Ice and Its Lingering Memories

Lisandra stepped into the house with a lingering smile on her lips. The scent of Daniel’s jacket seemed to cling to her fingertips, providing a warmth that even the biting night air couldn’t explain.

For the first time in a long time, the fair-skinned girl felt truly alive. Her heart continued to race as she recalled her efforts earlier.

"You look remarkably happy, Lis."

As it turned out, Alex was already sitting on the leather sofa with his arms crossed. He was still wearing his university varsity jacket, clearly having waited for his sister since early evening.

"You’re not asleep yet, Alex?"

"I was waiting for you. It’s 2:00 AM, Lisandra. Where have you been?"

"Meeting a friend."

"Hmph! A friend or a guy, huh? Don't tell me a bookworm like you has started dating. So, which nobody is hitting on you?"

Lisandra took a deep breath, trying her best not to be provoked. "I was just getting some fresh air, Alex. Stop being so nosy."

"I’m your brother," the thick-browed man asserted, grabbing his sister's arm as she tried to walk away. "Who’s going to protect you if not me?"

"I don't need your protection!"

"Haha, Lis. I never thought you’d become this rebellious in just a week. For your information, I could easily follow you and beat that boyfriend of yours to a pulp. But I’ve been patient because I respect your privacy. So, stop seeing whatever prick is making you stay out this late."

Lisandra exhaled slowly. Usually, she would apologize immediately, but tonight, for some reason, a wave of pure disgust surged within her. She leaned in toward her brother, taking off her round glasses. She looked up, casting a defiant glare.

"Stop bossing me around. I’m not in elementary school anymore, Alex. Whether I skip class or sleep at a guy’s place, that’s my right."

"Getting brave, aren't you? Fine, let me just go ahead and take care of this guy. Who is he? Does he go to the same campus as us?"

"None of your business," Lisandra replied shortly before brushing past her brother toward the stairs, leaving Alex with a deadly, growing curiosity.

***

Time passed quickly. Late afternoon sunlight filtered through the half-open curtains of Daniel’s apartment. On the nightstand, the soup bowl was empty.

The man in the blue t-shirt could now sit upright without wincing in pain. On the other side, Lisandra sat on a wooden chair by the bed, busy peeling an apple.

"Are you really going to campus tomorrow?" Lisandra asked while handing him a slice of apple.

"I’ve already missed too many classes. Besides, if I don't start hockey practice, that prick of a captain will definitely look for my replacement."

"You mention him as a 'prick' quite often. Is he really that bad?"

Daniel let out a cynical laugh. "He's the worst person I've ever met. Making me suffer seems to be his life's purpose."

"Why does he hate you so much? Aren't you on the same team?"

"I wish I knew, Lis. Maybe because from the start, I never wanted to bow down to him. In that team, everyone is busy sucking up to him, except for me and two others."

"What has he done to you?"

"He sabotaged my practice schedule, turned the coach against me, and even intentionally made me watch him get intimate with my girlfriend."

"The girl with a name similar to mine?"

Daniel smiled bitterly, setting the bowl of apples on the nightstand and reaching for Lisandra’s hand. "Please forget what I said. I did feel that way at first, but now I realize I was wrong. You two aren't alike at all."

"If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll start thinking you're flirting with me, Daniel Stewart."

Daniel didn't answer with words. He leaned in until the tips of their noses brushed against each other. He stared intensely into her eyes, as if language had lost its use.

In the next second, Daniel’s fingers slid through Lisandra’s hair. The girl in the lilac cardigan reflexively closed her eyes, just a heartbeat before their lips met.

The kiss, which began with hesitation, shifted as Daniel pulled her closer. Alex’s sister wrapped her arms around Daniel’s neck, signaling that she wanted this love just as much.

Daniel moved slowly, guiding Lisandra down onto the messy sheets. On that narrow bed, the pain in Daniel’s ribs seemed to vanish, replaced by their synchronized heartbeats. He continued the kiss, but this time, he lingered, tasting her lips.

"I like you, Lis. You always show me how to be happy."

"Then make me happy."

Daniel’s hand slid under her cardigan, touching the smooth skin of Lisandra’s waist. The atmosphere around them heated up instantly, making her let out a soft moan. Daniel supported his weight with one arm to avoid pressing on his own chest, while his other hand was busy caressing the figure beneath him. The scent of vanilla mixed with roses from Lisandra's hair was intoxicating, clouding every bit of logic he had left.

A few moments later, after their breathing stabilized, Lisandra leaned her head on Daniel’s shoulder. She pulled the blanket tight over her body and looked up at the handsome face beside her.

"Daniel?"

"Hm?" Daniel replied without opening his eyes, his fingers gently stroking Lisandra's arm.

"About that girl ... Lirena. Is it really over between you two?"

"Of course. You're the only one for me, which is why I had the courage to hold you."

"Promise you won't go back, even if she apologizes later?"

"I’ve already forgiven her. She acted that way because I failed to be what she wanted, but cheating is still fatal. Especially since she did it with Alex, whom I despise."

Hearing her brother's name mentioned again, Lisandra’s heart raced. "Are you sure it was Alex?"

"I saw it with my own eyes. He’s always so proud when he takes something from me."

Lisandra stared at the ceiling. For a moment, she fell into thought before finally answering, "Aren't you planning on getting revenge?"

"I'm trying to outdo him in hockey. Well, we'll think about that later. Right now, I'm going to protect you. He can't find out about us."

"Why are you so sure you can hide me from him?"

"I don't want him doing anything bad to you just to hurt me."

Lisandra gave a faint smile, glancing toward her lover. She tapped her fingers against his arm a few times, as if strategizing.

"He won't be able to hurt me, Daniel."

"You don't know him—"

"I know him," she interrupted, creating a sudden silence before she spoke again. "Because Alex, the guy you hate so much... is the older brother of Lisandra Gilbert."