Constant and Changing (kryber)

Chapter 36: Zig Zag

The sky outside was a deep gray as Krystal stood by herself on the balcony of Amber's apartment. A storm was on the horizon. Krystal could smell the rain and feel the static building in the sky. Grey clouds were looming overhead, masking the blanket of stars that should have dotted the night sky.

Amber was somewhere out there right now, running beneath the rumbling sky that threatened to rip apart and drench the earth below it. Krystal prayed that Amber was running back to her right now, that she would make it back to the apartment before the raindrops fell, before the heavens cried.

At last, off in the distance, Krystal finally spotted Amber. The runner's face was impossible to see from this far in the darkness, but Krystal could tell that it was Amber. She ran out the door with an umbrella in hand, intending to meet her girlfriend halfway.

Krystal jogged across the deserted street. They were still blocks apart, but the distance was shrinking as they ran toward each other.

"Amber!" Krystal called out, lifting her right hand and waving at the other girl. She smiled as her wave was returned. A warm rain was falling now, and Krystal caught the first droplets on her raised arm. The younger girl's disappointment set in quickly as the light rainfall grew heavy.

Now that she had lost to the storm, Krystal's paced slowed to a walk. She had hoped to reach Amber before the rain fell so that they both might keep dry under the umbrella's protection. But now that Amber was caught under the full force of the storm, there was no reason for Krystal to keep dry by herself. Leaving the umbrella unopened, Krystal stopped, lifted both hands in the air, and turned her face to the sky.

"Babo-ya, what are you doing?" Amber asked as she met Krystal in the street. The older girl took the umbrella out of Krystal's hand and opened it over them both. "You'll catch a cold."

With a mischievous smile, Krystal stepped out from under the umbrella. The rain's severity increased and Krystal opened her mouth and tasted the storm that had beaten them. It was refreshing.

"Get under here," Amber demanded, wiping the rain out of her own eyes. Amber's tone was serious, but Krystal could tell from her expression that Amber was in a good mood. Krystal walked back towards the other girl and stopped just short of coming under the umbrella, choosing to stand under the torrents of rain. Krystal brought her hands to her face and tried to wipe the moisture from her eyes.

"Hi," Krystal greeted, staring at her somewhat drier girlfriend. Her eyes shone as they fell upon Amber, betraying much more emotion than the simple greeting she had uttered.

"You're such a child, Soojung-ah," Amber laughed as she wiped away the rain on Krystal's face. It was a futile effort under the heavy downpour. "Come under here where it's nice and dry," she coaxed the other girl, reaching out a hand to her.

"You come out here where it's nice and wet," came the coy reply. Krystal smirked at Amber, reaching out her own hand as well. She could see a shy blush creep onto Amber's cheeks as she tried to take the lead in their flirtatious exchange.

A bolt of lightning zig zagged across the sky. Both girls jumped at the flash, then jumped again when the thunder followed immediately after. The storm was no longer on the horizon; it was right on top of them. Krystal felt a shock of thrill run down her spine. The anticipation of a storm was nothing compared to experiencing it.

"It's getting dangerous out here," Amber murmured with an edge of concern in her voice. "Maybe we should get inside?" As if to confirm her fears, another bolt of lightning tore across the sky.

Despite Amber's worries, captivated by the romantic atmosphere of the storm, Krystal couldn't help herself. She swiftly pulled the older girl to her, stealing her away from the umbrella's protection. The storm was a frenzy of water and wind around them, but the kiss that Krystal and Amber shared was somehow more powerful. Krystal felt Amber gently dip her, cradling her delicately in her arms as the kiss deepened.