Neon

He sat quietly on the curb, watching the swirling rain get sucked into the drain. It was a new city, a new state, a new life - but new can be so lonely sometimes, he thought. The storm had come on fast; he had been walking aimlessly through the twisting, convoluted streets when the rain began to pour. He stared up at the sky, catching raindrops in his mouth and blinking them out of his eyes. Maybe I'll drown myself in the rain, he thought. I am so sick of starting over.1

It was the time of day when the sun would be setting, if the thick clouds weren't covering the sky like a massive winter blanket. He could imagine the reds and oranges, the faint pink blush upon the cheeks of the universe - could imagine them, but couldn't see them. The world was grey and blurred by the rain. He watched his face ripple in the water running into the drain and wondered if it was true what people said about ripples in reality - everything you do affects even strangers. It seems unlikely, he thought.2

Suddenly, a flash of orange, pink, and red entered his vision. It was bobbing up and down, floating above a neon green bubble. He squinted through the driving rain as the bubble approached. I think I'm going insane, he thought, as the bubble sat next to him. It was a girl wearing a green sweatshirt, holding a pretty plastic umbrella, snapping bubble gum as she moved it to cover both of their heads.3

"I really don't think it's going to help you at this point," she said, "but I think I'll share my umbrella with you."4

He stared at her, stunned. What do I do? he thought desperately. She had chin-length hair tinted blue and eyes so green he thought he was looking into a leprochaun's dream. 5

"Thanks?" he said slowly.6

"Yes," she said innocently, eyes wide, "you do thank someone when they do something nice for you. But you're welcome anyway. I'm Becky, by the way." She held her hand out, and it looked small and fragile in their dry, plastic covered haven. He shook it, trying not to stare at her with what he was certain was a look befitting an idiot.7

"I'm Andrew," he said. "I'm new around here." She stared back at him, still obnoxiously snapping her gum. What is she thinking about? he thought blindly.8

"Really?" she asked, not breaking her gaze. "Then I'm in luck, aren't I?"9

"Wha--" he started to ask as she grabbed his hand and yanked him up.10

"Let's go somewhere," she shouted to him. He stood still, confused, while she gestured for him to come on. Sighing, she grabbed his hand again and began to drag him through side streets and alleyways, yelling unintelligible things until they arrived at a neon-lit wonderland. There were lights and advertisements screaming at his eyes and the rain continued to soak through his clothes despite the coverage of the umbrella. She stopped in front of a bar with a sign in red letters warning against underage drinkers. Standing in the doorway, she closed the umbrella and winked at him. "Thirsty?" she asked.11

They entered the bar and were greeted by hostile bikers shooting pool. She glared at them and sauntered up to the bar. He followed helplessly, trying to imitate her intimidating stare.12

"Hey, Chuck, can we have two drinks?" she asked politely. The bartender winked at her and tossed two glasses down the bar. She laughed, grabbed them, and pointed to a table. He sat down awkwardly, still unsure of what to do.13

"This is where it's at," she said, taking a sip of her drink. "Everybody wishes they could get in here, but Chuck throws everyone out but me. And you," she added quickly, her green eyes glinting mischieviously.14

"Well, thanks, then," he said. "I'm glad I met you."15

She grinned at him, drumming her fingernails on the table. "You should be."16

He was quiet. I don't know what to say to this girl, he thought despairingly. She is beautiful and she bought me a drink and she looks interested and I can't say anything. 17

"So where do you come from?"18

"Oh, I'm from --" he started to say, then stopped himself. "I'm from a long way from here," he finished, sighing. 19

She laughed, a sound like twinkling Christmas lights and windchimes blowing in the breeze. "The mysterious man. I think I like that," she said, smiling. He laughed, his confidence growing. He looked around the bar. License plates and street signs covered the walls, and pool balls cracked against eachother above the light country music playing over the stereo. She was mindlessly ripping sugar packets apart, nodding her head to the music and watching the pool players. He watched her silently, wondering about her.20

"Hey," she said suddenly.21

"Hm?" 22

"Let me show you the coolest place in this god-forsaken town."23

"I thought this was it?" he said, raising his eyebrows.24

"Oh no," she said, grinning. "There's this other place that only I know about."25

"Oh really?" he asked, laughing. "I'm intrigued."26

She laughed quickly, embarrassed. "Come on." She touched his hand and then drew away, blushing.27

"Lead me on," he said, holding his hand out as if he was blind.28

She waved to Chuck as they walked into the pounding rain. Within moments, she was soaked, but she didn't open her umbrella. She ran and danced in the falling water, beckoning for him to join her. She looks like an angel, he thought. A bright light in this darkness.29

"Don't tell me you've never danced in the rain," she called out, laughing as she jumped and spun through the streets. Running back to him, she pulled on his arm until he jogged alongside her. "It's a part of living," she whispered, her eyes glowing in the rain. "You have to try it at least once."30

"What if I don't know how to dance?"31

"I'll teach you." She took his hand and spun underneath it, her hair flying. "Now just do what I do." She waved her hands and twirled slowly, concentrating on a song that played in only her head. Somehow it was filled with grace and rhythm, and she looked like a vision from a dream, a candle blowing in a breeze in the depths of night. He mimicked her, awkward and slow, and she giggled, taking him by the hand and looking up into his eyes. They were silent for a moment, lost in eachother's gaze. 32

"I've never danced before," he whispered, embarrassed.33

"I know," she replied, smiling.34

She led him into a forest, climbing over saturated logs and under branches dripping with water droplets. "This is it," she said shyly.35

There was a pond rippling in the now-drizzling rain and trees as high as he could see. He could feel the life breathing out of the trees and he felt like he was bubbling over with an unknown emotion. His heart was full for the first time in a long time, and as he glanced at her, he knew why. She was sitting on a log and staring into the pond. He walked slowly and sat down beside her.36

"You know, I've never shown anyone this place," she said. "I don't know why I showed it to you. I don't even know you. But somehow, somehow..." her voice trailed off as she looked up into his eyes. "Somehow, it feels right."37

He looked back at her, silent, lost in thought. She touched his hand and then pulled away, her face turning red. He reached over and grabbed it back, looking at it as it was lost in his, so fragile and pale. She looked up at him, her eyes full of wonder. "Is this real?" she asked.38

"I've been thinking the same thing," he admitted. "But there's only one way to know for sure."39

"What's that?" she asked quietly. He looked into her eyes for a second, and then put his hand to her cheek. Slowly, he knelt his head down to hers and kissed her softly. She hesitated. "Are you sure?" she whispered.40

"I've never been so sure of anything in my whole life," he said. He looked down at her again and gently brushed another kiss onto her lips.41

"Me neither," she said happily, leaning into him.