Chapter 10- The rain
614 Words
Sunday nights were supposed to be calm, but Olivia’s wasn’t.
She had spent an hour getting ready — soft curls, a floral dress, perfume that made her feel something like confidence. Daniel had asked her out, said he wanted to make things right. She believed him. Maybe she wanted to.
But the restaurant lights turned from golden to dim, and still, Daniel didn’t come.
She checked her phone — no messages. Just the quiet hum of people eating, laughing, living.
The waiter came by once, smiling politely.
“Would you like to order now, ma’am?”
“Not yet,” she said, forcing a smile.
He came again, then again — three times in total — and each time, her cheeks burned hotter. People glanced her way, some with curiosity, others with pity. Her untouched glass of water felt heavier by the minute.
By the time she finally stood up, her throat ached with the effort of pretending.
Outside, rain had started again. Not the light kind, but heavy, endless sheets that blurred the streetlights. She stood beneath the restaurant’s awning for a long moment before stepping into it, letting it soak her. She didn’t care anymore.
By the time she reached home, her floral dress clung to her skin, her hair dripping down her shoulders. She dug through her bag, shivering. Lip balm, phone, a crumpled napkin — no keys.
Her chest sank. She must’ve dropped them somewhere between the restaurant and the bus.
She pressed her back against the door, rain still running down her arms.
Then she heard the sound of another door opening.
Ethan stepped out of his apartment, wearing a loose T-shirt and sweatpants, his hair slightly tousled.
“Olivia?”
She looked down quickly, embarrassed. “I… I lost my keys.”
He blinked, then glanced at the soaked state she was in. “You’re freezing.” He stepped closer. “Come inside before you get sick.”
She hesitated, arms wrapped around herself. “I don’t want to bother you—”
“You’re not,” he said quietly.
She followed him in. His apartment was dim and warm, carrying the quiet hum of rain against the windows. He disappeared for a moment, then returned with a towel.
“Here.”
“Thank you.” Her voice trembled slightly as she dried her hair.
He nodded, leaning against the wall. The silence stretched — not uncomfortable, just new.
Olivia glanced around. His space was simple, almost bare. A few books stacked on the floor, a mug on the table, and a small plant by the window.
“You don’t really decorate much, do you?”
Ethan gave a short laugh — the kind that barely reached his eyes. “Guess I never stay in one place long enough to bother.”
“You move a lot?” she asked.
“Something like that,” he said, then looked at her. “What about you? Been here long?”
“Three years,” she said softly. “Feels longer sometimes.”
He nodded as if he understood, though neither of them explained what that meant.
The rain grew louder outside. She wrapped the towel tighter around herself.
After a while, Ethan said quietly, “You can stay here till the rain slows down. Or… till you figure out the key thing.”
She smiled faintly. “Thank you. I might take you up on that.”
He gave a small nod and went to make tea.
And as she sat there, watching him move around the small kitchen, Olivia realized something — this was the first real conversation they’d ever had.
And somehow, it felt like it mattered.
- Writer
