"Say, Xavier, I didn't pressure you into saying yes, did I?" Inquired Ethan, his hand once more holding firmly onto mine. 

I shook my head immediately, "Oh, no I don't mind, Ethan." 

It was comical how fast I replied. Hell, if it wasn't clear I was head over heels infatuated, that move definitely made it bloody obvious. 

His lips curved into a gentle, soft smile, acknowledging he had heard me. 

We exited Barton's main school complex quickly and made our way to the bicycle storage beside the eastern wing. As we walked by, I saw a few glances coming out way from the art classroom's broad windows.  For a moment, I swore I had seen Jess' image peering right at me, both her thumbs up with a joyful grin on her face. 

Pacing across the last couple of metres, we passed the wooden fences that cut through the school grounds, separating the greater portion from the bicycle storage. Long aisles ripped these grounds into thin strips. Each was full to the brim with students' bikes. 

We passed them all. 

"These are the days I regret not having a spare helm at school," muttered Ethan as we approached the restricted parking area.

I recalled it being for vehicles of various sorts and wondered why we approached. 

Then, he made it abundantly clear, "I could have dropped you off at home so much faster with the moped." 

Yet again, I was impressed, "You've got a licence to ride mopeds?!" I cried.

He bobbed his head up and down excitedly, exclaiming, "Yeah! I narrowly managed to get it before we moved over to Oxford. And I will admit, if I had my driving exam here, I don't think I would have passed on the first attempt. My old town had a lot less traffic."

I pried my hand loose from his grip, walking up closer. "I'm afraid we can't go for a ride without a second helmet."

Shrugging it off with a goofy face, Ethan replied, waving his arms dismissively. "It's not the worst that could happen! It's still dry, so I suppose a little walking won't hurt."

I looked up at the ever-darkening cloud-speckled sky. The sight was far from promising. I let out a nervous but hopeful giggle, "Long as it stays dry, yeah."

Ethan gulped, picking up on my nervosity. "You live close to school, no?"

Stumbling over my words, I stuttered with an awkward laugh in my voice, "Uhh, walking to school takes around half an hour during the morning rush. So I'd suspect it'd be around twenty-something now." I added, stammeringly, "I completely understand if you're second-guessing your decision. And I wouldn't blame you! It's a long distance-" 

Ethan looked at me with an alluring confidence in his eyes, "Don't worry. I've said I'd walk you home, and I intend to keep my word."

My heart skipped a beat whilst I registered the commitment. 

I couldn't help it, a smile was threatening to crack right through my collected demeanour. I was unable to retain it. And it broke free.

It seemed contagious, for Ethan soon followed suit.

His reserved nature momentarily conflicted with one of the thoughts that seemed to reign most prominently in his mind. He whispered softly, "A smile looks so much better on you than a frown." Realising he voiced his thoughts, Ethan clasped his palm over his mouth, pretending he never said anything. 

I demurely looked away, both of our gazes twirling around one another's, eloping contact. 

The both of us remained in an unspoken stalemate for a little as e began our journey through the bustling Oxford streets. By now, after all these years, the road had been imprinted in my memory. At times, it even felt like it'd be impossible to ever forget the same paths and streets once I graduated. 

Turning corner after corner and pacing through the bustling streets, a few droplets clattered apart on the pavement ahead. 

Ethan and I exchanged brief looks, both of us despairing over what was bound to come. 

"Please, tell me you live nearby," Ethan cried - a whine to his gentle voice.

The beginning drizzle was pit-pattering on his skin. 

I held back the urge to let out an uncomfortable chuckle. Though, the decision still culminated in an awkward expression on my features. I mumbled softly, almost apologetically, "Still a couple of streets after the roundabout ahead."

With a mutual groan, mine being silent, we picked up some pace. Our casual stroll came sped up after a lurch. We were hastily speed-walking across the concrete pavement. Ethan and I were in luck. The morning rush had long since passed; the sidewalks were near empty. They were only sparsely occupied, thankfully. The odd pair of restaurant patios and advertisement boards were sprinkled throughout the few pedestrians. 

Every time our shoes seemed to thud the tiles beneath, the drizzle grew more oppressive. The dark clouds had slowly grown in density. And ultimately, they burst apart in a swirling dance of raindrops.  

We managed to pass the roundabout along with a few turns.

Ethan ran in front of me, and I followed closely after. I was at a loss of breath, barely able to keep calling out the directions. Although I did not want to admit it, it had been years since I had run to keep up with someone else. I wasn't sure whether my head was coated in sweat or the autumnal, freezing rain droplets. 

Thunder roared on the horizon.

Bolts of lightning tore a rift throughout the grey canvas above.

Every corner we turned, my jacket somehow seemed to get drenched more thoroughly. The fabric felt as though it had been glued solid onto my school uniform - and both of them became more like external layers of skin. Although, regrettably so, neither of them harboured any semblance of warmth nor sheltered me from the cold, biting wind. 

"Up ahead!" I called out amid the brutal downpour.

Ethan crossed the street and dove into Crescent Lane at breakneck speed. He glanced over his shoulder whilst retaining his pace, asking in a rush, "What number?"

"Twenty-seven, four more houses," I answered in an equal, quick fashion. 

We arrived, and I immediately reached for the keys in my pockets. My hands were cold, shaky even. I tried to put the key in the lock but pressed against the metal sheet twice before Ethan grabbed a hold of my hand, aiding me.

His hands were still warm, despite the rain's cold touch.

We flicked the lock open, swinging the door back as far as its hinges would allow, and scurried inside. 

"I thought the forecast said there wasn't going to be any rain today," mumbled Ethan, twisting his boosts dry on the sturdy barrier rug. 

"You must be mistaken. I believe that was meant for tomorrow," I corrected him, taking my jacket off and clipping it onto one of the wall-bound coat rack's hooks. I bent down and turned the old heating radiator up a notch. 

I rose back up, turning back to Ethan - his eyes were full of hesitation as he requested, "Would you mind if I stayed a little?"

It, stupidly enough, took me a moment to realise his black curls were completely drenched, straightening out and dangling in front of his eyes. With a swift motion, he swept his wet locks to the side. In all fairness, we were both soaked to the bone.

It was a pitiful sight.

The both of us were shivering in place, like a pair of wet leaves across a stormy night.

"Of course not!" I chirped, realising I must have been staring for a little bit. "I don't want you to catch a cold or something."

Ethan thanked me before he undid his own jacket, exclaiming a brief 'Yuck' when his coat kept sticking to his arms. He then put his jacket on the hook beside mine. "Shit, all your clothes are wet, too!" He remarked, pointing at my school uniform.

"So are yours. That was quite some heavy rain. It just went right through our coats!" I answered, shyly laughing. 

Ethan unbuttoned his dark blue blazer, peeking underneath, "Damn, even my shirt."

"I can see if I got some dry clothes for us upstairs. I think I've got a few oversized hoodies. Though you're a head taller, so they may be a little short." I didn't even know why I made the suggestion. It just blurted out of my mouth seeing him completely wet. 

"Yes please," he replied.

I turned to the creaky staircase, exclaiming, "I owe you that much."

"You don't owe me anything, Xavier. I broke your glasses, so walking you home was the least I could do." Ethan paused momentarily, rubbing the back of his head, "When you get a new pair, could you text me an image of the receipt? I don't want to cause you guys extra costs."

Smiling at the kind gesture, I thanked him, "That's much appreciated, Ethan."

Once in my room, I retrieved a spare pair of glasses, and then scoured through the worn-down cupboard in the corner. Pulling out a few of the drawers yielded no results, sadly. I vividly recalled I hadn't worn the thing all summer, so it had to be... Right! Stowed away on the top shelf. I grabbed hold of an oversized pink hoodie I had purchased a while back. I turned around, glad to have found something that may fit Ethan. 

"Hey, Ethan, hope you don't mind the colour--"

My jaw dropped.

My eyes widened, barely registering the sight in front of me.

────「♔」────

- 15/11/'22