Ethereal Love

When it Rains, It Pours

Sorry sweetie, I got held up at work. I'll be here all night, so I can't pick you up. Can you walk home? Love you.
Xoxo Mom

Nini read the text and fought back a scream of frustration. Everything was going wrong for her today. Her mom was supposed to pick her up because she hated walking home on her own. Kourtney had left early for a dentist appointment and none of her other friends lived near her. She knew any of them would walk with her if she asked them to, but she didn't want to. Kourt was the only one of her friends that she actually had anything in common with.

Groaning quietly, she shouldered her backpack and started out of the parking lot. She'd barely left school grounds when the drops of rain fell and she groaned loudly. It hadn't rained for a couple weeks, but of course it would today. She should have expected it, really. Laughing cynically, she continued her journey.

Five minutes later, a very familiar car slowed and came to a halt next to her on the road. Rolling her eyes, she sped up a little, but the car drove on and stopped next to her again. This happened a few times before she finally broke into a run and turned into a small alley. She instantly regretted it; as a girl with claustrophobia, a fear of the dark and an addiction to crime drama's, running into a dark alley when it was pouring with rain was the stupidest thing she could have possibly done. She heard the car brake and the door open and close, and then footprints following her. She took a few more cautious steps and then felt something run over her foot. She screamed, whirling around and running back the way she'd come. She made it a few steps before tripping over something. With another loud scream she flew forwards, closing her eyes and waiting for contact. But then her head hit something solid, but soft, and there was a pair of warm arms closing around her and she threw her arms around the curly-haired boy, breathing in his familiar scent and trying to calm her breathing.

"Nini, Nini calm down, it's okay." Ricky reassured her. She was shivering and babbling incoherently.

"Nini? Nini!"

"C-can we get out of h-h-here p-please?" she stammered.

"Of course, come on, I'll take you home." He helped her stumble over to his car and helped her clamber into the passenger seat, where she proceeded to curl up as small as she possibly could and rock herself back and forth. He watched her as he jogged around the car and got into the driver's side, starting the car and pulling off the sidewalk.

The heater's came on and Nini relaxed a little as she warmed up, but she was still shaking with fear. Eventually, as Ricky prepared to turn onto her street, she spoke.

"No, please... I don't want to go home. Mom isn't coming home tonight and I'm... I'm scared." She murmured. He nodded, continuing straight past the turning and turning on the radio.

"So... where do you want to go?"

"I don't know. I have nowhere to go. I have no one. I've screwed everything up." She dissolved into tears and Ricky winced, hating to see her like that. He sped up a little, deciding where he wanted to go.

"Don't think like that, Nini. You haven't screwed everything up. Things will get better."

"I don't think so. I have one real friend in the world, and I have to pretend to be someone I'm not to even be friends with her. I've completely alienated my mom and even now, I'm trying to make her proud of me and she's as distant as ever. But then I went to the camp, and everything there was great, and I could be myself. I had great friends and I even had a boyfriend that I really liked. But then I lost my virginity to a guy who hates me, or who I thought hated me, and I had to leave and now they all hate me and even you hate me and everything's gone wrong and- why are we at the lake?" she looked out of the window and back to Ricky, confused. He smiled, opening his door and getting out.

"It's stopped raining, and the lake is the place I always come when I'm confused or upset or just need a time out." He closed his door and made his way around to help Nini out. She sniffled, wiping her eyes.

"So... what are we going to do?" she asked. He smiled, grabbing her hand.

"Let's go swimming."
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Quick little filler chapter.

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate. I know it's bittersweet this year but let's make the most of it :)