The Fence Between Us

Episode 14: After rain

After the night’s rain, the air on the island felt unusually fresh and gentle. The morning sky was high and clear, as if it had washed away every trace of worry. But my heart didn’t feel the same.

I still remembered the feeling of Mathis’s hand holding mine last night — warm, steady, and… strangely comforting. I didn’t know if he noticed, but I couldn’t sleep, even after the rain had stopped. His words, his gaze, the stillness of the night — all of it echoed in my head.

That morning, while I was tidying up books in the storage room behind the classroom, Eliot unexpectedly dropped by. He carried a small toolkit to inspect the classroom’s wiring system.

— “Hey Leyla,” Eliot said as he adjusted one of the overhead lights. “You alright after last night?”

I flinched slightly, then offered a half-hearted smile.

— “Ah… yeah. I’m fine. Luckily didn’t catch a cold.”

Eliot glanced at me, raising an eyebrow with a teasing glint in his eyes.

— “Mathis seemed pretty worried. He didn’t say much, but trust me — I can tell.”

I looked up, surprised and a little embarrassed.

— “Did he… say anything about it?”

Eliot chuckled:

— “Nope. But the way he clammed up? That usually means his head’s spinning. I’ve never seen him like that since we joined the team.”

I lowered my head, pretending to focus on arranging books — though my heart had already betrayed me by skipping several beats.

That afternoon, Grande burst into my room like a whirlwind, her face full of mischief.

— “There’s an outdoor movie screening tonight, with the volunteers and the UN guys! You coming?”

I hesitated. After days of emotional turbulence, I felt like I needed space to breathe.

— “I was thinking… maybe I’ll just rest early tonight.”

Grande frowned, mock-scolding:

— “Stop being ‘Introspective Leyla.’ Come on! I’ll even make sure Mathis sits next to you!”

— “Are you crazy?!” I almost dropped my book.

— “Yup. Crazy for you. And if you keep hiding like this, I swear I’ll post a ‘story’ about Mathis standing in the rain looking for you last night!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her ridiculous threats. No matter what, I knew I was lucky to have her — noisy, impulsive, but always full of care.

That evening, I decided to go.

On the schoolyard, people were laying out mats and passing around popcorn and fruit drinks. String lights glowed overhead, sparkling like tiny stars. Mathis was already there, sitting next to Eliot. When our eyes met, he gave a small nod — one that lingered a little longer than usual.

Without saying a word, Grande nudged me forward and slipped to the back, leaving the spot beside him open.

I sat down. My heart fluttered.

For a few minutes, neither of us spoke. The sound of waves crashing in the distance mingled with the opening lines of the film playing from a small speaker.

Then, Mathis leaned slightly toward me:

— “Are you okay?”

I hesitated, then nodded:

— “I’m okay.”

Another pause. Gentle and unspoken.

— “I didn’t think… we’d end up sitting like this,” he murmured.

I turned to him and met his eyes — calm and steady in the dim night.

I whispered:

— “Me neither…”

And for the first time, I didn’t look away.

I looked at him — the boy I once loved in silence eight years ago, the memory I thought I had tucked away forever. And now, somehow, he was no longer just a memory… He was here.

Taking slow, quiet steps toward me — for real.

The morning began with an unexpected announcement: a section of the residential area on the western side of the island needed assistance. The rain from the previous night had clogged the water pipes, causing flooding along the paths and into several small houses on the hillside.

The coordination team called for both volunteer teachers and UN peacekeepers to join forces in helping with evacuation efforts, safety checks, and supporting the locals in cleaning and restoring their homes.

I hadn’t even finished writing the last line in my notebook when Grande gently tapped my shoulder.

— “Leyla, we’ve been called up. We’re in Group 2, Western route.”

I nodded and stood up, hastily putting away my things. The atmosphere that morning was more subdued than usual—perhaps the news from the west had everyone on edge.

When we arrived at the meeting point, I was surprised to see Mathis there as well. He stood among a few of the blue berets, gear neatly strapped on, his expression more serious than usual.

Just then, the commander spoke:

— “Group 2 will be responsible for the flooded stream area. We need someone familiar with the terrain and someone who can communicate well with children and the elderly. Sergeant Mathis, Ms. Leyla — the two of you will go together.”

I froze in place.

Mathis, on the other hand, nodded calmly.

— “Understood.”

Reluctantly, I stepped up to join him.

We walked down a narrow dirt path, flanked by bamboo fences and banana trees. The ground was still muddy, with puddles scattered across the way. Mathis walked ahead but slowed his pace so I could keep up.

— “Are you alright?” he asked, his eyes fixed on the path.

— “Mm. I’m fine,” I replied softly.

He said nothing more. Just gave a small nod.

I thought it would feel awkward, but strangely, the silence between us was… comfortable. No need to pretend. No need to hide anything.

When we arrived, I divided the children who were playing in the yard into smaller groups and led them to a nearby shelter. Mathis and another teammate headed around the back of the house — where the water had overflowed the most.

An elderly woman was struggling to clean her flooded yard. I walked over.

— “Let me help you.”

— “Thank you, dear. The rain was fierce last night. Good thing those blue-helmeted folks showed up this morning.”

I smiled. Just then, I heard hurried footsteps behind me.

— “Leyla!” — It was Grande. “Mathis is calling you over by the stream. Something’s going on.”