Snow was softly falling outside, sticking to the ground and piling up quickly. Students dredged through the soft white flakes quickly, but not so quickly that they had no time for the usual stopping and staring; some even dared to laugh and gather some of the treasured flakes into a small ball and fling it at someone: a friend, or a cherished someone that would, perhaps if luck be on their side, would mirror the actions ten fold. The snow would shatter on a girl’s vest, slipping down into her shirt and chilling her to the bone, making her squeal and laugh, giving the thrower a small shove. The boys took special pleasure in commencing in a game of tag with certain young teachers that would reciprocate their needed feelings of mandatory fun to lighten the burden of the heavy school day.

But as this short time period of five minutes passed by, the students would file into their respective class rooms and take their seats, not in silence but rather in their loud chatter that the snow brought. Some would even exclaim an excited ‘Merry Christmas!’ to their teacher, a bright smile on their face. For it is nearing that time of year---the time of year when everyone’s concentration is broken by thoughts of the holidays and the break from their mundane school work that would ensue in just a short week’s time. Throughout these happy people there are the depressing few that sit quietly in their seats, a quaint smile on their face when someone should pass by. Such is this poor student that sits in the back, staring out the frosted window at the snow that continued ever down. She contemplates her thoughts---thoughts that I, as the author, shall now try and elucidate to you.

Imagine, now, if you will, that you are a young girl of just sixteen, nearing adult hood and dreading every minute of it. Imagine, if you can, that pressing upon your heart is a retched feeling of need---a need for another young person in your own class; a person that you have had feelings for since before recollection. Imagine, dear reader, that your every minute of the day is occupied by this person, his smile, his touch, the warm sweater that now envelopes his chest. You dream of him night and day and yet you know that you can do nothing but sit and watch him pass by, offering him a small smile and a quick ‘Hello…’ that might grace his day if only he returned the feelings in your heart.

Now that we have properly begun to introduce you to the thoughts of this poor girl, may we know introduce you to the leap of her heart as the door opens and in comes the subject of her desire. Clad in a warm blue sweater that clings to his body in mockery of her, he enters, laughing with his friends. Down comes his book-bag, a now lost item. Laughter touches her ears immediately drowned away by the laughter of his own friends. Everyone surrounds him and the poor girl is shunned from his view. What is she to do? What can she do? Should she leap from her desk and run to join the conversation surely she will be mocked by confused students who wonder why this drab young woman is trying to enter in upon their world.

Nay, she can not stand, nor walk to her longing. Instead she is forced to sit and wait. Finally the bell rings and the students all file to their seats, grumbling slightly at being forced into the bondage of the mind on such an exciting day as this. (But alas, dear young ones, learning is not bondage for your mind but rather a time to expand your mind and free yourself---or, as our young heroine so chooses to do, to stare longing off in space and ignore the lessons to instead day dream of shadows that will never become tangible because of insecurities that should be swept aside.)

‘Tis the season to fulfill our heart’s requests. No longer should we leave this small action to Valentine’s Day or some other ‘special season’! Let us make this a year round habit! Take heart, young heroine! Gather your spirits and prepare yourself for the time is nearing that you should stand and take your chance. Take the chance to tell your passion what it is you want---what it is you feel. The time is coming. Hear how the bell rings? It rings for you. Quickly while everyone is leaving. See how he lingers just for you? Grow closer, go nearer, just a few more steps now. Currently a greeting, now a smile, now some laughter and a joke or two; a complaint here, and yet another joke but no hint of your feelings? Why, dear heroine? Why must you disappoint us so? See how his eyes invite you to delve within their sparkling blue, see how his lips curve into such a delicate smile, see how his hand is quick to help you with your books. If only this poor girl could read his signs better or if only she could voice her opinion then she would know a happy ending.

I apologize, dear reader, for such a drastic let-down our young girl as given us. Quickly she leaves the room, escorted by the unknowing young male. He smiles and waves, taking his departure while the girl smiles and stares after him, the weight of the world coming down upon her shoulders in one quick heart beat. Such a deep sorrow comes over her as the snow continues falling. Why does life hurt so? And yet, she is alive. Something she should be very thankful for. Oh, dear heroine, dear child, dear lover, take heart. Was it not said that ‘it is better to love and to have lost, than to have never loved at all’? Is it not said, likewise, that ‘one must desire something to be alive’? So know now, that it is a good thing to feel such disappointment, such pain, such longing for it means that you are alive.

Perhaps one day you will gather your courage again and this time succeed in your quest.