"Mẹ, Mẹ, nhìn kìa trời đang có tuyết rơi!" I shouted, pointing at the falling white snow from my window.
Mẹ nodded, sweeping the floor with an old broom.
I turned to her, getting off from the couch, "Con đi ra ngoai chơi được không??" I asked.
Mẹ looked down at me and patted my head, "Được nhưng phải mặc ấm nhé," she agreed.
I cheered, running upstairs, rummaging through my closet for my winter coat. I put on a sweater, long socks, pants, and a coat and rushed down the stairs; I tugged on Mẹ's shirt, asking, "Con đi được chưa?"
Mẹ nodded, crouching down to zip up my jacket and pull up my hood. She went upstairs and came back with her coat on, then followed me to the backyard.
I ran through the thick snow, scooped up a handful of snow, and threw it around, sending the white powder high into the sky as Mẹ watched me from the deck. It didn't take long for me to slip on the icy ground and fall on my butt. Mẹ ran from the deck, pulled me up from the snow, and brushed it off my pants.
"Bạn có ổn không?" she asked, looking really worried.
At the time I just smiled, "Con không sao Ma," I scooped up as much snow as I could hold and held it up with both hands and showed it to her, "Con có thể giữ cái này được không?"
Her worried face turned into confusion, as she asked, "Tại sao?"
"Để con có thể cho Minh xem khi anh ấy về với ông!" I answered.
-----*-----
Man, I was really stupid as a kid. Well, this was one of the first times I had seen snow, and I was like eleven, so I'll give past-me a pass this time.
But only this time.
Every time it snowed, I'd drag Mẹ or Minh outside to play in the backyard with me. We built so many snowmen that it looked like we were raising an army, and snowball fights would turn into all-out warfare. Winter was probably the most fun season for me.
But now…
a harsh cold wind had run through the cave entrance making me hug my blanket tighter.
Yeah, I don't think I like snow anymore.
I rubbed my hands together and bundled myself up in my blanket.
Cold, so cold. Why'd we have to end up in Antarctica? It's fucking freezing. I mean, that was obvious, it's snowing outside, but that doesn't mean I can't complain about it!
Another gust of freezing air blew through the cave.
Oh for fucks sake!
I looked over to my bag with my Graphien book inside. If I could just get to it then I could start a fire. I reached for it but more cold was coming. I drew back my hand. Oh my god, at this point becoming machine fuel is better than this.
At least I wouldn't suffer before I die. I think.
Then I heard a crunch of snow, "Have you found anything?"
"If some wet twigs count, then yes," Minh answered, holding some sticks in his gloved hand.
"Is that all?"
"Oh, I apologize for my insufficient hall Madam! Unfortunately, trudging through a snowy wasteland for hours in search of sticks is quite difficult to accomplish!"
"Okay, okay, I get it," I rolled my eyes and stared at the sticks in his hands, "This should be enough to start a fire," I added, turning to my bag, "Can you get my Graphien book?"
"Do you have leprosy?"
"No."
"Then you get it."
"Why can't you get it?"
"Because you're closer."
"And? You're warm enough to walk, so you get it!"
"And it's your book."
"Ugh, fine," I grumble, rolling my eyes as I scooted towards my school bag, I felt a gust of cold bitter air brush by my neck, and stopped. I looked at Minh, who'd been watching me, and I put on my best puppy face, "Pleeease?"
"No."
"Eh, worth a shot." I shrugged.
I should've known that wouldn't work on him. Welp, at least I tried... maybe if I try one more time.
But the moment I turned back to him, but he looked at me with the 'Mẹ' stare.
… Never mind, it's not worth it.
I scooted over to my bag and quickly snatched my Graphien book before retreating my hand back into my blanket. I scooted back to my spot, seeing that Minh had set up the sticks like a sad mini fire pit.
How stupidly depressing! God, I'm starting to sound like Minh's emo ass.
I opened my book and flipped to a fire spell, "φιℜ𝔈." A golden flame ignited in my hand. I moved it to the sad fire pit and watched as the sticks caught on fire and burned a red-hot flame.
Oh thank god, I feel so much better!
I moved closer to the fire with Minh sitting down next to me.
"Aren't you warm enough already?" I asked, staring at the layers of thick winter clothing he was wearing.
"Is it a crime to sit by a fire I worked for?"
"Touche," I said, huddling close to him, my eyes looking at him, "You cold?"
Minh only nodded.
I guess even cold-blooded jerks can get cold. I opened my blanket and wrapped one side around him, huddling closer.
.... Okay, it's too quiet.
I felt Minh nudge my elbow, "What?" I asked.
"I'm bored."
"What do you want me to do about it?"
"Do I look like I know?"
"Well, what d'you expect me to come up with?" I questioned. "What do you think I'm gonna do? Talk about the weather?"
I got up, blanket in hand, and stopped at the entrance of the cave.
I picked up a clump of snow from the ground and held it up, "Ah, yes, this snow is made of snow, what a fascinating product of precipitation," I sarcastically said, holding the clump of snow like Simba from Lion King.
Minh chuckled
Guess my joke worked.
We laughed for a little while longer until a brisk cold wind swept into the cave, "fuck, cold, cold, cold!" I yelped, "Stupid storm, you ruined my bit!" I yelled as if the storm would respond.
I pouted, crawling back to the fire to warm myself up. I sat beside Minh and rubbed my hands together, then put them close to the fire. Minh took off his gloves and gave them to me.
I turned to him, "What about you?"
"I'll be fine," Minh assured, stretching his sleeves to cover his hands.
Clever.
I smiled and put the gloves on, then warmed my hands by the fire.
I looked at the cave entrance, then at Minh, "Do you wanna build a wall?" I sang, inching closer to him.
He stared at me for a while before sighing, "Fine, we have nothing better to do."
"Yay!" I cheered.
We got up and went to the entrance of the cave, piling up large clumps of snow to block out the wind from the storm. After some time, we had a sturdy wall of snow that blocked out the cold wind and ... light.
Who needs the sun anyway?
I poked a hole in the wall to the other side to make sure we didn't suffocate in there. Then, I stepped back and admired our handy work.
"Are you sure this is going to hold up?"
"Definitely! Just believe!"
"I don't think believing is going to stop a snow-wall collapsing, Phuong."
"You're just not believing hard enough," I huffed, falling back near the fire.
Minh rolled his eyes and sat next to me.
"You know, you should be grateful that I found this place. If I hadn't, we probably would've died."
"I said good job, didn't I?" Minh scowled, "Isn't that enough?"
"Yeah, but I should at least get a thank you," I reasoned.
When I woke up after we had been teleported, all I saw was snow. A lot of it. It took a while to find Minh, too. I had to dig him out of a pile of snow nearby. I was this close to passing out, but thankfully I managed to find a cave in time. I worked so hard today and not even a thank you? Minh being an asshole as always.
Minh groaned, "Fine, thank you for saving our asses today. Better?"
"Yes," I answered. I come out winning once again. I stared at the snow wall. "So what now?"
"What else? Wait out the storm and plan from there, obviously."
"Yeah, guess so," I said as I stared at the wall we had built.
We'll just wait it out. But how long will that be?
Side Story Dated - 14yrs
Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?
I raised my hand and knocked on Minh's door.
The door opened with Minh poking out his head, "What?"
I smiled, "Do you wanna build a snowman?" I sang, holding out a gloved hand.
"No," he answered bluntly and shut the door.
I crossed my arms. Jerk. Fine if you don't wanna hang out; that's fine with me.
I went downstairs and ran into the backyard. Falling back onto the snow to make a snow angel. I got up and brushed off the snow on my back as I looked at a window on the second floor. That should be Minh's room, right?
I grinned as I grabbed a handful of snow and shaped it into a ball. I readied myself and flung the snowball at Minh's window. After a few more snowballs, I saw Minh through his window. He was flipping me off, of course, but I got his attention though. I grabbed another snowball and threw it at the window to spite him as a good sister should.
Then Minh opened the window and yelled, "What the fuck are you doing?!"
"None ya business!"
"You're throwing snowballs at me! It sure looks like it's my business!" He countered, shaking his fist like an old man telling some kids to get off his lawn.
I picked up another snowball and threw it at him. Minh ducked under the window before popping his head back up again. Lucky for him, I missed.
Dang it, I was on a streak!
"What the hell?!" he shouted, "fuck you!"
"Fuck you too!"
"I'm telling Mẹ!"
"Wait, no! You fucking snitch!" I screamed, running inside to stop him.
A/N
Alrighty, everything is mostly done so hopefully I'll be able to get some chapters in on time. Of course, I really appreciate you reading my derpy stories and hope you like this chapter. I might start writing author's notes more often now. :>