Snow of New York

Snow of New York

Walking along the streets of New York at night is always my favourite thing during December to do, watching the Christmas lights twinkle, hearing the crunch sounds from the freshly fallen snow, it's not only mesmerizing but uniquely beautiful in my eyes.

I've been deprived of this beautiful city for almost half my life. I'm now 25 and proud to be living in this beautiful landmark. The lights, the shops, attractions, all the buzz on social media, you never miss a thing.

That's both good & bad, to be honest.

But walking through the streets at night makes it all worthwhile, breathing in the cold winter air as it makes my nose tingle. I looked all around me, hugging my thin leather jacket. I know, bad choice of clothing for such a cold month, but I did think ahead, with my yellow beanie and cotton gloves and heavy woollen scarf, I love this weather but it doesn't love me back.

I can see from one of the shops I am not that far from where I now live, so I decide to head home for the night, I need some hot chocolate, and right now it's calling my name. I take a sharp left into a dark long street, this is a 5th street that only has 2 story houses. I've lived here for a long time, and let me tell you, it's not easy to get one of these houses, I was waiting for one for 6 months, and still barely got it.

I look at the sky before entering my warm home, I can see some stars through the clouds that are forming, the sky is almost white meaning that it is going to snow again tonight. I open the door, feeling the heat slapping me in the face, I took a deep breath and quickly entered the kitchen hearing the door slam behind me.

I step into the kitchen and grab the hot chocolate from the cupboard, grabbing a mug and making the delicious hot liquid delight. Allowing the mix to generate, I take everything off, leaving me in my boxers and tank top, I grab the mug walking into the living-room, I gently sit down carefully not to spill the hot chocolate warming my cold hands up.

Holding the mug in one hand, I grab the remote with the other and switch the TV on, the first thing to be on is the weather report, I thought I'd listen into it as I need to know what to wear tomorrow, don't want a repeat of today, nearly lost my fingers to frostbite.

According to the weather, the snow was going to be heavy through the night, nothing you can't always figure out on your own, as the sky is pure white and the atmospheric conditions are below freezing. I watch one of 2 episodes of The Fosters, amazing show.

After that, I finished off my hot chocolate. I turned the TV off, heading to the kitchen to wash my mug. Putting my clothes on the floor into the laundry basket for the week's laundry date.

I head upstairs for bed, thinking of what to do tomorrow...so many things can be arranged, but with so little time to do it all in. I may have been years for over 5 years, but I've barely been halfway through the city. Still gone tons to check out.

For one, I haven't been to tallest sightseeing location yet...I'm saving that.

As my head hits the pillow I am out like a light. Being here is amazing, but it makes you really tired. Knocks you flat every day. The soft cotton fabric of my pillowcase meets with my face, my eyes slowly closing. The quilt covering my whole body, warming my household.

• • • Next Day • • •

My eyes slowly open to the newly found day, the curtains are letting a little bit of light through which is directed on my eyes, making me feel like I've been blinded instantly. I pull the covers up, blocking the daylight from my sore eyes. I turn under the covers and get out of bed, slowly making my way to the bathroom, turning the shower on, it's always really nice to have a really warm shower in the morning on the cold December winter days.

After freshening up, I grab some warm clothes and this time I decided on my leather jacket but with a parker on top of it. Making me extra nice and warm. Grabbing my gloves, scarf and beanie I head out. I gently blow some heat into my hands even though I had gloves on, the ice-y weather today is really nippy. I look at the sky, it's pure white, more snow, I sigh. New York may be gorgeous with snow, but I don't think it needs any more, I am already ankle deep.

Walking through the snow is getting a little harder, it'll be deeper by tomorrow, and that's the last thing I need, it's the last thing anyone needs in New York. I continue walking until I find Costa Coffee, aw man, this weather calls for their extra large hot chocolate, I push the door of the shop open, with the smell of steaming hot chocolate finds its way to my nose, making my mouth water with the desperation of the delicious liquid.

I head over to the cash point; a tall gentleman stands there, his hair swiped back into a slick style, he smiles at me widely, making me feel a little uncomfortable, I look at the boards to think for a moment.

"Can I help you, sir?" I look down to find a short red-headed girl, she smiled at me and waited for my answer, I was thankful that she was serving me, and not the gentleman who is currently staring at me.

"XL hot chocolate please" she nodded and got to work on my order, I leaned against the counter with my back against the guy over at the other side, I tried my best to avoid eye contact, I could feel his eyes burning a hole in my back, I just wanted to get my drink and get back out of here.

"Here you go sir, on the house" I looked at the girl in shock, I didn't know what to say. She showed her finger, meaning one moment, wrote something down on a piece of paper and then showed it to me, it said on it; him staring u out paid. I rolled my eyes, thanked the both of them for my drink and walked out of the shop before the guy could get the opportunity to do anything else, sure, I appreciated the free, sorry, already paid for the drink. But, it makes me feel, weird.

I walked up to the road and turned around the corner, I could see a park within distance, I kept my pace at the same, holding the hot cup in my hands to keep them warm, even though I have gloves on, not all gloves are weatherproof, I know, silly. As I sip the hot liquid, I can feel my throat burning. I know you're probably thinking 'Why on earth go to the park on freezing cold day?' well...I like going to the park, one of my many favourite things to do.

I walk through the gates of the park, I see only a couple of people, their hanging onto their couples arm, shaking from the cold ice-y weather, I sigh, I find a bench nearby and sit on it, making sure that my parka takes the freezing snow, and not my butt. I sip the liquid slowly enjoying the taste.

I look around the park, I love the sight here, the trees covered in snow, the grass all white, I find it amazing how snow can be white, is that weird of me to say?

Anyway, I decide to have a short walk around the park, it's a rather large park, that's one thing I can tell you. It's got 2 rivers running through it, I tend to walk along the bank of the smaller one as sometimes I can see like little ducks and that, it just makes smile to see that the park is animal safe, know what I mean? Anyway, I make my way towards the river bank and start walking along, slowly kicking ever stone that has managed to make it's a way to the surface through this deep snow.

I have only just finished my hot chocolate, I feel all nice and warm inside, I smile while looking around me, as I am walking along the bank of the small river, I notice something ahead of me, I am not entirely sure what is, from afar it seems like a large animal, but I can't assume anything at the moment.

I slowly make my way towards the mystery figure...my eyes wondering what it is, the closer I get, the more I seem to realize...it's a body. I start to run towards and notice it's a girl, a young one, probably around my age, but the ice cold with snow forming on her small lips and hair. I kneeled down before her, to get a closer look, she seemed to be about my age, I rested my fingertip against her freezing neck, just to check for a pulse, there was one, but it very faint.

I carefully scooped her up, good thing I had gloves on, or my hands would be ice blocks by now, the snow was like below -10, fa-re-zing. I re-adjust the girl in my arms and decided to take her to the closest shop that has some heat, unfortunately, that would be Costa Coffee, I really hope that guy is no longer there.

As I walk back to the shop, keeping in mind this park is quite large, and I walked quite far in. Whoever this girl is, she is as light as a feather, which is brilliant. Walking through the park, I see someone people giving me funny looks, I look at the girl again to realise her head is bopping up & down, making people think something is wrong with her. So, to avoid anything been said, I re-adjust her once more so that her head is leaning against the side of my shoulder. I felt so bad for the girl, I didn't see anything on her, ID-wise.

I just hope when she is warmed up, she still remembers who she is, because there is no say in how long she was out in the freezing cold weather. I'm glad I found her.

Walking through the streets of New York, I'm getting more concerned about this girl in my arms, the fact that it has just begun snowing, she'll freeze more. I quicken my pace to get us to the shop I was previously in, hitting my back against the door, I step into a warm environment, my ears warmed up instantly, my fingertips were coming back to me. I look around, thankfully not seeing that gentleman from before.

I go to the back of the store, where there is a light just above the booth, but also a heater that is on full blast, I place her in the seat, making sure she would get the heat instantly, I look at her wondering if she is a hot chocolate kind of person, I eventually after a few minutes of deciding, went up the cash desk.

"Hi, can I have 2 small hot chocolates?" the girl nodded and went straight to work on that. I looked back to the girl sitting upright in the booth, her hair was like a strong solid brown colour with amber highlights, it looked gorgeous on her. I heard someone cough, snapping my head around, I noticed looking at little amused, I realized that I was staring at the girl for more than a couple of minutes, it only felt like 30 seconds, I shrugged taking the drinks over to the booth, placing mines down, but sitting on the table in front of the girl, hovering the drink beneath the girls nose, so far, there was movement. So, I took off the lid and hoovered it below her nose once, this time she started to smell the hot chocolate, she could smell the liquid, her eyes were moving, she was starting to wake up.

I took a step back, leaving the drink on the table near her, she started to open her eyes, she was looking at the ceiling, at first she was confused, but she slowly started to adjust herself in the booth, her eyes moved from the ceiling and slowly the reached me, she looked at me cautiously.

She looks around not.recognising her surroundings, I slowly sit down in the booth in front of her.

"You're in a coffee shop" she looks at me with a scared expression.

"I know you're probably scared, but it's okay. I won't hurt you. I know people say that, but believe me on that. You don't have to trust me. Just believe me when I say I saved your life" she looks at me, sees the drink in front of her. She takes it within her smalls hands and slowly takes a sip, her eyes filled with relief and happiness.

"I hope that warms you up!" she looked at me, nodded & smiled. She places the drink down, goes to speak, but I lift my hand up, she seems a bit shocked by my sudden actions.

"Please don't speak...rest your voice" she nods understanding my request, either that or she's just plain scared, she passed out in a freezing cold park, and wakes up in warm store with a stranger looking down on her...yeah, she's more likely to be scared.

"My name's Ross, I just want to introduce myself. I apologize if you're feeling a little scared at the moment. I wouldn't expect anything less to be honest" she nods and stands, I was about to protest until I realised that she was going to the restroom.

I took a deep breath, I don't even know why I am so on edge right now, it's like, the slightest unknown thing she does, makes me panic.

A few minutes have gone by and she still hasn't come back, I started to wonder if there were windows in the ladies...

"Hi" I turned my head to find her standing there looking nervous. I carefully stand up and fix my clothes. Looking at the height of Laura compared to me, I must seem huge in height to her right now, so, to bring my height down a smidge, I lean against the booth so I become eye level with her.

"I just wanted to thank you for saving me from whatever conditions I was in, it means a lot. Is there any chance you can show me where the nearest hotel or hostel is for the homeless?"

I was confused, doesn't she have a home?

"Don't you have a home, a family?" She shakes her a little.

"They kicked me out, they're drunks, always high too. So, they couldn't afford to keep me with them" I nodded acknowledging those kinds. Don't know them personally, but can imagine.

"Can I say something without it seeming too forward?" She nods re-adjusting her position.

"You can live with me if you like, I have a small couch, but I can take that and you can sleep on the couch. I don't want you to live in a hotel, there could be murders or something" she giggles at my comment, her giggle is so f*****g cute.

"No, I don't want to burden you. I don't want to be an extra person for you to feed. It's okay, I appreciate it though" I stand, taking her shoulders within my grasp.

"Laura, it's not a problem. You're not gonna be a burden. Please allow me to give you the shelter you were denied. Please?" I looked into her eyes slowly and carefully. She nearly said no, until she slowly nodded her head, agreeing.

"Okay, thank you" I smile widely.

"Okay, I have some clothes for you to borrow if that's okay?" She nods and looks down and her own clothes. They were really dirty.

"Thank you, Ross, it means more than you will ever know" I turn away from her and step forward. She follows me outside the shop. As I exit, I hear a small scream, I turn round to have Laura falling in my arms.

"Falling for me already?" She blushes a little, I chuckle a little.

"I'm kidding, sorry Laura. Here" I bring her back on her feet and slowly rest her, she's looking in my eyes, the way her eyes are sparkling is just mesmerizing.

"Come on, let's go home!" She smiles a little and nods, she walks by my side, with her hands crossing her chest, trying to keep herself warm, as I did have a couple of layers. I take my jacket off and set around her shoulders slowly making sure it stays on.

She stops for a second, about to protest. I bring my hand up, to stop her from saying anything. I wasn't going to argue against her being warm, I don't want her to freeze.

"Laura, please keep the jacket on, it'd mean a lot to me if you stay warm, plus, my place is a 5 minute walk away, so, you won't have it on for long" she sighed and continued to walk, grabbing both sides of my jacket to cover her body.

After walking about a mile, we finally reached my home, she looks at me with a shocked expression.

"You live here, wow, this is amazing" I nodded, opening the door to allow her inside, she slowly steps inside.

"Yeah, you're saying that as if you haven't seen anything huge before-" she looked down with a sad look, I stopped where I began and stood still.

"It's just because they didn't exactly have a huge place, it was more like a box room, so yeah, this is way bigger than I am used to" I step in front of her for a moment.

"Laura, I am really sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, can you forgive me for being so inconsiderate?" she slowly nods and looks at me.

"Of course, you didn't mean any harm, it's alright, can we continue?" I nodded slightly and started walking up the stairs.

"How many up? Do you not have a lift?" I smile climbing back down, I walk around the corner to the lift pressing the button.

"This place does have a lift, I am just trying to keep fit, thus being the reason I don't use it, so yeah!" she looked at me with a confused expression, I look at her with the same expression.

"What?" she smiles while looking at me up & down.

"Keep fit, you are joking right, you don't need to keep fit!" I smile at her, she would have had to have checked me out in that case.

"I also do it to keep warm as it's winter, you know what I mean?" she nods and smiles slightly.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm not one to keep fit" I smile gently taking her hand and walking her into the lift, she turns towards the doors as it closes, I press the floor I live on, she seems surprised, I leave her in suspension. While waiting for the lift to reach my floor, I look down at Laura, I carefully look at her face, her hair, her body. She's gorgeous.

"This is another reason why I don't use the lift, it takes ages to reach the 5th floor" She bites her lift, looking down a little.

"Sorry, I will take the stairs the next time" I raise an eyebrow while smirking.

"You want to visit again, that's good to hea-" She raises her hands in protest.

"I-I just meant...if you don't mind!" I smile a little, shaking my head. I didn't mind at all, she got to stay out of the cold, I get some company during Christmas too.

"As long as you don't mind spending time me during Christmas?" She smiles and gently swings.

"I'd be honoured!" I nod.

Laura & I are spending Christmas together, amazing.

• • • 3 weeks later • • •

I need to go out today and get Laura a little present, these 3 weeks have been amazing. We have laughs and everything, movie nights were she cuddles with me on the couch, we both slowly sip our Costa Hot Chocolate.

Ever since our first encounter was in Costa with hot chocolate, we've made that our official Christmas drink now.

As we watch the TV, we have the fire at the side blasting heat in our direction. I look down at this amazing girl, thinking how amazing this Christmas is going to be now that she is in my life.

"Ross?" I look into her eyes.

"Yeah, Laur?" She blushes a little, every time I call her that, she blushes, my little nickname for her.

"What are we?" I look up for a second. I know what she was asking. But answering it correctly is where I need to be careful.

"Well, I want this-" Pointing her and myself.

"To be something more, but that's all down to you. I'm prepared, are you?" She looks at me, wondering if my words were true or not. As she was resting against the chest, looking up at me, I caught her glimpsing at my lips then back at my eyes. I caught on instantly.

I look at her lips quickly, slowly leaning down, inch by inch was closed off the closer I reached her small perfect lips. She was looking into my eyes, I could see that she was scared, so was I.

I could smell her minty breathe as I was literally less than a centimetre away from her.

My right-hand cups her cheek as I press my lips gently upon her own, my eyes slowly closed from the touched. I melted into the kiss, it was heavenly, passionate & true.

I was scared of what Laura was thinking at this particular moment. I didn't want the kiss to end, it was something I wanted to last forever. But, unfortunately, the air is something we both need to live on.

As we both pull away gently, I slowly open my eyes to find hers still closed but she drew her bottom lip in, it was like she was savouring the taste from my lips. Her chest rising slowly and calmly.

"That was-"

"Undescribable?" I chuckled nodding.

"Took the word right out of my mouth" she giggles a little while smirking.

"Seems though that I literally did after that!" I close my eyes shaking my head, I loved her attempt at being cocky, but it didn't suit her. I give her props for trying though.

"Haha, yeah!" As we were watching TV, I decided on what I was going to get her for Christmas.

"So, Laura. Do you like music?" She gently nods humming against my chest. I changed the channel like the movie we were watching had just finished, I switched it over to the music channel, my favourite song was on, "Two in a Million".

I started singing along to it, after a few seconds, I heard Laura singing along to it as well. Our harmonies went along amazingly.

• • • A couple of days later • • •

After Laura and I harmonised together on that song, I decided to get her a guitar with hot chocolate branded shoulder strap, wrote a little message on it, for her eyes only ;).

I made my way back home, Laura was still asleep when I left her which was a couple of hours ago. She was really tired last night, no, nothing like that.

We might have been up all night watching movies until we fell asleep around 5 AM in the morning.

I walked into our apartment, well, I am going to ask her later on about that. I placed the guitar down on the couch and quickly checked on her before wrapping it up. Slowly sneaking across the hall, I peeked into our room and saw she was still sound asleep. I nodded satisfied that I still had time to wrap it up.

Quickly making my way to hall cupboard, I grabbed the special wrapping paper in red, I took the guitar over to the window, the farthest place from the bedroom, the less she hears the better.

Once I was sure it'll be fine to wrap, that's what I did.