The Last First Snow

The ten-minute break between classes—the classroom was a mess of noise.

Hina came running back from outside and plopped down next to Peyton, setting a bottle of iced tea on the corner of her desk.

"Whew, I'm beat." Hina patted her chest. "Pey, your boy Winter told me to give this to you."

Peyton was bent over her notes, organizing them. She glanced up at the bottle—Arizona Iced Tea, peach flavor. Her usual.

"Thanks." She unscrewed the cap and took a sip.

Hina propped her chin on her hand, watching Peyton, then lowered her voice. "Hey, aren't you gonna go check her out? The new girl who transferred into Winter's class. I just passed by their hall and oh my god, Peyton—her skin, her legs! I heard she's an arts transfer, came to the science track to catch up on academics."

Peyton took another sip. "No time. Haven't finished these problems yet."

"You're literally neighbors with the guy. Aren't you worried he'll fall for someone else?" Hina poked her arm, then shook her head. "Though honestly, knowing Winter's personality, probably not. During her self-intro this morning, half the guys' eyes were glued to her. Winter didn't even look up."

Peyton didn't respond. Just kept flipping through her notebook.

Her fingertips brushed across the pages, making a soft shhhh sound.

After school, Peyton slung her backpack over her shoulder and left with Winter, who was waiting by the door.

The autumn sun stretched their shadows long across the pavement. The campus ginkgo trees were halfway to gold, their leaves falling in soft flutters with each gust of wind.

They'd just reached the shoe lockers when a wave of rose-scented perfume drifted over.

A long-haired girl stepped in front of Winter.

Bright eyes, radiant smile. "Winter, everyone's throwing me a welcome party tonight. Wanna come?"

Winter took a step back. "Sorry. I'm busy."

He stepped around her and kept walking.

A few steps later, he turned. "Summers. Let's go."

"Oh."

Peyton pulled her gaze away from the girl and followed.

The girl's eyes flicked to Peyton—curious, appraising.

On the walk home, they discussed the day's hardest problems. Winter pulled out a calculus worksheet and pointed to a tricky function question, explaining the solution.

When they reached Peyton's building, Winter suddenly stopped.

"Summers."

Peyton turned.

The dim streetlight cast a glow on his face. For once, his voice wasn't cold. "Let's both aim for MIT."

Peyton blinked, then smiled. "Okay."

The next morning, Peyton went to Winter's classroom to discuss a problem set.

She stopped by the window and saw a girl sitting backward on Winter's desk, chatting with him.

The transfer student.

Winter's brow furrowed. "Sierra, go back to your own seat."

Sierra grumbled, turning her head. Her eyes met Peyton's.

Her smile grew, but she only gave Peyton a quick glance before swiveling back to Winter, her tone shifting to a playful whine. "You're always buying drinks. Are they that good? Get me one tomorrow too?"

"Buy your own."

Sierra pouted. "Some class president you are. Not very caring toward your classmates."

Peyton tapped on the window frame.

Winter looked up and passed the worksheet through the window. The two discussed solution methods through the glass.

Halfway through, Winter's gaze suddenly shot past Peyton's shoulder, staring straight at something behind her.

A storm brewed in his usually calm eyes.

Peyton didn't turn around. She heard bright laughter ring out behind her.

It was Sierra, laughing with some guys about cafeteria food.

"Sierra."

Winter's voice cut through, suppressing something.

"Hmm? Yeah, Mr. President?" Sierra looked up, her expression a mix of surprise and calm. "Need something?"

Peyton quietly watched Winter. He seemed to have forgotten her existence, his eyes locked on the person behind her.

His fingers tightened on the worksheet. The paper crumpled. Veins stood out on the back of his hand.

"The math study group. You're the only one who hasn't signed up."

Sierra's face lit up with realization.

Before she could respond, the guy next to her jumped in. "Oh, Prez, Sierra already told me this morning she'd be in my group. I forgot to tell you."

Sierra shot him a mock glare. "I thought you already mentioned it!"

"Forgot, forgot. My bad, haha."

They walked off, laughing.

Winter stood frozen, eyes dark as the ocean behind his glasses.

One day, Peyton came back from PE drenched in sweat. Passing through the hallway, she saw Sierra leaning against the railing, chatting with a friend.

She held a bottle of something, laughing freely.

Sierra's eyes flicked toward Peyton for a split second before turning back. She casually handed the bottle to her friend. "Winter gave it to me. Don't want it. You can have it."

Her friend teased, "Ooh, hasn't he been getting you drinks all week? Is he—"

"Ugh, stop. He's so annoying."

Peyton didn't break stride. Her face stayed blank as she returned to her classroom.

On her desk sat the carton of milk she'd been too rushed to grab that morning.

Still her favorite brand.

She opened it, took a sip, then tossed it in the trash.

Her desk partner looked surprised. "You didn't even finish it. Why'd you throw it out?"

"It went bad."

That evening, Peyton left early. Didn't wait for Winter.

The next day, they ran into each other in the elevator.

Winter only asked, "Did you have a lot of homework yesterday? Why'd you leave early?"

Peyton stared at the floor numbers ticking upward. "Mm."

Silence for a few seconds.

"I've been breaking out lately. Don't buy me drinks anymore."

Winter said nothing.

She could feel his gaze on her.

When the elevator doors finally opened, she heard his flat reply.

"I see."

One day, Hina was slumped over her desk, eyes bright. "Pey! Did you hear? At the New Year's concert, Winter and Sierra are doing a piano duet!"

Peyton was working on a math problem. Her pen paused.

"Four hands! They've been practicing together for weeks. Apparently, they're really in sync."

"Mm."

Hina leaned closer. "Are you gonna go watch?"

"We'll see."

Peyton went anyway.

The school auditorium was beautifully decorated—string lights and pine garlands hung along the walls. The air smelled of mulled cider and roasted chestnuts.

Peyton and Hina found seats toward the back.

The lights dimmed.

The auditorium erupted in whistles and cheers—

"Winter!"

"Sierra Snow!"

Over and over, rhythmic, like waves.

The spotlight blazed onto center stage.

Two grand pianos sat side by side. Winter and Sierra each took a seat. He wore a black suit. She wore a flowing white gown.

Under the lights, their profiles were sharp and clear.

Sierra leaned into the mic with a playful smile. "Everyone quiet now. Our performance is about to begin."

The auditorium fell silent.

The music started.