She held herself tightly as she tried to find warmth in her bed. She was arguing to herself whether she would dare reach her hand out from its spot to pull the covers over her. It was cold outside and inside, and she looked out her window to see icicles hanging from the top.
"Howl!" She heard her mother calling from across the trailer.
Howl never thought her name was horrible, she found it unique and funny actually. Whenever she was in primary school, the teacher would call out the role and she would respond with a loud howl. Everyone would laugh, except for some of the teachers. She was glad that was her name, it was different. Fun.
Howl promised herself she would move out from her spot on three. She started to whisper to herself, "1, 2... 3!" Her body moved less than an inch. She sighed deeply. Just move, she told herself. Without thinking much, she swiftly rose from her spot and goosebumps formed all over her body from the cold air around her. Howl's triumph was short lived though. She had to moved around her room, finding the right clothes to wear.
As she was walking to the living room, she wrestled her long-sleeved shirt over her head. Her head peeked over from the shirt's opening and she saw her mom sitting next to the tree.
"Merry Christmas dear," her mother said.
"You too Pie," Howl smiled, calling her mother by her nickname. Her actual name was Pieta, but ever since Howl was a little toddler, she fancied saying Pie over Mom. It stuck with her, and Pieta loved it.
Howl looked down below the tree, seeing only one medium-sized box wrapped up in the cutest way. It was obvious that her family was never rich, but Howl wouldn't complain at anything. She was happy the way it was.
"Go ahead and open it."
"Awe Pie, you must have put it there this morning," Pieta nodded as Howl walked closer to the tree and reached for the box. She grabbed it with both hands and shook it gently. Nothing echoed inside. She gave an awkward look at her mom before tearing the covering off. After her struggle, she opened the box and saw a dress. Howl gasped in shock, it was beautiful, she thought. It was a very simple dress, coming down right to the knees, and there was an owl image on it near the bottom.
Pieta saw the expression on Howl's face, and smiled along with her, "Try it on, I want to see it!" Before leaving, Howl rushed over to her mother and hugged her. She grasped her brunnette hair and then let go and looked at her in her hazel eyes. "Thanks so much, I love it!"
Although Howl was nearly ending her high school career, she ran off into her room like a child. Her mother thought no matter how grown up Howl is getting, she'll always be her little girl.
Waiting eagerly, Pieta watched Howl's closed bedroom door. It finally opened and Howl came out wearing the dress and holding a stereo. Her brunette hair like her mom flowed a little past her shoulders. Her blue eyes were one of the only colors that stood out on her outfit. Her dress flowed elegantly as she spun around in a circle towards Pieta. Before her mom could say anything, Howl ran to her, put the old stereo down and pressed play. She dimmed the lights as well, making the Christmas tree lights shine brightly. Walking back to her mom, she held her hand out, gesturing for them to dance. Pieta put her hand gently in hers and stood up, smiling all the while.
The time flew by and Howl and Pie never stopped dancing. Whenever they were spinning, they lights around them blurred, and they felt like they were at New York City. Whenever they twirled each other around, they closed their eyes and smiled. No words were spoken. But their emotions were strong. To them, this was the best of life.
The stereo, which was on repeat, kept playing as they sat down once again, breathing heavily in and out. Howl loved moments like these.
"Thank you Pie, for everything, I'm glad you're here with me. Paw would've been so happy," Howl said calmly. She looked over at Pieta and saw that she let herself fall on the floor, her eyes closed with a smile on her face. Howl thought Pieta must have been tired after their dance. "I have a present for you too ya know." Howl pushed herself off the floor and rushed to her room once again, grabbing a box that was dug deep into her messy drawer.
Howl walked back to the living room and looked at Pieta. She was lying there so peacefully. "Here Pie, open it," she handed it towards Pieta. She never reacted though.
"Ha Pie, I didn't bore you that much with the dancin', did I?" Howl asked, waiting for a reply. "Get up, Pie," Howl tapped her on her shoulder. Over and over again. But there was no response. "Mom!"
Howl leaned down to her mom and checked her heartbeat. Immediately afterwards, she picked her up in a frenzy and half dragged her to her car. She couldn't lose another parent. She couldn't be alone.
"Pie, don't leave me. I love you."
Tears rolled down one after the other as Howl drove to the nearest hospital, but she knew in her heart that it was too late.
