The next day...

Lance woke up, sweating and shivering. Nightmares...

He hugged himself, hoping the nightmare would disappear, but he knows it will not.

He quickly grab a glass of water sitting nicely on the bedside table. Shaking, he grab it with both hands and took big gulps, before he finally put it back.

He let out a shaky sigh, as he just lay down back on the bed...

He finally called her.

And they will have their first meeting.

"Meet me near the school grounds at 5 am. Don't be late, Lance"

He sighs and look at the time.
03:49 am...

He sigh and decided to get preparing now...

.
.
.

After taking quite a long shower, breakfast and packing up, he finally off to school.

The time right now is 04:39 am, so it shouldn't be a problem.

He walk the empty wall ways. The road still empty and barren, due to the fact that its still early 4 am in the morning.

He sighs and moving faster now.

He will meet her near the school, at some playground.

When he finally there, and you guess it, she's there.

When he get closer, she doesn't seem to hear. She just stare at the sky.

He silently sat next to her, joining her.

Suddenly, he felt a pair of hands holding his.

"Its nice, isn't it?"
He chuckles, "I guess... so, what is it do you wanna talk about?"

She looks at him, with slight of concern and for once, care.
"I wanted you to come with me and live in a forest somewhere from here."

By her sudden responds, he is confused.
"I'm sorry? But why?"
"Because there is a house there, built for us, and for everyone else."
"Wait wait hold on- everyone else?"

"There are people just like you, experienced the pain. They will be your friends too."

He never felt this for many years, he wanted to thank her, but at the time, he doesn't want to. Trust issues, anxiety, and all the negative thoughts starts to rambling inside his mind.

"I don't know... I don't think i can't accept your request."

She scoots closer, and she put her hands on his chest, with begging eyes.

He can't think straight, and when he finally take a closer look, she is pretty.

Absolutely pretty.

He let out a defeated sigh, "Fine... I'll think about it."

She let out a smile, a satisfied smile.

"How about I meet you again next week, at this same playground, is that sounds fine to you?"

He nods, "Not a problem."

"At 2 PM?"

He choked, and he hope she was joking.
At 2 PM, the tough guys or the bullies would be here hanging out.
When he is here for next week, he will get beaten up real good that he might even die!

Hesitantly, he tried to tell her.
"I-I don't think that's a good idea..."

She titled her head, "why not?"

"B-Because the bullies will be here at that specific time. I-I can't... sorry"

She grabs his hands and hold them tight, "They won't hurt you, trust me. You'll be fine." She smiled and suddenly pull him to an embrace.

All of the emotions starts to run in high gear. Every kind of emotions start to mixed inside him, confuses him.

He feel this feeling whenever Nora is still around.

But now, its her...

"My name is Raine."
Raine...
A beautiful name.

"Thank you, Raine..." he hugged her back, feeling and greet her warmth.

"If you don't wanna meet me later on, how about on Saturday this week, that sounds okay to you?" She ask, still holding him in her arms.

He never let go, or never move a single inch. He smiled, "Yeah, that sounds lovely."

I feel drawn...
Over the past few years, this feeling finally comes back, it just... feel nice.

But, I won't let myself be in love again. Never.

"Great. I'll meet you on Saturday, at 3 PM. Don't be late, got it?"

He let out a chuckle, "Yes, ma'am."

Suddenly she let out a giggle, which makes his stomach feel butterflies, and it felt nice.

"Alright you dork, it's time for me to go," she tried to move, but his arms never let go of her. She giggles, "You're a guy who loves hugs huh?"

"Let's just say... I'm a hug person." He winked, which makes her giggle more, and this warms his heart.

"Okay, big boy, it's time to let go."
"Aww, okay fine."

He finally let go and she finally got up and start walking away.
But before she continue on, she stopped and look at him, with her dark brown eyes, deeply into him.

"See you around, Lance."

His heart flutter, and he replied back, with a thankful smile.
"See you around, Raine."

After that, she continue walking until she finally out from his view.