Morning Surprise
Early morning. A girl was on her way to school -- nearly late -- when there was a sudden drizzle. Caught off-guard in the intensifying rain, she quickened her step, nearly tripping in the process. The water splattering across her glasses stopped suddenly. “Huh?” She wiped her face, surprised. Skidding to a stop, she was even more surprised when she noticed the tall figure holding an umbrella over her head, just behind. “I thought you needed the cover.” He smiled apologetically, by way of salutation. “O — oh.” She was embarrassed to inconvenience the stranger, until she noticed that he was wearing a school uniform. The nervousness that she had around boys crept in, and she felt her face redden. Biting her lip, she glanced at her watch. “Th — thank you. I appreciate the gesture, but I'm going to be late, and your school's the opposite way...” He proffered her his umbrella. "Here, you take it. You need it more than me." He waited patiently for her response. Gingerly, her hand stretched out, unsure of what to say to such unfamiliar kindness. "Thank you," she repeated, hesitant. "Um..." Should I ask for a name...? "You're welcome," he smiled widely. "You can always return the umbrella to my school later. I'll pick it up." Her heart melted at such sweetness. "I will. Thank you." Even after she hurried up the overhead bridge, she stopped to stare at the white uniformed figure running in the rain. The rain was lightening up, and she took out her phone to capture the moment. She didn’t have anything else to remember this incident by -- but she'll have this. Such unexpected kindness. Holding the umbrella, she was struck with the notion that not only was she left with an umbrella, she was also left with a nameless face, a blush, and a galloping heartbeat. Damn.