It's Raining Somewhere Else

5

   "Well was it just as good as it always was?" Trace asked as the left the restaurant. "As good as a taco can be my friend." Del said putting an arm around Trace. "What about n-" Trace started before he was interrupted but the sound of a phone ringing. Del jerked it out of her pocket, frustrated by someone calling her while she was out. "It's Candy..." she said. "It's okay Del, take it! It might be important. I'll be waiting for you." Trace said getting into his car. His window was rolled down a little so he could barely hear Del, but something she said caught his attention. He decided to listen, after all Del would probably tell him anyway. "Candy! No I can't! I won't!" She demanded at her friend. She held her face with her hand. "This is the first time I've been able to hang out with Trace for a while. I can't just ditch him to come help!" She sighed. Trace could hear Candy shouting through the phone at this point. "Candy it's not like that. Trace is my friend. Besides I'm not some pretty girl that he would have a crush on anyway. He's just really important to me. He's my best friend, and I don't want to leave in the middle of this." She paused. Trace smiled. "Fine! I'll ask if he will! But if he doesn't want to I'm not coming!" Del screamed before violently hanging up. She started towards the car. Trace quickly turned up the radio and pretended to really be into the song on the radio. Del got in, and slammed the door. "Woah! Hey, are you okay?" He consoled. "Not even close." Del sighed into her hat. "Just calm down. Whatever it is it'll be okay." Trace smiled. Del felt a little better hearing her friend comfort her. "The guys some how can't set up all the equipment on their own, and do soundcheck before 6. I told them I'd come, but only if you were okay with it." Del said with a torn look on her face. "Of course I don't mind. Let's get going." Trace said warmly. Del smiled. She really did have the best friend everyone needs.

    Trace quickly opened the door for Del. "Man, it's getting cold faster, and faster. It's only mid-October." Del said rubbing her hands together. "Del!" Cried her band mates as she entered Daryl's. "Hey guys...what's up." She grumbled. "I'm great!?" Said Spencer (another band member), oblivious to Del's annoyed tone. "She's being sarcastic idiot!" Cried Candy. "Thanks for coming Del I really appreciate it." Added Cooper who came from the stage. "A-and thank you! You know, for letting her help us." Cooper smiled at Trace. "Eh no problem." Trace said shaking his hand. "So what do we need to do?" Del started as she observed the stage. "Everything looks fine." She complained. "We've been having some trouble with Jay's keyboard, and we need you and Spencer to do a mic check together." Explained Cooper. As he guided Del towards the soundboard Trace found an empty chair and sat. The restaurant didn't open until 5 and it was only 2:30, so it was empty. As he laughed at Del barking orders and complaining about how she had better things to do Candy approached him. "Trace, right?" She asked. "Uh yeah." He smiled. "Thanks again for coming. Del really wanted to spend time with you. You mean a lot to her." Candy sighed. "Really...it's no problem Candy." Trace smiled. "Hey Candy! Get your ass over here!" Del shouted from across the room. "Heh gotta go." Candy said dashing over to the band.

   "Everything done?" Del asked frustrated. Spencer scratched his head, "I think so, but I don-" "Good enough for me! Bye." Interrupted Del as she dragged her friend out the door. "B-bye!" Trace struggled to wave. "I'm so sorry Trace." Del sighed as they got into his car. "Del...really, it's fine. I've been towing you around since...10th grade?" Trace laughed. "Yeah, yeah!" Del giggled. Trace looked at her as she laughed. "Where to now?" He asked. Del sat back not knowing where to go or what to do. When she suddenly perked up. "I want to go to the park." She smiled. Trace was confused. "What? Why?" He questioned. "I want to go look at the willow trees." She said warmly. Trace didn't understand why, but was eager to make his friend happy. "Okay." He blushed as he looked at her smile. On the way there Del was jabbering about the band and everything, but Trace was lost as ever. "What am I doing?! Why do I feel this now?" He thought.

    They finally arrived and Del could hardly contain her excitement. "Trace! Look!" She cried. Trace smiled. Del had been acting like she had never seen a weeping willow tree before. They walked over together and sat down underneath one. It's leaves were flowing all the way to the ground to where you couldn't see through them. Del laid down and put her arms behind her head, and Trace joined her. "It is pretty incredible here." Trace said as the leaves sang the song of the breeze. "When we were young Christine would always take me here." She started. "After mom and dad had that accident...we stopped doing a lot of things for a while." She sighed. Trace glanced over at her with worry in his eye. "Are you okay?" He asked. Del looked at him. "Yeah why?" She hesitated. "It's just...you always act fine, but you have so much on your mind. Like the other day with your jacket! A-and earlier with the band you just seem like you always have something on your mind!" He explained. "Trace...I'm fi-" She tried to start before Trace interrupted. "Like just now! You sounded sad about your parents! I thought you felt better about it?" He asked. "I do!" Del said defensively. "Well what is it then...You can tell me Del!" He cried. Del stared coldly at him. Tears barely forming in her eyes. She opened her mouth as to say something, but quickly shut it. She curled into a ball, causing Trace to put a hand on her shoulder. "Christine is going to college!!" She wailed into her knees. Trace was terrified at the sight of his best friends sobbing. "Hey! Hey!" He cried out trying to get her to look at him. "She's going to leave! And I'm going to be all alone again!!" She bawled as she buried her face into Trace's chest. "Wait again? What do you mean again?" He asked. "After mom and dad died I always felt alone. Christine wouldn't talk to me about it. I didn't have anyone to go to. Something was always missing, and when Christine leaves..." Del said before grabbing Trace around the neck into a hug. "Shhh" he consoled. After a while Del's whimpers got quieter and quieter. Trace sat underneath the tree and held Del until she had calmed down. They were there a very long time. Trace checked the time. "5:38. We better leave now if we want to get there Del." He smiled. There was no response. "Del?" He asked. She let out a little snore. "Are you sleeping?!" Trace exclaimed. Del snuggled closer to him and smiled, causing Trace to turn bright red. "Come on Del! Please wake up! I know you get cranky when you get waken from naps!" He sighed. Del snored softly. "What if someone sees us!?" He said nervously. Del was still out. Trace began to lift her and carried her to the car. "You're lucky I'm in love with you." He sighed in annoyance.