Later that evening, dark clouds rolled across the sky as Sharon left the library.
Within minutes, heavy rain started pouring down.
"Oh no," she groaned, pulling her bag over her head as she ran toward the school gate.
Just as she reached the parking lot, a car slowly pulled up beside her.
The window rolled down.
"Need a ride?"
Sharon looked inside.
Dylan.
"I'm fine," she said quickly.
"You're standing in the rain," he pointed out.
"I live close."
"You're also completely soaked."
Sharon hesitated.
The rain wasn't getting lighter.
Finally, she sighed and opened the car door.
"Fine. But just this once."
Dylan grinned as she climbed in.
"You're welcome."
The car filled with an awkward silence as he started driving.
"So," Dylan said after a minute, "did you enjoy the soccer game?"
Sharon blinked. "You saw me?"
"Of course."
"Well… you played well," she admitted.
Dylan looked surprised.
"Was that a compliment?"
"Don't make it weird."
He laughed.
After a few minutes, they pulled up near Sharon's street.
"Thanks for the ride," she said, opening the door.
"No problem."
She paused before stepping out.
"Good game today," she added.
Dylan smiled.
"Thanks, Sharon."
For some reason, hearing her name from him sounded different this time.