Chapter 5: Confessions in the Rain

One Sunday night, I was tutoring a student off campus when it started pouring.

The sky opened up, thunder rattling the windows. I watched the rain, wondering how I’d get home.

I couldn’t afford a cab, so I sat in a 7-Eleven, hoping the rain would stop.

I bought a cup of ramen and sat by the window, counting the minutes. My phone kept buzzing—Lucas.

Lucas messaged me, asking where I was. I sent him a photo of the rain outside and complained about forgetting my umbrella.

I tried to make it sound funny, but I was tired, hungry, and a little lonely.

He didn’t reply.

I stared at my phone, wondering if I’d said something wrong. The rain kept falling, relentless.

The rain kept falling.

It drummed against the glass, steady and cold. I shivered, pulling my jacket tighter.

Half an hour later, Lucas burst into the store, soaked umbrella in hand, breathing hard.

He looked like he’d run a marathon. His hair was plastered to his forehead, but he was grinning anyway.

"Let’s go."

He held out the umbrella, eyes shining. I grabbed my bag, heart pounding.

I stared at him, everything else fading away until he was all I could see.

For a second, I forgot about the rain, the cold, the long day. It was just us.

On the way back, I asked, "Lucas, why are you so good to me?"

I hugged my bag close, trying to keep my voice steady. I didn’t want to scare him off, but I needed to know.

This was way beyond just pretending.

I looked up at him, searching his face. He looked away, then back at me, eyes serious.

He paused, and for a moment, it felt like the whole world held its breath.

The street was quiet, just the sound of our footsteps and the rain. I waited, barely breathing.

After a while, his voice broke through the darkness, steady and sure: "Because I like you."

He said it simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. My heart skipped a beat, then another.

I stopped walking, staring at him. He smiled, a little shy, but so sincere it made my chest ache.

I looked at the rain outside the umbrella and inched my hand closer to his.

I brushed my fingers against his, and he grabbed my hand, holding on tight.

He gripped my hand tightly—he seemed calm, but the tips of his ears were bright red.

I squeezed back, warmth spreading through me. We walked in silence—the good kind.

We both couldn’t stop smiling.

Every few steps, we’d glance at each other and grin. I felt lighter than I had in ages.

The walk back to the dorm felt especially short that night.

The rain slowed to a drizzle, and the city lights blurred through the mist. I wished the night would never end.

I got back later than usual, and Casey and the others crowded around, gossiping: "I saw the campus heartthrob walk you back—was it a date?"

They piled onto my bed, peppering me with questions. I laughed, dodging their pokes.

I blinked. "Guess," I teased.

I winked, enjoying their squeals. It felt good to have something just for myself, for once.

Just out of the shower, my phone rang. Lucas rambled about nothing for a while, then said gently, "See you tomorrow."

His voice was soft, almost sleepy. I smiled, hugging my pillow.

I’d just put my phone down when it rang again.

I frowned, thinking maybe he’d forgotten something. I answered, still smiling.

Thinking it was Lucas, I answered sweetly, "Miss me already?"

I tried to sound teasing, but my voice was full of hope.

There was a pause on the other end. Just long enough to make me nervous.

I glanced at the screen—a strange number. At the same time, a deep, unfamiliar male voice came through: "Miss Miller, this is Lucas Grant’s father. I’d like to talk to you about your intentions in getting close to my son."

My heart froze. The world seemed to tilt. All I could think was: here we go again.