Snowed In

Lila had jumped at the chance to take a walk in the forest with James. Like their previous date on the roof, it would give them some alone time, which was exactly what she wanted. Sure, she loved to be around lots of people, but with James it was different.

So, she had worn a green jacket and jeans, with tan boots to walk through the layer of snow covering the ground easily. It was daytime but still very cold, and a chilling breeze had started to blow straight into them. It certainly wasn't the best weather to talk in.

But all of a sudden, the previously manageable breeze intensified, and the two of them found themselves in a blizzard. They has already ventured far enough into the forest that it would be easier to keep going and pass through it than turn back. James' arm around her didn't warm Lila up, but it definitely made her feel better. Neither of them could users heir powers to get through the blizzard, as it was too dangerous for Lila to try and fly considering her inexperience, so they had to get through the storm the human way.

They couldn't see very far in front of them, and every time they looked up the wind blew at their faces violently. But they did spot a small cabin which looked to be the safest spot for them at that point in time. Trudging through the cold wind and snow, they made it to the cabin and luckily, it was unlocked. They entered the seemingly abandoned house, James closing the door behind them.

The house was warmer than outside, but it was still freezing cold. Lila shivered a little before feeling something drape over her shoulders. James' coat. "Are you sure you don't need this?" She asked, concerned, "Youl'll freeze!" It was very, very cold. She hugged James back and stayed there. It was a very selfless gesture, but he was so giving that one day it might seriously affect him.

But then, Lila had an idea. Pulling away from the hug, she searched the house for blankets or clothes or something to warm them up. "Hold on," she told him, "I might have an idea."

Usually, Lila would accept the 'you're more important' line and move on. After all, she was more important than most, wasn't she? But with James, well, he was one of the very few people she compared herself with. At the very least, she considered him an equal and left her thoughts at that. She didn't argue, however, because she left to hunt for warmth. That was a better idea than staying there arguing over a coat.

"Don't be sorry, James," she said. "It's nobody's fault that this happened. Plus, I was just as excited for this as you were. Anyway, the storm will pass and we can go back to the Academy in a while." She failed to mention that she also had her phone on her, which could contact multiple other students, or the school itself, or even emergency services to pick them up. Call it selfish, but Lila just wanted to stay in the cabin with James. It was still a date.

James called her over to a wooden chest in the corner of the room they searched. He had found blankets! That was lucky, Lila thought. That way, they would easily get through the blizzard. Even if she had no idea how long that would take. She kissed him quickly to show her thanks, before grabbing some of the blankets and quilts to cover herself with. "Thank you!" She said happily. Now nobody would have to know about the phone.

She walked back towards where they came from, where an old but stable couch sat. She sat down, wrapping herself in the warmth the blankets offered her. Motioning for James to sit beside her, she said, "Come sit down! We could be waiting a while." It was going to be different to how they had planned, but all in all Lila didn't mind.

Lila had warmed up next to James as he wrapped a big quilt around both of them. She rested her head on his shoulder and said, "I think this date is going great, thank you for this," she said gratefully, before adding, "I guess it's just lucky we found the cabin. Otherwise we'd still be in the blizzard." She failed to admit the phone tucked away in her pocket again. He didn't have to know. Then they might have to cancel the date, and she didn't want that at all.

"Speaking of which, how long do you think it will take to pass?" She hoped it would last a long time, she was happy where she was. But once it was over they wouldn't have any choice but to leave. Being thanked for 'everything' was a little bit over the top, Lila thought. Sure, she was pretty great, but she had to thank James for a lot too. He had played a massive part in welcoming her into the Starlight Academy social life.

She had no lack of self esteem herself but could see that he had. It showed up when he talked, blaming himself for misfortunes like the weather and thanking others for things he had done himself. That was alright, Lila could help him with that. "James, you're amazing," she told him, despite her reluctance to gush about anyone. He needed to hear it. "I don't have to 'put up' with you, I choose to spend time with you because I like you. A lot." She explained, before lifting her head to kiss him.

"And right now I could be thanking you too. You've done so much for me."

Lila smiled as James called her beautiful. She already knew that she was, but the affirmation of it was always welcomed. She would've kissed him in thanks, but decided to just rest against James and enjoy the moment. After all, they had the whole blizzard to kiss, and James was definitely making the most of the time by kissing her at least once every ten seconds. Of course she didn't mind, though. She was lucky that he cared so much.

As he talked about where he came from, Lila thought of her own home, towards the north of the U.S.A. It was frequently cold there, and snowed every winter. "Do you miss that? Your home, I mean." What she had heard from James' past was nothing but negative, but a home is a home. He'd only really been in Manta Carlos a little longer than her, and she was having difficulty letting go of her home and past. She still video called her family weekly and stalked her old friends on social media. Strange or not, she generally kept that to herself, though.

"You're welcome," she replied. She knew it would mean a lot to him. That's why she said it, after all. But unlike many things she said, this one was completely true. She laughed a little bit when he, once again, told her how much she meant to him, saying, "We've only been on two dates!" Her tone was more joking than anything, and it was clear she wasn't judging him for saying things like this. "But yeah, same," she admitted. Their relationship had been moving fast, after all. She was just more reluctant to let absolutely all of her feelings out so quickly.

However, listening to James talk so fondly of her convinced her to show some more affection. She kissed him back, enjoying the moment, before replying, "When I came here, I guess I would only hang around certain people." Her eyes fell. She hated admitting that she had any regrets or flaws, and it was only because James just had that she was willing to change that for a moment. "You and a few others helped me to, well, branch out a bit." She purposely copied James' phrasing. If it was just treated as a fill-in-the-blanks task, it was easier to admit things.

She kissed him yet again, before resting her head against him. After all, the blizzard wouldn't last forever and she had to savor the moment.

Yeah, Lila thought to herself, there were so many good things about James' past life in his old city. She wasn't sure he was particularly committed to what he said, but decided to test him on it instead of deny it straight up. Maybe there was something there worth holding on to. Maybe. "A few good things? Like what sort of things?" It would be nice to know that James' past had been more than just thievery and negativity.

"I miss my home," she continued, slightly sadly. "It got boring at times, but I mean, I had everything. Friends, family, control over everything." She didn't notice how bad it sounded when she mentioned control. Continuing on, she said, "But then I came here, and it's like... It's everything I never knew I was missing out on." In that statement, she was referencing the magic, the excitement, the diversity, and of course James. She had fallen into a short trance as she said that, oblivious to her surroundings, but she soon came out of it and gave James a kiss to let him know she was still happy. And she was. She was perfectly content with all that she had in that moment.

Lila smiled smiled up at James. In a way, they had both helped each other without really being aware they were doing so. That was the best kind of help. The help that meant nobody had to sacrifice anything. Although she was as extroverted as possible, Lila had always been reluctant to talk to people who weren't of similar social status. James, on the other hand, was probably just as extroverted but was much more willing to talk to anyone. Being thanked for just being herself was something Lila was very happy to receive.

She was cuddled up right next to James, trying to keep warm under the quilt and jacket he had given her. It was an amazing feeling, and a genuine one at that. There was no pretending in their relationship, and that felt great. Getting to know one another seemed like a good thing to do, so Lila said, "Yeah I'm up for it. Ask away!" She said that because she felt that he had told her more about himself than vice versa, and because she wanted to know what sort of questions he wanted to ask. Plus, she couldn't think of many things she wouldn't answer.