The sky was gray, but not that friendly gray you know before the sun returns – instead it was leaden, swallowing every color. Even in the morning, it had smelled like rain, like cold metal and asphalt. When the last period before break ended, the sky finally opened up. Drops drummed against the windows, hard, as if they wanted to get in.
In the courtyard, everyone crowded under the roof. Voices, shouts, phones, all mixed together. Light flickered in the puddles. Lina stayed in the shadow of the entrance, backpack held to her chest, shoulders hunched. Giulia beside her stretched her hands into the air, letting the rain drop onto her palms.
"Better than any skincare app," she said and tilted her head into the drizzle until her hair glistened.
Lina had to laugh, quietly, but genuinely. "You're crazy."
"No, I'm proof that you can survive rain." Giulia grinned. "Come on, nixie, get out there. Before you grow roots."
"I'm staying here."
