Thunder rumbled overhead as Valencia hurried through the rain-soaked campus, clutching a sack of cat food tightly. Her heart raced in sync with the storm, each step splashing puddles. As she turned a corner near the art building, a shadowy figure emerged, sheltered under an umbrella. Valencia halted abruptly, her breath catching in her throat.
The figure's intentions remained as murky as the nearby lake. Anticipating trouble, Vallie dropped the sack and swiftly retrieved pepper spray from her bag.
She sprayed the pepper spray at the person who had just turned around, causing them to drop their umbrella and exclaim, "Fuck! My eyes!" The voice was unmistakably familiar, and in the moment of recognition, Vallie froze-it was Asher.
"Carrington?!" Vallie gasped, horrified, dropping the pepper spray onto the wet ground. She rushed to Asher's side as he continued to rub his eyes, his face contorted in pain.
"What's wrong with you?!" He blurted out, not angry but clearly in pain and bewildered by Vallie's actions.
"I'm sorry... but you scared me by suddenly appearing from the corner," she mumbled apologetically. Vallie gently guided his hands away from his eyes and tilted his head back, letting the rain ease the discomfort.
"Stay like that. I'm really sorry, Ashy. I was just so scared. You can't blame me, I'm just a girl," Vallie mumbled apologetically, hoping to calm him down and alleviate his pain.
Ash slowly lowered his head and was taken aback to see Vallie standing in front of him, soaking wet and trying to pick up the sack she had dropped earlier. Concerned, he quickly grabbed the umbrella from the ground and held it above her head, shielding her from the rain.
"Here, hold this. Let me help you with that."
Vallie relinquished her grip on the sack and took the umbrella with a grateful smile. As Ash took the sack and her bag, "Thanks, Ash. I really am sorry."
"Don't be, Fuentes. I scared you; it's my fault for lurking in the corner like that," Ash muttered, following Vallie to the next building, which was her dorm. "Not gonna lie, nice self-defense skills you've got there."
"Thanks, always gotta be prepared," Vallie chuckled softly, extending the umbrella to shelter Ash from the rain. He couldn't suppress a smile as he glanced down at her, adjusting the umbrella to cover them both as they walked towards her dorm. Catching her looking up at him, he quickly averted his gaze and focused on carrying the sack.
၇͜ᩘ𑁍・・・・・・・・・ ・・・・・၇͜ᩘ𑁍
As they reached the ground floor, Mr. Daniels hurried over, his gaze fixed on Vallie as he handed her a clean towel. "Valencia, you're going to catch a cold!" he scolded, draping the towel around her shoulders. Despite his gruff demeanor, Ash noticed the genuine concern in Mr. Daniels' raised voice for Vallie's well-being.
Glancing briefly at Ash, Mr. Daniels led Vallie towards a nearby bench. "There's another towel at my station, bud," he muttered casually, nodding towards the security desk behind Ash before focusing completely on Vallie.
Mr. Daniels began lecturing her in a concerned fatherly tone, scolding her for going out in the storm. Ash carefully set down the sack and retrieved a towel from Mr. Daniels' station, quickly drying himself off. He found amusement in their father-daughter-like dynamic, prompting a soft chuckle.
၇͜ᩘ𑁍・・・・・・・・・ ・・・・・၇͜ᩘ𑁍
After a few moments, Ash approached them as they continued to talk and laugh, causing both to glance at him. However, Mr. Daniels' stern gaze contrasted with Vallie's gentle look. "What kind of man are you to let this lady get soaked in the rain?" he lectured, arms folded across his chest as he surveyed them both.
YOU ARE READING
Stray Serendipity
RomanceA guy, named Ash, was quietly reading in his favorite spot at the park, where no usually walking around. But, suddenly where a few minutes have passed, a cat suddenly approaches him, seemingly happy to see him, brushing its body to his, purring quie...
