one stormy day
the boy ventured
beyond his block
using his umbrella
against the downpour
he skipped along the sidewalks
and splashed in murky puddles
every time he caught no one looking
he was beginning
to feel lost
until a familiar bookstore
caught his eye
relieved to find a safe haven
against the now steady monsoon
he stepped in
hoping that he would find
something
to cure his writer's block
and spark inspiration within him
but instead
he found you
you were looking for a book as well
something full of adventure
your eyes wandered
over paper backs
that you had already read
but just as you were about to leave
he caught your eye
something in you stirred
and you felt drawn to him
so you asked him
for his name
and laughed
when he shushed you
for being so loud in a place
that defined quiet
but
he gave you his name anyway
the word
"amity"
falling off his lips
and spilling out of his mouth
you smiled at him
with this wide and lopsided grin
while raindrops
rolled off your messy hair
you held out a hand
and exchanged your name
which you told him
was
"rue"
he smiled at you
it was a shy smile
but you thought it was cute
you watched him pick up
poetry book
after poetry book
but he bought none of them
and instead complained
about how books
were too expensive nowadays
defeated
he pushed on the door
causing the bell above it to jingle
your mind urged you
to follow him
into the rain
and so you did
