AN: I'm so sorry! for some reason i keep getting weird chapter uploads! Any way, i hope you enjoy this story and feel free to leave comments and questions for me!

It was raining heavily. Somewhere along the way I had lost my umbrella and of course my hoodie would not suffice to give the coverage needed for the amount of water pouring from the sky. I pulled the hood over my head hoping to keep as much of my long hair dry as possible. Sure I would end up looking absolutely ridiculous but it was a small price to pay to stay healthy and dry.

Still, as I took a step out, part of me wanted to say "Fuck it" and let the rain soak through to my bones. A sick day wouldn't be the worst thing right? The rain beat at an unsteady rhythm against the fabric on my head and I kept my eyes down to keep the water out of my eyes and to make sure I wasn't stepping into any major puddles. The least I could do for myself, if not keep my body dry, was to keep my feet as dry as possible.

I could feel the fabric getting heavy around me as the jeans on my legs became soaked through, the squelching of my thighs egging me forward. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and I forced myself to look up at least for a second to see the shutter of lightning that lit the sky. My heart thumped loudly in my chest. While I enjoyed the comfort of a good downpour and even reveled in the idea of playing in the water, storms had always been best admired from inside a cozy house with a book and a blanket. Even then, they sometimes struck fear into my heart. Being out in this rain suddenly took on a whole new intensity.

I cast my eyes down again and trudged quickly through the water. The quicker I got to my car, the better it would be. The side walk was slippery and my Converse fought to keep me upright. Another crash of thunder sent me jumping in fear. The hoodie that had been warm and fluffy only minutes before now felt heavy and uncomfortable. How much farther to my car?

I kept walking as fast as I could risk, keeping my gaze on my treacherous feet. There was no way that I would allow myself to fall and soak more of my body in the dirty water that surrounded me. It saddened me to think that perhaps this could have been fun if I wasn't so scared. How often did adults get to play in the rain?

I began to glance up as light flickered in my vision, but before I could right my head, my foot slipped and I felt my weight tip back, away from my center of gravity. I instantly put my hands behind me to stop me from falling flat on my back. The impact upon the palms of my hand sent shivers of pain up my arms and shoulders. The pebbles on the ground dug sharply into my skin and I hissed as my fingers slipped over the jagged edges. My head snapped back slightly with the force of the fall and my soaked hoodie slipped down my now slightly damp hair. Water poured freely down my skin and into my shirt. I groaned knowing that the ride home would be absolutely horendus.

My brain yelled at me to get up and run the rest of the way to the car but the pain that was flowing through my in waves kept me on the side walk patheticlly. I closed my eyes hoping that no one was staring at me but simultaneously not caring if anyone was. I let the water wet the dark strands of hair that now hung slightly loose, the ends trapped in the neck of the jacket.

Another clap of thunder snapped me from my thoughts, eyes shot wide open, head directed above me. Instead of being met with the dark and cloudy sky that was only getting darker, my eyes met green irises narrowed in concern.

My cheeks burned in embarrassment at being caught sitting on a wet sidewalk, completely soaked through. It took me a second to form any words and even more than a couple of seconds to realize that the water was no longer running down my cheeks. I blinked up at the man who was holding a black umbrella to cover us both the blood in my body furiously rushing through my veins.

"Whoa, are you okay," he asked over the pounding of the rain on the umbrella. When he spoke, his thin lips parted slightly, stretching into what seemed like a small smile. Faint dimples adorned his hollow cheeks that drew attention to his chilled jaw. The sharpness of his lower face contrasted heavily with his long rounded nose and average sized eyes. His eyebrows perfectly followed the curve of his eye socket and seemed longer than really necessary, one was raised in amusement as he glanced at my position.

"Oh yeah," I said quickly, without thinking, "Just enjoying the rain."

His eyes widened but he chuckled when I gave him an embarrassed smile. His eyes crinkled at the corners with the genuine mirth and he held out the hand that wasn't keeping my upper half dry.

"Do you need a hand?"

I wanted to deny the help. If I stayed where I was, it would be less embarrassing somehow but my brain yelled at me to take it. He seemed nice enough and I was starting to shiver from the cold seeping into my skin.

Hesitantly, I reached for his outstretched palm. He grasped it tightly, warmth transferring into my wet skin as he helped me up. Once on my feet, I quickly let go, shaking my arms to rid myself of the water unsuccessfully. He wiped his own hands on his fairly dry jeans.

"Thank you."

"No problem," he answered with a smile. An awkward silence fell upon us, where the pitter patter of rain was the only sound. What now?

The water dripped from the dark cotton of my hoodie onto my shoes and and I crossed my arms awkwardly over my chest avoiding his curious gaze. I chuckled softly as if laughing at myself would help me feel less embarrassed. He chuckled in response taking a step closer to keep me under the umbrella as I broke out into full hysterical laughter. The ridiculous of the situation began to sink in. I was going to have a wicked cold after joined in my laughing with no hesitation. I couldn't blame him, he must have seen me fall straight on my ass and now here we were.

I covered my burning face in my hands as tears ran down my face. Breathing was difficult but I didn't care. I just had to get out the multitude of emotions that were swimming in my body. It was a couple of minutes later that he had stopped laughing. I had tried to stop but every time I looked at him, I broke into nervous hysterical laughter. His smile told me that he was either uncomfortable or was enjoying the effect he was having. Whatever it was, I didn't care.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity later, my laughter turned to giggles and the giggles into coughing which turned his shy smile into a concerned frown. After I assured him that I was completely okay through my body wrecking coughs, I turned away trying to keep the hideous noise from escaping my mouth. Eventually, I was silent, and I reluctantly turned back to look at the kind man who stopped to help me. He must have thought I was crazy.

He rubbed his neck with his free hand, his blonde hair sparkled slightly as it rustled under his slight touch. I bit my lip avoiding the inevitable humiliation that was to come.

He looked me up and down a couple of time and I bit back the curt retort that was dying to escape my lips. His eyes met mine again and I could feel my eyelids open wider in surprise. I ripped my gaze from his, focusing on my doused shoes.

"I'm so sorry you had to see that," I mumbled almost sadly, knowing that this was a horrible first impression.

"I'm really sorry that you fell. I tried to get to you as soon as I noticed that you were getting soaked in water. If I had walked a bit faster, I could have caught you."

Unintentionally I looked up again and caught his wink. Without my consent my mouth spoke.

"I guess you could say that I fell for you huh," instantly I clapped a hand over my traitorous mouth, a blush returning to my cheeks. Had I just actually said that?

His eyes widened and I mentally prepared myself for a rejection that I hadn't planned on setting myself up for. His eyes shrunk back to their normal size and I noticed the crinkle in the corners. He was smiling down at me, because this man was clearly at least six feet tall, his teeth evident as he shook his head slightly.

"You have a nice smile," my mouth said again through the hand that covered it and I mentally slapped myself. Stupid, stupid, lips.

"Thank you... you're quite pretty," he answered.

My heart nearly stopped. Had he just complimented me? Right now? Covered in water and with makeup probably running down my cheeks? Yes, I decided, he had. I squinted at him through my wet eyelashes and I saw him flinch under my gaze.

"I- thank you," I finally said and he gave me a small half smile through what I could only assume were nerves.

Another pause followed in which I shivered violently and he blinked looking down at himself in turn. I followed his gaze and I realized that he was looking at his large black rain coat. I furiously shook my head as he unzipped it and began to take it off.

"What- what are you doing," I asked holding my hands up defensively.

"What kind of a gentleman would I be if I let you go off in what you're wearing?"

"Oh no please," I argued as he switched the umbrella into his other hand to slip the sleeve off of his arm, the umbrella wavered slightly hitting my head gently and I couldn't help the wince of surprise that appeared on my face. I raised my hand up to cover the spot the spike tapped and glared at the umbrella as if it had done it of it's own accord.

"I am so sorry," he said quickly draping his jacket over his arm and stepping closer to examine the spot covered by my hand.

"Don't worry, it didn't hurt, I just got scared," I interjected rubbing the spot and lowering my hand again.

"Are you sure? The metal is a little sharp. Let me see," even closer he move and he tilted my head down. I felt his fingers graze the spot the umbrella had touched but no pain followed. I was fine. I knew I would be but he stayed there for a couple of seconds longer than necessary.

Finally he let my head go and I instinctively looked up. I found him looking back at me with a curious stare. His eyes were a cool green from this proximity, like a forest staring at my own depressing blue, they melted into a gold halo that rested upon his pupil. I hadn't realized how close he was to me.

Neither of us moved for a second, then remembering that I didn't know him, I took a step back putting myself in the line of fire of the drizzling rain. It had lightened a bit. Not that it mattered anymore since the damage was already done.

I wiped a drop of rain that was running down my nose off with the wet sleeve of my hoodie, looking around the parking lot trying to remember what I was doing. Why was I outside again?

"Here," he said drawing my attention back to him. He had his arm stretched out, the black rain coat catching the bits of water that the sky released. Again I shook my head but he did not take the jacket back.

"You're going to catch a cold if you stay in those wet clothes."

"I don't want to take you're coat... I don't even know you," I countered.

"Fine," he smiled, "How about we switch then? You give me you're hoodie and I'll give you my coat."

Before I could argue he took yet another step closer and put the umbrella between his neck and shoulder so he could use both hands to wrap the coat around my shoulders. I blinked up at him not knowing how to react. A part of me wanted to accept the kind gesture but the other part was yelling at me to refuse. Eventually, I felt a soft smile cover my face and I glanced down, noticing how long the coat was on me. It brushed my knees gently.

"Okay, thank you," I relented and he chuckled grabbing his umbrella again.

"You still want my hoodie? I don't think it will fit you," I joked half heartedly as I felt the warmth radiate from his now jacket-less thin frame. He was wearing a simple black long sleeve that perfectly highlighted the muscles in his arms and his abdomen. I forced my eyes away before he noticed and removed the black coat.

He frowned at me and I found it hard to look away. The way his lips molded and shifted was captivating.

"You don't have to give it to me if you don't want to," he mentioned but I had already draped the coat over his shoulder and began to pull my arms from the cotton sleves. A bit harsher than I had intended, I pulled it over my wet hair and watched it slowly drip water from the elastic edges. I could feel the uncomfortable sensation of my hair being out of place and I shook my head like a dog trying to get it back to the most comfortable position spraying water onto the man in the process.

"It's your funeral," I commented handing him the heavy fabric and he took it happily, holding it at arms length so as not to wet his body. I chuckled taking his jacket once again and slipping my arms through the enormous sleeves. They hung down my hands almost completely covering my fingers. In that moment, I felt tiny and cute. I could smell something sweet and woody emanating from the inside. I was partially saddened that my wet clothes were going to taint the comforting scent.

"Looks like your shirt survived," he said pulling one of the coat flaps up to see what I was wearing. I self-consciously tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear which caused him to look up as the material rustled. A gust of wind blew forcefully between us and the umbrella flew from his hands into the street. He ran after it without so much as a glance around.

My heart pounded as a car swerved to miss him honking loudly as it went by. It was as if I was frozen in place. I felt the color drain from my face and the chill of the air worsened with every passing second. I watched him pick up the umbrella on the other side of the street, now safely on the opposite side walk. He looked after the car with a glare, shaking his head as if the car had been at fault. Was he insane? Just my luck. A cute guy saves me from sickness but he's psychotic.

His green eyes turned back to me and he sheepishly smiled pointing after the car with his thumb as if asking "Can you believe that?"

"Are you insane," I yelled across the road as another car rushed by.

"Aren't all the best people?"

I didn't yell back right away, shocked by his response. I put my cold hands into the pocket of his jacket hoping for some warmth to return to my frozen limbs to no avail.

"You could have been hurt," I shouted back albeit a bit quieter as I was trying to hold back a stutter of cold.

I saw a satisfied smile spread on his face and I raised an eyebrow in exasperation, "But I wasn't."

"Y-you are crazy," I yelled back though for some reason I was smiling as well. My teeth were chattering now but I couldn't force my feet to move.

His smile faded as he watched me, my body physically shaking from the freezing air. Perhaps it wasn't that cold but the wetness of my clothes was not helping the situation. I nodded vigorously as he made to cross the road again.

"STOP," I yelled as a van drove by clearly speeding past us above the speed limit. I glared after it.

"Look both ways before you cross the rode," I shouted as I turned back to look sat him.

"Pft, yes mother."

I crossed my arm clearly unamused by his comment but he didn't notice as he crossed the road, doing as I had instructed.

I waited for him to be near me again taping my foot impatiently. He stood before me, a bit too close for comfort, his blonde locks falling over his eyes as he looked down at me.

"Hey would you," he paused stuffing his hands into his pockets, "maybe want to go get lunch, or coffee if that's better, sometime?"

I felt my mouth drop open in surprise. I started at him, eyes wide. Blood rushed to my cheeks once again and for a second I wished I was cold again as the warmth that must have radiated in waves from my face was unflattering. He reached forward with a soft chuckled, closing my mouth with one long finger clad with a ring. My teeth clicked together but without giving me time to react, he gently pulled the hair stuck under his coat out so it flowed loosely over my chest and shoulders.

I swallowed hard, the awkwardness in my nature returning with a vengeance. I bit my lip as the voices in my head argued with each other over what to do. Get away, get closer, kiss him... I clamped my lips shut and tried to step away but again, I felt my weight shift uncomfortably and my body began to twist away towards the floor. The impact of the cold gravel never came as the man had reached out with cat like reflexes, catching my biceps.

If we was close before, it was nothing compared to now. His face was inches from mine and one of his legs found it's way between my own.

"There you go falling for me again," he chuckled and while I wanted to argue, something inside me told me that this was a sign. I should accept his offer.

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"Oh no," I corrected realizing what it sounded like I was saying.

"No?"

Panic sprung into my stomach as I tried to regain control of my stupid mouth. Why couldn't I just say what I mean?

"No! I mean yes, I want to get coffee sometime."

He helped me stand, his hands not leaving my arms, but I didn't mind. Vaguely, I let my thoughts wonder where the umbrella had gone but presently my eyes flicked to his lips. If he caught the slip, he didn't say so. His eyes burned into my own and I found myself questioning wether he could see in my eyes what I was thinking.

"Okay."

Rain began to fall around us again, softly at first, but the more we stood on the side walk, the harder it got. He leaned forward very slowly, my heart was caught in my chest. Was he going to kiss me? My eyes began to flutter shut but his lips never met mine, instead I felt his grasp loosen around my arms and reach behind my head. The next thing I knew, a hood had been pulled over my head and my eyes snapped open.

Embarrassment flooded my body, his face was even closer than before. I could feel his breath on my nose, his lips were pulled back into a soft smile. Wow. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach and a spark of adrenaline ran through my veins as I looked at him.

"Friday, four thirty. The coffee shop across the street," he whispered. Confused I looked across the road again and noticed that there was a small relatively unknown coffee shop situated between two restaurants.

"I'll see you there," he winked, turning over his shoulder with my wet hoodie hanging from his bare arm. He bent down, picked up his black umbrella from the floor, and continued down the way I had come. I watched him go in awe, not believing that in the span of a couple of minutes, I had gotten a date with a stranger.

He looked over his shoulder with a broad cocky smile and waved at me. Caught, I turned away speed walking to where I knew the parking lot was and quickly finding my car. I opened the door thanking God that the keys were still around my neck and sat on the clothed seat. I felt water seep from my pants to the seat and groaned knowing that I would have to pay for someone to clean the inside later. With one final look in the direction that the handsome and sweet man had gone, I turned it on and drove home eagerly to take a shower.