Facing the Next Day

Just sitting there in the rain. That is what I was doing. Sitting in the rain letting the steady pounding of the drops wash away my fear, my pain and my anger. There in the rain, my clothes progressively getting soaked from the torrent of water pouring from the heavens. All the water running down my face and soaking my hair. Silently, I lay down next to the tree that has held so many memories for me some good, many bad. I close my eyes and lose myself in the sounds of the water hitting the ground and smelling the fresh scent of the warm concrete from the driveway soaking up the water. I could feel the water starting to chill my body, numbing my fingers and toes. Sighing, I went onto my side and curled up to preserve my body heat. Remembering why I came out here, I slowly started unfolding my body so that I could see the tree above me, its leaves glistening from all the rain. I was feeling the weight of my rain soaked clothes that seemed to be trying to pull me into the earth. Reaching out with my hands I felt the mud that I was lying on, moving it between my fingers. Satisfied knowing that my job was almost done, I laid my hands on my chest, took a deep breath of fresh, humid air and shut my eyes. Savouring the feel of the cold air, I slowly started letting go of conscious.

Right before I let myself go, I opened my eyes one last time and I saw the reason why I came out here in the first place. There he was standing over me, smirking like he owned the world.

As soon as he saw my eyes open he said "I see you're still alive. And I thought that the almighty Near wouldn't have had to take such drastic measures."

"Shut up." I turned my body so I wouldn't have to look at him.

"Touchy, just like always." I could feel him sit next to my cold, rain soaked body. "Although, that's why everyone loves Near. No one could stand to lose their precious Near."

"At least people care about me." I could feel the color starting to rise in my cheeks but I forced it down. I didn't want him to know I felt bad for him.

"What are you implying?" Even thought I couldn't see him, I could just as easily feel his eyes boring into my back.

"That no one cares about you, now go away. I want to be alone, that's why I came out here." Once again I hoped that luck would be on my side and he would just go away.

"Really? Are you saying that no one cares about me?" Once again I felt the pair of eyes on my back, demanding an answer.

"Yes." That was all I said willing him to leave me alone so I could be in peace.

"Are you sure..." his voice got softer "That no one cares?"

I turned around to look him in the eye. His eyebrows were knitted together with worry.

"Well...I guess." I took my eyes from his and sat up beside him.

"Not even you?" He put one of his arms around my shoulders, put my arm over his shoulder and then put one under my legs and lifted me up.

"Not even me." I whispered in his ear, shivering slightly from the chill.

"Well then, I guess since the almighty Nears word is law so we have to just continue at being rivals." Even with my eyes closed I could still feel his smirk.

"Or..." I started, "we can try to be friends." I could instantly feel his well-worn smirk turn into a genuine smile.

"Hmm...I don't know...I think someone has to say sorry first for hurting my feelings." He started walking towards the Wammy house with me in his arms.

"I'm...I'm sorry...I didn't mean what I said. I just wanted to be alone." I actually started to cry. Luckily he couldn't tell because of the rain that was still rushing down.

"I guess I can forgive my new friend." Again I could feel his smile.

As we got to the door he reached out with his hand and pushed the door open and walked in. Since it was night no one was awake so no one saw them. It would have been hard to explain why I was being carried by my sworn enemy but at that moment I didn't really care. All I could think about was that I had gotten my first real friend.

For a moment I think I fell asleep against his warm body because one second we were in the lobby of the house and then we were inside my room and he was gently laying me on my bed. He sat beside me waiting for me to talk first

"So are we really friends?" I asked cautiously.

"Yep, now and forever." He grinned at me.

"This isn't a dream?" I suddenly felt dead tired and ready to sleep for a week. Not to mention I felt really cold. Stupid rain.

"Nope," he stood up from my bed and walk towards the door. "Get some sleep; we don't want our precious Near getting a cold and missing his school work." He winked at me and walked away to go into his own room to get some rest as well.

I shivered again realizing just how cold it was and took of the soaked clothes and put on warm ones. Silently I slipped into the covers of my bed and curled up into a tight ball. Amazingly, my last thought before I went to sleep was that he had come out to see me, and maybe he cared more about me then I first realized. Sighing at that thought, I just thought about facing the next day.

Anyone care to guess who the mystery person is? And if you do get it should I do another chap from his perspective?