Before long, several cars stopped right in front of the cafe.
"Ah, our invitation has arrived. How about this? Leanne, do you want me to take you home? It would be too long to wait for the rain to stop." The long-haired girl offered Leanne a ride.
"No, there's no need. My house and your house are all on different paths. I'll just take a taxi home."
"Are you sure?"
Leanne nodded firmly.
"Okay, let's go home first. See you soon Leanne!"
"See you guys!" Leanne waved as her friends jogged to their respective cars. Go inside and wave to Leanne as their car drives away from the cafe.
"Naive girl."
Leanne glanced sideways. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Ray standing not far from her. Staring at her mockingly.
"Y-you… why are you even here?" Leanne asked surprised. Her heart almost jumped out when she knew Ray was in the same place as her.
"This is a public place. Anyone can be here," said Ray.
"You're following me, aren't you?" Leanne asked, probing.
Ray smiled mockingly, "I still have a lot of important things to do and I don't have time to follow a girl like you."
"W-what? A girl like me?" Leanne was offended by Ray's words. "Hey! Do you want to fuss with me? Why are you always being so rude to me anyway!" Leanne put her hands on her hips.
"Shut up. I'm not interested in talking to you." Ray muttered. He looked away from Leanne.
Leanne was getting annoyed with him. Her blood was boiling and rising to the top of her head she couldn't hold it in anymore. "You... Listen, at that time I was really silent when I saw your rude treatment to me. But, now, don't expect me to just sit around doing nothing. You…" Leanne stepped forward. Her arms crossed over her chest.
Ray turned his head, looking at Leanne who was now standing very close to her. "Go. You're not needed."
Immediately, Leanne fell silent. Close her mouth tightly. Her body was stiff like a frozen ice sculpture. And her eyes were red. She retreated steadily with shaky steps. Staring at Ray with a sad face.
Ray was surprised to see Leanne's reaction after hearing his words. He doesn't know how badly the girl was offended. What is clear, he was shocked when she saw a sad face — almost crying — that appeared on Leanne's beautiful face. The girl stepped back, further away from him.
"Leanne..."
Leanne smiled wryly. Herr'schest felt so tight that it was hard to breathe. Her tears just fell uncontrollably.
"Lean-"
Leanne turned around, her back to Ray. Then run through the rain without thinking anything. Ignoring Ray's screams calling her name. Running all the way crying under the pouring rain. She couldn't hide her pain. Just this once, let her look weak.
Go. You're not needed.
Leanne squeezed her chest which felt tight. Her body shivered from the cold. And her feet were scuffed from the high heels she was wearing. She was running aimlessly. She didn't care about her surroundings, including a car that was rushing toward Her. She could only see the light of the car's headlights shining on her, making her eyes dazzle. Her hands covered her face. And the last thing she felt was... Her body hit something.
"Go! You are not needed."
"Go! You are not welcome here!"
"Disgusting girl.. Irritating!"
"Get out of the way, idiot!"
The noises ringing in Leanne's ears made the girl's body tremble with fear. Her hands covered her ears, tears streaming down her face. Scenes from the past flashed through Leanne's mind like a fast-playing movie.
When the girl was pushed by her friend to the farthest. When she cries alone in the toilet because all her friends hate her. And when she was betrayed by her own friend because of her beautiful face. Or when she has to live alone without a friend around her. Everyone hates her because of her pretty face. Nobody wants to be friends with her.
Leanne kept shaking her head as the images of the past kept spinning in her mind. It made the fear and pain that she had been buried for a long time reappear. She hated having to admit that she had been lonely all this time. She hated having to admit that she had hated herself all along, for having a pretty face.
"Hey!"
Leanne's body was shaking even more. Sobs that make anyone who hears feel sad too. Her eyes were closed. Feeling an overwhelming feeling of dread. She wanted to go. She wanted to leave and leave the painful past behind.
"Lean..."
"Leanne..."
"Leanne!" Ray shook Leanne's body hard. The girl sobbed, her eyes closed, and her body shaking. It made him feel so worried. "Be aware!" he shook Leanne again. And suddenly, those eyes opened. Tears fell right on Ray's face, mixed with the rain that fell on them both.
Ray immediately sat up and hugged Leanne's trembling body. Rubbing the girl's back tenderly. "Calm yourself... You're safe..." He still heard Leanne's sobs that made her heartbreak. The drenched body was still shaking.
"You're safe... Don't worry... I'm here." Ray spoke softly. Provide comfort so that Leanne can calm down. "You should have looked around you idiot Ray spoke softly. Provide comfort so that Leanne can calm down.
Ray pushed Leanne's body slowly so he could see the face of the girl he was hugging at that time. Taking the strands of hair that partially covered Leanne's face back. He could clearly see Leanne's pale frightened face. His hands framed Leanne's face. "You are okay?"
Leanne was silent. Her body was still shaking. Her hands squeezed Ray's jacket tightly. As if afraid if the man left her.
"Leanne, answer me. You are okay?" Ray asked again.
"I… Don't leave me…" Leanne spoke in a weak, trembling voice.
"I'm here. Are you hurt?"
Leanne shook her head slowly.
"Good. Now, we have to get out of here." Ray stared at the cars passing in front of her. Half sitting on the side of the road with Leanne sitting on his lap. If they like it continues. They might get hit by a passing car.
Leanne refused by pressing Ray's jacket. The man rubbed Leanne's face gently. "It doesn't matter. We'll find a place to take shelter. You can get sick if it rains all the time." He lifted Leanne's body and stood up as well. Take off the jacket and put it on Leanne's shivering body. His arms wrapped around Leanne's waist.
Ray took Leanne to a small restaurant not far from where they had been and ordered two hot drinks. "Drink," Ray ordered, handing a glass of hot drink to Leanne. He helped Leanne drink. The girl's body no longer shivered like before.
"How? I am better?" Ray asked, setting the glass down on the table. Leanne nodded in response. "Sorry, it's my fault."
"It's not your fault..." Leanne spoke up. "I..."
Ray caught the sadness in Leanne's eyes. The thing that frightened the girl wasn't about her nearly getting hit by a car. But, something else. Something Ray didn't know what it was.
"Thank you, Ray," Leanne said.
"That's enough. You have to finish your drink. After this, I'll take you home." Ray said.
Leanne immediately turned to Ray, shocked. If Ray drove her all the way home. Ray will know that Alena and Leanne are the same person. What should she do?
"You don't have to take me home..."