My Autumn with April

Fifteen

~Elliott~

I peered out the window of the market, watching the rain hammer down onto Main Street. People ducked into shop doorways to pull their umbrellas out of their bags. A few just pulled their coats over their heads and continued trudging on to wherever their end goal was. But I was stood here, trying to imagine how happy April was right now. Probably baking bread at her bakery with the back door wide open watching and listening to the rain and the thunder and smelling the fresh bread, maybe eating a cinnamon swirl cookie with that classic grin on her face. If she had time, she'd be sat in that door frame and she'll be staring at the little alley way and wanting nothing more than to lie down on the dirt track and let the drops hit her skin. 

I hadn't spoken to her in the past few weeks other than in passing and the odd handful of texts. Her and the girls had been practically inseparable as Autumn had slipped back into her post break up depression so April and Maya had been pulling everything possible to try and fix whatever broke there before her birthday night to the city next weekend. But with that came April finally having the extra help she'd needed to get herself into a routine and clear up well defined days the bakery was not going to be open, purely on Autumn and Maya's demands. Apparently. That's all Noah had gotten out of Maya on his coffee run a few days back. 

I was taking tomorrow off from everything. I'd left Evan in charge of the stores and he knew I'd be in town if he needed anything, but I wanted to get April out of the house and bakery and the best chance I had at that was catching her tonight when she was bound to be in a good mood. 

I checked my watch, smiling at myself when it was time for her to finally be leaving the bakery and I don't think I could have left the market in Evan's hands quicker if I tried. Even in the pouring rain, I practically ran across town to the bakery, holding my umbrella tight to stop it from carrying me away. 

It worked though. I reached the sidewalk dead outside of the bakery right as April came out, keeping her back to me as she turned the key in the door, turning and startling at me stood in a few feet from the doorway. 

"Jesus Elliott. A little fucking warning." April held her hand over her heart and took a steadying breath. "What are you doing here? I thought you were working tonight?" 

"I was but I've been working for like 10 solid days so I've taken the next 2 off and left a little earlier." Her lips lifted in a smile. "I was thinking we should do something tomorrow." 

"I don't think Autu-" 

"Not us as in the group, as in me and you. We haven't really had a day to ourselves since you got back and I checked the weather. Once this storm passes we have like 48 hours until another little spout of rain comes in. And I happen to know that you're closed tomorrow so you're free." 

"I was -" 

"Going to go see Autumn and Maya. I know." April steps down onto the pavement, not needing me to tell her I was walking her home "But I figured you'd seen them every day for the past like 2 weeks and I miss my best friend so I'm stealing her back for the day. They will just have to find a way to survive without you for the night." April is quiet, kicking the small stream of water running down the stone tile pavement. "What d'yah think?" 

"Hmm.." 

"You're gonna make me bribe you aren't you?" 

"What? No." 

"Fine, I'll play. I'll bring food, drinks for the day and I'll pick you up with a pumpkin latte from Maya." 

"Maya's not working tomorrow." 

"I'll bribe her into make you some. Maybe even make her fill a thermos with it so you can have it on tap all day." She tries to hide the fact that she loved that idea but I saw it. I saw her smile and the scrunch of her nose. "Thermos it is."