Umbrella

Prologue "It was raining"

Rin took off to go home by herself amidst the heavy rain. She went to get her bike that was chained near the school parking lot.

     Her green eyes pierced through the rain as she unlatches the lock away from her bike. It was getting darker as she felt the billowing wind behind her. Strong as it gets, she didn't mind at all.

     Maybe it was the way she felt free under every tear and drop of the rain? Or maybe it was the feeling of her mood. But through every ounce of her body, she knew that the feeling will always be the same as the first time she met 'him'.

     She went up her bike and rode it across the rainy road, taking longer detours than her usual route.

     "I wonder what it feels like back in the countryside?" she asked herself.
It had been three months since she last saw 'him'. Despite all of that, she could feel that lonely presence that was always beside her back in the countryside.

     "Mason," she breathed. "If only I could see you again, maybe things won't go so wrong."

     The 15-year-old kept quiet along the way as she sped down towards her home. Her long brown hair flew around the sides of her face, clothes soaking wet.

     She took a sharp turn towards an enclosed neighborhood that was near the woods. Before realizing where she was, she felt a sharp pain behind her as she began falling from her bike. Rin winced in pain and saw a tree branch
that fell because the strong winds.

     "It actually fell on top of me," she huffed.

     Back hurt, she carefully lifted herself and the bike. It was getting darker, and she was injured.

     Suddenly, she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. Rin turned to see a boy wearing a rain coat and carrying an umbrella. Spooked, she slipped on the ground, but the boy hurriedly held her firmly with him.

     He didn't speak at all, but he gave her his raincoat and the umbrella. The boy carried the bike beside him then walked away, signaling Rin to follow him.

     "Wai-wait!" Rin shouted. "What are you doing!"

     The boy continued to walk. When Rin approached him, he held her hand and they silently walk together to the silent neighborhood near the woods.

     She could feel his warm hand against hers and wondered how can a hand be so warm in this dampen weather. Shuddering, she covered the umbrella for the two of them.

     For a few minutes, they walked in silence. But Rin couldn't help to think as of why she trusted the boy that held her hand. 'Why?' she thought. She took a glance of his face under the rain coat.

     Her first thought was his pale face and his fatigued-looking figure. It was like looking at someone who might
wilt at any minute. As she shuddered more, he gave her a concerned look. And for once, Rin didn't look away from those blue eyes that reflected off the rain.

     They got closer to the neighborhood and near Rin's house. Alarmed, she look at the boy who helped her.

     "How'd you know where I live?" she asked.

     The door opened and both of them were greeted by Rin's mother, a middle-aged woman with brown hair swept in a messy bun.

     "Kevin!" she yelped at the boy that was beside Rin. "Thank you so much for bringing my daughter home! I
was afraid she was lost in a rain like this!"

     Rin jerked her head to the boy beside her now known as Kevin. She was deeply confused.

     "You know my mom?"

     Rin was swatted by her mother.

     "Is there anything you need my dear boy?"

     Kevin shook his head. He pointed to the far end of the neighborhood and Rin's mother nodded to him.

     "Well, stay safe now!"

     And he left, just like that. Leaving Rin holding on to his raincoat and umbrella on her doorstep.

     After taking a shower, Rin went to the living room. Cozying off with her pajamas she went and sat with her
mother.

     "Hey mom," she spoke. "Who was that boy?"

     "His name's Kevin, just lives a few blocks away from us."

     "How did you know him?"

     "Ah, that boy always comes out of the house when you're at school." her mother replied. "Poor boy is homeschooled because he can't speak properly after getting bullied a year ago."

     Rin took in the information. Which explained a lot of why he looked like that. She looked at the raincoat and umbrella on the other side of the room. Maybe this won't be the last time she sees him.

-Prologue end-