Chapter Text
Nockfell, November 1997
You elevate the balms of your feet to the snow outside the bus exit, it’s practically glimmering. The trees were tall and covered in layer after layer of snow, the rocks were just about the same, and the mountains were all covered in sheets of white. The only thing you’ve ever wanted since you were a kid was to live somewhere where it snowed. You just can’t believe you actually found the means.
Nockfell wasn’t exactly your first choice (you can’t imagine that it would be anyone’s) but you’ve heard about its dissolute reputation, lowering the cost of living. You had friends living in Nockfell telling you all about the occult and paranormal business, it was wicked. Long story short, there’d be ice caps in hell before you would even consider moving there by yourself.
New Jersey, June 1986
Roughly dating back 11 years ago was the first encounter you ever had with Sal Fisher. It was elementary school and you were 9 years old in fourth grade. A tale as old as time, fates strung together, and souls intertwined… by none other than the buddy system. You were sat on a colorful rug patiently waiting with dread in your stomach as your teacher had explained that each student would be buddied with someone from the grade above. Each student was given a number that corresponded to a student in the fifth grade. Slowly the entrance door to your fourth grade classroom opened with the fifth grade teacher peering behind it, "Hello, everyone please be ready with your numbers and no running or rushing!" She spoke kindly and cautiously.
You were very anxious of older kids as you were youngest of 5 and knew very well first hand that they weren't very nice or gentle. Shivering in your seat, your head was rushing with everything that could go wrong. You were sucked into your head when a boy with blue hair and a pink mask approached you slowly, you noticed the paper with a number seven written on it in his hand, then saw you were holding a seven in your own hand as well. He could tell you were very uneasy and spoke while twiddling his paper, "Hello...? I think we're partners... Are you okay?"
You looked up at the mask that had appeared to be speaking to you, and nodded. He sat down in front of you and placed a rubik's cube to his side, "I’m Sally Face, what's your name?" Sally spoke with a softness in his voice. He hadn't exactly matched the mental description you were expecting but you were still on guard.
Glancing at the floor, you lock eyes with the rubik's cube instead of making eye contact. You spoke up, "What's your real name..." There was a small sound of amusement behind his mask. The only thing that had been running through your head was wondering when he would break character and show his true colors.
Sally reached for the six sided cube at his right, "Sal. This is my favorite thing right now, it's a rubik's cube. You try to get all the colors on every side, it's really fun. Wanna see me solve it?" His hand was slightly stretched out to you so you could see the cube up close. You looked into his eyes when he spoke and could see the smile through his eyes. He was nice... and gentle... You nod in response to his previous question. Sal gets up and sits directly next to you so you can get a better view. He starts twisting and turning. A boy had never been so nice or close to you. You could feel the blood rush to your face as you watched him swivel patterns around the multi-colored cube.
"My name is y/n.." It was hard to lift your head to face him. Sal had paused his progress in solving the cube and you could feel him looking over at you. You decided to make eye contact.
"Nice to meet you y/n" Sal was practically glowing in your vision. Not many people treated you even with bare minimum decency, you couldn't help but feel strange. Part of you was expecting a group of boys to jump out laughing at him for being so nice to you. But there was no group of boys. Sal's intentions were pure and genuine.
After that day, Sal, little by little earned your trust and soon enough you two would be hanging out every chance you got and when you weren’t hanging out it was common to find you chatting up the landline. The two of you were something of an inseparable pair, always talking about sci-fi scenarios, video games, and tv and movies mostly. He showed you his favorite things and you showed him yours, the both of you meshed so well with one another, it must have been fate to meet someone who complimented you so well.
New Jersey, June 1987
You and Sal had experienced the full changing of seasons together and created core memories that would make your heart ache fondly whenever you looked back on them. Unfortunately the cliche gods were looking down on you and now it was time to move away. Your heart sank with every minute that passed. You and Sal spent the last of your time together crying and then trying not to cry so your family wouldn’t get mad. You made Sal promise to keep in touch or you would beat him up. The last box was lifted into the moving van and you made your way to the car. You’d never see Jersey again.
1987-1997
Sal kept his promise and you both called each other and when you couldn’t you sent letters and other various forms of mail. You guys still grew up together as best you could while being apart and for the most part it was functional. Yes you still missed each other feeling only half complete but you both knew that it was just a temporary fix until you were adults. Along the way Sal moved to Nockfell and his friends became your friends.
After high school you worked for 3 years before you were confident enough to leave your hometown behind. On your 20th birthday you packed your shit without a word and booked it on the next bus headed east. Looking out the window to the night desert you felt your eyes sting and warm tears run. Thank God.