Frances shoved the van door open and practically dragged Rain inside, her fingers trembling slightly as she slammed it shut behind them. Her beret and glasses, once a perfect disguise, were already tossed somewhere along the way, discarded like the restraint she had left back at the school gates. She exhaled, hands on her hips, catching her breath.
"That crazy! She looks so crazy!" Frances blurted out, bursting into laughter as her body shook with adrenaline. But then she turned to Rain and her laughter faded like smoke in the air.
He sat stiffly, his back barely touching the seat, fidgeting with his fingers like a child lost in a sea of unfamiliarity. His shirt was soaked with patches of blood near the collar. His shoulders trembled slightly, his gaze downcast, avoiding hers.
Frances swallowed hard and stood up. She marched to the driver's seat and pinched the man sharply on the arm.
"Miss!" he yelped.
"Give me the first aid box."
"Oh!" The driver scrambled, grabbed the box from the glove compartment, and handed it over.
Frances sat beside Rain again, her legs crossing as she opened the box. She pulled out some cotton wool, hydrogen peroxide, and antiseptic wipes. Her movements were quick, efficient. She pressed the soaked cotton gently to his torn ear, cleaning away the dried blood. Rain winced slightly but said nothing. As she reached to remove his nose cover, he suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"What now?"
"Just leave it."
"The nose cover is stained with blood. Just throw it away."
"I have a spare one here." He pulled out another clean nose mask from his pocket and peeled off the stained one, revealing the rest of his face for the first time.
Frances blinked, stunned. Heat crept into her cheeks as she saw a bit of his face up close without barriers, his gentle features, the subtle curve of his lips, the nervous tension hiding behind his eyes. Her breath hitched.
"Who is that woman?" Her voice sliced through the silence.
"She is my aunty."
"Why is she treating you that way? Were you adopted or something?"
"I wasn't. They just don't like me."
"And your parents don't complain whenever she does this to you?"
"My dad is always on the road. My brother too. My mum is dead."
"Oh damnit! That's crazy! No wonder she was behaving like a crazy woman. You should have reported to your dad."
"He wouldn't care about such things. Moreover, I'm used to it. We've all been living together since I was little. My aunty and her kids were always like that."
"It must be one of her kids who snatched your watch, right?"
"How did you know?"
"I can feel it already."
Rain gave a faint smile, almost bitter.
"Oh! Wouldn't you get into trouble for scaring a parent with a dog? You can be arrested for that."
"Don't worry! I'm never scared of anything. I won't be arrested for such a petty thing. It will be taken care of."
"Are you sure?"
"Sure! Why? Are you worried about me?" She nudged his shoulder playfully, her voice teasing.
"You did that because of me. Of course I'm worried."
Frances looked at him for a moment, a soft grin curling her lips.
"Don't worry, your aunty is one of the several people that I have dealt with in my life. She's nothing compared to others. They're bullying you because you can't talk. This is unfair."
"You think so? You don't think it's because I'm too slow and stupid?"
"You are not stupid. You just don't find comfort around people, and I understand why now. With these kind of people around you, there's no way you wouldn't have a social anxiety. They're crazy people! Don't worry, I'm here!"
"Thank you."
"How do you feel now?"
"Not good!"
"I will make you feel good! Don't worry! Let's go to Evie's party together."
"Evie's party? Am I allowed in there?"
"Sure! I can take as many as possible. He wouldn't mind at all."
"I haven't been to any student party before. It might seem awkward."
"However it is, when we get there just hold my hand." She reached for his hand and laced her fingers through his, gripping tightly. "Hold me like this and stay behind me. Don't be afraid."
Rain's heart slammed against his chest like a drumbeat. His skin prickled, the warmth of her touch spreading up his arm and making his head spin. This much closeness with Frances, it was crazy. He couldn't bear it. He couldn't breathe right.
The van pulled out of the school gates and they headed straight to the mall. Frances, still full of energy, stepped out with the driver while Rain waited inside, trying to steady his heartbeat. She returned minutes later with bags in her hands, her smile wide and mischievous.
"What is this?" Rain asked as she handed one over.
"Your outfits for the event. You are so tall, so I couldn't get the right jeans, so I got a baggy trousers and blazer. There's a turtleneck top, I don't know if it will fit your aesthetic."
"It will! I like it."
Frances narrowed her eyes at him.
"You haven't even checked it yet. Why do you like it?"
"You already described it."
"Oh." She chuckled and knocked on the driver's seat twice. The driver got out immediately, taking the cue.
Frances stood up, pulled out her clothes, and turned around. "I'm going to change my dress. Look the other way."
"Oh! Oh!" Rain spun around quickly, his ears turning pink as she changed behind him.
In no time, she was done, hair packed into a sleek, tight ponytail. She wore a white and black Dior print short and matching top layered over a white long-sleeve shirt. She sat back down confidently, her boots laced high to her knees.
She tapped Rain on the shoulder.
"Go change your dress. I'm not gonna look." Her voice was light, and Rain moved to the middle of the van to change while Frances buckled her boots.
He emerged in his outfit: a green velvet oversized blazer with matching trousers, and a snug black turtleneck underneath. As always, he wore his usual glasses and face mask.
Frances squinted at him like he was an unsolved puzzle.
She marched over and yanked the glasses off his face.
"What are you doing Frances?" he gasped, covering his eyes instantly.
"No, what are you doing? I style you this well, and you wore this ridiculous glasses on it? Are you kidding me?"
"I don't want to feel seen by people."
"It's just us two here right now. We're not even with others yet."
She exhaled dramatically, scanning the van. Her eyes landed on a pair of sleek black Prada sunglasses in the corner. She picked them up and walked back to him, holding them out.
"Wear this."
Rain hesitated, then slowly took it and wore it. Frances stepped closer, dangerously close. She grabbed his jacket and tugged him forward.
Rain's heart practically exploded.
"Fran… Frances!"
"You look so cool, don't you?" she murmured with a smirk. Her eyes were locked on his. "I really wanna see how you look like behind those glasses, Rain."
She released him gently, smoothing out the fabric with slow hands.
"But no rush. I will definitely see it. Soon enough, boo."
Rain was stunned speechless.
He could barely feel the ground beneath his feet.