Chance Encounter

I woke up one day from the bright light that was radiating from the morning sun shining through my bedroom window. I looked in a mirror and tears were running down my face. "Again!" I became extremely frustrated because for a month now I've been waking up noticing I was crying during my sleep. I couldn't remember the dreams that caused this which gradually increased my frustration. "What is causing this? How can I stop this? Do I need to see a therapist?" These thoughts bombarded me as I sat by myself in my room.

As I was contemplating I heard loud knocking on the door which quickly gained my attention. I opened the door and awaiting me in the doorway was my mom. "I have to work on some files but I need some groceries from the store. Can you pick some things up for me?" Since it was Saturday I didn't have anything to do so I didn't mind. I nodded in agreement and got dressed. I thought picking up groceries would be a nice way to take my mind off of my predicament.

To my disliking, the nice pure white puffy clouds were replaced by dark cumulous ones. "Kenny dear wait a minute." She stopped me from leaving, "It looks like it's going to rain so you should carry an umbrella with you." "Nah, I'll be quick so I won't need it." "But…" I headed out the door ignoring her advice. "Don't worry mom, I'll be back as soon as possible." I reassured him with a smile as I ran to the grocery store.

It took a while to get there. I didn't waste any time. I rushed to get every single item on my mom's list so I could return home before the rain started. Finding each item in such a big building was a bit of a struggle but ultimately, I was able to obtain each item and headed straight to the cashier. While the cashier was dealing with the items I gazed outside and fortunately the rain hadn't started. I let out a sigh of relief because I honestly didn't want to have to sit through another lecture from my mom. A few had minutes passed and the cashier gave me my items which in exchange I paid him for them.

I ran out the door with a big grin on my face. For once I was given the opportunity to brag to my mother that I was right and she was wrong. As I thought about it more and more my grin became bigger and bigger. Like an idiot, I became oblivious of my surroundings and accidentally bumped into someone. I immediately apologized and the lady was so nice she helped me pick up my mother's groceries. I expressed my gratitude to her as I began running again.

I made sure I focused on my surroundings this time. I didn't want to experience an embarrassing moment like that again anytime soon. And that's when it happened. I felt something wet landing on the top of my head. I ignored it, refusing to acknowledge that the rain would start to fall. But as the few droplets turned into drizzles which further turned into heavy downpour I couldn't ignore the situation any longer.

I rushed to find somewhere I could shelter from the weather. During this endeavor, I almost slipped on the wet pavement multiple times before I could find shelter. Eventually, I encountered this empty, abandoned building. I hesitated to enter it because I was unsure what would happen if I did. Despite this, I entered it anyway since I was soaked, embarrassed and didn't have any other options. As I went inside I sat down, took off my jacket and stared outside at the horrible weather.

Fortunately, my phone didn't get damaged by the rain. That was the only bright side to the situation. I knew my mom was probably concerned about my well-being so I reluctantly called her bracing myself for the lecture and scolding that was in my close future. "Kenny, where are you? Are you ok?" "Yeah, but I had to take shelter from the rain inside a building." "Do you want me to pick you up?" "It's too risky for you to drive in this weather so I'll just wait it out here." "Ok as long as you're safe."

I was cheering on the inside because she hadn't initiated any scolding or lecturing. You know whoever came up with the saying 'don't speak too soon' was on to something because right after I cheered to myself the lecture and scolding had begun. "You know if you had just listened to me you wouldn't be in this mess." "I know." "You need to trust that I know what I'm saying so listen more." "Ok mom. I'll call you again later if the weather doesn't subside."

I hung up the phone glad that I had escaped being lectured and peered outside once more. The rain refused to lessen its intensity. "Look like I'm going to be alone in here for a while." As I stated that softly a girl that seemed to be my age entered the room. She had on a hoodie so I wasn't able to see much of her face. Then she took it off. She had revealed her long black messy hair. She squeezed out the water of her hoodie and sat down facing the opposite direction of me.

The room instantly filled with awkward silence. Neither of us was willing to do anything about it though. I was curious about her so I occasionally glanced at her hoping she didn't notice. From examining her I was able to recognize that she had bright brown eyes. I couldn't judge her appearance since she covered most of her face with her messy hair but I thought to myself that she had pretty eyes. I asked myself if I should initiate a conversation but I was afraid of her reaction so I kept quiet till the weather eventually got better.

She immediately left the building and put her hoodie back on. I gazed at this mysterious girl as she gradually faded from my vision. I wondered if I would get the chance to see her again but I hastily concluded that I probably wouldn't. The sky's bright blue was steadily disappearing as the day was coming to an end. I commenced sprinting home with a lot on my mind as this day was probably one of the most interesting days of my life.