Lanterns in the Rain

Chapter Thirty: Falling Into You

The soft hum of a guitar played through the quiet of Rae's bedroom, her old speakers crackling slightly as the song filled the space. She lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her heart caught in the strange, dizzying pull that seemed to follow her every interaction with Henry.

It wasn't like Rae to feel this way—untethered, unguarded. But every time she thought of him, she felt as though the rain she loved so much was no longer falling outside but within her, a gentle, rhythmic pulse that carried her thoughts to him.

She turned onto her side, her gaze drifting to the small notebook on her nightstand. It was filled with scattered thoughts, half-finished poems, and sketches of moments she couldn't bring herself to name.

There was a knock on the window.

Startled, Rae sat up. Her heart leapt as she saw Henry standing outside, a sheepish grin on his face and his hands shoved into his jacket pockets.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, sliding the window open. The chill of the night air rushed in, making her shiver.

"I was in the neighborhood," Henry said, his grin widening.

"You live three streets over."

"Exactly," he teased. "Practically neighbors."

Rae rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at her lips. "It's freezing out there."

"Then let me in?" he asked, his tone playful but hopeful.

With a sigh, she moved aside, and he climbed through the window, landing with a quiet thud on her rug.

"This is ridiculous," she said, crossing her arms.

"And yet, you're smiling," Henry countered, brushing off his jacket.

Rae shook her head, sitting back on the bed. "What's so important that it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

Henry hesitated, his expression softening. "I just... I wanted to see you."

Her chest tightened at his words, the sincerity in his voice catching her off guard. "Why?" she asked, her voice quieter now.

"Because," he said, sitting down on the edge of her bed, "you've been on my mind all day. And I couldn't stop thinking about how much better everything feels when I'm around you."

Rae's breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest. "Henry..."

"I know," he said quickly, his tone shifting. "I know this is still new for you, and I don't want to push. But I also don't want to pretend that what I'm feeling isn't real."

She stared at him, her thoughts a whirlwind. His words were simple, but they carried a weight that both terrified and thrilled her.

"I don't know how to do this," she admitted, her voice trembling.

"Neither do I," he said, a small, reassuring smile on his lips. "But we can figure it out together."

The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken emotions. Henry reached for her hand, his fingers brushing hers, and Rae let him take it.

And then, without thinking, without planning, she leaned forward and kissed him.

It wasn't careful or calculated. It was impulsive, driven by the quiet storm of feelings that had been building inside her for weeks.

Henry froze for a moment, clearly surprised, but then his hand cupped her cheek, and he kissed her back. It was soft and tentative, like they were both testing the boundaries of something fragile and new.

When they pulled apart, Rae felt breathless, her heart racing. Henry's eyes searched hers, his smile warm and full of wonder.

Rae let out a shaky laugh, her cheeks flushing. "That was unexpected."

"In the best way," he replied, his thumb brushing lightly against her hand.

For the first time in a long time, Rae didn't feel lost. In Henry's gaze, in his touch, she felt found—like the world had shifted, and she was finally standing in a place where she could be herself, unguarded and unafraid.

And for now, that was enough.