Chapter 1
Cold, brisk air filled the atmosphere as the sun lowered itself beyond the horizon, eventually disappearing for the winter. Thus allowing for the moon and stars to dance across the sky, pleasing the guardians of the wind, forests, and seas. Squirrels and other small creatures rushed to hide their stores of food and to hurriedly make warm bedding for the winter, birds followed the sun beyond the horizon in hopes of sunnier skies and the welcoming warmth down south, and bears tucked themselves into their cozy dens for the winter.
Families cuddled on the couch, warm light painting their faces as they watched countless Christmas movies and indulged in each others’ presence. Hot coco and cookies being passed around, laughs filling the cozy atmosphere. Annora envied them, wanting to hide under the horizon, dance across the skies, or simply tuck in and sleep through the cold harsh parts of her life in order to thrive during the brighter ones.
But instead of doing so, Annora sat locked in the confines her room with only countless law books for her entertainment, forcing herself to study and understand them. Instead of singing, dancing, acting, she was studying and cramming, mind feeling caged and trapped, yearning and craving to be let free. Her russet-brown hair was done up in a horribly messy bun, jade-green eyes loosely focused on the writing.
Eventually, she sighed, looking out her open window that allowed the cold to seep in and keep her awake. Looking through it, most would see a cold, unwelcoming place but for her? She saw an escape, somewhere quiet where she could be alone, focused, and most importantly, herself. She bit her lip, eyes wandering the room as she stood from her desk and tip-toeing to the door. The chestnut door was closed though the muffled shouting of her parents downstairs. “Ugh, fighting again.” she scoffed inwardly, rolling her eyes.
Now knowing they wouldn’t hear her leave, she confidently strode towards the window, smiling. She grabbed her coat, strapped on her boots and made sure that she’d be plenty warm before grabbing her phone and headphones. With one last look around she crawled out of her window, carefully setting her feet on her house’s icy roof, walking across it with great care. She smiled softly as she spotted a tall shadow on the roof across from her as she finally stood on the top of it.
She exhaled softly, a cloud of vapor flooded her vision as she shuffled to the end of the room, he outstretched his arms and smiled teasingly.
“Come on girl, jump! You can do it!” Ignoring his teasing tone, she followed his instructions, shutting her eyes as every instinct in her told her not to jump, a hot dread filling her heart as she leapt towards him, a cool relief as he caught her in his arms.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered, “I’ve got you…” For a moment, the two stared into each other’s eyes lovingly before she broke away smiling.
“How’s your day been going?” He chuckled, voice deep and soothing.
Annora scowled, “Not today, Ezarah, not in the mood.” She said sharply, words not needed to describe her feelings
“Okay, okay, calm down.” He teased softly, slinging an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. The girl frowned but didn’t resist him as she usually did, silently leaning into him. She needed his relaxing warmth today more than usual and she knew he did too.
His dark-chocolate eyes shone with affection and his long undercut hair was tied up messily rather than gelled neatly into a bun or braided into a ponytail. She frowned, the thought that something might be wrong flooded her mind but she shook it off, he was strong, he was probably in a rush.
After a long, warm silence, she spoke softly, eyes staring up at the sky, “I hate them... “
He sighed and looked down at his feet and the snow twenty or so feet below them.
“No more sneaking out, no more getting yelled at or forced to do what they want. We can take your ma and Malu and we can move to Washington and be happy…”
The man scowled. “No, we’ve talked about this, they want the best for you. You’re being selfish.”
“But why can’t I be?! Why can’t we be selfish? Life is short Eza! Why should I have to live their dream for them?” She said emotionally, almost shouting as her eyes brimmed with tears.
He didn’t answer and an uncomfortable silence filled the air, she sighed.
“It’s alright, goodnight Eza…” She sighed, “I’ll just go.”
“I’ll walk you back.”
Annora nodded and smiled softly, holding his hand as they made her way back to her roof. “You need help crossing?” He asked worriedly and she shook her head.
Annorah took a deep breath before leaping, heart thumping as she struggled to regain balance.
“Ann!” Ezarah almost jumped after her, sighing in relief as she finally stilled.
“See? I’m good!”
He chuckled, rolling his eyes exaggeratedly. “Yeah, alright.” She couldn’t help but smile once she found that faint hint of worry in his eyes.
“See you tomorrow?” She asked, eyes shining with hope.
“Yeah… we’ll see, nerd.” He smiled faintly, waving goodbye as he turned and left.
Annora sat there for a while before turning back to her window and crawling back inside, thankful for the bit of warmth provided by the house. She closed the window quietly and placed herself at her desk, getting ready to cram again before she heard her parents call, “Annora!”
She sighed and rolled her eyes, standing up and taking off her boots and coat so they wouldn’t know she’d been outside before descending down the stairs. “Yes, ma’am? Sir?” She asked softly, keeping her eyes on the ground.
“No, no, eyes up! It’s good news, dear!” Her mother cheered with fake enthusiasm, her dad’s arm wrapped around her shoulder.
“Well… what is it?” I asked nervously, knowing that whatever they considered good I would consider bad.
“Well… you got into Yale, sweetheart!” Her dad’s piercing jade-green eyes glared down at her as her mother said so, he was a quiet but scary man, Annora had never figured why her mom loved him.
“Yes… a full ride, all 7 years, paid for.” Her father smiled fakely, she knew the only reason he cared was because she didn’t because he hated her. “Aren’t you happy?” His smirk condescending, daring her to go into this with them again. And against her best instincts, she took the bait.
“I don’t want to go to Yale! I want to go to Washington! This is bullshit!” She cried, before realizing what she had just said and that there would be no going back.
