Beneath The Rain
809 Words
The library doors slid shut behind them as they stepped outside.
The campus had grown unusually quiet.
Most students had already gone home, leaving only a few scattered across the walkways.
The afternoon sun was hidden behind thick gray clouds.
Rose looked up.
"I don't remember the weather saying it would rain."
Kelvin followed her gaze.
"It didn't."
A cool breeze swept through the courtyard, carrying the scent of wet earth.
Rose hugged her notebook against her chest.
"It feels like it's about to."
Kelvin adjusted the strap of his backpack.
"We should probably leave before-"
A loud rumble interrupted him.
Thunder.
Rose instinctively looked toward the dark sky.
Seconds later...
A single raindrop landed on her hand.
Then another.
And another.
Within moments, the drizzle became a steady shower.
"Run," Kelvin said.
Rose didn't need to be told twice.
The two sprinted across the courtyard, laughing as the rain came down harder.
Their shoes splashed through puddles while students rushed in every direction looking for shelter.
By the time they reached the old bus stop outside the school gates...
They were both soaked.
Rose bent over slightly, laughing as she brushed damp strands of hair away from her face.
"I thought you said we'd make it."
Kelvin glanced at the rain pouring from the roof.
"I said we should leave before it rained."
"You should've run faster."
"I wasn't the one carrying three books."
Rose looked down at the books clutched tightly against her chest.
"They're important."
"So was staying dry."
She smiled.
"I'll remember that next time."
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The rain drummed steadily against the metal roof above them.
Cars passed by, spraying water onto the road.
The cool wind slipped into the shelter, making Rose shiver.
She tried to ignore it.
Kelvin noticed.
"You cold?"
Rose immediately shook her head.
"I'm fine."
Another gust of wind blew through.
This time she couldn't stop herself from shivering.
Kelvin looked at her for a moment.
Without saying a word...
He slipped off his school blazer.
Rose frowned.
"What are you doing?"
He held it out to her.
"Wear it."
Her eyes widened.
"No, you'll be cold."
"I'll survive."
"But-"
"Rose."
His voice was calm.
"You've been shivering for the last minute."
She looked down, slightly embarrassed.
"I didn't think it was that obvious."
"It was."
She hesitated before slowly taking the jacket.
"...Thank you."
As she slipped it over her shoulders, she realized it was still warm.
It smelled faintly of fresh laundry... and a subtle hint of cedarwood.
Somehow...
That made her cheeks grow warm.
Kelvin leaned casually against one of the shelter's pillars, pretending not to notice.
"So..."
Rose said quietly.
"So?"
"I guess I owe you one."
"You don't."
"I do."
"You really don't."
She smiled.
"You argue a lot for someone so quiet."
Kelvin looked at her.
"...Do I?"
"You've said 'you don't' three times."
For the first time that afternoon...
He laughed.
Not just a smile.
An actual laugh.
Rose blinked.
"There it is."
"What?"
"You smiled."
"I laughed."
"Which means you smiled."
Kelvin sighed.
"I walked into that one."
"You did."
They both laughed.
The awkwardness that had existed between them only days ago had quietly disappeared.
The silence returned.
But now...
It felt different.
Comfortable.
Easy.
Rose looked out at the rain.
"I've always liked rainy days."
Kelvin turned to her.
"Why?"
"They slow everything down."
She watched the raindrops splash against the pavement.
"When it rains... people stop rushing. It feels like the world finally takes a breath."
Kelvin followed her gaze.
"...I never thought about it like that."
She smiled.
"My mom says rain gives people an excuse to pause."
He nodded slowly.
"I think I like that."
Before either of them could say another word...
A flash of lightning lit up the sky.
Almost instantly-
BOOM!
The thunder cracked loudly overhead.
Rose flinched.
Just a little.
But Kelvin noticed.
"You don't like thunder?"
She looked away.
"It's... louder than I remember."
Without thinking...
He took a small step closer.
Not enough to invade her space.
Just enough that she didn't feel alone.
Rose looked at him.
Neither of them spoke.
Their eyes met.
The rain continued to fall around them.
For a long moment...
It was just the two of them.
Neither noticed a car slowing down across the street.
Inside sat Maltilda.
She had been on her way home when she spotted them standing beneath the shelter.
Her gaze fell to the oversized blazer resting on Rose's shoulders.
Then to Kelvin.
Then back to Rose.
Her expression hardened.
"So..."
she whispered.
"He gave her his jacket."
Her fingers tightened around her phone.
A slow smile appeared on her lips.
"If that's how this game is going to be..."
She looked back at the two of them.
"...Then it's my turn to play."
- Writer
