The Promise Under the Rain
1024 Words
Rain had become a familiar soundtrack.
It fell softly over Westbrook as the final bell echoed through the halls, sending students rushing toward the exits with jackets pulled over their heads.
Ava lingered by her locker.
She wasn’t sure why.
Maybe she hoped she’d see him.
Maybe she hoped she wouldn’t.
After what Noah had whispered in the cafeteria yesterday
“You shouldn’t get close to me.”
she couldn’t stop thinking about it.
She closed her locker with a sigh.
“Looking for someone?”
Emma appeared beside her, grinning.
“I’m not.”
“Liar.”
“I’m waiting for the rain to slow down.”
“Mhm.”
Emma glanced toward the entrance.
“So you’re definitely not waiting for the mysterious boy who never smiles?”
Ava rolled her eyes.
“You watch too many romance movies.”
Emma laughed.
“And you live in one.”
Before Ava could answer, she noticed Noah standing beneath the front awning, staring at the rain with his backpack slung over one shoulder.
He looked like he was debating whether to walk through the storm.
Without thinking, Ava walked over.
Emma called after her.
“I’ll text you later!”
⸻
“You don’t have an umbrella either?” Ava asked.
Noah looked up.
“No.”
“I guess we’re both unlucky.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Ava held up her umbrella.
“We could… share.”
He hesitated.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
Another pause.
Finally, he nodded.
“…Okay.”
They stepped into the rain together.
The umbrella was just big enough for two people, forcing them to walk closer than either expected.
Their shoulders bumped.
Both immediately apologized.
Then laughed.
The awkwardness melted away.
⸻
The streets were unusually quiet.
Rain tapped gently against the umbrella while puddles reflected the gray evening sky.
“So…”
Ava glanced sideways.
“You really don’t smile much.”
“I smiled yesterday.”
“You did.”
“It was brief.”
“It still counts.”
For the first time in days, the corner of Noah’s mouth lifted.
“You notice everything.”
“Not everything.”
“You noticed my wrist.”
Ava looked down.
The faded bruises were still visible beneath his sleeve.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
“I didn’t want to stare.”
“I know.”
His voice was calm.
“I just… wasn’t expecting anyone to care.”
Those words stayed with Ava.
⸻
After several quiet minutes, Noah spoke again.
“My mom loved the rain.”
Ava looked at him.
“Really?”
“She used to say rain made the world honest.”
“What does that mean?”
He smiled sadly.
“When it rains, nobody bothers pretending everything’s perfect.”
The words lingered between them.
“My mom died three years ago.”
Ava didn’t interrupt.
“She was sick for a long time.”
He looked down at the sidewalk.
“My dad tried after she was gone.”
“Tried?”
“To be okay.”
His voice cracked for the first time.
“But grief changes people.”
Ava remembered the shouting she’d witnessed outside his house.
The fear in Noah’s eyes.
She finally understood.
“I’m sorry.”
“So am I.”
⸻
They reached a small bridge overlooking the river.
The rain softened into a gentle drizzle.
“My turn,” Ava said quietly.
“Hm?”
“You told me something.”
“So I’ll tell you something.”
Noah waited.
“When I was little…”
She rested her elbows on the railing.
“My parents almost divorced.”
He looked surprised.
“They stayed together.”
“But after that…”
She smiled without humor.
“I always felt like people leave.”
She stared at the flowing water.
“So I spend a lot of time pretending I don’t need anyone.”
Noah was silent.
Then he said softly,
“I understand.”
It was only two words.
But somehow…
She believed him.
⸻
The rain stopped completely.
Sunlight broke through the clouds, painting the wet streets with gold.
Noah looked at the sky.
“I haven’t talked this much in months.”
Ava laughed.
“I should feel honored.”
“You should.”
She pretended to gasp.
“Was that a joke?”
“…Maybe.”
“I need proof.”
“What proof?”
“Smile again.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
“Please?”
“No.”
“Pretty please?”
He sighed dramatically.
Then…
He smiled.
Not the sad smile from before.
Not a polite smile.
A real one.
Warm.
Gentle.
Beautiful.
Ava couldn’t help smiling back.
For a brief moment…
Neither of them felt alone.
⸻
They reached the corner where their paths separated.
“I guess this is where we split.”
“Yeah.”
Ava adjusted her backpack.
“So…”
“See you tomorrow?”
Noah looked at her for a long moment.
Then nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Friends?”
He hesitated only a second before extending his hand.
“Friends.”
She shook it.
Neither of them noticed how tightly they were holding on.
⸻
Noah’s phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
The color drained from his face.
His smile disappeared.
“What is it?” Ava asked.
He answered the call.
“…Hello?”
He listened.
His breathing became uneven.
“What?”
Silence.
“No… I’m coming.”
He lowered the phone slowly.
His hands were shaking.
“Noah?”
He looked at Ava, panic filling his usually calm eyes.
“My dad…”
His voice barely came out.
“He’s been in an accident.”
Without another word, Noah turned and ran into the fading rain.
Ava stood frozen, watching him disappear down the empty street.
The umbrella slipped from her fingers.
For the second time since meeting him…
She felt completely helpless.
And somehow…
She already knew that nothing would ever be the same again.
- Writer
