"Don't forget your umbrella Caroline!" My mother's voice rings through the house from the kitchen where she sits reading the morning newspaper. I just sigh and rub my temples.

Why does she have to yell?

I questioned as I slip on my sneakers, my dark brown locks of hair falling into my face as I do. My tongue clicks in annoyance when they start blocking my vision, making it harder to tie the laces.

"Caroline?"

"Yeah, mom, I heard you. I'll be back after school." I called back as I stand straight and readjust my backpack more comfortably on my shoulders.

My phone comes to life in my back pocket, then, and I sigh as I read the name on the screen.

"Yeah, Emma?"

"Where are you? I'm waiting up by the pet store and you're not here!" She whines and I roll my eyes as I leave my house.

"I'm leaving right now. Is Seth there with you?" My voice is wary and unsure about whether or not I really want the answer. Lately, whenever I meet up with Emma in the mornings, her boyfriend Seth is there more often than not.

I don't really have a problem with it. I'm just uncomfortable and feel like a third wheel when he's there.

"No, he's not here this morning."

I sigh in relief as I close the door behind me and begin my walk towards Emma.

***
"Finally!" She exclaims in an overly dramatic voice at my appearance. I look down at my phone screen for the time.

"You haven't been waiting that long. It's been five minutes since you called me." Emma just rolls her eyes as she tosses some blonde hair over her shoulder.

"Five minutes is long enough, let's go." She turns towards the window and coos at the sleeping puppies some more before we head towards the school.

"So, how are things with Seth?" The silence had been killing me so I chose to probe a topic I really don't care much for.

"They're really good! He comes over a couple nights a week and cooks me dinner and we eat together! Isn't that the sweetest thing ever!" I nod and can't help but smile at how happy my best friend sounds. A pang if guilt comes to life inside me, but I quickly brush it aside.

"And the evenings when he can't? What do you do then?"

"Well, if my parents aren't home which, let's be honest is more often than not, I go out to Pizza Hut to grab some food when Charolette  is working. Either that or I just invite her out to eat with Corrine." My mind reels at all these names I don't know. One thing gets to me, though. She's never called to invite me.

"Charolette?" I questioned first as I push down my slowly rising bitter emotions.

"Well, a lot of people call her Annie so I wouldn't be surprised if you don't know her actual name." My nose scrunches in disgust at the name.

"You're hanging out with Annie? You do know why they call her that, right?" My stomach turns just at the thought of it. When I look towards Emma she's frowning at me. Disappointment dances around in her eyes and it makes my stomach twist.

"Yeah, I know why they call her that and she's not like that anymore. I never thought you, of all people, would be like that Caroline." I grip my hand into a fist and clench my teeth together as I try to reign in my annoyance.

"Like what?" We're at the school now and we both stop at the entrance.

"Someone who judges a person just based on what they hear from other people. Charolette is a really great person and you'd know that too if you got to know her." Emma leaves it at that and walks into the school alone. I just stare after her, an indescribable pain slicing through me.

"Did I just lose my best friend?"

"If they're that easily lost than are they really your friend let alone best friend?" I jump at the new voice and spin around on my heel. My eyes travel upwards and only stop when they clash with slightly slanted dark brown ones. The guy smiles when our eyes meet and brushes back equally dark brown hair. "Nice to meet you, the name's Lee." He winks at me then and I can feel my cheeks heat up.

"Not interested." I turn and walk into the school leaving Lee to his own devices.

***

"You know, it's pretty rude to leave a guy standing like that. You didn't even give me your name." Lee said as I walk out of my third period statistics class.

"Holy shit I actually aced it!" I look towards a girl who'd just shouted and she high fives the guy standing beside her. As soon as her hand slaps against his he grabs it and pulls her into a surprise hug. "Trevor!" She squealed and I can't stop my lips from tipping upwards slightly.

"Hello? Earth to Caroline?" I turn my attention back to Lee and raise an eyebrow.

"Sounds like you already know my name." I start walking towards the lunchroom not waiting for Lee. He follows me, matching my pace easily with his long strides.

"I heard your friend call it earlier. Hey, are you guys okay now?"

"I don't see how that really concerns you." As soon as we walk into the lunch room I look towards my usual table and find it empty. Another quick scan of the room tells me that Emma's already found her seat with Charolette, Seth, and a few others I don't recognize.

As if sensing my look Emma meets my eyes. She nods towards the open seat beside her. I quickly look away and head towards the line.

"I take that as a no." I don't say anything to Lee as I grab my lunch and head towards my empty table. It's not until he takes the seat across from me do I actually open my mouth again.

"Is there something I can help you with or are you just too idiotic to know what a hint is? I'm not interested." My voice is bitter and filled with annoyance not just at him but at Emma as well. Lee raises an eyebrow as he starts eating.

"No one said anything about being interested. Maybe I just want to be friends, ever think of that?" My cheeks heat up because I honestly hadn't thought about it. I just thought he was someone trying to hit on me.

I seriously jumped to the wrong conclusion, I guess.

I sigh and place down my fork, looking down at my tray.

"I'm sorry. Today has been an...interesting day. I don't mean to be rude." I look up and through my lashes to find Lee smiling kindly down at me.

"You're fine. We all have those days. Hey, are you going to eat that?" He asked looking hungrily at my pudding cup.

"Of course I'm going to eat it!" I pull it protectively back towards me.

"Oh come on! I'll trade you my carrots." He actually makes to dump his portion of the orange vegetables onto my own tray and I gape at him.

"No! I hate carrots." Despite trying to act angry I can't help but smile and neither can Lee.

"That's probably why you have to wear glasses. I'm trying to help you here. Let me do my good civilian deed." I roll my eyes at that.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure it's all for my benefit and has nothing to do with my desert." Despite what I say I hold out my pudding cup to him, defeated by his adorable puppy dog eyes.

"Yes!" He said as he quickly digs in. I just watched, amused that someone can get so happy over a simple desert. "Here." I have to blink twice to make sure I'm not imaging things when he holds out a spoonful of chocolate pudding to me.

"What?" Lee rolls his eyes at this and moves the spoon closer to me.

"Take some it's so good." My cheeks burn the longer I just stare at the spoon. When I realize he plans to keep it there until I take a bite I lean forward and open my mouth slightly. He moves the spoon the rest of the way and I feel like I'm about to die from burning alive. Lee just smiles. "Good?" I nod slightly before pulling back and quickly looking away. "Good." With that he goes back to eating like he didn't just feed me.

My eyes clash with my best friends and her expression wears my thoughts.

What the hell just happened?

***

I forgot the umbrella.

It's the singular thought that runs through my mind as I look at the downpour happening outside the schools entrance. Students rush out to their cars while others go at their own leisurely pace with their umbrellas.

A familiar voice has me looking over towards Emma and her boyfriend Seth. Charolette and another guy are with them as well. They're all laughing at something Emma said and my stomach knots painfully at the image.

Before I can look on it for too long an umbrella comes down like a wall between us. I look up and meet Lee's smiling and concerned eyes.

"Don't have an umbrella?" I look back to where my best friend had been, now hidden behind the umbrella.

"I forgot it at home."

"Then I guess it's my lucky day." Before I know what's happening Lee is snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me along outside into the downpour. The umbrella shields us from the rain and I listen as it pounds loudly away at the fabric overhead.

"Could you not?" I asked as I pull away from his arm. As I do my left shoulder leaves the protection of the umbrella and instantly becomes soaked.

"If you don't stand close you'll get wet."

"It's better than being under here with you." Lee only sighs at this and shakes his head.

"You're a stubborn one, Caroline." This instantly ticks me off and I curl my hands into tight fists.

"Yeah, I know!" I hissed catching Lee off guard completely. "I know I'm stubborn and rude and just a complete bitch in general, alright?!" My vision blurs over as tears spill down my cheeks. I dart out from under the umbrella before Lee can say anything.

"Wait, Caroline!" He called after me and seconds later my wrist is being grabbed and I'm being pulled to a stop. The umbrella covers me, but I'm already completely soaked through and shivering. "You're going to get sick."

"Who cares?" I muttered, not looking at Lee. He sighs once more and brushes back damp hair from my face before making me meet his brown eyes.

"I care." My cheeks heat up once more.

"I already told you. Not interested." He flashes me a toothy grin and says,

"Well tough, buttercup because I ain't going anywhere anytime soon." I bite down on my lip and cross my arms over my chest.

"That's what you say now. You'll leave soon enough, though. Even Emma left." I pull from Lee's hand only to yelp as he pulls me against his solid chest. His warmth instantly wraps around me like a blanket and my shivering lessens slightly. Through his shirt I listen as the beating of his heart merges with the sound of the rain.

"I know you guys are in a fight right now and, well, from what I can tell about you, I'm sure it's over something completely ridiculous."

"Hey!"

"But you guys'll get through this." His arm tightens around me at that and I look up into his eyes.

"How would you know that?" He chuckles at my pouty tone and bends his head down until his lips brush against my forehead.

"Didn't I say it earlier? Best friends aren't easily lost."

Day 13, story 13 check! I absolutely loved writing the rain scene in this one. I was super excited when I saw the picture and realized this was the one I'd be writing today. I also really enjoyed getting Trevor and Victoria from yesterday into this one. It was fun writing them in there. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and don't forget to hit that star button. Leave a comment below on your thoughts and what you think tomorrows story will hold! Until then.