Snowflake Kisses on Her First Christmas

Honorable Mention, children's stories

Ame Kurotsuki |

12/18/2008 - 12/19/08

Christania's feet crunched rhythmically on the snow as she walked along the sidewalk, dodging people as she went. A shy sun peeked from behind angry gray clouds, almost like a child behind its mother's legs. Every now and then, it would dip back behind its dark bodyguards, stripping the world of light. It was very cold, wind biting at her bare hands and cheeks. She nuzzled her nose further under her scarf, attempting to bring it back from feeling like a glacier.

The smell of spiced cider and hot chocolate wafted through the air, accompanied by the sugary sweet scent of cookies. People laughed and bustled about, young ones hanging onto their parents, sweethearts walking hand-in-hand. Salesmen yelled out about their wares, their faces illuminated by the lights from the windows of high-end shops. "Sale!" signs hung in just about every window, incorporated into the already lavish displays.

Quite truthfully, Christania understood none of this. The lights, the people, the decorations, the festive cheer. It made no sense to her. As far as the girl knew, it was December 24th, a Thursday. Nothing was out of the ordinary, except that it had snowed.

She mumbled a few curses as her foot sunk deeper into a pile of snow, soaking her pant leg. Tugging herself free, she continued on her walk, not too sure where she was going. Lights glanced off the white snow, gleaming against her equally pale skin, making it shine. Her dark eyes stared at the sky, though her body managed to stay free of the gaggle of people. Quiet piano music slipped cordially out of an open door, sweeping calmly through the streets, whispering in her ears.

A small red ball knocked against her foot and she smiled, leaning down to pick it up. Handing it to the young child who had dropped it, his small, icy hands brushed hers, sending a lightning shock of cold up her arm. Standing again, she was thanked by the boy's father, who his hands and placed gloves on them, chiding him half-heartedly as the boy gurgled in happiness.

"Merry Christmas, ma'am," he said, tipping his bowler.

"You too," Christania answered, but frowned when he turned his back.

Christmas ... she had heard that from her teachers too. "Merry Christmas." "Have a good Christmas," "Good Christmas to you."

Christania had never known of this "Christmas." It was an unknown entity to her, a gray area. Growing up in a backwater orphanage, the "caretakers," (more like slave drivers) had never celebrated any holidays. They had been too busy working the children till they couldn't stand to even think of a holiday. And after Christania had run away at age 10, she had been too busy hiding from the authorities to worry about such trivial occasions.

Tugging at her knee-length black coat, she walked faster. It was getting colder, foretelling a second snowfall. Heading toward her favorite place, the park, she stopped at a road block.

"Road blocked for Christmas parade tomorrow!" read the sign.

Christania groaned in annoyance. Whatever Christmas was, it was causing a lot of problems for her. Turning off toward the square, she grumbled. She had really wanted to go see the lake after the first snow, knowing it would be completely iced over. In her mind, she could just envision the snow coating the thin ice, a few solemn cracks being heard as the ice broke from the strain. Sighing again, she kept walking, feet falling more heavily than they should have out of pure annoyance.

When she reached the square, she looked up at the tall fir tree, almost as tall as some of the surrounding buildings. In was covered in all kinds of decorations, golden baubles and silver ornaments, large rolls of shining tinsel wrapped fully around from base to tip. The tree top was covered in snow, slightly masking the star perched on the very end. Christania stared up at the lavish plant, wondering why it was there. She tried to connect it to something that was happening, but couldn't.

"Beautiful, isn't it, Chris?"

Turning, she was met by the smiling face of her friend Alexander, who was walking toward her. He stopped at her side, his raven hair entering her peripheral vision.

"I love Christmas, it's so cheery," he said, still smiling.

Christania blinked, a soft blush painting her cheeks.

"What's wrong?" Alexander asked.

"I have no idea what Christmas is," the teen girl confessed, staring anywhere but at Alexander.

There was silence, then he laughed. Without warning, he hugged the girl, making her yelp in surprise. Alexander snuggled against her, kissing her cheek.

"Silly, Christmas is the holiday of giving. It celebrates the birth of Christ the Lord." He smiled softly. "But I think it's just a more complicated way of celebrating the Winter Solstice."

Christania was surprised as how simple it was, but made no comment. She wrapped her own arms around him, nuzzling closer for warmth. Cool wind blew across the empty square, riffling the tree branches and dislodging some of the snow. Neither of the teens felt it, though; they were too wrapped up in each other. Christania was pondering the subject of Christmas, while Alexander was just enjoying holding her.

Christania felt something soft and wet upon her head.

"It's snowing," Alexander murmured.

Christania nodded, not really caring. She tugged Alexander closer, considering it was getting even colder. He chucked and pulled her close against him, making her blush.

They stood there for a long time, watching the patterns of snow that fell. Finally, Alexander sighed, steeling himself to make the move he wanted to make. Closing his eyes for a second, he leaned down. His lips connected with Christania's, giving her a quick, chaste kiss. When he pulled away, her face was burning like a wildfire, but she seemed only embarrassed. He chuckled again.

"Merry Christmas, Christania."

"Yeah ... Merry Christmas."