Rain pelted the sidewalk like icy bullets as people rushed about on the streets, desperately seeking shelter. Cars sped past, spraying water while their windshield wipers beat furiously. On a day like this there were only two people on that street who appeared in no hurry to get anywhere.
One was a boy that was crouched beside a dumpster, his messy blonde hair hanging in front of bloodshot eyes. He noticed a policeman bustle past the alley he hid in and shrank back into the shadows, pulling his cap further over his eyes.
The other was a fairly average seeming girl, her head bent so that her hair created a red veil over her face. Her arms were coiled protectively over what appeared to be some kind of small, shiny object. She was completely drenched, but still maintained a steady pace, not bothered by the rain like everyone else seemed to be.
The boy breathed a sigh of relief as the policeman disappeared from sight. After quickly glancing around, he resurfaced from the shadows slightly; and, he did so at the very moment the girl was walking past. The movement seemed to catch her eye, because she stopped, but did not lift her head; only turned it slightly. The small object in her arm gave a beep that was almost unnoticeable.
“Why, hello,” she greeted, peering at him through her dripping hair. He started slightly, immediately on alert, but relaxed when he saw it was just a girl.
“Didn’t nobody ever tell you not to talk to strangers, girl?” he grumbled.
“Yeah, but they also told me to help those who look as if they are in need.” She swept him with her eyes and added, “And you look as if you are certainly in need; although, you smell like you’re in need even more,” she giggled, wrinkling her nose.
He gave her an irritated look. “Hey, look here, I don’t need you turning up and trying to show me acts of kindness or shit like that, alright?”
“Seriously, I’m doing everyone out here an act of kindness as well as you. You smell so bad you probably made a hole in the ozone layer. At least allow me to let you use my shower.”
He gave her a dark look, but, after a pause growled, “Will you shut up if I go with you?”
“Sure. Could I get your name, though?”
“What, you going to turn me in?” He sounded mostly amused.
“No, it’s just a common courtesy,” she replied flatly.
“Fine. Name’s Derek. What about yours, ginger?”
“I’m Adette. Now come on, we’re starting to attract odd looks.”
With that, he heaved himself to his feet, although he still eyed her reproachfully. It was then that he noticed the small, metal object she was cradling in her arms, shielding it from the rain.
“Hey, what’s that?” he asked, immediately thinking it was a knife. She looked at him, and then down at the object in her arms, appearing to consider for a moment before saying, “I’ll tell you later.” He frowned in confusion for a moment, but muttered, “Sure, whatever,” and followed her off down the street.
She stopped in front of a small, red car and unlocked the door, getting into the driver’s seat and gingerly placing the metal object she had been holding in her lap. As Derek stared through the window, he finally got to see what it was. The object appeared to be a little robot.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Me to hold the door for you?” she laughed, raising an eyebrow.
With an air of snapping out of it, he opened the door and plopped down on the passenger seat, making an effort not to stare at the little robot that sat in her lap.
They drove in utter silence except for the sound of rain for a good five minutes before Adette made a loud sound of exasperation.
“You could at least try to make conversation!” she complained.
“Well, uh… so could you,” he blurted in response, looking like a deer caught in headlights.
“Touché, Derek. Touché.”
She was laughing again. She laughs a lot, Derek thought to himself sullenly.
