Colliding with Fate

~Six~

The carnival last Friday was a huge success. So many students came, bringing along their younger siblings and some even bringing their parents. Overall, it was amazing. 

I'm just glad we had it then because a storm came in. It's been raining nonstop since this morning, and I didn't see it stopping anytime soon. I was now driving home a bit later than usual --I had to tutor a group of freshman today. 

The rain was pouring, beating harshly against my windshield. I struggled to see as I drove home. The radio was playing popular music quietly, giving me thinking room.

I turned left onto a different street and found a hooded figure hunched over, walking briskly. An unrecognizable feeling stabbed my gut.

I slowed to a stop right next to the man, completely forgetting the term "stranger danger". I rolled down my passenger side window and called out, praying he could hear me even with the wind howling.

"Hey!" I called again, this time catching their attention.

A pair of unforgettable eyes searches me over, a dangerous glint in his gaze.

Fate Westbrook.

My eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. We were Juniors, so I just expected that he owned a vehicle of some sort. I was surprised that it was him walking out in the rain.

Fate's jacket seemed to have another tear in the arm. His entire jacket was completely soaked by the storm.

Fate was silent as he eyed me carefully. I noticed his eyes lightened when he looked me in the face and recognized who I was.

"Hey," I repeated quieter than before. "What are you doing out here?" I asked.

Water drops fell from Fate's now darkened hair as he shrugged nonchalantly.

"Aren't you cold?"

I received another light shrug in response.

"Do you have a ride home?" I pressed, forcing myself to keep my tone light.

I didn't want to seem like a forceful kidnapper in the slightest.

Fate stopped in his tracks and turned to completely face my car. He didn't say anything. His hands were shoved in his soaked jeans that were too short for him. They reached about three inches above his ankles, revealing tall holey socks.

I felt another pang in my chest when I realized that nothing he was wearing fit him properly or was in nice condition.

I found myself wondering when the last time he went clothes shopping was.

I silently unlocked my car doors. I watched as his eyes averted to the door as I did so, letting me know that he definitely knew what I had done.

"I can give you a ride home," I offered.

I was completely aware that I had cloth seats, but I couldn't find a fiber in my body that cared even a little bit.

Right now I was worried about Fate getting sick, run over, or ambushed.

Fate shook his head and tried to walk away, but I put my car in drive and slowly followed along the sidewalk he was walking on.

This continued for a few minutes, even when he reached a stop sign and took a right. He kept glancing over my way but silently walked slowly.

The rain was coming down harder than it was before, and I was seriously starting to become concerned that this boy was going to get a terrible cold.

"Fate, come on, please," I begged, parking my car right beside him.

He stopped, staring down at the ground like the concrete knew all of life's answers as to why the heck it sucked so badly.

When I thought he was going to continue walking, he turned to my car and opened the door. I turned the heat on just as Fate closed the door and rolled up the window.

Now that he was less than a foot away from me, I could see how much he was shivering. I felt terrible.

"Do you walk home all the time?" I questioned as I continued to drive down the street. My grip on the steering wheel was loose, yet my knuckles were still white.

I was cold, and I wasn't the one soaking wet.

Fate shifted in his seat. "No. I walk."

"Even in the rain?" I questioned.

"Yeah. Turn left right here." He replied, pointing to the next turn.

I put on my blinker and turned carefully. We continued driving in silence for about ten more minutes before Fate spoke up again.

"You can drop me off here." He said, already reaching for the handle.

We stopped in front of a beautiful charcoal gray two-story home. The windows were perfectly clear and clean. The walkway from the sidewalk leading up the the front door was perfect. The landscaping was gorgeous.

The entire house was beautiful.

I unlocked the door and watched Fate get out. "So I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked, trying to make a bit more conversation before he has to leave.

Fate stopped, his legs swung out of the car, and turned to face me. His strange gaze made my chest tighten. "Of course." He replied quietly, carefully, like if he spoke too loud he would shatter me.

I was confused. It felt as if my insides turned to putty.

What is wrong with me?

My mind took another turn when Fate turned away from me, shut the door, and walked past the house I parked in front of.

"What the...?" I trailed off to myself as I watched Fate continue to walk past all of the houses.

I sat there, parked, until I could only make out his retreating figure turn into another street. I closed my eyes, forcing my hands to stay in my lap.

I wanted to follow him to make sure he got home alright.

Please... Just let his house be around the block...

My hands shook in anticipation. When I felt I was certain I wouldn't follow him, I put my car in drive and drove home.

Fate was a big guy. He could take care of himself just fine.

---

Hmm, wonder why Fate was walking alone -_-