Adept

It was an Oregon rainy day. The pit pattering of the rain was thrashing on the roof of Sara's car. She was lying across her backseat, clicking her tounge, swiping across her phone. Still. Nothing. 

Swipe. Swipe.

It was 3:00. She didn't want to go home. She knew what would happen if she got home. On the screen of her phone was a reflection of the big purple bruise on her chest. 

Swipe Swipe.

Sara's notification popped up. She sat up, worried. Her head shook. She peeped through the window of her old Honda, trying to see if they had finally found her. Nothing. Just the same old empty city street. Outside was the bright Chinese noodle shop with its obnoxious orange vibrance. Sara curled up, checking her notification for more details.

Andrew: hey! wanna hang out?

Her heart leapt. Andrew? Why would he want to talk to her? She remembered how crazy lucky it was that she got his number on the first day of class. They were sitting next to each other, both new to the school. They made quick aquaintances. However, Andrew quickly found other people.

Sara's face fell.

Sara: Yeah sure

Andrew: cooL! okay okay where u wanna meet upp

Sara: The park, nieve st

Andrew: D: nuu come to my house my dude 

Sara: okay

Andrew was known as a little bit of a social butterfly. He loved to talk to everyone, get to know them, and although he wasn't the coolest or smartest cookie, everyone adored him because of his guts, will, and friendliness. His red, fiery hair, strong jaw, and blue-beach eyes were well known across the school.

Sara started the car. She felt it give, then rumble back to life. Sighing a little bit, she pulled into reverse, turned on her lights, and sped cautiously out of the city. As the urban surroundings slowly turned to suburban, the harder the rain fell. It felt as though bullets were piercing the car. It was hot and stuffy, so Sara pulled down the window despite the pouring rain. The mist was cool, painting the town a greenish-blue serenity. Hills filled with white picket fences and long roads. Trees were dancing to the air's ballad. Droplets of rain was hitting Sara's left side. She felt her face moisten with dew.

Finally, she arrived at the address. Andrew's house was recognizable enough. She remembered his parents being eccentric hippie liberals who painted their house bright yellow and named a daughter Red because of her hair. They were fun to be around. 

Andrew had more than a few siblings; his front yard was filled with toys, slowly sinking in the wet mud, and a rickety swingset who's paintjob had faded a century ago. There was a big oak tree overseeing it all. Andrew's mom had said it had a dieases--or something, but the old oak tree looked sad with all its leaves wet. It hung, almost as if leaning against the house, it's dark wood grieving the loss of it's youth.

Or something like that.

Sara pulled into the driveway. As she was getting out of the car, she saw Andrew by the porch, and umbrella in hand, making his way cautiously to her. He got in the passenger seat, hissing, half wet and tired. 

"Woah! It's raining cat's and dogs." He sighed, hastily closing his umbrella. He shut the car door closed loudly, before splaying his body across the passenger seat, huffing.

"What's wrong," Sara giggled. It was dark- she turned the lights on, "you look like you just ran a marathon. It was only from your porch."

"What do you mean, I had to dodge the freaking--the --freaking, water puddles!" He exclaimed, frustrated. "There were barely any dry concrete left! You try doing it." Andrew huffed, his distinct red freckles stretching with the air filling in his cheeks. 

"You're an idiot."

"A genius."

Sara laughed. "So, where we going captain?"

Andrew looked at Sara, a little confused, then pouted his lips. He brushed his big hands across his cheek, thinking. He looked off in the distance. Then, finally said, "How about the movies?"

Sara's eyebrow rose. Andrew saw this, turned bright red, then shook his head, placing a nervous hand behind the nape of his neck. "I- I mean, if you-- if you want? Like, I don't really know! You know, I-- just thought,"

"It's okay." Sara put the key in the engine. The old honda purred to life. "C'mon, we gotta catch a movie."

Everything was going to be fine. Sara had a feeling. As they drove deeper into the rain, she had a feeling that everything was going to be fine. She looked at Andrew, who was nodding his head to 'Tiny Dancer'. He was laughing, singing along. His dimples were deep. Everything was going to be fine.

All she had to do was believe.