4
That Sunday, Matthew waited for Kat outside of the park. She walked over, stepping out of a car and waving good-by to a man who must have been her father. She went up to Matthew, holding her purse tightly. He smiled broadly, kissing her and reaching for her hand. She allowed him to grasp it and they walked through the park, passing other couples and dog-walkers.
Matthew yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"When was the last time you slept, Matthew?"
"I don't know… I stayed up late studying for a calculus test."
She nodded, leaning into him.
"Does this mean I'm your boyfriend?" Matthew felt something blossom inside him, happiness maybe.
"Yes," she paused, and then added; "The best boyfriend in the world, at that."
They walked under a dim sky, bruised by dark clouds. The stench of rain hung low in the air. A drop of water plopped on Kat's nose and she brushed it off, holding out her palm, expecting another one. Sure enough, a light rain began to drizzle down. They rushed into the public gazebo for shelter. She held onto him, comforted by his warmth.
Sitting in that shelter, chilled, they watched the sheet of rain platter down, coating the streets and causing them to gleam. The street lamps were like liquid lights, fusing with the puddles. Young children ran happily in the rain, until their parents scolded them and asked them to come in, saying they'll catch a cold at that rate.
Matthew felt Kat place her head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Am I your first?" he asked.
"First boyfriend? Yes."
"First kiss? You're mine."
"No, I was dared to kiss a boy in seventh grade."
Matthew chuckled. Feeling a dim spark of jealousy.
"Does your brother have a girlfriend? Or a boyfriend?"
"He dated a little, but he never found anyone to settle down with. What about yours?"
"Same, but they are younger than me, and I think they both had one person to go out with, for about a day maybe."
He laughed, feeling older than he really was.
"Matthew, do you really want it?"
"Want what?" Matthew felt his knees turn to slush.
"That thing you want to buy? What is it? I can buy it for you, as a gift." She said, "I wanted it to be a surprise, but I don't even know what it is."
"It's… It's nothing, really, actually. I was lying, I'm sorry, but I didn't want to worry you."
"Then what is the money for?"
He licked his lips. "My brother isn't making enough money, I wanted to help him out."
"So many job hours? It's noble of you, though."
"It's not like that," Matthew blustered, searching madly for the right words. "I, um, well my job pays a very small amount of money. If I work any less I wouldn't make anything worthwhile."
"Ah," she said simply, not wanting to press the issue further. The rain lessened and the couple escaped.
"Can I walk you home or is it too far?"
"No, you can walk me home."
"Good, I want an excuse to talk to you more."
She chuckled, kissing his cheek, "aren't you just a hero."
A hero
Sure
Kat led him down a winding path, the longest way home. They enjoyed the after-rain warmth and smell, and each other's presence.