"Chandler, you really are crazy! Fine, I'll tell you, my boyfriend's not coming tonight, but I'm not going with you either. I don't want to stay with you. Do you understand? I'd rather walk home in the rain and get a raging fever than walk side by side with you. That would make me sick!"
I shouted.
The next second, I rushed out into the rain.
If this went on any longer, I'd be spending the night on the streets.
The torrential rain instantly blurred my vision, water pooling at my ankles. I stumbled forward, slipped, and fell to my knees.
The sound of footsteps in the water grew closer, and the downpour over my head suddenly stopped.
I collapsed into a warm chest.
"Are you alright? Can you still walk? Let me take you home."
Chandler's concerned tone didn't seem fake. He held the umbrella in one hand and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into his embrace.
I struggled to free myself, but the pain in my knee forced me to give in.
It seemed I wouldn't be able to walk.
Perhaps seeing my embarrassment, Chandler hesitantly offered, "Should I… carry you?"
His tentative manner made me think of the time he confessed.
His ears had turned red as he stammered, "C-can we be together?"