It was nightfall by the time we left Ronald’s party. The air was freezing as expected of such mid-December night. I pulled my coat closer, placing both hands on my pockets. I paused for a moment then sighed; a thin layer of vapor escaped from my mouth.

“I wish I hadn’t forgotten my gloves back at home,” I complained to no one in particular. Francesca smirked.

“If you stop being careless I might begin to worrym” she said playfully.

I feigned annoyance while I gently nudged her. Franny did the same. We trudged through the snow until we reached a crossing. The traffic light flickering in neon green.

“I wish tonight would never come to an end,” I confessed, tone hush and melancholic.

My gaze remained fixed on the passing cars. I couldn't find it in me to face her. She reached for my right arm. Even through the thick layers of clothing, her frigid touch disturbed me.

“I had fun tonight. I really did." She was using her grownup tone now. "But I have to go now. There’s no helping it. And you know that.” When she did it always meant she wanted to be taken seriously. I relented as per usual, albeit with relunctance in my heart.

“Goodbye now, big brother. Take care of yourself, okay? Until next year.”

It was hard for me to tell if she was alright with how things were, or, if she was pretending to be for my sake.

I remained still; words escaped my train of thought. The moment Franny kissed my cheek, the indifferent traffic light turned red. All vehicles stopped, allowing people to cross the street. In the midst of this crowd was I, all alone on a freezing winter night, body warmed by alcohol residue. Hallucinating what remains of Francesca, my younger sister. Indulging in imaginary sceneries in which she lives still.