burn • luke hemmings/5sos [au]

one // the beginning

        IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE. A TYPICAL day in Waverly, but what's not so typical is how I feel about it. Usually I'd refrain from running out of the house without at least five layers of clothing on, but today, I want to feel the rain. Want to feel it's gentle patter and soft rhythm.

It's six in the morning, so I'm still in my night clothes when I step outside. It doesn't matter. Our house is at the far edge of the town, so it's not like anyone can see me. I wouldn't care if they could, anyway. I smile as the water soaks through my clothes and clings to my skin. The air smells damp, and surprisingly I like that.

"Nova, what are you doing? You're gonna catch a cold!" the voice of my cousin, Michael, breaks through the sound of the rain. I turn and see him in the doorway, cringing at the weather.

"I was just out, y'know." I grin as I run up to him. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I could ask you the same question."

He must've seen me from his bedroom window, because he has a towel balled up in his hands. I take the towel and wrap it around myself, stepping into the warmth of the house. "I have school," I say.

"So do I," Michael reiterates. Oh, right. I forgot his mom decided to send him to public school instead of home-schooling him. I notice the nervous look in his eyes.

"You're gonna do fine, Mikey," I tell him, but by this point I'm shivering so I'm not sure if he could understand me through my teeth chattering. Maybe going outside wasn't such a good idea after all...

Michael snorts and hops into the kitchen, and I hear the beep of the coffee machine as he turns it on. I smile. Mike has been so good to me since my parents passed away this summer, and so has my Aunt Carol. She isn't really my Aunt - she adopted Michael when he was three years old, after his mom and dad mysteriously disappeared. It was the talk of the town, and Aunt Carol home-schooled him because she was worried people would bully him over it. I guess she got over it.

My cousin meet me in the living room with two mugs of steaming coffee. I sniff at the addicting scent and take a sip, the liquid warming me immediately. I sit down on the sofa and snuggle into the cushions. I should probably shower soon, but the temptation to sleep is pulling me under.

"So, you and Calum..." I hear Michael say, and I am suddenly alert. Calum is my ex boyfriend; I broke up with him after my parents past away, and I'll probably see him today.

"'Me and Calum' nothing," I say, continuing to drink from the scolding mug.

"C'mon, Nove, you're gotta speak to him."

I shuffle uncomfortably where I sit. "I don't want to. I said what I had to say. It's over. done."

"Are you sure that he knows that?"

"Yes."

He stares at me for a few seconds, before nodding his head. "All right," he says. "I'm gonna go finish my cup upstairs, and I suggest you get a shower when you've finished yours. You're soaked through."

I nod and watch him leave. I know he's only trying to help, but mine and Calum's relationship ended as soon as I ended it. And I made sure he knew that. Whether he's going to try and fix things or not, I have no idea.

I quickly train my mug and put it in the sink before retreating to my room. Once there, I strip from my rain-soaked night clothes and get into the shower, letting the hot water soothe my aching, cold bones. Once I'm finished, my body is warm and I've stopped shivering, though there are hints of a cold coming along. I sigh and skim through my wardrobe in search for something to wear.