the girl caught in the rain is often the most than

Damn, the rain is pouring.

Hard, fast, unrelenting. It was all over the place, trying to drown everyone in its cold presence.

You were quite far away from your car, walking through the park to clear your head from the endless intrusive thoughts that had formed over the last stressful week.

It came suddenly and without warning, from a nice blue sky to a miserable grey. Clouds hanging without forthcoming warning, the dirt path turning a deep brown as opposed to its usually gravelly self.

People ran in each direction, trying to get out of its wrath. Hands covering their precious hair. Heads tilted towards the floor as if they are shamed to be present at this moment.

You threw the hood of your jacket overhead. Moving at a brisk jog but nothing more, the rain was calming.

Serene.

Its rage wasn't placed on you, but its appearance let you concentrate away from the plights that bothered.

The sun was hiding away until the clouds could cease, only a dim white circle you could stare down while moving.

You had to sidestep a few dogs, apparently courtesy was too much to ask for as they roamed free as feral beasts to harass any passerbys. Just barely not gnawing your leg off.

Shit, the rain is escalating.

Now it wasn't super enjoyable, splashing down with full force, creating white lines against the earth. Fuck.

And the wind was making sure it was going to snipe your face.

The rain water had to be kept out, unable to breathe out of anything but your nose. It's cold.

There wasn't much distance left to cross, thank god.

"Ah! Excuse me!" A voice rang to your left, coming to a halt you turned.

It was a girl– completely drenched in water. Her clothes weren't applicable to this weather, more like the scenic picnic vibe 20 minutes prior. Wearing a white and red plaid dress, the whites starting to get muted by the rain. Her face was etched with worry.

She looked right out of a fairy tale.

"Can I help you?" You asked politely, she held her arms together, rubbing any body heat out of her slender form.

"Yeah– do you have an umbrella? I can wait out the rain but its so cold..." Her voice was solemn, shaky. Clearly you didn't, but it seemed like she was asking everyone.

"Erm, no."

"That's alr–" You had an idea, the rain was getting even fucking heavier. This was a borderline flood. Puddles made up the majority of the floor, an endless obstacle course to just get out.

"Do you want a lift? You could drown out here, my cars not too far." You gestured vaguely somewhere to the right, the bench she was on was completely drenched. But it didn't really matter when everywhere was wet.

She had a look of relief, "Really? It's no worry I can just wait..."

You shut that down quickly.

This monsoon didn't look like it was going to get better, damn forecast didn't warn of such a travesty.

"Nonsense, you'll freeze. Here." You unzipped your jacket, handing it to the girl's shaking arms, she took it graciously. Putting it on.

The two of you began to sprint, the girl was fast. Matching the pace you set, jumping between muddy puddles in a desperate attempt to get out of this deluge.

You shoved the small orange gate out of the way, holding it just long enough for the girl to get through. Thankfully your car was just outside. Fumbling for your keys, somehow eluding your grasp awkwardly. But you eventually got it.

Unlocked.

Click.

The girl slid inside at the same time. Once the doors were closed you took a moment. The car may have been smallish, but it was a shelter, even a bunker against the weather.

Your hands found the button, cranking up the hot air. "Phew, safety. It should warm up soon, hopefully enough."

"Thank you! Ahem– thank you. Eugh, my clothes are dripping.." You could see that, your seats already completely doused in water. Same goes for yours, it'll dry. Hopefully.

"Right, where to? Don't wanna linger, you'll get a cold." The wheel was in your hands now, ready to go.

"Oh yeah, I don't wanna get ill! I have so much awesome stuff planned, hold on. Let me..." The stranger fiddled with your GPS, her fingers swiping against the map until she found her address. "There we go, not too far from here."

She adjusted the bonnet in her soaked hair, removing it. Hissing slightly when it touched against her thighs. "Cold."

You began to pull out of the parking lot. "Music?"

"Yeah, that'd be nice."

"Knock yourself out, second button." Your eyes were already diverted to the window, making sure you didn't hit any children on the way out.

Gentle vocals started to fill the car.

In summer, I told you to stay away because it was hot
In winter, I told you to come closer because it was cold

You recognised that song. It's played on the radio before, pretty good tune.

Onto the roads. Following the purple line that led you on the right track. "So, picnic gone wrong or something?"

"Kind of, I was going to meet someone but they were late! Then, the rain. So they rainchecked– then I had nothing." She said, evidently peeved. Looking down at her water soaked phone. Wiping it off as well as she could with the corner of your jacket.

"Sounds dire, maybe next time bring an emergency umbrella." You jested, fingers grabbing onto the wheel a bit tighter.

I've come to hate the word “annyeong”
That word is both a beginning and an end

"Ha, I'll keep it in mind. Thank you, again."

"Don't mention it, just look outside. Can't imagine walking home in that."

It was truly a cloudburst, window wipers working a triple shift just to keep your front window even semi-visible. Side windows completely obscured by nature, thankfully the roads weren't super cramped this way. Making good progress in good time.