Actually, I hate rain. I don’t like it when my clothes or the tips of my shoes get wet. It makes me uncomfortable. Especially the cold temperature that hits me. It left me stuck in front of the library for the next few minutes.
"God."
That soft voice made me turn. My irises widened when I saw Nayeon, who looked just as surprised as I was.
I reflexively carved a smile. "We meet again. Isn’t this what they call fate?" I asked sweetly. I don’t even understand since when I started acting like this. I’ve always enjoyed my solitude, but it seems Nayeon is an exception.
Like our previous meetings, Nayeon lowered her head. She didn’t want to look me in the eyes. Oh God. What did I do wrong?
"You didn’t bring an umbrella, hm?" Even though I was sure she wouldn’t respond, I still tried to ask.
She shook her head silently. That meant no. I then let out an "oh" in understanding.
I glanced at her again. It looked like she was preparing to run. Hey, was she going to leave me?
"Wait," I stopped her while gently holding her wrist. "Let’s run together," I invited, taking off the jacket I was wearing.
"Come on! Eh, I mean... Aish." She was always like that. I didn’t understand what was going on in her head. She always got awkward and flustered whenever she replied to me.
I pulled her body closer and used my jacket to shelter both of us. "Let’s go, run!" I shouted enthusiastically. I was sure my mom would be shocked to see her son change so drastically because of a girl like this.
We dashed through the rain, letting the droplets attack us. I glanced at Irene. She had a smile planted on her sweet face. She was truly beautiful.
"What’s your full name?" I asked, slightly shouting to compete with the sound of the rain.
She quickly looked up at me and answered, "Im Nayeon!"
I chuckled at her exclamation. "I’m Y/n. Nice to meet you, Miss Razor!" I said, which drew a soft laugh from Nayeon.
This simple girl really stole my attention. She was so captivating that I couldn’t resist the charm of her simplicity.
After that, we didn’t exchange any more words. She seemed busy with her thoughts, and so was I. Wondering why my heart was beating so fast right now.
We stopped at the security post, both of us soaked to the bone. I draped my jacket over Nayeon’s body so she would feel more comfortable in her wet clothes. You know what I mean.
"Thank you," she said softly. She then stood still, hugging her own body. She must have been very cold.
"I parked my car across the street. Want to wait there?" I offered, which might have made her misunderstand my intention.
Once again, she didn’t look at me. She was always like that. But then she answered quietly, "Someone will pick me up, but thank you for the offer."
I just nodded, not wanting to push. The person she meant was probably the young man she was waiting for the other day. For a moment, I felt annoyed about something. But I brushed it aside by staring at the raindrops that, for some reason, had me mesmerized.
"Do you like the rain?"
Nayeon suddenly asked. Without the usual awkwardness that characterized her.
"Not really. Actually, the opposite. How about you?" I looked at her. Her facial expression changed. It was as if she was holding something back at the tip of her tongue.
I could see her gaze suddenly become empty. She seemed to be staring at something that wasn’t there.
"I used to really like it. But lately, it’s just so-so."
Her voice felt like it pierced my heart. There was a very deep sadness in it. We fell silent again. Drowned in the cold air that dominated our bodies. I glanced at Nayeon and was shocked to see that she was crying.
I didn’t try to ask what was making her sob. I stayed quiet. Letting the girl release the tightness in her chest along with the raindrops falling and hitting the asphalt.