Standing In The Rain (mxb) | ✔ |

Chapter Two

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I get up and look out the balcony window. The rain is pouring down hard, slapping the window with big splashes of water. I hear thunder in the distance. Suddenly a flash of light crackles before my eyes. I jolt. I've never felt more scared in my entire life...I could've died if it were a mere few feet closer.

I rush down the stairs all the way to the front of the shop. With the blanket, I curl against the desk where Fenrick is sitting, hiding my face in my knees. I am not afraid of thunder, but lightning has scared me ever since I learned of what it could do to you. Seeing lightning so close to my face...

"Are you alright?"

I don't reply. Fenrick hesitantly reaches out a hand before patting my head a few times, tangling his fingers through my hair. The feeling of his fingers, so gentle and soft. He seems careful, almost hesitant. It's...soothing. I peer at his work. I was never taught to read, but I can pick out some words. Fenrick scribbles out a few before writing a different word over it.

"May I ask, what is your job?"

"I'm an editor. I take books that aren't yet published in bookstores and libraries and fix grammatical errors, making the book better. Later, these books will go to the printing press to be copied."

"May I also ask, what is your name?"

"Oh, um...it depends on who you talk to. Some call me 'Vee' while others call me 'Charlotte' (usually my sister who mistakens me for a girl when I was little). My friends used to call me 'Sawyer' although I don't know why."

"...what would you like me to call you?"

"...Evan."

"Then, Evan-"

He looks out the window to the sheets of rain falling out of the sky.

"I think you should stay the night. I'm afraid the rain won't let up."

"Where would I sleep?"

"You may sleep in my room if you would like. But if you prefer it, you may sleep on the living room chair."

Not wanting to seem pushy or rude, I quickly agree to sleeping on the lounge. He gives me cushions and a few more blankets.

"If you need anything at all, just come downstairs or knock on my door."

"Thank you...is there a way I could repay you?"

"...everyone deserves a second chance."

Without actually answering, he heads back down the stairs, leaving me in the dimly lit room. My thoughts swirl in my head like the storm outside. How could so much happen?

This morning, I was cleaning the mugs, listening to the small band play outside. People came in and out slowly drifting in for their breakfast or morning tea. Tragic struck and now I'm lying in someone else's clothes, in someone else's living room on someone else's lounge chair wrapped in someone else's blankets far away from where I belong. Well...where I used to belong. I toss and turn, trying to sleep but can't. I walk downstairs again and find that Fenrick is still at his desk.

"Aren't you tired?"

"I sleep later into the day if I stay up late. This book is quite interesting. Why aren't you tired?"

"...there's too much going on in my brain."

I sigh, leaning against the desk. When I close my eyes, I feel a hand rest on my head. Fenrick rubs in a slow circle, his fingers tangling through my hair for the second time today. He presses against a few spots in my head and I sigh, feeling more relaxed. He continues towards the base of my neck, rubbing smaller circles with his thumb. After a few moments of this, I'm out like a light. I don't have any dreams and wake up early.

~

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- Alex.