Lanterns in the Rain

Chapter Twenty-Two: Lanterns of Trust

The days began to pass with a rhythm Rae hadn't expected—an ease that was both comforting and unnerving. She found herself seeking Henry out more often, her quiet world slowly becoming something they shared rather than something she kept hidden.

It was on one of those days, during the golden lull of the late afternoon, that Rae found herself sitting with Henry on a bench near the edge of the school field. The sun was low in the sky, its rays painting everything in soft, amber hues.

Henry leaned back, his head tilted toward the sky. "It's been a while since we've had weather like this," he said.

Rae pulled her hoodie tighter around herself, even though the air wasn't cold. "I guess."

Henry turned to her, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Do you ever just... stop and appreciate it? The light, the stillness?"

She shrugged, but her gaze flicked to the horizon where the sun was dipping lower, its light catching on the trees. "Sometimes. But I like the rain more."

"Of course you do," Henry teased gently. "It suits you."

Rae raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's quiet, steady, and it leaves everything feeling fresh afterward. Kind of like you."

The words caught her off guard, her cheeks warming as she turned her gaze to the ground. "You've got a way with words, don't you?"

Henry chuckled, the sound light and unguarded. "Maybe. But only when it comes to you."

They sat in silence for a while after that, the kind that felt comfortable rather than awkward. Rae's thoughts wandered as she watched the light shift over the field, her heart beating steadily in her chest.

"Can I ask you something?" she said eventually, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course," Henry replied, turning his full attention to her.

"What made you decide to talk to me that day?" Rae asked, her hazel eyes meeting his. "In the library, I mean. You barely knew me."

Henry's smile softened, his gaze warm and thoughtful. "I noticed you before that," he admitted. "You always seemed so... in your own world. But not in a bad way. I guess I was curious."

"Curious?" Rae echoed, a hint of skepticism in her tone.

"Yeah," Henry said, his smile widening. "I wanted to know what you were thinking about, what made you tick. You have this way of looking at things like you see more than the rest of us do."

Rae blinked, surprised by his answer. No one had ever said something like that to her before—like her quiet observations and guarded demeanor weren't something to be fixed, but something to be valued.

"I didn't think anyone noticed me like that," she said softly.

Henry reached out, his hand brushing hers lightly before settling between them on the bench. "I did. And I'm glad I did."

The sun dipped lower, the golden light fading into the deep blue of evening. Rae looked at Henry, her chest tightening with something that felt both exhilarating and terrifying.

"Thanks," she said finally, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside her.

Henry tilted his head, his eyes meeting hers. "For what?"

"For... not giving up. Even when I tried to push you away," Rae admitted, her words heavy with honesty.

Henry's expression softened further, his smile tinged with something deeper. "I never planned to give up, Rae. Not on you."

As the lanterns lining the school path flickered to life, their warm glow breaking through the encroaching darkness, Rae felt a quiet shift inside her. For the first time, the walls she'd built around herself didn't feel quite so insurmountable.

Maybe, just maybe, she thought, some lights were worth following.