Bully Me No More

25

*ROC*

It was hard for me to ignore the little overly friendly greeting between the guy in the purple hoodie and Rain. When she didn't mention his name I let it go, he couldn't have been important. I couldn't believe that Ray asked such a personal question at lunch! And why did Rain have to put our business out there like that?

I was pretty much pissed off the rest of the day, but I tried hard to hide it so I could successfully get through practice, I never found Rain so we didn't walk home together.

"Hello?" I answered my phone.

"Hi Roc. My mom said I could stay for an hour, I'm outside."

"K. One second, I'm coming."

I pulled my shirt over my head and threw it on my bed with my phone before running downstairs to let Rain in.

"Hi Princess." I greeted her.

"Hey."

We went up to my room and after an awkward silence I spoke.

"Why did you tell the guys we've never...ya know."

"Oh. Um, I don't know...Ray asked, I just answered."

"You didn't need to."

"And why not?"

"Do you know how embarrassing that is on my part?"

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked right at me.

"Nope. Do please explain."

I grabbed her hand because I didn't want her getting mad at me. "Well it is for me. Guys take these things seriously. They're ganna tease me now."

"Ok." She shrugged.

I sighed and let her hand go. "Just...never mind."

"So I don't matter to you since I won't SLEEP with you?"

"I didn't say that!"

"You mine as well have."

"Rain I don't wanna fight with you."

"No need Roc. You know why? Cuz you're free to go sleep with whoever you choose! You are now a free and SINGLE man." She walked out, slamming my door behind her and then I heard the front door slam.

After just a few seconds I jumped up, shoved my feet into sneakers and ran out, still shirtless.

"Rain!" I called after her. I caught deja vu just like when I chased after her at the Y to get my hat back, she's fast but I'm faster.

"Let go!" She shouted when i caught up to her and wrapped my arms around her.

"No." I said.

I held on tight until she finally stopped squirming and gave in.

"What do you want?" She spat.

"I want you to not be mad. Please."

She crossed her arms and looked at the ground. "Roc I can't help but feel like I'm not good enough for you. I know the other girls you've messed with and I don't even compare to them."

"Well you're right about one thing."

She frowned.

"You're wrong that you aren't good enough. But you're right that you don't even compare to those other girls. I would never compare you to them, it'd be a disgrace. You are THE cutest, funniest, coolest, best girl that I have ever had a crush on and I still can't believe I get to call you mine. If you'll let me."

"what do you mean you can't believe you have me?"

I smiled at the fact that she said "have" and not "had" because that meant we were still together.

"Rain I have hurt you for three years. I never imagined you would forgive me and when you did...it just felt like I was on top of the world."

She blushed an uncrossed her arms.

"Well...since you put it that way..." She mumbled.

I laughed just as she cracked a smile and then I noticed I still had no shirt on when I felt a rain drop on my shoulder.

"It's ganna rain." I told her.

She chuckled."You're in the rain with RAIN."

Seeing her smile the way she did washed away all the worries I had just seconds before. Fears of her leaving me and going out with someone else...the guy with the hoodie maybe.

"I think I should go home." She said, causing me to feel sad again.

I pulled her close, my hands grabbing her sides. "No. Please don't we have an hour."

Her eyes met mine and i knew she was about to object, but I wanted her to stay with me, I NEEDED her to stay. She wrapped her arms around my neck and sighed. I forgot about the rain, I forgot about the passing cars and stray cats running towards a warm place to shield themselves from the water. It was just her and I enjoying each other's company.

She leaned in first and then I closed off the rest of the space. Her lips were wet and I could feel her wet shirt pressed against my bare chest. She pulled away smiling.

"Now I really should go home, I'm all wet, I should change."

I didn't wanna pass up the chance to see her in my clothes again.

"No." I said firmly.

She laughed and kissed my cheek.

"Bye Roc."

I grabbed her hand and when she started walking away I pulled her back. I stepped to her and put on a serious face.

"I said no."

I saw fear in her eyes and I knew I had to do something to reassure her she didn't need to be afraid. I pressed my palm into the center of her back. causing her to arch over my arm. Her hair fell towards the ground and I bent closer to her face and kissed her softly. She held onto me tightly, afraid I would drop her, but I would never let her fall. When we stood straight up again our faces were still close together.

"Don't go." I pleaded.

"Ok."  She said it as if she was in a trance and I smiled in disbelief. I was proud that I had such an effect on her.

We walked hand in hand back to my house and my mom laughed at us when we entered.

"Have fun? Roc put some clothes on before you get sick.' My mom told me.

I wrapped myself around Rain and kissed her cheek. "Yes ma'am."

She laughed as she shook her head at Rain and just walked out. "Catch me if you can." Rain whispered into my ear.

"Huh?"

Just then she ducked out of my arms and flew up the stairs.

"Aye not fair!" I yelled after her.

She threw all her weight against my door in an attempt to keep me out, but when she realized she had no chance she ran out from behind it, almost causing me to fall. She stood in the very corner of the room with her hands up.

"Ahhhh!" She screamed.

I neared her slowly and she slid down the wall till she was sitting down and used her arms to shield her head.

"No no no!" She screamed.

I reached down and she laughed uncontrollably while I tickled her.