It was raining. He remembered it well. That day, it was raining just as much as it was today. It matched his mood perfectly. How long has it been? Three or four years? Has it really been that long? Or was it less? Or maybe more? When did he stop counting?
Ah yes, on that very day, so many, many days ago. Yes, he remembered it well. It was raining just as much as it was today. And it was windy too. Not the chilly one, but a warm breeze, normal for the summer time. Or was it spring? He forgot. He did remember that it was warm, though. And it was dark. Not because it was night, but because the heavy, water filled clouds blocked every sunlight in existence. But he could still see. Oh and how he could see. How his eyes shined in the dim light. How his silky hair glistened with each drop. How his chest rose with each heavy breath he took. How they both just stared at each other for the longest time without a word ever falling between them after his own had filled the air just a few moments ago. It was a short moment, one that happens in only mere seconds, but which can change a whole life forever.
And he still remembered it to this day. He never regretted it, not even once. Even after so long, he still comes to this place, the very place where they last saw each other. And he stood there, the rain falling down his head and body. He felt cold, but at the same, didn't care. He was waiting. But waiting for what? His greatest desire was to pull back time, to that moment, that special moment that would decide both their lives. Whichever answer he was given to, it would determine whether his heart would leap in joy or crumble to pieces. He just wanted to return to that moment, at least for one more time. And he would not change a single thing about it either. For the choice made... was the reason that brought him to this place every day.
It was raining. He liked the rain. It felt nice. To feel the droplets trickle down the face, marking every small flaw and yet, strangely accepting it. How they gave the feeling to wash away every worry. What he liked most about the rain was...
But he didn't always think that way.
No. Before, he hated the rain. He hated to feel wet, to feel cold. He hated how the dark clouds covered the blue sky, turning it into an ugly grey and how the sun was kept from smiling down to the earth. It was nauseating to say the least. Whenever rain proclaimed itself, he would sneer at it, twist his face into a grotesque one, showing his distaste for the watery ambient. How he hated the rain.
He still remembered it. The day they first met. It wasn't raining. It was sunny. Warm and sunny. It was midsummer. That much he remembers because he remembers the bells of ice cream sellers and children around them, enjoying their creamy treat. He was walking from school, another day well spend, he thought as he pulled his bag over his shoulder. He liked school. Some thought he was crazy, but school was a door to a good future. He needed it if he ever wanted to have a place in society. That's what he was taught back home afterall. And he didn't want to disappoint anyone, least his father, a respectable man of society. A great lawyer who already had his name engraved in history. And it was his duty to follow into those steps or at least remain as close as possible.
Even if he didn't want to become a lawyer.
No. He wanted to be something else. To follow his dreams. But then both his family and society would look down on him in disgrace. Or worse. No. He could not allow that to happen.
He turned around when he heard a few children laughing, playing near the fountain, enjoying the cool water. He smiled lightly at the children before turning to leave for the library, where he would always spend most of his free time.
But not today. No, today would be different. He made his way towards the park's exit, a way he would always take since it was a nice, enjoyable shortcut from his school to the other side of the city, when out of nowhere, a body slammed into his, sending them both tumbling over and onto the ground. He landed backwards on his behind, the body laying over him. It was a heavy one, but not too heavy. Then again, he himself was a pretty strong fellow, tall and athletic, despite his likes for studies. He slightly glared at the individual with no care as the pain from his backside shot up his spine. Not only did it hurt, but he was also sure his school uniform was ruined. He was even more furious to see that the individual was wearing a hood and earphones.
"Can't you pay more attention where you're going?" he said annoyed, though, he was certain due to the phones, his voice reached deaf ears. To his surprise, that was not the case.
The individual lifted their head, revealing a young face under the hood, strains of silk hair framing the youthful sculpture. "Ow..." was all he said. Yes, he. It was a young male, by the looks of it, no older than he was. But he looked so... trashy. Just to put it nicely. He grimaced, an annoyed look on his face as he stared at the youth who rammed him slowly adjusting his hood and taking off his headphones to look at him. But what happened next pissed him off even more.
The youth grinned sheepishly as he brushed a few loose strains away from his eyes. "Sorry about that, didn't see you at all. Was wearing headphones." He got up and cleaned his rather torn clothes before offering his hand to the other still sitting on the ground. "You okay? No hard feelings, I hope." He continued to grin at him and the other didn't know why, but it irritated him. He got up without accepting the hand and cleaned his formal clothing, annoyance in his voice, which still remained polite.
"You should be more careful. It's dangerous to run around so carelessly like that, someone could end up hurt" he growled lightly in the back of throat as he thought of the other's silly excuse. 'Didn't see you, was wearing headphones. What kind of stupid excuse is that?' He picked up his schoolbag and prepared to leave when he noticed the other staring at him thoughtfully. "W-what…?" Why was he stuttering? Oh right, he hated being stared at. Especially that kind of stare.
The examining kind.
The kind of stare where one feels the other's eyes literally drilling into their backs, their eyes, trying to uncover their most darkest of secrets.
He hated those stares. And this guy was giving it to him full force too. With a childlike curiosity mirrored in his eyes; it was annoying.
"Would you mind stop staring at me?" he asked, the annoyance creeping further into his voice.
"Are you sure you're okay? You look kinda grumpy." His voice was soft, but also littered with sarcasm. Or so he thought. He didn't care, really. He just wanted to leave.
"I'm fine. Besides, why would you care?" He sounded mean, but that was a little understandable. His favorite pair of pants got dirty and his parents would probably have a fieldtrip with him because of it. They didn't like dirt all that much.
The other frowned lightly. "No need to get so stingy, I was just asking. I bet you got tons load of friends with that attitude." He didn't know why, but that stung a little. Truth was he hardly had any friends at all. In his childhood, yes, like any other child, but ever since he got to school, story was very different. But he didn't let it bother him too much.
"I don't see how any of that is your business. I don't even know you." Which was a good thing, he thought as he eyed and unwillingly judged the shorter male in front of him. His tight pants, slightly ripped and worn, slightly covering old and dirty shoes, his slight saggy shirt one would think he got out of a trashcan or something, those stupidly long wristbands covering his arms from wrist to elbow, the loopy earrings, one on each earlobe and that hood, which hid the headphones underneath and simply looked ridiculous in his opinion and to others, it would probably be seen as a sign of someone who is dangerous or so. Like a drug dealer or street beggar.
No, he did not want to be associated to such people in any form or way. "Now if you'll excuse me, I got other things to worry about than a street runt like you" He knew it sounded harsh and he wouldn't be surprised if the other shot something, anything back at him. But what the other did was worth the surprise.
He smiled. Softly. Kindly. It was very unexpected, but at the same time... pleasing. Different. "Yeah, I guess I shouldn't keep you, you look busy, alright." He turned lightly on his heel and gave the other a friendly wave. "See you around or not" And with a kind smile, the youth left, headphones down, but hood still on his head, heading towards the ice cream seller and buying a cone.
What was that? He didn't understand. How could anyone be so friendly after having been insulted? Sure, it wasn't a massive insult, but still. He couldn't help, but stare after the youth as he disappeared towards the other end of the park. He noticed he was swaying a little, probably put his phones back up or was just listening to the sound coming from them.
Who was that? He didn't know, but one thing was certain; he just had a very strange encounter that would shake his perfect world and change it forever.