Tina peered ever so slowly around the corner of the log cabin, a structure that was deceptive in its outward rustic simplicity. For all it looked like something out of the 18th century, inside it housed nearly every luxury a 21st century girl could want. And boy, did she wish she was inside, curled up watching It’s a Wonderful Life on the plasma tv with a cappuccino from the handy maker in the kitchen, instead of out here in this bitter cold. But Tina couldn’t make it to the door without getting hit, and she knew it.

It’s your own fault, she told herself with a sigh. After a leisurely walk down the man-made path into the surrounding woods for some fresh air, Tina had initiated an innocent snowball fight as they returned by playfully tossing a hastily grabbed handful of snow at Bette’s back. It had been a big mistake on Tina’s part, because now she was the target of hardballs fired in rapid succession, while her pathetic volleys mostly didn’t span half the distance between herself and Bette. Bette didn’t make normal snowballs, either. They were packed tightly and with a speed Tina couldn’t match, and thrown with precision to inflict as much damage as possible. Tina had run squawking from the last barrage all the way around the back of the cabin to the other side. She should have known Bette’s competitive streak would come into play and the game wouldn’t be over until Bette was satisfied Tina had thoroughly lost.

I wish I had worn my white one, she thought idly, looking down at her blue scarf. I could wave it and surrender.

PIFF!

Tina’s head snapped up in alarm as a snowball exploded on the solid wall beside her head.

"Oh no."

Tina covered her face with her arm as three or four snowballs pelted her midsection. She stumbled blindly around the corner towards the safety of the door, running footsteps approaching behind her.

Suddenly she was tackled from behind into the powdery snow, and Bette was rolling her over, straddling her, laughing in victory. Tina yelled and struggled when Bette yanked up her sweater, piled snow on her stomach, and then pulled the sweater down quickly, patting the mound in triumph.

"Babe!" Tina squealed, trying to brush away the clumped snow away from her now numb abdomen.

"I win," Bette said simply. "Don’t I?"

"Yes, you win," Tina said miserably. "Now let me up."

Bette rolled off of her and stood, grasping Tina’s hand and pulling her upright. Bette ruffled Tina’s hair affectionately. Tina sneezed.

“Aw, sweetheart,” Bette tilted her head sympathetically and pressed a kiss on Tina’s cold cheek. “I’m sorry. Got a little carried away, did I?”

“Yes,” Tina sulked. “I’m frozen to the bone.”

"Let’s get you warmed up, then." Bette offered, a familiar glint in her eye.

Tina rubbed at her nose, her gloved hand hiding a smile as she allowed Bette to lead her inside. One way or another, it always paid off to let Bette win.