The snow crunched beneath your feet as you trudged through the frosty morning air. Your breath fogged up the air around you, leaving little clouds in your wake. The cold nipped at your nose, making it feel like a million needles were stabbing their way through your flesh. You shoved your hands deep into your pockets, hunching your shoulders against the biting wind.

You were just about to turn the corner, your school just a few more steps away, when you felt a tickle in your throat. You sneezed, loud and long, and as you did, you heard a voice call out your name from somewhere behind you. You turned around to see Dylan, his cheeks flushed from the cold, his breath coming out in white puffs. He looked concerned, his eyes darting back and forth between you and the distance you still had to cover.

"You okay?"

he asked, his voice gruff from the cold. You nodded, wiping your runny nose on your sleeve.

"Here,"

he said, holding out a crumpled scarf,

"take this. It's not much, but it's better than nothing."

You hesitated for a moment, surprised by his kindness. Dylan shrugged,

"My mom made me take it. She says I look like an idiot without it."

You couldn't help but laugh as you took the scarf from him. It was warm against your skin, and even though it was a little threadbare in places, it felt like a small miracle.