15
Where could she be? Kevin thought as he frantically drove around the dark town. As he passed Hamilton Park and went around the corner he noticed some hopping along a wall and another person holding an umbrella calling out to her. Xiao. He thought stopping the car and winding down the window,
"Xiao!" he called, Xiao stopped hopping and fell over in another puddle, "Xiao!" he called again and he saw the person with the umbrella run towards Xiao and help her up. And then he saw Xiao hug him.
~
Xiao let go of God, a little embarrassed, "Sorry," she said, God smiled and lifted the umbrella a little to cover her too,
"Now lean on me," God said, Xiao nodded and obeyed,
"Can I go home?" she asked as they hopped slowly,
"Home as in back home?"
"Home as in Arcadia," she said, God nodded and sat her down on the step, Xiao winced as God ran His hands along her ankle,
"Stop that, it hurts!" she said, God ignored her. He kept His hands over her ankle, she felt the insides of her ankle turning. "Stop! Stop!" she said, beating down on His back, God ignored her still and continued until it stopped hurting. Xiao opened her eyes, "What did you do?"
"Try moving your foot," God suggested, Xiao frowned and tried, her foot moved without pain,
"What did you do?" she asked,
"I realigned your tendons," He said. Xiao blinked,
"Thanks," she said, standing up,
"Here, you might need this," God said, passing her the umbrella,
"No I shouldn't, don't you need it?" Xiao asked, half knowing the answer,
"No, I shouldn't," God said, "take care,"
"You too," she said, wait, that's God. She thought, of course He'll take care.
~
Kevin started the car and got it moving. Who was that guy? He thought angrily. And where'd He go? What's there to explain? Xiao watched him drive off. He saw her stop, drop the umbrella and call out, "Kevin!" Kevin didn't stop. He heard his cell phone ringing,
"Hello?" he said,
"Kevin it's Xiao," he heard, he turned back and saw a girl at the other end of the street, "please, let me explain-" she said, Kevin stopped the car and Xiao ran up to the open window turning off her phone, Kevin crossed his arms,
"Well?" he said apprehensively, Xiao knelt down on the footpath (or sidewalk), the window framed her face, and her hair was getting wet again, she took a deep breath,
"Sorry I didn't tell you-"
"Well, that's alright 'cause I know now," he said with sarcasm,
"You know," Xiao said rubbing her forehead a little, "you're not making this any easier,"
"How am I supposed to make this any easier Xiao, how?" Kevin said loudly, Xiao cringed, "You could've at least told me you're dating that guy,"
"What guy?"
"That guy you were with before-"
"Who? Oh no!" Xiao said slapping her forehead, "I'm not dating anyone! He's just-"
"Just what Xiao? Just a friend?" Kevin said angrily, "Sure, I get it. Just a friend, just a friend that can walk."
"Just a friend!" Xiao insisted,
"Then who am I?" Kevin asked, Xiao put her hand on Kevin's, on the wheel,
"You are… beautiful," she put her other hand on his, "and you are so wonderful, and so special to me," she said, Kevin looked up at Xiao, his thoughts softening,
"Truly?" he asked smiling, Xiao nodded,
"Truly," Xiao said, Kevin touched her face,
"Even when I'm like this?" he asked,
"Like what?"
"Even when I can't walk-" he began,
"Does it matter?" Xiao said,
"Only if you think it's important,"
"It is important, but I don't see why it should matter," she said touching his cheek, "at this point," she added.
~