Snow

The metal wheel strikes the flint giving birth to the gas-powered flame; Charmaine’s cupped hand protecting it from the falling snow; at least long enough to light her cigarette. The girl continues down the steps of the school, taking intermittent pulls on her cigarette. Clamping the cig between her lips, she pulls the hood of her jacket over her head protecting her from the steadily increasing snowfall, and hiding her eyes from the World.
“You shouldn’t smoke.” says David stepping out from under the cover of a nearby shop.
“I hate staying later than the other students,” Charmaine responds, as she continues walking down the sidewalk towards the bus stop.
“If you want to graduate you have to make up for the classes you missed,” replies David falling into step with Charmaine. “Here, let me carry your books.”
“No,” answers Charmaine, shaking her head. “I want to carry them myself.”
“If you want.”
The pair continues on in silence, Charmaine smoking her cigarette while David walks along beside her, hands in pockets.
“I didn’t mean… I’m sorry” apologizes Charmaine looking up at David.
“I know.”
When they reach the bus stop, David turns to check the schedule; when he turns back, Charmaine’s several feet past him. “Are we walking today?”
“No,” says Charmaine pausing in front of a store front for David to catch up to her. “I want to bring him something this time. Something special.”
“We can stop by the flower stall outside the hospital,” offers David looking at the displays in the window Charmaine was looking at.
“Flowers?” asks Charmaine, taking a long drag of her cigarette as she thinks about it. “Yes, I like that idea, David. But I don’t want to buy them.”
“There aren’t that many places to find fresh flowers in the city, Charmaine, let alone in winter.”
“There are always some in the BaiZhu Park.” counters Charmaine, smiling proudly and turning back towards the bus stop.
“The next bus is in 15 minutes,” says David as he falls into step with the girl.
“Then we’ll just have to wait 15 minutes.”