A Rainy Day's Sunshine

Love At First Fall

All the doubt I had about back to school seemed to lift at the sight of Westwood College. - This was it, this was home, this was where I belonged.

I walked around slowly, in total shock and awe at the beautiful urban landscape full of diverse plants and flowers on the edges of the center ground, and the brightly colored shops selling various knick-knacks and collectibles.

Just as I was beginning to get used to the sprawling college lands, I lost my sense of surroundings and bumped into someone, sending me off balance and falling backward heading to the cold hard stone ground.

Right before my body hit the ground, the person I bumped into caught me by my arm, firmly grasping my hand and pulling me back up. - I held their arm as well, trying to regain my balance once I was back up again.

Are you okay?

A soft voice of a girl spoke, I looked up to see the person who saved me and met their beautiful amber eyes, sparkling like pools of honey in the sunlight.

She had gorgeous medium-length brown hair, with slightly lighter brown highlights as well, olive-brown skin, a cute button nose, and quite interestingly, a small black mole right below her bottom lip, which I thought was adorable.

I found myself unable to speak, somehow entranced by her sheer beauty, and my hand still awkwardly latched onto hers from the fall.

Helloo?? Are you okay? You almost hit the ground pretty hard there.

She inquired once more. Realizing I hadn't replied to her question yet, and had instead just stood there staring, I quickly tried to regain my composure by patting my clothes down and fixing my messy black hair.

Y-yes! I think I'm ok. Sorry about that, I wasn't looking where I w-was going. S-sorry. Again.

I said, it was forced and frankly quite squeaky due to me trying to get my point across quickly without flaw, but I only hoped she wouldn't notice.

I looked her in the eye hastily, not being able to resist the urge to stare at her once more. - I could feel a light blush creeping up on my cheeks as I did so.

Her face relaxed, and the worried expression on her face turned into one of relief.

Thank God. I was worried for a second there!

She chuckled happily to herself, smiling at me. - It was such a simple action, smiling- but it made me so unbelievably happy to see her smile. She looked so beautiful smiling, it really suited her. - I couldn't stop myself from grinning back.

You're new here, aren't you? Well, the names Charlotte! Charlotte Wright. - And you?

Charlotte.. a perfect name for a perfect person. I thought, then smiled, feeling the blush sting my cheeks once again, it was probably deeper red in color as well.

I'm Jeremy Park! Yes, I'm new here.

I said with a small chuckle, then shyly added;

- By the way, I really like your name.

Charlotte's face lit up, she had a proud look on her face. - It was cute.

Thanks a bunch! Your name is very movie-esque.

I grin and hold the back of my neck, it's true, a lot of people tell me my name sounds straight out of some cliche sitcom series.

Yeah..! I get that a lot.

Just as I said that a person in front of the marble frame entrance to the main building of the college spoke; "Hello everyone! I'm Moshe O'Sullivan! I will be conducting a tour of our beloved Westwood College, so if you're new to Westwood, follow me!"

Both Charlotte and I looked at the speaker, then back at each other. We both chuckled as we stared.

Well, guess I have to go to Mr. Moshe over there, it was nice to meet you, Charlotte.

I said, breaking the silence before it got too awkward. - Charlotte grinned and waved her hand to me as I began to walk slowly away.

Right then! You are not too bad yourself, Jeremy. Hope to see you again!

I smile, as I waved farewell with a small "Same here!", while walking hastily to the speaker. - But not too fast that it'd look like I was in a hurry to get away from her.

After catching up with the group of people following the speaker, I began to replay the whole conversation I had with her again in my head.

The way I acted around her... It was so different from the 'me' that I knew.

This was the day I met the girl I'd want to spend the rest of my life with. 

This was the day I suddenly realized...

I fell in love.