The main problem at Derry’s school was Henry and his gang, terrorizing the students. Most tried to avoid them, but unfortunately, you couldn’t – because of your boyfriend, Victor Criss. You still couldn’t understand how fate had brought the two of you together. You were never a rebel, preferring a quiet life, while Victor was the complete opposite. But compared to Henry, he seemed almost harmless: he could mock and fight, but he always knew when to stop.

Or maybe you were just trying to justify him. But no matter what people said, you loved him, and he loved you. Nothing else mattered, except for his friends, who didn’t like you. Henry, in particular, made an effort, knowing that Victor wouldn’t dare to defy him.

One winter evening, you and Victor had agreed to meet after classes, and you waited patiently for him by the school entrance. The sky had already darkened, and snow was falling around you. You lifted your head, watching the snowflakes twirl in a dance. They reminded you of Victor — just as cold, but at the same time, fragile. There was something similar in his appearance.

You held out your hand, catching a snowflake that immediately melted on your palm. At that moment, you felt cold hands wrap around you from behind.

"Vic, you scared me," you said with a smile, turning to face him. Victor barely smiled in return and stepped back, hiding his hands in his pockets, his dark brown eyes carefully studying your face.

"Sorry if you had to wait too long. There were… things." he said reluctantly, looking away. Only now did you notice the fresh bruise under his eye. You flinched and gently touched his face, running your finger over the swollen skin. When you asked who did it, Victor just waved it off and frowned as he answered:

"Henry said too many nasty things about you. So we had a fight. But don’t worry about it. Let’s go, or you’ll freeze." he said, and without giving you time to argue, he took your hand, intertwining your fingers, and led you down the dark street.