CRAVE // A. K. AU ✓

3

We chilled at the café for another hour before our refills sat empty and our thirsts grew quenched.

I pushed my mug toward the center of the table and stood up. "Wanna go for a stroll through the park for old time's sake?" I asked.

Awsten, of course, obliged, and we left Joe's Cuppa Joe.

The park was only across the street from our location, and was large enough that the walk of the circumference of the park was approximately a mile long. Before crossing the street, however, Awsten laced his fingers with mine to ensure my safety. Finally our feet landed on the coarse, gravel path, and we began our trek through the park. I felt like we should've let go of each other's hands, but I figured it wasn't hurting anything by doing it, so I didn't. Besides, his hands were still warm from the coffee he had been holding mere moments ago. 

It was a little cooler and breezier than usual, as there was a tropical storm heading inland from the gulf. The clouds made the sky a somber, steel-grey. 

My green-haired companion looked to the heavens for a moment as we walked, and then turned his gaze to me. "You know, the weather dudes said this is gonna be, and I quote, 'one heckuva storm'."

I chuckled at his words, and gazed upwards as well. "I hope so. I love rain."

Awsten let out a small breath from his nose, signaling amusement. "I mean, you were named after it, after all," he said.

We walked in silence for a few minutes after that until suddenly I found myself in a familiar area. My eyes landed on a very familiar bush, and my eyes went wide with the sudden realization of what was about to happen. Right as I was about to turn to face my attacker my whole body was engulfed by bush.

"Awsten!" I shrieked. I was struggling to get out of my entanglement. Thankfully, Awsten seemed to notice this, so he extended a helping hand. I looked at it warily, unsure whether or not I should trust him after the stunt he just pulled. With a hint of reluctance, I took his hand and he pulled me out. As soon as I was out, I glared daggers at him.

Awsten looked genuinely sorry for what he had just done, surprisingly, probably because of the look I was giving him. I wasn't actually mad. He should've known I wasn't. So, not wanting to scare him, I let out a laugh and punched his shoulder. "Gee thanks, asshole! Now my pants are wet!"

His face broke out into a grin and he pushed my shoulder lightly. "Aw, your welcome," he laughed. 

We stood there for a few moments laughing at each other. Before long, rain started dropping from the sky, with a few rolls of thunder accompanying it.

"Shit," I said, "I should probably head home. You know how my mom is."

Awsten looked up to the sky for a moment, and then back to me. "I'll walk you home."

"You don't have to."

"What if it starts lightninging? Who will be there to save you?" He asks with his thick brows raised.

I chuckled a little at his silliness, but complied.

As we started walking, the rain started coming down faster and heavier in bigger and fatter droplets. Soon, we could hardly see in front of us. So we began to run.

"Come on, slowpoke!" Awsten called out from in front of me. I could see the shape of him through the blinding rain as I trailed behind him.

"Oh, shut up Daddy Long Legs. I'm only 5'1"!" I yelled back breathlessly. Awsten was, in fact, taller than me by a good seven inches.

Awsten slowed down enough to where we were running alongside each other. He turned his head to face me. "Did you just call me 'Daddy'?" He queried with a cocked brow and a goofy grin plastered on his face.