The fire inside

Chapter 26

When I woke up the next morning it was down pouring out. I was a little upset that my walk with Trent would be ruined but I was excited about the rain. I got up and went to my closet and picked out a pair of shorts, a form-fitting T-shirt, some underwear, and a bra then went to change. I brushed my hair out and then put it up. I smiled at my reflection then walked out of the bathroom and into my bedroom just as Trent was sitting up out of bed.

"Good morning, beautiful," Trent said smiling at me.

"Good morning," I replied cheerily. "How did you sleep?"

"Like a baby, after you let me go back to sleep." He laughed and stood to hug me.

I hugged him back. "Sorry," I said around a chuckle of my own.

"It's okay." He looked out of my window and his face fell. "I know it's raining, but do you still want to go for that walk today?"

I smiled up at him. "Yes. You should know I love the rain."

"I wasn't sure if that had changed." He kissed my cheek then, taking some clothes out of his bag, he went into the bathroom.

I put on a pair of sneakers as I waited for him. When he came out he had on an old pair of faded jeans and his sneakers.

"I figured if we were going to go for a walk in the rain, wearing a shirt would be pointless," he said shrugging.

"I agree," I mumbled looking over him.

He came closer and wiped my chin. "You're drooling, Ellie."

I pushed his hand away and laughed. "No, I'm not." I got up and took his hand before walking downstairs. "We should pack a snack or something. You know how I lose track of time in the rain."

He nodded in agreement and grabbed a lunch bag to put stuff in. "What do you want to bring?"

"Good morning you two," my mom said as she entered the kitchen. "Big day planned?"

"Yup," Trent and I said together.

"You do know it's raining, right?" She seemed a little concerned.

"It's okay, Mom," I said rolling my eyes. "I can keep us warm if we get cold."

"Right," she replied shaking her head with a half-smile. "Just be careful, okay?"

"I will."

"Promise?" She said like I was five.

I crossed my finger over my heart. "I promise."

"Okay, then. Go have fun."

Trent grabbed my hand and lead me toward the back door. I was about to protest saying I didn't get to pick a snack but I saw the bag of snacks. He knows me better than I know myself sometimes so I knew he got something I would like. We walked outside into the rain and it felt so nice and refreshing. I closed my eyes and turned my face up towards the sky letting the rain drench my face.

"You never change," Trent said close to my ear.

I wiped my eyes and looked up at him. "If I did you wouldn't recognize me anymore." We both chuckled a little.

"Very true."

We walked into the woods in silence, just listening to the rain in the trees. It was so peaceful and quiet. When we got to the river we sat down on the large rock and he put the bag of snacks between us. The sound of the rain on the river was so calming.

"Do you want to eat or swim first?" Trent asked me.

"Swim. It might stop raining while we eat."

"Okay let's go." He stood up and held his hand out to help me up. He pulled his jeans off revealing his swimming trunks. Then, giving me a smirk he jumped into the water.

I jumped in after him and when I came up he kissed my cheek. We laughed and swam around. The sound of the rain on the water was so calming. I leaned back, close my eyes, and started floating in the water. The rain falling on my face felt like a massage from tiny delicate fingers.

"Ellie?" Trent called from the rock as I was floating. "Are you going to come to eat?

"Yeah. I'll be right over." I sighed and smiled to myself before swimming over to the rock. "I'm starving." I climb out of the water and sit next to Trent. "So what did you bring?" I asked eying the bag of snacks.

"Apples, peanut butter, grapes, yogurt, and cheese sticks," he said pulling the food out.

My stomach growled and he and I giggled. "That sounds super good."

"Here," He said handing me an apple and a knife.

I took it and started cutting the apple as Trent pulled out a plate and the peanut butter. The rain slowed down to a light mist. I inhaled the moist air and felt everything in me relax. I smiled as I finished cutting the apple and Trent put some peanut butter on the plate and put grapes on it as well. I took an apple slice and scooped up some of the peanut butter then popped it into my mouth. It was delicious and I savored it for a moment.

"You're too cute," Trent said with a smile.

I just smiled at him with my cheeks full of food.

He laughed and kissed my cheek. "I love you, Ellie," Trent whispered in my ear.

I swallowed the food in my mouth and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I love you too Trent," I whispered back.

The sun started appearing through the clouds in the distance and a rainbow formed. I pointed it out to Trent and we watched the sky brighten and the rainbow shift across the sky. In that moment I felt happy, content, and like everything was going to be okay.