And the Rain Fell

"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."