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The Rain Washes Away All Guilt

Chapter 16: Another try

Previously
-"How could I be so stupid? What was I thinking? Of course she likes him better. He's better for her anyway."
-His eyes were filled with tears he didn't want to admit existed.
-The cool waters would take away the heat of pain...wouldn't they?
-"I CAN'T FIND ULRICH ANYWHERE."
-Oh God. Did he see it? Did he get the wrong idea? Please...be alright...
-"I'm going to go check the grounds, you guys stay here in case he comes back. Okay?"
-She saw him on his knees beside the water.
-"Ulrich, I..."
-"Don't worry about it. You should be with him anyway."
-"Ulrich. Please. Listen."
-"William had me in a position that I couldn't move in. I tried hard, but...couldn't get away. He forced the kiss onto me.

Yumi cautiously stepped forward as did Ulrich. He stroked her cheek with his right hand as his left found it's place on her lower back. He leaned in to kiss her as she moved in as well.

-----6:59pm Saturday + With Ulrich and Yumi-----
RIIINNGGG

They stopped moving, as if frozen there in that perfect -well, almost perfect- moment.

Yumi rolled her eyes as she pulled her ringing cell phone from it's clip on her boot, because her mother made sure she had it with her in case of emergencies.

Ulrich smiled slightly. He let her go so she could talk on the phone.

"Yeah?...Yes...Yes," The answer was repeated with exasperation, "...Yes...Everything's fine...Yes, I'm positive...Yes, I'm sure...Alright. Bye, Odd." She ended the call and returned her cell phone to it's current home.

"Sorry. That was Odd."

"What's going on?"

"He...He wanted to see if I'd found you yet." Yumi stammered out, hoping Ulrich was okay with the situation.

"Yeah." Ulrich looked at the ground, slightly ashamed of his actions. "Sorry about that."

"Don't be. I'm just glad you're okay." She answered to him.

"What do you say we head back inside?" Yumi smiled at Ulrich. He smiled back as he took her hand and they headed back for the gym.

-----6:59pm Saturday + With...everybody else...yet again-----
"I'm going to call Yumi and see if she found him yet."

"Good idea." Sam responded to Odd, who was genuinely worried about his friend. He listened to the phone ring once...twice...then her voice on the other line.

"HEY! Did you find him?...Is he alright?...Are you alright?...Is-...Are you positive?...Are you sure?...Good...Bye."

He turned back to Sam, "She found him and everything's okay."

"That's great!" Sam said with relief.

-----7:03pm Saturday + With Ulrich and Yumi-----
They walked back through the gym doors and the sounds of the party filled them again. Christophe was now at the tables scratching and mixing out beats for the crowd of students to listen and dance to.

Like Emilie, Odd and Sam seemed to come out of nowhere to see Ulrich and Yumi.

"Hey!" They said, too cautious to mention what happened. Ulrich looked at them and put on a smile that only Yumi could see was fake.

She smiled at the couple in front of them, just receiving an idea.

"Just needed some air and quiet. We're gonna get out there and dance now, 'k?"

Without waiting to see Odd and Sam nod, she pulled Ulrich out to the dance floor. Christophe bled his song into a remix of Creep by Radiohead, though he kept it slow.

Yumi turned to Ulrich, who was smiling at her. He gently pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her waist as she snaked hers around his neck. They danced in time with the music flowing in the room. After a while, Ulrich spoke to Yumi, who was close enough to hear him without screaming.

"Thanks." Yumi smiled at him and shook her head indicating that it was nothing. Again they leaned into each other savoring the fact that they were finally together.