So basically, my class was instructed to write a flash fiction piece from 300-1,000 words on one of the 32 prompts provided. My prompt was "Winter is the only time two lovers can be together, for whatever reason." So, I built off of that. A word of warning; the beginning of this is way better than the end because I kind of rushed the end to fit inside the word limit.

Start:

They knew their time was limited; they just didn’t know how to say goodbye. Every time they met in the clearing, they hoped it wouldn’t be the last. Over the course of a few weeks, they grew closer to each other and were unable to prevent it.

              He tried to push her away to keep her safe, but that only made her dig her heels in and continue to fight to break past his barriers. She would give him as much love as possible, but he knew that as soon as he felt the same way as she did, it would make forgetting so much worse. He also knew that it was too late; she’d already broken down the walls that he’d built long ago. 

As she walked in the clearing on the chilly winter’s day, she realized she couldn’t hear or see him anywhere. Just as she’d started to panic, she saw his head pop out from behind a giant sequoia tree beaming at her, a smile as bright as the sun and eyes lit up with mischief. “What trouble have you gotten into this early in the day?” she asks, eyes sparkling with mirth and a grin on her face. He responds in turn with, "Trouble? I never get into trouble!” and ran over to greet her.

It was the same each time she came to visit him, except for when it wasn’t. Every time winter ends, so does the joyous laughter. He didn’t have to see it happen, but she did. And then he disappeared, neither of them knew where he went in the months between each winter. All they knew was that he disappeared the morning after winter ended from spring to fall and came back with no recollection of who she was. She had to watch as all the progress they’d made was washed away.

 Winter ended in a dreary fashion and paved the way for dull spring months that bled into long summers, so hot that she felt as though she were melting. The bright fall leaves would show every color of the rainbow, yet she could only wish that he was able to experience these moments with her.

Even so, she knew she couldn’t focus on that, not right now. She was determined to enjoy what time she had left with him, so she continued to smile and play all day, taking in the moments of relaxation when they would just lie in the fluffy and almost unnaturally green grass, holding each other as tightly as possible. She also knew that they had work to get done in the faint hopes that they could continue to do these things. She hopped up from the cozy space they’d made from a large assortment of blankets so that she could speak to him.

“We should get back to work soon if we ever want this to continue when we won’t need all these blankets.” She said, “but can we stay like this for a little longer?” He asked. She pushed him into realizing that there wasn’t much time left so they had to continue. Suddenly, as she looked at him, she noticed that he was making an expression that meant he had a horrible plan that he knew she wouldn’t agree to. “What have you thought of this time?” She asks, but he stays silent with a solemn look coming to his face. “I think I have to leave.”

“What?!” she exclaims. He then goes on to explain his plan, saying that he should leave before winter ends to see if he can find the reason for his curse while he still knows that he has it. She knows it’s a horrible idea yet understands that this could be the only way that they have left so she concedes. They decide to rest for the night and that he should leave first thing in the morning, so that he could make it back by the following day. They go to sleep. When they wake up the next morning, they prepare to say their goodbyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow, James!” “Goodbye, Morgen.” That was the last thing she heard from him. If she could go back, she knows she’d tell him that she loves him.