Missing Streams

Surprises - 19

"Christ, what are you doing?" I tried to back away when Scarlet latched her fingers around my wrist, wearing a mischievous grin.

"Calm down, I've got a surprise for you." She giggled and looked at Simon, "You too, if you don't chicken out."

"What is it?" I tried to see what she was hiding in her free hand, but she didn't let me.

"Close your eyes and I'll show you." She winked at me, immediately making me blush. Simon laughed at me, which Scarlet didn't fail to notice.

"You're next, buddy. Don't get too excited." Scarlet pulled my hand closer to her, trying to steady it, "Are you ready, James?"

"I don't think I have a say in this."

"Smart kid." Scarlet snickered, opening her hand to reveal what was probably the last thing I would have expected. Hell, I expected her to initiate us into a blood pact or something. Instead, Scarlet handed me a goddamn baby bottle pop. She didn't let Simon see it, though, shoving it into my hand before I could react.

"Now that that's done with," Scarlet grabbed what must have been another baby bottle pop from her pockets, she approached Simon, "Are you ready?"

Simon was clearly anxious, anxious enough he didn't even say anything about it, "Sure, I guess."

"Good. Don't tell anyone we have these." She grinned and pushed a roll of bubble tape into his hands. She grabbed a ring pop from her pockets for herself, grinning like an idiot as she opened it, "Do you guys like your surprise?"

"Love it." I snickered as I opened my own candy, looking at Simon who was still uncertain.

"Tell me now, did you lace these with LSD?" Simon tried to grin like he was telling a joke, but he didn't pull it off.

"No, they're actually just candy." Scar laughed before sucking on her ring pop, obviously pleased with herself.

"Where did you get these?" I suddenly remembered this place didn't even stock maple syrup, let alone candy.

"I know people." Was all I got, accompanied by a smartass grin.

***

"What are you doing out here?" I asked Scarlet from where I was still sheltered from the rain, "It's the middle of the night."

"I couldn't sleep." Scarlet said without looking at me, standing still even though she was already likely soaked to the bone.

"You're worrying me." I frowned, but I didn't have the guts to go out into the rain. Not yet, anyways.

"There's nothing to worry about." Scar finally turned to look at me, and I realized she was right. She was smiling, obviously happy. Happy, for whatever reason, to be out in the rain in the middle of the night.

Then again, who was I to judge? I laughed at myself, shaking my head, "Good to see you're having fun. I guess I'll-"

"You should join me." She smiled, but didn't seem to be pressuring me to do it, "It's quite freeing, to stand in the rain without a care." Scarlet took a deep breath, "I mean, if the rain can't get to you, what can?"

I thought back to many miserable rainy days, "I guess so."

"Come on, then." Scarlet giggled, holding out her hand to me, "Get over yourself and get your feet wet."

I grinned, losing myself in her smile, "A little water can't kill me, can it?"

"Nope." Scarlet grabbed my hand and pulled me into the downpour, drenching my clothes within seconds. I immediately tried to pull away, wishing for warm blankets instead of freezing rain. But Scarlet didn't let me, holding me where I was, "You're fine. Remember, a little water can't kill you."

I forced myself to take a deep breath, closing my eyes. Raindrops pounded down on my scalp, reminding me how strong nature could be. I was still freezing cold, shivering in the rain.

"I know you're cold, but forget about that. Just focus on something you like." Scar smiled at me, holding my hands in hers.

And I grinned like an idiot, thinking about her smiling. Thinking about other girls that had shown up since she did, and they never made as big as a difference as Scar did. Those girls treaded water, Scar built herself an entire damned boat. I smiled thinking about how she wasn't like any girl I'd ever met before, and now she was standing here right in front of me.

"Rain's not so bad, is it?" Scarlet grinned.

"Yeah." I chuckled, "Not bad at all."

***

"No!" Scarlet stomped her foot down, punching the table while she was at it, "How'd you win again?"

"I dunno." I laughed, moving to shuffle the cards again, "What are we playing next?"

"You seem like the kind of girl to play poker." Simon nodded towards Scarlet.

"Only if it's strip." Scarlet winked at me, then burst out laughing when I blushed. Leave it to her. But as I shuffled the cards, she did speak up, "I know exactly what game we're playing."

"And that is?" I was almost done shuffling when Scar grabbed the deck from my hands.

"Fifty-two card pick-up!" Scarlet yelled, throwing the cards at the ground, cackling with laughter.

***

Once Scarlet had gathered up the cards again, we sat down to actually play another game. I expected to actually play poker or something, but Scarlet had something else in mind.

"I will kick your ass at go fish!" She grinned, dealing out the cards, "I'm not kidding, I'm great."

"Is it because you count cards?" Simon rolled his eyes, "Like every other card game?"

"Maybe." Scarlet grinned, "Now, James, do you have a three?"

I scowled, tossing one of my cards at her, "Damn you, Harbringer."

"It's what I'm best at." Scar stuck her tongue out at me.

***

"I won again!" Scarlet laughed, throwing down her pile of matched cards, "How many times is that, now?"

"That's three games." Simon growled, determined to win a game for once, "I'm guessing you plan on making it four?"

"I mean, it'll be four if we play another game."

Simon slammed his cards down, "James, shuffle the deck."

"No problem." I chuckled, piling up the cards, "It's what I'm best at."