The Rainy Afternoon
866 Words
CHAPTER 25
(Leanne’s POV)
Rain poured heavily across St. Aurelius Academy.
The skies turned gray early that afternoon, forcing students to rush through hallways while complaining dramatically about the weather.
Meanwhile—
The literature clubroom felt warmer than ever.
Soft music played quietly.
Kai baked something sweet again.
Chris argued with Mika over absolutely nothing.
Carl reviewed paperwork calmly.
Ren read peacefully near the windows while rain tapped softly against the glass.
And honestly?
Leanne didn’t want to leave.
“This weather is emotionally beautiful,” Chris announced dramatically while laying across the couch.
“That sentence doesn’t make sense,” Ren muttered without looking up from his book.
“You don’t make sense.”
“Correct.”
Mika pointed accusingly at Chris.
“You only like rain because you think you’re in an anime.”
“I AM in an anime.”
“You fell down the stairs yesterday.”
“That was character development.”
Leanne burst into laughter while Kai quietly placed warm pastries onto the table.
“Eat before you all become more annoying.”
“Too late,” Carl answered calmly.
Kai sighed deeply.
Meanwhile Leanne carefully watched everyone while smiling softly.
The literature club really became her favorite place.
Not because of the room itself—
But because of them.
Then suddenly—
The lights flickered.
Everyone paused.
And immediately—
The entire room went dark.
Silence.
Then Chris screamed dramatically.
“WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE.”
“You’re literally rich,” Mika said flatly.
“That doesn’t stop electricity.”
Kai sighed somewhere in the darkness.
“The power probably went out because of the storm.”
Leanne laughed quietly while Carl calmly turned on the flashlight from his phone.
Soft light filled the room dimly afterward.
Rain continued pouring heavily outside.
Then suddenly—
Mika grinned mischievously.
“Oh my gosh.”
Chris narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“Why do you look evil?”
“We should tell horror stories.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Kai immediately walked away.
“I’m baking. Don’t involve me.”
Ren slowly closed his book.
“…I regret being here.”
Too late.
Mika already dragged everyone toward the couch area dramatically.
Soon—
The literature club sat together beneath dim flashlight lighting while rain echoed softly outside.
Honestly?
The atmosphere felt weirdly cozy.
Chris dramatically wrapped himself in a blanket like a tragic movie character.
“If I die tonight, tell people I was beautiful.”
“You’re not dying,” Leanne answered immediately.
“You don’t know my destiny.”
Mika pointed dramatically.
“He dies first in horror movies.”
Chris gasped.
“EXCUSE ME.”
Carl chuckled quietly while Ren adjusted his glasses.
Then unexpectedly—
The thunder outside boomed loudly.
Leanne flinched slightly.
Tiny movement.
But Chris noticed immediately.
“…You’re scared of thunder?”
Leanne immediately crossed her arms.
“No.”
Another loud thunder c***k echoed.
Leanne flinched again.
Chris stared at her silently.
Then grinned slowly.
“…You absolutely are.”
“I’m literally not.”
“You just jumped spiritually.”
Mika immediately joined him.
“Oh my gosh. Leanne’s scared of thunder.”
“I hate all of you.”
Kai quietly placed another tray of pastries down beside them.
Then calmly—
“She grabbed my sleeve earlier too.”
Leanne froze instantly.
Traitor.
Complete traitor.
Chris gasped dramatically.
“YOU HELD KAI’S SLEEVE?”
Kai blinked.
“…Why are you saying it like that?”
Chris looked emotionally wounded already.
Meanwhile Leanne buried her face in her hands.
“This club is evil.”
Everyone laughed.
And somehow—
The warmth inside the room grew softer afterward.
Then another loud thunder c***k echoed outside.
This time—
The lights flickered back on suddenly.
Everyone blinked.
Chris immediately pointed dramatically.
“WE SURVIVED.”
“You survived a power outage,” Ren corrected.
“Barely.”
Mika snorted loudly.
Meanwhile Leanne quietly smiled while watching everyone argue again.
Rain still poured outside.
But inside the clubroom—
Everything felt warm.
Comfortable.
Safe.
Then unexpectedly—
Chris sat beside her again.
Close.
Too close.
As usual.
Leanne sighed.
“…Personal space.”
“Rainy weather removes legal boundaries.”
“That’s not real.”
Chris grinned lazily before glancing toward the rain outside.
Then quietly—
“…I like days like this.”
Leanne blinked slightly.
Because his voice sounded softer than usual.
Not dramatic.
Not teasing.
Just honest.
“…Why?”
Chris rested his chin against his knee while staring outside.
“Because everyone stays longer.”
Silence.
Something about that answer made her chest tighten softly.
Like there was another meaning hidden underneath it.
Then Chris suddenly looked toward her again.
And smiled.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Dangerously soft.
“…Also because you’re here.”
Leanne froze instantly.
Her heartbeat betrayed her immediately.
Chris blinked afterward.
Then suddenly panicked dramatically.
“WAIT THAT SOUNDED WEIRD.”
Carl immediately looked over.
Mika nearly screamed.
Kai dropped a spoon.
Ren slowly covered his face with his book.
And Leanne—
Leanne could only stare at Chris while her heart refused to calm down at all.
- Writer
