From the Rain

                        Sometimes, you just need a friend to be there for you.

Tears were blurring my sight as I ran.

I didn't know where I was running to, as long as it wasn't there.

Everything hurt, my lungs and legs from running, my cheeks burned for a different reason. Just thinking about it made me stop and fall to the cement.

Cars roared by, but all I could hear was my heartbeat. Cold drops of water began to fall around me. Looking to the sky, I cried knowing the clouds were sad with me. There on the cement I held myself as I shattered. I want it all to end.

Then I heard loud footsteps from behind me and the rain stopped. I opened my eyes to see a blurred man holding an umbrella over me.

He held his hand out to me, "Looks like you're going to end up with a cold, want a place to warm up?"

Wiping my tears, he became more clear. There was a hitch in my breath, this man was beautiful. Reflexively, I looked down, trying to cover up the fact that I am currently a mess.

"Why do you want to help me? I'm not worth helping, nothing can save me."

I felt a warm finger pull my chin up to look into his close, hazel eyes. As he crouched in front of me he said, "I don't think anyone is ever too far gone to be saved. Maybe they just need a hand to pull them back on their feet." The young man held his hand out between us, waiting.

"You don't know me or my name-I don't even know yours. Why are you so sure?"

"Gray, well my name is Grayson but you can call me Gray. And I know you're worth saving because you are a young beautiful girl with opportunities. Like this one."

Shaking, I raised my hand to his. Those eyes are so soft, I can't help but trust him.

With the softest smile, he pulled me to my feet. He was much taller than I expected. Grayson guided me by the hand to his car. I felt a blanket of warmth over me the second I stepped in. I guess the rain was colder than I thought, especially if the little clothes I am wearing are torn.

Starting the engine Gray said, "Are you okay?"

After shaking my head there was a comforting silence.

I glanced at my savior...angel...guardian? Whatever he is, he is beautiful. He has broad shoulders and strong arms. His brown hair was long enough to need to be held back by a sweatband. I rested my head against the rest...those eyes. His eyes were so soft and warm...

"-twin brother."

I slowly lifted my head and looked up at Grayson. I must have fallen asleep. "Wha you sa?"

Grayson laughed lightly before repeating himself, "I live with my twin brother. He's a knucklehead but a nice guy. I just wanted to tell you before we got home."

As if on cue, we turned onto a long driveway. Trees, thick on either side, rose high above us aqs we approached a clearing. The house looked amazing. Panicking, I grabbed Grayson's arm as he shifted the car to park.

He gently held my hand, "It's okay, you are far from whatever happened to you. We live up in the mountains, they can shelter you from even the rain"

Nodding my head we stepped out of the car. Gray guided me up and into the house. I was so focused on staying close behind him that I jumped at the sound of another voice.

"GRAY- you won't believe what I jus-"

I peeked around to see a man similar to Gray, definitely twins. He stopped talking when he saw me. He smiled, "Gray since when do you bring random girls home?"

That makes me the first, "She isn't some random girl E, this is-"

"Y/N" I cut him off after realizing I never told him my name. "Nice to meet you." I quietly spoke from behind my savior.

"My name is Ethan, I'll just let you guys..do whatever you were going to do." Giving his brother a thumbs up with a soft smile, Ethan left to go somewhere deeper inside.

"Come on, you need a shower to warm up."

I followed his footsteps to a first floor bathroom. "Stay here a second."

While he was gone, I took a second to look in the mirror. I looked awful- puffy eyes, pink cheeks, stringy hair and pale. I turned around when I heard a tap on the open door.

Gray handed me clothes and a towel. "Walk into the living room, up the stairs and you will see my room on your right. Go there when you're done. You can leave your clothes hanging in here to dry."

After breaking down again in the shower, I felt so much better but so drained. The running I did earlier was catching up to me, everything hurt. Grayson had given me a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie that smelled like him. With my clothes hanging in the shower, I walked to Gray's room. Only my footsteps made a noise. My legs were lead as I climbed the stairs.

I knocked on the open door twice, but I received no answer. I walked inside and sat down on the bed. His room was big, fitting a tall dresser, desk and the king sized bed. I slowly laid down on the welcoming bed.

Hot tears slowly ran down my face.

Gray crouched down in front of me. Before he could say anything, I reached out for a hug.

Grayson held me for as long as I needed him to, whispering assurances in my ear as we laid on his bed.

"Y/N, you are safe...far away...you can't be hurt...I will protect you."

This is all I need, the tears slowly dried. I felt tired and heavy.

"You are my angel Grayson, I don't know where I would be without you."

He squeezed my tighter, "I will always be here to protect you now, you're alright. The mountains are my shelter against the cold world. The silence they bring is peaceful. I will protect you from the rain, the mountains will keep the screams in your mind at bay. Don't worry about anything yet, for now just be."

With those words, I smiled.

For the first time in three years, it wasn't a fake one.