Rain loved the rain. She loved how it made everything look gray and gloomy, just like her hair and clothes. She loved how it sounded on the roof and the windows, like a soothing lullaby. She loved how it felt on her skin, cold and refreshing. She loved how it washed away the dirt and the dust, leaving everything clean and fresh.

Rain hated the sun. She hated how it made everything look bright and cheerful. She hated how it dried up the rain, leaving everything hot and sticky. She hated how it faded the colors and the shadows, making everything dull and boring.

One day, Rain decided to go for a walk in the rain. She put on her favorite smokey blue top, light blue skirt and brown shoes, and grabbed her black umbrella. She stepped outside and smiled as she felt the raindrops on her face. She walked along the streets, enjoying the sight of the dark clouds and the puddles. She felt happy and free.

She didn’t notice the girl who was walking towards her from the opposite direction. She had pink hair that looked like cotton candy, a white dress with red polka dots, and purple boots. She carried a heart-shaped umbrella that matched her earrings. She walked along the streets, enjoying the sight of the rainbows and the butterflies. She felt happy and free.

She noticed Rain as soon as she saw her. She was amazed by her gray blue hair that looked like rain, her smokey blue top, light blue skirt and brown shoes. She wondered what she was like, why she dressed so uniquely from everyone else. She wanted to befriend her, to share her joy with her.

She walked up to her and said hello.

Rain looked at her and frowned. She saw her pink hair that looked like cotton candy, her white dress with red polka dots, and purple boots. She wondered what she was like, why she dressed so girly in such a gloomy day. She didn’t want to befriend her, to let her spoil her fun.

She walked past her and said nothing.

The girl was surprised and disappointed by her reaction. She didn’t understand why she ignored her, why she seemed so unhappy. She felt curious and intrigued by her.

She followed her and said hello again.

Rain turned around and glared at her. She saw her heart-shaped umbrella that matched her earrings. She felt annoyed and irritated by her.

She snapped at her and said go away.

The girl was hurt and confused by her words. She didn’t know why she was so rude to her, why she seemed so angry. She felt sad and rejected by her.

She stopped following her and said sorry.

Rain kept walking and didn’t look back. She thought she was gone for good. She felt relieved and satisfied by herself.

She didn’t notice that the girl was still watching her from a distance. She saw how Rain walked into a park and sat on a bench under a big tree. She saw how Rain opened her umbrella and hugged it close to her chest. She saw how Rain looked lonely and sad.

The girl felt a pang of sympathy and compassion for her. She realized that Rain was not really happy and free, but rather lonely and misunderstood. She realized that Rain needed a friend, someone who could understand her and accept her for who she was. She realized that she wanted to be that friend.

She decided to give it one more try. She walked up to Rain and sat next to her on the bench. She smiled at her and said hello.

Rain looked at her and sighed. She saw her smile and heard her hello. She felt tired and weary of her.

She rolled her eyes and said what do you want.

The girl said I want to be your friend.

Rain said why.

The girl said because I think you’re interesting and cool.

Rain said you don’t even know me.

The girl said I want to know you.

Rain said you won’t like me.

The girl said I already like you.

Rain said you’re lying.

The girl said I’m not lying.

Rain said prove it.

The girl said how.

Rain said give me your umbrella.

The girl said what.

Rain said give me your umbrella.

The girl hesitated for a moment, then handed her umbrella to Rain.

Rain took the umbrella and opened it. She saw the heart-shaped canopy and the colorful patterns. She felt a surge of curiosity and amusement by it.

She looked at the girl and said this is your umbrella?

The girl nodded and said yes.

Rain said why do you have a heart-shaped umbrella?

The girl shrugged and said I like hearts.

Rain said why do you like hearts?

The girl smiled and said because they’re cute and sweet.

Rain said do you like everything cute and sweet?

The girl nodded and said yes.

Rain said like cotton candy?

The girl nodded and said yes.

Rain said like rainbows?

The girl nodded and said yes.

Rain said like butterflies?

The girl nodded and said yes.

Rain paused for a moment, then asked like me?

The girl nodded and said yes.

Rain blinked in surprise, then smiled in disbelief. She felt a warm feeling in her chest, something she had never felt before. She felt happy and free, but in a different way than before.

She looked at the girl and said really?

The girl nodded and said really.

Rain handed back the umbrella to the girl. She leaned closer to her and whispered thank you.

The girl whispered you’re welcome.

They sat there and chatted, as the rain continued to fall around them.