Ethan stepped onto the frozen lake. The ice was smooth and white, stretching out as far as he could see. He took a breath, and a perfect white cloud floated up from his lips.
He reached out to catch the cloud, but his fingers slipped right through it, as if it were just smoke. He tried to hold onto it, but it was gone before he could.
He wrapped his arms tight around himself, trying to hug the empty air. The cold wind nipped at his nose, and he shivered, though he kept his arms squeezed close.
Ethan took a big deep breath and puffed his cheeks out wide. He let it go, and a much bigger cloud of vapor spiraled out in front of him. It swirled and danced across the ice.
He watched the cloud drift toward a tall pine tree near the shore. The edges of the vapor were sharp and clear against the gray sky, like a ghost slowly floating away.
Ethan ran in place, stomping his boots hard against the ice. Sparks seemed to fly with every step. He threw his head back and let out the biggest breath he could.
The warm breath hit his face and melted a little patch of snow off his eyelashes. Tiny drops of water blinked away as he blinked, and he couldn't stop grinning.
Ethan stopped running and stood perfectly still. He closed his eyes and smiled. The warmth from his breath stayed with him, and the cold winter air felt crisp and bright.
The wind blew soft and steady, and the snow crackled gently under his boots. Ethan breathed in and breathed out, watching his clouds dance across the ice.
Ethan knew the lake would stay frozen for a long time. But for now, it was his. He took one last deep breath, smiled, and knew this was a good day.