A slim beam of moonlight lit a narrow strip of concrete, causing the lumps of salt scattered across the sidewalk to shimmer like shards of lime-stained glass.

I fell into a speed walk as I crossed the street, whisking by a metal lamppost. A yellow haze skimmed across the edges of the park, painting golden streaks over the ground.

It had been so long since we've met at the skatepark that I almost forgot that feeling of delight as I took her in, sitting tall on the highest vert ramp. Even in the cold she looked at ease, with her wool jacket zipped to the tip of her nose and a wide plaid scarf draped across her shoulders. Her eyes fluttered open at the sound of my approaching footsteps before falling shut once more.

"Fancy seeing you here," she joked as I climbed up the rope ladder. I slid into place beside her, taking notice of the notebook in her hand.

"Same with you," I replied with a smile, gesturing towards the bright yellow cover. "You brought it again?"

"Yeah," she muttered, catching my gaze. Although I couldn't see the smile lying over her lips, the playful sheen over her bright hazel eyes was enough. "There's just been some things on my mind."

"Well, go for it."

I nodded her on, watching as she flipped open the notebook. A haze of colourful doodles and words danced along the pages before coming to an abrupt stop. A wall of paper stood in its way, its rugged peaks standing prominently against the smooth surface of the pages on either side. I wrinkled my brows as I watched Wren run a finger across the jagged edge.

"Did you-"

"No, I didn't."

Suddenly, I remembered that day back at the beginning of the school year, shortly after Wren's departure.

The soccer field. The paper. Torn and crumpled as it sat discarded like a lump of garbage. It didn't take long for the story to click in my mind, alongside a single name. I didn't need to say it aloud for Wren to understand.

"It was her wasn't it?" she asked, letting the pages flutter shut. "She took it from my locker a while ago?" I simply nodded in response, letting silence take over our conversation. Meanwhile, Wren fidgeted nervously with her thumb, causing a reddish tint to slide over her skin.

"I've been thinking a lot about the locker," she declared, burying her face deeper in her coat. A cloud of white swirled in the air as she let out a short burst of hollow laughter, the stream of mist disappearing with the smile in her eyes. "And admittedly, it's kinda hard to not"

A slip of silence passed between us before Wren suddenly straightened up, turning her head to meet my gaze. I felt my expression soften as I watched her, her anxious tick slithering towards her fingers as she flicked at the corner of her notebook.

"I mean, my mom killed herself in the room right next to mine, and I didn't even realize it until it was too late. And I was thinking, if I had done the same..."

I felt my eyebrows furrow in concern as she averted her gaze, her hazel eyes gluing to the front of her notebook instead.

"The universe would've been robbed of a life if you decided to do that," I declared, trying to catch her gaze, to no avail.

Suddenly, her lips curled into a smile as she let out a single puff of laughter.

"Well fortunately for the universe, I'm too cowardly to do that."

For a long moment, the tender gaze of hazel eyes simply stared back at me, softening with her expression. It was only when a shy smile crept over Wren's lips that we were pulled out of the daze.

"I'm glad I chose you over those other kids," she joked, tilting her head to the side. With a smile, she held her hand out to me, which I took without hesitation. A frigid tingle spread through my palms as I entwined my frostbitten fingers with hers, a feeling that I was able to brush off easily. The warmth in my chest was enough to render it unnoticed.

"Hey Vince?"

"Mhm?"

"If I did leave permanently, do you think people would remember me?"

I gave her hand an assuring squeeze, catching her gaze.

"You're one of the memorable people I know, it'll be hard not to. Why do you ask?"

She shrugged in response, lifting her eyes towards the Moon. Dribbles of snow tumbled off the front of her boots as she tapped one foot against the other.

"I dunno," she replied nonchalantly, letting her feet hang limply against the concrete wall. "I guess I just have this irrational fear of being forgotten."

I tilted my head to the side. For a moment her chest rose as she lifted her head towards the sky, letting a puff of fog escape from her lips. I thought about what would've happened if I hadn't met Wren at all. I would probably still be stuck in my room, putting the old sketchbook Grandpa bought me to use, or taking up some more Spanish lessons Dad recommended I try. There would've been no late-night talks, or anyone to pass the time with during lunches. Things would've just been bland. 

"I would remember you."

Just as those words tumbled out of my mouth, Wren flashed her watch in my direction. Familiar white numbers beamed under the darkness of the night, causing my lips to fall shut. A wave of silence sank over us, as Wren closed her eyes. This time, rather than doing the same, I couldn't help in averting my gaze. A tiny wrinkle formed on her nose as her head shifted slightly to the side, her eyes squeezing tightly together for a brief second. Streams of moonlight poured over her head, leaving streaks of golden brown to shine just as brightly as the night stars. 

Wren's eyes fluttered open, catching my gaze for a brief moment. Instinctively, I flicked my head to the side.

She laughed. A laugh so lively and warm that I could imagine her smile even without turning to face her. I did though, I couldn't help it.

As expected, two dimples sat over each cheek, causing my lips to curl into a smile as well. As soon as the laughter died down, she turned to me, the shadow of a beautiful smile still lingering over her face. 

"I know you would," she declared. Slowly, she leaned towards me, planting a light kiss over my cheek. I felt myself flush as a flare of heat began to creep around the edges of my ears.

A mischievous grin slid over her face as she observed my reaction. But before I could say or do anything in response, she was already gone.