Free

4. Rain

Eli

Just another gloomy, miserable morning.

Driving to school as per usual and I had a lot on my mind. So much that I didn't even realize the giant muddy puddle I was steering into. It all happened so fast and my wheel got stuck, just like that. The best part was, I had to get out into the pouring rain as a truck drove by another huge puddle and splashed me.

I called my parents to get the car, but unfortunately, in the meantime, I had to walk to school.

I showed up 30 minutes late and soaking wet, but I still made it.

"Mr. Safron, I'm terribly sorry for being late." I quickly found my way to my empty seat, leaving a wet trail behind me.

"Eli Robertson, so glad you could finally make it. Everyone else in the class seemed to make it here on time. This is strike two for you."

"Are you serious? My car got stuck-" I began before he cut me off and the whole class was staring at this point.

"Talking back? That's strike three."

"That is totally unfair, I didn't do anythin-."

"That's it, you have detention after school. Would you like a phone call home as well?" he cut me off once again.

I shut my mouth and stayed quiet after that. But I really wanted to punch a hole through a wall. I know I did not deserve that, it wasn't even my fault. It's like they want us to be robots or something.

What's worse is after all that some students were giving me smug looks, like I shouldn't have said anything.

I found it hard to sit through the first period and knowing that I would come home to much worse, put the icing on top of the cake.

Finally lunch rolled around and I found my friends at our usual table. I quietly sat down, contemplating everything that went wrong while my friends carried on their own discussions.

"So I hooked up with this girl last night at the meetup. She was so hot." Marco went on.

"What was her name?" Jeremy asked and I snapped out of my daydream.

"I don't even remember, to be honest. She was blonde I think."

Jeremy just chuckled. I noticed a pack of unopened cigarettes sticking out of his pocket and glanced over at it but didn't say anything to him.

"Where's Cameron?" I ask, interrupting the shallow minded conversation going on.

"Apparently, he got caught at the meetup last night and his parents gave him shit. Think he skipped out on school." Jeremy shrug took a sip of his milk.

"So, Eli you coming today after school?" Marco asked.

"I can't. I have detention."

"Oh shit, what'd you do." he laughed.

"I was late." I replied seeming annoyed.

"Damn, Safron's giving you a hard time huh?" Jeremy raised a brow.

"Yeah" I sighed. I got up shortly after, deciding I'd rather spend some time alone, sketching or something, to get my mind off things. "I'll catch up with you guys later, okay?".

I heard my name mentioned faintly after I left, but I let it slip.

I made it through the day by sulking in my seat, until the final bell rang and everyone raced out the front doors. My phone was vibrating in my pocket so I pulled it out discretely to look at it since we weren't allowed phones in school.

James
Can you come home quick? I'm freaking out.

Damnit, my brother really needs me right now but I can't get out of detention. This is such bullshit. I wanted to kick a locker, but at this rate, I'd probably get suspended.

I was stomping my way to room 203 after the bell rang. On my way, I saw a girl spill her bag onto the floor followed by a chain of hushed curse words.

I couldn't just act like I didn't see her so I ran over quickly and helped gather her spilled things.

"Thank you." she bent down as well and helped pick up her belongings.

I noticed she looked really familiar. "Hey, didn't we meet before? At the studio?". She looked up at me and I could tell she recognized me as well.

"What's your name?" I ask. She opened her mouth to speak but was rudely interrupted by a teacher's loud voice.

"Young man, you are supposed to be in detention with me. Hurry now" he demanded.

I handed her things back to her quickly but I couldn't leave without knowing her name. "What's your name?" I asked again.

"Now, Robertson!" Safron began walking over to me. She couldn't speak otherwise she would get in trouble so I just apologized and followed Mr. Safron into the empty classroom. When I looked back, she was gone.

~

I sat through another painful hour of school, tapping my foot on the floor impatiently. It hurt me knowing my brother needed me back at home and I couldn't do anything to help.

He had these panic attacks often and the only thing that gets him through them is sitting down and talking it out, with me. He could never come to our parents for help, they would just tell him to quit whining and do his homework.

The hour finally lets up and Safron lets me go with a very stern warning. I apologized again for my 'bad behavior' and rushed back home to James.

When I got to him he was in pretty bad shape. Mom and dad were confused as to why he was crying so I just locked his door and sat next to him on the bed.

"Hey, how are you doing kiddo?" I wrapped my arm around him and scooted closer. He just shook his head and continued whimpering.

"Wanna talk about it? I'm here to listen."

He still shook his head and pouted his lip. His breathing was fast and unsteady. He was clearly in distress.

"Okay, I have a better idea. Wait here." I kneeled before him quickly and then I ran into my room to grab my guitar.

Moving one of the chairs in his room and placing it in front of him, I sat down and got ready.

It was still raining outside so the sound of droplets hitting the window were heard as I played. I played his favorite song, the one I always used to play for him when he was a tiny little boy and the first song I learned; Stairway to Heaven.

I noticed a small smile form on his face as I sang the song quietly to him. It seemed to calm him down and he began to sing along as well.

After I played, the girl's face popped into mind for some reason. I just couldn't stop seeing her face everywhere I went.

I've never quite seen a girl like her, the beauty and light that I see in her eyes is captivating, even though I only got to see it twice. I just can't compare her to any other girl, there's something about her.

I need to find a way to meet her.