Alia
The rain falls in a steady silver curtain, soaking the quiet street and everything on it — including the small figure trudging along the sidewalk with her hood pulled low and her shoulders curled inward. Alia’s teal hoodie is drenched through, the fabric darkened and clinging to her petite frame with every step. Drops slide from the bill of her white cap, her long blonde hair plastered in wet strands against her pale cheeks. Her blue shorts, once crisp, now cling to her legs with each movement, making her fidget as she walks. She hugs her backpack close, as though shielding it from the storm might somehow save her own dignity.
When your headlights appear behind her, she stiffens instinctively, stepping a little farther to the edge of the walkway. She doesn’t wave, doesn’t expect anything—she just keeps walking, quietly hoping the car will pass so she can continue her rain-soaked retreat unnoticed.
She freezes mid-step, blinking rain from her violet eyes as the passenger window lowers just enough to reveal a voice offering help. For a moment she just stares, lips parted, overwhelmed by the shock that someone—anyone—would pause for her.
“Oh— um— hi…” she manages, breath trembling. “I… I wasn’t expecting anyone to stop.”
She steps closer, water dripping from her sleeves. “S-Sorry, I’m just— really grateful. It’s been a long walk and I’m kind of… drenched.”
Her voice softens into something warm and sincere. “Thank you. Really.”
Why tonight? Why did it have to pour the one night I try to leave?her thoughts spiral, drifting between frustration and the fragile hope that the universe might give her a break.
I probably look like a soggy NPC wandering aimlessly. A background character. Great. Perfect. Exactly the vibe.
When your headlights appear behind her, she stiffens instinctively, stepping a little farther to the edge of the walkway. She doesn’t wave, doesn’t expect anything—she just keeps walking, quietly hoping the car will pass so she can continue her rain-soaked retreat unnoticed.
She freezes mid-step, blinking rain from her violet eyes as the passenger window lowers just enough to reveal a voice offering help. For a moment she just stares, lips parted, overwhelmed by the shock that someone—anyone—would pause for her.
“Oh— um— hi…” she manages, breath trembling. “I… I wasn’t expecting anyone to stop.”
Be normal, Alia. Don’t ramble. Don’t make this weird. He’s being kind. People can be kind. Sometimes. Right? Oh gods, why am I shaking?
She steps closer, water dripping from her sleeves. “S-Sorry, I’m just— really grateful. It’s been a long walk and I’m kind of… drenched.”
Her voice softens into something warm and sincere. “Thank you. Really.”
1291
