It was one of those spring days where the rain felt more personal than atmospheric. Leo had just finished his last lecture of the week and made the regrettable decision to walk to the bookstore instead of heading straight home. Now, he stood at the entrance, soaked from the knees down, his flimsy umbrella lying broken in a nearby trash can. His bag of newly purchased novels - his weekend salvation - was clutched to his chest like a lifeline.
"Looks like the weather's got beef with you too," a voice said.
Leo turned and blinked up at the boy standing beside him. He was taller by just a few inches, wearing a denim jacket now speckled with rain. The boy held a large, sturdy red umbrella that somehow managed to keep every drop off him. His dark hair curled slightly at the ends from the dampness, and his smile was bright enough to rival the sun they were all missing today.
"I guess I offended the rain gods," Leo muttered with a tired smile.
"I'm Kai," the boy said, stepping closer and angling the umbrella to shield Leo. "You live nearby?"
Leo nodded. "Couple blocks from here."
"Well, it's either share my umbrella or wait here 'til summer," Kai said with a shrug, "and I've got snacks at home, so I vote we walk."
Leo hesitated only a second before stepping under the umbrella with him. It was a snug fit, their arms brushing as they walked. The warmth from Kai's body was oddly comforting. They fell into conversation easily, like old friends who'd just forgotten each other's names. Kai was studying photography. He talked about lighting and moods the way Leo talked about character development and plot twists. Leo listened, fascinated.
"You read a lot?" Kai asked.
"Too much," Leo replied with a small laugh. "Books are safer than people."
"That's fair," Kai said. "But people surprise you sometimes. Some are like? books that don't have a cover. You don't know if it's fantasy or tragedy until you're already halfway through."
Leo looked up at him, startled by the unexpected depth in his words. "What kind of book are you, then?"
Kai grinned. "A soft boy romance. Plot twist? The main character falls for the shy reader."
Leo flushed and looked away, but the smile on his face wouldn't leave. "Sounds like a bestseller."
They reached Leo's apartment building all too soon. The rain hadn't let up, but Leo was dry, his heart oddly full. They stood in the entranceway, the red umbrella dripping quietly beside them.
"I, um? I had fun," Leo said, biting his lip.
"Me too," Kai replied. "Hey, maybe I could give you my number? Y'know, in case your umbrella betrays you again."
Leo laughed. "I think I'd like that."
Kai pulled out a pen from his jacket pocket and scribbled his number on Leo's bookstore receipt, adding a tiny smiley face at the end.
After they said their goodbyes, Leo watched him disappear down the sidewalk, red umbrella bobbing like a flame against the gray street.
Later, curled up in bed with a warm blanket and a book he couldn't focus on, Leo looked at the receipt again. He couldn't stop smiling.
Maybe people could be safer than books - if they smiled like Kai and showed up when you least expected them.
