The next day, Aunt Diane asked me to check the community mailbox.

It was fifteen minutes by foot.

I kicked the snow as I walked on by.

My jean jacket was thin. My ears felt numb, as well as my fingers and toes. I breathed into my hands in an attempt to keep warm. I didn't have a hat, nor gloves.

My earphones were plugged in, music loud. I was listening to Talking to the Moon, which was my favourite song at the time. From a distance, I could see the figure of a person walking two dogs. It didn't take me long to recognize who it was. For a second, I felt the urge to hide behind the closest thing near me in the slightest hope that he wouldn't notice me.

Landon was wearing a black tuque that hid his dark hair, along with a blue winter coat and heavy boots. He struggled through his thick gloves to hold on to one of the leashes. The German Shepherd, Tucker, was trying to run towards me. The other, Nala, sat calmly.

Landon spotted me and mouthed something. I took out my earphones. "What?"

"I could use a little help!" he repeated.

"Uh," I hesitated, "No thanks. I don't like dogs."

"C'mon, Aurora. Please?"

"Nope." I shrugged, trying to play it off cool. "I mean, it's not like you'd help me in a situation like this."

"Will you stop being so melodramatic and come over here and help?"

I let out a sigh and walked over, taking Nala's leash. Landon snatched an earphone and put it to his ear. He laughed, "Why such a depressing song?"

"Shut up," I said. I grabbed it back.

He shrugged. "Sorry."

"Why are you even attempting to walk two ginormous dogs at once?"

"Julien's too lazy. Mom and Dad are forcing me."

"Hm, that's sucks," I grinned. "Do I get a thank you?"

"Thank you for what?"

I gestured towards the dog. "For helping you."

"Oh, right. Thanks."

I rolled my eyes and handed him back the leash. "Actually, I gotta go. Aunt Diane sent me to go to the mailbox, not to help you and your dogs." I turned around.

Landon stopped me. "Aurora, wait. I'll even walk to the mailbox with you and all. But you gotta help me out. At this rate, Tucker's gonna run away."

I shrugged. "Well good for Tucker."

"So you're not even gonna help me? We're neighbors!"

"I'm not your neighbor. My aunt is."

"Whatever. Same thing," he said, "just help me. I'm begging you. Please, Aurora?"

"Only if you stop calling me Aurora."

"...Why?"

"I told you last year."

"I don't remember."

"I hate the name, that's why. Reminds me of that Disney princess."

"What's wrong with that?"

"I don't want to be reminded of a Disney princess every time I hear my name. I don't even like Disney."

"You don't like Disney?" he exclaimed. "What kind of alien are you?"

"One that doesn't want to be called Aurora."

"Yeah, okay. Whatever you say... Aurora." He said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes and placed my earphones back into my ears.

With Nala and Tucker,

We walked down the street.