Chapter 1: Looks Like Snow

Caroline Destine walked along the pavement, arm in arm with her best friend, Felicity Bennett. Smiling at her friend’s enthusiastic ramblings, Caroline lifted her head, sweeping her chocolate brown hair from her face as a cool breeze swept over them. The wind had an icy touch to it, and she knew the evening would be a cold one.

“I think it will snow tonight.” She stated.

Felicity gaped at her, “You’re kidding, right? It’s only the start of Fall, and there’s not a cloud in sight.”

“I can feel it in the air. It will snow.” Caroline replied with a shrug. Felicity shook her head slowly, “I know you tend to be right about these things, but that would be crazy, even for you. Maybe you’ve lost your touch now that you’re sixteen?” she joked.

“Technically, I’m not sixteen for another couple of hours.”

“Speaking of, I have your present if you want to come back to my house.”

“I don’t know; I told Mom I’d come straight home. She’s all excited about the whole Sweet Sixteen thing and cooking up enough food for a small army, I’m sure.” Caroline smiled, secretly looking forward to celebrating with her mother and brother.

“It won’t take long. Please? I’m your best friend. I can’t wait until your party this weekend to give it to you.” Felicity unlinked her arm from Caroline and clasped her hands together in a plea while giving her best puppy-dog face. Caroline laughed, “Okay, okay. But I can’t stay long.”

“Hooray! Let’s go!” Felicity grabbed Caroline’s hand, and they jogged the remaining two blocks to Felicity’s house. They barreled through the front door, dumping their bags on the ground. “Mom! I’m home!” Felicity yelled as they ran up the stairs two at a time.

Walking into the bedroom, Caroline saw a beautifully wrapped present on the desk. Felicity rushed forward and picked it up, unable to contain her excitement as she held it out. Taking the present, Caroline grinned as she carefully lifted the sticky tape and unwrapped the gift. Inside was a navy-blue jewelry box. “What did you do? You can’t afford to buy me jewelry!”

“Shut up. It’s from the whole family if you must know. Just open it.”

Lifting the lid, Caroline let it fall to the floor as she stared at the locket. “Oh, Felicity! It’s so beautiful! I’ve never seen anything like it…” She carefully lifted the necklace out of the box and held it up for them both to admire.

“Open the locket,” Felicity instructed, and Caroline ran her fingernail underneath the tiny clasp, popping the locket open to reveal a small photo of the two of them together. Their first photo together in preschool. They’d been best friends ever since.

Caroline laughed at their cheesy, four-year-old grins, “Do you like it?”

“Are you kidding? I love it! Thank you so much. Can you help me put it on?” She unclasped the necklace and held the ends over her shoulders, turning around so Felicity could fasten it for her. It felt cold against her skin, and she placed her hand over it, reaching out for her best friend with her free arm and hugged her tightly. “You’re the best.”

“I know,” Felicity replied, and they laughed.

“There you are.” The girls looked up to find Felicity’s mother in the doorway. “Happy birthday, sweetheart!” She walked in and hugged Caroline, “Do you like your present?”

“I love it. Thank you so much.”

“Felicity was the one who found it. Different, isn’t it? It’s white gold.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“Don’t be silly,” Mrs. Bennett cut her off, “you’re family, and it’s not every day your daughter’s best friend turns sixteen.” She gave Caroline another squeeze before releasing her, “I spoke to your mother this morning. It sounds like you’re in for quite a treat this evening.”

“Yeah, I think she’s more excited than I am. But speaking of that, I really should get going.”

“Call me later. I want to hear all about your birthday celebrations.” Felicity instructed.

“Absolutely.” Caroline hugged her friend one last time. “Thanks again for the present. I really do love it.” She blew them both a kiss and left the room, scooping up her bag at the foot of the stairs and dashing out the front door and pulling it shut behind her.

Holding the straps of her backpack in place, she could feel the necklace moving against her chest as she jogged the rest of the way home. Before she made it to her driveway, she could smell her mother’s cooking wafting from the house. Her stomach growled with ravenous anticipation. Upon opening the front door, Caroline expected to see her little brother sitting in front of the television, watching his afternoon cartoons. The TV was on, but the living room was empty. Thinking nothing of it, Caroline assumed he was either playing in his room or the backyard.

She ducked into her bedroom, dumping her bag on the bed and paused in front of her full-length mirror to admire the lock around her neck. A shadow passed over her reflection, and she jumped, turned around, but there was no one there. Peering out the window, she saw thick dark clouds racing across the sky and told herself they were the cause for the shadow. It was hard to believe the sky had been cloud-free only minutes ago.

I’m so right—it’s totally going to snow tonight.