Stalker

***Stalker*** is the fourth episode of *The Adventures of Evie and Mya* in Season 1 and the fourth episode overall.

## Synopsis

Winter meets Aiden, seemingly a harmless young boy, and grows annoyed by his overzealous antics. While Evie and Mya don't think much of it at first, Aiden's actions become fueled by lovesick desperation, and Winter finds herself face-to-face with an obsessive stalker - one she will never even reciprocate feelings for.

## Transcript

*The episode begins at Pineshadow Middle School. It has just snowed, covering the ground in powdery white snow that dazzled in the sunlight. The roads are slicked with ice, and wispy gray clouds build in the sky, bringing promise of more snowfall later. Mya waits by a brick pillar, adorning a puffy coat and snow boots.*

Mya had been dropped off two minutes ago by her parents and had took to waiting by a brick pillar for Evie, who would be arriving shortly.

Even in her puffy coat, she still felt chilly and shivered, cold air escaping her mouth and forming a cloud in front of her. *Brr... it can get so cold in Washington.*

Despite the clattering of her teeth, she took to whistling a tune, pulling her faux fur hood over her head to stay warm.

Minutes ticked on by. Finally, a familiar car pulled up, and out popped Evie, also wearing a thick coat and boots.

"Thanks for dropping me off, dad! Don't forget to refill Holly's water bowl when you get home! Make sure mom isn't placing extra work on my bed!" she shouted to her father, who nodded and drove off.

Then, blowing out a cloud of cold air, Evie approached Mya and gave her a light hug. "*Xin chào*!" she greeted in Vietnamese.

"Hiiiiii! Okay, I swear icicles are forming inside my boots, and before we become victims of frostbite, we must march onward to warmth!"

Evie nodded, chuckling. "Ah, yes. Onward."

The two strode into PMS, escaping the shackles of the freezing weather at last and being welcomed by the humid air conditioning. What a relief. Now they could defrost.

As they made their way to the gym, Mya turned to Evie. "I just realized... we haven't seen Winter for a few days. Do you think she's doing well?"

Evie nodded in agreement, thoughtful. Winter was their new friend they had met recently in shocking, insane, and scary circumstances that could have very well led to their premature deaths. But they befriended the unique Winter, who had shared with them her life story and had started to treat the two as her friends.

However, a vicious bullying round by the feared demon child Daniela had caused her to disappear from their watchful eye, out of sight and out of mind.

"Personally, I think Winter is okay. Daniela probably just heavily freaked her out, and I don't blame her for wanting to hide. Dealing with the nightmare kid is something you're not gonna forget easily."

"Yeah, that's pretty true. I'm sure we'll see her again! At least... I hope so."

Finally, Evie and Mya reached the gym and entered. Loud noise penetrated the air everywhere as the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders engaged in their morning commune, gossiping about personal lives, the latest trends, who did this and who did that, or simply playing a game on their technology.

Morning Gym was truly one of the most fun parts about the school day.

The girls slowly took steps up the bleachers, slightly slippery from the melted snow tracked in from many, *many* shoes, and headed up to row five.

Suddenly, Mya poked Evie on her shoulder. "Ev! My future senses are spot on today! Look who's there!"

Curious, Evie followed her gaze to the corner of the bleachers near the guard railing. Immediately, her heart jumped in joy when she noticed a young girl sitting all alone.

*Winter!*

Winter, trading her long-sleeve shirt for a blue coat, sat gazing off into the distance, her ice-blue eyes glassy. She seemed lost in thought again, her chin resting on her hands.

She looked downhearted. Evie and Mya wanted to change that.

"C'mon, let's say hello!" Evie whispered, and together, she and Mya approached Winter.

Winter was so spaced out that she didn't hear them approach.

"*Hi Winter*!" Mya excitedly exclaimed.

With a yelp, Winter snapped out of her stupor and sat up, instinctively shielding her face, but upon seeing her friends smiling at her, she relaxed.

"Oh, uhm... hey, Evie. Hey, Mya."

The two sat down on her right. "How have you been? We haven't seen you since the confrontation with Daniela a few days ago," Evie asked gently, her gaze friendly.

Winter nodded briefly, resting her hands in her lap. She sighed. "I'm sorry... for up and leaving you like that. I was just really spooked and... I needed to breathe, get away from her. When I panic..."

"Oh, no worries, Winter!" Mya reassured brightly, soothing her friend. "We understand that feeling. We're just glad you're doing much better than you were in the Wicked Witch's hands."

Winter, joyous, cracked a small smile and leaned in closer to Mya. "You say the darndest things, don't ya?"

"As her friend of three years, I can very much confirm that she is a nutjob," Evie teased, winking at her friend.

"Hey! I'm not a nutjob! I declare warrrrr!" Mya batted at Evie's shoulder with both hands before she settled and turned back to Winter, who had begun to relax in their presence, no longer looking so rigid and distant.

Then, something else crossed her mind, making her perk up. "Oh! I have news for you two!"

Both cocked their heads, surprised, yet eagerly anticipating what she had to say.

"I... had my classes switched by a counselor - so now I'm going to be with you guys in some periods!"

Evie and Mya's mouths fell open in astonishment, but both cheered, ecstatic at the news. The thought of hanging out with Winter more - especially in class - was *awesome*.

School was now going to be *cool*.

"All right!" Evie stated excitedly.

"We've won the lottery! You've joined us! I'm so happy I might just hug you to death!" Mya squealed, pulling Winter into a hug, and her body went stiff as a statue.

*Oh god. I'm still not used to these...*

All of a sudden, out of the corner of her eye, Winter noticed a stranger heading toward them. His footsteps captured Evie and Mya's attention, and they too watched as the stranger walked up.

He was a short male student with freckled, lightly tanned skin and chestnut hair. His eyes were a standout shade of forest green.

As for his outfit, he wore a thick green jacket, ripped light blue jeans, and small black boots.

"Hey... can I sit here?" he requested shyly, glancing at the ground nervously.

"Not like I see a problem with it..." Winter replied warily, unsure of whether or not to place her trust in him. The boy grinned, enjoying how kind she was, and he took his seat next to her. His green eyes were bubbly, and his boots *thumped* against the wood in a little pattern. What was he so pumped about?

"Thanks. My name's Aiden Luftkin. Can I know your name?" he questioned. Aiden appeared to be eager to learn more about Winter. That wasn't unusual in PMS; everyone loved to socialize and befriend one another.

Said logic did not apply to Winter, who couldn't help feeling *off* at how the boy was longing to know her, but nonetheless, she introduced herself. "Umm... I'm Winterlyn. Please call me Winter."

"Oh, wow. Your name is really pretty. I like it!"

Winter nodded, hiding her gritting teeth. Her nerves were spiking.

Sensing their friend's tension, Evie and Mya stepped in.

"I'm one of Winter's friends, Evie. This idiot right here is *my* friend Mya-"

"I wake up every morning in the fields of worship!" Mya proclaimed, waving her arms around as if she were an animated hieroglyph.

"You... didn't make any sense," Evie muttered, but inside, she knew that Mya was being her classic comedic self. She slapped her on the cheek non-violently in return.

"Pfft, you two are hilarious!" Aiden commented happily. He'd never met these three, but already, he could feel himself growing attached to them.

There was *something* about the beautiful blue-eyed girl in front of him, though...

Her eyes were so *pristine*, so *clear* and mysterious. Her hair cut short in a different style, the four dyes that coated it, all carrying a mystique that Aiden started to fawn over.

*She's so... inviting.*

He kept his gaze steadily on Winter. She forced herself to smile politely, unnerved at the sight of someone like *a strange man* boring into her closed up soul.

Evie could see that she was silently suffering, so breaking in, she said, "Man, I can't wait to play in the snow after school's over."

"I'm gonna get into some snowball fights!" Mya proudly exclaimed.

"I wouldn't mind some snow day fun," Winter concurred in agreement, concealing her disquiet with *much* forced positivity.

"Yeah! Snow is one of the best things in Pineshadow. I... I like us all being on the same page."

Just then, the bell rang, signaling the five minute passing time before 1st period. Quickly, Evie, Mya, and Winter, grabbing their things, stood up and hopped down the bleachers, walking as a trio to the first classes of the day.

Unbeknownst to them, a familiar face in the crowd was eyeing them.

But Aiden's eyes were only drawn to one girl in particular, and his heart skipped a few beats when he thought of her name and rad appearance.

To him, he had a mission now - and he wanted to capture lightning in a bottle.

**SEASON 1, EPISODE 4 - STALKER**

Later, in 3rd period, Evie and Mya put their pencils to work in art as they sketched out the 3D shapes Mr. Alann had assigned the class to draw. It was a test to see how well they could define shading, value, and form.

Evie's shapes were mostly solid - but Mya was on a whole sheer scale of *phenomenal*.

Her shapes looked realistic and so shaded that they were *popping* off the paper.

"Who died and made you the art god?" Evie asked in a teasing manner, prodding her friend in the shoulder.

"Mephistopheles?"

Evie's eyes went wide. "*Mya*! The dude's a familiar spirit of the *devil*, he's not a god or deity associated with art!"

"Damn, gods are hard to understand..."

"You're easy to understand, Miss Art God."

"Okay, Miss Smart God."

The two chuckled affectionately at each other, much to the annoyance and confusion of their tablemates, Sarah and Evelin, who were twin sisters - they had similar tan skin, similar brownish-black hair, and wore identical Hollister t-shirts.

"Are you two done or something? You're kinda being a distraction with all that giggling," Sarah pointed out.

Mya blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry, twins. Carry on."

"Mmm, you're alright. Your conversation was cute anyway," Evelin chirped, brushing off a gnat on her sister's shoulder. She rolled her eyes and brushed off her shoulder in turn.

Quickly, the girls returned to work. Five minutes later, Mr. Alann walked up to them, humming a tune to himself.

"My, some marvelous work we have here, ladies! Mya, your shapes are *divine*. Rafiq sisters, wonderful job done! Amazing job there, Evie!"

Mr. Alann loved his students, and like the stellar Mrs. Hawkins, he *loved* teaching and was always passionate. In particular, Mya was his star student, and in turn, she admired him.

In a way, it always made Evie's day to see Mya so well received.

The two soon got done with their worksheets and turned them into the turn-in basket, along with the Rafiq sisters, and they relaxed at their table for the last twenty minutes of class.

Once the bell rang, both waved a farewell to Sarah and Evelin and headed out into the packed hallway, preparing to arrive in Mrs. Hawkins' classroom for a busy day in math.

An annoyed huff sounded from behind Evie and Mya, and turning, they found Winter moving up to join their ranks. Her face was troubled, mouth twisted in irritation.

"Are you okay, Winter? Something is ticking you off," Mya probed with caution.

"Uh, *no*. That *Aiden* kid *followed me* to class and keeps drilling me with his *eyes*! He gave me *question* after *question* after *question* and I'm getting to my limit!"

Evie and Mya shared a glance, a worried one at that. Aiden seemed pleasant and docile earlier. Could he potentially have more *sinister* ambitions?

*No, that's silly. He's only fixated. It'll ease up.*

"I wouldn't worry too much about it," Evie said, her tone honest and straight. "Boys are boys, they do some weird things from time to time. If anything, Winter, he might want to be your friend."

"I agree with Ev. Not detecting a problem here," Mya chimed in.

"He tried to ask me *questions* about my *private life*!" Winter protested, gripping her backpack straps harder.

"Then you need to tell him not to do that. Simple corrections work *wonders*, I do tell you! Also, ignoring him would be a smart idea. He'll get the memo and won't pester you again," Evie advised.

"Alright, I guess..." Winter mumbled halfheartedly, walking beside Mya, who shot her a sympathetic look. Despite Evie's encouragement and confident words, she doubted that she would get Aiden to quit his non-mannerly ways.

The trio navigated through the halls downstairs and arrived at Mrs. Hawkins' math class.

"Good morning, Evie, Mya... oh, Winter! I got the news that you switched periods. Welcome to my 4th period, you're going to love it here!" she patted Winter on her head, which made her giddy, and she nodded.

"Thank you, Mrs. Hawkins. Can I sit next to Evie and Mya?"

"Of course, there's two empty seats at their table."

Inside, Evie and Mya placed their backpacks by their chairs and sat down, with Winter following shortly afterward. She relaxed, pulling out her pencil and slightly worn math notebook.

*Finally. No more being chased by that Aiden kid.*

But then, she watched as someone else entered the doorway, catching Mrs. Hawkins off guard, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Uh, hey, Mrs. Hawkins. I switched my math classes to be here... am I in the right period?"

The moment Winter heard *his* voice and saw *his body* in the doorway, she wanted to stab herself in both eyes with her pencil. Evie and Mya lost the color in their faces.

*Aiden* had also switched his periods - and now they were going to be stuck with him *for the rest of the year*.

"Yes... you're Aiden Luftkin. Moved because of your struggle and disconnection in your previous class... welcome to my 4th period! Take a seat next to Winter at that table, please," Hawkins instructed reassuringly.

Instantly, Aiden's eyes flickered at the sight of Winter, and with his heartbeat kicking, he dashed over to the empty seat and put his backpack down hastily.

"Winter! Oh my god I'm so happy to see you here! It's relieving, if you get what I mean..."

He didn't see it, but Evie and Mya could see Winter turning green, repulsed by the boy's presence and constant, unexpected appearances. She was growing *ill* the more this boy spoke.

*I honestly don't understand what she's so worried about. Aiden wants to be her friend. He's pretty overexcited and jubiliant, just like how I am,* Mya noted to herself.

Winter eyed her friends, one blue eye twitching, but Evie shrugged and mouthed to her, "Calm down, class is about to start."

*There's honestly not a problem with him... Winter will be fine.*

Boy, she *wished* she could take *that* back.

Throughout the class, Aiden proved to be more and more of a recurring nuisance compared to young, talkative, and zealous. Whenever he could, his eyes were glued onto Winter, and he kept trying to move close to her, which disgusted her. She didn't want to be infected by his weird bubonic plague, let alone have him mooning over her like an obsessive fan.

Evie and Mya were beginning to grow uncomfortable seeing him *stare blankly* at her the way he did.

During class breaks, Aiden also talked nonstop to Winter and gave her flapjacks upon flapjacks of compliments. It was clear he was trying to flatter her, and he was beyond *oblivious* to the fact that he wasn't; he was only making her crawl in her skin. Winter couldn't even bring herself to forcefully smile and glared at him, her face muscles clenched tightly. She was fed *up*.

Mya groaned, whamming herself in the forehead with her math notebook. She swore her ears were throbbing from all that chatter.

"Please make it stop *please* make it stop..."

Evie sighed, faced Aiden, and knocked on his desk a few times. Shaking his head, he focused his forest-green eyes on her annoyed holly-green. "Yes?"

"I don't mean to be a damper, but is it possible for you to... stop *talking* for a little while? My friends and I are trying to concentrate on our work, and also... Winter needs a break."

Aiden noticed that Winter's eyes were narrowed. She looked exhausted and only muttered something he couldn't make out under her breath.

"Oh... sorry." Aiden promptly closed his mouth, but old habits did not completely die hard, as from time to time, he admired Winter and became lost in his own haven.

After math had ended, things escalated *further*, to the dismay of the three girls. Aiden followed Winter whenever he had the ability to. He'd chat to her about things she found mundane and uninteresting. He'd reveal to her things she didn't care about.

This dude had a neverending *list* of things to say and utter. He emphasized points Winter nor her friends couldn't properly comprehend.

When 8th period and the day came to a close, Winter ran ahead of Evie and Mya and disappeared altogether, vanishing into the crowd of students.

This deeply troubled Evie and Mya. Winter was barely coming out of her tough shell, but thanks to Aiden, she had turned back into being a hermit and used the swarms of students as a means to escape.

Evie stared at the ground, her head hurting from all that had happened. "Mya, I hate to admit it... but I think Aiden is proving to be more of an issue than we initially realized..."

"Damn right he's a problem!" she retorted, stepping outside into the winter weather and onto icy stone. "That dude does not know the definition of *shut up*, *and* he doesn't know jack shrimp about leaving people alone! Doesn't he get that Winter has trust issues? He's too intrusive for his own good."

"It's not just that, but I think Aiden's developing an illness... and it's definitely not a warped case of the flu."

"Yep. I'd ship him off to therapy, but first, I'll legally diagnose him with a case of-"

Before Mya could finish her overexaggerated intentions, they heard a distinct, eager, *hyper* voice among them.

Their blood stopped moving.

*Oh crud. You've gotta be kidding!* Evie thought.

The two, pushing their way through a fresh blanket of snow, found Aiden pestering a lifeless Winter on a bench. Winter buried her face in her hands, which were a slight shade of pink due to the cold, unable to make herself respond anymore.

"Hey, I'm sorry for earlier. Can I ask you something, Winter? About your hair? I just wanted to know who styled it, and umm... I'd like to..."

Good lord, was this boy *blind* or lacking the ability to pick up psychological cues? He had already pushed Winter past her limit, and now, he had shut her *down*.

She was stressed out.

"Oh, that *does it*!" Mya hissed, infuriated by what she was witnessing, and Evie cracked her knuckles.

This boy needed to be put down - non-violently, of course.

Determined, Evie marched forward and pinched Aiden on his shoulder, then grabbing it and pulling him. Aiden's trance snapped as he felt the pain, and shocked by what Evie was doing, he unsteadily met her eyes.

"Uhh... hey, Evie."

"Boy, *what* do you think you're *doing*?! Look at Winter! You're stressing her out and overwhelming her with all this talk. Please take a break and give her some space... you should have seen how *distressed* she was!" She shook her head at him irritably.

"Not to mention," Mya added, strolling up to Evie's side, "don't you realize that some of your questions are too personal for Winter to answer? Be more *careful* with what you say, because right now, your head is stuck in the *clouds* - and a *hornet's nest*."

Aiden looked at the snowy concrete, his body conveying a more apologetic stance. "Sorry... so sorry..."

Downcast and feeling some guilt for his actions, he rushed off.

"Winter? He's gone now. Relax," Evie encouraged, and slowly, Winter revealed her face and got up from the bench in relief.

"Thanks, guys. I *needed* that, he was giving me no room to speak, and he kept prying... I just panicked."

"God, I feel that," Mya stated ruefully.

Winter pulled her coat tighter, turning to face the Piney Woods. "I... I'm going to go home, get some food and listen to some music. See you later."

"We'll see ya tomorrow, my friend," Evie said, dipping her head in farewell.

"And we'll be your savior through the storm!" Mya exclaimed, leaping into her friend's arms for a passionate hug. Winter froze, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment.

*Still... not used... to feeling this...*

Finally, Mya pulled away, and with a small grin, Winter walked in the direction of home within her sacred woods.

Once she was *long* out of earshot, Mya gained a troubled look on her face and stood next to Evie.

"Ev, we've got a code red here, and I'm afraid you're not gonna like what I'm suspecting."

"I think I already *know* what you're suspecting, and thinking about it is giving me a migraine."

"Aiden's not seeking Winter as a friend. He wants her to be his *girlfriend*. That man, innocent as he can be, has a *crush*. The dude's fallen harder than an anvil!"

Evie nodded, pacing nervously, brows furrowed. "And if Winter doesn't pick up on the signs soon and put Aiden in his place, things will be *messy* - and *that's* a whole can of worms I never want to be opened."

Unfortunately, that can of worms was about *to* be opened.

That evening, Winter curled up in her few blankets, a bag of smores Goldfish by her side. She had just had a light dinner, and wanting to soothe herself after the whole Aiden debacle earlier, threw herself a mini party with snacks and blankets.

However, what she cared about the most was her CD player gifted to her by a compassionate stranger months ago, which was blasting her favorite artist - Varien - and giving her a sweet tune to vibe to.

She found herself bopping her head to the latest tune playing. It was off the first album she owned, *The Ancient & Arcane*.

*Damn, this song's a banger!*

Suddenly, she heard a *knock knock knock* on her door, and startled, Winter shut the CD player off, sending the cabin into an eerie silence.

Going into offense mode, Winter pulled out her pocket knife, clicking the button that exposed the blade, and steathily, she crept over to the door. The knocking repeated itself.

She didn't dare answer - who knows what was lurking behind that door. *Any* stranger or being there was a *threat* not only to the cabin, but to Winter as well.

If anyone found out her secrets, let alone her origins, she would be put in the worst hands imaginable.

Supressing a shudder, Winter peered through the eyehole of the door, hoping that it was at least one of her friends paying a visit.

Instead, and much to her *ire*, the person standing outside in the freezing cold, waiting for her to come out, was *Aiden*.

Winter was *aghast*.

*Dismayed*.

*Shocked*.

*Mortified*.

How on *earth* did Aiden figure out where she *lived*? *Why* was he here, turning into a block of ice, waiting for her to acknowledge him?

Then, a realization hit Winter, and she gagged, nearly wanting to vomit out her organs.

Aiden had followed her around a lot. He would *never* leave her alone.

He wasn't innocent at all - he was a *sick stalker*.

*This creep is stalking me! There's no way he wasn't watching me head to the Piney Woods earlier, then followed me... but why?*

Winter didn't dare utter a word, biting her lip and not making any noise. She *had* to give Aiden the illusion that he reached a dead end. She didn't even *breathe*.

But after a few minutes of tension, Aiden knocked again, and Winter's patience evaporated. There was no clear option left but to answer and manifest the best possible outcome.

"Winter?" he called from outside.

Winter angrily opened the door, hiding her pocket knife in her back pocket, hackles raised defensively. "*What* do you **WANT**?" she demanded, voice shrill, annoyed, and sharp as a spear.

Her eyes caught sight of a glittery something in his hands, and with dread, she realized that he was holding a gift card.

*Don't tell me he bought that FOR me...*

"Winter... I know it's weird that I'm visiting you... but I just wanted to give you this card as an apology for stressing you earlier. You didn't need all that, and I thought it would be a nice thing to do for you."

Winter, unsettled, looked away, feeling the scorching hot shame of humiliation burn through her. "Thanks..." she thanked tersely, taking the card.

"I'll see you tomorrow!" Aiden brightly said. In a flash, he sprinted off through the Piney Woods.

Winter immediately slammed the door shut, locked it, and hid in her blankets, the card clutched in her hand. It had a bunch of glittery, cheesy hearts imprinted all over it.

The inside was worse. It had smiley faces and more glitter hearts and writing that read:

*I'm sorry*

*I'll do better*

*I can't wait to see you at school later*

*Love, Aiden XOXO*

Winter gagged at the sight of the text, slamming the card onto the floor and crawling into her blankets, throwing them over her head. Right now, she wanted to dig her own grave, bury herself, and never see daylight again.

This boy was sick, and the only cure he *desired* was *her*.

Now he knew *where* she lived and where to *find* her. Winter's anxiety skyrocketed to intergalatic levels, and her chest tightened, losing air rapidly.

In a panic, she reached for her phone and went to her contacts. Earlier in the day, she had added Evie and Mya's phone numbers, meaning that she now could talk to them any time she wanted.

By any time, she needed them ASAP.

Fifteen minutes later, she got a few light raps against her cabin door. Outside, Evie and Mya had put on their coats and were waiting for Winter, having been sent one stunning, alarming message:

*Meet me in the cabin. We need to talk.*

Winter opened the door, her eyes dull, distressed, and her body on edge. "Come in," she invited flatly.

"Winter? What's going on?" Mya questioned nervously.

"Did something happen?" Evie inquired in tandem.

Winter sat on the floor and passed them the glitter card, biting on her lip and refusing to be precise on the matter.

Picking it up, Evie opened it, and what she and Mya observed was *horrifying*.

*Am I blind, or is this... is this the most indirect love confession I've ever seen?* Evie thought, locking stares with Mya, who clearly thought the same, unnerving concept as her.

"He... he followed me here," Winter stuttered. "Aiden knows where... where I l-live..."

"I had a *bad* feeling this was going to happen," Evie admitted, pricked with ferment, and terrified, Winter snapped her head up to her face her.

"**What**?! What do you mean???" She looked so frantic and so frightened that Mya wanted to hold her in her arms and comfort her.

"Well, Winter... the prognosis here is... erm... me and Ev have studied Aiden's behavior, and it's pointing to only one thing," she began to explain, her voice jittery. She faced Evie, silently asking that she continue.

"I hate to tell you this, I really, *really* do. But Winter... Aiden *likes you*. Not platonically, *romantically*."

Winter gasped, everything in her body transforming to stone. "***WHAT***???!!"

"It's clear he *admires* you. When his eyes catch you, he has you locked on *sight*. He loves *every little thing* that you do, he loves how you look. That guy is *head over heels* for you."

Winter was *crushed* in a state of severe emotional and physical *agony*.

*He... he loves me?! But... but how??? No... No!*

"But... but I'm a *lesbian*! I don't *like* men! I lack affection for *men*! I-I-I don't even *l-like* Aiden! He's fallen for me... I *don't* want this! I don't want his *love*, I want to be left *alone*!"

Winter's face was beginning to turn pink, and shutting her eyes, she sobbed, tears dripping down her face in an ugly cascade.

Mya's heart broke for her. *She never wanted this to happen... oh, how I want to give you a halo, you angel...*

"Oh, Win," she blurted out, unexpectedly calling Winter by a new, short nickname. "You'll be okay... we're gonna help you through this. Actually... you can *tell* Aiden that you're not into guys! Once he knows you're a lesbian, he'll let you be and move on with his life!"

"*I'm not going to do that*!" Winter snapped. "Do you *want* him to know about my identity? He's going to tell *the whole school* about the way I am, and I'm going to be *mauled* for it!"

"Whoa, whoa. Winter. You're not thinking of the positives. Aiden has his flaws, he's approaching you the wrong way and needs to understand that you communicate far differently than he does. But brush that away. He's genuinely a good guy. He has good intentions. Aiden will *not* inform everyone at PMS that you're gay, neither will he spread nonsense about you like those bullies."

"Good? That guy is *bat-flip crazy* around *me*! He wants to know **everything about me**, **who** I am, what I *stand for*. If he *knows* that I'm a lesbian, he'll *use that* to his own advantage and *humiliate me*! It's happened to me and it'll only happen *again*!" Winter spat through tears, clenching her fists.

"Then if he spills the beans, we'll make sure he gets his just desserts!" Mya countered.

"The damage will already **BE DONE**!"

"Winter! Hear us out, please!" she protested for a second time. "You're going about this the wrong way. Aiden is *not* just defined as Mr. Loverboy here, he's also *human*. Humans make *mistakes*. If you can correct him and be down to the point, this weird nightmare you're in is going to *end*! And we'll be right here to help!"

It was at her words that the last shreds holding Winter's temper at bay snapped.

"***I AM ALWAYS LIVING IN A NIGHTMARE***!!!" she screamed, and shrieking, Mya stumbled backwards, blocking her face with her arms and cowering before her furious whirlwind of a best friend.

A warm hand gripped her shoulder. Evie's.

"*Không sao đâu*," she whispered to her. "It's okay."

Slowly, Mya became less defensive and dropped her arms to her sides. In front of her was Winter. The anger had died in her eyes, the defiance in her body replaced with *anguish*.

Not just anguish, but regret. *Deep* regret.

"I'm... I'm so *sorry*... I... I didn't mean..." she apologized through wobbly stutters, her voice breaking at every one. Her eyes were shut tight, but tears were still welling, and they wouldn't die unless she got a hand to hold.

Mya, no longer so stressed out and scared that her friend would go berserk on her, approached gingerly and picked up her pale, delicate hand. Winter blushed at the gesture and froze.

"D-Don't t-touch m-me," she whispered. Mya dropped her hand, but remained close to her, welcoming her into her space and keeping enough distance away as to not make the teenager any more uncomfortable. She wanted to ease those rainstorms inside of her, lull her into an endless tranquility. A tranquility that would stop her from having to spend her days in a endless, hellish nightmare.

*I want to tell you that you're gonna be alright.*

"I don't want to tell him..."

Winter sniffed and rubbed away the tears, unable to meet Mya's peaceful and flowery gaze.

"Okay. You don't have to tell Aiden about being a lesbian. It's alright, we're with you. Breathe," she assured, picking up her hand again. This time, Winter did not command her to let go and enjoyed the physical contact, something she had *never* wanted since the night her life was tarnished forever.

Winter craned her head upward, seeing that Mya was so gentle, her eyes a meadow. Her touch made her feel like she was floating in the Milky Way. Her kindness was *heavenly*, almost as if heaven had sent her an angel.

Her lip quivered, and after minutes, *minutes* of torment, her mouth broke into a hesitant smile.

"Thank you..."

"You're okay, Winter. Though, remember, if you want to show Aiden that you're not into him, try to show that. Be *firm*. *Confident*. You're already very brave... and remember that too - that's one thing I really like about you," Evie commented, joining Mya's side. She too also gave Winter an assuring, calm, and compassionate stare.

A few minutes later, the two left, and that night, Winter slept a bit more soundly through her infinite lullaby.

The next day, Evie and Mya eyed Winter in science class. Mr. Gill had assigned them to take notes on their latest topic, watersheds, but Winter had been acting erratic all period.

She couldn't concentrate, couldn't write more than five words every two minutes, and her eyes were darting to and fro. It was as if she expected Aiden to descend from the ceiling and give her love cards.

She cringed, letting out a squeaking noise, and some classmates, along with Evie and Mya, stared at her in genuine confusion.

"The worst that could happen is asking you out for real, Winter. He wouldn't do that-" Mya began to whisper in her ear.

Without warning, Winter shot her friend a venomous stare and pressed her pencil down hard in her notebook, causing the lead tip to shatter. Groaning, she took Evie's sharpener and tuned up her pencil.

Still, Mya's words were not enough to move her back on the right track, and when class was over, she got reprimanded by Mr. Gill for slacking off and received a verbal warning.

In the hallway, Winter trailed behind Evie and Mya, not having the motivation to keep up to them. Every step felt like a mile in a scorching desert sun.

All she yearned for was a gateway to freedom, away from this place, away from her lover boy.

Suddenly, *someone's hand* gripped her wrist, and halting, Winter's body heated up with tension. The sensation of fear was *suffocating*.

"Winter! I wanna talk to you for a moment!"

*Aiden*.

Bewildered and dreading the next few moments of her life, she could do *nothing* as he pulled her up against a wall. It was too late; she couldn't back out or run to Evie and Mya's relieving side.

Evie and Mya, realizing that their friend was no longer with them, spun around and instantly froze in *terror* as they saw what was happening. Evie looked *queasy* and gulped.

*We're in a public space, crowded by strangers, and Winter's stalker is making his move. I feel... so nauseous...*

"Forget sending him off to therapy. *I'm* sending myself off to therapy for my goddamn future sense!" Mya remarked, but Evie roughly jabbed her in the shoulder. Now was not the time for jokes.

Aiden tugged Winter uncomfortably closer to his body, entranced by her eyes and movements. She was so graceful, unlike any girl he had seen...

Winter made him feel special. Like he was grasping the entire world in his hands. She was his life, she was his everything.

He wanted to make her *his*.

"Winter... I can't keep denying it anymore. When I'm around you... I feel like I can be who I wanna be, accomplish anything, so much more. I feel like I'm floating in the sky... and I wanna ask..."

Winter's facial expression was utterly *petrified*. Her body, facing terror shocks that gave unimaginable pain, was stuck there, against Aiden.

She could not *move*. She could not *run*.

And she could *not* prevent Aiden from asking her the most gut-punching, the most brutal, the most *disturbing* question she had heard in a *long time*.

Evie and Mya pressed against the wall next to a side stairwell, knowing immediately what Aiden wanted to do.

"Winterlyn, would you like to be my girlfriend?"

*Everything* in Winter's fragile heart smashed to the *ground* in *seconds*.

*He... he asked me out. He wants me to be his GIRLFRIEND. He loves me! I... I can't... don't want to...*

She squeaked in response, not giving Aiden a single *hint* to her being in extreme misery. Evie and Mya held hands, disturbed, distressed, and living in a real *nightmare*.

Mya felt very dizzy and leaned into Evie, who refused to let go of her as long as this dragged on.

"Is this okay with you?" Aiden questioned. "I love you, Winter. You're so beautiful, and... I *really* want to be your boyfriend. There's a lot of things I want to show you, and I-"

Winter gritted her teeth, closing her eyes. They were growing wet again, and she knew she was going to cry. She had no way of controlling the growing rage in her heart.

Rage over her lovesick *stalker* following her home.

Fury over this stalker's inability to understand her boundaries.

*I'm no one's fool! I'm not going to be his fool!*

"Winter, I love you-"

"***I DON'T WANT TO BE YOUR BOYFRIEND***!" Winter suddenly screamed, causing the entire hallway of students, Aiden, Evie, and Mya to cast their eyes onto her, blazing into her in stunned disbelief.

"Winter? What do you mean...?" Aiden asked, dejected, his voice losing the suave and sweetness it once had.

Growling, she shook his arm off of her and stepped backwards. For the first time, Aiden saw that she wasn't excited.

She was *crying*.

"*Why* did you think I ever wanted this at all?! I don't *like* you! I'll *never* develop *feelings* for you! I wasn't comfortable with any of what you did... each and *every time* I made it clear to you that I wanted to be alone, you *always* latched onto me and never *let go*!"

Evie and Mya's faces were twisted in dismay and sympathy for Winter. She *never* deserved to be embarrassed like this, especially in a *busy* hallway.

"Win..." Mya mumbled, her eyes becoming watery. Evie leaned into her.

Aiden opened his mouth to respond, desperate for a way to numb the pain, but Winter drove her point home with a final, disconcerted sob.

"There was *never* anything between us, Aiden. *Go home*. Leave me *alone*!"

To everyone in the hallway, appalled and stunned by the outburst, it was as if a bomb went off.

"Oh..." Aiden said heavy-heartedly. Hanging his head, he went to the left side of the hall, lacking the ability to conceal how Winter's rejection of his love stung.

Sniffing and not bothering to see any student's reaction to her red, humiliated, and tear-stained face, Winter headed down the opposite side of the hall and past Evie and Mya.

Evie and Mya, despite being rattled and daunted by Winter's explosive bout, proceeded to 6th period in the little time window they had left. Their steps were uneasy, and after this, they had a lot to think about.

But one of those things was clear.

*Winter needed their help and fast*.

The *moment* the bell signaling the end of 8th period rang, Evie and Mya had the same objective.

They had to get to Winter's cabin.

Winter, as per usual, had disappeared within the crowds and was already gone. She was swift to find her way home without arousing suspicion, and for that, she got their credit.

After texting their parents about being home late, Evie and Mya dashed across the crosswalk and to a small, snow-covered path that led to the Piney Woods.

There was absolutely no time to admire the snow-covered trees or the icicles hanging off them, reflecting pretty waves of sunlight. Both had to see Winter.

Eventually, they reached the cabin, and Mya ascended up the steps first, knocking against the door gently.

"Winter! It's Mya and Evie! Can we come inside?"

The door promptly opened, and a dull, anxious Winter peered her head out. Upon seeing it was them, she nodded and replied, "Yes, come in. You can set your backpacks down by mine."

Evie and Mya set their backpacks down, then sat on the floor while Winter did the same.

"Are you... okay? After earlier?" Evie inquired, careful with her phrasing so she wouldn't upset her friend. "We heard everything he told you, and you ran off in tears... how are you now?"

"Better, I guess," Winter stated. Her tone was gruff and uncertain.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Mya suggested.

Winter nodded in gratitude.

She glanced both ways. She had covered the windows, the door was already locked, and she relaxed, knowing that they were safe.

Then, she sighed and spoke.

"I... I didn't expect him to be so *romantic* with me. He pulled me in, didn't let go until I made him. But... but... how *foolish* could he be to fall in love when every hint I dropped was so *obvious*! I... I didn't want this..."

Evie's dark green eyes reflected a grim feeling. "Aiden's issue isn't just his lack of ability to read cues. He *can't* take a single hint. His obsession with you is clouding his judgment, *but* there *is* one way we can fix all of this..."

She paused. Winter would *not* like what she was about to say, and bracing for the worst, Evie finished her sentence.

"Winter. *Tell him* you are a *lesbian*."

Immediately, Winter bared her teeth and clenched her fists. "I am **NEVER** going to **DO THAT**!" she snapped. "What, do you *want me* to throw out *my identity* to a *stranger* I *barely know*?! That's you being *crazy*!"

"But what if Aiden *never* leaves you alone?" Mya pleaded, adding, "What if he *never* stops stalking you? At what point does that cross the line for you?"

"I am **FINE** with the way **everything is**!" her friend retorted, tears forming in her eyes once more. She began to shake, shivering even in her coat. Her fingers twitched, and her ice-blue eyes were concerned, brimming with anxiety.

"I... I c-can't sacrifice *who* I a-am to a s-stranger... I've lived t-this l-life for so long, and I-I'm able to run f-free... if Aiden possesses *any* information on me... he'll u-use it to *ruin everything* I've built! Please... I don't want to g-give myself u-up... don't make me tell h-him..."

Winter stared at the ground helplessly, still trembling, and Evie and Mya finally saw how insecure Winter was. They remembered what her ex-girlfriend did to her, outing her to her homophobic father who had branded her a sin and scarred her for being herself. It was understandable that she feared it would happen again.

Her reaction to this stemmed from trauma. Trauma *no child* like her should have experienced.

They could not keep pushing her to come out the way they were - it was only more damaging. Even though Aiden would never back off, they didn't want Winter to be in any more pain either. It wasn't entirely a win, but it wasn't entirely a loss either.

"Oh... we're sorry," Mya apologized, filling up with empathy. Evie did the same.

"We can't keep doing this with you, Winter. We don't want you to stress any more. While we think coming out is the best course of action, in the end... that is your decision to make, and you don't have to do it if you're too uncomfortable."

Winter sighed, now feeling more peaceful, and her muscles lost their stiff tension. She sat there for a moment, breathing in some air and calming herself down further.

A part of her still was distant, longing for comfort, and Mya wanted nothing more than to see her happy again. She got to thinking.

*What can we do for Winter that she'll enjoy...*

*Wait. The Piney Woods... the snow... now we're talking!*

"Hey, Winter... do you want to go outside for a bit and have a snow day with us?"

Winter faced her in surprise. A *snow day*? With her *friends*? She hadn't done something like that in *forever*!

"Really?" she asked curiously. Her attention was focused on a positive little ray of sunshine, and that was Mya Heartley.

"Yeah! There's snow a plenty, and we can do *whatever you want*!"

"I agree. Fresh air will do us all some good after today. Whaddya say, Winter?"

"Sure!" she agreed, finally cheerful and excited for *something*, and unlocking the door, she flew out onto the snow with Evie and Mya.

What *should* they do first?

"Hey Mya, what do you want-"

*Splat*.

A cold *snowball* had splatted against her face, causing her nose to wrinkle. It was *freezing*.

She heard the devious, amusing chuckle of Mya nearby. Wiping off the snow, she approached her, stomping through the sea of white.

"*Hey*! What was *that* for, you little critter?"

"**Anarchyyyyy**!" Mya proclaimed, throwing another snowball at her face.

This time, Winter scooped up a patch of snow, rolled it into a ball, and threw it at Mya. It landed on the side of her coat.

"I'm gonna get you for this, you heathen!"

"Catch me first, Winterlynnnnn!" She took off running, prancing through the snow as if she were a reindeer, with Winter following suit.

Her heart was racing and her adrenaline was swirling. She hadn't done something so *fun* in a long time. Mya had evoked the best in her, and so had Evie, who watched the two play from a nearby tree.

They leaped, soared, threw snow, rolled around in snow, and got under each other's skin. Winter was laughing and Mya was chuckling, almost like she was a fox herself.

"Evieeeee?? Are you gonna join innnn?" Mya asked, laying upside-down in the snow and attempting to make a snow angel.

"Nah," she responded. "I don't wanna be soaking wet and frosty when I get home."

She dragged her boot heel through the ground, eyes pointed up at the tree branches above.

*Splat*.

A *very* cold snowball had splatted against *her face*.

Evie's glasses became fogged from the impact, but she quickly cleaned them and faced the culprit, one very mischievous Mya Heartley, who giggled and had another snowball in her hand, ready to fire.

Evie had a change of plans.

"**I DECLARE WAR**!" she declared, sprinting at Mya and leaping into her. The two girls collapsed into a sheet of snow, with Evie on top of Mya, her arms pinning her friend's arms down.

"Think twice, traitor!" Mya retorted, throwing Evie aside and pinning her instead. She blew a raspberry at her.

Evie flung snow flurries at her face, and both chuckled warmly, unable to contain the silliness and passion in their snow day play day.

Winter chimed in, kicking more snow onto them with her boot and laughing her *ass* off. Evie and Mya sprung up, shaking some snow off of them. Evie cleaned her glasses for a second time.

She, Mya, and Winter locked glances, and for one, single moment, they were on top of the *world*.

*These two are so fun... so energetic... I haven't had this in so long...*

For Winter, she smiled, showing her teeth. Things were getting better...

But then, in a *milisecond*, that notion was single-handedly destroyed.

All of a sudden, two rough hands gripped Evie by her throat, startling her, and before she could react and throw her attacker off, they threw her into a pine tree. Blazing pain shot through the back of her head, and she sunk to the snow's level, slightly winded.

"*Evie*!!" Mya squeaked, alarmed, but those some hands spun her around, gripped her coat hood, and threw her back against the same tree.

Tripping, she landed right against Evie, colliding with her strong body and puffy coat she was wearing. She crawled off of her, shocked, and blushed at her - Evie did the same.

A *shriek* sounded from nearby, and snapping out of their shock, Evie and Mya looked up. Instantly, they wished that they had not.

As in their field of vision, they saw Winter backing away in fear from *Aiden Luftkin*.

And in his eyes was nothing more than *pain*.

To say that Winter was distressed was an understatement.

At the sight of *Aiden*, her stalker with the biggest amounts of unrequited love inside of his body, her heart beat out of *control*. Every inch of her body was seared with chills and uncontrollable, *overwhelming* amounts of trepidation.

He took a step toward her, not out of love, but of *determination*.

"*Aiden*?! I told you to *go home*! What are you *doing here*???" Winter asked, twisting a despairing plea into her question.

Aiden advanced again, making two fists. His eyes *blazed* with *pain*. And... was that *yearning* in his eyes?

"You **BROKE MY HEART**, *Winter*! You should have seen the way I *loved you*! I *still do*! And when I try to do something *special* for you, you *reject me*. I won't take *no* for an answer - be my *girlfriend*!"

Evie gasped, shocked by the amount of *authority* he was exhibiting, and a low growl rose in Mya's throat.

Love was turning Aiden *rotten*.

He jumped toward Winter, pointing a finger at her chin, and she cowered. "If you be my girlfriend, you'll *have everything*! Love, presents, a hand to hold, so much *more*! Stop shutting me out and claiming you're don't *love me*!"

"Aiden, I don't *want this*!" Winter begged. "I never asked for you to *follow me*! I didn't want you to *love me*!" She backed deeper and deeper into the Piney Woods, struggling to form counterarguments and a way to stop Aiden from going down a destructive, heartbroken path.

"Please *understand*! I *can't* love you! I don't **feel that way**!"

However, her remarks ignited more flames in Aiden, and he stepped *far too close* to where she was. He gripped her wrist tightly, so hard that the flesh went pink.

"I'm *not* taking that for an *answer*, Winter. I *love you* and I'll never stop until you say *you want to be my girlfriend*! I **NEED YOU**!"

"That son of a *snitch*! I'm gonna send him to the ***FRICKING MOON***!" Mya snarled, jumping to her feet and making her way up to Aiden, preparing to mince him for *all* of the agony and suffering he put her through.

Before she could, Evie took her hand and pulled her right back firmly, much to her surprise, and she gave her an incredulous look.

"Mya, you are going to believe I am insane, but *we cannot* involve ourselves in this."

"**WHAT**??? *Why*?? Winter's in *danger*!"

"If we intervene, Aiden will *never* properly learn his lesson. Winter is the *only* one who can show him that his *obsession with her* is changing him for the worse. He hasn't been interested in us, just Winter. She *must* resolve this on her own."

"Are you *sure* you're making the right call, Ev? I'm just... worried... really worried..."

Evie nodded, putting her hands on her shoulders and smiling at her reassuringly. "Winter has to learn herself that she *can* open up to others without having to fear that someone is going to *traumatize* her. Not everyone in the world is a villain that lurks in the shadows. She can figure it out, and from here, we can encourage her and give her some spirit."

A startled cry echoed throughout the woods, and realizing that Aiden and Winter were heading through the thick trees, Evie and Mya ran up to them, crouching in front of a bush.

"*Aiden*! I-I'm n-not like y-you!" Winter stammered, backing and barely avoiding tripping over her feet. She could feel herself becoming dizzy from this confrontation; with every word she spoke, her strength ebbed away. *Nothing* was working in her favor against the romance-obsessed Aiden.

"I *can't love you*, Aiden! It's not *possible*, we'll never be a *thing*! And I can't ***tell you why***!"

"*Really*? Stop making up *excuses*, Winter! You are the *most beautiful* person I've *ever* met. You're insanely *charming*! We are meant to *be*! Just ***BE MINE***!"

He advanced toward her almost maliciously, closing the gap between them, and screeching, Winter unsteadily backed further. Evie gasped, noticing a wide, uncovered sewer from behind her.

If Winter fell into that, she could get a *serious* injury. And Aiden had made it clear that he would *never* stop chasing her, pursuing her, until he got the lover girl he *dreamed* about.

"She's going to fall!" Mya pointed out, watching as Winter backed up so that she was only a few steps away from the edge.

Her eyes were teeming with more tears, and she blinked, causing them to fall down the sides of her face. They stung from the cold.

"*Accept it*!" Aiden hissed. "You are meant to be ***WITH ME***!"

Winter took a step backwards. "*No*!" she exclaimed with a cracked voice. She was *extremely* close to that edge.

One more step, and she'd fall. Aiden was relentless. He was *limitless*.

Evie knew what they had to do. It was something they had tried twice already with Winter, each attempted having failed.

But she also knew what people would often say: third time's the charm.

This was their *last shot* at helping Winter. She and Mya could not afford to let it go. In that one, desolate moment, they made their move.

"*Winter*! *Listen to us*!" Evie shouted, crawling up to her knees.

"Answer me!" Aiden snapped.

Winter faced Evie, her mouth unhinged. Her cheeks were raw and pink, and so were her mittenless hands. She was hanging by a *thread*.

"You have to *tell Aiden the truth*! It's the only way you won't *meet your demise*! Now is your **only chance**!"

Winter mouthed, "I can't!" to them, but it wasn't stopping her friends this time around.

"**Winter**, give me a damn answer!" Aiden demanded.

"Aiden doesn't fully know why you *can't love him*! He's misunderstanding you. Just admit to *him* that you're not who he *thought* you were! It's **okay**!" Evie pleaded. She stared at Winter, begging her to do what she had feared to do.

She still could not respond, paralyzed in fear. Luckily, Mya backed Evie perfectly - she refused to let a bozo like Aiden hurt her friend.

"Winter! You *don't* have to tell Aiden *everything* that you've gone through! I *promise*! What you *need* to say is the *one detail* that'll stop him in his *tracks*!"

"***Winter***!" Aiden spat, stomping up to her furiously.

Another idea crossed Mya's mind. Aiden reminded her of someone, but at the same time, he also contrasted *her* significantly.

"Aiden is **NOT** like Daniela! He *doesn't want* to antagonize you, or *hurt you*, or leak your *secrets* to the school! All he is is lovesick! He needs you to clear his head, and only you can *show him where he's gone wrong*! He isn't the *next Daniela*!"

Winter shut her eyes, struggling between a possibly fatal decision or a fate that would permamently make her unable to live freely.

"You are *strong*, Winter! You can *do this*!" Mya urged at the top of her lungs.

"Make him *know* who you *are*! Show him that you're *fearless*! You're *intrepid*! Take a leap of *faith*!" Evie added.

Aiden stalked up to her slowly, about to grab her by the faux fur of her coat. Winter could hear a thousand voices in her head, whispering to her that she couldn't do this. Sacrificing the secrecy with her identity and giving it to a stalker who had gone *feral* over her.

There was a *chance* that he would use that information and destroy her.

Just like her bullies.

Just like her ex.

Just like Daniela.

Just like *every kid* that chose to name her Snowblind.

But Evie and Mya's words lingered in her head.

*You are strong.*

*Show him that you're fearless.*

Winter realized that her friends were right. She had feared spilling one of her most personal details, the fact that she was queer, out of fear that she would get invalidated. Thrown to the bottom of a pit, never to see the sun.

Aiden was misunderstanding her because she wasn't *communicating*. If he was to be set straight, she had to confess the truth, even though it hurt.

*No. No more avoiding this. I cannot flee. I am strong enough to cry out and start up a storm. Your confessions took their toll on me, Aiden, but now I'm going to be in control.*

*This has been at a crossroad for far too long. Evie, Mya... thank you. I... I can do this!*

"Aiden. All this time, I've been hiding the *truth* from you. I *dreaded* informing you of it because I've *lived* in fear... if I said this, I'd be walking on **eggshells**."

"**Spit it out**!"

Winter gulped. No turning back, no more stowing herself away.

"I've *never* been into you from the start, and I'm *sorry*! But I'm not *sexually attracted* to men! I *can't* develop feelings for men, it's not *ever going to happen*! Aiden... I am a *lesbian*. I will **ONLY** ever develop feelings for **girls**. Not people like you... I'm sorry, but that's **just who I am**!"

She tried to step forward, but suddenly, her boots lost traction in the slippery patch of snow and ice she was standing on. Winter toppled backwards.

Evie and Mya gasped, hugging each other.

Screaming, Winter fell head-first into the open sewer.

But then, *hands* gripped her own pale, pinkish hands, breaking her fall. They didn't let her go, and in a way... they were... *comforting*.

Looking up, Winter found that *Aiden* had saved her from falling. He looked horrified and genuinely concerned for her. Grunting, he heaved her upwards and pulled himself, along with her, back onto the safe, snowy ground.

Relieved, Winter sat up, facing Aiden. His forest-green eyes were *remorseful*, containing nothing but *regret*, *pain*, and so many more emotions.

His lip quivered. Then his eyes watered.

His hands crumpled into two fists. Winter eyed him, surprised at his sudden development in behavior, as did Evie and Mya from a distance away.

After a tense, unbroken, and heavy silence, Aiden choked out the words that he should've said since the day he encountered Winter.

"I'm... I'm... I'm *sorry*!" he wailed, tears welling in his eyes and dripping from them at the same time. "What *have* I become? I... I went too *far*! I almost *hurt you*! I chased you when I should have read the signs... I made you live in *fear* of me..."

He sniffed, burying his face in his knees, and Winter inched a little closer, developing some sympathy for the boy.

*I feel him...*

"I'm such a *fool* for doing all *that* to you. Humiliating you, making you fear me, making you become so *insecure*... I'm a *creep*! I stalked you! I became the very person *no one* should befriend... I deserve all the pain for causing this."

Evie and Mya saw Aiden's breakdown, and like Winter, they understood where he was coming from.

*It's not easy to get over mistakes as big as these,* Evie noted to herself.

"I hurt you... I got all ensnared in your privacy... and I hurt your friends... I-"

Reluctantly, Aiden glanced at Winter, small and harmless compared to confident and acting in despiration minutes ago.

"Winter... I'll *never* tell a *soul* at PMS that you're a lesbian. With all my *heart*, I swear... I'll *never* try to ruin you or come close to you the way I did... and I understand if you don't *ever* want to forgive me... I know I'm probably undeserving of it anyway."

For months, Winter paid no mind to the others going to PMS. They weren't worth her time; some could be out to murder her, to expose the lies she lived under to the world. No one could be trusted. No one could know of her past, her origin, or anything else.

She had even taught herself to lack empathy for anyone.

But Aiden - and nudges from Evie and Mya - had taught her that she shouldn't be so veiled with people, especially if they were misunderstanding her or were trying to know her better. Aiden was like that.

He was hurting, not just from rejection, but from learning that the girl he developed a *massive* crush over was never going to reciprocate his affection. In a way... she wanted to show him that not all was lost.

She cleared her throat, dawning his attention onto her.

"Aiden... look. I can't *hold* anything against you for wanting to be with me. It's kind of my fault as well for not telling you immediately. I'm... secretive. Behind me are things I will personally *never* share to anyone except my close friends. To be honest, I probably won't share them with you either. But I needed to realize earlier that you deserved to know I was a lesbian..."

"Wait... really?" he asked in disbelief, wiping away some of his tears.

"Being real is difficult for me. I have trust issues, and I've seen the *worst* in people throughout my life. The *ugly* side of life. However, you are vastly different from the challenges I've faced, and that doesn't mean I'm going to *hate you* for what you've done. So yeah... I can forgive and we can move on, okay?"

Nervously and tentatively, Aiden crawled up to his feet, dusting the snow soaking into his jeans and meeting Winter's softer ice-blue gaze.

"Alright." He hesitantly gave her his hand, and just as hesitantly, Winter shook it.

That was said and done, but Winter knew that this apology didn't just apply to her.

"One more thing - *please* apologize to *my friends* for driving them up a wall and nearly bringing harm onto them," she added, pointing to Evie and Mya.

Aiden nodded, and swiftly, Evie and Mya joined the two. He faced them, bowing his head down.

"It's no shock that I owe the two of you an apology... you tried to warn me, but I didn't listen... and when I didn't, I almost hurt the two of you out of desperation... it makes me see now that you were *always* right about me getting out of hand."

"I forgive you. You're human, Aiden. Everyone makes mistakes," Evie said, accepting his apology.

"While you drove me into wanting to murder you with a baseball bat... I agree with what Evie said," Mya stated in turn, nodding her head in approval.

"Thanks, girls... I... I should have mentioned this, but... I'm new to Pineshadow. I moved here from Bellingham; I was bullied at my old school and my parents thought a new climate would be better for me. Yet... I've struggled to find people who like me at PMS... and I had to move to your math period because of a scheduling error..."

All three of the girls, notably Winter, related to that. Bullying was *hard* to cope with, so was having to familiarize with a new space. It was something Winter knew too well.

Realizing that he could have potentially offended Winter, Aiden quickly added, "I'm... I'm not trying to play the victim. Life's just been really challenging for me. When I met Winter, I fell in love with her instantly. She... she is - was - my first crush. But love can make you act all sorts of ways, and I let that influence my decisions for the worse. I regret what I did to you, Winter - I always will."

Mya put a hand on his shoulder, decently surprising him, and he met her shining green eyes.

"Hey, man. We get it. I'm bullied from time to time too... so I know what it's like to not feel like you belong."

Evie nodded. "Sometimes I don't have... good relations."

But the one who had the most empathy for Aiden was Winter. Taking a page out of Mya's book, she also placed her hand on his shoulder, and for a second, he blushed.

"We have a lot in common, Aiden. The bullying, isolation, and a struggle to conform. You have a lot to see in Pineshadow. I'm not certain if we'll ever hang out again after today... but leave here knowing that you and I are on better terms."

"Thanks."

"Alright!" Mya chimed, facing her friends and Aiden. "Now that we've resolved the issue at hand, I think we can return to our snow day! Who's with me?"

"I am!" said Evie proudly.

"Hell yeah!" Winter agreed.

"Can... can I join you guys?" Aiden asked nervously, kicking some snow with his boots.

Mya responded by chucking a snowball at his face. It was *still* very cold.

Laughing, Aiden threw one at her, and he and the girls proceeded to have a very *awesome* snow day.

Aiden would go home smiling, and Winter would curl up in her cabin with a light grin on her face.

Some things *did* end happily.

The next day, Winter walked out into the snow and chilly air following the ring of PMS' dismissal bell. It was partly cloudy, and the sun was poking through, delivering some warmth to the Pineshadow neighborhood.

She had just bid her farewells to Evie and Mya, who had been picked up by their parents and had been driven home. Throughout the day, they met up with Aiden again and introduced him to some of Evie and Mya's classmates, who were curious and offered to be his friends. He was happy and finally felt like he deserved to be a Pineshadow Pine.

While Winter still didn't *like* him the way she did with Evie and Mya, they were definitely on a sturdier branch now and she understood how each other communicated. Aiden was no longer a stalker, but a good guy who was honest and sociable.

Ridding herself of her thoughts, she proceeded onwards and to a sidewalk, humming a tune to herself. Winter hopped along to its swing and past some students, strangely feeling more determined and no longer so frightened out in the open.

What Evie and Mya said had made her feel... *strength*. Like she could do anything, ascend, and never come down from a high she never thought was real.

Being out here, exposed to the crowd that paid her no mind and did not disturb her... it was *new*.

Something real. Winter let herself fall into this new rhythm, keeping pace with her tune and crunching through the patches of snow. The cold sliced at her cheeks and turned them into a shade of pink, but she didn't care. Home was only a short distance away.

If she was only paying attention to where she was walking.

All of a sudden, Winter collided with something *warm*. *Fuzzy*.

It was a person with a sweater and a small backpack.

*A blue sweater*.

The person in said blue sweater spun to face her, a cocky, devious smirk on her face. Her eyes were scanning a *juicy* piece of dead meat.

Immediately realizing that she had made a *grave* mistake, Winter backed up, way up, but she could no longer run from the *unmistakable*, *demonic* sight of Daniela Burton Vunquist.

Knowing what was coming, she shielded her face and winced as she heard those heavy footsteps approach.

"Well, I'll be darned... little *Snowblind* seems to be enjoying her time outside, *prancing* to and fro in the snow! Maybe next time she should watch where she's **GOING** so she doesn't run into someone *like me*!" she taunted, snorting to herself. "Just *what* do you think you're doing out in the open? Exposing yourself? Finally tired of *living all those lies*?"

The fire and resilience in her soul returning, Winter bared her teeth at her, ice-blue eyes reflecting sheer *hatred* of the bully. "**None of your business**," she spat vehemently, brushing past her with her head held high. *I'm not gonna listen to anything SHE says. Just a fake.*

Daniela growled. *No underling* would dare speak to her, the most intimidating kid in the school, the *biggest* fish in the pond, like *that*.

Winter would pay for her atrocity and incompetence.

With a furious *stomp*, she grabbed her by the faux fur of her coat, yanking her back violently. Daniela flipped her around, then *slammed* her up against the rough, metal fence bordering the track field, causing it to *clank*.

"Oh *no* you *don't*, *McCormick*. You are *never* going to **evade me** with your *dirty tricks*, not as long as there's *unfinished business* between us," she snarled, gripping Winter's throat and squeezing her with python-level strength.

Despite the pain and the obstruction of her airway, Winter kicked her, shoving her off and back onto the snowy sidewalk and gulping in fresh air. She was *livid*, not containing her rage, and one hand rested to the coat pocket which held her knife.

"You are ***INSANE*** for thinking that we have *loose ends*! We are *not* affiliated with each other. We don't *like* each other. I don't know *what* you want with me, but I won't *listen* to a **DAMN THING YOU SAY**!"

"Do you *really* think that's so?" Daniela fired back, circling around Winter condescendingly. "Then you *greatly underestimate me*. Mark my words, *Snowblind*. I *am* going to hunt you down *one day*. I'll find out *everything* I need to know about you, and when I do, *the whole school* will know that you are **a shameful fraud**. You've ran from the *law* and *deceived all of us*. And I'll **PROVE IT**!"

Winter's natural fire began to fizzle out in spurts, Daniela's insults and threats digging into her skin and sucking what defense she had out like thirsty, *thirsty* leeches.

"You're **lying**! You won't-"

"Get away with it? *Seriously*? You're like this all the *goddamn time*. And you know what you're *doing now*? You're pissing me **OFF**!" Daniela screeched, grabbing Winter by the arm and throwing her into the snowy sidewalk. She sat up, her head spinning in pain, and many blurred reflections of Daniela stood before her.

Each and every one was *malicious*. In the wintery sunlight, they were *ghostly assassins*.

She took a *step* toward her, that devilish, horrifying smile on her face, her amber eyes consuming her alive. Winter's confidence completely died right then and there, and in fear, she gasped, lip trembling. Frantic for an escape, she crawled back on her hands and knees, but it was no use.

"Once, long ago, you *took away* someone's life, Winterlyn. Destroyed it. Because *you* stole what was hers, caused her to *fall*. Luckily, that made her *realize* that revenge was *magic*. *Sweet*. *Euphoric*. Whatever you do, wherever you go, *I'll* find you. And by then, **I'll kill you FOR ALL THE PAIN YOU GAVE ME**!"

Winter gasped again, scrambling up to her feet unsteadily, her stomach churning and anxiety shooting through the roof. Everything was beginning to hurt. Everything was splitting.

"You... you *want to murder me*??? But... but you *can't*! I *won't* let you... you're *bluffing*, Daniela!"

Daniela's smile went wider, and wider, and then, she was laughing *hysterically* at Winter, tracing her chin with her fingernail. She placed her hand on her cheek, alarming her, but freezing her in place. Why couldn't she move?

Why was Daniela... making her *stay*? The touch was... like something she received very long ago, between her and the very person who wanted to shower her in presents and flowers.

*Me and her were so... so... close. If only she-*

Daniela broke into her thoughts with another vicious growl. "I *never* play the victim. I'd much rather be a *stalker*. You **will never** be safe in Pineshadow, Winterlyn McCormick. Soon, you'll *fall*, and there will be nothing left of you other than your little secrets slipping away, one, by *one*, by **ONE**. *And* I'll be ***VICTORIOUS***!"

To emphasize her mortifying point, Daniela struck Winter's chin with her strong right hand, then made her bob up and down, forcing her to nod.

She threw her back roughly, giving her the smile, her *perfect* white teeth, and *killer* eyes.

*Hellfire* was burning in her amber eyes. *Merciless, remorseless flames*.

Flames that *desired nothing more than cold-blooded murder*.

Her heartbeat was at its *limit*.

Her head was cracked in two.

She couldn't deny what was said.

She couldn't hide the visible panic she was in.

She was in *terrible*, *terrible danger*.

And she could *lose everything* she had *fought* for, including her *life*.

Winter *screamed* in horror, and without hesitation, she turned around and fled across the street, tears flying along with her, as she left everything she had known that day behind.

"So long for now, *Snowblind*. But I'm *only* getting started," Daniela said under her breath, chuckling in sinister delight to herself.

## Cast

* **Dakota Fanning** as Mya
* **Peyton Elizabeth Lee** as Evie
* **Mae Whitman** as Winter
* **Jorge Diaz** as Aiden
* **Zehra Fazal** as Evelin and Sarah
* **Hugh Bonneville** as Mr. Alann
* **Lynette DuPree** as Mrs. Hawkins
* **Eden Riegel** as Daniela

## Songs

* Varien - *Transmissions from Lemuria* (snippet; hummed by Winter)

## Trivia

* This episode marks the debut of Aiden and the Rafiq sisters, Evelin and Sarah.
* "Xin chào" means "hi" or "hello" in Vietnamese.
* In the original version of the episode:
	+ It would begin from Evie's POV compared to Mya's, and both of the girls' parents would appear. The POV was switched to Mya in the rewrite and both parents were dropped, but they are mentioned.
	+ Aiden was in a few of Winter's classes. However, realizing that it wouldn't make Aiden much of a stranger to her, Av changed it so that the two haven't met beforehand. She also tweaked the episode so that it was confirmed that Winter switched her classes to be with Evie and Mya.
	+ Winter rejecting Aiden did not impact him in the original, which was changed so that the rejection drives him to attempt to force Winter to love him.
	+ After their confrontation, Winter would pull her knife and chase Aiden away. However, Av despised this ending, viewing Aiden as misunderstood and undeserving of such a fate, so she changed it so that all three girls accepted him and helped him make friends.
	+ Daniela was a silent cameo at the end and would only glare at Winter, who then realizes that she's someone far too familiar. Av admits that this concept made "absolutely zero sense" and rewrote the scene (along with similar scenes in other episodes) so that Daniela has dialogue and confronts Winter in an intense confrontation, foreshadowing that there has been tension between them in the past that Winter has not informed her friends of.
* It is revealed that:
	+ Winter hasn't been seen by Evie and Mya since the day she was confronted by Daniela in *Meeting Winter*. She tells them in the gym that she ran away out of fear.
	+ Winter has switched some of her class periods to be with Evie and Mya.
	+ Aiden was placed in the wrong math class and had to be switched, ending up with the girls instead.
	+ Aiden is new to Pineshadow and recently moved out of the town of Bellingham due to the bullying at his old school. His parents wanted to give him a fresh start, but since moving, he's struggled to fit in and find where he belongs. He found solace when he fell in love with Winter, mentioning that she was his first crush, but didn't realize that love was changing him for the worse. The girls relate to his struggles and help him discover friends that fit his demographic.
	+ Daniela and Winter have a deep history with one another that was previously hinted at in *Meeting Winter*. Daniela even goes on to claim that Winter "ruined her life" and that she is aware that she's been deceiving the people of Pineshadow by lying about her life. Daniela also wants to kill Winter and makes it clear that she is beyond serious.
		- In the midst of their confrontation, Winter recalls a girl that she knew before, not naming her directly, which heavily implies that Daniela could be Winter's ex-girlfriend.
* There are two references to to the Malinda Kathleen Reese parody video *Google Translate Sings: New Rules*:
	+ Mya quotes Malinda when she states that she "wakes up every morning in the fields of worship."
	+ As she attacks Winter with a snowball, Mya proclaims that it's "anarchy."
* Evelin and Sarah, twin Muslim-American sisters that are in Evie and Mya's art class, are tributes to Amina and Sarah Said, sisters who were brutally murdered by their father, Yaser, in the backseat of his taxi in Irving, Texas, in January 2008. After Yaser Said was given a life sentence in prison in 2022 for "honor killing" his daughters, Av decided to make a tribute to Amina and Sarah, noting that their story was one that consistently broke her heart and captivated her each time she dived into the case. Evelin and Sarah are meant to honor the memory of Amina and Sarah, with Sarah even being named after Sarah Said.
	+ Originally, Sarah was going to be directly named after Amina, but Av didn't want her to get mixed up with Amira and ended up directly tributing Sarah.
* The song Winter listens to in her cabin and hums later in the episode is the Varien song *Transmissions from Lemuria*.
* Winter's furious remark that she's "always living in a nightmare" is a reference to the title of the Au5 and Nytrix song *Always In A Nightmare*.
* "Không sao đâu" means "it's okay" in Vietnamese.
* When Winter embraces Mya, she references the Hellberg song *I'm Not Over* and the RIVERO and Anna Yvette song *Heaven*.
* Winter noting that she's not going to be anyone's fool is an allusion to the 2015 High Maintenance song *Change Your Ways*.
* Winter's internal dialogue to herself before she reveals to Aiden that she is a lesbian contains nods to the Malinda song *Fearless*, the MYRNE song *Confessions*, and the Au5 song *Crossroad*.
* Daniela and Winter's confrontation notably contains heavy parallels to the music video for the Halsey song *Without Me*. Winter sitting on the ground and cowering before Daniela as she argues with her is similar to how Halsey's lover sat on the ground as she yelled at them in the music video.
* When Winter sees the blurred reflections of Daniela, she references *Ghost Assassin* and *Bloodlip*, both of which were previously referenced in *Meeting Winter*.
* Daniela claiming that she'd much rather be a stalker than a victim is a reference to *Rockstar 101* by Rihanna, which is one of her character anthems.