Winter slowly pulled away, her nose and ears tinged with red as she sniffled, trying to catch her breath.

Her tears slipped down her cheeks, catching the golden sunlight, and Karina gently cupped her face, brushing them away with her thumbs, a soft smile lingering on her lips. She stared at Winter's cut lips for a moment, feeling a pang of worry but keeping her expression calm.

Winter tried to speak, her voice hoarse and words faltering.

"It's... it's so hard..."

Her throat tightened, and she looked down, her chest tight with the weight of everything.

Karina leaned in closer, whispering softly, "It's okay... I know."

Her own eyes shone with unshed tears, mirroring Winter's pain.

The moment stretched between them until Winter suddenly realized they were standing in the middle of the street. She pulled back a bit, wiping her nose with the back of her hand, and her cheeks flushed as she glanced around awkwardly. Karina couldn't help but chuckle at her shyness.

"Come on, let's walk," she suggested, raising her brows with a playful smile.

Winter quickly nodded, relieved to keep moving, and fell in step beside her.

"So... how was your exam?" Winter asked, trying to break the silence, a bit of her usual curiosity peeking through.

Karina shrugged, glancing at her with a modest smile.

"I think it went okay."

She watched Winter's face light up, her girlfriend's bright, hopeful smile lifting her spirits. Winter clenched her fists with enthusiasm, her cut knuckles catching Karina's eye, though she said nothing, choosing to focus on Winter's expression instead.

"You'll ace it, I know it," Winter said with conviction, nodding with puffed, her confidence in Karina warming her own heart. Karina blushed a little at the encouragement, giving a shy nod.

"Maybe," she murmured, her smile turning hopeful.

They kept walking, the cool evening breeze brushing past them as the warm sunset bathed the streets. But as they walked, Winter's mind drifted to her own exams-especially today's. She had written down everything she remembered, but the doubts were creeping in. Her smile faded as she looked down, the fear settling in her chest like a stone.

What if she didn't make it, couldn't keep her promise to be with Karina?

Her fists clenched, the anxiety starting to overwhelm her.

Just then, Karina, who had been watching Winter closely, reached out and slipped her fingers into Winter's. Winter stopped in her tracks, looking up in surprise. Karina was facing forward, though Winter noticed the faint pink on her cheeks. She didn't say anything, just continued walking with an air of nonchalance, though her hand tightened ever so slightly around Winter's.

A quiet, genuine smile crept across Winter's face as she looked down at their intertwined hands. She gave Karina's hand a gentle squeeze, her heart swelling with warmth and a sense of quiet contentment.

With Karina confidently holding her hand, openly and without hesitation, the weight on her chest seemed to lift, even if just a little. Together, they walked down the street bathed in the fading light, the world around them fading away as they found comfort in each other's presence.

They made their way to their hidden spot in the old, abandoned park, just as they had countless times before.

The familiar stillness greeted them as they settled down on the bench, facing the calm, undisturbed water that had remained unchanged, though the plants had grown a little wilder in the year since they'd last come here.

Winter took in the scene, her eyes drifting over the overgrown grass and encroaching vines, and she whispered, almost to herself, "It's been almost a year."

Karina nodded, breathing out softly. The memory of this place felt like a chapter left unfinished, now waiting to be written again. She turned to Winter, gently taking her hands, causing Winter to tilt her head in mild curiosity.

Karina's expression softened, and she pulled out a small bundle of pink band-aids from her pocket. Winter raised her brows, feigning disgust at the sight of the overly cute bandages, her lips twitching in amusement.

Karina grinned and, without a word, carefully placed a band-aid over one of Winter's scraped knuckles, blowing on it like she was handling something fragile.

Each touch was slow and deliberate. Karina's fingertips felt gentle and warm as she wrapped the pink band-aids around Winter's knuckles with focused tenderness, as if Winter might break under too much pressure.

Winter's heart felt weightless as she watched, butterflies swirling in her stomach. She couldn't tear her eyes away from Karina, caught up in every detail-her brow furrowed in concentration, the way her lips pressed together in a determined pout. She looked as if nothing else existed in the world, only this tiny, quiet moment shared between them.

Once Karina finished, she lifted Winter's hands and kissed both gently, pressing her lips to each of Winter's knuckles with exaggerated solemnity. Winter burst into laughter at Karina's exaggerated antics, her laughter ringing through the park.

Karina shot her a playful glare, though the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her enjoyment of Winter's amusement.

"Laugh all you want," she muttered with a pout, "but I'm just making sure you're all patched up."

Winter's laughter faded, her heart fluttering again as she watched Karina peel off another band-aid.

But this time, Karina paused, leaning in closer, her face just inches from Winter's.

Winter felt her breath hitch, suddenly very aware of how close they were, and she could smell the familiar, comforting scent of Karina-something she'd missed more than she'd ever let herself admit.

Karina was completely focused on Winter's lips, eyes narrowed in concentration as she gently pressed a band-aid to the small cut on Winter's mouth. She hadn't realized how close their faces were until Winter's quiet voice broke the silence, her tone half-playful, half-sincere.

"Aren't you gonna kiss me there?" Winter whispered, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

Karina stilled, her gaze lifting to meet Winter's, suddenly aware of the heat between them. Winter's warm breath brushed against her lips, and for a moment, the rest of the world faded into the background.

Winter's eyes held a look so intense, filled with something deeper than affection, something that made Karina's heart pound erratically. She felt the magnetic pull drawing her closer, her eyes flickering down to Winter's lips, then back up to those dark, mesmerizing eyes.

Without a word, Karina leaned in, her hand trembling slightly as her lips hovered inches from Winter's. She closed her eyes, letting her nerves melt away, and pressed her lips softly against Winter's, savoring the warmth and familiarity of her touch.

Winter's hands reached up to cradle Karina's face, gently pulling her in, deepening the kiss in a way that felt both tender and consuming.

Karina wrapped her arms around Winter's neck, feeling Winter's steady heartbeat beneath her fingertips as they melted into each other, the world around them standing still.

They only pulled apart when the need for air became overwhelming, though Winter's arms stayed wrapped around Karina's waist.

Karina's lips curved into a small, breathless smile, and she whispered softly, "There, better?"

Winter's smile mirrored hers, her eyes warm and soft as she nodded, whispering back, "Yeah, better."

For a moment longer, they stayed in each other's embrace, the weight of everything lifting, leaving only the warmth they shared in that stolen, beautiful moment.

_

Karina gripped Winter's arm firmly, guiding her up the grand stone steps toward Giselle's mansion without a single backward glance. Her steps were quick, purposeful, almost urgent as she spoke over her shoulder, "We need to do this. Just trust me."

Winter barely had time to process her words before they reached the towering front doors. As they stepped inside, the warm glow of the entryway lights bathed them, and the faint scent of lavender filled the air.

Suddenly, Ningning appeared, worry etched into her face, her eyes widening as she spotted Winter. She quickly hurried over, wrapping Winter in a hug that felt as familiar as home.

"Winter, are you okay?" Ningning's voice was soft yet filled with genuine concern.

Winter managed a small smile, nodding slightly. "I'm okay, Ning. Really."

Giselle stepped into the room, her expression softening as she caught sight of Karina and Winter. With her arms crossed casually, she offered a warm, welcoming smile.

"Hey, Karina," she greeted, her eyes lighting up. "It's been a while."

Karina returned the smile, but the tension in her shoulders remained as she glanced toward Winter. Giselle gave a subtle nod, and Karina seemed to relax, just a bit.

Giselle's gaze shifted to Winter, assessing her for a moment before speaking, "You're welcome to stay here, Winter. There's plenty of space, and no one will bother you."

Karina nodded immediately, her hand still gripping Winter's as she looked at her, almost pleadingly.

"Yes, please stay. Love, I need to know you're safe."

Winter hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck as her gaze flickered around the spacious entryway, taking in the unfamiliar opulence. "I don't know... I don't I should..."

Without a word, Karina turned to her, cupping Winter's face gently, her thumbs brushing softly against her cheeks. She leaned in close, her voice low but filled with determination.

"Please. Only until the exam. I need this. I need you to be okay." Her voice softened to a whisper.

Winter bit her lip, glancing over at Ningning, who gave her an encouraging nod and a reassuring smile. Giselle, too, stood nearby, her presence steady and welcoming. And then there was Karina, her eyes brimming with an earnestness that made Winter's heart ache in the best way.

A quiet sigh escaped Winter's lips as she glanced back at Karina, her gaze softening. She didn't know what she'd done to deserve these people in her life, these friends who cared so much. Swallowing back the lump in her throat, she nodded slowly, exhaling a shaky breath.

"Alright. I'll stay."

Karina's face broke into a gentle smile, and without hesitation, she pulled Winter into a tight hug, holding her close as if she were afraid to let go. Winter sank into the embrace, feeling a warmth that melted away the last of her resistance.

For the first time in a while, she felt safe.