SmallWonders

Winter Bliss (SmallWonders & Cupcake)

"We'll, it's sweet." Holly replied as she sat down opposite him, her cold fingers picking up a menu. Her hands felt numb and it was a little difficult to move her fingers but she managed it. "So you're having a milkshake then?" She asked, half her mind on the conversation and the other half scanning the hot beverages section of their menu. It didn't take her long to settle upon a hot chocolate with hazelnut flavouring and topped with whipped cream.

Winter Bliss (SmallWonders & Cupcake)

"You don't? You're pretty weird, Zak." Holly smiled, showing she meant know harm by the words. "I could do with a hold chocolate... I get cold really easily." She admitted, stepping through the door and into the diner. It was warm and instantly, her cheeks flushed a deeper pink from the sudden temperature change. She thanked him again for holding the door open for her, walking towards one of the booths. "You're very much a gentleman, aren't you?" She commented with a giggle. "Always opening doors for me and giving me your jacket and all..."

Winter Bliss (SmallWonders & Cupcake)

"Doesn't everyone?" Holly returned with a shrug. "I haven't really had a chance to see the town so... okay." She had her lunch money with her, since she wouldn't be spending it at school anyway. Pulling the coat tighter around her, she headed towards where the majority of the shops were. "Isn't it kind of... Cold for milkshakes though?"

Winter Bliss (SmallWonders & Cupcake)

"You sound as if you don't hang around with humans at all. As if humans were beneath you or something. Which, I realise, is stupid. There's just something about the way you said it..." Holly shook her head, her red hair flying out around her face. "Maybe you're psychic or something." She mused, a faint smile on her lips. She took the jacket, wrapping it around herself and immediately felt warm and comfortable. Something about the way it smelled relaxed her and she resisted the urge to bury her nose in the fur. "Thank you." Her smile widened, brightening for him.

Winter Bliss (SmallWonders & Cupcake)

"Why are you being so nice to me?" Holly asked him, looking up and biting her lip softly. She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself in an effort to stay warm. She hadn't realised how cold it had been that morning and had left her coat at home. "I mean, I'm not being ungrateful or anything but you're going far beyond nice and polite. Why are you doing all this for me?"

Winter Bliss (SmallWonders & Cupcake)

"Oh... Okay. Uhm... If you're going to walk me home, we have to take the long way so I don't do that again." Holly warned him, tugging her sleeves down over her palms again. "You don't have to though... I'm sure I'll be okay." She smiled confidently, looking away soon afterwards. She wasn't used to this whole 'having company' thing. It felt strange, but at the same time, it felt good. She'd have to get used to it.

Winter Bliss (SmallWonders & Cupcake)

Holly smiled weakly. "I'll... I'll ask about it." She replied, wondering if it really was as easy as Zak was making it out to be. "Thanks." She said gratefully as she walked out the door, adjusting the way her bag sat on her back. "It's just been a while since I've made myself bleed. I was kind of surprised." She didn't understand how Zak had heard her. She'd barely been able to hear herself speak. "How did you know about... You know. That." She asked, cringing as the memories tried to force their way back to the forefront of her mind.

Winter Bliss (SmallWonders & Cupcake)

"Oh... Well, isn't it kind of expensive to hire your own teacher? My parents wouldn't be very good teachers..." Holly replied, tucking in her chair before walking towards the front of the room carefully. She sighed, still feeling a little guilty for causing such a disruption to the class. She tugged her sleeves down over her hands, wincing lightly as she noticed the throbbing pain in her palms. "I was really scared this time, huh?" She mumbled to herself, looking at the crescent shaped gouges in her palms. Her nails had dug in a lot deeper than she'd thought.

Winter Bliss (SmallWonders & Cupcake)

"Are you sure it'll be okay?" Holly asked, standing up and still feeling a little shaky. "Don't you have the rest of the school day too?" She knew she couldn't continue after that little panic attack but she didn't want to get him into trouble because she was feeling selfish. She packed her things away, using a sleeve to wipe the tears from her flushed cheeks as she picked up her bag and swung it onto her shoulder.

Winter Bliss (SmallWonders & Cupcake)

Eventually Holly calmed down enough to look up at the two people still in the room. Her palms stung and her hair was a mess again as she straightened up. "S-sorry..." She mumbled, her voice hoarse and her eyes still watery. Her glasses had fogged up a little but she managed a small smile, breathing heavily as she worked on calming her heart rate. "And uhm... Thanks." She could still feel terror around the edges of her mind but it was far enough away for her to ignore.