Saturday morning arrived wrapped in gray clouds and distant thunder.
Leon didn't mind the rain. It fit his mood—calm, a little heavy, quietly hopeful.
He wandered down to the library. Evelyn often sketched there on weekends. Not that he was looking for her. He told himself that twice on the way in.
But she wasn't there.
No cardigan. No sketchbook. No hint of her soft presence.
Instead, he sat for an hour, pretending to read while his mind replayed last night's brother pact.
Don't mess it up.
⸻
He left just as the rain started falling harder. It was soft at first, like someone tapping on the shoulder. Then relentless.
By the time he reached the east quad, his hoodie was damp, and his mood darker.
That's when he saw her.
Not walking.
Standing still.
In the middle of the courtyard, no umbrella, soaked through, eyes shut, face turned toward the sky.
Evelyn.
⸻
Leon stopped in his tracks.
Water ran down her cheeks like silent tears. But she wasn't crying.
She was… existing.
Like the rain had a right to touch her. Like pain didn't scare her.
He approached slowly, stepping through puddles until they stood a meter apart.
"You'll catch a cold," he said softly.
Evelyn opened her eyes, not startled.
"So?"
Leon hesitated. "Then I'll catch one too."
He stepped closer.
Now they were both getting drenched.
She looked at him, head tilted slightly, eyes searching his like she was reading something written on the inside of his skull.
"Do you believe people can start over?" she asked.
Leon swallowed.
"I didn't."
"Now I think… it's the only way we ever really grow."
Evelyn blinked slowly.
Then she said something that didn't seem connected—but somehow was.
"I drew you. Before I knew your name."
Leon's heart thudded.
"You scare me," she added, voice barely audible over the rain.
"Not because of what you might do.
But because I think you've already changed everything… and I can't explain how."
⸻
Neither of them moved for a long time.
Then Evelyn stepped forward, leaned in—and gently pressed her forehead to his.
Not a kiss.
Not even a touch.
Just… a moment.
Heavy with everything unspoken.
Then she whispered—
"Don't say it. Not yet."
⸻
Leon stood in the rain long after she walked away.
This time,
he didn't feel cold at all.