Darius was sitting in a cafe in the shopping mall, waiting for Yasmine, he didn't know why he was nervous, it wasn't like it was a date.
Finally Yasmina appeared, the sleeves of her winter jacket wrapped around her waist, she was wearing a black T-shirt, as far as he could tell he saw no new bruises.
They said hello and Yasmina ordered a piece of cake.
She couldn't help noticing that Darius was trying to spot the new bruises.
- My mom stopped drinking yesterday... She said... And she apologized to me.
- She drinks often?
- Occasionally. But I guess you didn't invite me here to talk about my mom. If so, I'm starting to think you like women much older than you.
- No... Darius said, chuckling... He just doesn't want you to get hurt.
- I'm not hurt... She replied... She never seriously beat me. It hits once or twice and she give up.
Then the conversation turned to other topics. They both learned a few things about each other.
- Aren't you a little old for dinosaurs? she asked.
- Maybe... He started... But it's just interest. I don't plan to focus my whole life on them.
- What are you planning to do? He threw up his arms
- You're guessing you plan to race all your life. he replied.
- Maybe not ... She started... As long as age and fitness would allow it.
Darius nodded and stood up.
- Want to walk? I'm sick of sitting, my legs are numb.
She nodded.
They left the gallery, walked towards the park, walked along the snow-covered paths of the park, climbed the bridge over the frozen river, leaned against the balustrade, admiring the winter landscape.
- Beautiful... Yasmina whispered, Darius just nodded.
Darius was admiring the landscape, as he was pelted with snow, he turned to see Yasmine giggling, slowly took a handful of snow in his hand, and formed a ball.
- No...
- Once... Darius started counting
- You not...
- Two...
- How old are you?
- You started it yourself... Three!
Yasmina turned and started to run, normally she would have been able to run without a problem, but the snow and ice forced her to move carefully, and Darius wasn't a bad runner either.
She ran through the snow, laughing as the snowball missed her by millimeters, dove behind a tree, and started throwing snow herself.
Darius, expecting this, jumped to the side and rolled behind the bench.
The snowball fight has begun.
Darius threw Snowball just as Yasmina leaned out, squeaked and ducked, leaned the other side and threw the snowball, the snowball crashing into the wood of the bench, showering him with shards.
Darius retaliated by sending two snowballs at once, Yasmina jumped out of the way of one bullet but the other caught her hip, she spun around and Darius took the moment to grab the snowball in his hand and start charging at her,
Yasmina started throwing snowballs but Darius had quick reflexes and dodged them, he jumped on her, grabbed her arm as she tried to run and wiped the snow off her face, she slipped and fell, dragging Darius with her.
Laughing, they lay in the snow, but fell silent when they saw where they were lying.
Darius' hands rested comfortably on her shoulders, her hands on his shoulders, and her leg wrapped around his.
They looked into each other's eyes and couldn't look away. They leaned in, their lips only a few centimeters apart, their eyes closed... Darius's phone rang.
Breaking out of their trance, they jumped away from each other, blushing, Darius rejected the call, after a moment they looked at each other.
- It was funny? Yasmina said.
- Yes? He answered uncertainly.
- I guess I'll be back. Yasmina said, standing up and brushing herself off.
- Walk you home? He asked, also brushing himself off.
- There's no need. she replied.
They said goodbye, Darius watched her walk away, wagging her hips. She knew how to use her strengths.
He looked at his phone, his mom called, hoping it was something important.
- Yes? He asked when she picked up.
- Can you buy milk when you come back? his mother asked.
He groaned.