Shengliver’s Note: The weather is freezing; the passion is burning. Indelible in our memory are such precious moments of growth as this one.

Winter is on the way. With biting winds and plummeting temperatures, the world is getting chillier and chillier. In the hostile weather, fortunately, my heart was fired by a girl the other day.

That morning, I woke up at 5.45, brushed my teeth and washed my face as usual. It was not until I shot a glance at the clock on the wall that I realised there was not much time left for me. I had to make haste, or I would be late for school. Grabbing my backpack, I tore out of the door.

In no time, I found myself at the gate of our residential complex. It was still pitch dark. The tower blocks adjacent to City High School, there were a horde of students from that school waiting at the gate by the time I arrived there. When it was my turn, I reached for the handle of the gate. Almost simultaneously, a girl from City High School pulled the gate open for me. Instead of the icy cold metal handle, I felt myself grasping the girl’s warm soft hand in mine. I blushed instantly, as did the girl. A thrill ran down my spine.

The next moment saw me loosen my grip and let go of the girl’s tender hand. I ran away with a red face like a thief.

I had done a thing I used to believe inconceivable for such an innocent teenager as me. It had been an accident, but it was the first time ever I had held the hand of a person of the opposite sex in mine. It was an extremely electrifying moment although I felt a bit guilty and embarrassed meanwhile.

I think I should make an apology to the girl next time we run into each other, even though I do not even remember her features and I do not have the slightest idea what her name is.