for meet cutes day 8 - fighting over the last umbrella in a convenience store during a thunderstorm
for 366 words - excuse
430 words by google docs
It happens like a scene from a movie. Scorpius storms into the store, dripping wet. He suddenly sees it — a single lone umbrella, sitting in a stand.
He makes his way over to it, hoping he's not dripping too much over the floor. It only takes him a few strides to get to the basket, but as soon as he reaches for it, another hand blocks his way and grabs the handle.
"Excuse me?" he says, slowly looking up. The owner of the hand is a guy around the same age as Scorpius, with brown hair so wet it looks black, and a glare in his green eyes.
"Sorry, better luck next time!" the guy says, sliding the umbrella out of the basket.
"That's mine," Scorpius says, trying to make a grab for it. The umbrella is yanked out of his reach. The other guy takes a second to inspect it.
"It doesn't have your name on it," he notes, looking at Scorpius with wide, innocent eyes.
Scorpius doesn't buy it, not one bit. Still, trying directly to get it isn't working, so Scorpius tries for a different angle.
"Please. My cousin is still in work for another half an hour and I have to wait for him to pick me up," he tells his newfound enemy. It's true. And yes, his cousin told him that it was going to rain and he should bring an umbrella, so yes, it's sort of his fault, but he got there first!
"That's sad," the guy says. With that, he saunters over to the counter.
Okay.
Scorpius runs and ends up in front of him.
"I need that umbrella," he insists, trying to make another grab at it, to no avail.
"I think I need it more," his competitor argues. "I'm walking home."
Scorpius has to admit, that's a good reason for needing the umbrella. When he hesitates for something to say in response, the guy brushes past him and heads towards the counter. Scorpius follows.
The umbrella is paid for, and Scorpius still can't think of a response, so he follows the guy right out of the shop.
With a loud sigh that can be heard over the thundering rain, the guy whips around to face Scorpius.
"Would you like to walk with me to my apartment and wait there?" he asks, moving so his now-open umbrella covers Scorpius, too.
"I would love that," Scorpius says, giving him a wide grin. "I'm Scorpius by the way."
"I'm Albus," he replies. And slowly, a smile starts to spread on his face, too.
