In all honesty, when she looked back on it, it was pretty stupid.
But she was glad her feet drove her there.
She'd been out shopping, and had run a little later than usual. It was nearing seven thirty when the clouds swooped in.
It was a sudden, harsh storm. The winds must've been blowing fifty miles an hour—Maka couldn't even walk straight. Hell, she was surprised she could walk at all; she'd expected it to blow her right over.
The rain was just pouring down, and she could've sworn there was a bit of hail, too.
She kept close to the outsides of the shops, hoping the overhangs would offer at least some protection from the near hurricane.
It hadn't been even thirty seconds before she was soaked to the bone, and she did her best to keep the groceries safe.
All around her, people scurried to their vehicles and drove away, happy to have immediate access to a heater, and she sputtered to clear dirty water from her mouth when one particularly rude individual drove close enough to the curb to splash her with a good amount of floodwater.
After walking a while longer, she realized she wouldn't make much progress and ducked inside a small shop. She fished her cellphone from her pocket, thankful it hadn't gotten wet, and paused.
I can't call Soul, he only has a motorcycle. Tsubaki doesn't have a vehicle at all.
She called both Liz and Patti, but neither of them picked up. Maka grumbled to herself, and leaned on one foot while she scrolled through her contact list. Her boot squished, and she dreaded the inevitable prune-ification of her feet.
She stopped at Kidd's name, briefly considered how to phrase her plea for help, and initiated the call.
He answered almost immediately.
"Hello?"
"Hey. Uh, don't feel like you have to or anything, but I was shopping and kind of got stuck out in the storm and I don't have a car or anything. Could you, maybe, come get me, please?"
"I'd really love to, but my car's in the shop. I could bring you an umbrella, though…?"
Shit.
"No, no, it's okay. I'll just wait it out. Thanks, though. I appreciate it."
"Are you sure? I really don't mind."
"I'm sure. Don't worry, really."
Click.
She sighed, pocketing her phone, and peeked out the shop window. It hadn't let up a bit.
After expressing to the cashier that she was waiting out the storm and not scoping the place out for a robbery, she bought a small bag of candy and sat down near the entrance, making herself comfortable; after all, she had no clue how long she'd be there.
Maka was busy counting the bags of chips when the door opened next to her, and the bell dinged rather violently as the wind from outside pushed in.
She paid them no mind besides an absentminded wonder at what they were doing out and about during this apocalyptic weather.
It came as a great surprise to her when the handle of an umbrella was stuck in her face, and she jerked her head up to meet glowing golden eyes.
"…I thought I told you I'd wait it out." She frowned, wondering how long he'd been walking and just how he knew exactly what shop she was in.
"You did. But you should probably check the forecast before deciding that. This'll last overnight." Kidd extended a hand, and when she grasped it, he pulled her to her feet.
Maka sighed. "I can't thank you enough."
"I think walking back with me will do, no?" He smiled, and then coughed as his nose turned pink and he shuffled in his place. "Um, this is my only umbrella though, so we'll have to share…"
The corners of her mouth turned upwards in response.
She knew he had eight.
A/N: I'm back.
Unfortunately, the updating schedule for this might be a little off, because I'm uploading as I write. I apologize in advance if I forget or contract writer's block. (PM me to yell at me if it's been a while!)