It sparkled against the sun's rays early in the day — just as the sun was rising over the horizon. Twinkling as she stared, she didn't have the heart to walk over it — leaving footprints in the white fluff.

Seeing something so beautiful made her feel her heartstring snap, a rippling pain traveling through her body. Any other morning, in any other year, she would have smiled, singing some Christmas songs as glanced at the layer of snow. This year wasn't one of those joyful, cheerful years; it was quite the opposite.

This Christmas was bound to be terrible and unhappy. Some days are harder than others, and Christmas ended getting the shorter end of the straw.

It was the coldest day of winter.

Snuggling into her large, fluffy winter coat, her gloves, and snow boots, she walked outside — stomping in the snow in her fit of pain and anger. Honestly, today she wanted to sleep or burn his house down — either planned worked.

She didn't want to walk past the small stores and places where they used to hang, getting a quick sip of coffee or tea or just relaxing in the chairs the place had to offer.

She especially didn't want to run into him; defiantly not. At least, not like this. Her face had tears stains down her cheeks, and her nose and eyes were puffy and red. Her hair — oh her soft, natural hair — was knotted and fuzzy.

Her outside looks just how she was feeling in the inside: ugly, hurt, tired, destroyed, ruin, heartbroken, and there were so many more adjectives she could think of and there were so many of them she didn't know but could use. She felt hopelessly stupid.

The people of the streets seemed to stare at her — like she was some new wild animal in the zoo or maybe she was just a new species in general. She scoffed at them, walking faster through the streets to go to her usual café in the morning.

When her eyes landed on the welcoming sign, she had to smile. She rushed to the door, opening it up and making the small newly installed Christmas bell ring. Her ears quickly heard an old, faint Christmas song in the background.

She finally felt things were going her way, but when she saw him with her, she knew her luck had run out earlier than expected. Her eyes widen, her body tensed, and she felt tears ready to fall down her face.

It took her a couple of seconds to turn her attention to the menu she knew by memory. She stared at him as he laughed at what she was saying, at how he wasn't heartbroken like her. She stared at the women, almost in jealousy as she saw her makeup was perfectly done on her precious face.

She shook her head, walking behind a man waiting in line. She grumbled under her breath as she heard both of them laughing.

The man turned around, smiling with his dimples showing. "Not a fan of romance?" He asked, nodded to the couple.

Turning her head to stare at him, she glared. Sighing, she crossed her arms, a frown on her face. "That's my ex who cheated on me with her."

The man grimaced, nodding his head. He looked over at the couple once more, trying to figure out what to say. "He's a-"

"Don't," she raised her hand, her voice slightly quivering. Shaking her head, she whispered, "I can't take any pity right now."

The man nodded, holding his hand out. "I'm Daniel."

"I'm Noelia," the woman answered, shaking her small hand into his larger one. "Nice to meet you."

The man, Daniel, smiled. "You too."

They ended up just smiling at each other, their hands still holding the other.

"Sir?" The worker at the café place asked, breaking the eye contact the two customers were having. Daniel turned around and smiled, giving his order and paying quickly.

"Hello, what can I get you?" The worker smiled, staring at Noelia as she waited.

"I'll take a hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and sprinkles, please."

"That'll be two-fifty."

Handing over the cash, Noelia quickly went to the counter to wait for her drink. She smiled, waving at Daniel as she walked over.

He smiled back, leaning against the counter. "Fancy seeing you here."

She laughed, nodding her head. "It's almost like I just saw you in line." She pointed to the line they were just standing it, a faint blush forming over her cheeks.

Suddenly, Daniel's eyes snapped to something behind Noelia, a frown forming on his face. "Incoming."

"What?" Before Daniel could grab Noelia from turning around, she was faced with her ex-boyfriend — as in three days ago. Her frown disappeared as she saw his arm loosely around the other women's shoulder.

"Noelia," he laughed, hugging his girlfriend closer. "It's so good to see you. How are you?"

Silently, Noelia opened her mouth to answer, but she could speak one word.

The man laughed. "By judging your hair and face," he grimaced, "I'm saying you aren't so well." He went to prove his hair by reaching for her hair —to inspect it.

His hand didn't reach her head. Daniel quickly gripped his collar pushing him back. The large moment made the women yelp at the lost of contact from her boyfriend of three months.

"Don't touch her."

Snapping out of her trance, she grabbed into Daniel's bicep, and she was slightly amazed how much muscle he had under his loose long t-shirt.

"Daniel." She tried to pull his one arm away, but she wasn't strong enough. "He's not worth it. Let him go."

Sighing, he pushed the man away and Daniel stormed out of the café.

"Daniel!" Noelia yelled. She watched as he slammed the door, quickly walking down the sidewalk.

"What kind of friends do you have?"

She bit down on her tongue, stopping herself from making any sounds of pain or anger. She ran out after him, knocking into some customers trying to get in. She looked around the street, looking for this attracted man.

She smiled when she spotted his black coat. She rushed towards him, jogging as best as she could in the cold.

"Daniel!" She yelled again. This time gaining is attention.

He turned around, staring at her as she ran. A small upturn in his lips told Noelia that he was happy to see her.

She huffed, her hands going to her knees. "Holy shit," she cursed, "I need to work out more." Then in her head, she smiled because she knew she wasn't going to work out- due to her asthma. She used to play soccer as a little girl, but over time it became harder for her to manage her breathing.

Noticing that she wasn't catching her breath, Daniel gripped her arms to go over her head, opening up her airways. "You good?" He asked.

She just nodded, whispering, "Asthma. Nothing to worry about."

"Nothing to worry about. Noelia, what if I didn't hear you? What if you collapsed onto the ground?"

Noelia only smiled, laughing a little bit. "You do know I'm in public; someone is bound to see me and help me." After taking a pause, she whispered, "You didn't have to do that. I mean, inside the café."

"He was about to touch you. He doesn't have that privilege." He shook his head with his hands on Noelia, for she was still breathing hard and he worried that she might have collapsed. "Are you ok?"

Blowing out her breath, she nodded her head, timidly. "Yeah, he just took me by surprised."

"He doesn't deserve you."

Noelia's eyes snapped to his. "What?"

He smiled. "He doesn't deserve you."

She started to laugh. "You don't even know me."

"I know your name, and your humor." He started, realizing that she had caught her breath. "You obviously are the prettiest girl I ever meet; you were defiantly the hotter half in that relationship."

Noelia opened her mouth, only to close it again. She had no idea what to say. She had been in a funk for the last three days, hating everything about herself and drowning in her sorrows.

"I just don't understand how he could hurt you and give you up."

"Thanks."

Daniel laughed, showing his dimples — that Noelia loved to see over and over again. She smiled and blushed when he laughed or even smiled at her.

"You ok, though right? I know the feeling." His eyes narrowed slightly at the memory, and Noelia couldn't stop herself from asking.

"My high school girlfriend cheated on me for my best friend. It's all good now. I'm at college, starting on the football team and they are nowhere near me." He quickly explained, making Noelia's arm looped around his. "Have any plans for the day?"

Noelia shook her head, even though she planned on drinking her misery for the rest of the week. "I'm free."

"Good. How about lunch?" He asked, walking forward.

"What if I said no?" Noelia teased, a smile forming on her pretty little lips.

"I'll be heartbroken," he paused smiling, "and then I'll have to kidnap you for a lunch date."

"So this is date now?" Noelia asked, not meeting his eyes.

"I want it to be, but it's all right if you don't see it that way. You'll fall in love with me sooner or later."

Smiling, Noelia leaned closer into Daniel, feeling his body heat against her. It reminded her of the warmest fire on the coldest winter day, warming her up for the rest of her life. She nodded her head, another common blush warming her checks up.

"I'll pay."

Noelia scoffed, "Sounds about right since you made me leave my hot chocolate."

He slapped his forehead. "I forgot about my coffee!"

Together they chuckled, slowly walking through the winter wonderland.

Author's Note:

Thanks for checking out COLDEST WINTER- inspired by CourtneyPeterman0  and the song Coldest Winter by Pentatonix.

Remember to check out my other stories: HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER? (Werewolf/ Vampire, Horror), HOWLING AT THE MOON AND STARS (Werewolf), and HEALING HEARTS (Werewolf and Lesbian).

Drop the mic,

GREEN CROW