Diamond in the Rough

A Diamond in The Rough

Since the start of my day, twenty minutes past my alarm clock, it had been one bad luck event after another. It must have been the clock mother had gotten as a present. In first period I had to complete an exam that I hadn't realised we were getting and, consequently, hadn't studied for. In each of the periods after that I accidentally caused a disruption. Course teacher after course teacher said the same thing: "I'm disappointed in you, _________-san. I really am."

It made me want to slam my books down in frustration. Unfortunately, it didn't stop there.

During lunch break I accidentally tripped over my untied shoelaces and dropped all of my food on the floor. Everyone was laughing at me as I cleaned it up. The fleeting thought of skipping lunch altogether had crossed my mind but I was famished to the point of dizziness after skipping breakfast to make it to school on time. Take care of yourself before others, is what was going through my mind at the time. And so, foolishly believing the day couldn't have gotten any worse, I decided to spend my bus fare on food--walking home wouldn't be too much of a bother anyway. But now, standing under the shelter of the school's front office and watching heavy rain pouring in thick sheets, I wanted to scream. I had left my umbrella at home. Furthermore, the school would close in half an hour and the storm didn't look as though it would let up any time soon.

Well, it's not like clothes can't dry; and my house isn't that far away.

With this in mind I set off at a quick pace, determined to overcome my bad luck.

Two minutes into my walk my clothes were getting incredibly heavy with what must've been several litres of water. Shivers wracked my body. A car sped by close to the curb and splashed muddy water all over my shins and feet. Following the car's path a truck passed and, with its great velocity, sent what seemed to be the whole body of water flying towards me. I froze and clenched my fists and helplessly endured the wrath of the brown, ice-cold water.

"Enough already! I can't take it anymore!" I cried to the dark clouds. I kicked at the wet ground in frustration before walking a few metres away from the puddle and withering down onto the curb. I was soaked and in no mood to walk any further. Waiting the storm out was the only option at this point. It was then I started to cry, pawing at my eyes helplessly as I let out ugly sobs that shook my shoulders over the shivering. I had reached my limit.

After about five minutes a warm hand enveloped my shoulder. Immediately thinking it was a molester, I let out a yelp and smacked it a way while haphazardly crawling away backwards. However when I looked up I saw not a ravenous man's expression, but one of concern from Makoto Tachibana.

Makoto Tachibana was a third-year student from the all-boys high school a kilometre away from my school, an all-girls high school. I had heard about him and seen him from several stories and pictures girls all around the school had boasted about. There was a particular one I remembered in which he had accidentally palmed a girl's breast after bumping into her. Instinctively, I looked down at my own appendage. Two lumps that weren't much higher than the curve of a plate were what I was greeted with. My cheeks flushed. He looked at me with a perplexed expression this time.

"Um..." Makoto crouched down to my level. He tilted his umbrella over my head and the feeling of heavy droplets smacking my skin halted. He held his hand out.

"I'm Makoto Tachibana. Nice to meet you... Are you alr-"

"No! You're going to get wet. Please, use the umbrella for yourself."

I pushed the umbrella away so it moved over his head instead, ignoring his greeting. He laughed delightfully at me, making music with the raindrops. It was my turn to be perplexed.

"Never mind that; you're the one who's going to catch a cold—you're freezing! Come, follow me. My house is near. Just a block away, actually," he said warmly and unfolded my hand with his free one. The handle of the umbrella was warm as he placed it in my empty palm and began walking away uncovered. I looked at his retreating figure in bewilderment before remembering he had told me to follow him. As if on their own accord, my legs sprang into action and I stood up abruptly before jogging after him.

When I caught up to Makoto his soft-looking lips smiled slightly but his kind, olive eyes grinned. My body stopped shivering and my fingers thawed at the sight. For the first time in the day, the corners of my mouth lifted. Makoto looked back ahead, still smiling gently. He looked like an angel.

I quickly looked away. What a cheesy thought!

"We're almost there," he spoke softly.

I nodded and followed silently before realising I had forgotten to introduce myself after I ignored his earlier greeting. I mentally kicked myself.

"Um...I-I'm ___________. Pleased to meet you," I mumbled, seemingly out of the blue.

He chuckled at me and I felt myself flush inadvertently.  "Pleased to meet you."

He held out his hand. I took it with my opposite and shook it, revelling in its warmth. When he let go I couldn't help but think that I wanted more...

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