Finally, after what could have been minutes, both of them came out of that embrace.

Both of them were gasping for air even while the emotions boiled inside and out of them. Winter gazed at her love longingly as she gently wiped away Karina's tears while inching her face to touch Karina. But Karina drew back just in time to prevent that moment.

Winter's face fell, hurt flaring in her eyes. She didn't get why Karina had jerked back from the kiss. Furrowing her brow, she tried to decipher what she could read of Karina's expression for an answer to that question.

Karina took a deep breath, her chest bulging outward then shrinking as she rose to her feet. She smiled up at Winter with this little but tender smile.

"I love you too," she whispered softly into her ear; Winter caught off guard, her eyes widening with pure disbelief.

But before Winter could get a word in, Karina added, voice soft yet strong,

"You were right. We both needed space… and we still do." She played with Winter's hair, hiding one strand behind her ear, a gentle action.

Winter brows furrowed even deeper, frustration mixed with hurt dancing across her face like a sulky child being refused something she wanted.

"That's not fair," she said low, almost sulky.

"We are not in the loop anymore, Winter. We're not alone in our own little world. And if we're ever going to make this work. then we need time, boundaries." She looked down at her lips before she finished, her voice soft.

"Starting with no kissing. Not yet."

Winter bit into her lip, her face turned slightly aside, protesting silently.

For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, Karina let out a laugh as she gazed upon Winter's pouted lip. Her heart swelled with love and adoration, reminding her precisely why she fell for her in the first place.

The pain in her chest was a little lighter as she smiled, and for the first time in three long months, they spoke. Properly.

Yet if it was not all that Winter could possibly have wanted; at least she and Karina at last found the ways to each other, step by step.

-

The secret park was their hiding place; a secluded oasis amidst trees and wild brambles from the views of the rush of the city. Now that what was stress with exams, Winter and Karina decided to spend this short time together; their hearts light, warm, and full of butterflies.

Karina leaned back against Winter on the old wooden bench, her eyes tracing the surface of the still pond in front of them. Winter had her arms loosely wrapped around Karina's waist and both were indulging in the silence and the soft, calm autumnal air enveloping them like a soft blanket.

Neither had spoken for several minutes, but were just savoring the quiet of late afternoon, though

Winter's head had been stewing in a stew of worries for some time. Taking a deep breath, unsure, she asked finally, "What college are you applying to?"

Karina smiled softly, her fingers making small patterns on the palm of Winter, tracing things away as if erasing the worries from Winter's face.

"I'm still thinking," she said, trying to keep it light, but Winter wasn't completely satisfied.

Winter nodded but then breathed heavier this time, fixed on the pond. Karina could tell she was tensed like a string that's been pulled to tightness and so she sat up to look at Winter.

There was something about Winter which seemed troubled; her forehead creased a little. Karina couldn't help but smirk, attracting Winter's full attention.

"You're too cute," Karina said playfully, tousling her hair.

Winter glared at her, pretending to be indignant as she swatted at Karina's hand, fixing her with a stern seriousness.

"I am not cute," she breathed to herself, although her eyes flashed with a fleeting moment of mirth.

"Yes you are," Karina grinned, her eyes dancing with mischief.

"Especially when you're jealous."

Winter almost smiled, but looked down instead, her face pinching up in a pout as she fidgeted with her hands. And this time, her voice was softer, more vulnerable.

"It's just… you're going to leave for college. I won't get to see you as much. And you're so beautiful, and—there'll be so many people. I—" Winter chattered on, fears pouring out in a jumble of praise and worry.

Karina blushed, her heartbeat flapping rapidly on each word. She reached for Winter's face and clasped it between her palms, turning Winter's head around until she saw her catch their eyes.

"Hey," Karina's voice was steady. She changed the tone a notch to something even more serious.

"You don't have to worry about me."

And in that moment, looking to look to look at each other, nothing else mattered but the pure honesty between them.

"But you."

Karina's hold on Winter's shoulders finished tighter, and Winter winced a little at the force.

"You need to watch yourself. If I hear about you with another girl, I'll run out of college and come find you myself."

Winter gasped, gaping. Karina's words caught her off guard by their sudden bristliness.

"Wh-what about senior Giselle? Ningning?" she whispered half in jest, but seriously if she and her friends were not included in this new jealous side of Karina.

Karina composed herself again and stopped smiling, clearing her throat to add with mock gravity, "They're fine. They get a pass."

Nothing could stop this little giggle from Winter. The tension between them, which stood up, was swept away with it and stayed behind instead, in the warmth of that knowledge of being stayed as well: no matter what, they would still be grounded together.