Paperboy | Fillie

t h i r t e e n

That night it rained.

It was unexpected, and I wasn't so fond of the rain. It just made everything wet and that was no fun. It made delivering papers harder because I had to wrap every single one in plastic.

I sat by my window, watching as the clouds came in more and more as the rain fell harder. It was supposed to still be light outside at least a little but the clouds had covered the bit of sun that was there. At this rate, it probably wouldn't stop for a couple days. I put my head in my hands and sighed. I didn't even do anything today besides sleep, yet I felt so exhausted. My head had been swarming with thoughts all day and now sleep seemed like it would be impossible to catch.

In all honesty, I just wanted to see Millie. At the same time though, she was probably the last person I wanted to see. I was conflicted. She deserved an explanation of why I never showed up Tuesday but I deserved to be kept in the loop. I didn't like secrets, especially when it was my friends keeping them.

I wonder how long she waited, if she even waited at all. I wonder if she is going to show up tomorrow morning like usual. Would she be wearing shoes even though the ground would be all wet? Will the tree protect her from the rain? My eyes widened at the thought.

The tree.

The stars.

I rushed to my shoes and put them on before digging through my closet and finding an old umbrella. I ran towards the garage in my sweats and t-shirt at full speed. I flung the door open and ran straight into my mother.

"Finn!"

She yelled in surprise as she dropped the bag that was in her hands.

"Sorry sorry sorry!"

I ran passed her, pulling my bike out of the still open garage and running down the driveway with it.

"Where are you going? It's dark out!"

I could hear her yelling behind me but I ignored it as I hopped on my bike and sped quickly down the road towards the tree. I turned onto the street, almost completely wiping out on my bike because of the slippery ground. My vision was a little blurred by the quick falling raindrops but I could make out something down the street standing directly in front of the tree.

I got closer, squinting my eyes and realizing it was Millie. My heart sped up and my stomach started to feel light. I didn't expect to see her until tomorrow if anything. What do I say?

I stopped next to her, putting my bike down and watching her intently.

Did she even notice that I was here?

I tried to decipher how long she had been out here, her clothes and hair soaked through completely. I moved from my trance and opened up the umbrella in my hand to hold it over her head.

"Kind of aimless now, isn't it?"

She spoke without looking at me and gestured to her soaking wet self. I nodded and put the umbrella over me instead. I had managed not to get so wet, only a little damp so far.

"It's like they're melting."

I looked at the side of her face curiously. She kept her eyes on the tree and I looked up to it, gasping at the sight of the stars. Or rather, what was left of the stars. The rain had ruined them. They were falling apart, dripping in large gloops onto the street below, only to be washed away into little pieces by the water running down to the sewer.

"They're ruined."

"Nothing stays beautiful."

Her answer was quick. I begged to differ.