Chapter Seven: Thin Ice
721 Words
The air was sharper than usual that afternoon, the kind that stung Julia’s cheeks and made her breath puff out in small white clouds. She stood by the school gates, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, watching students scatter in groups and pairs.
She told herself she wasn’t waiting for anyone in particular.
“Careful,” Liam’s voice came from behind her. “You’re standing right on ice”
She startled, then laughed softly when she turned to face him. “I thought you said you’d be late”
“I was,” he said, stepping closer. “But I figured I should keep my promise before you slipped and proved me right”
Julia glanced down. The pavement beneath her boots shimmered faintly. She took a careful step back, her balance wobbling. Liam’s hand shot out instinctively, fingers wrapping around her wrist
“Easy,” he said quietly
For a moment, neither of them moved. Julia became painfully aware of how warm his hand was through her sleeve, how steady his grip felt. The charm in her pocket pulsed, slow and gentle, like a heartbeat matching her own
“I told you,” she said softly. “You just like saving me”
Liam smiled, but it was softer than usual. “Maybe. Or maybe I just don’t want you falling when I can help it”
They started walking, slower than usual, steps careful as they navigated the icy sidewalk together. Snow crunched beneath their shoes, and the streetlights flickered on one by one, bathing everything in a soft golden glow
Julia broke the silence. “I used to hate walking home in winter”
“Because of the ice?”
“Because of everything,” she admitted. “It always felt like something bad was waiting to happen”
Liam nodded, hands shoved into his pockets. “Does it still feel like that?”
She hesitated. “Not when you’re here”
The words slipped out before she could stop them. She froze, heart racing, waiting for him to laugh or change the subject
He didn’t
Instead, he slowed his steps, turning slightly toward her. “I’m glad,” he said. “Because I like being here. With you”
Her chest tightened in a way that felt overwhelming and warm all at once. The charm grew warmer, pressing against her palm as she slipped her hand into her pocket
They reached a particularly slick stretch of road. Julia took one step and felt her foot slide. She gasped, arms flailing, but she didn’t fall. Liam caught her, steadying her against him
“Hey,” he murmured. “I’ve got you”
She was closer to him than she’d ever been, close enough to notice the faint scent of winter on his jacket, close enough that her breath caught in her throat
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I ruin moments like this”
“You didn’t ruin anything,” he said immediately. “You’re allowed to slip sometimes”
She looked up at him, really looked at him, and something inside her shifted. “What if I slip all the time?”
“Then I’ll keep catching you,” he replied, simple and sincere
The words settled deep in her chest. The charm pulsed again, brighter this time, and Julia realized it wasn’t reacting to luck or accidents. It was reacting to honesty
They stood there for a moment longer before Julia stepped back, cheeks warm. “We should keep moving before I prove your point again”
Liam chuckled. “Yeah. Wouldn’t want the ice winning”
As they reached her street, Julia felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment. She stopped at the edge of the sidewalk, turning to face him
“Thanks for walking with me,” she said. “And for… everything”
“Anytime,” he replied. “Tomorrow too”
She smiled. “Tomorrow too”
As she watched him walk away, the charm finally cooled in her hand, as if satisfied. Julia stepped inside her house feeling steadier than she ever had
Maybe the ice would always be there. Maybe slips were inevitable. But for the first time, Julia believed she didn’t have to face them alone
And that thought felt like the real magic
- Writer
