Unpredictable Connection

8.Rainy Night

BECKY'S POV:

It was almost midnight, and the soft murmur of laughter filled the house. Warm lights bathed the living room in a cozy glow, casting playful shadows as we all sat around, talking about everything and nothing. Freen hadn't returned inside yet, though. A part of me stayed distracted—eyes flicking to the door, wondering where she was. The rain hadn't stopped. Worry gnawed at my thoughts until I finally stood up.

"I'm going to check on her," I said, moving toward the door.

Nam, ever the mother hen, caught my wrist gently. "Take an umbrella. It's still raining."

I paused and looked at her, frowning. "Why didn't you tell Freen to take one too?"

Nam gave a knowing smile. "She wouldn't have listened. That's just how she is."

A sigh escaped my lips as I grabbed the umbrella and rushed outside, my heart thumping harder with every step.

"Freen!" I called out, scanning the misty garden. The rain pattered against the umbrella, a steady rhythm that did nothing to calm my racing thoughts. I called her name again. And again. But the silence only deepened the knot in my chest.

Then, from the far end of the garden, I heard her.

"Hey, Bec—"

I didn't let her finish. I ran straight to her and threw my arms around her, letting my fear speak first.

"Don't you have common sense? What if you got sick? Can you please use your brain sometimes?" I scolded, my voice trembling more than I liked to admit.

Freen stood still for a second, then gently peeled my arms away from her. "You're the one who's going to catch a fever. Let's go inside."

She took my hand, fingers cool and firm. Somehow, that touch grounded me. We walked back in silence, the storm behind us and something soft unfolding between us.

"You brought an umbrella and still managed to get wet," she said, smirking.

I glanced at her, flustered. "It's not the umbrella's fault... it's your fault. You were standing there with no umbrella. I got so tense not seeing you—I hugged you without thinking and then I—"

"Shhh! Oh god, you talk too much, Becky," she interrupted, placing a finger gently on my lips.

My heart stopped.

A blush crept up my cheeks. "Call me Bec, it'll save you time."

Freen raised an eyebrow, amused. "And what will I do with those 0.10 seconds I save?"

I looked away, cheeks burning. "I don't know... Let's just go. It's cold," I muttered, sneezing right after.

She chuckled softly. "You're really a kid, Bec." Her hand ruffled my hair, and I hated how much I loved it.

"I'm 18. Not a kid."

"Yeah, an adult who acts like a kid," she teased.

That laugh—it sounded like home. I missed that sound more than I cared to admit.

I pouted and dragged her inside. She was startled but didn't resist. As we entered, everyone looked surprised seeing us together, but I ignored their stares and guided Freen toward the room. I handed her a change of clothes, and went to Irin's room. Later, when I came out of Irin's room, I noticed Freen had chosen to wear her own.

"Becky's here. Let's start eating," Char said cheerfully..

I slid into a seat just as Noey grinned at me.