Rainy Days

I shuffle along on the sidewalk, the wind lightly blew and rain quietly beats down on the pavement.

I sit on the wet park bench and drag the rubber wall of my Chuck Taylor's along the concrete as I swing my foot back and forth.

My oversized green hoodie slowly gets soaked as I just sit there trying to disguise my tears as rain droplets.

People are scattered all around me, running to their cars or home. Families running to their cars and laughing, couples kissing in the rain, friends dancing as it downpours.

I sigh and silently envy them. Why can't I be happy like them? Why can't I have a family that isn't broken beyond repair? Why can't I find someone who loves me? Why can't I find just one friend? Why am I such an outcast and a failure? Why am I always alone?

I look up at the raining skies. As a kid I used to believe that rain were angels crying. I wonder why they're crying…

I continue on with my sulking and stare at the droplets hitting the cement. A man walks by, but turns back and asks me, "Are you ok?"

Composing my broken voice as well as I can I reply, "I'm fine."

"Here," he says handing me his umbrella.

I stand from the damp bench and shake my head, "No, it's fine. Keep it."

He shakes his shaggy light brown hair from his glasses and laughs, "Really, it's alright! Take it, my place is just up the street."

I again shake my head, "It's fine, really. I don't need it."

He smiles at me and places the umbrella in my hand, "Just take it."

I see goose bumps already rising on his arms as he stands in the rain in just a grey t-shirt

I place the umbrella on the ground for a moment. "At least take this," I say taking off my giant hoodie, "It's pretty big, and I think it'll fit you."

He smiles and replies, "You don't need to give this to me kid."

"It's fine. You can keep it, it's too big for me anyway," I say to him.

As he pulls the hoodie over his head he glances at my shirt, "I like your shirt."

I look down and see my Robot Cryaotic shirt, "Thanks. It's from my favorite YouTuber. He always makes me laugh, even on days like this."

He pats me on the shoulder and smiles, "Everything will be ok. Alright?" With teary eyes I nod and he hugs me.

"I'm sorry," he starts, "I never got your name."

I wipe the tears that spilled over and reply, "Alex."

He smiles and ruffles my long black hair, "I'm Ryan."

"Thank you," I say to him.

"It's nothing. You can keep the umbrella," he says, "Also, thanks for the hoodie! I finally have a green one now!"

I smile at him and his contagious happiness, "I actually better get going."

"I'll see you around," he says mock punching my arm.

I wave and we turn and start walking our separate ways.

"Oh hey, Alex?" he says quickly.

I turn and face him, "Yeah?"

He gives me a warm smile, "Stay strong friend, things will get better."

I return the smile and tears fall without my permission, "Thank you, for everything." I don't know why, but I felt like I needed to add "for everything" to the end of it.

"No problem, take care," he says giving me one last smile.

We wave goodbye and begin walking our different ways again. Tears roll from my eyes as a smile graces my face and the umbrella protects me from the pouring rain.

I shuffle along on the sidewalk, the wind lightly blew and rain quietly beats down on the pavement.