Fictional/December.

Two stories I worked into one.

An absolutely perfect moment in mid-December. Black and blue hair covered both her eyes. Her snowy white top and caliginous jeans hid only a rainbow of colours beneath. Every step she made was hurried yet delicate.

Then she stopped; leaned forward and ran her fingers through the prickly grass. A dandelion. She breathed in deep.

She breathed. She was real.

A cascade of snow in the middle of summer.

I stood fixed on the pavement; looking down at my shoes. They were a faded shade of red, laced with white over and over again; until they stopped at what seemed like a perfect bow just beneath my ankles.

If only.

I looked up and saw her seated in the long grass. Her arms out behind her with her left leg over her right. The sun low in the sky. As I came closer she gestured me to sit down beside her.

'Can I see them now?' she asked quietly. 'Please?'

She lifted the camera from around my neck. She was so close. Her eyes not visible; her peppermint breath. No. Spearmint.

'Wow,' she exclaimed. 'These aren't bad.'

I looked at her.

'Actually, they're beautiful.'

'Not beautiful because I took them,' I paused. 'Beautiful because of what's in them.'

She smiled. Her braces gleamed in the sunlight. I raised my hand and used my fingers to gently brush the hair out of her eyes.

Eyes so violet. Eyes so green.

'Tomorrow?'

I smiled and closed my eyes.

I was lying on the freshly mown grass. The sun was warm once again and the wind whispered to me as it skimmed across my skin. The feeling was amazing. I didn't want anyone to take it away.

Shoes gripped at the gravel, sounding a definite crunch. I tried hard not to smile as the sound ceased. She was finally here. Whatever happened, I told myself, I would not open my eyes.

I felt fingers fill the gaps between mine. As I held on tight I felt something I had never before – reassurance. My heartbeat grew fast as her hair brushed across my face. The sweet scent of what seemed like strawberries and candyfloss.

She ran her fingers up my arm. I grasped them and smiled.

'Stop it,' I whispered. 'It tickles.'

She came closer. I braced myself. Her delicate lips touched mine. I felt her breathe on my neck. She knew this was my kryptonite.

I opened my eyes.

She smiled like always, exposing her gleaming braces as always. Her eyes lined in black; so green, so emotionless.

And tear fell onto my cheek.

'I love y-' she started.

Then her whole body shook violently as her eyes closed.

And she fell silently.