Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Winter nights draw in early, and when the clock struck seven, rows of street lamps on both sides of the road lit up, casting a warm glow on the chilly evening.

The stretch from the subway station to Kingswell University had a bustling market where vendors sold anything.

Crossing the bridge, Roseanne heard the distant shout of a vendor selling hot dogs. She blinked away the sting from the cold wind and turned to Owen, "Wait here for me, will you?" Owen stood still, and she was back in two minutes, cradling two hot dogs in her hands. "Here."

The hot dogs were a comforting warmth, though biting into them was almost too hot. Roseanne gently blew on hers, took a careful bite, and smiled brightly.

Turning to Owen, she asked, "Is yours good?"

He nodded, admitting it was the best hot dog he'd ever had.

Roseanne couldn't hide her pride. "See, I always pick the good ones."

Owen's smile, infectious from hers, played at the corners of his mouth, a soft laughter lighting up his eyes.

They reached home by seven.

heating wrapped them in warmth. Roseanne took

for her studies. After knocking on his door, she handed Owen the book. "This is the Genish original you lent me last week. I forgot to return

faint scent of mint filled the air between them,

notes and a quirky doodle she had used as

smile deepened at

off the bookmark.

the subject, she

exams 'd like to invite you to dinner to

her sincerity, Owen didn't refuse but suggested, "Why not

Roseanne laughed. "How about

ket

shopping, and

Owen agreed, "Sounds good."

rain held off, and a few rays of

after her

six, there was a