By noon, the sky above Silvercrest University turned heavy and gray. Clouds crowded in, and a cool breeze slipped through the courtyards.
Ariana rushed to the library, hugging her notes tight. She meant to study for her quiz, but right as she reached the steps;
The sky cracked open. Rain hammered down.
She squeaked and darted beneath the nearest pillar.
The courtyard vanished behind a wall of rain. Her dress? Pretty much soaked already.
"Fantastic," she grumbled.
Someone else sprinted over—a tall shape she recognized, hair dripping everywhere.
Kian.
He shook the water off his sleeves and looked at her.
"You're always in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said softly.
She crossed her arms. "I'd say the rain is the one at fault."
He stepped a little closer, avoiding the dripping edge of the roof.
A group of girls whispered from another pillar:
"Is that Kian?"
"Who's the girl with him?"
"They look… close." 😲
Ariana's face warmed. "They're staring."
"Let them," Kian said calmly.
She blinked.
"You… don't care?"
"No."
A quiet moment passed;warm despite the cold rain.
Then Kian removed his jacket and held it above both their heads.
"Come on. Library's not far."
Ariana hesitated, but stepped closer. His arm brushed against her shoulder. Her heart jumped.
Together, under one jacket, they ran through the rain;
laughing, breathless, closer than they had ever been before. 💫