Catch Me

When It Rain

10 years ago-

"Can you go get your mother?" The man in a uniform asked, there were at least 10 others behind him. It was similar to the uniform my father wore--right before he left. One of the men in the yard, holding the American flag I pledged to everyday in class. My mom was already behind me, looking pretty as she always did; especially that day, in the rose colored cardigan that highlighted her pale skin, and her long black hair falling in a cascade down her back--I was always envious of my mother.
"You are, Mrs. Kwon aren't you?" The man said, I remembered thinking it was funny how his mustache moved when he spoke. "Yes." My Mom sounded scared, but brave--which had me me begin to worry, my mother was always confident.

The man glances down at me, before opening a letter, and pulling a slip of paper from it.
"Dear Kwon Family,
We regret to inform you that officer Jackson Kwon was killed in action on the night of the 21st. Officer Kwon sacrificed his life to save his platoon--in which was the only company who didn't manage to retreat at the time. He was shot and killed in the midst of bringing back the last member of his Company. I and the C.O, and all of the Company deeply sympathize with you and your loss. We all honor him, and trust you will find some consolation in remembering this. His body was unrecoverable, and lies in a soldier's grave where he fell. His effect will reach you via the Base in due course." The man looked up from the letter, and all of the men behind him--the one's in the yard, took the form of saluting.
I looked up at my mother, curious to what all of this meant--one of her hands was covering her mouth, a mixture of tears and make up streaming down her cheeks, she let out this bawling sound and I tugged on her skirt.
"Mommy--where's daddy? What's wrong?" I asked cluelessly. Like a dam releasing, she started bawling--I've never seen her cry, ever.
I watched the men go, back towards the black cars and drive away. My mom had the "mean" letter in her hands, when she dropped to the ground and covered her face. I toddled over, and put a hand on top of her head and began stroking her hair. When she did this to me when I was sad, it made me feel better. My mom grabbed me, pulling me towards her and burying her head into my chest. I remembered standing there for so long, patting her head--telling her it'd be okay, even though I really had no idea what exactly would be okay. After a while, I'd finally brought out the courage to ask her, "Where's daddy?"
She began to tremble, squeezing me tighter. "Daddy's not coming home."
"Why not?"
"He's gone." My mom's voice was raspy and raw--from crying so much. "Gone where?" I continued to ask emptily.
"To that happy place--I tell you about." She replied. "But why? He said he'd be with us forever--that'd he'd come right back. Why isn't he here, mommy? He's a liar." I was getting worked up, I had a temper like my Dad too.
"No--no...he's not Eunbi. Its not his fault--it wasn't..." My mom stammered her blood shot eyes, wide.
"He is! He--daddy...doesn't love me--that's the only reason, right? Or you, or Jisoo." I snapped, pulled away from her grasp, ran upstairs, and locked myself in my room. I remember--just laying there for hours, and crying; not because I hated my father, but because I knew I couldn't take him back from that happy place.

Present~

"Eunbi...Kwon Eunbi!"
I looked up, and the entire class was staring at me. "What is the answer?" Mrs. Bomi, my geometry teacher, ordered. "23.7." I answered quietly, letting my eyes drop back to my desk. Mrs. Bomi spun around, satisfied, as I sunk down in my seat. I usually didn't blank out like that--I've been so out of it lately, too. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, this was my 3rd school this year, we were constantly moving because my mother was having trouble finding a job. I'd been here a month so far, and my mom assured me i'd be here, hopefully, for a couple years or so. I didn't have any friends either, I was to quiet--for anyone to really get to know me, I suppose. I glanced around the classroom feeling like someone was watching me(which couldn't possibly be true);the usual, kids doodling on the desks, most of the class asleep--I meet someone's eyes, which was out of the ordinary by the way.
It was a guy--Han Seungwoo, the last person i'd expect to be looking in my direction. He had these alarmingly bright green eyes, and dark, almost black brown hair, you could tell he worked out and probably, had some sort of criminal record. These kinds of people were a red zone. Avoid at all costs. His eyes left mine, and turned to the front of the classroom; leaving my heart beating 10x faster than usual. Scary. Scary. Scary.
I'd been having that unmistakable feeling a lot, that someone was staring at me. I hope that it was just my imagination. Its gotten to the point to where I sometimes have dreams, about eyes watching me--not the crazy creepy kind, the soft kind--like its watching over me or something.
The bell rang, and I collect my textbooks and begin heading out the door. It was finally the end of the day--lately, i've been getting into routine which i'm happy about, its been a while since i've done something the same twice.
I walk pass a window, and glance out of it--the sky was grey and dreary. I tucked my books under my arm, and put my hood up with the other hand. I hurried to the entrance--I caught rides home during the winter, thankfully it was nearly spring and I wouldn't have to keep advertising myself out there. Just as I got outside, my phone goes off blasting "Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars. I quickly pick it up, before the tons of people pushing pass me glare at me.
"Hello?"
"Hey Eunbi--" Kei, the one who usually drives me home answered. "I can't drive you home today, I have to help out with the after school program, will you be alright?"
I internally sighed. "Yeah, i'll be fine."
"No, its raining--i'll just come in a little late, i'll be there in 10 so," She protested.
"No! No...It's okay, really. I don't want you to get a low score or get kicked out of college." I said slowly working my way to the front door. Eunbi giggled. "Gee, you're so cute, Eunbi. I'm not going to get kicked out of college. Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"Positive." I assured her. "If you say so, I have to go, now. See you tomorrow. Get that crease out of your eyebrows." Kei said indifferently, then hung up. I shoved my phone into my pocket and grunted. I don't frown that often.
I was outside now, it was sprinkling--I looked around for anyone who even looked nice enough to drive me...I'd be a bother, probably. I stepped out from the safety of the school's cracking roof, and walked to the edge of the road. I flinched as the sprinkling turned into a down pour, and to make it better a cold wind blew all of that into my face. I walk on for a little while, my face towards the wind and rain, constantly blowing the hood off of my head--and the rain pelting my face, hard enough to leave a bruise. Frustrated, I began to jog.
Bad idea.
I trip on the slippery sidewalk and skin my knee. This only happens to me, I swear. I stared at the blood trickling down my knee, and just sat there. I was so mad at myself for slipping, I felt like crying. I sighed, and was beginning to stand up when I heard the familiar sounds of a motorcycle's engine. I glanced up, the driver had stopped right beside me; his face hidden by a snazzy red helmet.
I froze, Oh my god--a thug. It must be some gang leader, that's it--i'm going to die, right now. He reached up to the helmet, with slender hands and lifted it off his head. It was Seungwoo, of course it was, typical life, screwing typical me, over.
"Need a ride?" He asked, raising his eyebrows. Looking at him now, he really was handsome--like all of the girls squealed about in the locker rooms; not handsome enough to make me say yes, though. I stood up, and shook my head.
"Look, I know its not the best, but it'll get you home faster, right?" Seungwoo turned off the motorcycle, meaning he was staying put. I put my jittery hands into my hoodie pockets, as my hood blew off for the 3rd time. My blonde hair flew out behind me, releasing itself from the ponytail I had put it in for P.E, but never taken out.
"If your walking, i'm walking too," He took the key out of the ignition. "And I know you don't want someone like me around, do you?"
I felt my eyebrows scrunch--"BAD", drawing itself over his forehead, across his eyes, and lips...this guy, practically screamed it. Lightning made its first appearance, flashing its way across the sky in zigzags. Thunder rumbling behind it, making the ground shake. I jumped involuntarily--and took a hesitant step towards the bike. I hated thunderstorms...that night--the night we were told Dad wouldn't be coming home, I'd sat in my room all alone, crying while the sky had its own tantrum outside. No one ever came to hold me, Dad, never came to hold me.
It was just a ride home. No big deal.
I let him take my hand, then pull me onto the motorcycle. Seungwoo handed me his helmet, "Put this on."
"What about you?" I finally found my voice. He turned around, chuckled, and ran his fingers through his hair. "I think my hairspray will hold."
I narrowed my eyes, as Seungwoo glanced back at me. "Kidding," A smile tugged at his lips. "Laugh a little, Isabella."
Seungwoo turned back around, before I could question him to how he knew my name. Well, he could say the same thing--I knew his.

*****

I get home alive, relieved, I get off of his motorcycle and gave back his helmet. For a second, I just stand there, my eyes on the tops of the trees bordering my neighborhood, his, on the sidewalk. Seungwoo's eyes shift up, and meet mine. "Listen, if you ever need a ride," He wets his lips. "Just say so, alright?"
I nodded. "Thanks." Hopefully, I won't be in that much of a desperate situation to need a ride from him anyway.
Seungwoo slides the helmet back over his head, adjusts the sleeves to his leather jacket, and starts the bike. "See you, I guess." And with that, he glides down the rain-slicked streets and disappears out of view.
I take a huge breath of air, I didn't know i'd been holding in and drag myself into my house.
"Who was that?" Jisoo, my 10 year brat of a sister, asked popping out from behind the couch. "No one." I replied emptily, ringing out my semi-wet hair, and walking into the kitchen. "Mommy, a boy on a motorcycle drove Izzy home." Jisoo announced, following me, My mom looked up, surprised. "You, came home with a boy?"
"Its not like that...It was raining, and Kei couldn't take me home--i was desperate." I explained, glaring at Jisoo, before sitting down at the kitchen table. "Oh, alright... I want to talk to him next time, it happens." My mom gives me a sly smile, then turns back to the book she was reading. She was a hopeless romantic, and yet--she went berserk when a teenage boy came into the house. That's partly why I have no guy-friends. Jisoo sat down next to me, and pushed back black hair from her face. She looked a lot like my mom--she'd be an exact copy, if it weren't for my dad's dark blue eyes.
"You don't have to worry about it--it was only a one time thing." I sighed, unpacking my backpack.
Jisoo sighed. "He was so cute though."
"Now I really want to see him." My mom whined, putting her book down. "What's his name?"
"Han Seungwoo." I smiled a little, at how excited my mom was getting. "How cute!" She squealed.
"Yeah--I bet he has tattoos." Jisoo nodded agreeably, decorating the side of her homework with flowers.
I rolled my eyes at the both of them, and began my homework.