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Thunder storms. CRACK! It roared. Wanwood scrambled on the slippery pedestrian street, looking for nearby shelter. At this time, pretty much all of the shops here were closed. She held her bag close to her, hoping her research papers inside weren't drenched in water. "Oh Telamon, why didn't I bring an umbrella today?" She cursed under her breath, the strong wind violently blowing against her direction as she pushed forward. She could feel the anger and frustration kick in as she suddenly recalled that one of her classmates broke her glasses by stepping it after bumping into her and knocking her glasses off this morning, them apologising profusely despite dirty looks they gave to their friends she was given when she demanded compensation. They just waved her off, insisting they'll pay her back later before leaving with their group of friends. Wanwood just rolled her eyes and went off with her day, reminding herself to contact them later to make sure she gets the said compensation.
In the sea of rain and thunder, she notices a café blooming with light and people, indicating it was still open. Like a ship sailing for a lighthouse, Wanwood ran towards it, and just as she was about to reach the handle.. SPLAT! She slips, falling backwards as her bottoms meet the wet cemented floor. She helped in pain, feeling pain spread and her hands scratched by the ground from trying to stop the fall with her own 2 hands.
Just as Wanwood thought it could get any worse, it did. As she was got up, she realised the papers in her bag flew out, all dissolved in the rain water. Wanwood groaned as frustration took over, tearing up in anger and clutching her hands tightly as she watched her hard work go down the drain. She had given up at that point, her work gone, her herself injured, clothes and hair drenched in the rainwater.
Wanwood heard a door crack open, the sound of a bell ringing, noticing a pair of red sneakers beside her. She looked up, with her vision blurry all she could make out of was a rectangular red head with a bright pink face, assuming it's a TV head model. She saw a grey hand come into her view, helping her up as Wanwood puts her hand onto the oddly cold grey hand, pulling herself up as she picks up her bag and gets escorted into the café by the red(or pink?) individual.
As the door closed behind her, she suddenly felt a chill up her spine, shivering as she now only realised how long she had been under the rain for. She stood on the carpet laid at the entrance, afraid of her footsteps and the rainwater dripping off her clothes would dirty the floor despite the constant reassurance from the TV head figure.
A steamed towel gets thrown at her, landing straight onto her face. "Sorry kid, thought you saw it coming!" A female yelled from behind the counter as Wanwood squinted her eyes, only able to make out the bright pink hair woman. Feeling too exhausted to even speak up, she just pressed the warm towel against her cheek and felt the heat slowly seep into her cold skin. Her lips formed a small smile, the warmth comforting after such a horrible day.
After Wanwood wiped herself up, she passed the used towel back to the pink haired female, who introduced herself as Brighteyes, and took a seat at one of the small round tables, warming her hands up with a lit candle provided by the café. As she pressed her forehead against the table cloth, the TV head figure walked up to Wanwood with the menu in her hands.
“I'm your waitress Veeronica, but you can call me Vee! Please take your time to order, we aren't closing anytime soon anyways.” The figure— now known as Veeronica spoke, her voice robotic yet somewhat realistic. Wanwood remained still, only moving her arm to give Vee a thumbs up, clearly still upset about the loss of her research papers. Vee frowned at the sight of this, seeing a pretty girl like Wanwood in a depressive state. She sat down opposite Wanwood, slightly tilting her head to meet Wanwood's glance.
“Hey, I saw those papers… Were they important to you? I saw how devastated you were when it got caught in the midst of the rain.” She asked, this time in a more soft, calm voice. Wanwood slightly turned her head, making eye contact with Vee. “They were my botany research papers, it's an assignment worth a quarter of my grade and it's due in 2 days…” Wanwood weeped, tears forming in her eyes, her mouth contorting into a frown. Veeronica’s face immediately showed panic, unsure how to comfort someone regarding academics when someone like her barely even studies.
Until…
“Botany? I know someone who studies botany, maybe he could help you!” Veeronica palmed her fist, opening a panel in her arm as she typed in something, and before Wanwood could interfere, Vee’s face— or screen to be literal— showed an icon of a pale man with black hair ringing, before he picked up, hearing a long yawn from the other line.
“What do you want Vee, it's literally 11pm right now.”
“I have a friend here who lost her botany research papers because the heavy rain completely ruined it and she needs it to be done within 3 days!”
“Okay, and?....”
“We need your help :D”
“What does it have to do with—”
“I'll pay for your coffee for the rest of the week.”
“Deal. Meet me tomorrow there at 9am, I'll see what I can help with.”
“Thanks so much bye byeeee!!!!”
Veeronica clapped her hands as the call ended, excited for tomorrow. “Here, now you won't have to panic over your assignment now! You should take this time and relax before spending hours tomorrow on it.” She smiled, just happy to be able to help. Wanwood just sat there, speechless. Who was that? Does he even study the same topics as her?? Is he even in the same degree as her??? So many questions, yet before she could even voice out— “His name is Azure, he studies in the same college and degree as you, and that you're meeting him here at this café tomorrow at 9am, got it?” She spoke with no pause, finishing with the same excited smile. “How do you know exact—” “I saw the papers! Your school logo and research materials were the exact same as the ones as Azure's I saw the other day, maybe you're both in the same class!” Veeronica exclaimed, oddly cheery even though nothing truly exciting was happening nor was what she said proven to be true. Well, if it lightens the load off Wanwood's shoulders, why not?
After ordering and receiving her much needed hot chocolate, Wanwood went up to the counter to pay, facing Brighteyes, an older woman with cat ears(are those real?) and unusual glasses. Just as she was about to walk away, Brighteyes parted her shoulder, gesturing her to come closer. “You've clearly caught the sight of our lovely waitress Vee here, good luck with it kid~” Brighteyes whispered to Wanwood, making Wanwood's fawn ears twitch in embarrassment as her face turned to a bright pink. Wanwood glanced at Brighteyes then at Veeronica, before giggling as she waved Brighteyes off.
When she opened the door… WHOOSH! A gust of wind burst in, the rain droplets following along. Wanwood couldn't see the rain and assumed it had stopped. She immediately shut the door, her hair messed by the wind. Brighteyes couldn't help but burst into laughter, laughing over how Wanwood decided to exit despite the obvious heavy rain pouring outside. Veeronica ran over to Wanwood, asking if anything got in her eyes, or if the rain stained her clothes again. Wanwood smiled, insisting she was alright and that the gust of wind surprised her. Vee sighed in relief, before continuing to wipe the tables and counters. Wanwood glanced at Brighteyes, noticing her big smirk and raised eyebrows, obviously teasing. Wanwood just chuckled, going back to her seat as she waited for the rain to stop.
The rain didn't seem to stop, nor did it get better. The café was closing at this point, and she had no way to return to her dormitory. She couldn't walk there, the train station was too far from here, and no taxis were available at this time— either unavailable or not accepting customers at this time. She stared outside the window, patiently waiting for the rain to stop.
Just then, Vee patted her shoulder, standing behind her. “No ride home? I could perhaps ask Brighteyes to drop you off, she's also dropping me off today since I usually arrive here with my skateboard.” Vee suggested, even though she had just met Wanwood an hour ago. “I would appreciate it if she could drop me off..” Wanwood sighed, not used to asking people for assistance but accepted it seeing how there was no other way back. Vee grinned, practically skipping to Brighteyes to ask, seeing Brighteyes in a distance nodding and giving a thumbs up towards Wanwood.
-
Brighteyes, Veeronica and Wanwood quickly got in Brighteyes’ car, hoping not too much rainwater soaked their clothes and the car seats. Veeronica sat next to Wanwood at the back, both facing opposite windows as they watched rain drops roll down the car windows in a oddly comforting silence. Wanwood lended her phone to lead Brighteyes the way, still keeping her guard up by using her own phone's GPS instead of sending her address to Brighteyes. Safety first am I right?
After she parted ways with Brighteyes and Veeronica and went up to her dormitory, she quickly gets her night routine done and jumps into her bed, missing her comfortable pillows and blanket. Dozing off, she smiled at the thought of meeting Veeronica again as she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.