"At 15, I knew she's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."
—Jayden Shen
Present Days
Riley Ruan took her phone out of the pocket as it buzzed. It was her brother, Miles Ruan.
"My wife got sick. I have sent someone to pick you up from the bus stop. He's on his way. Sorry that I couldn't pick you up myself."
Then he sent a photo of the plate number of the car that was going to be her lift for tonight.
"But, are you sure you want to stay at Lily Chen's place before you rent a place for yourself? Why can't you just stay with me and my wife, Riley?" Miles sent another message.
She sighed, looking at the messages. She didn't bother writing a reply now.
"I don't really want to bother you." She thought inwardly. She already asked her brother to find a reasonably priced apartment for her. She wouldn't mind sharing it with anyone else as long as it was safe.
She was home at last. She was back in Qinghe, the place she hadn't been in 10 years.
It was her first time in ten years to call her brother and ask him for something. Miles couldn't be happier. It was always him, reaching his little sister and getting a cold shoulder from her.
She was still on the bus. It would probably take 15 more minutes to reach her stop. She got 4 luggages. It was 2 AM and it was pouring tonight.
She rolled her left arm's sleeve and looked at the bruise. It was old, almost gone. But it was there. The reason that would haunt her forever, like breathing.
Before she could get lost in her thoughts the bus pulled over.
She didn't have an umbrella. She got off holding her bag above her head, trying to cover even though it was no use.
The bus assistant motioned her to stand near the shed. She nodded, running to there.
As the bus assistant started to take all her luggage out of the truck, a hand reached out, pulling out one at first, getting a reaction from both the assistant and Riley.
A tall stranger, wearing black hoodie and a face mask.
"Who are you?" The assistant asked loudly to make his confusion more audible in the rain.
"I'm here for her," he replied quietly, yet enough for them to hear.
The assistant looked at Riley, finding her looking at the car parking nearby. She was matching the plate number. She nodded quickly at the assistant's direction.
After taking out all the luggages, the stranger came towards Riley and handed her an umbrella.
"What about you?" She asked. The stranger looked at her for a second and replied before turning his back to her, "Get in the car."
She didn't listen, she followed him as he went to the luggages again to pull them near to his car. She leaned the umbrella over his head. He was already all drenched in the rain and Riley didn't want that.
He tilted his head towards her then pushed the umbrella towards her, saying, "It's no use."
Then he walked fast towards his car's trunk and put two luggages there. There was no place left for two others on the trunk.
Riley was still behind him. He sighed, saying, "Do you have any problem sitting on the passenger seat?"
She shook her head.
He nodded and put the other two luggages on the back seats.
"But your car will be drenched," She said.
Taking the umbrella from her hand and leaning it towards her more, he said, "Then you'll pay for the demurrage."
She didn't know if he was joking or not. But it was a reasonable demand in both ways.
He opened the door and motioned her to get in the car.
He turned on the heater and gave her a towel once he got inside.
"I think you need the towel more," she said, giving it to him.
He started the car, gave the towel back to her, and said, "The chamomile tea is on the holder. I ordered two by mistake. You can drink one."
She wouldn't drink it if it was from anyone else, but it was a stranger her brother sent. So he couldn't be any creep, right?
She took one and said, "Do you know where we are going?" She asked. "Should I help you with the map?"
"I know. Your brother sent me the location already," he replied, quietly.
"Sorry to trouble you this late," she said softly, sipping into her tea.
Within 20 minutes, they reached the destination. The rain didn't seem to show any mercy tonight. As Riley was about to get out of the car, the stranger said, "Stay inside. I will get the luggage down first."
Then he stepped out and shut the door. Riley opened her mouth to say something but stopped immediately. After 5-6 minutes, he returned, opened the door, and retrieved the umbrella. Then, with a quiet efficiency, he opened her door and held the umbrella above her head.
"Your luggages are inside the building," he said.
"I could have called my friend to come down. You are all drenched," she spoke loudly as they walked inside.
"Which floor are you going to?" He asked, reaching in front of the elevator.
"11th. I can go alone. It's really okay," she retorted.
"I'm not really lifting you to your friend's door. My friend lives here too, on the 12th floor. I'll spend the night here," he said, sighing, and tapping the button.
Riley looked down and said, "About your demurrage…."
He instantly made eye contact through the strands of his wet hair and face mask and tilted his head, confused.
"I don't have any cash on me right now. How would you like to receive the payment?" She asked.
Just then the elevator stopped. He dragged all the luggages one by one and tapped the 11th floor.
"How about you give me your number? I will send you the money you owe me," she continued, hesitating.
He closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the elevator. He stayed silent and waited for the elevator to stop. Riley got out first and helped him drag the luggages out.
Riley rang the bell in front of Lily's apartment and he waited quietly in the back. The door opened.
Lily immediately threw her arms around her, screaming, "My pretty RiRi, why didn't you call me downstairs. You weren't even receiving my call. I was worried."
Then Lily's eyes shifted to the strange, masked, yet tall and handsome guy in front of them.
"Who's that?" She asked, letting her friend out of her tight embrace.
"I will take my leave then," the guy said and turned to the elevator.
"Wait!" Riley spoke, "your number?"
"For what?" he asked, pretending to be confused.
"The demurrage," she reminded him.
"Do I look like a driver? Or do you just want my phone number?" He asked furrowing his brows.
"Is he serious?" Riley thought blankly.
"I don't need a demurrage," he said, shrugging.
"Then how can I pay you? I troubled you tonight. No one would want to normally come out in this weather. So I want to thank you properly," she retorted.
"Yes, no one would," he quietly spoke, adding, "Get some rest." He got into the elevator without saying anything else.
The elevator door closed, leaving Riley with a blank expression.
"He's kind of weird and hot. You know handsome guys can be cocky sometimes. It's in their blood," Lily said, coming beside her friend. "How do you know him?"
"I don't. My brother sent him to pick me up," Riley said softly.
"What are you drinking?" Lily asked, looking at Riley's hand.
"Chamomile tea. He gave it to me."
"How sweet and considerate. He thought it might help you to sleep better since you are in a new place," Lily said, giggling.
Riley shook her head, smiling.
***
After taking a shower, Riley jumped on the bed. Lily was already beside her saying, "Do you have any contact with anyone from Qinghe General Senior High School?"
Riley shook her head, her smile fading a little.
"What about Jayden Shen? You haven't been in touch with him all these years?"
"Jayden Shen—"
"He would, wouldn't he?"
"Wouldn't he come tonight, if he knew I was caught alone in the rain?"
"No— what am I even expecting? I pushed him away. He would never come like he did that night."
"I hurt him."
Riley didn't reply. Lily noticed the shift in her expression and said, "It's not like you guys were a thing or something. It's normal to have a close friendship broken. Besides, you were going through hard times." She patted her friend's back.
"Why are you suddenly asking me this now?" Riley asked, suddenly a bit awakened.
"Because— we are having a high school reunion," Lily said, smiling brightly.
***
11 years ago— 10th Grade
"How long are you going to cry here?" A voice reached Riley's ears. It was raining so hard that the main street was almost flooded. She looked up, finding a boy who looked her age, standing in front of her, holding an umbrella over her head. His face showed concern for her.
She never saw him before. Her parents had fought again over her and her brother. It could be any day now, they divorce. She ran away after shouting at her mom and getting a slap on her face.
"Are you okay to stand up?" The boy said, offering his hand.
She hesitated before holding his hand. Her legs gave up. She didn't know how long she had been sitting here.
Her body crashed against his. He caught her and patted her back, realising she was shaking in the cold.
He slowly took off his jacket and covered her.
"The bus service is off. The pickup isn't working at all. Where do you live?"
She looked at him, "Did my parents send you?"
The boy tilted his head in the direction where a little street light came through. She looked at his face clearly. It was surreal. Like magic. 'Handsome' wouldn't be the perfect word to define his beauty.
He scoffed, brushing his wet hair back.
"Do you think your parents can afford someone like me to save you from the rain?"
Riley furrowed her brows, thinking, "What is he even babbling about?"
"Anyway, where do you live? I suppose you are not carrying a cellphone." He asked.
"48 No building, Bai Le street," she retorted softly.
"Let's go then," he said, motioning her to walk.
She didn't move for some seconds.
He stared at her discomfort about returning home.
"I don't know what's going on but…."
She stopped him, asking, "what's your name?"
He was startled for a second then replied, "Jayden— Jayden Shen."
"I'm Riley Ruan, 15 years old. I will start going to Qinghe General Senior High School next week."
He observed her for a second and said, "Then I guess I will see you around Riley Ruan. Now let's get back home."
"At 15, I knew he was someone who came as the sun in my gloomy days. Someone, I can always run to."
— Riley Ruan