Little Rain Never Hurt

[ian]

TAGGED: Open To Anyone
[W] For Language Maybe

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His new parents hated it when Ian did this but hell he ditched out of the house so fast when he heard there was going to be rain. But he got dressed in the long sleeved black shirt they placed out for him that morning, dark blue jeans and then slipped on his socks. He then put his own shoes on him and then was set. He didn't bother grabbing a jacket or sunglasses he just grabbed his walking stick then left. He hair was a mess since he did not bother to shower but didn't matter. His parents yelled at him to take a jacket but he was already out the door and went down the walkway. He knew direction of where he was going since he got the routine down inside of him. Turn right to head down the school then the whole elaborated design in his head as he remembered. To the left was the park, market and just the town stuff so he decided to end up at the park as normal.

He knew this walk well which he walked peacefully down the street barely using the stick to feel his way around. Just stopped every now and then when he thought he heard some car sounds before stepping across a street. Before he can hit the park the rain already began to fall which he stopped in place tilted his head towards the sky, stood there. He loved the rain, didn't care he was surely to catch a cold in the next couple days. He felt this was the only time he can see since the rain drops always sent off sound waves so he knew where things were. He smirked as the sounds all around him then proceeded to the park. No one was out there, he can hear people leaving but he knew no one would stay out there like him. As he walked along he tried to remember how many steps was it till he was at the bench. Not too far, since his walking stick hit the leg of the bench then he went felt the seat before sitting down.

The rain came down a little harder which he smiled a little since he loved the rain. His ears filled up with the sounds around him and his eyes remained closed right now as the water dripped down his face. Hair was already matted down on his head and clumped together. He slowly was getting drenched head to toe and he did not care at all. His mind slipped back to before his accident which he only remembers seeing that flash of fire coming towards him. That was the last thing he ever saw in the world was those flames coming to him. He wished he did loose his hearing too because what he heard was horrible opposed to what he saw. Father, mother, sister all screaming since he guessed the flames were attacking them too. But soon it faded out with his own screams then pure silence happened and he woke up in a funny smelling place. He thought he died and gone to heaven but no he passed out then woke up in the hospital.

God he hated the hospital smell, he tried so hard to see but he could not see a thing. Mainly for two reasons, he felt something over his eyes and also two he was not able to see anymore. The brightness of the flames coming to him blinded him by burning his retinas away. So his receptors were not there anymore and hench his blind nature now. All his eyes were was brown with the fog over them which some people felt was creepy. Most of his true friends though did not care, though he did not have many of those. With a silent sigh his head lowered and his eyes opened to look like he was just staring at the cement floor. His walking stick was placed in his lap and he sat there in silence hearing the rain. Something else picked up his sense of hearing, foot steps, but he did not make any motion or emotion that he heard someone coming. Was the unlikely chance they would stop and talk to him in the first place so he didn't bother.

[flint]

Well, what do you expect on a day like today. It had stared off just as horrible as it looked. Waking up realizing somewhere during the middle of the night you’ve kicked the warm and cozy blankets and are now lying there shaking. Well, the next logical thing to do is hop in the shower and turn it on to the hottest temperature you can stand without melting your skin right of the bones. After that quick shower Flint was dried and ready to go in 10 minutes. Really, quite a low maintenance girl, her hair was thrown up in a bun at the crown of her head, twisted around and held back by a plain black head band she’d had since forever. Her feet padded lightly against the wood floors down to the kitchen where Elm, her mother, idly sat by watching the morning news. Wait, she was watching the news? “Since when did you start watching the news, I thought you hated it, and it destroyed your inner child, or something like that?” she asked, pulling open the double doored fridge and taking out some orange juice. “That was last week. This week, I have a feeling something is going to happen.” She said, still staring at the tv. Flint rolled her eyes instinctively, “Alright.” She said puling up a bar stool beside her mother.

Elm noticed this act, and rested a hand on-top of Flint’s head, then let it fall down to the middle of her back. “How are you feeling today Hun?” she asked looking over, Elm had the same hair as her daughter, but shorter, reaching only just beneath her shoulder blades. She cared a lot for her daughter, though wasn’t always the best at handling certain situations. “I feel great, how are you?” Flint asked, easing her mothers worries. Flint knew full and well how much her mother worried about transplant rejection, and she did too, only, she had her sight back and wasn’t about to go waste it, wanting to live up every moment she could. After a brief talk about some pain in her kidney, wherever that was, and the idea of some bonding time yoga later on, Flint was itching to break away. Not that she didn’t like her mothers company, as it was the only kind she had, but there we’re so many things to see and do, even in a small town like this.

“I’m going to take Baby for a walk.” Flint said standing up, with this Baby’s ears perked up, as she laid on her tiny little doggie bed. With a little cooing Baby ran over to her, jumping eager for her walk. “Calm down.” She laughed, trying to get her butt down and sitting so that she could get the leash on her. On the third try it hooked and she grabbed a bag. “Flint, grab a coat, it’s raining!” her mom called out, right as she had one foot out the door, and Baby was already tugging fiercely. “Yeah, alright.” She agreed, going to the hall closet and pulling out the first thing with long sleeves she could get her hands on. Pulling it through her arm, then holding the leash in the other hand to get it over the other arm is when she first saw which jacket she’d grabbed. It was red with bright white poka dots on it, like a lady bug. “Oh man.” She said out loud, Flint never had much of a fashion sense, like many of the girls did. Rather it was more of a mis match throw on whatever is warm. But this was a little obvious, though she was already out the door and down the walk. There was no way Baby was going to let her go back now.

“Your so difficult.” She laughed, keeping pace with the dog. It was more dog walking human sort of thing going on. Reaching the park she threw away the bag she’d been holding, when Baby decided to ‘relieve herself’ on some old mans lawn, and let’s just say he was none to pleased about that. Finally reaching to park Baby’s eyes looked up expectantly at her, wanting to be freed from her leash. “Alright, but if you see a squirrel you’d better not take off.” She said reaching down to let her go. Flint’s eyes searched around the park, the rain had left her hair still soaking wet, and Baby was going to smell when they got home but she didn’t care, it was beautiful.

Everything was beautiful, the grass that was beginning to show itself underneath the melting snow, the trees, old and withered yet still strong and locked in place. It was Baby’s barking that caught Flint’s attention, where she saw Baby jumping up and down beside some guy sitting on the bench. “Baby NO!” she yelled, running over to get her to calm down, she ran quickly and was there very fast, she felt terrible about this, not meaning to bother anyone. Somehow she got up the courage to speak. “I am so sorry about this.” She said to the boy, kneeling down beside Baby and pushing her butt to sit down again, “That was very bad.” She said, speaking to the dog, using a harsh tone. “Really I-” she got her words choked up in her throat while one hand rested on Baby’s back, she was stunned. This boy was blind. She could tell from his eyes. “I didn’t realize you were, I mean. I-“ she shut-up before she could embarrass herself further, acting like a complete idiot. But why had she never seen him before? Never heard of another blind person in this place. And he looked so close to her age to. Suddenly she felt a need to switch places with him, while she was given her sight back he still was blind, and Flint never felt like she deserved much. But why had this guy had to lose his sight to? It wasn’t fair at all. Nothing ever was these days.

[ian]

Sitting there for a moment in the silence until he thought he heard some foot steps coming either his way or running away. He could not really tell since the rain vibrations as they fell down on the earth threw him off. So when something came to bark at him he jumped since he was of course not expecting that at all. But it was not an obvious jump out of his skin just he jerked his head to the sound. He listened to the dog bark which it sounded like one of those little dogs which he smirked. "Well hello there." He remarked to the dog but did not put his eyes down in the direction of the dog. Though he did look like he was looking at the dog since his hair was mainly covering his face. If you did look though you can tell he was not looking at the dog at all. His hands did not make any gestures towards the dog since he did not know exactly where it was. So he didn't want to make some sudden move and have it bite him.

Last thing he needed was to be bitten then have to rush somewhere then he might panic, mess up his mapping directions of where he is exactly. After a moment of the dog barking at him he heard someone yell out something which his head perked in the direction. Someone else was there? Then he thought well of course someone had to be there since the dog wouldn't just be walking around alone. The dog could of been a stray but it made logical sense someone was walking their dog. In the rain though? Guess more then just himself enjoyed the cooling drops of the water falling from the sky other then himself. His ears picked up the person running towards him and his head lifted up so he was just looking up straight. Wasn't looking at her at all though his head turned in the direction of the foot steps. He did pick up the name though of the dog and he smiled slowly since he figured.

Girl dog with a girl owner and she sounded like a sweet girl too which no doubt in his mind she was probably pretty. Maybe even around his age too since she sounded young but he said nothing. At times vocal sounds can be completely wrong but he did catch up this person was a female. "It's okay. She is just doing what dogs do best which is protect their owners from strangers." He let off a smile, yeah he assumed the dog was female or else that be a very unlucky male dog. Ian was being his typical normal social and nice self since this person did not pose as a threat at all. She did seem nice since she was sorry for her dogs behavior and now heard her lower to the ground scolding the dog. He did not move his head though he just smiled off pushed his hair a little from his face. His eyes looked off straight at nothing and ears were open to more sound, listening.

When she went to say something she cut off so it caught his attention. His head moved to look down at her since he did pick up she was lower then him. So he assumed of course she was kneeling to be more at level with her dog. Curiosity to what she was going to say before she cut off and said something else. Which the new words he was kind of taken back on and then he went nodded off, some sarcastic look on his face. "Realize what? A boy? Sitting here in the rain? Or even realize I was here in the first place until your dog pointed me out?" He was a little harsh, Ian hated being marked out as different and knew where she was getting at. So he was a little rude since he heard so many comments before. Now he had some random roaming stranger picking on him and so he put his guard up. "Oh wait let me guess." He started out slowly then he cleared his throat before continuing.

"Didn't realize I can't see a damn thing and your dog could of given me a heart attack if I hadn't been paying attention? So what? Feel worst now your dog picked on the little blind boy?" He stopped for a moment and let the words sink into her before he spoke up again. "Spare me any special attention I don't need it because I get it enough." After that he was done talking for now, he felt he said enough, which he was thinking on getting up. But he did not want to be completely rude and also since he did not want to remap a new route somewhere. He felt he was fine on the bench just sitting there. She would take her dog then leave and he would be in his lone bubble again anyways. His eyes looked off to the side just peering out there but all he could see was black, darkness. At least the rain was around to let him know about his surroundings and where he was currently placed or he might be so lost right now.

[flint]

Dogs are dumb, they make messes, bark at the littlest things, and get you into tricky situations. But you love them anyway. Flint Ebrey wasn't nearly capable of handling this particular situation well enough on her own. And it was pretty embarrassing that her jack Russell had decided to take that moment to go slightly crazy. Though, it was in her nature- the dog of course. With her shadow behind her, it seemed that there was no avoiding it, she would have to talk, somehow, to this boy. How in God's name she was getting the courage to do that she didn't know, but it would be done. After all this was an opportunity, as many things we're in her life. One door closes another opens. It's the same in every situation, you just have to take a different perspective to things. And well, growing up blind, you learn to adjust to things.

The rain was weird, it felt so cool on her ivory skin, her face covered in drops, even though she brushed them away every now and then it was a pointless act. But now Flint bit on her lip anxious, her hand scratching Baby behind her ears as she settled down somewhat. But every now and then she would get back up to sniff the boys leg or feet, as they were the only thing close enough to her.

He sounded mad at her, like she had done something truly terrible. And it left a sick feeling in her stomach, it was not pleasant at all, hurting someone, making someone feel bad. It just wasn't in her nature to do that. "I didn't mean it like that- I just- Well I was going-" she couldn't finish her sentences. Flints cheeks we're burning hot red and it only intensified the feeling of the cold water splashing against her face as it rained. Maybe it was just her imagination or it really had begun to pour more heavily only on her. This was making her so embarrassed, and feeling guilty.

Shaking her head a couple stands of blond hair had fallen out of the bun and rested against her face and neck, stuck to her skin like glue. Wearily she titled her head towards the boy sitting there, he seemed so much like she felt. The way it felt to strain your ears to pick up every sound, every step every beat of someone’s heart. And there was something else about him, it wasn't something one could just point out so quickly like 'Brown hair' or 'Green eyes' it was more of a feeling or vibe she got about him. Something not entirely bad, but more so sad, and yet it made her want to talk more. Even though so far she'd had no luck with her words, she had a little bit more time to think now.

"I'm sorry my dog jumped up at you, really I am. And I wasn't trying to give you any special treatment, honest. It's just-" she stopped herself, thinking for a moment. She wasn't sure if she should tell him that she was blind to for 10 years, but then got her sight back do to a surgery she had. That was a lot to tell a perfectly good stranger all in one sentence. This was really weird for her, she'd known very well how it felt to be in his shoes, having people pity you for your disability, but really in her mind it wasn't a disability. It was just another opportunity, time to spend more life caring about who people are, seeing the good and bad in the world even if you can't see at all.

"It's just- I've never met someone else who was blind before." She said quietly, it could barely be heard over the sound of the rain hitting the ground. What she said though made it seem like she was blind herself, although she was for 10 years, she wasn’t anymore. It was a gift, and not something all that easy to get used to. Many things to get re-accustomed to at least. “My name’s Flint.” She said, not sure what to say. Looking up at him still she was very surprised to see how well she was doing, no major anxiety, maybe she was sweating but the rain didn’t really make her aware of it at least, and she was finding things to relate with him about. Normally with most people she would have just shut up, picked up her dog and left, running for the nearest locked door that she could find. It wasn’t easy to be put on the spot for everyone, just she managed to take that fear to the extreme at times. Taking another breath, which she had to remind herself to do every now and then she smiled wearily at him, an act that would go un noticed, as she waited for him to say something. Anything. Anything at all that would make her feel less awful or strange for just being there.

[ian]

After he spoke he kind of regretted it since he did sound a little harsh when all she was doing was talking to him. Maybe she walked away already but he could not tell and kept his gaze elsewhere. No she was still there which she was stuttering her word and he felt her embarrassment on the strain of her voice. He didn't mind though since people picked on him and pointed the obvious too much. He was tired of it so that is why he got a little frustrated since he heard it before. How many times did one have to tell you that you are blind, wow. So he was rude only because of that but regretted it. Being rude was not part of him unless someone brought up the sensitive subject. Obviously he did not see how embarrassed she was since he wouldn't see the redness in her cheeks. Rain fell down a little heavier then before which he didn't mind. Felt refreshing though he knew that he was not going to be well tomorrow.

A sniffle was made from him which he thought for sure by now that she was done for he didn't hear her speak. But at the same time he did not hear her get up and leave him also the smell of wet dog was in his nose. When you lose one ability the others become stronger since you depend on them more. He can smell things better, hear things much much better, feel things better and even taste things better. Yes those were the only benefit of his situation since everything in his life was done. Was rainy so the solemness of the rain took over and he generated a rather sad aura around him. Maybe if it was rainy on that say he would still be able to see. Who knows maybe his family would of been alive except just him, he lost everything that day. Even soon after lost the first love of his life who now wanted nothing to do with him. Most friends he knew did not want to be his friend anymore, laughed at him. Too much to think about on a rainy day. This was the only time he was able to sense where he was and what was around him better.

Those small vibrations of the drops hitting the objects helped him to see he was at the park and knew the playground was in front of him. Her voice rose, his head did not turn for why should it go to look at her. He would or could not see her so why did he need to turn his head to her direction. She said she was sorry for her dog which he nodded slowly since he knew she was. "It's okay can't control your dog if the leash is not attached." He knew the dog did not have a leash on it. For he heard the dog near him then she was too far away scolding her dog for there to be a leash. "Honestly I said it was alright, forget about it. I know you didn't mean it." He remarked to her kind of stressing to her that it was fine and he was not pissed. Though a little annoyed sound was in his voice since she was persisting to apologize when he said it was alright. But he was getting pissed just was tired of telling her he was fine and wanted to be alone. Why he wanted to be alone was because he was about to cry. Nothing she said it was just the rain was also soothing since no one can tell him crying.

Just about the only thing his eyes can do is cry when he is sad which he did cry a lot but not every night. Just whenever he had that particular dream or whenever Caro would come into his dreams. How could he not cry about that when his girlfriend who dumped him for he was blind came into your dreams. Also it felt so real then he would wake up to darkness and she would be gone. Another sniffle escaped him since he was holding back being upset. Did not want her to think that she went upset him since she did not upset him that much. In fact she did not really upset him he just was a little annoyed with what her reaction was to him. Again she spoke, he listened to her words then finally turned his head to her direction. His eyes landed on her but were looking at her like he was looking through her, couldn't see anything at all of her. After she said she had not met someone else who was blind he was taken back. She made it sound like she was some blind person running into a blind person.

Also her name was said which he looked at her still really silent before he shook his head laughed. "I'm not dumb. How the hell could you tell I was blind if you were blind as well?" He sounded a little rude to her then he stopped bite down on his bottom lip thinking he was stupid. What if her mother or father or someone in her family was blind and he just accused her of lying to him. "I'm sorry. Really that was uncalled of me. I'm being a complete jackass when your just trying to be nice." He remarked since he was true and then he went sat up straight on the bench. His hand went to move his matted hair out of his face a little then sighed. His hand went out in front of him and he expected her to obviously take it so he can me her properly. "Really sorry Flint. Really I am. My name is Ian and sorry we haven't met before. I'm not making a very smashing good impression though, am I?" Now he fell silent to see if she would accept his apology now then shake his hand. He did love making new friends thought he was wary about them and thought most new friends were going to hurt him in some way. Never can be too careful, though, Flint sounded like a perfectly normal nice girl to him so he stopped being mean.

[flint]

Flint was a curious girl, her entire life pretty much had been devoted to exploring, learning, discovering. But add that want and desire to learn more with a fear of being rejected or made fun of, it wasn’t exactly easy. Nothing ever was easy. Or fair for that matter. But somehow people everywhere managed to overcome the circumstances, beat the odds and such things. Sometimes, when Flint was ready to lift the veil off her faces and hope for something more in life she imagined herself knowing tons of people, being able to talk and speak what’s on her mind, having fun and getting to try new things without any fear at all. Then all her worries would come in a ruin those wonderful dreams and leave her alone feeling foolish for ever letting herself believe something like that was possible. Just because you fit it doesn’t mean you will stand out.

Taking into account that Flint had barely just gotten her sight back, as the surgery had taken some weird side turns and it took a while for her to fully recover, without any blurryness at all, she was pretty good at managing her way around. Eating nearly 3 carrots a day had it’s benefits as well of course, but she was still getting better. Sometimes finding herself afraid to blink, in fear that once she does it that will be the last thing she sees in that time. Maybe it was a little silly, that you should live out life to the fullest, as her mother did, but Flint was exactly sure she knew how. And it was easier to observe how others did it rather than try and fall flat on your face. Fear held you back, everyone knows that. How some people managed to ‘rise above’ or whatever they called it almost seemed like a fairytale, and fairytales never make any sense at all.

Flints stomach felt like it was trying to create a tornado, twisted and knotting around like it was nobody’s business. His tone took her by surprise, as she was so infinitely used to people talking to her as if she we’re going to break at the littlest thing. Or even worse, when they would yell things out to her, or speak extremely slowly. Blind and deaf are two completely different things. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bug you…” she said, feeling a little bit more pathetic than usual. She forgot sometimes that not everyone would always be so kind and sweet, that people had bad days as well as good ones. And maybe she was just intruding on a bad one for him. Flint moved a little bit, her knees turning inwards more as she placed her right hands on her thigh, and her left still controlling Baby. She was seriously hyper that day, and causing some problems for her. What was this dog’s strange fascination now all of the sudden? Usually they could walk by even Godzilla and Baby wouldn’t have moved an inch off course.

Though, something didn’t see right. Not like as in she had just been pissing him off and now he wanted her to disappear. But like there was something else that was bothering him. Though it was not her place she still wondered what was making him upset, then a horrible thought came to mind, what if it was her that was making him upset. Well now she was practically frantic trying to figure out what to do, if she should say something, thought that might make him angrier. Or to just take off, though that would be far to rude and she wasn’t quite sure that was the best plan either. Instead she shut her eyes, only for 2-maybe 3 seconds and felt the water fall freely onto her. Water had no limits when it was like this, it did as it pleased and there was no way of stopping it, it just fell, everywhere, umbrellas did offer some protection but hardly enough to completely cover you, or your feet. And it always seemed that no matter how dry and safe and warm you might think you are, chances are when you get into your home and look down at your pants you will see water stains everywhere. It’s just the way things we’re sometimes.

The next words of his we’re definitely the harshest yet, and she winced a little opening her eyes, but wished she hadn't made the sound at all. It was very harsh and she wasn’t sure what to say, every time she considered what to say her throat would get stuck with the words and no sound would come from it. But he apologized right after, realizing how mean it was. Flint eased up a little, as she realized how tight and stiff her whole body had become. “It’s okay.” She said slowly. She waited a moment before continuing. “I’m not blind,-” she said, taking half a second to hold her breath, “I was though. For ten years. Though, I’m not anymore obviously.” She said, breathing out in relief. She had gotten through that entire thing without any slip ups, or leaving anything out. And it was better that he he knew it was her who had dealt directly with the blindness rather than some other person in her family or a friend, something like that. “I’m actually pretty new at this whole seeing again thing.” She said with a small smile, feeling a lot better now. This what she wanted for so long, someone to talk to that would understand what it was like to be blind, to deal with the way your treated, the way you need to adjust to the world, only now it was to late for her. But Flint figured, if she needed that someone in her life that would understand her then maybe, just maybe, this boy needed that person too. Reaching out she took his hand, that was a little off from where she would have expected it to be, but held in none the less, gave it a little shake, as she was sort or nervous and said, “Nice to meet you Ian.” And that was 100% the truth.

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EDIT;; Erin is dumb and forgot to read carefully so I had to fix it! I’m pretty sure it’s all good now though haha!