WINTER

"She isn't here." I said to Gi as we sat down at the table near the window of the coffee shop we always go to. I scanned the shop one more time just to make sure but she was indeed nowhere to be found.

"Maybe it's her day off or maybe she's sick." Giselle said as she sat down across from me.

"What's her name again? I never got to read her nametag since you're the one who's always ordering our drinks at the counter." She asked as she opened her laptop and started typing.

"Karina." I answered Giselle. Her name just rolls easily on my tongue like I've said it a million times before.

"That's an unusual name, well not as unusual as yours though." Giselle said as she sipped through her coffee with a smile playing on her lips.

"I didn't choose my name okay? Was it my fault that my mom's favorite season happened to be winter?" I told Giselle because she have always teased me about it. It's an unusual name indeed. I mean summer is an acceptable name but winter? I've grown to like it though. It's has become my brand as the years went by. Giselle said it fits me because of my fair skin that's as white as snow.

"By the way Gi, have you finished your report? You're gonna need that later for your presentation." I asked her because she's been stressed out lately by her work at the firm and she's been working on her report for the last few days.

"Almost done Winter, why did I even work there? I shouldn't have studied law in the first place." Giselle said while stretching her arms so that they won't go numb.

"Well at least you won't have to think about what to do everyday because they give you a case to work on. Come to think of it, you're lucky you don't suffer from a block that often. While me, I'm still stuck on that painting for months now." I said while drawing circles on the table using my fingers.

"Winter you don't need the money, trust me. You can have your painters' block for years and you wouldn't hav