The Way We Bond

Rain waited by her locker at the end of the day for Darnell to come and meet her. Most of the kids had already left school and only the students who were in sports or after-school clubs were still there. Darnell was currently helping out the librarian before she went home today, so Rain was a bit impatient.

Not to mention that Rain's boss had called her earlier telling her that she needed to come in earlier today, so she had to inform Darnell that she needed a ride to work.

Darnell of course agreed and told her to wait for him after school. He even offered to go pick up her work uniform from Momma's since she didn't have the time. It was moments like this that made Rain feel utterly grateful to him.

Rain had to have waited about 15 more minutes before he finally came. Darnell saw Rain holding her backpack and took it from her, not wanting her to carry all that weight. They embraced each other for a short hug and started to walk towards Darnell's neat silver Toyota. He had worked all last summer for it but his parents still insisted on paying the insurance for him.

Rain hopped inside of the car. and Darnell followed jogging over to the driver's side. He threw Rain's backpack in the backseat before closing his door. Waiting for her to put her seatbelt on, he turned on the radio and began driving.

Rain worked at Mr. Joe's. That was a small coffee shop where most of the kids from school hung out. They didn't pay the staff much money, but it was enough for Rain to want to stay there; besides that, the staff members were all basically like a big family anyway.

Darnell and Rain had this routine. They would meet up after school, drop Rain off at work, and after they went to his house where they had a sleepover. "Love, turn up the radio for me, please. It's too quiet in here." Darnell requested with his eyes still focused on the road. Rain who was looking out the window gave him a weak smile before reaching out and completing his request. Some pop song was playing on the radio and soon enough Rain was gently mouthing the lyrics to the catchy tune.

Darnell shook his head at her in amusement. Rain was always jamming out to random music in his car but kept quiet so that she wouldn't distract him from driving. Darnell did have a short attention span after all.

He pulled up at Rain's job and parked the car in the packed parking lot. Cutting off the ignition he turned to face Rain. "8:30?" Rain smiled at him and let out a little laugh. She stuck out her arm towards him and he gripped her hand in return. Looking him deep in the eyes she gave him a quick wink before letting go.

"8:30 as always, not a minute later." Rain opened the car door and got out before shutting it. Darnell handed Rain her bag through the window and watched as she walked in before pulling out and leaving.

Rain walked through the front door and immediately got greeted by her friendly co-workers. Sasha, Rain's co-worker came running over with some juicy drama to spill.

"Rain! Rain!" She called barely dodging a customer who was holding his kid while he slept. She tumbled into Rain, making her chuckle as she held out her arms to steady Sasha. "Sasha be more careful, you're gonna hurt yourself." Rain said smiling in amusement. Sasha waved her off and just began to ramble.

"This guy came here and he was sooo cute! Like, omg! I've never seen anyone like him before and also he was so tall and mysterious. He had this small tattoo of a small crown behind his ear and he-" Rain cut her off by putting her hand over her mouth to silence her.

"Calm down Sasha, I can't understand you. Take a deep breath and think before you speak first okay?" Rain instructed. Sasha nodded. I replied and Rain removed her hand.

Sasha took a deep breath before exhaling. "Okay, so this guy came in here with a hood on and everyone was looking at him like he was kind of weird. I mean I don't blame them who would wear a hoodie in the middle of summer," Rain shot her a quick glare making Sasha hold her hands up in surrender.

"Anyways he was sitting alone which was weird because nobody comes here alone. So I automatically knew that he was new. I took his order and OMG! You won't even believe it he ordered iced coffee. We're practically soul mates!" Sasha gushed making Rain roll her eyes and walk away.

Sasha often fell in love with any guy who was new and different. She was romantic at the heart. Rain often felt bad for her though. Every time Sasha had let a guy in she often ended up with a broken heart. She didn't deserve that.

Rain went to clock in and left Sasha to her antics. She went to the bathroom so she could change into her work uniform. Her uniform was in her bag that Darnell always kept for her in the back of his car. He often found himself taking Rain's work uniform home and washing it for her so she could use it the next day, but Rain knew he didn't mind.

Once Rain was dressed she walked out of the bathroom to begin work. Today she had to handle the register and mop the floors after they closed. Let's just say that Rain was not very eager to work today. But who is?

Rain stood at the register trying to keep a polite smile on her face as some of the rude customers caught an attitude with her. Rain needed this job and it paid good money if she counted the tips she often received. She planned on traveling after high school and knew she would need the funds. Darnell and Rain had this planned for years and they were so close to their goals.

So if that meant that she had to deal with salty attitudes, messy children, and spills then she would. Besides, Rain knew the owner; his name was Mr. Henry, a man in his early 30's. He used to date Momma but they broke up deciding that they were better as friends. That's how he met Rain.

He claimed that she was the niece he always wanted and when she needed a job he immediately helped her out. She owed more than he could imagine. And despite her complaints always paid her a little extra. So, like any other professional. Rain kept that fake smile on her face sucked it up and just got to work.

~•~

After work Rain waited eagerly outside for Darnell to come. She was worn out after dealing with those people's nasty attitudes, not to mention Steve who came and taunted her during her whole shift. She was tired, smelly, and her feet hurt. All she wanted to do was take a shower and sleep now.

Rain almost cried in relief when Darnell's familiar silver car pulled up. Darnell parked the car and got out jogging towards Rain. He could already tell just by the look on her face that she was tired and he felt kind of guilty. He was more late than usual today.

"Love, I'm so sorry. It's just that traffic and I was handling-" Rain cut him off not even caring. She pulled him into a hug and Darnell hugged her back, chuckling a little. "You smell like nuggets and mustard."

Rain elbowed him, making him laugh a little bit harder before taking her bag and walking towards his car. Rain followed behind a little grumpy. He really didn't have to bring up the mustard smell.

Rain hopped in the car as Darnell placed her bag in the trunk, claiming that he didn't want his car smelling like a fast-food restaurant. Darnell hopped in the car and began driving in silence which made Rain grateful. She wasn't in a talking mood. Plus he did give her time to take a nap. She closed her eyes and let the motion of the car take her away.

Darnell gently shook Rain awake. He was parked in his driveway now. Rain had passed out during the car ride which made Darnell a little concerned. Today must have been hectic for Rain to just fall asleep like that. He didn't even get to tell her his secret yet.

But it could wait.

Rain gently sat up and peeked up at Darnell from her closed eyes confused. She sat up slowly and looked around. She was at Darnell's house now which would explain why he woke her up. She could sleep inside. She let out a small yawn before opening the car door and getting out slowly.

She heard Darnell open his door also following behind. She walked up the porch and knocked on his freshly painted front door. Darnell's father opened the door and smiled immediately when he saw Rain. She was like another daughter to him after all.

"Well, look what the cat bought in. Come here, Rain." He said, pulling Rain into a hug. It had been a while since Rain slept over after all. But that wasn't exactly her fault. Momma needed her help around the house.

"Hi, Mr. Wilson." She said hugging him back made him give her a quick scolding look. "Hush, now how many times do I have to tell you to call me Jaime? You're like family Rain. You know that." Rain blushed lightly at his words.

Mr. Wilson looked at his son standing awkwardly outside and laughed at his discomfort. "Get in here boy! Your mother has been worried sick." He said giving his son a small pat on the back.

Mr. Wilson moved out of the way and allowed them in. Rain went upstairs to Darnell's room while he went to console his Mom. Darnell's parents weren't what you would call rich but they weren't poor either. His Dad was a surgeon and his mother was a housewife and an ex-nurse. So they had some decent money.

Darnell's mother treated Rain like she was the girl she always wanted, because she couldn't have any more kids due to a mishap after she had Darnell. So whenever Rain came over she was spoiled to death.

Rain walked inside Darnell's room briefly glancing at his king-sized bed and neat posters on the wall. Darnell was such a clean freak. She went to his closet and looked in her side, grabbing a purple tank top and some cotton shorts along with some undergarments out of the drawers, before heading to the bathroom for a shower.

While Rain was in the bathroom handling her hygiene. Darnell was setting up camp for him and Rain outside on top of the roof. Rain and Darnell loved to fall asleep watching the sky and Darnell didn't feel like watching a movie anymore so it all works out perfect either way.

Darnell gathered the blankets and pillows and climbed the ladder and placed them up there before going to get the snacks. Darnell was going to tell Rain why he was so late today. He just didn't know if Rain's reaction was going to be a good or bad one.

By the time Darnell had finished setting up, Rain was done in the bathroom. She exited with her nightclothes on and with a towel over her shoulder, drying her hair. She looked up and saw Darnell staring at her, making a smile graced her features.

"You ready Wilson?" She asked arching a perfect eyebrow. Darnell let out a chuckle and nodded his head. Rain walked towards him and shoved him aside playfully so she could climb out the window and up the ladder. Darnell shook his head at her antics before following after her.

Once they were up there, Rain used Darnell's chest as a pillow snuggling into him. Darnell wrapped his arms around Rain's waist and set his glasses to the side. He didn't exactly need them anyway. He mostly just wore them for fun. Rain always bothered him about them but he just ignored her. He was not going to let her mess up his aesthetics.

"So Wilson, what have you been up to today?" Rain asked with her head buried in Darnell's shoulder. Darnell sighed making Rain glance up at him. "Well, I tried out for the basketball team today." Rain sat up quickly with her eyes wide open in shock.

"Wait, you what!?" She practically shouted making Darnell wince. "I tried out for the basketball team at school. That's why I was late picking you up." Darnell winced again and Rain shouted in excitement.

"Did you get in? Did you?" She questioned bouncing around in joy. Darnell sat up and leaned back on his elbows. He watched Rain with a blank expression on his face and shook his head sadly.

"They said I wasn't good enough because I was a nerd and," Darnell stopped speaking and looked down frowning. Rain's heart broke a little at how upset her friend was and she quickly wrapped him into a tight hug.

"Wilson, it's fine. I mean we both know you can shoot hoops better than any of those guys. They don't deserve to have you on," Rain stopped talking because she felt Darnell's body shaking in her arms. She looked down to see that he was laughing.

"Love, I'm so sorry! I was just kidding of course I got on the team, you idiot." He said before dying in laughter. Making Rain gasp in shock before grabbing a pillow and attacking him with it.

Darnell was laughing so hard that he couldn't defend himself back and had to take her abuse with open arms. When he finally caught his breath, he was able to hold Rain down until he finally stopped laughing. Rain, had a permanent glare on her face making Darnell frown. "Come on Love, you know you can't stay mad at me. I bought you cookies." He said, trying to bribe Rain.

"What kind?" Rain asked quietly, still upset. Darnell smiled softly and let go Rain. "Chocolate Chip." Rain gave him a cautious look before sitting up and glancing at the snacks that Darnell bought up and sure enough, it held Chocolate Chip cookies, Rain's favorite. She snatched them up quickly making Darnell smirk. "This doesn't mean I forgive you, Wilson. I really thought you were upset. I'm not sharing these cookies." She said, making him groan.

"Oh come, I made my mom make those from scratch!" He complained, making Rain roll her eyes.

Rain giggled and gave in, handing him one making his face light up. They quickly devoured the snacks and joked around for the rest of the night. It had to be going on 11 before they finally sobered up and quieted down.

Rain was once again laying on Darnell's chest with his arms wrapped around her waist. Rain was beginning to become very sleepy but she didn't want to stop talking. "Do you think that maybe once you start playing basketball at school, your anxiety will get better?" She asked in a small voice.

Darnell sighed and pulled the thin blanket over them even more. "I hope so, Love. I'm beginning to get kind of sick of being alone at school. I'm only young for so long, I would love to have more friends to hang out with. We were friends for so long. It's not that I'm tired of you, but having some guy friends would really be amazing if only I could get over this." Rain remained quiet not knowing what to say.

"Well, that doesn't matter to me. Besides, now that you're on the basketball team. I can be your number 1 fan. I'll even make you a huge banner." Rain said, making Darnell let out a small chuckle.

"Go to sleep Love, we've got school tomorrow," Darnell said closing his eyes as Rain snuggled closer to him.

They'd worry about this when the time comes but for now, they'd just sleep.