White Winter By Pentatonix Novels & Stories

It was as if the bite of winter's cold had driven them into the sheltered alcoves of the woods, seeking refuge from its icy grasp. My eyes scanned the white landscape with a mix of anticipation and determination, each fallen snowflake a testament to the silent spectacle unfolding around me. Time flowed in tandem with the gentle rhythm of my breath, a pulsating reminder of the world's heartbeat beneath the icy veneer. Nature itself seemed to hold its breath, as if expecting the world to unfurl its frozen wings in a dance of vitality once more.

He was trembling so hard I could hear his teeth chattering. "Look at me," I commanded softly. It took a long time. Seconds ticked by, counted by the thumping bass of the rap song that was finally fading out. Slowly, painfully, he lifted his chin. Those winter-forest eyes met mine, wide and swimming with a panic that went much deeper than a few hockey players being assholes. He looked at my face, searching for something—meanness, mockery, a hidden trap. He didn't find it. "I’m not Miller," I said, my voice dropping low, losing its edge. I reached out, stopping my hand just inches from his shoulder when I saw him tense up again.

This was their secret life. Just the two of them. “The white night has finally ended. It has lasted a few months, and now the night has come back. The familiar winter will arrive soon…” The summer they thought would last forever finally ended. It was over. And now, the familiar cruel winter was coming for them again.

a request that leaves me flummoxed. What sorcery is this? I confess, me voice barely above a whisper, "I don't have a... phone number." Their eyes go wide, like two full moons shining bright in the night sky, as if I'd just uttered a blasphemy. Winter, bless her quick thinking, whips out a writing utensil from her pocket and grabs me hand. She scribbles some mystical number on me skin, her touch sending shivers down me spine. "Don't forget to call, alright? Let's stay connected," she says with a cheeky wink.

Now I was standing here miserable as ever, in tears. I shut my eyes, taking in a deep breath and letting the smell of fresh winter air relax me. At this point I could no longer tell if the wetness on my cheeks were from the snowflakes, my tears, or both. My body was starting to go numb from the cold but I didn't mind. "Eliza," I slowly blinked my eyes open when I heard the soft voice break the silence that was going throughout the cold and dark but peaceful night. "Are you trying to get pneumonia?" Dallas said in a joking manner but his voice sounding concerned. I didn't say a word as he walked over to me, took off his coat and placed it over my shoulders.

“Zayn MacQuoid, you can’t be this selfish! I’m working hard right now. I can’t have kids!” I compromised to quell her anger. I valued her career, but she resigned so that she could take care of Charles and Caleb better. Besides, she used the money I had saved for retirement for Caleb’s wedding. My leg hurt terribly during that winter, but I was too poor to see a doctor. Moreover, the temperature at home was freezing. It made me shiver. I tried calling Layla for money, but she hung up on me repeatedly. I could not hold on since I was old. In the end, I froze to death.

Neither of us moved. She sang with her eyes closed. The song was gentle and unhurried, about seeds in cold ground and rain that came when you'd almost stopped waiting for it and things pushing up through dark soil toward light they couldn't see yet. She sang it straight through without any of the hesitations that had appeared in the living room rehearsals. Her voice was small and clear and completely certain of itself. Beside me Ethan was absolutely still.

"What now?" "The original gala was supposed to feature a performance by the Vienna String Quartet," Maya said. "They were the main entertainment and they just cancelled." "Can we get someone else?" I asked. "Not anyone of that caliber on three weeks notice," Maya said. "Every major performer is already booked for the holidays." I rubbed my temples. "Okay, so we skip the live entertainment. Make it more about networking and less about performance." "That could work," Maya said hesitantly. "But the guests were expecting something special."

Winter stopped, and General stopped beside her. She stood beneath the porch, sunlight spilling over her. Then she turned back to look at Mr. White, who remained inside, just out of reach of the sun. Her throat tightened. “Mr. White, why are you asking me that?” Mr. White took a few steps forward. His voice sounded even hoarser than usual. “You look unhappy.” Before Winter had first come to the Xander estate, Mr. White had been in a car accident. The car had exploded, leaving burns on his face and damaging his vocal cords.