R A I N E

The sun and I never got along. Although the light it provides does look beautiful at times, the sun hates me, and I hate it. My friends refer to me as a vampire. Eighty percent of my closet is full of dark clothing-the other twenty percent has some sort of colour thanks to my mother-and I prefer gloomy weather and rainfall rather than the heat of the sun. What if I actually am a vampire? I mean, my teeth are kind of pointy, and I often faint when the humidity gets too much for me to handle.

Of course, that was exactly how I ended up having a massive crush on Aidan.

● Flashback ●

The field was packed with hundreds of students. I stood with the rest of the eighth graders, scanning the area for my friends. The whole school was gathered out here for some kind of assembly. I cursed whoever forced us to come out here while the sun was glaring down at me and wiped the sweat from my forehead. God, I hated this weather. Why the hell couldn't we just stay indoors?

"Good morning, students!" Mr. Browne-the principal-plastered a smile on his wrinkly face as his voice boomed over the huge speakers from his spot at the front of the field, but it was still left ignored. Students continued with their chattering, some complaining-just as I was-and others gossiping.

On the first day of every month we spent here in this hell hole, everyone was instructed to gather either in the crammed cafeteria or out on the field for first period. Typically in the warmer months, we're forced to endure the heat of the blazing sun and put up with the body odour coming off of every student-which was what we were doing now. It's anything but pleasant.

"May I please have your attention?" The principal's pathetic attempt to silence the students made me groan in frustration. I really just wanted everyone to shut up so that I didn't have to spend any more time squished in between my two classmates who were drenched in sweat. At least this time I didn't have to stand on my toes to see over a couple hundred heads. My class wasn't too far away from the front.

"Oh, just start the anthem, already." Mr. Browne sighed and nudged some guy beside him. I watched as the boy scrambled to plug a few wires into the speakers. He was barking orders to some members of the student council, and I soon realized he was probably the president.

I never paid attention to anyone in the student council-no one did. They were just a bunch of eighth-graders who decorated the ceiling of the gymnasium for our lame dances and sold soggy pita bread at their bake sales. The saddest part? None of the members even got any sort of credit for their contribution. It was just a waste of time.

Silence fell upon students as the national anthem played. No one dared move a muscle. Everyone knew all hell would break loose if anyone were to let out even a small, muffled cough. Mr. Browne had made it very clear to us all: not a sound was to be made during the anthem, as well as slight movement.

My vision began to blur as sweat trickled down the side of my face. The sun was stripping away every bit of energy that I had left. My heart clashed against my chest, shortening each breath I took. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the girl next to me watching with their face twisted in confusion, but I couldn't care less. harmonic sound of the anthem became distant as my head spun and my legs faltered.

Before my body came in contact with the ground, a pair of arms circled their way around my waist. I caught a blurry glimpse of the boy's face just as everything went black.

I woke under a tree that provided me with shade. Something cool was rested on my forehead, so when I sat up and leaned against the trunk of the tree, my skin felt moist when the rag fell into my lap. A half-empty plastic water bottle rolled next to my leg and my mouth went dry, so with all the strength I could muster, I snatched the bottle and chugged down the rest of the water.

"That was fast,"

A familiar boy appeared in front of me. He wore a small, polite smile on his lips, but it dropped when water spat out from my mouth and right onto his face. I stared at him with my jaw hung open, shocked at what I had just done. He used his shirt to wipe at his face and opened his eyes while he laughed.

"And that," He said, shifting and crossing his legs. "was unexpected."

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry! I swear I didn't mean to do that. Ugh, I'm so damn stupid." I cringed, burying my burning face in my hands. This was the most embarrassing day ever.

"No, no. I'm the one who's sorry," His statement made me look back up at him, but once I did, I was frozen. Underneath the boy's dark hair were the most stunning, captivating eyes I had seen. They were the colour of rich, melted milk chocolate, with specks of hazel cluttering his irises. They were gorgeous, smiling, and kind. "It's my fault. I was the one who startled you, after all."

I shook my head, awakening from my daze. He was the same boy I'd seen earlier; the president of the student council. I was speechless. How had he managed to see me in that massive crowd?

"I'm Aidan," He held his hand out, showing off his white teeth in a grin. Oh, goodness. Was it possible for such a human to exist?

Why was he holding his hand out? Did he want to play a game? Did he want me to give him something? Money, maybe? I only had a quarter on me.

I settled for a high-five. "R-Raine."

He gave me a weird look, but his grin soon returned. "So, Raine . . . Do you usually fall asleep while standing?"

"What?" I blurted, confused. I was still so distracted by his image and his charm.

Aidan lifted a brow in what seemed to be amusement. "I think you need some more water. How are you feeling?"

"I'm sorry, but what happened, exactly?" I dismissed his concern and entwined my fingers, setting them into my lap.

"You had a heat stroke and almost fainted, hence the wet rag," He shrugged. "Since everyone was too chicken to save you from your death, I just happened to be your knight in shining armour."

"Well, thank you," I snorted, but I hoped the small blush on my face wasn't visible. My gaze wandered to the crowd on the field. "How long was I out for? And how did you get me here?"

"Just a few minutes," Aidan answered, picking at the grass. "and I dragged you."

I gaped at him. Was he being serious? He dragged my body from the front of the field, all the way beyond the track? That was humiliating to even think about. Then again, it would also be weird if he had carried me-a random girl who fainted during the national anthem. His face held no emotion until he locked gazes with me and broke into laughter.

"I was just joking, Raine." His lips settled into the same smile he had given me just before I spat water at his perfectly sculptured face. Aidan stood up and held out his hand again. Did he want another high-five? "C'mon, the second period is about to start. I'll take you to the office so you can sign out and go home."

Oh.

Wait . . . so he just wanted to shake my hand earlier, then? Why am I so awkward?

I mentally cursed myself when I took his hand and he helped me stand. He swooped up the rag and empty bottle from the ground and dumped them into the nearest trashcan. I could feel eyes on me as we walked back into the school side by side. After we reached the office, the bell rang, signalling the beginning of second period. Aidan took that as his cue to leave and waved at me.

"See you around, Raine." He turned to walk out the door, but then stopped in his tracks and threw a glance over his shoulder. "I hope you won't be drinking or eating anything next time we meet."

I left the school with a crimson face.

● End of Flashback ●

There was no 'next time'.

Instead of actually trying to make conversation with Aidan whenever our paths crossed, I either sent him a nervous smile-to which he always returned, except it was more confident, of course-or ran away, like I'm doing at the moment.

Embarrassing myself has become my best-known talent.

●●●

Hai! Okay, before you say anything, I AM SO FRIGGIN SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE! I know you guys have been waiting forever, and I really hope the wait was worth it. I really enjoyed writing this chapter hehe. How'd you like it?

Also, for everyone who is confused: The situations in this story are NOT true. Most of the main characters are based off of real people, though. But NOTHING that happens in this book happened in real life, except for scenes you may be familiar with if you have read crystally_rain 's A/Ns in her stories-which again, I highly recommend you check out if you haven't already. But otherwise, nothing in this book is true. No one drowned. No one broke into a mall and drugged a security guard. No one went to jail(I think). No one had a snowball fight in front of a random café and threw a snowball at their crush. You get what I mean.

I'm really hoping to update again soon, but I've got a French and Math test this week, so I don't think it will be in the next 5 days. Sorry ;-;

Anywho, don't forget to vote and comment!

Chloe ❤

P.S. I NEED SEASON 4 OF MIRACULOUS RN OR I'M GONNA DIE AHHHHH