We arrived at Melanie's a little after 3:00.

Melanie started rummaging through her backpack. "Isn't your key on your key ring?" I asked, looking over. "Well, it was, but I let my baby cousin play with my keys," she replied, setting her stuff down on the ground. "Alright well, change of plans, we're going to the backyard!" She finally said, letting out a heavy breath. "I can pick the lock!" Nate exclaimed after a minute. "I'm sure you can, Nate, but don't try it," Melanie responded, leading us to the backyard. Michael and I laughed quietly.

Unfortunately, we had to set up on the ground because all of her outdoor patio things were moved into the shed for the winter. We set up on her back porch, which was thankfully pretty big with all the furniture moved. I sat down with Michael when I realized I had left all my papers in the car. "Crap, I'll be back, I left my papers," I said, while getting up. I grabbed my papers and locked my car. I walked back and saw Melanie and Nate already working. I thought to myself that if Nate were to become a more civilized person, they'd be my otp.

I sit and then attempt to start right away for no interruptions. "Alright, so the first quest-" I saw a couple raindrops fall onto my paper. This was followed by a gust of wind and a sudden downpour of rain. "You have got to be kidding me!" I said, loudly expressing my frustration. I hurriedly grabbed my papers and tried to shield them. I could see Michael laughing out of the corner of my eye, which made me start laughing too. Nate's papers had been thrown by the gust of wind and Melanie and him were frantically running the yard to retrieve them. Michael and I burst out laughing while running after the papers ourselves.

After finally getting Nate's papers, we all became a giggling, soaked mess. We still had no key to get inside. We finally thought of the genius idea of going into the shed to wait out the rain. We ran into the shed. I started shivering again, except this time not out of nervousness. "Cas, are you cold?" Michael asked, softly. There were no lights or windows in the shed, so I blindly said, "Yeah, a little." "Here," he said. I reached out blindly and ended up touching the bristles on a brush which feels like an animal in the darkness, so I yelped. "What are you doing?" Melanie said from what sounded like a distance. "I don't know," I said while giggling, reaching out again. I finally touched a leather-type fabric, which ended up being Michael's jacket. "Oh, thanks, but don't you need it?" I asked. "You need it more," he said. I wrapped it around myself. It gave off a very pleasant scent.

Nate got the intelligent idea of turning on his phone's flashlight, so we could work. We still had absolutely nothing done and most of our papers had gotten wet. We eventually started, careful not to rip the now tissue-thin papers. I had sent my mom a text to make sure she knew I was waiting for the rain to weaken before I came home. I could hear it was still at a steady downpour.

>>><<<

After what seemed about two years, I heard the rain weaken and we got out of the shed. Michael and I had finally finished the page. I told them all I should probably get home. I said goodbye to everyone and headed to my car.

I got home around 5:00. I walked in, immediately regretting leaving Melanie's.

My dad was home, and he didn't look happy.