Blue - Winrina

ten

"Do you think Irene will be there today?" Winter asked, hurrying to catch up with Karina as they made their way towards the front of the school building. It was now the first week of February, and things have been running pretty smoothly for them.

With the exception of Winter and Irene's growing friendship.

"She's always there," Karina shrugged. She couldn't help but be jealous. Karina was well aware that she couldn't have Winter all to herself. But she was also scared that Winter could easily replace her.

"Oh," Winter giggled, finding Karina's hand and kicking a pebble as they walked. "I like her. She is funny."

"I know. You told me already," Karina mumbled, pushing through the large doors of the building. Winter grew confused at her abrupt change in mood, but quickly scrambled to follow her into the classroom.

"Hey, Winter!" One of the boys waved to her. Winter smiled and padded over to him, bumping her fist and making an exploding noise. In the classes she had been present in, she'd somehow managed to make friends with almost every student in the room. Karina watched bitterly for a few moments.

In some ways, the brown eyed girl was proud that Winter was branching out. And granted, she should be happy that Winter was making progress. But with her progress came Karina's worry. She wished it was easier for her to protect Winter. But now, the smaller girl needed her freedom.

Winter greeted a group of students before quickly scanning the room and hurrying back to Karina's side.

"What are you painting?" Winter asked, pulling a stool up next to Karina. The brown eyed girl was staring absentmindedly at a blank canvas.

"I don't know yet," Karina shrugged, looking down at the palette of paints in her hand. "What should I paint?"

"Hmm," Winter leaned forward and rested her chin on Karina's shoulder so she could study the canvas up close. "Paint a tiger."

"A tiger?" Karina raised an eyebrow. "I don't know how..."

"You can do it," Winter smiled and kissed Karina's cheek. Karina sighed and shook her head.

"Only for you," she whispered softly, knowing she couldn't resist the smaller girl. Winter clasped her hands together and smiled widely.

"I love you," she hummed, leaning in and kissing Karina's cheek before disappearing across the room. Karina bit her lip, looking at her paints and then up at the canvas.

Meanwhile, Winter smiled happily as she made her way over to Irene's table. The girl seemed focused on something, so Winter quietly pulled up a stool next to her. She watched for a minute or two, tugging at the signature beanie on her head.

"Win, look," Seulgi took a large lump of clay, holding it above her head and letting it fall down onto the table. It landed with a plop, flattening out slightly. Winter jumped, but laughed once she realized it wasn't harmful.

"Wanna try?" Seulgi tore off a small chunk of clay. Winter nodded as she rolled the material across the table, but Irene reached out to stop her before Winter could get her hands on it.

"Let's not make a huge mess. You already make enough for all of us," she laughed, setting down her paintbrush and motioning to excess clay covering her clothing. Winter furrowed her eyebrows.

"But I want to try," she said quietly, pointing to the clay and then looking at Irene hopefully. The other girl thought for a moment before standing up, signalling Winter to wait before disappearing in the back of the room.

"I do not understand," Winter turned back to Seulgi, who chuckled to herself.

"Neither do I," she laughed, rolling the clay between her hands and shaping it with some sort of wooden tool. "She's crazy."