Winter shot upright in her bed, her breath coming in rapid, shallow gasps as the nightmare’s grip loosened.

Sweat clung to her skin, her damp shirt plastered to her back. Her chest heaved, and for a moment, she couldn’t distinguish the dream from reality. Her trembling hand flew to her neck, her heart pounding in her ears.

The images were vivid—Karina’s terrified eyes, the sickening sound of her fall, and the emptiness that followed. Winter’s body shuddered as if trying to shake off the lingering horror.

She pressed her palms to her face, her fingers cold against her clammy skin. The sunlight streaming through the window painted the room in warm hues, a sharp contrast to the icy dread twisting in her stomach.

"It wasn’t real," she muttered under her breath, trying to steady her breathing. But her gut refused to believe it. The ache in her chest screamed otherwise.

Throwing off her covers, Winter climbed out of bed with frantic movements. She grabbed her jacket, barely registering the afternoon heat beyond the dorm window. The campus outside looked peaceful, the sun casting gentle rays on the manicured lawns, but Winter couldn’t stop the storm brewing inside her.

She bolted out of her dorm room and up the stairs, her sneakers pounding against the tiled steps. The air felt stifling despite the open hallways, her panic suffocating her more with every step.

When she reached Karina's door, she knocked with a trembling fist, the sound sharp and hurried. Her throat tightened, and she bit her lip to keep from calling out. The door creaked open, and Yeji’s curious face peeked out.

“Winter?” Yeji greeted, her voice light but laced with concern as she noticed Winter’s pale complexion and frantic eyes.

Winter didn’t respond. She pushed past Yeji without a word, her single-minded focus on the figure seated on the bed inside. Karina, dressed in a loose T-shirt and shorts, looked up from her book in surprise, her long hair tumbling over her shoulders.

"Winter?" Karina’s voice held confusion, soft and gentle. She started to rise, but Winter closed the distance in three hurried steps.

Without hesitation, Winter wrapped her arms tightly around Karina, pressing her face into the crook of her neck. Her hands gripped Karina’s back as if letting go would mean losing her all over again.

"Winter, what's wrong?" Karina’s voice was filled with worry now, her arms slowly coming up to return the embrace. She glanced over Winter’s shoulder to Yeji, who stood frozen near the door, her expression shifting from confusion to understanding.

Yeji gave Karina a small nod, her lips pressed into a thin line. Without saying a word, she backed out of the room and gently closed the door, leaving the two alone.

Karina turned her attention back to Winter, her brow furrowing as she felt the slight tremors in the other girl’s frame. Winter’s breaths were uneven, warm against Karina’s neck.

“Winter,” Karina said softly, her hand coming up to cradle the back of Winter’s head. She ran her fingers through the short strands, her touch soothing. “Talk to me. What happened?”

Winter didn’t answer immediately. Her throat was tight, her mind still tangled in the nightmare’s grasp. She closed her eyes, taking in Karina’s familiar scent, grounding herself in the steady rise and fall of Karina’s chest against hers.

“You were gone,” Winter finally whispered, her voice hoarse. “I—I couldn’t save you.”

Karina stiffened slightly, then softened her hold, understanding dawning in her gaze. She pulled back just enough to meet Winter’s tear-filled eyes.

“Hey,” she murmured, cupping Winter’s face in her hands.

“I’m right here. I’m okay. It was just a bad dream.”

Winter shook her head, fresh tears slipping down her cheeks. “It felt so real, Karina. I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t—” Her voice cracked, and she clung to Karina even tighter.

Karina’s heart ached at the sight of Winter so broken, so vulnerable. She leaned her forehead against Winter’s, their breaths mingling in the small space between them.

“It’s over now,” she said softly. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Karina gently rubbed Winter's back, her touch slow and soothing. Winter’s breathing began to steady, though the remnants of her nightmare still lingered in her trembling form. Karina tilted her head, her voice soft and reassuring.

“Do you need anything? Water? Something to eat?” she whispered, brushing away a stray tear from Winter’s cheek.

Winter shook her head, her voice barely audible as she mumbled, “No… I just… I just want to stay close to you.”

Karina’s heart clenched at the vulnerability in Winter’s words. “Okay,” she said softly, her lips curving into a gentle smile. “Then stay. I’m not going anywhere.”

She guided Winter, pulling her down into the soft sheets. Winter curled into Karina’s side, her head resting on her shoulder. She clutched the hem of Karina’s shirt like a lifeline, her eyes half-closed but still clouded with lingering unease.

Karina wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer, her other hand threading through Winter’s hair in slow, comforting strokes.

The silence between them was calm, the kind that didn’t need to be filled. Winter’s body gradually relaxed, her taut muscles softening as Karina’s steady presence anchored her.

“Better?” Karina asked quietly, her lips brushing against Winter’s hair.

Winter nodded, her voice a murmur. “Much better… It’s just… I couldn’t stop thinking about it. About losing you.”

“You won’t,” Karina reassured her, her voice firm but tender. “I promise, Winter. You’re stuck with me.”

Winter let out a soft laugh, the sound muffled against Karina’s shirt.

“Good,” she whispered. “Because I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

Karina smiled, pressing a kiss to Winter’s forehead. The two lay entwined, their legs tangled beneath the blanket.

Winter nuzzled closer, her fingers brushing against Karina’s wrist. “This… this is nice,” she murmured, her voice growing drowsy.

Karina chuckled softly, her fingers trailing absentmindedly down Winter’s arm. “Yeah, it is.”

As the minutes passed, Winter’s breathing evened out, and Karina felt her begin to drift off. She tightened her hold slightly, pressing another kiss to the top of Winter’s head.

“Rest,” Karina murmured. “I’ve got you.”

And with that, they lay together, wrapped in each other’s warmth, the world outside forgotten as they found comfort and safety in each other’s arms.

_

Winter adjusted the strap of her backpack, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Karina as she walked down the corridor toward her dorm.

The faint echo of her footsteps mixed with the soft hum of the fluorescent lights above. Her fingers toyed with the corner of a book she had borrowed from the library, the paper edges slightly worn from her fidgeting.

Just as she turned a corner, her shoulder slammed into someone, sending her stumbling back. Her books tumbled to the floor, and Winter barely managed to keep her balance.

“Oh! I’m so sorry—” Winter began, crouching to gather her things, but her words caught in her throat when she looked up.

The girl she had bumped into was tall and slim, her striking features framed by silky, dark hair. She looked down at Winter with wide, shocked eyes that mirrored her own recognition.

“You?!” they exclaimed simultaneously, their voices rising in disbelief.

Winter’s books slipped from her hands again as she stood, her brows knitting together. “What are you doing here?” she demanded, her tone sharp.

“I should be asking you that!” the girl shot back, crossing her arms with an annoyed huff.

The air between them crackled with tension, their glares locked in an unspoken battle.

“What’s going on here?” a familiar voice cut through the standoff.

Both Winter and the girl turned their heads toward the door across the hall, where Ryujin stood, leaning against the frame with a puzzled expression.

Her eyebrows lifted as she took in the scene before her—Winter, visibly irritated, and the tall girl, bristling like a cat ready to pounce.

“Yuna?” Ryujin asked, her confusion deepening as she straightened up. She gestured toward the girl. “Why are you here? And... how do you know Winter?”

“This is your sister?” Winter asked incredulously, jabbing a finger in Yuna’s direction.

“Yes,” Ryujin replied, her tone slow, as if Winter’s question were absurd. “What’s the problem?”

Yuna scoffed, folding her arms. “The problem is that she,” she pointed at Winter, “is impossible to deal with.”

Winter’s jaw dropped, her indignation flaring. “I’m impossible? You’re the one who—”

“Stop,” Ryujin interjected, holding up a hand. Her expression darkened slightly, the tension clearly starting to irritate her. “Someone explain what’s going on. Now.”

Winter and Yuna both began talking at once, their words overlapping in a chaotic mess of accusations. Ryujin pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something under her breath about dramatic people.

“Enough!” Ryujin snapped, her voice cutting through their argument like a knife. She looked pointedly at Yuna. “You. Start.”

Yuna’s lips pressed into a thin line as she sighed. “We... might have known each other back in junior school.”

Winter crossed her arms, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Might? That’s rich. You made my life miserable!”

Yuna glared. “Oh, please. Don’t act like you were some kind of saint.”

Ryujin’s gaze flicked between the two, her confusion giving way to disbelief. “You two knew each other? And you were... enemies?”

“More like nemeses,” Winter muttered bitterly.

Yuna smirked, tilting her head. “At least we agree on something.”

Ryujin sighed, shaking her head. “Great. Just great. Of all the people my little sister could know, it had to be you, Winter.”

Winter opened her mouth to retort, but the sound of a door opening down the hall interrupted her. Karina stepped out, her expression curious as she took in the scene.

“Winter?” she called, her voice soft but tinged with concern. “Is everything okay?”

Winter turned to her, her shoulders relaxing slightly at the sight of Karina. “Yeah, it’s fine,” she said, though her tone betrayed her lingering annoyance.

Yuna’s gaze shifted to Karina, her expression changing to one of curiosity. “Who’s this?”

“None of your business,” Winter snapped, stepping protectively in front of Karina.

Ryujin groaned, running a hand through her hair. “This is going to be a long day...”