Rain had only just found her uncle. Why was it hard for her to accept the fact that they'd have time to speak freely with each other? She knew her uncle wouldn't disappear, but there was still a dark feeling lingering within Rain as Ada turned the corner. Maybe Rain only felt that way because of past experiences. She found it difficult to rely on someone's word and to be certain of something good remaining in her life.
As Ada came to a halt, Rain had let the atmosphere of the dim room sink into her thoughts. She wasn't in the mood for drinking, so she placed her glass onto a counter. There wasn't any chatter amongst the guests. For once, there was complete silence. The main lights emitted near the head of the hall, by the musicians who played a soothing tune.
The majority of the guests circled the dance floor and endearingly watched as the newly weds gracefully waltzed together.
Ada fell silent beside Rain as they looked over the serene view. It seemed as though Mr. and Mrs. Shelby were listening to a different song, as if they were in a different world. They gazed into each other's eyes and it appeared as if they lived in a world without any harm, without any heartache.
They were in a world in which they held the reins.
As the couple danced, Rain had caught sight of Michael amongst the silent hall speaking quietly with a guest. The music rushed back to her system and Rain had remembered that someone who made her feel secure was standing just across the hall.
Her mind released any sense of uncertainty as Michael's green eyes found hers. Rain let out a strained breath and smiled in his direction. He had stopped in mid-speech to glance her way and a flash of heat made its way to Rain's freckled face.
Rain bit back a smile as a few couples headed toward the dance floor. She had half a mind to grab Michael away, but then she took notice of whom he had been speaking with.
It was the red haired girl who, only hours ago, was peering at Rain as if she were a foreign object from some unknown world. She stood adjacent to Michael, unaware that he had not been paying any attention to her continuous babbling.
She didn't know this feeling, but it resembled an irrational frustration combined with a desire for murder. Rain's face fell and she weaved in between guests so Michael could not see her. Before she could exit the room, a certain someone had grabbed her hand and wrenched her close to his body. Rain swallowed her surprised outbursts once she noticed who it was.
"Where do you think you're headed?" Isiah perplexed, placing his other hand around her waist. He ushered her into the heart of the dance floor, so that she couldn't protest without making a scene.
Rain glared up at her scheming friend as she stepped to the music. "Yes, of course! I'll dance with you, Isiah, thank you for asking."
"No games with me, Rainy Day." Isiah said, "I saw you rushing to get out, now what's the problem?" he asked sternly.
Rain sighed deeply, letting her muscles relax around Isiah's figure as they slowly swayed with the music. Unfamiliar couples raised their eyebrows at the sight of Rain and Isiah dancing. It amplified Rain's temper even further, and yet she tried to focus on finding her rhythm.
Isiah was quite the dancer. His quick movements made it easier for Rain to steer away from the peering eyes.
"You see that girl Michael's speaking with?" she whispered in his ear.
Isiah looked beyond Rain's head after a quick twirl. "I see the girl he's currently walking away from." He smiled devilishly. "That lovely red bird?"
"Earlier she and a few other girls were gaping at me as if . . ." Rain felt a stubborn scowl plague her face, "I know I shouldn't let it bother me. I thought I'd be used to it by now, but all I want to do is rip her apart and-,"
"-You've every right to be angry, Rain." Isiah interjected calmly.
Rain looked up to her friend, the anger slipping away from her system. His eyes were as knowing as they've ever been. Rain had forgotten that Isiah was fully aware of how ignorant people could be, especially toward people like him and Rain.
"It gets easier . . . I may act like I don't care when shit like this happens to me," he began, gazing at something quite distant, "but I was a kid once, too, you know."
"Of course," Rain murmured compassionately, gripping Isiah's hand much tighter as he refused to meet her eyes. She felt so empty when recalling her own unfortunate childhood and then applying it to a crestfallen little boy's life.
How quickly did Isiah have to grow up?
"Mickey and I went to a bar once, Marquis of Lorne, way back when we was just young peakies." He smiled as the nostalgia glazed over his eyes. "A few blokes gave us weird looks when we turned up unannounced. Said they didn't want me there 'cause of my skin. The fuckers and I ended up brawling it out, yeah, but Mickey, oh man!" he joyed, reliving that grand moment. "He didn't think twice before fighting right beside me. You should've seen him, Rainy Day. Even though we took a beatin' he went wild with those punches! The best part was that they didn't even fuckin' know we was Peaky Blinders."
Rain laughed with Isiah as they swayed together. "So what happened?" she asked, imagining the scene play out in her mind.
"Let's just say you won't find Marquis of Lorne on no map of Birmingham." He held his chin up in triumph.
"That's very satisfying to hear." Rain accepted the fate of the backwards bar, and only hoped the rest of Birmingham would let go of their prejudices.
"The point is, Rainy Day, that I'm not ashamed of who I am, so I don't let any bloke get in my way." When he spoke, he was being completely serious. It was the most serious Rain had ever seen Isiah, which made his words that much more impactful. "And Mickey ain't the type to care either, if that's all you're worried about. Just know that he'd die for you."
Those were Isiah's last words before Rain felt him stop in his step and loosen his grip. It was more than enough to set Rain's mind in the right place. She silently acknowledged the blessing that was Isiah Jesus and how beautifully he impacted her life over the past month. Of course he did conduct many mischievous brawls and endless nights of drinking, but Rain decided to disregard that for the time being.
The sound of someone clearing his throat broke the barrier of Rain's thoughts. Isiah let go of her waist and opened the space between them to let Michael come into view.
Michael stood charmingly with one hand behind his back and one hand out for Rain to take.
"Might I cut in, Rain?" he asked with a wicked smile.
The grey-eyed girl felt a strong force rap against her chest. Rain took one last look at Isiah. He let go of her hand and nodded insistently in Michael's direction. She mouthed the words, 'thank you' before he pranced away with a smug look, into the on looking crowd.
Rain felt Michael take her hand and she was swiftly tugged into his arms. Her short hair continued to fly forward even as Michael caught hold of her. Her breath hitched and it took her a moment to regain her sense of balance, for she was already dancing.
If Isiah's dancing was smooth then Michael was on a completely different level on the agility scale. It was puzzling, for Rain never expected him to be so adept at dancing. She figured he was only quick on his feet when fighting. Nevertheless, Michael held onto her with just the right amount of force as he led her into a soft sway amongst the crowd.
For a while they said nothing to each other.
Rain took in the darkness of the ballroom around her and the twinkling lights that flickered here and there. She held her head against Michael's chest, closed her eyes, and felt the rhythm of his heartbeat match with the soothing music.
For a while they silently played a game.
Rain's heart raced the closer Michael's breath hit her bare neck. She tightened her grip on his hand. In a way, dancing with Michael felt like they were fighting. With each move he made, Rain found herself wanting nothing more than to best Michael at his own game.
For a while they forgot they were playing.
Michael and Rain drifted around the ballroom with ease. Their movements were no longer combatting each other. They moved as one.
He held Rain gently, and she sank into his embrace, allowing him to lead.
For a while they felt as if they were the only two beings in that room.
It could've been hours since they'd inhaled their last breath of reality. It may have been days, but Rain and Michael wouldn't have noticed.
Finally, when the music had shifted, and the brass instruments began to fasten in pace, Rain had pulled herself away from Michael's chest and locked her eyes with his.
The lights weren't as dim anymore. And though the peering eyes were more apparent, Rain found herself unable to care. However, it was quite noticeable that once she began dancing with Michael, the peculiar glares might've doubled in number.
"Forget about them, Rain." Michael whispered to her as he eased into the rhythm of the music.
She averted her eyes, looking to her feet as they moved together. He had been able to read her so quickly. "I forgot how it felt to be seen." She admitted.
"Which reminds me," he smirked, "when's the last time I told you how beautiful you are?"
Rain scoffed, "You know, I don't recall, Mr. Gray." She met his eyes once more.
"Well, Miss. Cassin, I'd like to formally announce that you are truly the most magnificent person I've ever come to know."
There are very rare moments when Michael Gray would share truths he strongly believed. These truths formed at the core of his heart, these truths were the most crucial parts of Michael Gray's life. As the heat rushed to Rain's face, she realized that this was one of those moments. And she immediately felt lost while searching for the right thing to say.
Michael smiled from ear to ear. "Have I managed to silence Rain Cassin?"
It felt like for the first time Rain was truly looking at Michael. Michael Gray. The boy she deeply cared for who loved to play games, fight, ride horses, drive fast cars, and trick her into wearing dresses. Michael Gray, who grew furious at the idea of Rain getting hurt.
Michael Gray, the boy who saw Rain for who she was and always could be.
When she failed to conjure up anything remotely competent, Rain slowed their dancing to a halt and kissed his lips.
She felt as though that was the only way she could sincerely reply to Michael's declaration. As he tightened his grip around her thin frame, Rain could almost taste the impatience forming within Michael.
After what felt like eons, Rain had broken the kiss.
Michael was breathless, resting his forehead against hers. Every kiss was like their first. Rain's insides were fluttering with excitement as he held her close. The thought of anyone staring did not enter her conscious mind for one second. Michael's eyes were the only ones she wanted to stare into for the remaining time she had left on this earth.
Only when he breathed, "I want to show you something," onto her lips did Rain consider letting go of his gaze.
Rain pecked him once more on his lips.
"Lead the way."
