.” “That doesn’t mean I always will.” “True,” he said, pulling out the chair across from her. “But it’s a good guess.” He sat down. This time, the silence between them felt easier than before.

Lena started drawing again; Bryan didn’t interrupt. After a while, Bryan leaned forward slightly. “What are you working on?” Lena turned the sketchbook toward him. It showed a quiet winter street outside. Simple lines, soft details. Bryan studied it. “It feels calm,” he said after a moment. Lena glanced at him. “It’s just a street.” “Not to you,” he replied. That made her pause. She looked back at the drawing but didn’t respond. Something about his words felt different. Like he was actually paying attention.

Bryan then placed a small notebook on the table; Lena noticed it. “You said you don’t draw,” she said. “I don’t,” he answered. “Then why do you carry that?” He hesitated for a second. “I write things.” Lena nodded once but didn’t ask more. She didn’t want to push him, not yet.

When they left the library later, Bryan walked beside her again. They didn’t talk much at first. The cold air filled the space between them, then Bryan spoke. “You always go straight home?” Lena nodded. “Yes.” “That must get repetitive.” “I don’t mind it.” He thought about that for a second. “I get it.” They reached the building entrance. Neither of them moved right away. Then Bryan said, “See you around.” Lena looked at him. “Okay.” It was simple, but it felt different now. More natural. That night, Lena sat by her window for a long time. She wasn’t drawing. She wasn’t reading. She was just thinking. About the way Bryan didn’t try too hard, about how easy it was becoming to be around him. She didn’t fully understand it yet. But something was slowly changing. Quietly, step by step.