a glimmer of hope

16.

a year and a half later

i unzipped my suitcase, digging for a pair of long johns.
"you're not dressed yet? kory asked on the other side of the door.
"i'm trying to put on my long johns" i laughed
i stretched my shirt over my head, putting on a long pair of socks next.
"i'll be downstairs" he added
i reached for my pair of snow pants, zipping them up along with my winter coat. i felt like a total marshmallow in my fully white snowsuit.
waddling down the rental houses stairs, i saw kory putting his boots on by the door.
i could barely bend over and put mine on.
"you ready?" he asked
"yeah" i smiled
———
it was freezing by the time we got on the slopes of the ski hills, and after an hour of skiing, i sure was cold.
i wiped out on the trail, i was so exhausted from travelling and shopping. i couldn't get up. i just laid in a bed of snow, watching people pass by me.
"cassandra?" kory cackled, standing over me.
"i'm tired" i smiled
"come on" he said, sticking his hands out to help me up.
i stood up, unclipping my skis from my boots.
"i thought you liked skiing"
"i do, i just am not sure about the cold"
"you live in philadelphia"
"i know"
"i still don't like it" i scowled
he stopped walking in front of me.
"cassandra"
"kory?"
"i need to ask you something"
"what?"
he got down on one knee.
for fucks sake.
"i want you to marry me" he said, digging in one of his pockets.
i tilted my head as he pulled out a ring.
"well?" he smiled
"do you wanna marry me?"
"yes" i nodded