David and Luisa walked toward their classroom together.
As Luisa entered the room, she noticed Ben sitting alone in his seat.
For a moment she stopped.
Luisa (thinking):
Should I go talk to him?
She remembered how tired and upset he had looked lately.
No… maybe I should just leave him alone. Whatever is bothering him, he probably needs some time.
Luisa quietly went to her seat.
Soon the professor arrived and the class began.
The lecture continued as usual, but Luisa found herself glancing toward Ben from time to time.
He looked distracted, staring at his notebook but not really writing anything.
After Class
When the classes ended, students began leaving the building, heading home.
Luisa stepped outside.
The sky was surprisingly clear.
She looked up for a moment.
Luisa:
"The weather is clear today."
She began walking toward the bus stop.
A familiar voice came from behind her.
David:
"May I join you?"
Luisa turned and smiled.
Luisa:
"Oh yes, sure. After all, it's not my bus stop."
David chuckled.
David:
"Oh, you're right. If it was your bus stop, you might not let me come."
Luisa raised an eyebrow.
Luisa:
"What did you say?"
David quickly raised his hands.
David:
"Just kidding."
He laughed quietly.
Luisa shook her head with a small smile.
Luisa:
"David, you're really something."
David simply listened quietly as they walked.
After a moment, David looked ahead.
David:
"Oh look… who's here."
Luisa turned to see.
It was Ben.
Whenever Luisa was around David, she felt relaxed and comfortable.
But whenever she saw Ben, something inside her felt different.
Her heart always reacted in a strange way.
Ben noticed them approaching.
Ben:
"Oh, hey guys."
David:
"Hi Ben."
Luisa:
"Hi."
Ben walked closer and stood beside David.
Luisa quietly peeked at him from the corner of her eye.
David spoke.
David:
"So… what are you doing here?"
Ben rubbed the back of his neck.
Ben:
"Oh, actually my car isn't working today, so I came to the bus stop."
David:
"That's good."
Luisa remained quiet, simply listening to their conversation.
She looked up at the sky again.
Dark clouds were slowly gathering.
David noticed the way Luisa's face brightened when she saw the clouds.
A soft smile appeared on her face.
A cold wind began to blow.
The sunlight slowly disappeared.
Then suddenly—
The rain started pouring.
Luisa smiled softly.
She seemed happy.
Ben sighed.
Ben:
"Oh no… it's raining again."
David remained quiet, watching both of them.
On the Bus
Soon the bus arrived.
Students quickly got inside.
The rain was falling heavily outside.
Luisa, Ben, and David were all standing inside the crowded bus.
Unfortunately, Luisa ended up standing next to Ben.
The bus suddenly jerked as it moved.
Luisa lost her balance for a moment.
Ben and David both quickly reached out their hands to catch her—
But Luisa quickly grabbed the seat in front of her and steadied herself.
Both of them spoke at the same time.
David and Ben:
"Are you okay?"
David looked worried.
Ben looked concerned, though he stayed quiet.
Luisa turned and nodded.
Luisa:
"Yes, I'm fine."
The Bus Stop
After a few stops, the bus reached Luisa's stop.
Both Ben and Luisa got off the bus.
David stayed inside, since his stop was farther away.
They all said goodbye.
David:
"Bye, guys."
Luisa & Ben:
"Bye."
David didn't know that Ben and Luisa actually lived on the same street.
He watched the bus doors close.
For a brief moment, he felt a small disappointment, but he didn't let it bother him too much.
At the Bus Stop
Rain was still pouring heavily.
Luisa opened her umbrella.
Ben remained standing quietly under the bus stop shelter, watching the rain fall.
Luisa began walking.
Then she suddenly stopped.
She looked back.
Ben was still standing there.
That's when she realized something.
Oh… right.
He usually drives his car.
That's why he doesn't have an umbrella.
Luisa hesitated.
Should I ask him?
She turned around.
Ben was looking down at his phone.
Luisa walked back toward him and spoke gently.
Luisa:
"If you want… I can walk you home."
Ben looked up and put his phone back into his pocket.
He smiled politely.
Ben:
"Thank you so much, but I'm fine."
Luisa looked at the rain.
Luisa:
"The rain isn't going to stop anytime soon."
Then she added with a small smile,
Luisa:
"And don't worry… I won't hurt you."
Ben suddenly remembered the day he had offered her a ride in his car and said the same thing.
A soft smile appeared on his face.
The wind was blowing strongly.
Luisa stood quietly, waiting for his answer.
Finally Ben sighed lightly.
Ben:
"Okay… if you say so."
He stepped out from the bus stop and moved under her umbrella.
Since Ben was taller, he gently asked,
Ben:
"Can I hold the umbrella?"
Luisa nodded.
Luisa:
"Of course."
Ben held the umbrella above them.
They began walking together through the rain.
The rain poured heavily around them.
Luisa felt shy and tried to keep some distance between them.
Ben also kept his distance.
Because of that, half of Ben's shoulder was getting wet.
He didn't move closer, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.
So both of them walked side by side, carefully maintaining a small distance between them as the rain continued to fall