As I stood and stared at that girl, she stared right back at me. I was so entranced, that I barely even noticed it starting to rain. Just as it began to rain around me, snow started to slowly fall around her. It covered her shoulders, head, and feet while I stood, getting drenched.

"Dev! Dude, what are you doing standing out in the rain like that?!"

Nate yelled, running up to me with an umbrella. I turned to look at him just in time for him to grab my wrist and drag me away.

On the way home, while Nate continuously talked, I was thinking. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get that girl out of my mind. That long white hair of hers blended in perfectly with the snow that fell around her. The snow that layered the ground with a white blanket.

Eventually, Nate snapped me back into reality when we arrived at my house. I mean... I just had to ask this question.

"Nate, what are you doing here? I thought you were going home?"

"Yeah, I did. When I got there, my mom and dad were arguing, so I threw my stuff down, grabbed an umbrella and went chasing after you. Of course, I found you at the Bridge staring at some white-haired chick."

I nodded in understanding as we walked inside and out of the rain. My dad was there to greet me and Nate, who acted as if he were walking into his own home.

"Nathaniel, how's school been going for you?"

"Oh, it's been going okay. Thanks for asking Mister Zavier."

My dad chuckled at the formality and put a hand out to Nate.

"Just call me Zach."

Nate awkwardly nodded as the two of us went upstairs and into my room. Nate has practically moved all his stuff into the guest bedroom here. Since he can't stand it when his parents fight, he runs away and comes here. Every time he did that, he brought more and more stuff with him.

"Nate, everything you left is still where it was before."

"Yes! Awesome. Anyway, man, who was that girl you were staring at?"

I slightly shrugged as a response. I truly didn't know who that girl was, but... something about her just intrigued me. As a result, I ended up staring at her. I don't know how long I was staring at her... but, I know the only reason that I stopped, was because Nate came and grabbed my attention.

People with white hair are never really seen near the Bridge. The Priests and Priestesses try their best to keep them away. She was different. She somehow was able to stand there, silently, watching my every move. I mean, I basically did the same. Though, she wasn't the one who left.

"Dev, let's go to the Old Cherry Tree before dinner."

"Yeah, sure."

I walked over to my bedroom window and slid it open. After that, Nate crawled out and onto a branch of the huge tree just outside my window. He went closer to the trunk of the tree as I jumped onto that same branch. We slowly and cautiously climbed down and began to run into the forest.

You see, that forest surrounds my house. It ends at the river. No one ever goes into this forest. Everyone thinks that because it's near the river, that you can get into the land Across the Bridge. Even if that were true, I doubt anyone would have the guts to do it. The river is known to be freezing cold, no matter the season. Anyone who does try to cross will freeze to death before they get even halfway.

It wasn't always just me and my dad. As you know, my mom was here until I turned about 15. That's when she was taken away by the Priestess. Not just her either. I had an older brother once too.

His name was Eli. He was the best brother anyone could ever have. I was grateful for such an amazing brother. However, he was taken from us. Now, I know what you'll ask. No, he wasn't taken to the Land Across the Bridge. Though, that land is why he died. The sheer beauty of the white snow blanket covering the ground, the trees, and roofs of houses. It entranced him. He always said how much he'd love to go and make a snowman or a snow angel, something like that. However, he knew that if he tried crossing the bridge that he'd be caught and might be sentenced to death. He knew. Yet he tried anyway. I was seven at the time. My brother was 18. 

"Hey! Eli, wait up!"

A seven-year-old boy called after his eighteen-year-old brother. Another boy joined the two as they converged under the Cherry Tree. It's branching hung low and it's leaves and flowers were a beautiful pink. The flowers bloomed more beautiful than any other trees.

"Come on Dev! You too Nate! Hurry up you two!"

Eli said back to the younger boys, who scrambled to keep up. The three boys chased each other around the Cherry tree.

"All around the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasel. The monkey thought it was all but fun. POP! Goes the weasel."

Eli sang as he circled the tree with his kid brother and his best friend. After minutes of continuous running, they sat down under the branches of the cherry tree and rested.

"Dev, when you grow up, always come to this tree. You too, Nate."

The two boys nodded as they sat criss-crossed beside Eli. Within the time there, they told jokes, laughed together, and continued to play together. Fond memories were made at that tree. More fond memories are made each following day.

As we approached the Old Cherry Tree, those memories just flooded my mind. Those were happy memories. At least they were until Eli died. That's why I don't want to go to the Land Across the Bridge. I highly doubt I'm pure of heart. I mean, come on! I'm a teenager. All that I want... is to stay underneath this Old Cherry Tree.