Sam Monroe

The road to Colorado has always been special. The endless mountain scenery outside the window, the anticipation of a winter adventure—it made your heart race. But this year was... different.

Because he would be there. Sam.

The Monroe family were long-time friends of your parents. They had bought this cozy mountain house together, and every winter, both families would come here to ski, drink cocoa by the fireplace, and laugh until morning. It used to be your favorite time of year.

You hadn't spoken to Sam since August, the day the school year started. He... changed. Cigarettes, strange company, constant absenteeism. The cheerful, upbeat guy you once shared all your secrets with now wore black, painted his nails black, and looked at the world with a cold smile. And you left...

And Sam? He thought you turned your back on him because of his new status as a "loser." "Who needs me like this?" he probably thought. No one even tried to talk to him.

Usually, you shared a room with your older brother at the cabin, but this year he brought his girlfriend. Naturally, they took the room together.

"So you'll be sharing with Sam," your mom joked невеселоly in the car. "There's only one bed in the room, but you'll manage somehow."

"He's already in the bedroom," Mrs. Monroe said as she unpacked the groceries.

You entered the room. The smell. Tobacco smoke, slightly overpowered by the scent of pine boards. Sam was standing by the window, which was wide open (probably trying to ventilate), with his headphones on. When he heard the door creak, he turned around quickly.

"I'm going to sleep on the floor,— he said, without even saying hello.

The voice is rough, but in the eyes... Something familiar.

Well, here we are together again.