Twisted Strings [MONSTER EDITING - Read at your own risk]

In the Rain

14. In the Rain

           

A few hours before we had to board the bus back to Lakesville, I decided to take a trip down the market and buy some snacks for our way back. It wasn't a long ride, but a little boring and unbearable without the right calories.

''Just get me some gummy bears.'' Elliot said when I asked him to come with me.

''You have two feet, all yours.'' I stated,

''I need to pack.''

''Pack what? Choco ball wrappers you didn't feel obliged to dispose in a bin?'' I snapped at him and decided to go on my own anyways.

''Also, some jelly beans! The mixed ones!'' Elliot called when I closed the door and left.

Outside, it was raining lightly, and I cursed myself for forgetting y umbrella. The weather here was unpredictable, unlike Lakesville. Some days, the sun would shine blindingly and there would be a cool wind at night. Other days, it would rain out of nowhere. No wonder Mom loved this town, it was spontaneous, just like her.

The clouds growled as I increased my walk to a jog and pulled my hood over my head. The raindrops began to fall a little faster, a little more ferocious and soon I found my hoodie drenched. The market wasn't far when I left the building, but now it seemed like miles away. God, I hated this stupid place!

I decided to run back instead of buying our snacks. We would just have to buy granola bars from the bus station. I made a futile attempt to shield myself from the rain and turned back, only to collide with Oliver. I ran into him and immediately sprung back from him, almost falling on my back. In time, he grabbed my hand and pulled me forward, shielding us with an umbrella.

''Careful'' He breathed, her mouth was close to my ear.

''Are you stalking me now?'' I am demanding, narrowing my eyes and taking my hand away from his grip. He looked disappointed when I did that and gave me a long look.

''Are you mocking me?''

I was. And I intended to do that every time from now on, just like he had done to me. All this time I had thought he was just cold, but he was a stupid boy with a stupid grudge. I had misunderstood.

''I'm not doing anything with you. I don't want to do anything with you.'' I snapped and brushed past him. He caught up with me easily, running behind me and grabbed my arm, pulling me back under the umbrella.

''You will get wet.''

I scoffed, ''Don't pretend to be nice Oliver. Because we both know what you think of me.''

He narrowed his eyes at me, ''And you shouldn't assume that you know everything about me.''

I regarded her carefully, the anger and bitterness in his eyes, the feelings he had for my Mom. The fact that he had done nothing but insulted me ever since we met. The fact that my heart still beat a little faster when I was near him. When I touched him.

''I don't want to talk to you. About anything. I don't want to see you, or meet you, or be anywhere near you.'' I bit out, ''Not unless you apologize.''

''Your Mom-''

I cut him off halfway, ''I am not my Mom. I already said to you the same thing last time. You have no right to treat me like crap because of what happened between my Mom and your uncle. They are not even dating anymore!''

Oliver considered my words, or at least I thought he was considering them. He had a thoughtful expression now and he wasn't looking at me anymore. There was distance in his eyes, memories and pain and for a single moment, I did feel bad for lashing out at him. At the same time, I knew whatever I had said was true. I wasn't being insensitive towards his feelings, but his behavior had been messed up.