I:

There's some things we don't talk about
Rather do without
And just hold the smile
Falling in and out of love
Ashamed and proud of
Together all the while

The windshield wipers droned on, as Freddie stared out the rain-flicked window. Thick, saturated cottony sheets of clouds blocked off the sun's warmth and the delicate water droplets tickled the cab's window, sliding down effortlessly as they drummed a gentle beat. His hot breath fell upon it with a blinding fog, and, hesitantly, he drew a small smiley face that lovingly begged for mutual. He sighed under his breath, gut stirring up another flash of nauseating guilt he could never put an end to. It wasn't as if the slate interior's scent of embedded smoke and stale, musty air in the car was helping any. The heavyset, Caucasian man in front tuned his radio carefully, never quite settling on the same station for long.

He couldn't end the real reason for nausea until now, if it was possible.

Rubbing his prickly sun burnt beard, the driver, about 50… eased on the petal as the taxi slurred toward the sidewalk. He reached a single hand back, expectant, and received a twenty and some spare change. Throwing the door open as the fresh, chilled air whipped against his skin, he slammed it shut carelessly and the sunshine taxi, stark against the city blanketed in grey, took off.

It was then he'd realized he was exactly one, umbrella short. He hissed angrily at his own lack of attention.

"Wait!"

The vehicle did exactly the opposite. Just to spite him. Hitting its second wind, it zipped down the empty street, slicing through water like a gleaming blade. He stared off at it for a few seconds long after it'd disappeared and scrawled his fingers through his hair briefly.

Freddie stared down the road a few moments, considering; cold fingers shoved in his pockets, then shook his head as he trotted down the puddle-laden sidewalk.

He examined the cracks that ran up the sidewalk, like narrow rivers in an urbanized jungle; as he treaded slowly towards his personalized version of death row. He'd gone over it a thousand times in his throbbing head, and each time he did they're'd be a new solution; new outcome, new way of dealing with things. Negative or positive, he hardly came up with the same thing twice.

He was coming home. And that was all that mattered, right?

Or, so he thought. He wasn't too sure, at this point.

A barrage of doubts fell upon him as he cheeks grew warm and his mouth fell silent, as if sealed. His clammy, cold-blooded hand fell against the back of his neck, rubbing it thoughtfully.

It'd been almost five years since the incident.

Cars hissed past, spraying his jeans with mottled spots of water. He ignored the cloud of swirling air that dissipated bitterly. Finding a reflection of himself, his well-beaten sneakers smacked it and hit concrete in a steady pace, chill nipping his arms through his sweatshirt as drops of the sky's tears dotted his gray hoodie.

Freddie stared heavenward for a few seconds, eyes darting curiously over the layers of rain clouds and streaks of water, wondering if the people he used to know would be as depressed to see him as the sky was.

Refocusing his attention, he crossed the street carefully and took in what the town had left to offer.

Litter piled up at sewer drains, smaller fragments pulled in with the streams of water and people walking just because, without aim, umbrellas shielding them from the light drizzle and thunder rumbling lowly in the distance. Darn, he wished he'd still had his. He hated getting wet.

He couldn't keep his mind off them. And that thought, that thought of insanity, one of somehow restoring the peace drove him away from the comfort and security of his drafty old dorm room back in Michigan.

Sure everyone there understood; they felt it beneath them to leave security and tranquility to go in angst, childishly 'find oneself' again, or that of the lives of other people. He was settled, had a career and, for the most part did himself well…

But he knew they wouldn't wait. Not for a fool like him.

But, he learned to accept it.

And then, he saw it…

More importantly, he saw her.

That's all you get for now. ;) Care to review? I'm going to need at least five before I add any more so I know this story's got some interest. I -was- going to put the entire song into this, but I figured I should just leave it as is. What do you think? Let me know in your review if I should include fragments at the beginning of chapters that have them, or lace the whole song through the chapter. It's your choice, what'll it be? If you think there's anything I can improve on, let me know. I'll be glad to listen and revise the best I can.

P.S. I do not own anything that hasn't been previously entitled to me. xP I only own the words that make the story.