RAIN POURED HEAVILY, piercing the streets. The streets had been abandoned and people scurried into shelter. All but one man.

He sat alone on a bench, staring out at the now-desolate city. His body was soaked from head to toe, but he didn't care. The rain was his only company. His vision was blurred, and water dripped down his face. The rain was pelting and hard against his back, but to him, it was soothing.

But then the rain suddenly stopped. It stopped hitting him.

The loud roar and hssh of the rain had grown muffled as the man looked up. Over his head now was a black umbrella, and it was held by a man in a brown raincoat.

The man's eyes widened as he took in the other's face, which had become drenched with the absence of the umbrella. Everything seemed to still.

"Wilford?"

"Dark," he said back.

Nothing could continue before Dark slowly woke up, blinking away the tiredness in his eyes. His brows furrowed and he groaned, his back aching and sore. He realized he had fallen asleep on his desk.

He yawned, leaning against the back of the chair to stretch, his back popping. He wished he could've seen more of that dream, but the time gleaming on his phone made him jolt up.

"Shit!" he cursed, scrambling to get ready. He was late for class.

He bolted down the halls, papers in his bag.

If only he had lagged a bit behind...

Made a bad first impression...

..

"Okay, Prim. I'm asking you this as a friend," Wilford said.

The brunette girl nodded. Friend or not, she didn't care. She was happy she could possibly hang out with her idol.

"Do you wanna go to the café and just... talk?" said Wil. "Maybe over that story, too."

Prim nodded, a smile on her face. One could be mistaken that the girl could be Wilford's sister with her spastic and upbeat attitude.

"Perfect with me!" she piped, happier than ever.

Wilford smiled, heart feeling light at the sight of her genuine happiness. The two set off to the café, carrying their bags.

They chose a small table for two and Wilford went to purchase a coffee. When he returned to the table, he rose a brow, sitting down.

"You don't want anything?"

Prim shook her head with a smile, bringing out a few papers and a neat-looking notebook.

"No. I don't like coffee."

That was how Dark would always say it...

"Hey, try this!" Wilford piped, holding out a cup of coffee to his friend.

Dark frowned and leaned over, taking a sip. His face went into slight disgust.

"I don't like coffee," he said, sticking his tongue out.

Wilford chuckled, "Well, ya shoulda told me!"

Dark smirked, eyes flashing. "You didn't let me finish: I don't like coffee. But-- I'd try it for you."

Wilford blushed and lightly hit Dark's shoulder. "That's so cheesy!"

"Hey. Wilford? Hellooo, anybody home?"

Wilford blinked, looking at the young girl sitting across from him. "Ah—yes?"

Prim smiled, leaning forward as she rested her chin on her palm, elbow propped up on the table.

"Who do you like?" she said.

Wilford rapidly blinked, startled with the question. "Wha—?" He crossed his arms and looked away. "I like nobody!"

Prim giggled, scribbling something in her notebook. "Okayyy, whatever you say, Wilford," she teased. "But I saw that look in your eyes."

Wilford frowned, playfully glaring at Prim. "So what if I like someone."

"So what?" she quoted with disbelief. "Well, we've gotta get you two together, don't we!"

The male blushed, looking down. He sighed.

"I wish..."

Prim tilted her head, brows furrowing in concern. "Oh... did I touch a... sensitive topic? I-I'm sorry..."

Wilford solemnly chuckled. "No, it's fine, Prim." He smiled and looked down at his cup of coffee. "It's just... he's so far away."

Prim's eyes glimmered with surprise, but she smiled. Despite a little ache in her heart, she pushed it away.

"He, huh?" she decided to tease.

Wilford tensed at this slip-up. "Uh—ye...yeah..."

"Well, goodness me," Prim said, leaning back against the chair, a bright smile on her face. "Wilford Warfstache, Pleasant University's prized and beloved student, gay?"

Wilford blushed. "Shut up," he mumbled. He looked up into Prim's hazel brown eyes. "Just... don't tell anyone, alright?"

Prim smiled, putting a hand to her chest and lifting three fingers. "My heart's on the line!"

And she kept her promise till the end.

..

SAMIA WAYFAIR WAS the most respected woman in the state. She was especially known in Source University.

"Mr. Edward, is it?"

Dark halted, turning to face the woman. They shared a firm hand shake as all the students left the classroom. A smile was on the woman's face.

"I've seen all your scores in the past years, young man. Even now, they're stellar. Above anyone else has ever done in this very school."

Dark's eyes widened. He was going stellar? Highest grades out of all the classes?

"I want to invite you to a board meeting with my company." She handed a little card to Dark, to which he took. "It will help your future, I assure you."

Dark stared down at the bold letters, gulping.

"Though, if you don't want to take this chance, then don't attend it." Mrs. Wayfair bowed her head. "I must be going now, Mr. Edward. I look forward to meeting you tomorrow."

Dark bowed his head in return, watching her exit.

If only he had been late...

That transaction would've never happened...

..

"So can you tell me more about this guy?" Prim asked, lowering her voice to a whisper as she looked around the café. Her eyes were bright, just like a little kid's.

Wilford smiled, sighing. "I dunnoooo..."

Prim beamed. "Pleeease? It's not always good to keep things in, ya know."

Wilford smiled.

"Oo, oo—describe him for me! I wanna imagine him," she said happily. This made Wilford chuckle and roll his eyes.

"Fine. But first—who do you imagine me with?"

Prim hummed, eyes narrowing in thought. She put a thin finger to her chin.

"Maybe a happy guy. Like, he wants to do everything when he can! Happy and upbeat like you?"

Wilford chuckled as he leaned back in hid chair. "That's what one would expect."

Prim tilted her head. "Oh?"

"He's always serious and stern. It's like he frowns all the time and hates the world. To everyone else, he's the big, scary, tough guy, but he's really a sweetheart."

Prim smiled. "And what's he look like?"

Wilford sighed as the image of Dark was in his head. "A whole load ah handsome, lemme tell you that." He chuckled. "Fluffy black hair... nicely built... reddish eyes..."

Prim smiled seeing the man so happy.

"Where is he now?" she asked.

"Source," he replied simply, sighing again. "But—even though I wish he chose some place closer, I'm happy for him."

But if only Wilford had been... less accepting with Dark's choice. If only he had put a little sense into his friend's head to make him hesitate...

Prim hummed. "Can you call him? Visit him even?"

Wilford sighed. "I've been putting it aside," he mumbled.

"Oh... why?"

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Thanks for reading and have a fantastic day/night!
-aya