The Rain Brings Flowers

* I would like to thank TheWaffler for the amazing cover! This chapter is dedicated to her! My mom always told me that with out the rain there wouldn't be flowers. With out the rain in our lives we wouldn't be able to see the flowers that come from it. My family sure has had our fair share of rain but our garden of flowers is beautiful. We've worked our way up from the storms to just lite spring showers now and then to make our flowers continue to bloom. All this ran through my mind as I pulled my frizzy hair into pony tail while looking at the rain pouring down outside. It had been raining all week and my car was in the shop, so I have been riding the bus. Thank goodness it was Friday, so I could read in my bay window without worrying about the homework that's due. My phone beeped signaling it was time to head to the bus stop. Yes I have an alarm, I tend to miss time things. I got to the bus stop, after sloshing through puddles the size of lakes, and found a girl standing there with no umbrella and jacket. How could she possibly not be shivering. But then I saw that she was, she was also crying. I put my umbrella over her and said hi. She just looked at me like I might try to hurt her. "My name's Marlie, I live up the road. Here take the umbrella. I have a jacket in my backpack that you can use." She just continued to look at me while she held the umbrella. I gave her the jacket and held the umbrella over both of us again while she put it on. That's when it hit me that she needed more than a jacket, she was soaking wet, and that she could use a cup of tea. "I know you don't know me at all, I think you're new. But, you need warm clothes and I think I have something that will fit you." She nodded, I gently grabbed her hand and led her to my two story suburban home. My mother looked at me like I was looney, when I came in with the girl from the bus stop. "Could you put on some hot water, please?" I gave her a begging smile and led the girl up stairs to my room. "That was my mom, her name is Magdalena, but she goes by Mags. You can sit anywhere, the window seat is rather cold though." I rummaged though my closet to find some clothes that would fit her small frame. I was able to find a few sweaters, a pair if jeans, a skirt and a sweater dress. "Here we go you can have your pick. If you like the rest you can take it." She looked at the sweater dress in as if in awe. It was a gift from my aunt and was brand new but I wouldn't wear it, it was way to form fitting for comfort. "I'll just wear the sweater and jeans." She continued to look at the dress as she grabbed the jeans and a rainbow sweater. "I think you would look great in the dress, I have leggings you could wear and an extra pair of rain boots that will match." I had an A Ha moment. "You would look a like a total fashionista!" She smiled then and grabbed the dress, so I found the leggings and boots. She came out of the bathroom and was actually smiling. I did something today! She touched her stringy wet hair. "I can fix that." I led her to the vanity were she sat while I brushed, blow dried, and straightened her red hair. I spun her around like a reveal on a make over show. Her eyes lit up and a another smile tried to peak through. "Thank you, Marlie. We are going to be late to school because of me." The smile vanished with the last part. "Don't worry my dad is the principle, I'll explain and we'll be golden. By the way what's your name? If you don't mind me asking." The look on her face made me laugh, she just realized that she never told me her name.

"I'm sorry, you've done all this," She waved her hands all around at this. "it's the least I could do. I'm Abbey Glendon. And yes I'm new."

"Nice to meet you Abbey!" I hugged her and led the way to the kitchen were my mom was on the phone with whom I presumed to be my dad, he's actually my step-dad but were really close. "Thanks for the hot water." I whispered to my mother. After pulling out two to-go cups I made us both hot tea. "Hello Dear, I'm Mags, may I know your name?" My mother asked as she shook Abbey's hand.

"I'm Abbey, Mam. You have a wonderful daughter." She blushed as though this was to much kindness for her.

"She's been in the rain at some point in her life also." My mom winked at me. "Marlie, that was dad on the phone. He called to see where you were, Miss Lenox was freaking out. You both are excused from first hour. You girls can take my car, I'm riding with Gordy today." We thanked her and turned to leave. She pulled us into a hug and told me to stay while Abbey started the car. "Hunny, I'm proud of you. Help her through her stormy season so you can help cultivate the flowers after. Also Dad wants to see you when you get to school. Love ya!" With that Abbey and I drove to school.

"Your mom is so sweet. I can't believe she didn't run me out with a broom." Abbey laughed but sounded really worried.

I smiled to reassure her. "My mom works as a guidance counselor. She loves to help anyone. Her heart is as big as Texas." I sighed thinking of how lucky I was. God sure blessed me.

"My mom would have ran out a person looking like I did."

"Some people are like that, my family has been helped so we help others."

"Really?" She acted like it couldn't be true. "You look like you have it all together."

"We try, but it hasn't always been so." I turned to her as we were about to face the rain to get to the school. "Come over after school, better yet stay the night and I'll tell you all about it. We can have pizza!" I pulled my umbrella from the back and gave it Abbey. "Keep it, I have another at home and I'll use my mom'a today."

"Thanks. For everything."

"Since you're new I'll be your guide today so just follow me. We will be pals today. Now lets face this rain together."

"Okay. Lets do this thing." She smiled while we walked through the rain together and to the day that lay ahead of us. I smiled also, but because of the underlying meaning in my words. I swear my mom is psychic. I just hope Abbey will let me help through her stormy season. ~~~~~~

Mrs. Smith hugged me when I came into the office to talk to my father. "Darlin, you made it. Your English was freaking out. I think you did the right thing, I'm proud of you. For a while you were a little self centered. No offense, just calling it as I see it. Now get to class. I love you."

"Love you too! Oh, I'm leading the new student around today, she's who came over this morning." It was my job usually to lead the newbies around. You could say I am a one woman welcome wagon. I hugged him and left, but not before grabbing a welcome bag complete with mug cake mix for two. "So what's your first class Abbey?" I was curious to see where I would be going first this morning.

"Well, my first class was Lit., but my second is Calc."

"Sweet that's my class too! Lets go." I pulled her up from her seat and she laughed at my eagerness to get to class.

"Boy you're eager to get to Calc."

"Yes, I am. Mr.K is the bomb. Oh, and this is for you!" I handed her the gift bag which contained a map, my emergency cell number-I'm allowed to have it because I'm easier to reach than my dad is-, a pack if minty gum for after lunch breath, a key that will get into you locker if you forget your combination, non-scented Chapstick, a package of cookie in a mug, and of course a handwritten note of encouragement.

"You've already given me enough Marlie. I'm good with out another gift." She tried to refuse but I wouldn't have it.

"It's a survival kit, not that you'll need it, all new students get them. Plus I would be offended if you didn't take it. It is my brain child." By that time we made it to Mr.K's rooms and she accept the gift bag. "Mr.Kensleying this is Abbey. Can she sit with me today?" He greeted her warmly and went on with class. He's not the introduce yourself to the class type. I looked at Abbey's schedule and realized we had all the same classes, including fifth hour library help. "We are going to have a wonderful day!" I whispered.

"Yes we are." Abbey replied smiling at the explanation paper in the gift bag. "You thought of it all didn't you?"

"Yup, I've been a new student a few times in my life."