When The Rain Fell, So Did I

"I hope that one day, you'll remember me."

***

SAMANTHA

"Sammy, I'll head out first, okay? I really need to go home early today because it's my parents' anniversary. You know, bonding and all," my best friend Mich said as she retouched her makeup.

She held a compact mirror in her right hand and a foam puff in her left. I didn't know what it was called, but it was where she kept her powder.

I wasn't into makeup, so I had no idea what it was called.

She kept glancing at her wristwatch and looked at me with pleading eyes, as if silently begging for my permission and hoping I wouldn't get mad at her.

We had planned to eat together at the newly opened restaurant near our school, but she didn't expect to be included in her parents' anniversary celebration tonight. So, there wasn't much I could do about it.

As if I'd get mad at her, right? She's my best buddy, after all.

"Sure, it's fine. Geez, stop looking at me like I'm oppressing you. I'll let you go, okay?" I said, shaking my head. "And tell your mom and dad I said happy anniversary, okay? I wish them even more years of love and strength."

I smiled at her, and she sighed in relief.

"I'm off, Sammy," she said before planting a kiss on my left cheek. "Bye! Take care on your way home, okay?"

I nodded in response, and she ran off toward the school gate. Before she could go too far, she turned back in my direction.

"Message me when you get home!"

I nodded again.

She waved at me, and I returned it with a smile.

"You too! Have fun!" I called out.

She hopped on a jeepney and disappeared from sight. Quietly, I packed up my things. Once I was done, I walked out of the school gate.

I decided not to take a jeepney since the weather looked nice tonight. The breeze was cool, and it wasn't raining. Walking would save me some fare money, too.

As I walked, I rubbed my palms together to create warmth and pressed them against my neck.

I didn't have a jacket with me today, and my uniform-a simple white blouse with a red ribbon in the middle and a skirt just above my knees-made the cold even worse.

Dark. Cold. The streets were mostly empty. Thankfully, the streetlights provided some illumination, so I could still see my way.

bzzt bzzt

My phone vibrated in my pocket, so I took it out.

"Oh, it's Rica," I muttered to myself before reading her message.

Rica was my brother Kristoff's girlfriend. I didn't know how they managed to stay together-Rica was so kind, while Kristoff was, well, a troublemaker. Maybe opposites really do attract?

"Colline, go home now. It's already 8 PM. Your brother says you're not home yet. Don't stay out too late."

I typed a quick reply as I walked.

"Okay."

That was all I sent because I didn't have much else to say.

It took me longer than usual to type because I kept making typos. I couldn't even manage a simple "Okay" without messing it up. My hands just didn't want to cooperate sometimes.

After sending my reply, she didn't text back.

Seenzoned.

Oh, by the way, I'm Samantha Colline De Jesus. A 17-year-old, fourth-year student at Domino High. I'm not exactly pretty, but I do take care of myself. Hygiene is the one thing I can manage, so why wouldn't I?

Sometimes, I still get breakouts even though I try to care for my skin. In fact, I've got a new pimple on my cheek today. It's so annoying, but I refuse to pop it.

I don't know why pimples won't leave me alone. Maybe they just really like living on my face.

"Ugh, great."

I looked up at the sky as I felt water droplets on my head. That's when I realized it was raining, even though there hadn't been any signs of it earlier tonight.

I quickly pulled an umbrella out of my bag, opened it, and continued walking.

As I walked, a thought crossed my mind: why does our house feel so far away right now? Time seems to drag when you're bored and don't have anyone to talk to.

I suddenly missed Mich. Whether we took a jeepney or walked, we were always together. It was rare for me to walk alone like this.

I was about to turn into an alley that led to our house when someone suddenly grabbed me.

"Miss, can I take cover under your umbrella?"

I turned to look at him and nearly gawked at how handsome he was.

Handsome. Smooth-skinned. Fair.

He didn't even seem to have any pimples. His messy hair suited him, and his pale lips added to his charm. His posture and stance screamed masculinity.

I quickly averted my gaze and nodded as an answer to his question. I wasn't sure why I agreed, but I felt bad for him. It would be a shame for someone that good-looking to fall ill because of the rain, right?

To be honest, he really did look pitiful. He didn't have an umbrella and was already soaked. His lips were trembling, and he looked so pale.

Even under my umbrella, it seemed like he might get sick anyway.

We walked in silence, with only the sound of the rain filling the air.

I wanted to say something to him, but I was afraid he'd think I was trying to get his attention, so I stayed quiet.

"Miss," he finally broke the silence.

I turned to him, meeting his gaze as if to ask why he was speaking to me now.

I couldn't find the words to reply. It felt like he was draining all my energy and strength just by looking at me.

I was used to seeing handsome guys since most of my male classmates were good-looking-some even more so than him.

But why was I reacting this way to his presence?

What kind of mystery did he hold to render a girl like me speechless?

He looked into my eyes, his gaze so intense it made my knees weak. It felt like he was pulling me out of my senses.

Then his eyes shifted to my lips. I didn't know why, but I found myself biting my lip as I noticed how serious his stare was.

I hadn't meant to show him what I did, but I couldn't help myself. It was as if I wanted to know what it would feel like to have his lips against mine.

Oh, what a scandalous thought, Samantha!

I was about to look away and put some distance between us, but what happened next caught me completely off guard.

He pulled me closer, and the next thing I knew, our lips were pressed together.

Warm. His lips were so warm, and I could feel every ounce of heat they held. His hand rested on my waist, pulling me even closer to him.

I couldn't hold myself back anymore. I returned his kiss, closing my eyes as my left hand rested on his neck while I still held the umbrella in my right hand.

I could feel his deep breaths and the rapid beating of his heart, matching my own.

He deepened the kiss even more, and all I could think was how intoxicating it felt. Addictive. I didn't want it to end.

I didn't even know him, but something about him told me we shared a deep connection.

Suddenly, I pushed him away as reality hit me. He was a stranger. This was wrong.

"W-Who are you?" I asked, my breath heavy as I tried to regain composure.

He stepped closer, and for some reason, I couldn't move. My feet felt glued to the ground, my eyes locked on his.

He leaned in close to my ear and whispered, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

"I hope that one day, you'll remember me," he said before walking away.

I was left standing there, stunned, watching him as he disappeared into the rain.