With A Happy Refrain [Open]

[shadows]

Oh no, no , no, no , no Noah panicked from his thoughts at the rain deciding to not be his friend today. It swept in in the middle of his calming stroll from his finished classes almost like an ambush. Sure the sky was gray and the clouds dark but Noah has hoped he could get to his room right before the water works hit. Yet his luck wasn't with him as he felt the drops attack him one by one causing him to rush to the nearest source of cover. A tree at the edge of a walkway standing there almost like it knew he was going to need it's assistance. If trees could of course think and move. Noah hid beneath the branches of the plant as his arm extended to feel the tree. He felt the need to thank it but that just might have been just because he always had some urge to say the words. Noah knew that talking to tree would be off, even for him. He glanced down onto the ground as his felt the drops of water fall off his clothing, already wet from his time outside. His arms stretching out to see the full effect. He bustled into his backpack to check to make sure anything in there wasn't damaged from the water company. Paper being the most vulnerable to such attacks but the existence of a three ring binder saved any form of paper work he had. His calculator tucked behind it was spared as well. His luck proving not to be a total downfall to the rain. But still being stuck in one spot under the tree wasn't his home. He couldn't take that away from a bird in the sky returning to it's nest or a squirrel running from collecting it's acorns. He had to get to his room or at least some place that wasn't a tree.

He took in a breath, almost like he was preparing to jump into the swimming pool or a nearby puddle forming near him. Gasping out the oxygen let in, Noah rushed out from under the tree heading towards the dormitories. A bit blind sided from the dots hitting his eyes but in the direction of some sort of building. His feet causing splashes as it passed small bodies of water in his run. Noah liked puddles. He liked to splash through them sometimes even in the rain but usually with an umbrella with him. He didn't have the tool with him today but he did go into a place where he wanted to stop and splash into the water. Somewhere in him wanted him to halt and splash away but his leg kept on going. Taking him to one of the dormitory buildings. A good thing right? A little but the only thing was that he ran blindly. Leading him to not his building but into one of the other two. Still though, he was away from the rain. Downside he couldn't splash through the water. Again he stretched out his arm to feel the drops of the water pour down as it have been heavier with the added water. His hair has been brought down. He was the poster child of being socked

Note: Again, bad

[minihavert]

I kept my head down as my heels clicked on the pavement. 'Oh god my legs are soaked!' I think to myself, and I shuffle faster down the sidewalk. I dodge the feet I can see coming at me, gripping my purse tighter to my chest. I was never a fan or the rain, but the fact that I never saw this coming was ridiculous! It was sunny and warm when I left this morning, so a strapless sundress seemed appropriate. Course as soon as I left the school, it was pouring rain, and my black pumps did not do well to keep my toes warm. I stop walking for a second, and brush the water off my shoulders. 'I am so cold!' I think to myself again, and walk over to the building closest to me. I lean against the wall, and try and avoid the rain drops. I watch the girls walking past me in their jeans and jackets, they look me up and down and laugh to each other. I knew that I was out of place, but I never knew that this was going to happen all the time. I bend my head back against the wall, and grunt to myself. I look to my left, and press my cheek to the cold wall. I look at a group of girls who are point at me and laughing, so I decide to start moving again.

I roll my eyes at the girls before I look back down at the ground, and continue to walk quickly towards my destination. I stare forward and try and squint to try and shield my eyes from the falling raindrops, and the water falling off my short hair. I feel my legs start to shake, and I glance down to see myself walking on a slick puddle. I watch my feet as the slip and slide on the puddles, and I catch my footing before I fall on my face. "Oh jesus!" I catch myself saying out loud as I stand straight. I look around to see if anyone caught that, and then speed walk faster. I open my purse quickly to check if my homework is still fairly dry, then snap it shut again. I look at my own feet again to make sure I dont step in anymore puddles. Before I can look up I collide with someone and drop my purse. I watch my books and papers scatter over the wet ground. "Oh god! I am so sorry!" I gush

[shadows]

Sleeking his hair back to remove them from his eye sight, he expected himself just to see the damage the rain had done. It had won if this was a battle. He was going to feel ill the next morning but right now, the important thing was that Noah knew he was at the wrong dorm. The feeling of stupidity came to him as he should have known where he was going. Even with the water in his eyes. He shook his head at himself as he returned his arms in place. The water making him feel cold. Almost returning to the winter world he just escaped a couple months ago. He looked down as he turned around towards the direction of his room. This time hoping he wasn't going to end up in some other dorm. Even worst, end up at another school. With the luck he appeared to be having today, it wouldn't be too off for it to happen. The rain was just making things so much hazier for him. Almost like hie mental radar was off or blocked off from actual reality. Although that shouldn't have been hard since he did often go to his head. This rainy day just seem to bring the bad in Noah. He had to stop himself from moving as he had to think. Was he about to go in the right direction? He was sure. The school map should have been imprinted to his head but his GPS was off.

As he was about to walk off into the sea world again, he felt a thud against him causing him to tilt over. He almost tripped onto the floor but luckily he caught himself. He turned around to witness the girl with short hair and he quickly shook his head at her. “ No no. It's my fault for just standing there.” he reassured her. His head viewed down as the things from her purse fell. “I'm sorry.” he quickly stated hoping the stranger wasn't going to be angry at him. She didn't appear to hold any sort of ill feelings right now but of course that could change. Noah quickly bent down and started to collect the fallen objects. Even the wet papers that could have been ruined. Some information could have still been retrained from some but the sooner he picked them up the better. He hastily picked up just about every paper that fell on the floor and anything else to have met the ill fortune of the collision. He gave a quick glance around the area to make sure nothing else was gone. Everything appeared to be clear as he air did not make a guest appearance to fly things away. He rose up from the ground as his eyes fell on the stranger. “I'm sorry again. I'm just bad lucky today. Is this everything?” he asked her with a nervous chuckle. If he had missed anything, guilt would have hit him. He felt like it was his fault. It was his fault. He held up her possessions towards her waiting for her to take them. He half expected a yell from her but maybe he was lucky.

Note: short.

[minihavert]

---

I feel my knee hit the pavement hard, and glance at the newly scrapped skin. "Oh goody a lovely scraped knee is just what I need right now." I mumble to myself, trying to dust off the rocks. I cringe at the burning of the cut sets in. I try and grab as many papers as I can, and try to shield them under me. I snatch the book from the puddle, and sigh. "Oh god, no it's my fault, I was staring at the ground trying to avoid falling on my face. Guess that didn't work." I sigh at the damaged papers, and look up at the guy's legs standing in front of me. I try and shake off the water from the book, and groan when it just looks as though it's getting wetter. Go figure that this would happen right after I finish my work! I shiver as the wind picks up on my bare shoulders. "I feel awful, I didn't manage to ruin anything of yours did I?" I ask as I brush off the water that's on my shoulders and thighs.

I stand up and look at the papers he's holding in his hand. There limp, and dripping wet. I take the papers from him, and smile. "Well...I'll have to re-write my essay, but thats fine. It's not your fault really, I should have got a real bag for my papers." I groan at the book that's damaged beyond belief. "It's the book I wish was in better quality." I glance down at the ground to see if I left anything. I was never really a clumsy girl, but this was just embarrassing. I bite my lip, and try to stop the blood rushing to my cheeks. I wipe of the water from my chest, and shiver again. I look around at the people staring at me, and I try to shrug them off. I look him up and down quickly, trying to bite back the urge of telling him how good he looks. "Thank you though, I'm Mini." I point my hand in his direction and cock my head to the left and smile sweetly. I shake my head, and put my hand on my forehead. "Oh i'm so stupid, you must be going somewhere right?" I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand, and squint in the rain. I feel my body start to shake more, and not stop this time. I cross my arms quickly over my chest to try and warm up. Just in case I could look even more stupid, I'll just stand here and shake like i'm having a seizure. I try and smile as my teeth start to chatter.

---

[shadows]

“No no, really. It was my fault.” he waved his hands around hastily as nothing was her fault. It really wasn't in his head. If he hadn't been lost in some sort of puddle fantasy, he would have noticed where he was standing and not caused this collision. That how he was applying his logic for this situation. The girl seemed annoyed by the the incident as well as anyone should be added some more responsibility to his plate. He was truly feeling guilty by this and just couldn't stand there and not do anything about it. Even without the feelings of guilt, it was in his nature just to help her out . Even though she was a stranger and hadn't seen her before, that was just the person he was. “No, nothing. But don''t worry about my things.” he reassured her as his things were safely tucked in his backpack. Either way, her paper would have been of higher importance than his. Fulling knowing not everything was going to be perfect picture as it was before. “I'm sorry. Really I am.” he told her again. Making it a point for her to know he truly was feeling bad about this. His facial expression showing that he was sincerely feeling all this.

Taking note of her smile, it removed some of the pressure he was feeling as she took her work away from he hands. He expected the area just to be safe. Better than having the most important paper gone right? Maybe she wasn't angry like he originally thought? The guilt in his face was slowly become erased. “ Really it is. I just feel bad about it.” he admitted. With her mention of the book, his eyes went straight toward it trying to check the damage of it. It looked pretty bad off. Almost like it hadn't seen the light for 300 years. “What book was it?” curiosity was in his voice. Maybe he had a spare copy of the book to give to her? Maybe he could find it to replace it. Either way he needed to find a way to get a book. As his ears also picked up on an assignment she had, it added more to his head. How much did she had to do? “Paper, about what? I could always help.” he already ruined something and homework couldn't be something he wanted to get her in trouble for. No couldn't have been an answer from her. He was determined to get this girl back to the place whee she was before the incident. It was just what he wanted to do.“Oh it's not a problem.” he returned her smile back. This was a symbol of things getting better at least for him. “Pleasure to meet you Mini. I'm Noah.” he nodded to her as a form of a greeting. Meeting someone new was always a good thing. “I wish it would have been in better conditions.” he rubbed the back of his neck as an embarrassed look appeared on his face. He meant the rain and the way the paper fell all over because this wasn't the best way to introduce yourself to someone. “No, no. I was just heading back to my dorm to hide from the rain but it didn't work.” he stated as a small chuckle escaped from him and then his lips formed a smile. A way to reassure her that she shouldn't have felt stupid. He was wet like a rag, the reason for the laugh. A chilly wind gusted through the scene giving Noah the chills. He shivered. He felt a sneeze coming on, so he covered up with the crock of his elbow letting it out.” Excuse me, sorry.”

Note: short.

[minihavert]

I try and stop my body from shaking, and just give up letting my body do what it wants. I look up to see if there is any sign of it clearing up. "Guess it's going to be raining overnight like this." I sighed look down at the now ripping papers, and decided I would be better off just tossing them. I threw the damaged papers into my purse, and left the ones that seemed so only have a bit of water damage in my arms. "It really was not your fault though. I should keep my head up, and stop worry about frozen toes." I laugh, and wipe my shoulders again. I looked at him, and scanned his face. He looked concerned. I reached out and patted his forearm. "It's really my fault, so don't worry about it." I smile sweetly at him. I snap my purse shut again, and pat the side. "Maybe it will stay shut long enough for me to get these dry." I laugh, and hold the book closer to my chest.

I stared at the ruined book, and bite my lip. "It my copy of 'As you like it.' By William Shakespeare." I cheerfully said, but my mood plummeted once I get a glance at the book. "It sounds lame, but I've read his play so many times. It's one of my favorites. I was supposed to write an essay about my favorite book, and instead I decided to do it on my favorite play. Seems this was karma's way of telling me not to do that." I laugh, and look down at the damaged papers. "Actually, do you know a really excellent book I could read today? I need to get this essay done tonight, which seems impossible." I laugh, and brush the water off my hair. "I know that sounds like a weird thing to ask, but I just took all my used books to the hospital." I wipe underneath my eyes, and smile to myself. 'Thank god for waterproof mascara.' I bite my lip to fight the urge to laugh. "Well, no use crying over soaking papers." I smile at him. "It's really nice to meet you Noah." I looked down for a brief second and got a glimpse of my knee. "Oh shoot, do you by chance have a band aid, or two on you?" I asked as I bent down again to try and clean up the blood that now had trickled down my shin. "This really is not my afternoon. Though meeting you was not so bad." I giggled to myself. 'Oh smooth Min, Just flirt with him while you're trying to stop the bleeding. Really attractive.' I thought to myself.

[shadows]

His eyesight took notice of her shivering from the cold of the weather. If he had some sort of jacket, one that wasn't wet, he would have offered it to her but he wasn't in that position to offer the luxury. His body had the same shivers as well we the cold air and wet skins didn't mix in well with him. “Really? Good time for a hot chocolate though.” a small grin formed from his lips as his imagination took to a place of warmth with just the small thought of the hot beverage. With his eyes keeping track of her papers, he instantly noticed Mini rushing the papers away. “So was your homework ruined or something?” He became curious as what exactly did he pick up. He didn't read anything, well anything that was readable just because they were her paper and they may have been private. “It's my fault really. If I weren't here, you wouldn't have crashed.” a small apologetic smile appeared on his expression as he was trying to make her see it was indeed his fault. With her smile appearing, his widened as none of the angry ideas he had in his mind before were manifesting right now.”That or we can get a time machine and reverse this moment.” he jested as his head tilted to the side, seemingly half serious to the idea. “But I hope noting important was washed away. Was it?” he asked with sincerity in his eyes. Again not wanting to put Mini somewhere where she had to rush to redo any sort of writing.

Noah looked up as he tried to recall if he had any copy of such book from any of his previous English classed. He did some have some Shakespeare plays but that particular one was not in his library. The internet could have been a solution however but he raised his brow as she mentioned calling her book lame. “I don't think it's lame. I think it's pretty cool.” he really didn't see where the “lame” in this was. If someone loved something, they should just get into it. Not think about how others would react. “It wasn't you. My karma is just so bad, it pulled you in.” he was half joking. He didn't actually consider his karma but he was the reason for the mess. His eyes widened in disbelief as his ears picked up on her needing to get the essay done today. Wow did Noah feel responsible now. “ I got Catcher in the Rye, Great Gatsby, and Brave New World. But if you don't like any of those. We can find the text online and then I can get you a copy of the book later.” he already made up his mind on getting her a new edition to the book. “How is that weird? I think that's pretty charitable. I'm sure the kids will love it. I probably should be bowing right now” he gave her another smile. If she was already donating her things to the hospitals, he should have probably get that book of her's quickly. “Like wise.” he gave her another nod right before she asked for the band aid. “No I don.'t. Sorry.” he expected her cut trying to see the damage of what he had done. “I could get you one though.” he offered, going to some store in the rain to find it. “Oh thank you.” he said brightly as he didn't really know what else to say.

Note: .

[minihavert]

I smile when he mentions hot chocolate, and lick my lips. "Well how about I buy you a hot chocolate? It's the least I can do." I suggest with a smile. I think about the hours that I spent of my essay, and place the less damaged papers inside the book. "Well, only a few papers, but it really is not a big deal for me. It shouldn't take to long to do it over. Just a few math problems." I tug the book under my arm. I giggle at his joke about the time machine, and nod. "Time machine would be fantastic for everything but this moment." I sigh, and clutch my book harder. "Nope, maybe a few notes for my nursing course, but nothing that I can't get back." She didn't mind doing the course work over, it gives her more time to study.

I trace my fingers over the wrinkled cover of the book, and smile. This book has been through so many things with me thats its hard to just toss it away. I suppose I could just go buy a new copy, but it wouldn't have the same memories as this one. "Really? I've never heard anyone think that Shakespeare was cool to be honest. I have a lot of people telling me how boring and confusing it is." She cringed at the thought of telling people her hobbies, and favorite things to do. I laugh, and shake my head. "Maybe be have equally bad karma and it told us to do something good for someone else. Hence the crash meeting." I tilt my head, and smile. I'm not used to joking with people yet, but I felt like I was doing pretty good in this moment. "I've read a bit of Catcher in the Rye, but couldn't get into it. Maybe i'll just go buy a new copy of Pride and Prejudice, I haven't read that in so long." I knew that Pride and Prejudice is probably already three different kids favorite book in the class, but she didn't feel like reading anything else. "Charitable yes, but I really just didn't have any more space in my room for them. It already took up most of my closet, and two bookshelves full." I try and hide my cheeks flushing a bright red color. I've never told anyone about my book addiction, and it felt good to tell someone. I look at my hand that is now stained red. "Could you? That would be awesome, I have to walk home, and its a good hour and a half walk from here." She didn't like the fact that she was asking him for something when she just met him. I stand up, and cross my foot over the other.