Raine and her Storm

uncomplicated

The next morning, I lace up my running shoes and head out for a jog, hoping the fresh air and steady rhythm of my footsteps will clear my mind. The streets are quiet, the city still waking up, and the cool morning breeze is a welcome contrast to the heat of yesterday's emotions.

I focus on my breathing, the steady in-and-out, trying to lose myself in the simplicity of the run. But as I turn a corner, I nearly collide with someone—Salv.

He's jogging in the opposite direction, and we both come to a sudden stop, startled by the unexpected encounter. He looks just as surprised as I am, but then a smile spreads across his face, one that's both charming and disarming.

"Hey, didn't expect to see you out here," he says, his voice warm and familiar.

I'm caught off guard, my heart pounding—not just from the run but from the sight of him. Salv is one of the men from the morning I woke up in that unfamiliar house, and seeing him now brings a flood of mixed feelings. His presence is both comforting and unnerving, especially after everything that happened.

I manage a smile, trying to play it cool despite the sudden rhythm in my chest. "Yeah, just trying to clear my head."

He nods, his gaze steady and a little too perceptive, as if he can see through the casual front I'm putting up. "Same here. Want to join me? We can keep each other company."

There's something about his offer that's hard to refuse, maybe because I could use the distraction, or maybe because being around him feels like a welcome change from the chaos in my life. I nod, and we fall into step together, our strides matching effortlessly.

As we jog side by side, the conversation flows easily, and I find myself relaxing, the tension of the past few days easing with each step. Salv talks about everything and nothing, his voice a soothing backdrop to the rhythm of our run. Occasionally, our shoulders brush, and each time, I feel a spark of something I can't quite name

It's strange, but in this moment, I'm grateful for the unexpected encounter, for the way Salv seems to lighten the burden I've been carrying. The run, which started as an attempt to escape my thoughts, has turned into something more—a chance to breathe, to connect, and maybe, just maybe, to start feeling a little bit more like myself again.

As we jog along, the easy conversation between us eventually gives way to a more comfortable silence. The city is waking up around us, the morning sun casting a golden light over the streets. Just as I'm starting to lose myself in the rhythm of our steps, Salv slows down, and I match his pace, curious about the sudden change.

He glances at me, his expression more serious now. "Listen," he starts, his voice softer, almost hesitant. "About the other morning... I really need to apologize again. I know how confusing and overwhelming it must have been to wake up in our place like that."

I feel a slight twinge of anxiety, the memory of that disorienting morning flashing through my mind. But Salv's sincerity is disarming. There's no hint of the playful charm he usually carries, just a genuine concern in his eyes that makes it hard to hold onto any lingering discomfort.

I nod, giving him space to continue.

"We didn't handle it the best way," he admits, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't think about how it might feel for you, waking up in a strange place with a bunch of strangers. I'm sorry if we made you feel awkward or uncomfortable. That was never our intention."

There's a vulnerability in his tone that I hadn't noticed before, and it catches me off guard. The tension in my chest eases a little, replaced by a sense of understanding. He's right—it was overwhelming, but hearing him acknowledge that, and knowing it wasn't meant to be, makes it easier to move past the awkwardness of that morning.