It had been two weeks since, and Winter was walking down that familiar sidewalk with her eyes on the ground, taking slow and heavy steps loaded with all the memories that she and Karina made here.

The towering school gates above seemed almost emptier without Karina by her side. Her phone in her palm, open to Karina's message, one she'd read too many times: a quick note about her first day, how a girl named Ryujin had been 'flirting' with her. That one word hung in her mind, stirring an uneasy feeling she tried to ignore.

And just then this jolt from behind may have well have almost sent her staggered too, as she swung her head back to look at whom it came from, saw Ningning bent forward and panting breathlessly clutched her sides.

"Ningning?"

Just a bit of the shock spark ignited and was changed and ultimately melted down into a tender light smile from Winter by that.

"Hey... Winter." Ningning expelled it out through labored catches of air, even lightened by that wide smile spread across her face.

"Couldn't help but catch you up… Missed the whole summer."

Winter smiled to herself, and warmth started rising up inside her chest.

"Missed you too," she said. They would walk side by side, a small thing, she thought, to take some comfort in having something familiar around as she continued toward another long day that had already begun.

Winter's mind had wandered yet again after what seemed an eternity of sitting through classes, her brain switching over to thoughts about Karina every few minutes.

She collected her things as the final bell sounded and was moving out when Ningning fell into step beside her with almost an unusual glint in her eye.

"So, Winter, aren't you free?" she asked with a grin that carried with it a wicked tint to it.

"What for?" Winter asked, watching as she zipped up her bag.

"Come with me to Senior Giselle's," Ningning grinned, eyes sparkling with excitement.

"She's opening a dance studio nearby."

Winter blinked, surprised. "Senior Giselle?"

"I don't know, you guys are still in touch..."

Ningning's smirk grew wider.

"We did and you keep hiding behind your screen. You coming or not?"

Winter hesitated, routine calling her home, loneliness, and the familiar dread of facing her dad waiting there for her. With a reluctant sigh, she nodded half-heartedly at Ningning.

"Fine…I'll go," she murmured quietly, her lips tugging into a small smile.

"Aye, let's go then! You'll thank me later, I swear. "

Ningning lit up immediately, grabbing Winter's arm.

It was pretty quiet along the streets that Ningning knew when walking around her neighborhood. As they crossed intersections and strayed down unknown paths, Winter's curiosity eventually got the better of her.

"So, where are we going, exactly?" Winter asked, peeking at her friend.

Ningning only smiled.

"It's close to my place, actually. She grabbed a spot close to the highway so more people could find it."

Winter opened her eyes wide as she saw this sleek, low-rise building with a polished sign over the door, "Giselle's Dance Haven." It was so subtle yet inviting, as the passionate girl she still remembered.

"Here it is!" exclaimed Ningning with pride, pointing at the entrance as if some treasure lay there.

Winter's lips curled into a small, reluctant smile as she took in the studio's entrance.

"She actually did it…"
 
Inside was Giselle, staring intently at placing a mirror on every wall and in every corner. She wore a loose T-shirt, jogging shorts, and her hair seemed in a haphazard messy bun. Yet, concentration seemed to be giving out a calm confidence even so.

"Look who decided to come!" Giselle shouted out loud when she could see them, her broad, open smile breaking over her face.

Ningning bounced up and down on her toes, clearly exhilarated.

"This place is fantastic!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.

Winter nodded, looking around the open, warm space. "You really put your heart into this."

Giselle shrugged modestly, a faint blush spreading up her neck as she soaked in the admiration given her.

"Yeah, it's been a lot of work," she confessed, rubbing the back of her neck. "But I'm almost ready. Just need a few finishing touches."

"Do you want me to try and find you some fabric or trim or something?" Winter suggested softly, surprised by how much she'd like to be of service.

Giselle just shook her head, but a smile softened her face.

"Nah, save it for opening day," she joked, winking at Ningning.
Ningning's eyes had already brimmed with anticipation.

"When's the grand opening?"

"On Sunday," Giselle replied, now turning to Winter whose bright glinting eyes seemed full of hope.

"You'll come right?

Winter nodded hesitantly, sifting through images of her weekends where she would just sit by the phone to await Karina's accounts of everything that had been going on. Ningning smiled brightly and pushed Winter on. "Yeah, we'll be here."

Giselle smiled gleefully as she pushed them further inside.

"Come on, let me give you a tour."

She took them through the studio telling them all little information that could possibly matter to them with an excited lilt.

"This lounge here is for anyone looking to take a break in between sessions," she said, pointing to a cozy corner with bean bags. Just as they sat down there, Giselle flopped cross-legged on one of the bean bags and described her plans.

"There's also a free space where anyone can use it and dance, no judgment, just creativity," she added with a twinkle in her eyes. She really loved dancing.

"And we'll have a little registration desk for anyone who wants to join."

Ningning turned towards Winter and grinned mischievously. "So, are you up for a little dancing?"

Winter silently laughed, feeling a little shy of herself.

"Maybe… later," she murmured.

Giselle smiled at her softly.

"You know you are always welcome here, any time," she said quietly. She paused and made her eyes a shade more serious as she met Winter's face.

"How is everything going… with Karina?

Winter looked down, fidgeting nervously with the strap on her bag.

"It's tough," she whispered.

"I know we talk every day, but it is just not the same. She's making friends with all these other people and..." Her voice trailed off into a concerned expression.

Giselle reached forward and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay to feel this way," she whispered.

"Karina's world has just changed, and that doesn't mean she is now leaving you behind. Trust her, and don't lose herself in the process."

Ningning nodded, her face eerily solemn as she added, "We're here for you. And if that Ryujin girl becomes too friendly we'll all go 'introduce' ourselves, okay?"

They all laughed, and her spirits picked up a little while friends' support wrapped warmly around her like an embrace. As they started sharing the stories, dreams, even small moments of vulnerability among them, the heaviness lifted from Winter's heart, and in that moment she realized that she had people other than Karina for support.