“Really?” I asked, completely perplexed. “You want to stand in the rain?”
She nodded vigorously, “I love it. I love the way it smells, the way it makes you feel alive. At least the first part of a rainstorm. Then you get wet and soggy and that is kind of a bummer, but it’s been dry for weeks. I love that first rain shower. Everything feels clean and new again.”
I turned to look back through the small window in the door and then back to her. “Want to be a few minutes late to class?”
“Yes!” she said, dropping her backpack and carefully placing the papers I had just scattered on the top.
I walked to the door, pushed it open and gestured for her to go out the door first. She held my eyes as she walked by, her shoulder brushing against my chest. I caught a whiff of her hair and inhaled. It was that sweet smell I had appreciated the first time I met her.
I stood at the door, still inside and watched as she walked out, spread her arms wide and tilted her face to the sky. Watching her brought up the stirring in my belly, again. I walked out, letting the door slam behind me and imitated her. The rain hit me in the face. It was invigorating.
“Isn’t it great,” she said spinning around. “I love it!”
I chuckled. “It is. I’ve always raced inside when it rained. Why? I practically live in the water, but I’m afraid of a little rain?”
I laughed at the absurdity and made a decision to always do this when it rained. Except for hurricanes. I wasn’t an idiot.
“We better get inside,” she said, touching me on the arm. “Can’t have the professor playing in the rain all day.”
I moaned. “Do we have to?”
Her hand slid down my forearm, grabbed my hand, and pulled me towards the door. I went willingly.
Once inside, it was back to professor and student. She collected her things and walked down the hall to the classroom. I stood in the hall, collecting my thoughts before I had to start teaching. The rain had been remarkably cathartic. I couldn’t believe I had never done that before.
I picked up the notepad off my desk, glanced at the notes I had made and dove right into my lecture. I felt more alive than I had in years. The rain had washed away the film of sadness I had become far too accustomed to wearing. It felt good. The energy seemed to build the more I talked. Once class was over, I was still riding the high. I felt like Superman and decided to ask Tessa out for coffee.
“Tess—Tessa, would you like to grab a coffee?” I said, feeling confident.
She looked at me as if I were crazy. It was like a pin had popped the bubble of confidence I’d been riding. I wanted to properly apologize for tackling her in the hall. At least that was what I was telling myself. It was a perfect excuse.
Now, all I felt was embarrassment. She was going to turn me down; I could feel it. I was already kicking myself in the ass for being so forward. I rejected her, and now she was going to give me a taste of my own medicine.
“Um, I can’t. I have a class in about twenty minutes,” she said, looking at the clock on the wall. “Actually, I have classes all day.”
I nodded my head, pretending to understand, but really, I was looking for a hole to crawl into.
“Okay, no problem,” I managed to get out.
I turned to my desk, looking for an excuse to get away from her.
“Wait,” she said, putting a hand on my arm. “I would like to, really, but today is a full day for me.”
“It’s fine, please, don’t feel bad. It’s just coffee.”
I had a cat waiting at home. Lucky me. As much as I despised the cat, it was a warm body to go home to.
“Can we maybe plan another day?” she asked softly.
I shrugged. “We’ll see.”
She grabbed her backpack, slung it over her shoulder, and headed towards the door. I picked up the keys to my room and started out behind her.
She turned to look at me. “That was a really good class today. You seemed different. I liked it,” she said with a smile.
I nodded. “Thanks. See you later.”
I got in my car and drove back home. The rain had stopped, and the clouds were moving out. I had hoped it would still be raining. Instead, it was nothing but puddles and mud. I drove home and slowly walked up the steps. Dexter was sprawled on the back of the couch. He didn’t bother lifting his head but did meow a greeting.