Meet Me After Class

Chapter 26: Crazy Storm and First Kiss

Minutes ticked by, and the silence hung heavy between us, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves outside. Adam's sandwich, a feeble substitute for the warmth of my dad's hearty soup, did little to satisfy my stomach's persistent grumbles. But hey, at least it was something.

The encroaching darkness prompted Adam to offer his phone as a makeshift light source. As the cold seeped into the cabin, the wind outside wailed. I wrapped my arms around myself, attempting to summon warmth from the damp, long-sleeved fabric.

"Did you and your dad come here often?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"Four times." Adam's hushed response filled the space. "The last time was the week before he died."

Images of Mr. Brown flooded my mind—his warm smile mirroring Adam's, his laughter, and his constant praise for Dad's cooking and Mom's hard work at the care home. Our families were as close as can be. So when Mr. Brown passed away, I practically refused to leave Adam's side for weeks.

"Today was the first time in four years since his death that I returned to the waterfall. And it feels so..." His words trailed off, leaving a heavy silence.

Soon, I heard stifled noise, and it dawned on me that Adam was holding back tears. Instinctively, I motioned for him to rest his head on my shoulder, wrapping my arm around him. When my hand touched his cheek, he grasped it tightly. The embrace felt different from before—more intimate and comforting.

Adam sobbed quietly, releasing the emotions tied to the memories he shared with his father in this special place. Soon after, he went completely limp beside me, and we sat there in silence for an extended moment, the only sounds being the raging storm outside and the occasional sighs escaping us.

Suddenly, lightning flashed, illuminating the room, followed by a thunderous roar that made the cabin tremble.

I gasped, clutching onto Adam like a lifeline. Fear gripped me, and I couldn't help but voice my concerns. "Do you really think they'll come looking for us?"

He reassured me, "I'm sure they've all taken shelter on the bus by now. Once the rain lets up, they'll send someone for us."

Despite the jacket, the cold managed to seep in, evident from the goosebumps on both our arms.

"Why don't we take turns?" I suggested, attempting to remove his jacket in a feeble effort to share warmth with him.

"No. Keep it on," Adam insisted, and I couldn't help but smile gratefully at his offer.

"I'm sorry I left my jacket—" I started, but before I could finish, another wave of biting cold swept over me, making me shiver uncontrollably and my teeth chatter.

Adam pulled away, concern etched across his face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm just... freezing, I guess," I whispered through tight lips, feeling the cold seeping into every pore. Under Adam's jacket, my shirt was damp, adding to the discomfort.

"There's got to be something in here we could use to keep us warm." Determined, Adam got up. "Can I borrow your phone?"

I passed it to him and leaned forward, shutting my eyes as I pressed my head between my knees. He started rummaging around the cabin, his curses loud and clear despite the heavy rain outside.

"Aha! This will do!" he declared triumphantly.

I opened my eyes to see him wrapping me in an ancient-smelling woolen blanket. It might have a funky odor, but in this freezing cabin, it was a welcome reprieve. "Where did you find this?"