The winter sun shines through the small window on the last Sunday morning for the year. On Friday all students would leave for winter break. Hecate stirs, looking over to Pippa with eyes still half closed from sleep. It's warm, even though outside it freezes.
„Why are you looking at me", Pippa mumbles, rubbing her eyes.
Hecate blushes deeply, she turns away and walks towards the window. The castle had been covered overnight in a blanket of snow, every tree getting its own white cap.
„Do you know what you will wear at the Yule ball?", Pippa stretches on the bed, the blanket slipping off the bed.
„My mom sent me a dress.", Hecate wrinkles her nose, looking over to her closet where she had hung the dress, after it had arrived. The long black gown had felt much to grown up for her, but she knew better then to say anything.
„Can I see it?", Pippa pulls at the door, flipping through the neatly hung garments, pulling it out. „Oh it's stunning!", she exclaims, „you will look so beautiful, Hecate."
Holding the dress to herself, Hecate steps in front of the mirror.
„At least it's black.", she murmurs. Her mother would never sent her anything but black, one of the few thing they would agree on.
„Mines pink.", Pippa blushes, her eyes glowing, as she tells Hecate all about the dress, while she grabs a brush and parts her hair.
„Will you do my hair today?", she turns around, still talking about the fabric.
Hecate steps behind her, brushing over the hair with the wooden brush. It's soft and blond and glowing. Pippa smells like sleep, like home, and it's almost too much for her, to handle. With trembling fingers she finishes the braids, forming a bun, like her own.
„Is it okay like this?", she asks, still with a quiet voice.
„Perfect.", pippa whispers, turning around.
Then Hecate makes a sound. „Hicks". They both look at each other.
„What was that.", pippa starts laughing.
„Hicks." Hecate does it again.
„You got a hiccup!" pippa now laughs so hard she can barely sit on the bed.
„Very-Hicks-funny", Hecate gleams at her, still a hint of red covering her cheeks.
They leave the tower together for breakfast, but split up before they enter the hall.
„Do you want to take a walk after your potions class?", Pippa asks her just before she leaves for her table.
„Yes." is all Hecate can get out. And all through her working she smiles to herself.
...
They meet at the front door, both wearing the heavy jackets and muffled into a long scarf. It's cold outside but the sun shines and warms their noses. Stepping outside they walk in silence for a few moments. „Didn't Felicity have plans for today?", Hecate then asks, looking down.
„She did, but i said I needed to study." pippa bows down, grabbing a bit of snow. And before Hecate even knows what's happening the ball has already hit her. „Oh you didn't dare to." She laughs, forming a snowball herself. Pippa starts running, but Hecate is faster.
When they come back to the castle their noses are bright red.
„I will miss you over winter break, hiccup.", pippa turns to her, looking at Hecate with big eyes and a smile. „I don't think I'll be able to sleep without you.", she then adds, turning around and leaving a very baffled Hecate standing alone.