I somehow made it through the rest of the day, with Yue tailing behind my every step. Seriously, what was with her…?
By the time the last bell rang, though, I didn't have the energy to care. I stuffed my physics textbook into my bag before standing up amidst the screeching of other chairs and rustling of books.
The girl with glasses I kind of remembered—Lian—came up to us while we were packing up. She'd done up her hair and was wearing a mask—was she feeling unwell?
"Yue," she said, wiping her glasses before sliding them back on. "Are you joining any clubs this year?"
"Oh, right. Club recruitment was today, wasn't it?" Yue glanced up. "Mm… probably not. Things have been busy at home. And with the gaokao coming up, it might be better to focus." Her cherry eyes flicked to me. "What about you, Yunhua? Are there any clubs you think you'd be interested in?"
I thought for a moment.
"...Not really."
In the past, I hadn't been in any clubs and had just usually gone home after school. It was easier that way.
Lian brightened immediately. "Why not? There's a lot to choose from—"
She shut up as Yue shot her a glare. I fiddled with my stud earring, rolling the cool metal over my fingers.
Yue turned to me and whispered. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to…"
"I don't really have any interests," I said quietly. "I usually just go home after school."
"You can probably find something new—ah!"
"Oi. Lian." A guy with short-cropped hair stepped into view, grinning. "Take a hint. The prez is giving you the death glare."
"Sorry about her. I'm Jun." He turned to me and smiled a bit more apologetically. "I heard you got top marks on the English test?" He whistled. "You mind tutoring me sometime? I didn't understand half the stuff on it…"
"That's enough," Yue snapped. "Jun, you're almost as bad as Lian. Stop harassing the new girl—you hypocrite."
Jun lifted his hands in surrender. "Hey, hey. Just joking."
…Pfft~ Their back-and-forth was kind of funny.
Yue glanced at me. "Sorry about them…"
I clutched the blazer around my shoulders. "...I don't mind checking out the clubs… Just… Not today." I looked out the windows, ignoring my bleary reflection. The sky rumbled grey, the clouds heavy and laden with rain. My words tasted every bit as grey and hollow as the weather outside.
There was a small pitter-patter, then eventually rain began to pour, then drum down, blurring out the world outside in torrents of cold droplets.
"I should go home," I added, staring at the floor. "My muqin gets off work soon. I don't want to worry her. And I need to help with dinner."
…And I really didn't want to run into Guiying. Or Lisha.
Jun and Lian exchanged a look. Lian rummaged through her bag, then pressed a piece of lemon candy into my hand. "Don't let them get to you," she said softly.
"Them…?"
"Lisha," Lian clarified. "And her friends. They've always been like this. And, of course, admin being admin hasn't done shit." She turned to Yue. "Take care of her, okay? We're heading out. See you tomorrow~" She waved and their footsteps slowly faded down the hall.
Yue exhaled. "Lisha—"
"It's fine." I cut her off. I didn't understand why she wouldn't just let things be. I turned to walk away.
"Yunhua," Yue called. "Wait for me outside."
I paused.
…? Wait? What for?
"It's raining," she added, glancing out the window.
- - -
I stood under the overhang just outside the front door, rain pouring down in dark, matte silver sheets from its edge. The rain pitter-pattered down again in sync with the music flowing through my earphones, and even then I could barely hear anything above the roaring downpour.
It was already well into the afternoon, but with the rivers of rain it might have well just been midnight. The meek light of Fourth High pooled around me, forming a small warm halo in the midst of the cold droplets around me.
I shivered and stuck my hands into the pockets of Yue's blazer.
It was cold…
I rubbed my bare legs together, shivering. At least my shirt had dried somewhat.
Footsteps approached.
"...You actually waited," Yue said, blinking like she was surprised. Her cherry-red eyes softened slightly as she smiled. Why wouldn't I wait for her? I owed her that much, especially with the day before, and because I yelled…
Yue pulled her midnight hair back into a ponytail with a hairband, then stepped into the rain.
*Fwap*
Yue's pale white umbrella bloomed open, the bright fabric clean and bright, cutting through the grey mist of rain. The rain skirted around the umbrella as if it didn't dare touch it.
Yue extended one hand toward me.
"Well?" she said expectantly.
I stared.
Yue didn't wait and just sighed. She took my wrist gently, like it was already decided. "What am I going to do with you… You're not walking home alone in this. Come on."
She smiled.
The rain sounded quieter beneath the umbrella as we started walking down the drenched pavement and out the gates.
The heavy veils of rain seemed to loosen up to where I could actually see the lonely street lamps in the grey. Small cars rolled past, every so often kicking up a splash of water from a puddle.
I wasn't so sure about sharing an umbrella with a girl I'd only just met, but it didn't look like I had a choice in the matter.
…And it was definitely warmer under that pale, bright, clean umbrella with someone new than walking home alone.