Chapter 3: The Rain

John's POV

It's break time, and I went to where Zane, Reese, and Ronan's usual place.

"Hey, guys"

"Oh, John. What brings you here?"

"Just hanging around with you. Can I join you?"

"Of course, you can. We want to recruit you to be on our group,"

"Really?"

"Yup"

"Thank you, guys!"

"No problem"

"Guys"

"What is it?"

"Can you help me with Karina?"

"We're sorry, but we can't help you,"

"Why not?"

"Because we don't even know what Karina likes and dislikes," Zane said.

"You can do it on your own, John," Ronan said.

"You just do your thing and be yourself. Show Karina that you are sincere in courting her. That's all,"

"Wow, Reese. You're such an expert with this"

"I think I will follow what you said. Thanks, guys"

"No problem. Anytime"

"I got to go,"

"See you later,"

Maybe I will go to the guidance council and address my problem. Maybe they can help me.

When I arrived, I knocked three times and entered.

"Good afternoon, Ma'am,"

"What brings you here? Do you want to have a counseling session?"

"Yes"

"Let's go inside that room,"

"Ok"

We went to a room that is isolated.

"Let me ask you about your name and age?"

"My name is John Rosales. 17 years old,"

"Ok. You can openly share anything with me. What you are going to share to be would be kept confidential. So, is anything bothering you?"

"Yes"

"Can you tell me about it? What is it about?"

"It's about the girl I am courting,"

"Kids these days. I am not an expert of that, but what about it?"

"I've been courting her for a month now, but I didn't receive an answer to her if I would court her or not,"

"You are now courting her, and she didn't give you an answer yet. I think you have a chance. Um, I have three theories. Either she doesn't like you, she is not ready to be in a relationship, or she is heartbroken,"

I sighed.

"But don't give up if you like her so much. Just be yourself and win her heart. I know that she will open her heart to a guy like you. That is all I can say,"

"Thank you so much, Ma'am. I will get going now,"

"You're welcome. Come back anytime,"

I went out of the guidance office. They all have the same advice for me. Maybe I should do that.

Let me introduce myself. My name is John Rosales. 17 years old. I'm just a simple guy who's courting Karina for a month now. I'm just waiting for her answer. I'm hoping that Karina would see that I am sincere in courting her.

Narrator's POV

It's the end of class, and it's raining.

"Uh, it's raining,"

"Even though I have an umbrella, I don't want to walk in the rain. My shoes would get wet and muddy," Elkie said.

"You're so overacting, Elkie,"

"Hmm"

"Do you all have an umbrella?" Reese said.

All of them said yes except for Zane and Karina.

"We can share, Zane, besides, our house is just a block away,"

"Great"

"What about you, Karina?" Elkie said.

"I will just text my father,"

"Ok. See you tomorrow, guys,"

Karina's POV

I am now at the entrance of the school, waiting for the rain to stop.

I cannot call my father because he is busy with work right now.

My name is Karina Valdez. 17 years old. I am an only daughter. I have a mother, but she died giving birth to me, so it's just my father and me. My father is working hard for us two to survive, and that is why I want to make him proud of me.

"Don't you have an umbrella?"

Uh, it's him again.

John is irritating me for a month now. I don't hate John, but he just reminds me of someone else from the past.

"I don't have an umbrella,"

"Let's share,"

"No need"

"Ok. Then, I will go now,"

Karina, this is not the time for being rude and cold. This is an opportunity for you to go home early.

"John, wait"

"What is it?"

"Let's share. I need to go home early,"

"Yes!"

"Let's go to the bus stop,"

"Ok. I will escort you there,"

When we're walking, I looked at John. He is not irritating today. He is quiet.

"Where here"

"Thank you"

"Anything for you"

I am waiting for the bus to arrive and John is still here.

"Why are you still here?"

"I will wait for you to ride the bus,"

When the bus arrived, John said to take care and went off.

Maybe he is living near the school.

Thalia's POV

Zane and I are walking while sharing an umbrella.

I find our situation romantic. We are like a couple.

"Be careful, Thalia,"

"Oh"

There was an overspeeding vehicle.

Zane put his hand around my shoulder. My heartbeat is going crazy.

"We should switch places,"

"Ok"

When we arrived at my house, I opened my bag to get the key to the house, but it's not in my bag.

"Did you forget your keys?"

"I think I forget it inside. Maybe I should stay at the convenience store and wait for my parents to arrive,"

"You know that it's cold there. What time will your parents arrive?"

"Evening"

"You will catch a cold. Why not stay at y house for a while?"

"What?"

I was shocked.

"You heard me,"

"Is it ok?"

"Yup"

"I'm warning you to not do something to me,"

"What are you saying, Thalia?"

"Never mind. Ok, lets' go to your house,"

I'm so assuming.

I trust Zane, though.

We arrive at Zane's house after a few minutes of walking.

"Let's go inside,"

"Ok"

"I will just change my clothes. Feel at home,"

"I will"

I should call my mom.

"Hello, dear. What is it?"

"Hello, mom. I forgot the keys to the house, and I'm staying at my friend's house that's just a block away from ours. Can you text me if you are on the way to our house?"

"Ok, dear. Next time, don't forget the keys, ok?"

"Ok, mom. Bye for now,"

When I turned around, Zane was wearing a short and sleeveless shirt.

Omo! He is hot.

"What are you staring at, Thalia?"

"Oh, nothing"

Get a hold of yourself, Thalia.

"It's cold. Can we make porridge?"

"We need to eat that today because it's cold,"

"Can I use your kitchen?"

"Sure. You know how to cook?"

"It's easy. I'm sure you will love it,"

"Ok. Call me when you are done cooking. I will just be in the living room,"

"Ok"

I opened the refrigerator to get the ingredients, prepared the ingredients, and started cooking.

After a few minutes, I'm done cooking the porridge.

"Zane! The porridge is ready,"

It's like we are a newly wedded couple.

Stop imagining impossible things, Thalia.

"I can smell it already. Let me have a taste,"

"How is it?"

"It's so delicious,"

"What did I tell you?"

"Let's eat,"

Zane and I ate the porridge while talking.

After eating, we are in the living room, watching television while drinking hot chocolate.

After a few minutes, I got a text from mom. She says that they are almost at home.

"I got to go, Zane. Mom and Dad are almost at the house,"

"Let me escort you out,"

"No need. Thank you and see you tomorrow,"

"Same"

I hurriedly went to our house, and I'm right on time because mom and dad arrived.

Today was crazy because my heart is beating like crazy.

Thinking about the skinship and all that happened with Zane earlier.