The first lesson of the day was interesting to say the least. There were only ten students in the class fairly much consisting of everyone he had met so far. Sam found it a little strange but just labelled it as a coincidence.
Mr Taylor started by pairing them all off and sent each pair to a training room. The lesson plan was simple enough – each pair would fight until one of them was defeated. Sam felt another grin form on is face as he realised he had the chance to prove himself.
He was partnered with Rain and as he left he heard Dean shout. "You be a good boy, now, Sammy!"
Sam cringed at the nickname and swore at Dean behind Mr Taylor's back. Dean only grinned more and Sam knew he had lost that round. Rain led the way confidently down corridors until they reached what he assumed was their designated training room. Sam was still trying to get used to the strange layout of the school but everyone else seemed so at home in it already, he wondered how long it would take to know his way so confidently around this rabbit warren.
"So you're seeing my brother," Sam asked tentatively starting a conversation. He had no idea how to talk to this beautiful older woman but he thought he should at least try to be polite. For what it was worth anyway as Rain just ignored him
"Right, so, Mr Taylor said he wants us to fight." Rain began, turning to face Sam "so let's start."
"Why are you avoiding the question?" Sam asked, suspicious. He was worried because of a thought that had been irritating him since he had learned of her relationship to his brother.
"We shouldn't talk until it's over." Rain suggested fiercely. Sam couldn't understand how someone's demeanour could change so quickly.
"But…" Sam began, only to duck as Rain suddenly aimed a kick at his head. It missed him by millimetres and he backed away in time to see her hair flow back into place.
"Stop talking," Rain advanced and he realised he would have to fight now or be seriously hurt. This time when Rain swung a punch at him he was ready and dodged it, hitting back at her. She blocked each one easily and from the smirk on her lips she was only just getting started.
Rain slipped under his defence while he was attacking. Sam saw stars as the heel of her palm connected with his chin throwing him backwards. He couldn't stay down. He had made into this school and he wasn't going to let himself down now.
She darted towards him. He dodged out of reach then aimed for her shoulder. She spun away. She was better than he was and he was going to lose. He could see it as clear as he could see her foot contacting with his stomach making him double over.
And if he were going to lose anyway he would find out about what was bothering him.
"If you're his girlfriend. Who is Piper?" Sam asked with the little breath he had left. Rain's face went pale.
"He screams her name in his sleep and refuses to talk about her when I ask him. Surely you've noticed."
Rain was more than pale, she was shaking and Sam wondered what he had done. He moved one step towards her when she ran.
Sam looked for Rain for most of what was left of the lesson. He didn't know why he had even asked her but he hadn't meant to upset her so much and now he wanted to try and make it up to her. As soon as he had insinuated that she couldn't be his brother's lover he just knew instinctively that she hadn't been lying to him.
"Excuse me, have you seen…" Sam asked a man who walked past. He was ignored and the man didn't even look at him. The man had to have heard him because the corridor was empty and you could have heard a pin drop in the silence. That's when Sam realised there had been no footsteps either as the man walked away. "…Weird…" Sam whispered
He was about to chase after the man when he heard crying. It was coming from a storage cupboard further back and Sam could see it was left marginally open to let light in.
"Rain?" Sam wondered why he was whispering but it was so dark he couldn't see anything. He opened the door wide open and he was glad when the light from the corridor landed on Rain.
"Rain, I'm sorry." Sam said as he stepped towards her but froze, as she looked up startled.
"Sam I just want to be alone, okay? How did you even find me?" She asked genuinely confused.
"I heard you crying…"
"But I'm not...?" And now Sam was close enough he could see it was true. There wasn't even a hint of moisture in her eyes let alone on her face and Sam wondered if he was losing it. Hearing voices was never a good sign.
"I just came to say I'm sorry if I upset you. As much as my brother is an asshole I don't think he'd ever be a cheating one… and I didn't mean to imply that you were lying …."
Rain shook her head. "I know that, it's okay you don't understand, but its better that way. I promise."
"Rain, I'm not an ignorant person. When I mentioned 'Piper' you knew the name didn't you."
Rain mumbled something he couldn't hear. She was looking at the floor her shoulders slumped.
"What happened that was so horrible you can't talk about it?" Sam tried again crouching down in front of her.
"My sister died ….. her name was Piper." Rain whispered. She looked into Sam's horrified face and continued. "Simon and my sister were partners but… she got in trouble and he couldn't get to her in time. She was killed in front of me and I was about to die too …. but ……" She stumbled over the words "… I got away." Rain's voice was tortured her face twisted in grief but she carried on, tugging on a necklace he hadn't noticed before. "Simon saved me but he still blames himself for Piper's death. I'm worried he only sees me as her replacement. That's horrible isn't it…" Rain couldn't look in his eyes anymore and let the necklace slip through her fingers.
Sam sucked in a breath as he recognised the chain but couldn't quite believe it. "Did Simon give you that?" he whispered and Rain nodded. It was a single drop of quartz on a sleek silver chain. It was the only one like it he had ever seen and it had belonged to his mother and then passed on to Simon when she had died.
"Rain, listen to me," he lifted her chin with his hand forcing her to meet his gaze, "that necklace is the single most important possession Simon has. He would never give it to someone he only saw as a replacement. He must really love you." Rain stared into his eyes as though trying to see the truth and he held her gaze.
Finally she smiled. "What about the fight?" She asked and Sam groaned.
"It was obvious you were going to win, we might as well say you did without all the bruises to prove it." Sam suggested lightly and when she agreed he grinned back. "Let's go then."
When they back to the classroom however Rain didn't follow the plan. She told Sam to go back to the dorms and that she'll deal with it. Instead he went for a walk. He knew the pull Rain had had on the teacher and knew it would be fine.
Eventually he went back to his room. Dean was lying on the bed, bloodied and bruised and not moving.
"Dean!" Sam shouted.