Evaporation

“What on earth is wrong with her?” he wondered as he looked out on the girl standing in the pouring rain. Her clothes were soaked and clung to her frame. Her hair was stringy, dark, and dripping. She looked terrible. And yet, she smiled up at the clouds, enjoying the rain. And singing. He frowned. Rain wasn’t good weather. It was cold and uncomfortable and depressing. So why was she smiling?

She walked towards him, her feet splashing in every deep puddle. She was still smiling. She looked at him and grinned. “Hiya!” She laughed a little.

He still frowned, hoping she would go away. “What?”

“Wanna come out?” she said, holding out her hand.

“Not really, no,” he said, backing up further into his shelter.

She slipped her cold, wet hand into his warm, dry one and laughed. “That’s just too bad.” She grinned, grabbed his hand a bit tighter, and dragged him out into the rain. It felt like being in a hot tub with the bubble jets on, except with less force, and a lot colder. He crossed his arms together for warmth.

“So why’d you drag me out here?” he said, somewhat annoyed.

She shook her head. “Because I was bored, silly goose.” She laughed.

“That’s a stupid reason.”

She seemed entirely unfazed. “And what was your reason for standing in that building?”

“To stay dry,” he said matter-of-factly.

“And when you go to the beach, what do you do?” She paused, but not long enough for him to respond. “You get wet. Being in the rain is just like being at the beach.”

He blinked several times, unsure how to argue with this, and so he jumped to an entirely different topic. “…I don’t even know you.”

She shrugged. “And I don’t know you. So I guess we’re even.” She grinned mischievously.

“Are you even my age?” he challenged her.

She challenged him back. “Are you mine?”

He huffed, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Why are we even talking to each other?”

She laughed wickedly. “Because I was one, bored, and two, I think that deep down, you like this.” She smirked, and he did not like it. Not one bit.

He scoffed. “Oh really?”

She grinned, withdrawing her arm. “Yes really.”

He took out his hands from his pockets and crossed his arms. “Well, how do you know… whatever your name is?”

She imitated him. “I don’t see you going back to your little hide-away, grouchy.” She stuck out her tongue playfully. “So that’s how I know.”

“Well, you’re wrong. I don’t like the rain,” he told her matter-of-factly.

She raised an eyebrow. “Or do you?”

He threw his hands up in the air. “What sense does that make?!”

“What sense does anything make when it’s being washed away by the rain?” she commented casually.

He shook his head slowly. “You definitely don’t make any sense.”

She grinned. “Neither do you. That makes us even,” she said, walking around him in a circle.

“So what’s your point?” He frowned stubbornly.

She settled back down into her calm, hypnotizing smile. “You ask way too many questions, you know that, Winchell?”

He took a step back, slightly offended. “My name isn’t Winchell! Who names their kid a stupid name like that!”

Her smile disappeared for once. “I like the name Winchell.” She crossed her arms disapprovingly and took a slight step away from him, clearly hurt.

He looked down, ashamed at his words, and trying to think of something to say next. “I…” He took a half step closer. “I’m sorry… Winchell’s not such a bad name… I guess…”

She shrugged. “It’s no big deal.” She smiled curiously at him. “What is your name, anyways?”

He smiled ever so slightly. “Evan.”

She chuckled. “Evan, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He smiled a full smile. “So what’s your name?”

“My name is Miriam Poole.” She smiled brightly. “Most people call me Miri.”

“I should have guessed,” he said, mimicking her tone of voice.

“I’m fourteen years old,” she continued. “And my favorite fruits are strawberries and bananas.”

Ryan shrugged. “OK. I’m fifteen and I like apples and grapes.”

Miri gave Ryan a look like she was analyzing him. “Yeah. You seem like an apples and grapes type of person.”

Ryan blinked. “Um. OK?” he said, scratching the back of his head and finding that he was as soaked as the girl. He frowned.

“You frown a lot,” noted Miri.

“So what?” said Ryan defensively.

Miri smirked. “It’s not really that healthy. Optimists live longer than pessimists.”

“And yet, we’re standing out here,” said Ryan, looking around at the rain, which was beginning to slow down.

Miri shook her head. “The rain isn’t a bad thing. It’s one of the most beautiful things on earth,” she said quietly.

There was a pause.

“You’re really weird, Miri,” said Ryan with a smile.

Miri looked at his face and grinned. “Thanks,” she said. “So are you, Ryan.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow. “And you have weird logic,” he said. “Don’t you have a ride home?”

“My mom’s coming soon,” said Miri calmly. She looked at him. “You still haven’t gone back in.”

“What’s the point? You’d just drag me back out here,” said Ryan.

Miri laughed and that’s when a blue car pulled up in the parking lot. “That’s my mom,” she said. She looked back at him. “See you tomorrow?”

Ryan gave Miri a funny look and said, “Yeah. See ya.”

Miri grinned and started to walk towards the car. Curiosity struck her, and she looked back and noticed that Ryan still didn’t go back indoors. She smiled. “I’m singing in the rain… just singing in the rain…”

The End