Once Upon A December.

I stopped in my tracks and once again pulled my friend into my arms,
giving her a quick, tight squeeze before continuing toward the stop. I
could see it, just a few hundred feet away. The train was coming to a
stop, and passengers were exiting as well as entering the vessel.

"I sure hope you're right..." was all I could muster, and I turned to face
her one last time for who knows how long. "It's time for me to go...."

"Love you, KeeKee."

With that I turned and hurried to the train, hot tears now streaming
down my face. The contrast to the icy air made my sorrow all the more
real, my move all the more real, the loss of life as I had once known it
all the more real.

Because of that, I couldn't hold back my tears. As I stepped onto the train,
one of the workers frowned at my appearance, but I ignored his gaze. Instead
I turned my attentions out the window, looking upon my friend one last time as
the whistle blew.

"Goodbye, KeeKee..."

--3 and a half hours later

The train was beginning to slow, making it's way to its near final destination.
My stop was next, and I yawned and stretched my stiff limbs. I had slept
some of the way, but it had still seemed much too long. Gazing out, I
noticed it was snowing.

"So it snows here, too? That's comforting..."

I sat up and watched as a worker made his way down the train, helping
those who were exiting with their bags. When he approached me, I offered
him a weak smile in thanks.

The air was cold and unforgiving as I stepped out of the warmth of the train
and onto the crunchy ground below. I could see some figures standing
underneath the station's overhang, as well as others passing to and fro,
scurrying frantically to catch the newly arrived train. I hesitantly walked
toward the group of figures, wondering if it were the family I was to be
living with from now on. As I got closer I realized it was not them, however,
and I scanned the area in confusion. I saw no one I recognized.

It was then I heard the voice of a boy who sounded about my age.

Emiko! I turned toward the direction my name was being called, catching the
eye of a boy I assumed to be Kai, my godparents' son. The only memories I
had of him were when I was very young, as we used to play together. It was
surprising to imagine that immature, whiny boy to be the one now making his
way toward me. He was tall, strikingly handsome, with gorgeous hazel eyes
and perfectly tanned skin. He was much darker than I, and I found myself
feeling self-conscious as I headed toward him as well.

"Kai?" I inquired hesitantly, dragging my suitcase through the snow behind me.
"Is that really you?"

"Long," I replied with a weak smile, and I tucked a strand of
stray hair behind my numb ear. It was freezing outside, and I
was exhausted after such a horrible day. I was happy to see Kai,
however, and as he stepped forward I wrapped my arms around
him in greeting.

He was really warm.

"Are your parents here? Or is it just you here to pick me up?"
I questioned, looking around for any familiar faces. They were
probably still at work, it was nearing 5pm now.

My face brightened at the hat he had brought me, and
I smiled in thanks and quickly put it on, bringing the flaps over
my now bright red ears. It seemed colder here than it had in
my home town, and I wondered if it were just because of the
circumstances.

"Oh, thank you SO much. I guess I didn't prepare too well for
the weather," I thanked him, laughing in embarrassment.

"So how far is the house from here?"

"That sounds lovely," I smiled in response, my eyes following
his hand as he gestured the direction the house was in. I rubbed my hands
together for warmth, bouncing up and down to try to get my blood pumping.
It was freezing out here.

"I sure do hope it has a fireplace too."

With that I let out a small chuckle, though it had a hollowness to it that
both surprised and saddened me. Would I never feel true happiness again?
I shook the thought from my head and brought my attentions back to the
boy before me. "Let's hurry then, I feel like I might just freeze to death!"

The body heat on his jacket provided me with a rush of warm
relief, and as he reached to pick up my bag as well I couldn't
help but smile. What a nice guy--so polite and gentleman-like.

"Thank you, Kai. Now let's REALLY hurry before you actually
do freeze to death," I grinned, then turned and began walking
in the direction he had gestured. We made our way in silence
for a bit before I spoke up once again.

"So Kai...do you think I'll like it here?"

Upon hearing how those words might sound ungrateful and rude,
my face flushed and cheeks reddened. "I mean, that's not what I
meant!" I blurted out, huddling into the jacket for both warmth and
concealment. "I'm sorry. What I meant was...well, what are your
favorite things about this place?"

I soaked in his words, imagining what the market place must look
like, or the way the how described how moon shone softly along
the town's park, and I soon found myself lost in thought. Maybe
it wouldn't be so bad here after all? I mean, I had Kai...and even
after all these years, I still felt safe next to him.

With that I came to, realizing he had been staring at me and
shrinking nervously under his gaze in response. He was so much
taller than me now, but he still held the same, kind eyes I always
remembered him having. And now those eyes seemed captivated
by me. I could feel the color rise to my cheeks, and I shot a look
downward toward the suit case he was carrying for me.

"Uhm, maybe we should get going," I muttered nervously, ignoring the
butterflies now fluttering rampantly in my stomach. "It's cold, and I'm
sure the suit case is getting heavy now."

"Okay," I nodded bashfully, quickly following after him through the
snow. I huddled into my coat, wondering if the house was as close as
he said it was.

I tried to remember what the house had looked like when I was a child.
Did it look the same? Different? Was it even the same house from my
childhood, or had they moved? I had so many questions, yet I could not
find the heart to ask any of them as I thought back on my parents. Who
could have ever predicted this would happen? I bit my lips, anticipating
tears, but this time they did not form.

His concerned voice instantly snapped me from my thoughts,
and as my vision refocused on my surroundings I gazed up at him,
offering him a small smile.

"Yes, I'm okay," I replied, though my voice had unconsciously softened.
"I was just wondering if your house was the same as I remembered as
a child. It really has been a long time..."

"Not full of legos anymore?" I teased, a refreshing chuckle
eascaping my lips. While it felt strange to laugh, it eased the prolonged
tightness I'd been feeling in my chest--something that had not been
eased in weeks.

We approached what I assumed was his car, and I shivered into my
coat once again. For some reason it seemed much colder here than
my home town, and I wondered if it were the weather or if it were me.

"A fancy car now, huh? My, you definitely have grown up," I laughed,
wrinkling my nose in apparent amusement. "Unless, of course, your
car is made of legos now too?" I teased.

I watched as we headed up to the front door, swallowing the nervous
lump that was now forming in my throat. Why did I feel so flustered
all of a sudden? This change, it was indeed a lot to endure. It was going
to take some getting used to. Still, I appreciated what this family was
doing for me, and it was nice to see my old friend again.

If only it were under different circumstances..."