Fireflies

3

It was raining. I stood outside the school campus clutching my yellow bag while being soaked all over. I cried but I didn't know why. My feet felt so heavy and numb that I couldn't find the strength to move.  When did I start school?

Staring down right at my clothes that showed no sign of familiarity, my brows drew to a close. Amber High. A name so strange in my lips, so unfamiliar but different.

A wisteria tree stood drenched from afar, its leaves glowing as the setting sun battled with the droplets of rain. I balled my hands into fists and sobbed quietly and looked down on my dirty white shoes. I probably looked hideous, my eyes and face puffy, and lips cracked and dried. The puddle below me showed my reflection and I stared at myself in disappointment. I looked awfully miserable.

"Are you alright?" said a voice that made me raise my head.

As soon as I looked up, I caught sight of a young guy standing a few meters away from me. His tall figure towered over me so I looked up, taking a glimpse of his face while the sun brightened in front of me.

Dark shaggy hair that stood in the middle of straight and curly.  Eyes wide and circled, lips plump and red, nose sharp and angular. Jaw chiseled and cheeks prominent, I watched as a dimple appeared on the right side of his face.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked softly, his tone low and worried.

"Who are you?"

I looked at him for a very long time, studying his face because I was certain that I've never met him before. But his uniform wasn't the same as mine. He was wearing white long sleeves and black trousers,white sneakers, and a worn-out red sweater.

This guy seemed strange to me. Everything around me, they're all unfamiliar, and yet, as I stood there, I dared to question if all this was real.

"Let's just say I'm your umbrella guy." he smiled.

I gazed up at the blue umbrella which now protected me from the rain. He held it tight and he got close enough so both of us would fit just right.

"Who are you really?"

He had the audacity to scratch his head, caressing his nape. "Umbrella guy."

"Why are you at a high school campus anyway?"

"I know, right?" he said chuckling.

"Answer me."

Umbrella guy shook his head. "Let me help you, woman. I'm not interested in anything but treating your wound."

He stared at my scars and I unconsciously backed away. I knew from his gaze that he grew apologetic for noticing my visible scars.

"What do you want? Why are you helping me?" I asked stepping away from him.

But he grabbed me and scooted the umbrella closer so that I wouldn't be drenched again. He lowered his stare back at my anxious frame and I angled my shoulders to try to convince him I was formidable. I had to crane my neck further to meet his eyes. He was tall.

"I  just felt like you needed this umbrella more than me," he replied and grinned, letting out a soft chuckle.

Something about him radiated warmth and calmness. He did not seem scary, in fact, he looked so approachable and kind that it made me wary even more.

He looked around the area and asked me, "Why were you out here all alone? Did you not bring an umbrella with you?"

"I don't know why I am out here. I was just asleep earlier. Where is this place? Amber High?"