WINTER SECRETS

It had been a month since Carrie arrived in Canada, and much to her surprise, her days had been going smoothly. The academic pressure was manageable, and her routine wasn't as chaotic as she'd feared. But that particular morning was proving to be one of those days that tested patience.

Ava and Carrie stood by the car, watching Leo struggle to start it, his repeated attempts resulting only in the grating sound of an engine refusing to cooperate.

Finally, with a frustrated sigh, Leo stepped out. "It's not working."

"I told you to service the car," Ava said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Now what? We're already running late."

"We should just take a taxi," Carrie suggested, glancing at her watch.

"Mr. Jin will be here soon. We can just go with him," Jae-wook interjected, his calm demeanor contrasting with everyone else's impatience.

"That's even better," Leo agreed, a thoughtful smile spreading across his face.

"You all can go together," Carrie said, already turning on her heels. "I'll just grab a taxi to school."

"Why would you do that when you can come with us?" Leo asked, frowning.

"I don't think we'd all fit in the car," Carrie replied, a flimsy excuse that didn't even sound convincing to her.

"That's not true," Leo said, narrowing his eyes. "Just say what's on your mind."

Carrie exhaled sharply, her patience thinning. "Don't you see I'm trying not to get in that damn car?"

"Come on, Carrie, drop the grudge already," Ava said, crossing her arms.

Carrie turned to her with a glare sharp enough to cut steel.

"Don't look at me like that!" Ava snapped, her voice rising in frustration. "This is so exhausting. What is going on with you?"

"What do you mean?" Carrie replied, her tone defensive.

"Every time I try to talk to you, you either ignore me or glare at me like I don't have the right to speak," Ava said, her voice trembling slightly. "Ever since you got here, you've been pushing me away. We used to be best friends, Carrie. Now? I don't even know what we are anymore."

With that, Ava stormed off, her words lingering in the air like a heavy cloud.

"Ava!" Carrie called after her, but Ava didn't turn back.

"Carrie, let her cool off," Leo advised gently.

"Is it true? Have I been that much a bitch?" Carrie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Let's just get to school. I'll talk to Ava later, and then we can figure this out," Leo said before walking off, leaving Carrie standing there with Jae-wook.

"Well?" Carrie asked, turning to him.

"Oh, don't drag me into your mess," Jae-wook replied casually, walking away.

Carrie stood there alone, the weight of Ava's words pressing down on her.

---

Later that morning, Carrie sat in class, her mind far from the lecture. She replayed every interaction she'd had with Ava since her arrival, slowly realizing how distant she'd been.

"Ms. Evans! Carrie Evans!"

Her lecturer's voice snapped her back to reality.

"Yes, sir!" she replied, startled.

"Seems like you're in another world," Mr. Justin remarked with a smirk. "Care to share what's so fascinating on your mind?"

Carrie forced a smile. "Sorry, sir."

"Sorry doesn't cut it," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Tell the class how you'd justify defending someone you know is guilty."

Carrie inhaled deeply, gathering her thoughts. "Because everyone deserves a fair trial—justice isn't about guilt; it's about process."

"Oh, so even a serial killer deserves a fair trial?" he asked, his grin widening.

"The process ensures the guilty are convicted based on evidence, not assumptions, which protects society and upholds justice," Carrie replied confidently. "Surely, you know that, sir."

A few students snickered, and Mr. Justin's smirk faltered.

"You're sharp, Ms. Evans," he said coolly. "But I hope your sharp tongue doesn't cost you an F." He turned back to the board.

Carrie rolled her eyes as she muttered, "Must be that attitude that got him kicked out of practice."

---

During a free period, Carrie found Ava sitting alone on the basketball court, absentmindedly spinning a ball on her finger.

"You still play basketball?" Carrie asked, walking over and sitting beside her.

"How would you know?" Ava replied, her tone cold. "We barely talk."

Carrie sighed. "I didn't realize I was hurting you. I thought I was staying out of your way, not intruding in your relationship."

"But you talk to Leo," Ava pointed out, her pout unmistakable.

"Do I?" Carrie asked with a weak chuckle.

"Carrie," Ava said, her voice softer now, "just apologize. I miss my best friend."

"I'm sorry," Carrie said earnestly. "I have no excuse for how I've acted. I let my emotions get the best of me, and I was a terrible friend. I really am sorry, Ava."

Ava tilted her head, studying her. "What emotions? Do you like Leo? Or is it me? Are you bi?"

Carrie burst out laughing. "Neither! Just emotions. Don't push it."

"Well... if you want me to forgive you, you have to beat me in a game," Ava said, standing up and tossing the ball to Carrie.

"That's insane!" Carrie said, catching it. "Even LeBron James would struggle against you."

"That's an insult to my idol, but I'll take the compliment. Now, get up," Ava said, a smile breaking across her face.

The game was filled with laughter, teasing, and more missed shots than either cared to admit. By the end, they collapsed on the court, breathless and grinning.

As they sat there under the open sky, the tension melted away, leaving behind only the bond they'd once shared—a bond that felt unbreakable.