The Walter Boys Assistant

Chapter 35: Rained Out

It's incredible how fast a little bit of rain disperses a large crowd.

Everyone went flocking to the stores on Mainstreet, seeking cover. you couldn't quite believe how all of them were reacting to a little bit of rain.

"(Y/n)! Alex!" You whirl around, spotting Cole flicking his hand above his head to be seen easier. "Where the hell were you guys?" He asks upon your approach. Drops of rain continue to pelt the top of your head, trickling down into your eyelashes.

"We couldn't find anyone so we watched the show alone." Alex replies.

"Do you guys want a ride back home? Jackie hasn't been feeling great." Cole flicks his thumb over his shoulder, drawing your attention to Jackie in the window of the Lark. She is resting in a chair, head against the glass and eyes closed firm. She looks paler, almost a shade of green glossing over her usual complexion. Her ailment is quite revealing to anyone with a pair of eyes.

"Is she okay?"

"She just needs to get back home to rest. I don't want her out in this rain. The forecast states it will blow over soon, but I don't want to risk it." Cole spells out his concerns, turning back to take in a long, hard look at his girlfriend.

She definitely isn't feeling well.

You could even say that she is under the weather.

"So I can drive you home, Alex. And (Y/n), your parents said they're going to stay here with our folks. They want to wait out the rain and finish the festivities."

"I wouldn't mind a ride home." You admit, considering the offer. It had been quite a tiring afternoon, and you would be lying if you said that you weren't tired at all.

"Then there's nothing much left for me here. I'll go too." Alex jabs back in, collecting your hand into his.

"Great. We're taking Kiley home first." Cole states before turning back for the Lark. You and Alex follow in pursuit, rushing to step out of the rain before leaving.

~~~~~

A cramped car ride was the last thing you needed to wrap up the day. Thunder continues to boom, growing closer. Ever since your best friend was dropped off at her house, your anxiety has skyrocketed, with so much going on, it's difficult to concentrate on one thing.

There's heavy rainfall thudding against the roof of the car. There's Isaac, Nathan, and Cole all shouting at one another, the younger siblings teaming up against their driver, claiming his driving would be getting them all killed in this storm. There's Jackie in the passenger seat, vocalizing a nasty cough and stuffy nose.

And then there's the thunder that sends a shock wave of terror coursing through your veins. Your heart reacts to each flash of lightning that you notice out the window, summersalting in place as it awaits the dreaded sound that comes not too far after.

Another rumble tears through the atmosphere as Cole cursed under his breath, taking a turn as slow as possible, water beginning to flood the streets.

"I thought they said this storm wasn't supposed to be anything big!" Isaac shouts, attempting to be heard clearly over the loud pattering of rain.

"Well, they were definitely wrong." Cole answers.

A flash of light strikes your eyes. Not even a second goes by before the thunderclap goes off. It makes you jolt in the car seat, lungs restricting themselves as you force yourself to work on collecting more air.

With you being so preoccupied, you don't even notice how Alex has observed your behavior during the entirety of the car ride. He has seen your anxiety grow worse and worse the more the storm picks up.

"Alright. We'll wait until (Y/n)'s inside but then we need to hightail it back home." Cole instructs, bringing the car up to the porch steps as close as he can without running into them. Your hands tremble, motioning to unbuckle your belt, but are stopped short when Alex does it for you.

"I'm going to stay here. Keep (Y/n) company until her folks make it back."

The statement brings your eyes up to meet his own. He's smiling in a manner of reassurance. It's soft, inviting. Even with the strong winds and nonstop raindrops, that smile washes a sense of calm over you.

"Thank you." You whisper with gratitude. You feared how terrible your anxiety would be while alone during the thunderstorm until your parents got back. For Alex to acknowledge this and offer to stay speaks volumes of just how well he knows you.

As you prepare yourself to make a dash for the porch, Alex looks up to the front of the car. He finds Cole's piercing green eyes pointedly narrowing, eyebrows raising, through the rear view mirror. It's a look from his brother not many understand, but Alex does. Cole certainly believes that something might come from this little detour... poor choice of words.  It's a kind of tell-tale that he knows exactly what you're thinking... and that you should tread lightly.

"Ready?" Your voice interrupts, pulling him apart from the impromptu staring contest.

He nods once before you swing open the car door and rush out, rain pelting down on your head in the process.

As Alex prepares to follow, the sound of Cole clearing his throat forces him to stop and look back to the front of the car.

Cole doesn't speak a word, instead, he leans across the center console and opens the glove department in front of Jackie. They each watch curiously as he pulls out a small box and flicks it open.

Alex's cheeks flush multiple shades of red while watching Cole remove a sealed wrapper from the box. With the slip held between his pointer and middle fingers, he extends it back for Alex to take.

His younger brother gawks at the offering, jaw clenching and unclenching before taking it from Cole's hand.

There's a moment of incommodious stillness in the car, the only noise being that of the storm around them.

Alex's eyes scan the object in his grasp, flicker to Cole, and then settle back on the wrapper.

After a brief exchange of abashed glances, Alex pulls out his wallet from his back pocket and injects the wrapper inside.

Cole doesn't allow Alex to part ways from the car before giving a cheeky wink. At the wave of laughter that erupts from Alex's siblings in the backseats, he takes his exit and sprints to the house.

Leave it to Cole Walter to offer his younger brother a condom.

That's all Alex can think as he enters the house and shuts the door behind him without looking back.