The rain was coming down in sheets.

You know, that kind of rain that just makes you want to curl up in bed with a blanket and never leave the house.

But I, Y/N, had just finished my last class of the day, and I was so ready to go home.

High school was... well, High school. It was a place you go to learn, and that's exactly what I did.

I hunched deeper into my jacket, trying to avoid the worst of it as I walked down the street.

My backpack was getting soaked, and I could feel the water seeping into my socks. It was annoying, but hey, what can you do? That's just life.

I wasn't exactly Mr. Popular or anything.I had a couple of good friends, Ira and Ren, but I mostly kept to myself. They were always trying to get me to go out and do stuff, but I preferred the company of a good video game.

I'm a simple guy. They were good friends though I don't know what I'd do without them.

My life was pretty normal.

Classes, video games, hanging out with Ira and Ren when they forced me to.

Honestly, I liked it that way.

No drama, no complications, just... normal.

As I turned the corner, I noticed something that made me pause.

Standing under the awning of a small cafe was a girl, completely drenched, with a black umbrella that seemed way too big for her.

She was like a tiny island in a sea of rain.

Even from a distance, I could tell she was pretty.

Like, really pretty.

She had long, dark blue hair that was plastered to her face, and dark eyes that seemed to sparkle even in the gloomy light.

Her clothes were soaked through, and she was shivering slightly, but she still looked... perfect.

I couldn't help but feel a little bad for her, standing alone in the rain like that.

It looked like she had been waiting a while too.

She kept checking her phone, then sighing and looking down the street. It was the kind of sigh that just made you want to help.

Now, I'm not the type to talk to strangers.

I usually avoid eye contact and just keep walking. But something made me walk up to her. It was like a small voice in my head telling me to do so.

Maybe it was her loneliness, maybe it was because she looked pretty, I wasn't sure. I just knew that I had to do it.

"Uh, hi" i said, feeling a bit awkward as I approached. "do you... need help?" My voice cracked a little, which was super embarrassing.

The girl looked up, her eyes widening slightly when she saw me.

She had the sweetest smile, a smile that made my heart skip a beat. i rarely saw smiles as genuine as that.

It was like she was actually happy to see me. That smile was something else. Something I hadn't felt for a while.

"Oh, um, hi" she replied, her voice soft and melodic. "I was waiting for my friend, but she doesn't seem to be coming." She said with a hint of sadness.

"Oh, I see" I said, not really sure what to say next. "well, I guess the rain can be bad." I chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of my neck.

Smooth, Y/N, real smooth.

"Yeah, it is" she giggled, and I felt my cheeks go warm. Her giggle was like a little bell, and it was really cute. "I am Rain, by the way" She extended a hand, and her smile widened. "Nice to meet you"

Her hand was surprisingly warm and soft, even though she was soaking wet.

It felt... nice. It felt right.

"I'm Y/N" I said, shaking her hand. I didn't let go right away, which was probably weird, but I couldn't help it.

Her hand just felt so good in mine.

"Nice to meet you, Y/N" Rain said, her eyes sparkling even brighter. "So, you were just walking home?"

"Yeah, I just finished class for the day" I explained. "I usually try to get home as quickly as possible. Video games, you know?"

"I see" Rain said, tilting her head slightly.

She looked so cute and innocent that I found myself getting lost in her eyes. It was like nothing else mattered in the world but her.

"Well, would you want me to walk you home, since it doesn't seem like your friend is coming?" I blurted out. I didn't even know why I asked. It was so out of character for me. I normally kept to myself, and now I was offering to walk a random girl home in the pouring rain.

I felt like a simp, and hated it.

Rain's eyes widened, and a small gasp escaped her lips. "Really? You would do that for me?" She seemed genuinely surprised.

"Yeah, I don't mind. I mean, if it's alright with you?" I said a nervous grin spreading across my face. why was I so nervous? It was just a girl, right?

"Yes! I mean, if it's no problem for you, then I would love that!" Rain said, her voice full of enthusiasm. "You're a lifesaver, Y/N!"

I felt my chest swell with happiness.

She made me feel... important. I had always just felt like a background character in my own life, but every time i talk with her, I felt like I was something special.

"Yeah, no problem" I said, trying to play it cool.

So, we started walking. The rain was still coming down, but Rain's umbrella was big enough for the two of us. We walked slowly, talking about the things we liked, the things we hated, and our hobbies.

"So, you like video games?" Rain asked, her voice curious.

"Yeah, I'm a big fan" I said. "Mostly RPGs and strategy games. I'm not really into sports games or anything like that."

"Oh, that's cool" Rain said. "I don't really play video games myself, but I like to watch other people play. It's like watching a movie, but you get to control the character" She giggled, and I felt my heart flutter.

"What about you?" I asked. "What do you like to do?"

"I love baking" Rain said, her eyes lighting up. "I could spend all day in the kitchen, making cakes and cookies and pies. It's so relaxing."

"That's cool" I said. "I'm not much of a baker myself, but I like to eat"

That sounded stupid, i am stupid.

"Oh, I also love to sing" Rain said, her voice becoming a little shy. "I'm not very good, but it's something I enjoy."

"I'm sure you're great" I said, even though I had never heard her sing.

She's so perfect it can't be bad.

It didn't take us long to reach Rain's place, a small apartment complex a few blocks away.

"Well, this is me" she said, her voice slightly tinged with sadness. "Thank you so much for walking me home, Y/N. You didn't have to, but you did."

"It was nothing" I said, feeling a little sad that the walk was over. "I'm glad I could help."

"You're really sweet" Rain said, her eyes sparkling again. "Maybe we can do this again sometime?"

I felt my heart pound in my chest. "Yeah, I would really like that."

"Awesome! Let me give you my number then!" Rain said, as she took out her phone. "I wouldn't want to miss anything."

We exchanged numbers, and I felt a thrill course through me. I got her number! I never got a number from a girl before.

This must be the start of a romcom.

"I should probably head home now" I said, even though I didn't want to leave. I could stay with her forever if that was the case.

"Okay. Be careful going home, Y/N" Rain said. "It's still raining a lot."

"Cya then" I said, watching her as she went inside her apartment building. As she turned back to smile at me, I felt something strange, a feeling that was part anticipation and part... something else. I couldn't name it, but it made me feel a little uneasy.

I ignored it though and turned back, heading back home. I didn't want to focus on that. Rain was more important.

The rest of the day was a blur. All I could think about was Rain. Her smile, her laugh, the way she looked at me. It was like she was all I could focus on.

She felt... perfect.

As soon as I got home, I threw my bag to the floor and sat on my bed. I opened my phone to see if Rain had texted me, and she did.

Rain: I had so much fun chatting with you today, Y/N! Thank you again! I look forward to seeing you again.

Y/N: No problem, I loved talking with you as well! Maybe we can hang out again soon?

Rain: That would be wonderful! I'm so excited!

I smiled and put my phone on the charger. I laid on my bed and stared at the ceiling, thinking. I always wished for something different in my life, and now that it happened, I didn't know how to react.

I always thought that my dreams were unobtainable. I was a simple man who just went through the motions. Now there was Rain, someone who seemed interested in me.

I thought about what she liked. She likes baking, so maybe I should get her some baking supplies. I also remembered that she likes to sing, so I looked at my old guitar, it had been sitting in the corner gathering dust. Maybe I could start to play again, for her.

I spent most of my night researching things that Rain might like. I forgot to play my games, and I forgot about dinner.

I was too lost in my thoughts. I didn't even see Ira text me about playing games online. I was just that lost.

She's my world after all.