I tie my brown shawl around my neck as I head towards the door. I've wanted to taste at least a little freedom since yesterday. It was my 18th birthday. Technically, I'm an adult. I tried to tell my dad that this morning after he told me to shovel out the barn, but his response was, "Jackson Overland Frost, you are still a teenager. And as long as you live under my roof, you shall follow my rules." Guess how I spent my morning.

I sneak across the wooden floor, trying to avoid my mother who is washing dishes. I didn't bother putting on shoes; I found that it's easier to sneak out with bare feet. Plus, I don't mind the cold. It's kind of soothing to me.

Right as I rest my fingers on the door handle I step on a squeaky board. "Trying to sneak out again, are we Jack?"

I drop my head in defeat and turn to face my mother. "No, no, no. Not sneaking out, more like…. checking to see if the snow has gotten thicker." I laugh half-heartedly, knowing the lie wouldn't work.

She turns around, wipes her hands on her apron, and looks me up and down before she chuckles. "While wearing your shawl and tip-toeing across the floor?" She walks forward and ruffles my chestnut brown hair.

"It's good that you were planning on going out this evening anyway. I have something for you to do." She says while going around the living room, trying to clean up the rest of the mess from the party yesterday. I roll my eyes. I knew that if she caught me she would have me do something. No fun for me tonight, I guess.

"What could it be now? I've already shoveled the barn, cleaned my room and I did my laundry. By the way, we need a new wash-board." She looks up confused as to what I've done this time, but smiles and shakes her head.

"I need you to watch Pippa. She needs to practice her ice-skating at the pond and I don't like her to go alone." I start to protest but she holds up a finger. "Your father and I can't do it because we're going out of town tonight and won't be back until morning."

Pippa is my little sister. She's around ten years old and she loves to ice-skate. Every year she performs at the village festival on Christmas Eve. It's a big event and pretty much everyone from the town will be there.

"Come on, Mom. Can't I do it tomorrow? Michael and I were going to go into town square." I begged.

"And do what? Play pranks on all of the townsfolk? I thought you were "an adult" now, and adults do what is needed of them. And right now, Pippa needs you to bring her to the pond to practice. The festival is only two weeks away and I want her to do her best."

I sigh, knowing that I've been beaten. "Alright, alright, I'll take Pippa to the pond. Calm down, will you?" She smiles and goes back to cleaning.

"Thank you. Pippa's out back making a snowman. Go get her and make sure she doesn't forget her wool socks. I want you to put on some shoes as well; I don't want you to catch your death. You two can head back from the pond when the moon rises. Be careful though. It's been heating up lately and…"

I don't hear the end of her instructions because I'm already out the back door and heading towards Pippa and her snowman. I disregard my mother's instructions to put on shoes. I've gone out without them probably a hundred times and I'm still in one piece. I wouldn't tell her that though.