41
Now, after several weeks and four more feet of snow, we were officially on winter break so Knox and I had a lot more free time to spend together.
I didn't know if Knox's parents minded how often their son left their house to hang out at mine, but they must not put up much of a fight considering how he showed up every day without fail.
Sean and Liam crossed my mind several times, leaving me wondering if Knox missed hanging out with them as much since he's been spending all of his free time with me.
It almost made me feel guilty for stealing him away, but not guilty enough that I was willing to bring it up with the risk that Knox might actually listen.
Selfishly, I didn't want to share Knox with anyone.
As much as I sometimes enjoyed being around Liam and Sean and they had been his friends for far longer than me, Knox had quickly become my favorite person to be around and I'd grown too accustomed to having him all to myself.
"Knox," I called in a mumble, my legs thrown over his thighs as we lazed on the couch with family feud playing in the background.
He made a noise of acknowledgment but didn't glance up from his phone.
"I'm bored," I all but whined.
After being stuck in the house for days on end, I was starting to feel a little stir crazy. I had thought staying at home everyday would appease me more, it was what I had wanted after all, but that feeling was quickly fading.
Knox dropped his phone before stretching his arms over his head dramatically. I guess we have been sitting on the couch for a while today already.
"Alright, grab some good snow pants," he directed before standing up, effectively dropping my legs from their comfortable position. I thinned my lips, turning to sit up as I looked up at him.
"Why?" I asked, stretching the word.
Knox shrugged, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
"Knox," I dragged suspiciously, "it's still snowing right now, why would we be going outside?"
Know smiled innocently, or at least attempted to look the part, "Because you said you're bored."
"That doesn't mean we have to go outside in this weather," I protested, my hands waving incredulously.
Knox rolled his eyes playfully, ignoring my protests. "I thought you said you like the snow?"
I glared at him under my lashes before standing up from the couch, the very warm and inviting couch that I definitely didn't want to leave. Or maybe I really did, I guess I could have stayed if I wanted to.
But Knox was right, I was bored and if he had an idea, no matter how cold that idea seemed to be, I would participate.
I shot him one last glare, Knox's chuckle following me as I stomped off to my room in search of winter clothes that would hopefully adequately protect me.
By the time I emerged again, I felt like the Pillsbury doughboy with all of my layers. Knox's eyebrows raised and I could physically see the laugh he held back at the sight of me.
I shoved his arm, glowering at him. I couldn't actually be upset with him, though, I knew how ridiculous I looked and even I had a little giggle when I was putting it all on.
Knox held a shovel, using it to push back the snow that had piled against the back door. He worked on a small path that backed just far enough from the house that we wouldn't have to worry about tracking heaps of snow back in with us.
Finally dropping the shovel, he turned and looked at me.
I quirked my head, brushing my hair out of my face as a gust of wind blew snow into my eyes.
Just as I was reopening my eyes, ready to ask what exactly Knox wanted to do, a big glop of snow hit me right in the stomach. I shrieked, trying to duck out of the way too late as another snowball pelted my back.
"Knox," I shouted, appalled and taken aback.
Knox just laughed, preparing another ball of snow in his hands as I clambered through the snow in attempt to get away from him.
"Annie, baby, you have to try to hit me back," he laughed, throwing another snowball.
I narrowly dodged out of the way, falling to my hands and knees as I kept sinking down into the fresh powder.
"This isn't fair," I bemoaned, struggling to stuff snow together in my hands. "I've never made a snowball before."
It was true. Despite having lived in several places where it snowed every year, I'd never had the proper snow clothes or even the amount of clothes to be able to risk ruining them in this type of weather.
Not that I would have had anyone to do this with anyways.
Knox sighed, holding his hands up in surrender as he approached where I was kneeling in the snow.
The wind had picked up, blowing the fresh powder in the air all around us for as far as I could see.
Knox sunk down next to me, his knees sinking even further than my own. He opened his mouth but before he could get a word in, I chucked the makeshift snowball I had hidden behind my back right at his chest.
Knox all but gasped, his eyes shining with the shock of my betrayal.
"You liar," he pointed before clutching his chest as I giggled mercilessly.
I didn't regret my payback for a second, not even when he launched toward me and tackled me further into the cold snow.
"Knox," I screeched through my laugh.
The cold of the snow seeped through my puffy jacket and sent shivers down my spine.
Knox glared down at me playfully, a ghost of smile tugging at his lips despite the narrowing of his eyes.
Pushing him away, we both sat back up and his gloved hands shot out to help wipe off some of the snow coating my back.
I brushed my hair out of my face once more before turning to Knox with a sigh, "can we build a snowman now? I've never done that before."
"Of course, baby."