Ethan’s grin widened.“Snowball war, obviously. Think you can survive it?”
Before Sophie could answer, he scooped up a handful of snow and tossed it at her. She yelped and retaliated, laughing as the snowballs flew back and forth. For a while, they were completely lost in the chaos, dodging and throwing, slipping on icy patches, and teasing each other endlessly.
Eventually, both were breathless, faces flushed and hair dusted with snow. Sophie sank onto a bench, giggling, as Ethan plopped down beside her, brushing snow from her coat.
“You’re impossible,” she said, though her smile was wide and genuine.
“And you love it,” Ethan replied, nudging her gently with his shoulder.
For a moment, they just sat there, snow falling softly around them. Sophie noticed how close they were, the warmth of his presence making the cold insignificant. Ethan’s hand brushed against hers, almost deliberately, and she didn’t pull away.
“You know,” Ethan said softly, eyes meeting hers,“I could get used to this… to spending time with you.”
Sophie’s heart skipped.“Me too,” she admitted, barely above a whisper.
The park around them was quiet except for the soft crunch of snow underfoot and the distant laughter of children. It was a perfect, fleeting moment — playful, intimate, and entirely theirs.
As they walked back toward their neighborhood, shoulders brushing, Sophie realized that winter in Crestwood had become something far more than she had imagined. It wasn’t just the snow or the music — it was him, and the way her heart had begun to race whenever he was near.
Chapter 18:
Secrets in the Music
Monday afternoon, the music room was quiet except for the soft scratching of bow on string and the occasional tap of drumsticks. Sophie and Ethan were running through their duet, perfecting the sections that had given them trouble in previous practices.
During a pause, Sophie set her violin down and leaned against the piano.“Ethan… can I tell you something?”
Ethan looked up, curious.“Of course. What’s up?”
Sophie hesitated for a moment.“I… I’ve never really felt like I belonged anywhere before I moved here. Music was the one thing that made sense to me, but even that… I felt like I was always just going through the motions.”
Ethan’s expression softened.“Sophie… I had no idea.”
“I know it’s silly,” she continued,“but… playing with you, these practices, the walks, even the silly snowball fights — it’s the first time I’ve felt like I’m… part of something. Like I’m actually being seen.”
Ethan’s hand brushed hers gently.“Sophie… I feel the same way. You make everything… clearer. Better. Music feels different when it’s with you, and I… I guess I never realized how much I needed that connection.”
Sophie felt a warmth bloom in her chest.“It’s not just music, is it?”
“No,” Ethan admitted, voice low.“It’s not. It’s you. You.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, letting the weight of their words settle. The music room, with its dusted sunlight and scattered sheet music, felt like a small world of their own.
Sophie picked up her violin again, and Ethan readied his sticks.“Let’s play,” he said softly,“but this time… let’s put everything we just said into the music.”
As they began, the duet took on a new depth, each note carrying unspoken emotions. Their rhythms intertwined seamlessly, stronger and more intimate than ever before.
By the time they finished, both were breathless, their hearts beating in tandem. Sophie realized that winter in Crestwood wasn’t just about snow or music — it was about trust, connection, and the quiet magic of someone who understood her like no one else ever had.
Chapter 19:
Discord Before the Crescendo
Thursday afternoon, the music room felt unusually tense. Sophie arrived to find Ethan pacing with a notebook in hand, frustration evident in his expression.
“Hey,” she said cautiously.“What’s going on?”
Ethan looked up, sighing.“It’s Lucas. He’s been pushing me to change some of the drum patterns for the band showcase. I… I promised him I’d help, but it conflicts with our duet.”
