Chapter Seven- First Snow and A Kiss

Dear Mama and Papa,

It is almost Mid-Winter and I haven’t written to you since before All Hallow’s Eve! I have been very busy with my schoolwork and classes, but I have finally found time to sit to you and write. All Hallow’s Eve here was a very big celebration and I had lots of fun. I have many good friends, and I have made many more since then. What surprised me the most, however, about All Hallow’s Eve was that there was dancing and singing and laughter. I hadn’t thought that there would be any of those things here and I am very glad they are. Oxfords really isn’t as bad as I thought, but I still miss all of you dearly.

Your loving daughter,

Linian

The next morning…

Linian woke up suddenly, the bells ringing continuously.

"Miss Linian, Miss Linian!" Cried Bet. "Wake up!"

Linian turned over grumpily. "What is it?"

"Get up! It’s the first snow?"

"The first snow?" She asked, more than slightly confused.

"Yes! Linian! The first snow of the winter!" Said Bet as she got dressed in a heavy coat. "Hurry up, get dressed! We must go outside!" Linian, dazed, got up and dressed, and then followed Bet outside into the frigid air, as tiny snowflakes fell into their hair. The entire population of Oxfords was there, watching the snow fall. The tiny droplets, each a perfect unique lace droplet, slowly fell to the ground, covering it a blanket of crisp, clean snow. The student’s hair slowly began to be specked with the snow, along with everything else on the premises.

Linian was one of the last to arrive, but she soon found her way into her group of friends.

"Linian! Isn’t it a wonderful day?" Nicola cried happily.

"What is going on?" She asked, curiously.

"The First Snow, Linian, that’s what!" Explained Sophia.

"The first snow every year, marks the beginning of Winter. It’s tradition to welcome the snow!" Said Nicola.

"I see." Said Linian, as she watched Ada and Hana, the two troublemakers, huddled in a corner, secretly talking. "Look at them." She laughed, along with quiet Kelsea.

"Linian!" Said Jerren, as he squeezed his way into the group.

"Jerren! How are you?" She asked, sweetly, looking into his jade green eyes.

"Good, now that I’ve seen you." He smiled, his dimples showing. "I’ve been looking for you, I wanted to talk…But I couldn’t find you."

"Oh." She said, disappointed. "You know, I should be around after dinner tonight." Linian said after a moment.

"Where can I meet you?" He questioned, eagerly.

"The library?"

"Sounds good, little snow-fairy!" He said, referring to the snowflakes that were gently laid in Linian’s strawberry blond hair. Jerren left quickly, with a short good bye, and Linian joined her friends admire the snow that covered the hills surrounding them. Suddenly, Linian felt a freezing cold snowball touch her neck, and turned around to find Ada and Hana laughing furiously.

"I’ll get you!" She cried, chasing the pair on snow-covered pathways.

"Girls!" Cried Master Harnet, a moment later. "Stop that childish behavior! Off to class, all of you." He said, to the entire gathering.

Later that evening…

As soon as dinner was over, Linian slipped into a simple blue robe and silently walked toward the library, where she had agreed to meet Jerren.

The clock struck eight, when Linian opened the heavy chestnut doors, accessing her to a world of books she dearly loved. Jerren was not there yet, so Linian picked up a book, and sat down in a comfy chair.

Mhhhm. said someone, in front of her. Slowly, reluctant to give up her reading, Linian looked up.

Jerren, in a crisp green tunic stood in front of her, smiling.

"Jerren!" She said in surprise. He smiled, once again. "How long have you been here?" She questioned.

"A little bit." Said Jerren.

"I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have kept you waiting!"

"Don’t worry. I didn’t mind. You look very pretty when you’re reading so intently." Linian joined Jerren in pure laughter.

"Thank you." Linian laughed, her cheeks becoming rosy. She stood up and followed Jerren, who led them to a red plush couch in a secluded corner.

"So, how are you doing in our classes?" He asked, genuinely concerned.

"Pretty good. I really like writing and reading classes, but History with Master Harnet is really hard."

"I know, Master Harnet is difficult, old man. But he isn’t a Golden Master for nothing, he’s really truly wise." Explained Jerren, having three years experience. "As long as you do your work, it shouldn’t be too bad."

"I know, it’s just a lot of work, and with church and all…"

"Yeah. I know what you mean. I’ll help you if you want."

"Thanks." She said gratefully. They sat in a comfortable silence for a while.

"Linian…" Began Jerren, gently holding her hand. "I didn’t come here to ask about your classes, what I really came to tell you was…well, I…I really like you, Linian." Shyly, Linian nodded, inwardly confused. "Linian, I know that I am older than you, by almost three years, but it really isn’t that much, and you’re sweet, and pretty and fun to be around. You’re wonderful, Linian."

"I like you too, Jerren." Decided Linian, who eyes were luminous. Jerren let out a heart filled smile, along with a sigh of relief.

As they watched the gentle snow fall, through the grand window, Linian laid her head, on Jerren’s strong shoulders.

"Linian…" Said Jerren, after a while.

"Mhhhhm?" She said, and lifted her head, where her chaste lips touched his and they kissed. It was a pure, simple kiss, but it was wonderful. It was her first kiss, the one she would always remember.

As Linian opened her bedroom door, she saw Nicola and Bet sitting there, talking and laughing. As soon as Linian walked in, they both looked at her grinning face and smiled at the naïve girl.

"So, you finally have decided to grace us with your presence?" Said Nicola teasingly.

"Nicola, what are you doing her?" Asking, Linian, who was beaming.

"Well, I was looking for you after dinner, so I asked Bet where you were." Began Nicola.

"And I told Miss Nicola that you had gone to the library to see Master Jerren." Finished Bet.

"And so…What happened?" Asked Nicola eagerly.

"Nothing much." Said Linian calmly, though her face showed otherwise.

"Are you going to tell me anything?" Asked Nicola.

"Well…" Began Linian, hesitantly.

"I think Miss Linian is tired, Miss Nicola. I’m sure you two can talk tomorrow." Interrupted Bet.

Nicola, disappointed, slowly walked out, but not without saying "Tomorrow, Linian, you have to tell me everything that happened!"

Once she had left, Linian flung herself to her bed. "Thanks, Bet! I didn’t feel like talking to her right now."

"It wasn’t bad, was it, Miss Linian? You sure seemed happy when you walked in!"

"Oh, Bet! I’m happy…beyond happy!" Said Linian, as Bet walked into her own chambers. "It was wonderful…" Linian continued, half asleep already. "Jerren is wonderful too, I really like him…"

She had pleasant dreams that night.