That winter was colder than any other year. The biting winds seeped through every crack in the leaves, bringing with them a touch of dryness and gloom. Christopher pulled up the collar of his coat, leaned against the railing of the library's rooftop, and quietly looked down at the schoolyard. There, Serena was chatting with her friends, her smile radiant like the rare sunlight in the winter sky.
He likes to watch her like that—carefree, innocent, completely unaware that someone is always watching her. From this angle, he could see how her smile lit up a corner of the schoolyard, how her long hair danced in the wind, and how her eyes sparkled every time she smiled. Those small details, he had etched in his heart like a precious painting.
Serena didn't know that even the smallest details about her were remembered by Christopher. She likes to drink hot milk tea on cold days, but often forgets to bring a scarf. She likes to read books in the corner of the library, where few people go, but each time she does, she ends up falling asleep at the table. And every time the wind changed, she would shiver slightly, but she never complained about the cold.
Christopher understood all of that clearly. Therefore, he had gotten used to quietly placing a towel on her chair, handing her a warm cup of tea as he passed by, or simply standing from a distance watching her curl up in her oversized coat.
He clearly remembers the first day he met Serena, during the first class of the year. She was the only one who spoke up to ask him when he sat alone in the corner of the classroom. Christopher was not used to talking much, but in front of her warm smile, he found himself unconsciously responding. That was the first time he felt that a stranger could come so close to him.
"Hello, I'm Serena." You're the new student, right? That was the first thing she said to him, her voice as clear as a small bell.
"Yeah." he replied briefly, not knowing what else to say.
But instead of leaving like others usually do when faced with his coldness, Serena smiled even more brightly.
"If you need any help, just let me know. I'm the class study vice president!"
After that, she really helped him a lot. From getting used to the new environment to the difficult exercises. Serena is always there, patient and warm.
He didn't know when feelings had blossomed in his heart. Perhaps it was during those study sessions, when she patiently explained the difficult problems to him. Or perhaps it was those times she invited him to eat her homemade cakes, saying that he was too skinny and needed to eat more. Or simply, just those moments when he watched her laugh joyfully with her friends, unaware that each smile made his heart beat a little faster.
The things he does, Serena always thinks are coincidences. But perhaps, she had never thought that someone was giving her special attention. She still only sees Christopher as a friend, someone who seems quiet but kind, always appearing at the right moment without anyone calling his name.
One day, when Serena fell ill, it was Christopher who secretly brought her homework every day. He left the exercise books at her door, knocked, and then hurriedly left. She thought it was arranged by the class monitor, not knowing that it was he who volunteered to do it.
The day she returned to class, her face still looked a bit pale, and Christopher had to restrain himself from asking her too many questions, from showing too much concern. He simply placed a box of milk on her desk, softly said,
"Drink it, it's good for your health," then returned to his seat, pretending to be engrossed in the book he was reading.
Christopher has learned to hide his emotions very well. But there is one person who always sees through that.
"Are you looking at Serena again?" A teasing voice rang out beside him, pulling Christopher out of his train of thought.
He didn't turn back, just casually replied, "No."
The person who just spoke was Alexander, one of the few rare friends that Christopher could consider close. He burst out laughing, not exposing the lie, but just sighing meaningfully.
"Christopher, if you like her, just say it." You keep being so quiet, she will never notice.
Christopher remained silent. The wind swept through his hair, bringing a touch of chill. His eyes still followed the small figure laughing and talking in the yard.
"No need." He spoke slowly, his gaze never leaving the figure of the girl in the schoolyard. "As long as she's happy, that's enough."
Alexander looked at his friend, his gaze complex. You understand what kind of person Alexander is. He is not the kind of person who is good at expressing emotions, nor is he the type to actively fight for what he wants. He accepts standing behind, silently protecting without needing a response.
"But at some point." Alexander continued "She will have someone else. Can you accept that?"
Christopher felt a sharp pain in his heart. He had thought about that scenario many times. When Serena holds someone's hand who is not him, when she gives her warmest smile to someone else. But then he reassured himself, as long as she is happy, no matter with whom, he would accept it.
"I don't know," he honestly replied, his voice dropping.
"But I don't want to bother her with my feelings."
Alexander gently shook his head. "Sometimes, your silence is even more annoying than a confession, Christopher." Have you ever thought that maybe Serena is also waiting for you to say something?
Christopher turned in surprise. "What are you talking about?"
Alexander smiled mysteriously, but didn't say anything more. He patted his friend on the shoulder, then walked towards the stairs. "Sometimes, you should pay attention to the way she looks at you when you don't notice."
Some things are so obvious that we fail to see them.
Christopher stood there, dazed. Alexander's words echoed in his mind. Could it be... Serena also has feelings for him? No, it can't be. He reassured himself. A cheerful and bright person like Serena would definitely not pay attention to someone quiet and reserved like him.
But... what if...
Christopher shook his head, dispelling the useless thoughts. He looked back at the schoolyard, but Serena was no longer there. The sun had set behind the buildings, leaving the sky a brilliant sunset red.
Suddenly, he recalled a conversation that had taken place between the two of them last month. It was an afternoon similar to today when they happened to meet at the library.
"Yah Christopher," Serena asked, her eyes still glued to the page. "What do you think about love?"
That question came so suddenly that he couldn't prepare. "I... don't know," he replied awkwardly. "Maybe it's a complex emotion."
Serena smiled gently. "I think love is sometimes very simple." It's just the feeling of wanting to be with someone, wanting to see that person happy, and wanting to share everything with them.
At that moment, Christopher heart was beating so fast that he thought Serena could hear it. But she just continued reading, seemingly unaware of the impact her words had on him.
"Have you ever loved anyone, Christopher?" She asked again, still not looking up.
He felt his throat dry. "Not yet." he lied.
Serena looked a bit disappointed, but only for a moment. "Really?" I thought..." She shook her head, not finishing her sentence.
"Never mind, it's nothing."
That conversation ended strangely, with too many things left unsaid. And since then, they have never brought up this topic again.
Christopher sighed, turned his back, and left the rooftop. He knew what he had to do — wait for Serena at the school gate, as always.
That afternoon, Serena left the library later than usual. When she stepped out of the school gate, it was already fully dark, and the streetlights cast a pale yellow light on the long road.
The wind blew harder, bringing with it a numbing cold. Serena tucked her hands into her coat pockets and shivered slightly. She didn't think the temperature would drop so quickly today.
Serena is not afraid of the cold. Since she was a child, she had been accustomed to this feeling. But this year, winter feels different. Maybe it's because she's grown up, or maybe it's because the final year brings too much pressure. She sighed, her breath rising as a white mist in front of her.
She thinks about the upcoming exam, the late nights studying, and the choices after graduation. Everything seemed to weigh heavily on her shoulders, making her feel more exhausted than ever.
And recently, there has been another thing that keeps her unfocused. A person she couldn't understand at all — Christopher. Lately, every time she thinks of him, her heart beats strangely fast. She wondered what was happening to her.
"Cold, huh?"
A deep voice came from behind, startling her. When she turned around, she saw Christopher standing there, holding a cream-colored wool scarf.
"Um… a little." She smiled lightly, not too concerned. "I forgot to bring a towel."
"No need." Christopher shook his head. "You keep it." I have plenty more.
Serena hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Then... I'll give you something in return."
Christopher just smiled. He didn't need her to give him anything. Just seeing you warm is enough.
"Yah Christopher." Serena suddenly called, her voice so soft it was almost swept away by the wind. "If... if I said that I like you... what would you think?"
Christopher was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears anymore. Is this just a dream, or is she really saying those words?
"I..." he stammered, not knowing what to say.
Serena bowed her head, her long hair covering her blushing face.
"Forget it."
I was just talking nonsense. She hurriedly turned her back, intending to walk away.
But this time, Christopher no longer hesitated. He took her hand and pulled her closer.
"Serena." he said, his voice deep but firm.
"I also like you. It's been a long time."
"..from the childhood of those years..."
Time seemed to stand still in that moment. Snow began to fall, the first small snowflakes of winter quietly settling on their shoulders.