I always walked past Midtown without looking at it in awe. It was dreadful to pass by, like a big block of concrete. But this time, it was from another dimension; it was the same Rockefeller Center, but it had a sparkling, magical accent. 

The daylight was refreshing as if I had been stuck in darkness for so long and I was free now. It was eight in the morning. The sky was white with tints of light blue, too bright to even look at. Winter smelled faint, like lightly fragrant flowers that caught your eyes at the farmers’ market. It distracted you from the rest of the world, numbing your senses. People wore thick jackets and were enjoying the sights in the middle of Manhattan. The flags waved lightly. I could feel the small breeze running through my hair. The nearby stores were just starting to open. My breath of fresh air was interrupted by my friend calling me.

 “I’ve been waiting for half an hour and it’s rude for your guests to show up before you,” Claire fussed. Her voice was difficult to hear from the chatter behind me. 

“What...what...speak up,” I reiterated. 

When I finally found her, a smile appeared. She’s taller and older than me but had a childish personality. Jumping up and down, she caught my attention with her fluffy, animal hat. Its ears perked up when she squeezed the end of the hat. She kept going on about her accessory until we entered the rink. 

The massive surface of ice put me at a loss of words. The scenery was astounding and I must have stood near the entrance for a minute or two because I saw a line of people waiting behind me to enter the ice field. The railing was cold and untouched. The nervousness in my stomach gradually subsided. I took a deep breath and slowly let go of the hand rail.

My friend, Claire, had a small smile. I don’t think she had ever learned how to ice skate before. She had her nervous laugh. There was a crack in her voice, like a canyon in the desert. It was somewhat between a hysterical whine and a cry. But she had a happy expression. Her mouth was slightly open and it was curved, like the shape of a crescent moon. Her eyes were doe-eyed, full of gentleness and innocence. She went ahead of me, holding the rail lightly, and used it to propel herself. 

She wasn’t the most graceful swan, but it surprised me how quickly she learned to figure skate. She was always a fast learner, acquiring knowledge from her mistakes. Despite the dozens of falls she had, she picked herself up and went for more loops around the vast rink. Her face was glowing more than the lights on the massive Fraser Fir tree. 

Her strive to succeed is one of the most memorable traits about her. Whenever she had a thought that troubled her because she couldn’t understand it, she would delve into the matter until she found an answer. It’s either she was too stubborn to admit failure or her perseverance. I say it’s the latter. Whichever one it is doesn't matter because she has taught me to tackle every scenario with my most. She constantly persisted on everything: homework, video games, and people issues. "HAH! I figured out how to do it. I just had to do… ” Her little and big victories stick with me.

I went ahead to Claire, who was racing a random kid. Her eyes focused on the next step and a devious smile grew. Not wanting to interrupt her chase, I pondered the glorious view. The colossal golden statue that towered over me took words right out of my mouth. I replay this memory often and look back on the fun I had. The scenery calms me down and the moments I spent with Claire are unforgettable. 

I can’t exactly pinpoint exactly why this is so vivid in my mind. Maybe because it was my birthday or it’s a coincidence. Thinking back, I think it has a lot to do with the importance of dependency among the human race. Whether it’s for help or wanting a sense of belonging and purpose, people have always depended on each other, using each other’s backs. I guess this is one of those experiences. But do we really have to justify why we cherish the memories we have with people we admire and appreciate? 

Time had flown and it was now the afternoon. The sky was still bright. Snow was beginning to fall. It left a cold taste on my tongue. Rockefeller Center was lively, with chatter from hundreds of people, cars passing by, and vendors advertising their stalls. We left with tired legs but were full of new and memorable moments.