Catalina stood at the edge of the doorway to one of the university buildings, watching the snow float down in huge clumps. The snowstorm was starting and they had already cancelled busses into the university. The only good thing that came from it was the cancellation of her evening exam. But now, she was stranded on campus. She had left the car to her mother and both her parents weren't going to get off work for another six hours, while Paola had already left for the holidays.

Catalina stared at her phone, contemplating making a call to Jae. She had already tried calling Andrea, but she was babysitting her siblings and didn't have her car. There was no one else who would be willing to drive in a blizzard just to pick her up.

There was just one problem.

She hadn't talked to Jae since he had slept over at her place, and whenever she thought about talking to him a knot seemed to form in her stomach. Now that she was single and Jae knew that she liked him.

Of course, it didn't help that she had steered clear of any conversation with him.

Her eyes lingered on the blue phone icon. She gnawed her lip and played with her nails.

Catalina lifted her head to look back at the storm through the large glass windows. The snow was falling faster; there was already a thick layer of fluff on every surface and it looked as if it wouldn't ever stop.

Catalina's eyes fell back on her phone. Before she could think about it, she clicked the blue call button on his contact. The phone rang a couple of times.

"H-hey! Cat, what's, uhm, what's up?" There was a slight shuffling noise before a long pause of silence.

Catalina couldn't help but smile at his wavering voice. She looked at the falling snow. "Nothing much... how are you?"

"Good, you know. I've, uhm, been waiting for your call for a while. It's nice to hear you."

"Yeah..."

"What are you up to?"

"I'm at the uni and well... I'm kind of...stuck."

"What?" He mumbled. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm just stuck on campus. I got here by bus and well...the busses aren't coming into campus anymore because of the snow..." her voice trailed.

"Do you want me to go pick you up?" He didn't even hesitate. The shuffling sounded like he stood up.

"Well, I mean." She nibbled on her lip again. "I called Andrea and she couldn't come...and my parents aren't going to get home for another six hours so... I mean you don't have to! It's completely fine. I could probably just get a cab or something."

"No!" He stopped her. "I'll head over right away. What building do I pick you up at?"

She gave a titter. "Okay, thank you. I'm at the North building."

"I'll be there in twenty. See you."

---

Catalina ran through the snow, hurrying into Jae's car. She shook her shoes before she closed the door and shook the snow from her hair. "Thanks again, Jae, it means a lot."

Jae smiled at her. "I'm glad I could be of use."

Catalina returned the smile as she pulled the gloves from her hands and settled into the seat.

Jae leaned towards her. She pushed herself into her seat. His arm stretched over her and he took a hold of the seat belt, pulling it across her and buckling her in.

Catalina could already feel her heart thumping louder than a bass drum as she felt her cheeks burn. She could possibly excuse it for the cold biting air outside.

"Where to, baby girl?"

Catalina flickered her gaze towards him, eyes widening and heart stomping. "Uh...m-my place, please?"

He gave a chuckle before he started driving. "Did you get to do your exam? Andrea said you had one today."

She shook her head. "It was cancelled. It's being moved to next semester. And thank you, really. I would've been stuck until my parents could come."

"So, how are you feeling?" Jae looked over at her.

Catalina just loved his flower button-up shirt; she always thought it looked perfect on him. Plus, he'd done his makeup perfectly and his hair was starting to get longer. She wasn't really thinking about what he was asking her, she was just admiring how handsome he looked. It remained a foreign concept that someone like him could like her.

"Kitty Cat? Are you there?" He tilted his head at her as they reached a stop. "A picture would last longer."

Catalina coughed and turned her face. "Sorry...I just..."

"I asked if you were doing okay? Andrea told me...about the breakup. She didn't get into any details, don't worry. I just want to make sure you're alright."

"Yeah, I'm doing fine. I mean, I kind of felt like shit but...I had it coming." She fidgeted with the zipper of her jacket.

"Are you sure you don't want to stop by somewhere? We could get something to eat, maybe?"

Catalina turned to him. "It's okay. I just want to go home and cuddle up in a blanket."

He gave a short nod. "Cat...whatever you might think, you don't deserve sadness or pain."

A dry chuckle escaped her lips. "Right. Of course you'd say something like that."

"We're here." He slowed to a stop in front of her house.

"Hey...uhm," she looked him over, "would you like to come in? Maybe stay for dinner? I'm sure my parents would like to get to properly know you. Not like when I was drunk and you were drunk..."

Jae laughed. "Sure, that'd be nice."

"Your parents wouldn't mind?"

"Oh. They left a few days ago. I'll be joining them in a week." He said as he began parking the car.

"You're leaving for Korea?" She asked, her brows furrowed.

He turned, reaching his arm over to land on the back of the passenger's seat to get a better view as he reared into the driveway. "Yeah, but I'll be back before the beginning of the next semester."

"So you won't be here for New Year's?"

"Sorry, Kitty Cat, but I really wanted to see my sister."

She shook her head. "Oh, don't apologize. I'm glad you get to see her. Just sort of wished I could've seen you..."

Jae put the car in park and killed the engine. "I'm glad you think that." He reached into the backseat and grabbed his jacket. "Shall we head inside?"

Catalina nodded before she opened the door and jumped out of the car. Jae followed her to her doorstep and waited as she searched her bag for her keys. She dug into all the pockets of her bag before she checked her jacket.

"What's wrong?" Jae asked. "Did you forget the keys?"

Catalina stared at him. "I...I might've dropped them somewhere."

"Perhaps in the car?" He asked.

She shook her head. "No...now that I think of it, I did leave them this morning. Ugh, I'm so stupid!"

Jae landed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't say that, okay? You probably didn't think to get them because you thought your parents would take you home, right?"

"Yeah..." Her gaze fell back to the door. "Wait...there should be an extra key around here..." She remembered they always had a spare key outside. "Check the door frame while I check the pots."

Jae did as asked, but he couldn't find anything. He checked underneath the doormat and in the mailbox. "Nothing here."

Catalina sighed. "Same with me." She cringed at the pain in her fingers as they had been moving pine branches and snow about. Her finger tips felt numb and they were bright red because of the freezing snow.

"Should we just go to my place?" Jae asked, looking back at his car.

"Wait!" She stopped him from taking another step. "We always leave the back door unlocked. So, if we jump the fence, we could get in."

"Jump the fence? Isn't that a little too much?" He frowned. "What if you get hurt?"

"I've done it a million times! Never once got hurt." That was a lie, around four years back she jumped her fence in the spring time after being locked out and she twisted her wrist, which still hurt to this day.

"Are you sure this is safe?"

"One hundred percent!" She nodded and took his hand. She led him around the house and to where the six-foot fence began. She found the stump she always used and placed it in front of the fence. "This should be easy."

Jae laughed. "You're still too short to go over it, though."

Catalina glared at him. "Then give me a boost."

Jae nodded and leaned against the fence, squatting and offering his hands so she could jump over. "It's a good thing it's snowing, it'll cushion the fall."

She rolled her eyes and set her foot on his hand, steadying herself on his shoulders. "I'll open the front door for you when I get in."

"It's okay, I'll jump the fence too."

"You sure?"

He nodded. "It's more fun that way." He winked.

Catalina laughed and patted his shoulder. "Okay, get me over."

Jae pushed her over the fence with a slight struggle.

She grunted as she made it over the fence, landing right on her arms. The snow definitely cushioned her fall, but her wrist still twinged. Now her hands were all but burning from the freezing cold snow. She caught her breath and stood, patting the snow off herself.

"Are you alright?" Jae asked, jumping to peak over the fence.

"I'm good, now it's your turn." She shook the snow off herself, blowing a strand of unruly hair from her face.

"Okay..."

Catalina just watched as Jae launched himself over the fence and before she knew it, he'd crashed into her because she hadn't stepped aside, like the dimwit she was. For a moment, all she knew was the mess of stinging cold snow, Jae's crushing weight, and elbows and knees and hands tangled against each other. She gasped for air but all she got was snow and the ends of Jae's hair.

He groaned as she coughed out the debris.

Jae pulled away from her and took a deep breath. "Sorry, are you okay?"

Catalina laughed. Her smile was wide while her nose was scrunched. She managed some words between her contagious laugh and he couldn't help but join her.

"What about you? Are you alright?" Her laugh died out. She was holding on to his jacket still, and he had made no effort to move from above her.

His laugh died as well and he nodded. "I'm perfect."

"I know you are, I'm kind of jealous."

He laughed and shook his head. His eyes, however, took in as much of her as they could. Her hair was adorned with snowflakes while there was a single clump on one of her eyelashes. The freckles that sprinkled her cheeks were still quite visible underneath the fading makeup. Her maroon eyes nearly bordered chestnut in the cloudy winter light. Then his eyes drifted to her lips.

"You're perfect too," he mumbled. The lipgloss she always wore was forgotten that day, instead her lips were chapped and faded.

Catalina's breath hitched in her throat. "You're flattering me."

He leaned towards her, lowering slowly to give her time to react. Instead of shying away, her grip on his jacket tightened even if her hands were in pain, then her eyes fluttered closed.

She could feel his warm breath on her lips. Instinctively, she inched closer.

Arf! Arf!

They both looked towards the neighbour's fence, where the barking of a small dog was coming from. They could see the chihuahua from the cracks in the fence boards.

"Really?" Catalina barked back. "You couldn't wait like three minutes?"

Jae fell into a laughing mess, tipping over and landing next to her. "It's not his fault."

Catalina sat up. "No, it is! We were so...ugh! You know, this isn't the first time that rodent ruins my day!"

Jae couldn't stop laughing. Seeing Catalina so frustrated over a dog was probably the funniest thing he'd seen in a few days.

"Let's head inside, Kitty Cat. Don't fight with dogs, it won't be pretty for you." Jae stood from the snow and offered his hand to Catalina. "Come on."

Catalina took his hand, but not before shooting one last glare at the dog. She allowed herself to be pulled up into his arms and they made their way to the back door.

Once inside, they shook off all the snow and hung their jackets on the breakfast table chairs. Catalina slid the door closed and slipped off her boots before skipping over the melting snow that was starting to form a puddle by the doorway. Catalina managed to steady herself before helping Jae over the puddle.

"Do you want something warm to drink?" She asked.

"If you would please," he mumbled.

The house was a refreshing warmth, a safeguard to their burning hands and thawing legs.

Catalina led him to the living room. "Turn on the fireplace, please. It's the switch next to it. I'll go boil the water, okay?"

He nodded and carefully stepped towards the fireplace at the other corner of the room. He regretted not wearing a sweater so he could pull the sleeves over his hands to warm them up. After having a bit of trouble turning on the fake fireplace, he finally settled in front of it, holding his hands out.

He heard Catalina come back into the living room after shuffling about in the kitchen. He didn't bother looking back as he guessed she would settle next to him. Instead, he felt her frozen hands brush his neck. He yelped at the sudden intrusion.

"W-what the heck?!" He called out and pulled away.

Catalina giggled as she sat down. "You're so cute, Jae."

"Why are your hands so cold?" He took her hands in his rather harshly.

"I wasn't wearing gloves outside. I'm so dumb, I forgot to put them on. I've been drinking that dumb bitch juice recently."

Jae shot her a glare and then brought her hands up to his mouth. He blew hot air into them and rubbed them gently. "You shouldn't have let them get this cold! You know you could get bitefrost."

She giggled. "You mean frostbite?"

"Whatever," he growled, "just take good care of your hands."

Catalina was thankful to feel his soft velvet hands again, and she couldn't help but remember their time by the lake. She stared at his lips as he continued to warm her hands up. "Can you sing for me again?"

He looked up at her, brows furrowed. "Really?"

She nodded. "I'd love it."

"What would you like me to sing?" He mumbled.

"Anything? You could sing the anthem and I'd still love it."

Jae laughed and then sat up straight. He actually started singing the anthem.

Catalina nudged him. "I didn't mean you should. Sing me...the song that's stuck in your head right now."

A blush grew on his cheeks and he shook his head. "No. That's not a good one right now."

"Why not?" She pouted.

"Sorry, it's just not...appropriate. I'll stick to the anthem."

"Now you've got me curious!" She leaned towards him. "You could've sung the chicken song, why did you have to be honest? You could've lied about the song stuck in your head. What is it anyway? Paola listens to a lot of suggestive songs, so hit me. It's not like it's going to be that bad."

He let her hands go and shook his head. "I won't sing it."

She huffed. "Then just show it to me."

"Show?" His eyes widened. "Nope!"

Catalina rolled her eyes. "Like, play it on your phone."

"Oh..." Jae turned away as the blush kept creeping over his cheeks. He pulled out his phone. "Wait. How about I sing you something else and then I can play the song."

Catalina frowned. "You better not be duping me."

He shook his head. Without any more bickering, he began a soft song. It sounded lovely and there were only a few words she understood. But there was one line that stuck to her.

Catalina felt the butterflies in her stomach and the warmth in her chest. She couldn't help but fall in love with him when he sounded like an angel. She leaned closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder hesitantly. She wished this moment would last. Just them sitting in front of the fireplace, his soothing voice calming and warming her.

"You shouldn't smoke," she mumbled as his voice faded to silence. "You have such a beautiful voice. How would you ever sing to me again if you keep smoking?"

"It's not like my voice will leave me."

She sat up straight and looked at him, turning her body to face him. She reached out to him, landing a hand on his cheek, pulling his gaze away from the fire. "Jae..."

"Yeah?"

"Can you promise me that? That you'll quit smoking?" She stared at him and he felt so safe in her presence.

When she looked at him like that he would promise her the moon and stars. He'd promise her the sun. He'd promise her the heavens. Slowly he nodded.

"Promise me, Jae." She wanted to hear it.

He looked at her and let his gaze fall. "I promise."

"Promise what?"

Jae groaned and rolled his head back. "I promise I'll stop smoking, happy?"

Catalina smiled. "Very."

"But, I don't really know if I can just quit like that. I want to do it for you but..."

Catalina took his hand in hers. "Jae, you shouldn't really be doing it for me. It's more for you than anything. If you smoke a lot it's not healthy for you in the long run, your singing voice will leave, and it's also not the best to be wasting your money on it all the time. It's an addiction, and addictions are bad. We should first work to stop what's making you want to smoke, then it'll be easier to stop the physical smoking."

"Then instead of promising you of quitting, how about we just promise to work on it, is that better?"

"You're right." She kissed his cheek, "That's much better."