the snow melts (4)

She shrugs, not entirely sure how to respond. It’s true, though. There’s something about this time of year that stirs her in ways she doesn’t fully understand. It’s not just the end of winter; it’s the inevitability of change, the way everything feels so fragile, so fleeting.

She’s always been drawn to it, even as it unsettles her. “It’s like saying goodbye to something,” she says finally, kicking at a chunk of ice with the toe of her boot. “But you don’t even know what you’re saying goodbye to.” Noah’s quiet for a moment, his gaze fixed on the forest.

When he speaks, his voice is thoughtful. “Maybe it’s not about what you’re leaving behind. Maybe it’s about what’s coming next.” Olivia doesn’t reply right away.