"In that case," he grinned, standing up, "we need to get you dressed." Looking at him skeptically, Roxie wasn't sure what to think about that comment.
"What?"
"Come on." Miles grabbed her hand and dragged her to her feet. He ran over to the closet and tossed Roxie's coat and winter hat at her, and grabbed his own winter gear.
"Miles, there are something like 10 feet of snow out there," Roxie argued.
"So? That's what makes it fun," Miles grinned. Roxie wondered what she was getting into. Sometimes the boy was just too weird for words. When the two of them were bundled up, Miles flung open the door to the outside. Cold air almost knocked Roxie back into the comfort of her warm, cozy room, but soon a gloved hand grabbed her own, and she had no choice but to brave the outdoors.
The world was covered in brilliant white, sunshine sparkling off the crystalline blanket. It was hard to be bitter and sarcastic when so many things were looking up. The cold air made Roxie's nose tingle and she clapped her hands over it to keep it warm. Then she saw Miles watching her, and couldn't help smiling. He took her hands in his and slowly kissed her, then planted a small kiss on the tip of her nose. "To keep it warm," he said. Right before he smashed a snowball into her arm.
"Punk!" Roxie yelled, and gathered snow to retaliate. Before long a full fledged war had broken out.
"I think we should make a wager on this little battle," Miles called out. Roxie was skeptical but didn't argue. "If I win," he continued, "You have to declare that you believe in aliens." Roxie sputtered in protest.
"There is NO WAY that I am going to agree-" Miles cut her off.
"And if YOU win, I will give you my FAVORITE green alien flashlight." He grinned, and Roxie pondered the choices.
"Well, you're going to lose anyways, so sure," she said. And the war began. Snow flew in every direction. Miles was behind one bank of snow, and Roxie another. The pelting continued without a clear winner until Miles suddenly attacked Roxie's 'fort.' He showered snowballs on her without mercy, and finally jumped on her, pinning her arms and forcing her, between giggles, to surrender.
"No," she protested, as Miles' grin became wider. "I don't believe in aliens." Suddenly his face became very grave and serious.
"I wouldn't go back on your word if I were you," he warned. Roxie tried to look in his eyes for a sign that he was joking, but there was nothing, he simply shook his head.
"Why not?" she asked, wondering why the sudden seriousness.
"Because you might get TICKLED!" He broke into laughter and tickled his captive unmercifully.
"I give! I give!" Roxie shrieked between laughs. "That was a dirty rotten trick, Miles Goodman." He gave a guilty smile and shrugged.
"Hey, whatever works." Then he looked at her intently, tracing her cheek with a gloved finger. "Now say it."
"I believe in aliens," Roxie sighed.
"I've been waiting a long time for you to say that," Miles winked at her. And they kissed, sitting in the snow.
"Snow Angels!" Roxie suddenly announced, and broke away to make an imprint on the snow. Miles watched her, constantly amazed at the hidden personality of this girl who had shown only bitterness and cynicism up until recently.
After the snow angel had been properly made, the two headed inside the house to warm up. Miles grabbed hot chocolate from the cupboards in the kitchen and boiled water. Roxie made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, since they were both hungry from expending so much energy. Then they both curled up on the couch and ate their sandwiches and drank hot chocolate, basking in the fact that they had each other. Nothing could possibly interrupt the moment.