Edges of Ice

Sunday Morning – 10:00 AM

Alvin stood outside the Whitmore residence, suddenly unsure if he should press the bell or just run. He'd worn a button-up this time

no Star Wars t-shirt but his nerves still hadn't caught up.

The Whitmores' home was pristine. White walls, polished glass, quiet wealth. The kind of place that made him feel like his shoes were too loud.

He rang.

The door opened to reveal Vanessa—not in her usual picture-perfect school uniform, but in soft gray leggings and an oversized sweatshirt that said NO PLANET B. Her hair was tied in a loose braid, and she looked… calm. Less queen, more girl.

"You're late," she said.

"It's 10:00 on the dot."

"I'm very punctual," she replied, stepping aside. "Come in."

Inside the Whitmore Home

Vanessa's mother greeted him with practiced warmth.

"So this is Alvin. We've heard a lot—"

"Mom," Vanessa warned.

Her mother smiled thinly and disappeared into another room. Vanessa led Alvin through a hallway lined with cold-toned family portraits. None of them had smiles.

The study was sleek and spotless. A minimalist desk, high-backed chairs, a laptop already open, and on the windowsill—a single potted cactus.

Alvin gestured. "Didn't peg you as the succulent type."

Vanessa smirked. "Low maintenance. Survives in harsh conditions. Seemed appropriate."

---

Work Begins

They reviewed their research categories. Alvin handled species adaptations and food chains; Vanessa mapped temperature shifts and human impact data.

Alvin (tentatively, holding up a smooth pebble): "Did you know penguins collect round pebbles for their life partner? Maybe I'll help one out when we're there."

Vanessa (arching an eyebrow, smirking): "Sure. Maybe people in charge will help you out in that department too."

Alvin makes a dumb face, pretending to be offended. "Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Vanessa (dryly, but there's a tiny smile): "Don't mention it."

"I looked over your notes," she said after an hour. "They're surprisingly... clear."

"Surprisingly?" he raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you'd be sloppier."

"I contain multitudes."

Vanessa laughed—really laughed—for the first time that morning. But the moment cooled quickly.

11:30 AM – Cracks Show

"So why are you really doing this?" Alvin asked, eyes still on the screen. "Not just for the résumé."

Silence.

Vanessa kept typing, but slower now. "It's complicated."

"Try me."

She hesitated, then said, "My dad wants me to be someone I'm not. The girl with medals, interviews, college interviews lined up like chess pieces." She shook her head. "But this trip? It's mine. Not his."

Alvin turned toward her. "You don't seem like the kind of person who lets people push her around."

"You don't know me," she said, but her voice was softer than usual.

"Maybe not," he replied, "but I notice things."

Vanessa didn't look at him, just stared out the window for a long moment. "I noticed your bonsai."

Alvin blinked. "What?"

"Three years? That's impressive. My bonsai died in two weeks. It was a gift from my late grandpa — he always used to care about bonsai and me," Vanessa said, looking down.

"Hmm, I can give you tips for bonsai, if you like."

"Thanks," Vanessa said with a little smile.

Something passed between them. A tiny bridge of honesty, carefully built.

Midday – 12:20 PM

As they worked, their hands brushed—twice. Vanessa pretended not to notice the second time. Alvin definitely noticed both. Neither said anything.

Her phone buzzed on the table. Alvin glanced instinctively.

: Mission status? Still on?

She snatched it up too quickly, locking the screen.

"What was that?" he asked, quietly.

"Nothing."

"You sure?"

She looked at him sharply, but not angrily. Almost... afraid. "You think I planned all this, don't you?"

"What do you mean?"

She stared at him for a bit. Then: "Nothing important."

But the word didn't sound confident. Just careful.

Before Leaving – 1:15 PM

They wrapped up the outline. Vanessa stretched, stood, and led him back to the front door. As he stepped out, she paused.

"About earlier," she said, "You're more serious than you act."

Alvin smiled. "You're less serious than you act."

"Touché."

She hesitated. "Tomorrow at school, things might… shift. Don't take it personally."

He frowned. "That's cryptic."

She didn't reply. Just closed the door behind him.

Scene Shift: Vanessa's Room – Late Night

Vanessa lay on her bed, laptop glowing softly beside her. The reminder on her screen blinked:

MISSION: Make Alvin fall for you. Break his heart.

She stared at it. Then hit backspace. Slowly, she typed:

MISSION: Stop pretending you don't care.

She saved it. Slammed the laptop shut.

And whispered, "Stupid bonsai."