Chapter 29: Hide and Seek

It had been two weeks since Rain and Aaron had spent the night at the Coffee House and were now living happily again at 3F. Every time Lock called Rain, she pressed him to tell her what was going on, pressing him for the truth of the situation plaguing Rain and Aaron, but he refused to elaborate. Frustrated, Aaron and Rain decided they'd have to continue investigating somehow but presently, school was taking up more of their time. The weather was getting colder and more unpredictable by the day, as if foreshadowing the exam period which was fast approaching. Rain and Aaron layered on clothes and on many nights, chose soup over any other dinner options. One such night, Aaron was preparing dinner with soup and chicken nuggets while Rain sat on the carpeted floor of the living room and studied, all her English materials splayed around her. In the background, the television was on but neither paid attention to it.

"Rain?" Aaron called out, looking up from the cooking.

"Yeah?" Rain did not look up from her books.

"Is it helpful studying on the floor like that?"

"It is actually. You can spread out, stretch your legs- the carpet's very soft. And I think it feels warmer on the carpet as well," Rain elaborated.

Aaron checked the oven before saying, "I might come join you after dinner then."

Rain remained silent, her eyes on the notebook in front of her. Something told Aaron there was more to her silence than what she was willing to say.

"Rain?" Aaron called out again, concerned, "You don't mind, do you? If I join? I know some people prefer studying on their own, so-"

"-No, Aaron, I don't mind. Bring your stuff and we can study here together," Rain clarified.

Aaron stared at her for a while as she continued studying. It annoyed him that she had not once looked up at him.

"Rain?" he called out again.

"Hmm?"

"Look at me."

Rain turned to look at him. Aaron's heart skipped a beat. He gave her a cheeky smirk.

I like him a lot… Rain looked shocked for an instant and quickly turned back to her book, visibly perturbed.

Aaron had not expected such a quiet response from her. She would normally have pulled a face in return- where was her taunting? Was she annoyed at him because she was genuinely trying to study… but…

"Rain?" he said again.

"What, Aaron, what?!" Rain said, annoyed.

"Look at me."

"Why?!"

"Why won't you?"

Rain finally turned to look Aaron square in the face. "Can't you see I'm trying to study?!"

Aaron checked the stove, wiped his hands and to Rain's surprise, went to sit next to Rain on the floor. Pushing her books to the side, cross-legged, they both took note and chose to ignore when Aaron's knee brushed Rain's knee and remained against it.

"What are you-?!"

"What are you reading?" Aaron took the book from Rain's hand and had a look. It was the text they were reading for language analysis, "Or more correctly, what are you trying to read?"

"What do you mean?" asked a stunned Rain, her eyes wide, now not able to avert her eyes from him.

"Rain, I know you haven't been reading anything at all-"

"-What-?!"

"-I'm pretty sure you were just staring at the page-"

"-No! I…" Rain looked away, her eyes on the floor in front. No point, he's caught me. Like always.

Aaron put the book down, placing a spare piece of paper to book mark where Rain had been staring. "What's wrong, Rain? I've noticed something's been on your mind ever since we've moved back into 3F."

Rain let out a sigh and looked up to meet his gaze, "I think you notice me more than I notice myself."

It was Aaron's turn to look shocked and quickly turn away, embarrassed. If she knew how much I do… "It's just… you've been acting a little differently lately. There are times when I feel like you're trying to avoid me- well, at least, more than usual…"

Rain watched him for a while, before saying, "I guess, I'm just trying to figure something out." Figure out what's wrong with me- why I keep thinking about you.

"And will you ever tell me what you're trying to figure out?" Aaron probed.

"Maybe."

"Is it me- did I do something wrong?"

Maybe you've been doing everything right. "No, it's me. It's nothing for you to worry about." Rain said with a reassuring smile. Well, at least I hope so.

"And if it was about me, would you have told me?"

Rain thought long and hard about it, realising this was one of the things she was trying to figure out. After some silence she said, "Maybe… probably…" She realised she was now blushing.

"Please do tell me," Aaron said, not looking at her.

"Hmm?" Rain looked at him again, shocked. She realised he was now avoiding her gaze. Do you already know what's been bothering me? Are you bothered by something too?

"I'd rather know and try to fix things than you avoid me."

Rain watched Aaron for a while before saying, "Aaron, look at me."

Aaron turned to look at her, Rain pulled a face at him. Aaron, slightly shocked at first, found himself smiling, relieved.

Aaron proceeded to do something that was both jaw-droppingly-shocking and palpitation-inducing for all involved. He got onto his knees, turned to face Rain, and leaned forward, cupped his hands around her cheeks and jaw, gently pulled her face towards him and angled it downwards, and then gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead. Shocked by his own audacity and unthinking actions, he quickly let go of Rain, almost falling backwards. He stared wide-eyed at Rain, his cheeks now profusely red. Rain's face mirrored his, and she was stiff with shock.

Aaron looked distraught, "Rain! Rain… I'm so sorry! I don't know what I was thinking- actually, I wasn't thinking! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have done that…" Scared he had hurt her and annoyed with himself, Aaron reached out for her forehead, suddenly thinking wiping off the kiss was going to somehow make her feel better, but Rain intersected and held his hand mid-air.

"Aaron, calm down. It's okay. You didn't hurt me or anything! I was just shocked, that's all."

"I'm sorry- I really shouldn't have-!"

"-Aaron! It's okay! It was just a peck!" But Rain could feel herself blushing again and averted her eyes to the floor, "I told you- I'm okay with it!"

"Rain, I'm-!"

"-Aaron, I'm hungry. If you're done with being your silly self, I would like to eat."

Aaron closed his eyes and let out a sigh before smiling almost ruefully. Rain noted how incredibly tired and sleep-deprived he looked. "Dinner coming right up, Madam Carone," announced Aaron as he motioned to stand up but Rain tightened her grip on his hand that she was still holding and pulled him back to the ground.

"Aaron, there is something you could do to make me feel better. And since you've done something out of character, don't cringe at what I'm about to do," Rain said, putting on a serious look.

Confused, Aaron said, "Sure- what?"

"I want a hug. You're the only one around to give me one."

No questions asked, Aaron almost fell forward into an embrace, letting go of his weight so that Rain fell backwards onto the sofa behind her. Rain relaxed herself too, perching her chin on his shoulder like he had on hers, bringing her arms up around his back. They both closed their eyes, content to remain in silence for a while.

"Am I allowed to fall asleep now?" Aaron asked on her shoulder after a yawn.

"No. I still want food."

"Ugh," was all Aaron managed but some time passed before the two finally got up and ate their dinner.

After dinner, the two chatted for a while and Aaron played a video game while Rain watched, relaxing on the sofa. 'Only ten minutes' became two hours and the two decided they were too tired to study and went to bed instead.

After saying their usual 'good nights', Aaron, while very sleepy, found himself not able to sleep as he thought about the events of the night. Rain was the same and the unexpected kiss on the forehead played repeatedly in both their minds. Aaron felt an immense sense of guilt and found himself tossing and turning in his bed wondering what had possessed him to act out like that. Rain on the other hand felt a certain warmth, what she would describe as 'fuzziness', whenever she remembered him leaning close to her and gently planting a kiss on her forehead. The sensation of his lips still lingered where her body remembered his touch and she found herself smiling to herself.

Both these two confused teenagers went about their next day as if playing hide and seek with each other. They avoided each other as best they could, then subsequently found themselves looking for each other in secret which was not very hard to do when they lived together and were in the same class at school. While the tension between them was palpable, the awkward tension was not exclusive to these two. It was the season to ask people to prom and many students were looking for ways to secure a date for the much-anticipated night.

Erin pulled Rain to sit under the shade of a tree to eat their lunch together. As they splayed themselves out on the grass, Erin took a piece of an orange from Rain's lunchbox and bit into it.

"That's a sour orange," Rin grimaced.

"It's not that bad," said Rain absentmindedly while she took a bite of her own slice.

"Did you buy it?"

"No, Aaron did."

"That explains it."

"Explains what?" Rain gave Rin a quizzical look, "Why it's sour?"

"No, why you found it sweet," smirked Rin.

Rain remained looking puzzled, "Do you think he sweetened my slice somehow?"

"He's definitely made you more stupid," Rin laughed, pushing Rain over onto the grass, "Then why would my slice be sour? How would he know I would eat a slice, silly?!"

He seems to know everything about me, nothing surprises me anymore. Rain sighed. Here we go, I'm thinking about him again! We just ate an orange!

Rin was suddenly very quiet herself. Rain traced her gaze to the basketball courts where Rowan was playing basketball with his friends.

Rain smiled, "I really like Rowan. I think-"

Rin cut her off abruptly, her eyes wide with shock, "You do?! Really?!"

Rain was rendered speechless herself. She did not expect such a reaction. There was surprise in her voice but what bothered Rain most was an undertone of annoyance she could hear.

"Uhh…" Rain now wondered how sour the orange was for Rin, "A lot of people like Rowan? Rin, do you have a problem with me liking Row?" Rain would have liked to have said this in a more teasing manner, but she was now concerned by how offended Rin seemed.

Rin's expression very quickly turned apologetic, "No, I didn't mean- I'm sorry. No, I don't mind." Rin let out a sigh and went back to biting into another orange piece.

Rain looked at her friend carefully. She was a little shaken herself. "Is there something bothering you?"

Rin gave out a very long sigh this time. She was now profusely blushing. "Rain, I think I like Row," mumbled Rin.

Elated, Rain pushed her lunchbox to the side, sliding herself closer to Rin, "You mean 'like like'?!"

Rin nodded. She could not look at Rain. Rain hugged Erin, giving her a tight squeeze. "I knew it! I approve, I approve, I approve!"

Rin laughed as Rain shook her from side to side. Rain now kneeled next to her and held her hands in her own and spoke in such an animated manner, an outsider would think she had just won the lottery. Rin was trapped between being pulled into hugs and then subsequently being held at arm's length to be shaken rigorously again by the delighted Rain.

Many in the courtyard had heard the commotion under the tree. And of course, Aaron was one of the people who looked over to see what was happening, but the only one to keep staring. What had happened to make Rain so happy? It did not matter, he was just happy to see her so excited.

Rain could not contain her happiness. It was late in the afternoon and most students had already left the school grounds. Forgetting her earlier resolve to avoid Aaron, she surprised Aaron by waiting by his locker after school.

"You ready to go home?" Aaron was shocked to hear her say as he shut his locker door to find the beaming face of Rain on the other side.

Aaron eyed her suspiciously, "Why?"

"Let's walk home together," said the smiling Rain with much gusto. She was now pulling Aaron's arm in the direction of home as he barely managed to lock his locker.

"Are you planning to kill me along the way?" said an amused Aaron. Seeing Rain struggle to hold onto his uniform sleeve, he slipped his hand into hers. Rain held onto his cold hand tightly, instantly warming them, pulling him along, "What's gotten into you?"

"I'm really happy today!" Rain turned back, grinned, then looked straight ahead with even more resolve to walk home.

"I can see that- you've had that stupid grin since lunch."

Rain stopped in her tracks, "Oh, so you've noticed?"

Aaron blushed, "Uhh…no…yes…"

"Rin likes Row! Isn't that great?!" Rains eyes were gleaming with joy.

Aaron took a moment to process what she had said and then smiled, "That is."

"Now it's your job to find out if Row likes Rin!" Rain smiled sweetly.

"Why me?!"

"Row is your friend!"

"So?!"

"He hangs out with you more than Will these days!"

"And?!"

"And, so, it's now our job to get those two together if Row likes her back!" She was very animated again.

Aaron glared at Rain, "Do you remember what happened the last time you tried to get two people together?"

"Get people together?! Who did I-?" Rain frowned, suddenly remembering the resulting fight between herself and Aaron when she helped Mr and Mrs Pierce reunite. "Oh." Rain absentmindedly held Aaron's hand with both her hands, looking at the pavement.

Aaron looked at the forlorn Rain. What have I done?! "Fine, I'll ask him."

"No, maybe you're right-"

Aaron pulled her closer to him, "I said, I'll ask him," he said firmly. Rain looked up at him. She was still frowning. "Can you please go back to grinning like an idiot?" Aaron shook Rain's hand. Rain gave him a small smile. This time Aaron pulled her along towards home but she stopped him in their track.

"Aaron, the next time we have a fight- shout, scream, tell me how mad you are at me. Tell me everything I've done wrong. Tell me how much I've annoyed you. But don't shut me off like that again. Please," Rain was frowning again.

Only I could ruin how happy she was… "Deal," Aaron gave her a reassuring smile. Rain did not look convinced. "What?! I would make a promise, but you know promises are made to break. Should we shake on it? We are already holding hands?" It seemed it was the first time Rain realised she was holding onto Aaron's hands as she blushed and quickly let go. Aaron swiftly grabbed onto her hand again. "Fine, deal for a deal? The next time we have a fight- you can scream, shout, even stop talking to me, but you don't leave 3F- or wherever we're living. Deal?"

"D- deal," Rain blushed as Aaron shook her hand as if completing a sale. Or wherever we're living? Are we going to live together permanently?

Aaron pulled Rain towards home again, "I'll make you a hot chocolate once we get home."

Rain beamed, "Dark hot chocolate? With cookies?" Aaron nodded and Rain gave him a cheeky grin, "And you'll ask Row about Rin?" Aaron laughed and nodded again as Rain took back her lead, holding onto Aaron's hand firmly as they walked home.

Aaron was efficient (and not diplomatic) about accomplishing Rain's task for him. The next day at school, when Aaron had managed to get Rowan, Rain and himself alone together in the classroom, Aaron asked if Row was going to ask Rin to prom. Rain almost choked on the chocolate she was sharing with them. Aaron paid her no attention as she glared at him while Rowan looked dumbfounded. Rowan ultimately admitted he was planning on asking Rin but was finding it difficult to work up the courage to. Rain was back to beaming, giving Rowan an encouraging pat on the shoulder. She then quietly left the classroom without saying another word. Rowan looked after her, confused. "Oh, don't worry. She fully supports you. She's just burned from a recent event. Good luck!" Aaron reassured, also giving Rowan a pat on his shoulder and walked out of the classroom, leaving Rowan alone in the classroom confused and concerned.

Aaron and Rain's plans to try to avoid each other were failing spectacularly. They made attempts sometimes, but most times they found themselves seeking each other out. It was one such occasion when Rain was waiting for Aaron to pack his belongings from his locker so that they could walk home together. Aaron had not realised a small envelope had fallen onto the floor from his locker as he rushed in putting loose papers of an assignment into his bag.

Rain picked up the envelope and handed it to Aaron, "This dropped."

"What is it?" Aaron continued packing. Before Rain could say something sarcastic, he said "Can you see what's in it?"

Rain pulled a face instead and opened the letter. On a brief scan, her eyes widened, "I think it's a love letter!"

Aaron shut his locker door with a bang, giving it a push to make sure it shut properly. One of his textbooks inside was sitting precariously between the shelf and door. "No one writes love letters anymore."

"You're right. Must be a prank letter," Rain looked thoughtful.

Aaron glared at her, "Is it that hard to believe I could get a love letter? Can you read it out to me?"

It was Rain's turn to glare at him, "It's your love letter, you read it." Rain shoved the letter into his hands but Aaron did not hold onto it.

"Read it out to me. I'll enjoy it in your voice," Aaron smiled sweetly, leaning forward toward her. Rain glared, saw that Aaron's hands were full, huffed, straightened the typed letter with so much force, it looked like she would rip it. "Hey, careful! It's my love letter."

"'From your secret admirer'," Rain started, looking increasingly angry, "How original! I can't read this." Rain shoved the letter back to Aaron but seeing as no hands were there to catch it, it floated sadly onto the floor. Rain and Aaron looked at the letter on the ground. Fuming, Rain grabbed it again and began reading the letter in remarkable speed. Aaron smirked. In the rush to finish it, Rain had not realised the letter had mentioned its true intended recipient, Rin, until the very end where it asked her to meet this 'secret admirer' (presumably Rowan) in a designated spot. Rain looked up at Aaron, profusely embarrassed. Seeing him smirk, she was now back to looking angry, but she felt an overwhelming sense of relief, "Did you know this wasn't for you?!"

Aaron shrugged, "I think he mentioned he wanted me to look over it. Do you think Rin will like it?" he asked sweetly.

Rain packed the letter neatly into its envelope while mumbling under her breath, "Stupid Rin. Stupid 'secret admirer'. Stupid Row- who writes 'secret admirer' these days?! Stupid Aaron! I'm sick of this! I'm leaving 3F today!" Rain slid the envelope through Aaron's locker and stormed off.

"Hey, you said you wouldn't leave 3F like this! We made a deal!" Aaron walked after her, sounding worried. Although neither could see each other and they sounded to be feeling otherwise, they were both smiling, ear to ear.