The start of the new semester brought many things with it, pain, hardship, snow, friends, and Bark. That's right, school is nearly back. Holidays are always too short, like my patience currently. Full disclosure, I enjoyed having the room to myself.

Drumming my fingers impatiently, I glanced at Bark in my peripheral. His unopened suitcase lay on his bed while he was seated behind his desk. That's right, he got back and immediately returned to gaming. Not that he ever actually stopped.

His attention was so tightly fixed on his exploits that Bark didn't notice as I wheeled away from my desk. Spinning, I skipped up and leaned against the wall, gazing out the window.

My eyebrows creased as my fingers began their tapping anew. Long heavy breaths escaped me, carrying my frustrations with them. My problem was not with the quiet humming beneath Bark's desk. The noise was soft and easy to ignore. The little machine wasn't in my way or anything, but it was still annoying.

Hanging my head, I glanced at Bark. "Why can't I use it?"

"It's mine, and it's full," Bark replied, not looking away from his screen.

Scoffing, I threw my head back. My voice was filled with disbelief. "Full of what?"

Bark waved an apple over his shoulder. "Take a guess."

Deadpanning, I blinked distantly. "You didn't."

Shrugging, Bark leaned over and opened the door to his new minifridge. Sure enough, it was filled with apples. Don't ask, I have more questions than answers myself. The only thing I really know is that I'm jealous. Not sure why though.

I sighed and glanced at the night sky before shutting the blinds. Shaking my muscles loose, I rolled my neck. My grey sweatpants ruffled as I stretched my legs.

"You planning on unpacking?" I asked Bark, jumping into bed.

He only grunted in reply. Chuckling, I reached my hands behind my head and got comfortable. "How're things with you and June?"

"Same old, same old," Bark said in a distant voice, hurriedly clicking his mouse.

"I'm going to bed, turn the light off."

Grunting, Bark tossed his apple core in a small bin under our desks before throwing a pillow at the light switch. I'm not sure how it worked, but it did. Light faded from the room and only the glow of Bark's computer was left.

Rolling onto my side, I yawned and slipped under the sheets. Early winter and it was already pretty cold. Guess that's to be expected this high up.

Between the clack of Bark's keystrokes, the clicking of the mouse, light of the computer and quiet hum of the minifridge, it took me a little while to fall asleep. In that time, I smiled. It was nice, having the room to myself, but I'm glad to have Bark back. Wasn't the same without him, not that I'll admit it.

Happy thoughts in mind, I drifted off to sleep. Nightmares kept away and some strange dream filled my head. I hardly remember it and it would surely leave me feeling confused and drowsy come morning.

Cold winds blew and whistled outside the window, carrying snow laden clouds over the mountains. Stars disappeared but continued twinkling behind the sky's daunting camouflage. From my room to the girls' dorm, to Lambarra, everyone felt the growing chill. Once again, the season had changed. The morning sun, a new dawn, hope which can blind people to their troubles.

Slowly the moon dragged through the night sky. Clouds bled to see it go, their ichor falling thick upon the ground; blanketing what was a world of colour in barren trees and frost-bitten earth.

As the sun rose again, light bounced from the cloak worn by the ground. It shone through windows and lit upon cold stone walls. One by one, people arose to discover the freshly fallen snow. I was no different.

Rising from the comfort of my cozy refuge, I strolled to the window and cracked the blinds, stretching my tired muscles as I went. My hand flung to my face as I grunted and tried to block the scorching light.

Blinking, my eyes adjusted, and I gazed upon the frozen wasteland. There isn't much snow where I'm from so this is a strange sight. Trees without leaves were thick with the powder and the earth was coated.

"No way I'm running in that," I muttered, scratching the back of my head.

Shrugging, I booted up my computer. Without my morning exercise I could have some fun. Grinning, I wasted no time in blasting Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley. I am a simple man.

Groaning, Bark rolled over in his bed, shuffling closer to the wall. I laughed and got ready for the day. Holidays are nice, but it's good to be back to this. The predictability of each day is reassuring. Also, Evelyn is back today. Very, very, dope. Unfortunately, I didn't see her until the afternoon. Really, my day was quite boring, so I'll just skim over it and get to the good stuff.

Snow day, much fun, big cold. Many students, some inside and warm, some outside and freezing. However, I was outside and still warm. The sun was beating down despite the snow. Also, between the layers of fat and muscle on me, I was well insulated. Can't say the same for a certain beanpole (cough, cough, Bark).

Yeah, while June and I bombarded each other with snowballs and built a giant snowman, Bark stayed inside. Take a wild guess what he did. Not three guesses, just the one, that's all anyone should need. Correct, he played videogames, all day, or so he wanted me to believe.

When I stumbled into the dorm room, it was coming up toward three pm. Beneath my long-sleeved shirt and thick jacket, I was sweating. My breath was coming in ragged pants.

Bark sat behind his desk, eating an apple and scrolling through a newsfeed on an upcoming game title. In trousers and a t-shirt, he seemed quite comfortable in our cozy room.

"You suck," I said, trekking snow in through the door.

"Not my fault you're an idiot," he mumbled, almost entirely absorbed in the screen.

Shaking my head, I yanked my shoes off. My sore feet carried me towards a warm change of clothes. I sighed and leaned against the bunkbed, closing my eyes and resting for a moment.

My breath had been returning and becoming even but now it grew panicked again. Slowly quickening, my breathing grew rapid. My muscles tensed as my eyes squeezed shut. Rubbing furiously at my face, I stumbled into the wall.

"See, I, I can't see," I said, my voice rising in pitch and volume.

"Snow blindness," Bark answered, as if it were obvious. "Close the blinds, turn the light off. Run your eyes under some water or put a wet washcloth on them."

Bark's words fell on deaf ears, and I sunk to the ground. Animalistic noises escaped my mouth as I rubbed furiously at my eyes. The pain, it was like someone was dragging sandpaper across my eyes.

Spinning in his chair, Bark frowned upon me. His brows creasing, he flexed his hands and slouched over. "Don't rub your eyes. That just makes it worse."

Again, I didn't hear him. My mind was gone, wracked with pain. Everything was spinning and I was so dizzy. My breathing was too fast, my muscles too taut. That pain, it hurts, it hurts so much.

Kicking my legs, I frantically scrambled into the corner of the room, trying to outrun the encroaching terror. Petrified sobs echoed through the room, barely outlasting the desperate grunts of anguish.

Confused and worried, Bark stood and walked calmly towards me. "Don't rub your eyes," he demanded, grabbing my wrists.

Yelping, I kicked wildly, slamming a foot into Bark's leg. In a frenzy, I threw my head back and it cracked sickeningly against the wall. Everything grew quiet as my ears rung and head pounded. Eyes clamped shut, all I knew was that tiny world of terror and dizziness and pain.

Cursing, Bark stepped back and glared at me, but his concern outweighed his anger and the expression quickly softened. Ripping the phone from his pocket, he dialed Evelyn's number and moved cautiously about the room.

As his phone buzzed, Bark closed the blinds and switched off his computer, leaving the room in darkness. Only the stray beam of light creeping through the blinds lit the room.

Eventually, Evelyn answered the phone and Bark talked to her in a hushed voice, but it didn't make a difference. I wouldn't have heard him anyway. I was terrified. My head aching, everything was spinning. I was too cold, shivering, but my skin was burning. Why was everything going so fast? Please, please stop. Please, leave me alone. Please, save me.

"It's okay. You are safe."

Those words, they bounced dully off the storm surrounding me. Disappearing into the void, they were swept away beneath roiling waves.

"It's okay. You are safe."

Those same words again. Still no good, just like before. There for a moment, then gone, as if I hadn't really heard them, but I had to have, right? Those words had to be real. They were so familiar, like I had heard them a hundred times before.

"It's okay. You are safe."

Slowly, over and over, those words repeated. Chipping away at the fog, they shoveled away my hurt. I was dimly aware that my head was throbbing, but no longer pounding. My eyes, though stinging, didn't burn with the same ferocity. My breathing, once erratic, finally slowing.

"It's okay. You are safe."

My voice creaked out, a hoarse whisper. "Evelyn?"

"I'm here," she said, her voice gentle, soft, and filled with relief.

"What's happening?" I begged, desperate for answers and safety.

Smiling, Evelyn rose from where she was sitting on the bed. Kneeling before me, she gingerly took my hand. I recoiled in shook but then slowly reached for her. Taking my hand gently, Evelyn ran her fingers across my palm.

Frowning, Evelyn's gaze fell to the floor. Her hair falling over her face, her voice became somewhat muffled, but to me it was still a lighthouse in the thickest night.

"You got snow blindness. Your eyes hurt and your vision becomes blurry or goes away for a while. You just need to rest, and it'll return to normal. Here, put this over your eyes."

My jaw dropping, I searched clumsily with my free hand, eyes still clamped shut. Evelyn handed me a damp washcloth patiently. Quickly, I spread it over my eyes. The coolness slowly worked away at the burning sensation and an appreciative sigh passed through my lips.

A heavy smile adorning her pretty face, Evelyn squeezed my hand. "Romantic reunion," she joked weakly.

Chuckling, I relinquished my grip and searched for her face. She guided me and I cupped her cheek in my hand.

"You're so beautiful," I whispered, choking back tears.

Evelyn gasped lightly, unsure how to react, then burst out laughing. Her body convulsing with her fit of humour. "You can't see me," she teased lightly, poking my chest.

Grinning, I nodded wildly. "True, but, but yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Always, always beautiful to me."

Snickering, Evelyn nodded sarcastically. "Wow, how long did it take you to come up with that one?"

Shaking my head, I sighed. "Came to me just now. I heard your voice; like a silver-lining in the storm. I can't see you, but I was so relieved. Reliable, smart, beautiful; yesterday, today and tomorrow. That's V, my, my gorgeous girl, and I couldn't be luckier."

The room fell silent for a moment, and I simply smiled, stroking Evelyn's cheek with my thumb. Taking my free hand in hers, she squeezed lightly.

"I'm so glad you can't see me right now," she said, giggling cutely.

"Oh, I can imagine," I teased. Muscles loosening, my breathing returned to normal. The pain in my head was constant, but distant. "Blushing, hiding behind your hair, twiddling your hands. I've got you all figured out."

Scowling, Evelyn crossed her arms. "Nuh-uh!"

Laughing, I raised my brows. "Sorry, gorgeous, it's the truth. Also, that face you're making now, it's cute. Not scary or grumpy, just cute."

Her glare growing fiercer, Evelyn focused her frustrations, but she couldn't be angry with me. My teasing was too sweet and as much as she didn't like it; a much bigger part of her thrilled whenever we flirted like this.

Making a decision, Evelyn threw caution to the wind. Peeling my hand from her cheek, she pulled away, settling on her haunches. She took a moment to steel her nerves.

"Screw it, this is happening," she muttered.

My brows knitting together, my head tilted curiously. "What's happ-hm!"

Launching forwards, Evelyn pressed her lips against mine. My eyebrows shot upwards, and I nearly recoiled in shock but I'm glad I didn't. Losing myself in the kiss, my hands crept to her cheeks, my fingers finding their way behind her neck.

As pleasant as it was, I'm glad she didn't kiss me sooner. When I was panicking before, I didn't want to be touched at all. Honestly, I'm still a little uncomfortable; Evelyn was probably the only person who could touch me right now. I would've thrashed Bark if he had tried.

The softness of her skin, the passion as her lips met mine, even the smell coming off her; it was intoxicating. Truly, I didn't want the moment to end, and I did my best to return the kiss but honestly, I'm a rookie.

Breaking the kiss for just a moment, Evelyn took a breath and giggled before continuing with new intensity. Her hand slid up my leg, settling on my chest and sending a tingle through my spine.

Growing bolder, Evelyn nibbled my lower lip and I melted under her. Trying the same thing a few more times, Evelyn enjoyed the kiss before eventually pulling away.

Reveling in her newfound power and the afterglow of that bliss, Evelyn smiled coyly, waiting for me to say something.

After a moment, my breath returned to me, my thoughts however took a moment longer. Breathing heavily, I licked my lips and nodded. Shuffling backwards, I straightened my back against the wall. "Well, that was," pausing, I desperately searched for something to say but came up nearly blank, "wow."

Giggling, Evelyn shook her head. "Don't forget to breathe," she teased, running her nail down my chest.

Sighing, I shook my head. She really does make it too easy. "I can't help it, you're breathtaking."

Rolling her eyes, Evelyn kissed me again. "Idiot."