"Things" Of The Past

Chapter 2: Music in the Rain

February 3rd 2004, it's been at least 6 months since the school year started. Unexpectedly Me and Summer's friendship is stronger than ever and I feel like even the teachers noticed it. I made a guy friend as well. His name is Lewis. Me and him are both transfer students and we share the love for music and comic books. But he isn't really the brightest one in the class. Don't get me wrong he's doing well, but I know he could do better. Back to me and Summer. Summer is actually one of the smartest ones in the class, along with me. We both pass our quarterly exams and submit our requirements on time. So it's pretty positive, we're doing well in school. Tomorrow is our third quarter exam. Me and summer talked about going to the nearest library, so we can study together. I wasn't just doing this because, I like her. I'm doing this because she's smart and she loves reading books, so she didn't really complain when I asked if she wanted to go to the library with me later... It was last period. Mr. Peterson just got done announcing the types of test in our exam and wished us the best of luck tomorrow. After that we all packed our bags and left the room. I said goodbye and good luck to Lewis before he left the classroom. I waited for summer to pack her stuff so we can head to the library. After she's done. We headed out to the nearest library, I looked at my watch, and it was only 1:00pm so we had a lot of time to study there. While walking there, I plan to go to the nearest CD store to buy more albums, since after me and Summer get done studying at the library, we'll go our separate ways. Me and Summer arrived, went different ways, and grabbed several books that were related to our subject that we'll tackle tomorrow, so that we could learn easily for the test tomorrow. After we find all the books we needed, I pulled out my Discman and my earphones and began to listen to one of my discs, I brought. Summer was confused on what I just pulled out. She said, "Whoa, what's that? I haven't seen anything like that before"  I replied, "It's a Discman, you know the device I've mentioned before. It's basically like a walkman but instead of cassette tapes, it's CD's."  She was shocked and impressed at the same time, I asked her if she wanted to share the earphones with me. She gladly said, "yes!" So, I chose another disc to play and I decided to play "Thriller album by Michael Jackson". She listened to the first track and she immediately said "You have a nice taste in music. I can't believe you never told me haha". We laughed for a few seconds and then began studying . While we were studying, I kept staring at her from time to time, if she's liking the music, I'm playing, and I guess she likes it, I see her happy and smiling, I wondered if it was the music or something else, but I remembered clearly on the first day, she mentioned she enjoyed reading as well, so sometimes when I stare at her, I can't help myself but smile as well, I find it attractive when a girl, I'm with is contented even if we're just studying and listening to songs. I guess that's why I liked her. We were studying at the library for at least 3 hours and those 3 hours were worth it, we felt like we could ace the test easily for tomorrow. After that study session, we packed our stuff and left the library, but when we left the library. It was starting to rain, and Summer panicked because she might arrive home late again. She told me, her parents are not happy when she comes home later than 6:00pm, I checked my watch it was 3:45pm. I planned to head out and go to the CD store, but I can't just leave Summer while, it's about to rain. I decided to take her with me and promised I'll take her home before her curfew. We walked over to the nearest CD store and as every step we took. The rain is beginning to fall faster, so we ran. When we arrived at the store. I asked the store cashier if any chance they had towels so we can dry ourselves. The cashier gladly handed me and summer towels so we can dry ourselves. When we we're done drying ourselves. We looked for discs that I can buy. Now this was the 2000s. Discs were in high demand back in the day so the price was no joke, but luckily, I earned money from the Christmas money I got, so it was no problem how expensive the disc will be. Me and summer started to select at least 3 CD's in total. I started to look around and choose a CD wisely. Meanwhile Summer already picked out a disc and I won't forget what that disc was. It was The Smiths... She explained how she's a fan of their music and she feels that I'll enjoy this album, because it's her personal favorite, The album that she showed me was "The Queen is dead album by The Smiths." So I gladly took the disc and thanked her for choosing for me. We went to the counter and purchased the one she picked out for me and the two I picked out, for myself. I saw that they were selling umbrellas as well. I looked at the window to see if it's still raining, and it was. So I bought an umbrella as well so I can take her home and prevent her from getting a cold. After we're done with her purchase the cashier asked us "Are you guys dating or?" Before I could answer the question, I looked at summer and she looked like she had butterflies in her stomach, so I replied to the cashier, "Oh no, we're just friends, sir". The cashier just nodded and before we left the cashier said, "You guys look cute together, you know that?". Unexpectedly, Summer replied to the Cashier, she said, "Yeah, I know right" then she winked at me. I was confused on what was going on. I don't know if she was saying just go with the flow or she was flirting with me. We left the store and I put an umbrella over her head before she got out of the store. We then walked to the nearest bus stop and waited for the bus. I checked my watch and it was 5:15pm. The trip to her house is about 30 minutes, so there was no pressure that we're not going to make it. We sat down and waited. I saw that Summer was tired so I checked my bag if I still have snacks. Luckily I had some Oreos that I didn't eat at recess. So I tapped her shoulder and asked if she wants one. She smiled and said, "Yes, thank you, Daniel". I smiled and we happily ate Oreos. After a few minutes the Bus arrived and we got on. Once we got on, we sat. After a few seconds of us sitting. Summer said to me," Hey, thank you for not leaving me behind back in the library. I appreciate it, seriously. Thank you." I just smiled and said, "Don't worry I'll be here when you need me." She smiled when I said that. She then says to me "Hey, wanna listen to the CD, I picked?". I nodded and pulled out my Discman and the CD she picked. We both wore one earphone each and listened. I really liked the songs in that album and still hands down own of my favorites till this day. While listening she fell asleep and slept on my shoulder the whole ride, so I slept above her head as well, while we were listening the songs. It was her stop and I woke her up, I said, "Hey, this is your stop and it's only 5:50, I told you we'd make it" before she left the bus, she thanked me once again. Right before she left, she came back to me and kissed me on the cheek and said, "See you tomorrow, Daniel!" Then she waved goodbye, thanked the bus driver and left the bus. The bus driver then continued on and drove us to the next stop, which is going to be my stop. For the whole bus ride, that kiss was the only thing in my mind.