Not So Bad After All (BWWM)(EDITING)

Chapter Nine: Storm- Part One

Not So Bad After All
Book One
Chapter Nine
Storm- Part One
Rose's POV
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I took off in a sprint, my sneakers splashing through puddles as the icy rain soaked through my sweater. The wind howled, pushing against me so hard I nearly lost my balance. My hood barely did anything to keep me dry—my hair was already drenched, and my clothes clung to me like a second skin.

Thunder cracked overhead, so loud it rattled in my chest, and the rain only seemed to come down harder, stinging against my skin like tiny needles.

I needed to get out of this storm now.

The park wasn't far, and I knew there was a gazebo in the center. If I could just make it there, I'd have a little bit of shelter—at least enough to pull out my phone and call my parents.

I pushed forward, my breath coming in short gasps as I ran toward the only place that could keep me dry.

"Mom?" I yelled into the phone, my voice barely cutting through the heavy rain. "Ma, can you hear me?"

"I can hear you, Rose!" she said, her voice laced with worry. "Where are you?"

"I'm at the park! I got caught in the storm—can you pick me up?"

"They're not letting us on the roads, honey! I'm stuck at work!"

Panic flared in my chest. "Are you serious? This storm's getting worse—I need to get home before it does! Have you talked to Dad?"

"Yes, he's okay, but he's stuck at work too!" she assured me quickly. "Listen to me, Rose. I need you to get home as fast as you can, okay?"

"Okay, I will!"

"And stay away from the windows when you get there!"

"Away from the windows, got it!"

"Good. I love you, sweetheart!"

"I love you too, Ma!"

I ended the call, my heart hammering against my ribs. The rain still poured around me, the wind howling like a warning. My mom's voice had been tight with worry, and that only made me more anxious. If they weren't letting people on the roads, that meant this storm was serious.

I needed to get home—fast.

I took a deep breath, bracing myself. The park wasn't far from my neighborhood, but in this weather, it might as well have been miles away. Every instinct in me screamed to stay under the gazebo where I had at least some protection, but I couldn't wait this storm out.

I zipped up my soaked sweater, pulled my hood tighter over my head, and paused...

I noticed headlights cutting through the heavy downpour, slicing through the darkness like a beacon. A car sped into the parking lot and skidded to an abrupt stop. My fingers tightened around my phone as I watched someone jump out and jog toward me.

I froze. My body locked up, paralyzed by fear. Move! Run! Do something! But my feet refused to cooperate.

"Rose?" A familiar voice called out over the storm.

The tall, broad figure came into focus, rain streaming down his face.

"Jayden?" I exhaled, my pulse still racing.

"Yeah, it's me!"

"What the fuck? You scared the shit outta me!" I admitted, punching his arm lightly.

He smirked, wiping rain from his face. "Then why didn't you run away, stupid?"

I just glared at him, having no real good answer besides- I froze...