Chapter 1
I woke up to a cold and foggy morning. The air was completely covered in fog so thick that you could barely see anything. I started getting dressed to go to school. Just as I was finishing up, my phone rang. The caller was none other than my best friend, Winter.
“Hello!” Her voice was bursting with happiness and excitement—it was obvious from the very first second. Without really caring what she was so excited about, I answered in my usual calm tone.
“Hello?”
“Oh my God! Liora, schools have been closed for 33 days!”
Her excited tone startled me. And with the news she delivered, I couldn’t even hide my shock—my eyes widened instantly.
“Thirty-three days?!” I said, my voice giving away my surprise.
I heard her laughing through the phone.
“Yes, a full 33 days!” she replied without trying to hide her excitement.
“Why?” I asked. She paused for a moment, then continued.
“They say the weather is going to get extremely cold. Heavy snowfall and dense fog are supposed to take over everything.”
“Who said that? Where did you hear it from?” I asked.
“Oh, come on! Hollywood’s official news page just announced it. If you don’t believe me, check it yourself.”
While talking to her, I opened Hollywood’s official news page. And she was right, schools were officially closed for 33 days. Not just schools, but all workplaces as well.
“This is amazing!” I shouted excitedly.
Winter laughed and responded with the same excitement.
“Hey, I have an idea!”
“What idea?” I put the phone on speaker and started taking off the school uniform I had just put on.
“Why don’t you stay at my place today? We can invite Luka too. We can spend this break in a fun way. What do you say?”
“Uh… I don’t know, Winter. I don’t think my mom would allow it.”
“Girl, you’re 19! You’re basically an adult and you’re still asking your mom for permission? Don’t make me laugh.”
I rolled my eyes at her mocking, persistent tone.
“I don’t know, Winter. I can’t promise anything.”
“Hey, I’m saying Luka will be there too. Are you okay?”
I sighed, annoyed.
“Winter, what does Luka have to do with this?”
“Don’t play dumb. Everyone knows you like him.”
“Winter!”
She giggled through the phone.
“Okay, okay. So are you coming or not?”
“I’m not sure.”
I heard her sigh.
“Fine. Bye.”
She hung up immediately.
Just then, my mom walked into my room and shouted anxiously.
“Liora! Why haven’t you left for school yet?”
After taking a deep breath, I explained everything to her.
“Thirty-three days… That sounds like some serious snowfall,” she said, her tone softening. Then she added, “I was thinking you could look after your sister Fiona during this break.”
I swallowed.
“Mom… Actually, I was planning to go to Winter’s house.”
Her eyes widened in panic.
“Winter? That girl who posts stupid videos on social media?”
Even though her description of my best friend annoyed me, I didn’t say anything.
“Yes.”
As soon as I finished speaking, she raised her voice.
“Liora! Stop talking nonsense. You know I hate that girl.”
I flinched at her raised voice.
“Mom, whether you hate her or not doesn’t matter. She’s my best friend, and I love her.”
She frowned.
“What about your sister? You know your father and I are going abroad. Just because everything is shutting down in Hollywood doesn’t mean it’s the same overseas.”
“I know. Fiona isn’t a little kid anymore. She’s 16. She can come with me.”
“Fine. I won’t argue anymore. If you can convince Fiona, then you can both go. But if she doesn’t want to come, you’ll both stay home.”
I sighed.
“Okay.”
I headed toward Fiona’s room. Just as I was about to knock, my phone buzzed repeatedly with incoming messages. Startled, I turned back and grabbed my phone from the desk.
All the messages were from our group chat. Curious, I started reading them one by one.
Winter: Hey guys! How about staying at my place tomorrow?
Luka: Where did this come from?
Winter: Dude, schools are closed for 33 days. Not seeing you guys for 33 days would be my worst nightmare. At least if you stay over, we’ll have fun.
Teo: I think it’s a great idea!
Finn: I don’t know, guys…
Luka: Is Liora coming?
Winter: I told her. She’s undecided. I’m sure she’ll come if you do.
Teo: I’m in.
Finn: Honestly, I don’t feel like coming. I could just sleep for 33 days.
Winter: Come on, Finn. You always do this.
Teo: Yeah, Finn, stop dragging it out and come.
Finn: Ugh, fine.
Winter: Luka, you’re coming too.
Luka: Okay, I’ll come.
Reading the messages made me want to go to Winter’s even more. I put my phone back on the desk and rushed into Fiona’s room. She jumped when I barged in.
“What is wrong with you? There’s something called knocking, you know. What century are you from?”
I shrugged.
“Sorry. I need to ask you something.”
She sighed.
“I know. Schools are closed for 33 days, you don’t want to be bored at home, so you want to stay at your friend’s house—and you want to take me with you.”
I stared at her in shock.
“How did you know I was going to say that?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Stop being so stupid, Liora. Your argument with Mom can be heard from everywhere. You might want to try talking calmly instead of yelling at each other.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes.
“Tell that to Mom. Also, stop calling me Liora. I’m your sister.”
She grinned.
“Seriously? There are only three years between us.”
“Just because there are three years between us doesn’t change the fact that I’m older than you, Fiona.”
“Okay, okay. Let’s get back to the point, sis.”
She emphasized the word sis on purpose, making me roll my eyes in annoyance.
“Anyway, are you coming with me, or are you going to stay home for the entire break watching boring shows alone? Your choice.”
“I don’t really want to come, but staying home for 33 days would be incredibly boring. So I guess I’ll come.”
I smiled.
“Great!”
I left her room and quickly went to my mom.
“Mom, Fiona agreed to come with me!”
She nodded approvingly.
“Alright then. You’ll go tomorrow. Your father and I are already leaving abroad tomorrow anyway.”
I nodded.
“Okay.”
Relieved by her approval, I grabbed my phone and sent a message to our group chat.
Liora:
Winter
Winter:
Yes?
Liora:
Would you be okay with two more guests? :)
Winter:
Wow, looks like someone finally decided :))
Teo:
Two more guests? Aren’t you coming alone?
Liora:
Oh, I almost forgot. Fiona—my sister—is coming with me.
Winter:
That’s awesome! I really want to meet Fiona.
Liora:
I’m sure she feels the same :)
Luka:
I’m glad you’re coming, Liora. This break wouldn’t be the same without you.
Winter:
I’m glad too!!
Winter:
Anyway, is tomorrow at 8 p.m. okay for everyone?
Liora:
It works for me.
Luka:
Works for me.
Teo:
I’m good.
Winter:
Teo?
Teo:
If everyone’s coming at that time, then I’ll come too.
Winter:
Yes! Perfect. Don’t forget—tomorrow at 8. Byeee.
Liora:
Alright, see youu.
I put my phone down, went to my room, took the book I hadn’t finished from my bookshelf, and sat on my bed. I started reading.
I loved reading books traveling through different worlds, escaping reality, and satisfying my need for adventure and a bit of fear. That’s why I was always reading.
The book I had left unfinished was an adventure novel. I loved adventure books. Ever since I started this one, I’d been thinking about what would happen in the next chapters day and night, as if I were the main character myself.
Out of all the books I’d read, this one would probably become my favorite.
Ice Scream...
