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It's raining by the time the last class is finished. Not only that, but it's strong rain, she can tell from the strong pit-pattering against the windows and the thick darkness of the clouds. The kind of rain that makes you feel chilly and uncomfortable even with an umbrella, which at least she is lucky to have with her today.
Excited classmates pass her by as she walks towards the school gate. Before she steps out, a teacher notices her and smiles warmly. 'Oh? Is no one picking you up today, Alicia?'
She shakes her head, and signs at her, "I am going to the bookstore."
The teacher's eyebrows rise with concern. 'In this weather?' Alicia nods. It's probably not the best idea, but there is a new book from one of her favourite authors coming out today, and she has a reservation for it. It's a special edition, with painted corners and everything, and a pain to find unless you get it on release. She doesn't tell the teacher all of this, of course. She doesn't need to know that much, nice as she is. 'Just be careful to not get yourself sick, alright?'
"For sure."
She opens her umbrella and steps out of the school, careful to avoid puddles that could get her socks wet. Checking her phone, she sees that Verso has already sent her a text ten minutes prior.
Verso - 16:50
I know you said you were going to get that book, but do you want me to go pick you up?? I'm not busy right now.
She replies:
You - 17:01
It's fine!! I have my umbrella. Thanks. (*´ω｀*)
And she puts her phone back in her pocket. It vibrates with a new message seconds later, but she'll look at it when she's done picking up the book.
The bookstore that has her reservation isn't too far from her high school, to be honest, it's just a fifteen minute walk on a bad day, if one assumed all the traffic lights will be red. If she gets lucky and they're all green, it's only a bit over ten minutes.
Green. Green. Green. Green, though it becomes orange halfway through her crossing. Red, but it changes to green quickly. Alicia smiles: she's getting pretty lucky today. Maybe something good will happen soon…
As if the world is aware of her thoughts, she hears a small noise, thin as a thread, and follows it into a narrower street to her right. The voice keeps calling, a bit clearer this time, making its way through the heavy droplets of rain pelting Alicia's umbrella.
It is, very clearly, a cat's cry, and it's coming from the end of the narrow street. She finds it laying down in a corner, meowing pitifully, and it looks at Alicia with a single green eye, its tricolour fur soaked. It doesn't try to run, continuing to meow instead, as if asking for aid. Alicia would like to ask it if anything hurts, but she doubts a cat would understand sign language — the thought is a big amusing, all things considered.
She's always had dogs at home — Clea's immortal turtle with an oddly human name aside —, but she still knows more or less how to approach cats, at least from the myriad of videos she's watched about them. So she carefully extends her hand to it, letting it smell her properly. Sniff sniff, a moment of pause, of tension, as Alicia wonders if it will accept or bite her, and then… The cat headbutts her hand so strongly it startles her.
As she pats its head, the cat keeps leaning into her hand, moving as much as its illness or wound allows, and it hits her: The cat must be cold. She is chilly even with an umbrella over her head, and this poor cat's fur is all damp. If its stomach hurts, or if it has a wounded paw, then he can't even go look for proper cover. She thinks of Monoco and Noco back home, how warm and cosy they must be right now next to the fireplace while papa reads the newspaper, and decided this cat deserves the cosiness too, after she takes it to the vet.
She'll need both arms to pick it up and tuck it under her jacket, so she puts the umbrella down on the floor. The rain is now falling on her back and hair, but she can fix it with a warm bath later, and, with some luck, she won't get sick. She strokes the cat's head, gently scratching the area between its ears, before placing her hands under it and lifting it up, holding it against her chest. The kitty complains a bit, but doesn't try to scratch her, cuddling up against her shoulder.
And then, the rain magically stops hitting her. The cat meows and purrs, stretching one of its legs towards the figure casting a shadow over them. When Alicia turns around, her gaze finds a rather familiar face: a freckled girl, with blue eyes and fiery orange hair pulled into a ponytail. Alicia knows her, even if only from a few small interactions and the daily attendance calls. Maëlle Eiffel, a relative newcomer to their school, sporty, outspoken, and weird in the opinion of some of their classmates. Alicia, from a distance, has always considered her rather handsome…
Maëlle blushes after Alicia stares at her for a while. 'I just… I saw you sitting there and getting soaked and… I wouldn't want you to get sick, so...' Alicia smiles at her, and hopes her gratitude is conveyed without words. She stands up, showing her the cat in her arms. 'Ah, so that's why… are you taking it home?' Alicia shrugs in response, and then nods. 'Then I can go with—'
A gust of cold wind rises, rushing through the alleyway, and Alicia braces herself. However, not a single drop of water hits her or the cat, as Maëlle quickly puts her arm around her waist, bringing Alicia closer, and moves the umbrella to cover all three of them. They stay close under the refuge of Maëlle's umbrella, and Alicia's face flushes — Maëlle's body is warm, warmer than any person she's been next to before. The cat keeps purring against Alicia's chest, surely also delighted by this warmth, and even as the wind settles, she doesn't want to move. It's like Maëlle's warmth is offsetting the chilly air all by itself.
But Maëlle still moves away from her, her face red as a tomato. 'S-Sorry! I didn't… I just didn't want us to get soaked, so… uh…'
Alicia shakes her head. If anything… she'd have liked to stay warm a little longer.
The world must be hearing her wishes today, because Maëlle turns to look into the hallway, and she says: 'Wait. Where did your umbrella go?'
When she follows Maëlle's gaze, it is indeed gone. Alicia tilts her head, confused, until she remembers the sudden and strong gust of wind from a moment ago. Maëlle remembers it at the same time, and murmurs a curse in a low voice. 'Sorry, it must have flown away… I can go look for it, maybe…'
Alicia shakes her head, pointing at the cat in her arms. Sorry for using you as an excuse, little one, she wants to tell it, but it is part of her reasons to keep going. She'd rather take it home, or, even better, to a vet, as soon as possible.
'Agh, okay… I guess, we can, uhm, share, if you don't mind. But I'll get you a new one tomorrow.'
It's fine, they have plenty at home. But she can let Maëlle know that later, when her hands are free to sign or write.
And so they walk together, shoulder against shoulder. It's not a strange thing, for two girls to be seen walking under the same umbrella, and yet, Alicia's heart is beating a little too fast, and she tries to focus on what Maëlle is saying instead. 'I think there's a vet office around here… I, uh, don't really have money to pay for anything, now that I think about it. Besides the umbrella.'
Alicia gestures with one hand, "don't worry." She has more than enough allowance for that.
'But are you sure it's a good idea to bring it to your house?' Alicia glances at her, curious. 'You have two dogs, right? Now Alicia is even more curious. How does she know that? Maëlle's cheeks turn red again. 'It was… You mentioned it in one of our English essays two weeks ago. When the teacher read it for us. Your essays are always very good, so… I paid attention. A-Anyway, I can take it home, if you want. I don't have pets, and my brother and sister aren't allergic, so…'
Alicia tries to focus on Maëlle's kindness, which warms her heart, but her mind keeps going back to her previous words. Her essays are very good. She pays attention to them, even… She looks down at the kitty, and it it just blissfully sleeping against her chest. Oh, to have this amount of peace of mind with so little effort, Alicia thinks.
They arrive at the vet's office. The man behind the counter looks at them both, and then at the cat inside Alicia's jacket, and Maëlle steps forward. 'She found it in the alleyway nearby, all alone. Could you check if it's sick? I'll take it home after.'
Faced with the reality of being separated from her, the cat's claws cling to Alicia at first, not wanting to let go of her, but she leaves a kiss on its head as Maëlle carefully takes the nails out of her uniform. It meows sadly as the vet takes it inside, and Alicia sighs. At least, the waiting room is more joyful than those in human hospitals, with photos of cute animals and the like. Maëlle sits by her side, assuring her, 'it'll probably be fine. If it was very sick, it wouldn't have the strength to meow and cling to you like that. What are you going to name it?'
Alicia isn't sure. It's always been Verso and Clea naming their family pets, and Clea's names aren't even that good. Who would even name a turtle François of all things? She'd probably want to name the kitty something like Guillaume.
They spend a long time writing down names, looking up meanings, and considering if it's a boy or a girl, until the vet returns. He looks calm, and there's a small smile on his face. 'I think it's best if we watch him overnight, just so we're sure. Could either of you leave us your contact info?'
'Sure!'
As Maëlle writes down her name and number, Alicia realises this means there is no reason for them to remain here. It's a bit sad, and the cat worries her, but there isn't much she can do.
She types on her phone:
You - 18:04
Sorry, I need you to pick me up… (╥﹏╥) A lot has just happened…
Verso - 18:04
Why are you sorry? ?I'll go right away.
Are you ok????
You - 18:05
Yes, I'm fine. ( ◜‿◝ )♡ Can we go to the bookstore?
Verso - 18:05
Alright, no problem
She sends Verso her location, and then opens her notes app and writes, my brother is picking me up. Then, she hands the phone to Maëlle.
'Ah, OK. That's good.' Somehow, she sounds… a bit disappointed. Alicia shares the sentiment. 'But I'll see you at school tomorrow, right?'
For certain.
Maëlle smiles beautifully. 'Great! I mean, yeah, of course we will. What a silly question.'
Very silly. We see each other every day.
They do, and yet the few minutes that they have left feel so precious. They truly are few, as Verso, being the doting big brother he is, arrives at the clinic far too fast. It's barely been five minutes since Alicia's last message, and her phone is already pinging, and their car is waiting outside.
Verso - 18:10
I'm here!!!
Alicia has to go. Maëlle still accompanies her out of the vet clinic, holding the umbrella above their heads as they walk closer to the car, and it makes Alicia feel a bit like a princess. Verso lowers the car window to the shotgun seat. 'Alicia… oh? Is this a classmate of yours?'
'I-I'm Maëlle, sir.' Verso makes a strange face at being called sir, and Alicia snickers. 'Maëlle Eiffel. I'm Alicia's classmate.'
'Thank you for looking after her.' He glances at Alicia. 'So, should we go?'
They should… even if Alicia would rather keep being next to Maëlle. Would asking her to come with them be too much, too sudden? It would be for sure. They have only interacted a couple times before. And yet…
'See you tomorrow?'
Alicia nods, and opens the car door.
But, instead of going inside, she turns around, and plants a kiss on Maëlle's cheek, before finally going, no, rushing into the car. Maëlle makes a strangled noise as her face burns red and her hand grips the umbrella's handle, with such force that her knuckles are turning white.
Verso stares at them, but doesn't say anything yet. From inside the car, Alicia waves at Maëlle before they drive off.
See you tomorrow.
And here's the art in question :) I don't know how to do this embed thing well tbh, but I hope it stays put. If not, I'll try to find another way to post it.
Regardless, please do look at Bokchi's gallery!!!
