Bound To Rain

Time To Go

"Olive! Wake up!" My eyes shot open to see Elmer shaking me.

"Wha– Elmer, it's like 5:00." I muttered.

"It's 4:00." He grinned. "C'mon!"

"Medda said Circulation Bell." I turned over.

"Yeah, but I's can't sleep." The boy climbed into the top bunk and underneath the thin blanket.

"Why not?" I turned back over.

"I dunno." Elmer shrugged.

"Well give it another go." I closed my eyes. He must've fallen asleep, because in a moment he was silent. About ten minutes later, I did as well.

The next one I opened my eyes, sunlight was peering in through the window. Elmer was out cold in front of me. The Morning Bell is gonna ring soon.

"Elmer." I whispered. The boy didn't budge. "Elmer."

"Has the Bell rung?" He asked, voice husky from sleep.

"Not yet." I shook my head. His chocolate brown eyes slitted open.

"Is it gonna ring soon?" Elmer guessed, pulling the blanket over his head. I decided to duck down into it as well.

"Uh-huh." I told him. The boy then hugged me. I hugged back, and we just stayed like that. Then the Bell rang.

"I's was comfortable." Elmer protested tiredly. I grinned and sat up. Elmer pulled me back down. "She said Circulation Bell."

"She did say that." I laid down again. The black haired boy smiled and kissed me on my nose.

"I missed." Elmer muttered in a flustered tone. I grinned and pressed my lips to his. He hugged me, then an instant later we departed.

"Time ta go!" Crutchie swung the door open. Elmer froze.

"Stay here." I hissed to him, climbing down the ladder. "Lemme get my clothes togatha."

"Where's Elmer?" The lame boy asked, looking around the room. I shrugged in an I don't know manner. "Okay well, let's leave for da theatre soon."

"Uh-huh." I nodded as he closed the door. Elmer poked his head up then climbed down. We both then put our clothes and money into our selling bags and put on our usual attire. I put in my dress and skirt as well as my khakis.

"Let's go." The black haired boy held the door open for me, then we met Crutchie and went on our way.

"D'ya think it'll be cold?" Crutchie asked.

"It's July." I pointed out.

"But it might still be cold." The boy smiled.

"Good thing we's got long sleeves." Elmer reminded him.

"Right!" Crutchie nodded frantically.

"Nervous?" I asked the blond boy suggestively.

"Nah." He lied. Elmer and I looked at each other in a knowing way.

"Sure." The black haired boy grinned.

There was a carriage outside of the theatre. Medda and Anne were loading their trunks into the back.

"Mornin', Medda!" I smiled when we reached them. Crutchie was tomato red but trying to play it cool.

"H–Hi, Anne." He said awkwardly. "How've ya been?"

"I've been good." She replied stiffly.

"That's good." Crutchie nodded slowly.

"We are ahead of schedule!" Medda declared happily. "Into the carriage, kids!"

All four of us filed in, Anne and Crutchie side by side, and Elmer and I side by side. Then Medda went into the row ahead of us and the carriage took off.

"How long is it?" Anne asked.

"About three or four hours." She told us. I turned to Crutchie and Anne:

"D'ya wanna play Questions and Commands?" I asked. Anne and Crutchie nodded, so I looked back at Elmer. He grinned I nodded.

"Crutchie, Question or Command?" I asked.

"Question." The lame boy decided.

"Have ya had your first kiss?" I inquired. Crutchie's face turned beet red.

"No." He shook his head. Anne looked down as if she was trying not to pay attention. "Elm– Elmer, Question or Command?"

"Command." He puffed it his chest proudly.

"Kiss Olive." Crutchie crossed his arms, looking at me pointedly. Elmer shrugged with a smile then put his hand on my cheek gently, then gingerly touched his lips to mine. An instant later, it ended. Crutchie let out a joking whistle. I rolled my eyes, grinning.

"Anne, Question or Command?" Elmer turned to the Bowery Beauty.

"Command." She said confidently.

"Kiss Crutchie." The boy instructed, smirked at the crippled boy. Now Anne was red.

"Lineline?" She tried.

"Nope." Elmer shook his head. Anne then delicately kissed Crutchie on the lips. They were both bright red.

"Ay, keep it PG!" Medda looked back. We all nodded. The game ended, and eventually Elmer and I fell asleep.