That One Girl #Wattys2017

Chapter 14: Running in Rain

When I woke up, my face was buried between pages of the book I had been reading last night. There were pitter-patter noises echoing in the silent early morning. I looked outside and noticed that it was raining and it didn't look like it was stopping any time soon.

I shut my book after smoothing the wrinkles that appeared from my face being pressed into it for who knows how many hours. I set it next to my phone and noted that it was 6 am which meant I could catch around 15 minutes of sleep before my dear mother came knocking my door down.

I curled on my side and listened to the sounds of the rain hitting the roof, as I watched rain drops slide down my window. My eyes felt heavy and I almost fell asleep to the lullaby of raindrops. Of course before I could I heard the familiar knocks on my door.

"Alyssa! Up, up, up!" My mom shouted energetically, knocking a few more times before leaving me to be. I groaned and grunted as I sat up and walked to the bathroom, stubbing my toe on the wall beside my destination. I did my morning routine, pulling on cropped light jeans and pushing my head through a black sweater. I brushed my hair and twisted it into a braid with stray hairs sticking out.

I strolled into the kitchen and stole a granola bar before stepping out with my stubborn umbrella. I looked to the right to see Shawn was having the same problem as me and averted my eyes when he looked up to the rain. I let a growl escape my lips as I pressed hard on the button to open the umbrella.

I heard an exclamation of joy from Shawn and watched as he splashed into puddles on purpose with his umbrella sheltering him from the rain. I glared at the umbrella in my hand and tried once more before I decided to run. I placed it beside the door and ran through the rain, water splashing into my converse and soaking my socks. I grimaced as I heard squelching sounds emit every time my feet hit the slippery pavement.

I heard footsteps behind me as I collapsed onto the wet bench, panting from the little sprint. Shawn sat down beside me and smirked, making a show of shaking his umbrella so the water droplets sprinkled on me. I gasped and slapped his arm, trying to shelter myself with my wet backpack.

He laughed and stopped, pulling the umbrella together before tying the sash around it. He grinned at me shook his head like a dog resulting in more water spraying on me. I simply sat and gave him my best glare which was obviously not threatening at all as he only grinned wider. I crossed my arms and pouted, looking away from him and squeezing water out of the end of my braid.

"You look like a mess." Shawn informed me, his amused grin not disappearing.

"No way. It's not like I ran through the stupid rain because my umbrella wouldn't work!" I exclaimed, annoyance seeping into my voice as I slumped on the bench with a scowl.

"Poor baby. You had to run." Shawn mocked, fake sympathy coating his words. I rolled my eyes and tried to hit him but he avoided my flailing arm and moved away.

"Did you do the homework?" I asked, changing the subject. He nodded and twirled his umbrella repeatedly until it fell, picking it up and continuing the twirling.

I watched the different cars drive at alarming speeds in the rain, people passing in front of us with umbrellas or running like me. Kids in groups giggling and shouting in raincoats as they jumped in puddles on purpose. I saw the familiar bus approaching and stood up, Shawn following my movements and leaning on the umbrella like an old man with a cane.

We climbed onto the bus and took our usual seats which had received some new tears and holes, more words scribbled into the leather. I watched the rain and Shawn thankfully didn't bother me, instead joining his friends' conversation. I heard my name a few times but ignored the urge to listen to what they were saying.