around her willowy； athletic frame。
Serena whirled around to face him； her blond hair whipping his face。 She playfully pushed Nate so he took a lurching step backward into a snowbank。
“No mercy！” Nate yelled； pulling her down with him and wrestling her into the snow。
Serena squealed in protest as she wriggled free； making an impromptu snow angel。 Clumps of snow clung to her long eyelashes。
For a second； Nate was transported back to their sophomore year； to an afternoon when they’d been goofing off in the piles of snow in his courtyard。 It was the first time he’d seen Serena not as plain old Serena； his best friend since kindergarten； but as a beautiful girl。 A girl he loved。
He hastily stood up； brushing the wet snow off the back of his khakis。
“Here；” he offered； holding his hand out to help Serena up。
“Thanks。” Serena got to her feet； still holding Nate’s hand。 She held his gaze。 The air felt thick and the world around them seemed muted。
“Nate； can you help me？” Jenny called from the bottom of the hill。 They both looked up to where she was sitting on top of a toboggan； her cheeks rosy from the cold。
“Sure；” Nate said； reluctantly turning away from Serena。
“Watch out； he’s brutal！” Serena called after them； trying not to feel disappointed。 When Dan had refused to e sledding； it was almost a relief。 Playing in the snow had always been something she and Nate shared。
Nate grabbed the sled and tossed it halfway up the hill。 He caught it and ran the last of the way； Jenny laughing and trudging behind。 They both climbed on and he wrapped his arms around her small frame。 “Let’s go！” he cried； pushing them toward the edge of the slope。
As they hurtled down the hill across the crisp fresh snow；