In the hail

In the old, nomadic Hungarian mythology, when one stood in the rain, it was believed to wash away all the pain and sorrow plaguing the soul. That is why he decided to walk. At least that is the reason he kept saying, over and over as an umbrella passed him once in a while. His thick hair absorbed the punches of the hail, like a haystack — quite stupid if you asked him. The raindrops blurred his glasses, but he could still identify one of his 'friends' rounding a corner ahead of him, heading directly for him. What?! No, he can't see him now! Not here! Not like this! Quickly putting on his hood and drawing it in front of his face, he hid in the wet, dark, cold veil, until the footsteps passed. He breathed a sigh of relief. Slowly, he pulled the wet cloth down, and shook the ice from it. It's not good for the fabric for it to be full of ice. Having secured his favourite coat, he resumed onwards. Walking staring at the pavement has its ups and downs. For one, you can avoid stepping on the snails which crawled onto the concrete. Unfortunately, you cannot avoid other people.

"Hey! I'm sorry, but don't you need an umbrella, or something?"

"Huh? No, thank you, really, im just... looking for... something."

It was one of his 'friends'. Just what he needed. He really liked to talk to him sometimes, but deep down in his soul he knew that his ‘friend’ didn’t like him at all. He just viewed him as an annoying little bug, which is bot worth to crush.

"I can help you search! This rain is intense, I wouldn't stand in it longer than absolutely necessary."

"What? No! I'm fine, really. You shouldn't be out so long, you're gonna catch a cold."

"Not me, I have my trusty umbrella out!"

"Okay, then, I'll get going."

He turned and continued forward. Just what he expected. He found him ridiculous, not worthy of help. That's why he let him go, yes. If he cared, he would’ve, maybe... given him a coat, or... walked with him, or... something. This is expected, though. Good thing this hail is punishing me — what?! No, I just... like the cold. I also put my bare hand in the snow during winter, because of the cold, I like it. He stepped in a puddle. "Now my sock's wet!" Just what he needed.

"Hey! Wait! I just remembered! I have a raincoat in my backpack, here."

The "friend" brushed the icy water from his hair, and dropped the bright pink raincoat over him. "Now, you won't get a cold. And, you look fabulous!" With this, his friend gave a smile, turned back, and walked away.

What? Why did his friend give him the coat? He walked hood up, arms tucked safely into the warm, dry coat. If there was a reason for the gift, it had so far eluded him. Could it be? Just that simple? No, of course not! How stupid he was! A bright pink raincoat?! It's meant to ridicule him, as he walks down the street, among all these people, who will all stare at him... His 'friend' partnered with the hail in punishing him. How could he have been so naïve? He thought about taking the coat off, but it was so warm in it. Like a hug. A bright pink, cold, wet hug. He had to walk quite a bit more to get home, but he felt a thousand stares along the way. Strangely, they all looked away once he tried to catch them. At home, ha hung the coat on a hanger out to dry, determined to give it back the following day.

The first thing he did once he arrived to school, was give the coat back.

"Here, thank you."

"Thanks! Did you make good use of it?"

"Yes, thank you"

"I'm glad! I'm happy to lend it today too, the weather looks awful now, I'm sure it will rain later."

"No, thanks, I'm fine"

"Alright, just saying!"

A tear creeped into his eye upon turning away. Why did it look so real? Why was the mask so complete? For the blink of an eye, sometimes, he felt like the kindness was real. He shatters the illusion quickly, though. There is no reason for him to recieve kindness, so none will be given. Simple as that. Quite simple. In the afternoon, he saw the 'friend' walking home again, wearing the bright pinl raincoat. Why would he be wearing that? It's meant to ridicule. Although it does suit some people. Maybe it's just his colour. Doesn't matter. He put his hood on. The raind was cold that day. He doesn't like the cold.

The next day, it rained on the way to school. He put his hood on, but it still wasn't enough. His hoodie was drenched by the end of the journey.

"Did you not bring an umbrella again?"

No answer.

"You can't walk around like that, you're gonna get sick. Here." His 'friend' took off his own, bright pink, hoodie, and switched his wet one with it.

"There. And, you now look fabulous."

Several people complimented his new attire throughout the day. Were they all just mocking him? They all seemed so genuine. And it was his friend's own hoodie. Surely, if he wore it, it wasn't so bad.

The day came to an end. A rainy end, of course. The hail poured down from the heavens even more aggressively than before.

"Now, would you like my raincoat?" Waved his friend the coat before him.

He looked at the rain, and then at the coat.

"Yes, I think so, yes. Thank you."

"No problem! I brought it specifically for you!"

He smiled. The hoodie and the raincoat worked together to repel the hail, which bounced off, like from a trampoline. The walk home wasn't so cold and wet anymore now that his friend was with him too.