CHAPTER 7: RAIN BETWEEN CLASSES
The morning started with chaos.
It usually did when Mira was the first person to speak.
"Attention everyone," she announced dramatically as she dropped her bag onto the desk.
Kai didn't even look up from his phone.
"No."
Jaden raised an eyebrow.
"Did we agree to pay attention?"
Mira ignored them and pointed at Liora.
"Our photographer has been secretly collecting photos."
Liora blinked.
"That's literally the project."
Kai leaned forward suspiciously.
"How many do we have now?"
Liora pulled out a small stack of Polaroids from her bag.
"Eight."
Jaden nodded thoughtfully.
"Not bad."
Evren glanced at the photos as she spread them across the desk.
Students laughing in the hallway.
Kai looking confused in the courtyard.
Jaden pretending to read a book like a serious scholar.
The rooftop group photo from yesterday.
For a moment, Evren looked at that one a little longer than the others.
Five people.
Same place.
Same moment.
Mira suddenly leaned across the desk and squinted at him.
"Evren."
He looked up.
"What."
"Why are you staring at that one like it's a masterpiece?"
Evren pushed the photo back toward Liora.
"I'm not staring."
"You were definitely staring."
Kai nodded.
"Suspicious behavior."
Jaden looked unimpressed.
"Extremely suspicious."
Liora gathered the photos quickly.
"Focus, people. We still need more pictures."
Kai groaned loudly.
"Why does this project involve walking?"
"Because life involves walking," Liora replied.
"That sounds fake."
Before anyone could argue further, the classroom door opened and their teacher stepped in.
The conversation died immediately.
Well—mostly.
Mira was still whispering complaints about homework.
The lesson passed slowly.
Kai spent half the class drawing random doodles.
Mira passed notes across the table.
Jaden actually took notes like a responsible student.
Liora occasionally glanced at the window.
Dark clouds were gathering outside.
Evren noticed.
"Rain," he said quietly.
She looked outside again.
"…Good."
Evren frowned slightly.
"Good?"
"Rain photos look beautiful."
He sighed.
"I should've known."
By the time the final bell rang that afternoon, the sky had turned gray.
Students poured out of the building in a rush.
Kai stretched dramatically.
"Freedom."
Mira grabbed her bag.
"Food first."
Jaden nodded.
"Always."
Liora stepped outside and immediately looked up at the sky.
The first raindrops started falling.
Her expression brightened instantly.
Evren closed his eyes briefly.
"Of course."
Mira noticed.
"Oh no."
Kai groaned.
"She's about to do something."
Too late.
Liora had already lifted her camera.
Click.
The flash lit up briefly against the cloudy sky.
Students rushed past them toward buses and cars.
Some opened umbrellas.
Others ran through the rain laughing.
Click.
Another photo.
Mira watched with mild concern.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"It's perfect lighting," Liora said.
Kai looked at Evren.
"You're definitely carrying the equipment again."
Evren adjusted the strap of the bag on his shoulder.
"I accepted my fate yesterday."
Jaden shook his head.
"Tragic."
The rain slowly grew heavier.
Mira stepped backward under the school entrance roof.
"I'm not getting soaked."
Kai joined her immediately.
"Same."
Jaden followed them.
"We'll wait for it to stop."
Liora was still standing a few steps away, watching the rain fall across the courtyard.
Click.
Another Polaroid.
Evren walked over to her.
"You're going to get drenched."
She shrugged.
"It's just rain."
A few seconds later, she turned toward him.
"Walk home with me?"
Evren hesitated.
Behind them, Mira shouted from under the roof.
"WE'RE NOT WALKING IN THAT."
Kai nodded aggressively.
"Absolutely not."
Jaden looked comfortable leaning against the wall.
"We'll wait here."
Liora glanced back at them.
"Suit yourselves."
Then she started walking toward the school gate.
Evren sighed.
"Lio."
She turned.
"What?"
"You don't even have an umbrella."
She smiled slightly.
"You do."
Evren looked down at the umbrella in his hand.
Then back at her.
"…You planned this."
She didn't deny it.
A moment later, the two of them stepped out into the rain.
Evren opened the umbrella above them.
The sound of rain hitting the fabric was soft but steady.
They walked slowly down the street.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Students rushed past them in the opposite direction.
Cars splashed water along the road.
The whole city seemed quieter in the rain.
Liora suddenly stepped slightly closer under the umbrella.
"You're standing too far away."
Evren glanced at her.
"I'm literally right here."
"You're letting the rain hit your shoulder."
"It's fine."
She grabbed the umbrella handle and pulled it slightly toward him.
"Ren."
"What."
"You're getting wet."
He looked at the umbrella.
Then at her.
"…You noticed."
"Of course I noticed."
They adjusted their positions slightly so both of them fit better underneath.
The rain continued falling softly around them.
Liora watched the droplets bouncing against the pavement.
Then she suddenly lifted her camera again.
Click.
Evren blinked.
"What did you photograph?"
She showed him the photo.
The reflection of streetlights in a puddle.
The rain creating small ripples across the surface.
"…Okay," he admitted quietly.
"That one's good."
She smiled.
They continued walking.
After a while, Liora spoke again.
"Ren."
"What."
"This project is actually fun."
Evren looked ahead at the rainy street.
"You've said that before."
"And you didn't believe me."
"I still don't."
She laughed softly.
For a moment, Evren glanced at her again.
Rainwater clung to the ends of her hair.
Her camera was hanging from her shoulder.
She looked completely absorbed in the moment.
Like she always did.
Evren looked forward again quickly.
"…You're impossible."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing."
They continued walking through the rain.
And somewhere behind them, another quiet memory was being added to the collection of photos Liora kept carefully in her bag.