"Isabel, have you sent your application yet?" Mum called. I swore under my breath. That bloody job application! I knew it couldn't wait so slapping a few stamps on, I ran out the door, slamming it behind me.
I huddled into my jacket as rain began to pour and it only got worse. Squinting to see, I could make out the postbox through the sheet of rain and clutched my letter to my chest. My footsteps splashed as I dashed through puddles, spraying my legs with muddy cold water. A figure carrying a black umbrella turned around, hearing my sodden footsteps and saw my head tucked into my damp collar. They began to walk towards me, their pace careful but quick. I could now make out that the figure was a boy, as he began to jog towards me.
" Are you going to the post box?" he asked, raising his voice over the drumming of the rain on the concrete. I nodded and he beckoned me to come share his umbrella. I slipped into the shelter of the black dome and shrank back from the downpour. Raindrops bounced off the umbrella, showering shining droplets everywhere. I marched towards the postbox and shoved my miraculously undamaged letter in. In the shelter given by the nearby trees, I finally got to take a look at the boy who saved the letter.
He was tanned, with cappuccino skin and dark brown eyes, framed by thick lashes sporting glistening droplets. He wore a worn brown leather jacket over a fitted white t-shirt with grey jeans and appeared to be mostly dry, due to his large umbrella. His hair was jet black and his knuckles were white holding the umbrella above my head. Suddenly taken aback by his striking good looks, I became painfully aware of how close we were, sharing the small space beneath our dark shield. Noticing my gaze, he shot me a small smile and said," Let me walk you home, otherwise you'll get drenched through."
I cocked my head and asked, " Don't you have to go somewhere? Or do just walk around in the rain to help out unprepared letter carriers?"
His white teeth flashed and he let out a low chuckle. It was a warm, sincere sound and he shook his head. " Nah, I'm on my way home but I'm in no hurry. So what do you say?"
Seeing no reason why not to, I gave my consent and we headed back to my house. I felt a shiver go down my spine, but I wasn't sure if it was my proximity to this attractive, chivalrous stranger or water running down my back.
Within a few minutes, I was back on my doorstep and thanking the boy for his help. " Don't worry about it," he said, "well, see ya." And with that, he turned around and started to stroll away. Something about seeing his back facing me compelled me to yell "Wait!"
He peered over his shoulder and a half smile spread across his chiseled face when I shouted over the rain, "I'm Isabel!"
Walking backwards a few paces, he called back," Zayn." And with a casual wave, he strode off to face the torrential rain with his bobbing umbrella.