Raindrops On Roses
All throughout the house there was quiet. Claudia, only fifteen, stared through the window at the gray clouds. Outside it was cold, but inside it was warm. She leaned on the back of the couch and rested her head on her arms. As she looked up a few raindrops fell, then a few more, landing on the window, and slowly trickling down. Claudia glanced down at the rose bush below the window. Silently she watched as a small raindrop hit one of it's red pedals and glisten in the existing light. Out of the corner of her eye she saw an expensive red Mustang driving down the street. It moved slowly through the now heavy rain and pulled up to a house a few away from Claudia's. Her house was the last one out of ten on the dead-end street of 2nd Avenue. When the car came to a stop a handsome young man, the age of nineteen, stepped out of the car. Noticing who it was, Claudia jumped up off of the couch. She through open her front door and ran out into the rain. The raindrops felt heavy on her face and shoulders as she began to run down the street.
"Johnny!" she called out to him.
He turned and squinted at her awkwardly for a moment. Then he smiled.
"Claudia!"
He moved towards her. When she finally reached him, she flung her self into his arms. He held her tightly.
"You're so grown up," he said softly.
"No, I think you're the grown up one. What happened to the Little Johnny I used to know?"
He thought for a moment as he held her. "Hmm...I think you are right. He did grow up."
He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and let go of her.
Tilting his head up, he let the rain splash on his face. "Kinda' wet out here."
"No way! You think?" Claudia replied sarcastically.
They both laughed.
"Let's get inside," John insisted.
He took her hand and began to walk her back to her house. Claudia looked up at John. His face was different from when she had last seen him. In fact, last time she saw him he was her age, fifteen. Now his jaw line was chiseled and his shoulders were broad. John's voice had changed too. It used to be higher and boyish. Now it was deep and attractive, but his eyes were still a deep warm brown color. As Claudia stared up at him through the rain she saw a few droplets of water drip off his brunette bangs that just barley fell over his eyes.
"I missed you," she told him.
"Ah, I missed you too."
John opened up the front door and held it open for Claudia.
"After you, Miss Destler."
Claudia stepped in. John followed.
"Why thank you, Mr. Le Roux. I think we should dry off."
"Sounds good to me," he replied.
Claudia ran up the stairs then returned with two towels. She handed him one then began to dry off her hair with the other. For a moment she noticed he was still. The young girl stopped and looked up at him.
"Yes?"
"Nothing. You've just grown up into a fine young lady compared to the last time I saw you." John reached out and wiped off her forehead. Claudia smiled and felt herself blush.
"You're absolutely gorgeous your self," she returned.
"Pshh! Who are you kidding!"
They began to walk into the other room to talk to her mother.
"Most certainly not you, John."