๋࣭ ⭑⚝
It was the kind of rain that made you question every decision you'd ever made.
Thunder growled low in the sky as rain poured like shattered glass across the city. Students screamed, laughed, and ran through campus, slipping in puddles and darting under rooftops.
But Harriet didn't run.
She stood in the middle of the sidewalk, arms wrapped around a massive canvas, sketchbooks tucked under one arm. Her hoodie was soaked through, her sneakers squishing every time she shifted her weight.
"No umbrella, no dignity, and a 90% chance I'll get pneumonia," she muttered.
SFX: SPLASH.
Someone stepped into the puddle beside her.
She turned her head and nearly dropped her sketchbook.
A tall boy stood beside her, calm as the storm poured around them. He held out a green umbrella.
"Take it, Harriet," he said.
She blinked. "...Huh?"
"You're shivering," he replied. "I'm already wet. Just take it."
She hesitated, but his eyes were kind - soft, yet tired - and she found herself reaching out. Their fingers brushed, and something fluttered in her chest.
"Thank you," she murmured.
He gave her a nod and turned to walk off into the rain, hands in his pockets.
"Wait," she called. "How do you know my name?"
He paused.
"You're Harriet Park, right? Design department?"
She blinked. "Yeah... but how-?"
"You're kind of hard to miss." He flashed a small smirk, then disappeared into the storm.
Her heart was still thudding as she stared after him.
---
A few days later - Campus Art Room
Harriet balanced a pencil behind her ear, struggling to tape her canvas to the wall.
"Need a hand?"
She turned - Rufei stood by the door, slightly damp from the rain again, hair messy.
"You again?" she asked, narrowing her eyes playfully. "Are you stalking me?"
He grinned. "Maybe I just like art girls with no umbrella game."
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine. You can help."
They worked side-by-side. He held the canvas while she taped the corners. At one point, their fingers touched. Harriet froze for a second.
"You're really tall," she muttered, cheeks warming.
"You're really short," he teased.
"I'm five-six!"
"Still short."
They shared a soft laugh.
---
Later that week - Beta's Café
After class, Harriet always found herself at Beta's café. The warm, cozy space was a welcome escape from the pressures of school. Beta, her tomboy best friend, always made time for Harriet despite being the busy café owner.
Beta grinned when she saw Harriet walk in, drenched from the rain.
"Again? You need a raincoat," Beta said, raising an eyebrow.
Harriet sighed, shaking the rain out of her hair. "I would, but I'd still end up soaked."
Beta chuckled, handing her a steaming mug. "Here. This'll fix everything."
Harriet took a sip. "Thanks."
"So... how's it going with that guy from art?" Beta asked casually, leaning over the counter.
Harriet smiled faintly. "It's going okay. We've been talking more. He's nice. Funny."
Beta raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like more than 'just nice.'"
Harriet laughed. "Maybe... I don't know. I'm not sure where it's going."
"Hey, if he's worth it, he'll show up when it counts," Beta said, giving her a playful wink.
Harriet smiled, taking another sip. "I guess I'll just wait and see."
SFX: The sound of the café bell rings as someone enters.
Harriet glanced up to see Liam, Beta's staff member, walk in from the back. He was tall with messy blond hair, his calm presence making the café feel quieter. He caught Harriet's gaze and gave her a shy smile before heading to the counter.
"Hey, Liam," Harriet greeted with a wave.
Liam nodded, gathering some cups, but his eyes kept drifting to Beta. Harriet noticed the soft admiration in his gaze.
"How's it going, Beta?" Liam asked, a little too casually.
"Just surviving," Beta replied, grinning. "Can you bring more sugar cubes to table three?"
Liam nodded, distracted as he watched her. Beta didn't seem to notice, busy with the next customer. Harriet, on the other hand, couldn't help but smile at the quiet way Liam's crush on Beta played out.
Two weeks later - Campus Courtyard
Harriet stood frozen, cheeks burning as Rufei - green umbrella guy, art room guy - stood in front of a small crowd holding a bouquet of white tulips.
"This is embarrassing!" she whispered, hiding her face as students took videos.
"Exactly," Rufei grinned. "Say yes already!"
He stepped forward, heart in his throat. "Harriet Park... you stole my umbrella and my peace of mind. Be my girlfriend, or I'm taking the umbrella back!"
She burst out laughing, blushing all over again. "Fine! I'll date you, drama king!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as Rufei lifted her hand in the air like she'd won a championship.
---
One week later - Graduation Day
"I'll wait for you," Harriet said quietly as she walked him to the departure gate.
Rufei touched her cheek, smiling softly. "When I come back, I'll marry you."
Then, with everyone watching from a distance, Harriet leaned in and kissed him for the first time. Just a soft, shy kiss on his lips - the kind that said a million things words couldn't.
He smiled against her lips and whispered, "Wait for me."
---
Three months later
Harriet stared at her phone, the message on the screen feeling colder than it should have.
> Rufei: "Can't talk. Busy. Call u soon."
She felt a pang in her chest. No "I miss you." No "How's everything?" Just words, as distant as the silence that followed.
She smiled faintly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Just a phase... right?"
---
Same Night - Somewhere in the city
SFX: Rain. Dripping. Thunder rumbling...
Inside a dark, abandoned warehouse, two men knelt on the cold, cement floor. Their wrists were bound, their faces bloodied. Across from them stood a figure, leaning casually against a wall, his face obscured by shadows.
Only his smirk was visible - sharp, cruel, and unbothered.
One of the captives sobbed, "W-We gave you the shipment! Please-!"
The man didn't respond. Instead, he reached into his coat and slowly pulled on a black glove, the sound of the fabric stretching filling the tense air.
SFX: Click - the safety of a gun being released.
The second captive screamed. "NO-!"
SFX: Gunshot - the sound of a life ending.
The man stepped forward, pulling back his hood just slightly - but before his face could be fully revealed, the scene cut to black.
A voice from the shadows whispered, "Boss Fred... what now?"
Fred's voice was cold, his tone lethal. "Clean it. Burn it. Leave no trace."
He turned, his eyes scanning the stormy skyline outside the window. A dark smirk curled on his lips.
He was waiting for something. Or someone.
---
To be continued...
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