Hello! My name is Mason.
•I am a boy who was born and raised in the rural Midwest of the United States. My parents passed away when I was five years old. My grandparents on my father's side were gone as well, so the person who raised me during that time was my grandmother. This year, I am fourteen years old, which is probably why I've always thought more maturely than kids my age. Growing up without parents forced me to be more independent than others.
•My grandmother's name is Patrisia, or Patri for short. She is a very beautiful woman, though years of working tirelessly have left her looking worn and exhausted. Still, I love her more than anything. I also have a close friend named Nattila, whom I call Natti. We have been friends since I was five years old.
•On a Christmas night, snow fell endlessly. I, Mason, was outside alone, building a snowman by rolling large snowballs along the snow-covered road. At that moment, a girl came running and suddenly crashed straight into me, sending everything tumbling apart. That was the very first moment we met.
(Do you want to know why we became close friends? I made her take responsibility for it.)
Mason: Hey, are you okay?
Natti: "Ugh, damn it… why does it hurt so much?" Yeah, I am.
Mason: Then stand up so I can check on you. /helps her up/
Natti: /stands up, raises her arm/ Here, take a look.
Mason: /smiles/ You seem fine, but…
Natti: "Fine? How is this fine? It hurts like crazy." But what?
Mason: But I'm not fine—because you ruined my snowman.
Natti: Who asked? I didn't ask you anything.
Mason: /awkwardly/ I spent a lot of time making it. You have to make it up to me.
Natti: /murmuring/ I only came out to enjoy the falling snow, and now this happens. And he's making me take responsibility for a stupid snowman—how petty.
Mason: Huh? What did you say?
Natti: Nothing. So what do you want now?
Mason: /smiles gently and reaches out his hand/ Hi, I'm Mason. I just want you to help me build the snowman again.
Natti: No, I won't do it with you.
Mason: Why not?
Natti: Because I don't want to. Why are you asking so many questions? "You just think I'm pretty and want to be friends, right? No way."
Mason: Then I won't let you leave. "You ruined my snowman and still want to walk away? No chance."
Natti: Are you crazy?
Mason: I'm not crazy. But if you did something wrong, you should take responsibility.
Natti: Fine, I'll rebuild it with you. "This kid is really exhausting."
•And so, Mason and Natti rebuilt the snowman together on that Christmas night.
Natti: It's really pretty.
Mason: It really is. /smiles/
Natti: Hey, can I ask you something? No one asked you to talk so much—why do you keep doing it?
Mason: You don't want to talk to me?
Natti: Of course not.
•Hearing that, Mason ran a short distance away, packed some snow into a ball, and threw it straight at Natti.
Natti: Hey! You crazy idiot!
Mason: Haha, so what's your name?
Natti: Natti.
Mason: Alright, then take this! /throws another snowball/
•After that, the two of them chased each other under the freezing snowfall of a Midwest winter.
Patri: /worried, standing by the door/ It's so late already… where did that boy go?
Mason: Grandma! I'm home!
Patri: Oh my goodness, where have you been? You scared me to death.
Mason: It was snowing, so I sneaked out while you weren't home.
Patri: Do you even know what you're saying?
Mason: Yes, Grandma.
Patri: Have you eaten anything yet?
Mason: Not yet.
Patri: Then come inside and eat with me. I've been waiting and haven't eaten either.
Mason: Okay. I want a hug. /opens his arms/Patri: Oh honestly, this child… /picks him up and carries him inside/
Mason: Hehe.