The Misunderstanding

One drop on the pavement, two drops on my hand. Five seconds later, the rain is a wall that I cannot even see through. It drips from my collar and starts to run down the length of my back. It’s goal? My shoes. For a second, I forget where I am. The sound of the rain pit-pattering against the pavement drowns out all the wild thoughts going around. I watch as the dots turn into streams which turn into huge, gushing rivers as they start to flow down the hill. Then, I remember where I am and what I am doing. But how did we even get here? Not long ago, it was the best time of my life and now I am standing in the rain. Too nervous to go to her door. Too nervous to go to my girlfriend's door. How could I let this happen? I think back to the day we were out in the park and I remember…

We had passed our exams in the summer and had officially graduated from school. The summer had been carefree and relaxed, no more revising and stressing over assignments that were due soon but not done. The sun was shining. That was the main thing because Hayley loves the sun and we were lucky as it was supposed to rain. This is autumn after all - nothing like summer. Hayley and I had had the run of the town and explored areas neither of us knew where there despite being here our whole lives. But yesterday, I had dug my parent’s old picnic blanket and basket out of the shed and my mum had helped me fill the basket with anything and everything that Hayley would like. I mean, I hated cheese but brought brie and mozzarella just for her. A special effort to tell her how much she meant to me. The picnic blanket was laid with plates of sandwiches, custard cream biscuits and fruit. Our favourite juice made an appearance as well - Summer Fruits. The red and orange leaves swirled around us, creating a small funnel where we were the centre when a gust of wind blew fast and suddenly. That day was filled with laughter and smiles as we slowly made our way through the entire basket. The sun started to set, and we lay out in the park under the stars and just talked. It was the most she had ever opened up to me, and we had been dating for two years. It was just for half an hour, but it felt like we were out there for hours. But, as I was packing up, my phone started ringing. Hayley picked it up, ready to answer for me, expecting it to be someone she knew. She glanced at the caller ID and my heart fell through to the floor. The one big secret that I had. The one I could not let her find out at all costs was about to be revealed. She squinted at the phone and looked up at me with a questioning look which quickly turned to anger.

“Who is this? Mia? I haven’t heard of a ‘Mia’ in your friends and family. So, tell me Alex, who is Mia?” I panicked and flustered.

“She’s a girl our age that I met a couple days ago at the town hall. It’s nothing! I promise you that.”

“Couple of days? That’s the best you can come up with? Forget it Alex,” she pushed the blanket she had been folding at me and stared at me with an icy glare, “We’re done.” My mouth was hanging open and I couldn’t speak.

“Hayley please! Let me explain!” But she was already walking away. Not even looking over her shoulder.

I couldn’t sleep that night. Our conversation played over and over in my mind. If I could take back everything I had said and tell her what was actually happening but the next morning she wouldn’t answer the phone. Just let it ring and ring and ring.

So here I am. Standing in the rain. Letting it drip from my collar and run down the length of my back. It’s goal? My shoes. The water is ebbing and flowing down the hill, a roaring mess. Standing at the corner to her street. Watching the lights turn on with the sudden darkness of the storm. Willing my courage, I walk to her door and with every passing second, I rehearse and doubt. The knock feels quiet compared to the roaring in my ears. The door flies open.

“Thank you so mu-.” She stops and stares at me. I mean, I’m a soaking wet mess with hair plastered to my forehead even though I’m wearing a coat.

"I thought you were my delivery. I guess not." She looked down and started to close the door, leaving me out in the rain. I had one chance. I could not, would not, mess this up.

“Hayley. Please can I explain something?” The door stopped and she stared at the floor, not meeting my eyes.

“Do you remember how you wanted a big party for your birthday this year? For your big 18? One that we will remember for years with your friends and my friends?” She nods and I keep going.

“Mia,” her head shoots up at the name and that ice starts to freeze in her eyes, “Mia is the party planner I found.” That was the truth. All of it. It was going to be a surprise for Hayley but now she knows. She blinks at me and throws her arms around my neck. She laughs and I join in. The rain stops it’s pit-pattering and the sun makes a break for freedom.

“Do you want to go back to the park now?” I ask her, hoping I know what the answer is going to be.

“Yes! Yes, yes, yes and Alex? I am so sorry.” My head is no longer on the chopping block, and I know we might be on thin ice but for now, we’re happy.