Getting Caught In the Rain

the short prequel to a love story I'm writing.

Michael

 

Never had I thought the house I eventually resided in would be nestled right in the middle of Ireland. Outside, it seemed as though a leprechaun would pop out any second, and he'd lead to me to the end of the rainbow. I have never been anywhere as beautiful as this place.

    One beautiful summer day, I took a stroll out on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. It was calming, as it had only stopped raining a half an hour ago. My feelings were content, and at peace with the surroundings.

    Something was interrupting this. Well, someone.

    A woman, possibly in her early twenties, was taking the same stroll, a little ways away from where I was. She stopped and sat at the edge of her cliff, her slender legs dangling off into the open sea air.

    When I reached her, I took a seat next to her, mimicking her dangling legs.

    "Hello," she kept her gaze forward, watching the flock of birds soaring past.

    "Do you usually sit at the edge cliffs when taking an afternoon walk?" I chuckled slightly. She smiled downwards towards the waves crashing on the rocks in the distance.

    "It gives me inspiration. I'm a writer, so if I need anything, it's inspiration." she leaned back onto her elbows.

    There was something about her. First of all, she was naturally gorgeous. Every feature of her appearance was perfect, and caught my eye. She had to be a care-free woman, and nothing could run her down. I could read her just by her face.

    "Really? I'm a writer, too." I told her.

    "Do you normally walk on the cliff for fun?" she ignored me, closing her eyes, taking in the dewy air.

    "It keeps me calm. I only asked you because sitting on the edge of a cliff is quite dangerous." I told her, not even trying to hide a smile.

    "You're doing it right now," she lowered herself until she was flat on her back. "You might as well lie back and enjoy it with me."

    "Okay," I accepted, lying next to her. "Don't you ever fear that you'll tumble to the rocks below?"

    "Not really. If I was afraid of that, I wouldn't do it. If I didn't do this, I'd never experience the joy it brings me." she answered.

     "What's your name?" I turned my head to face her.

    She finally set her gaze on me, turning it away from the sky.

    "Lilly," she smiled. "It's the name of my mother, who lives in Italy. She's my greatest inspiration."

    "That's beautiful," I said, whole-heartedly. I'd never met anyone like Lilly.

    "Aren't you going to tell me your name?" she giggled lightly.

    "My name's Michael." I told her. "I just moved here a few weeks ago."

    "Why is that?" she questioned, turning her face back towards the crystal-blue sky.

    "No reason, honestly. I promised myself when I was young that I'd never let my life be short of excitement. Moving somewhere like here...it's amazing." I explained.

    "Do you plan to remain here for your life?" she faced me once more.

    "I don't know," I shook my head. "I don't know of a place that could be more breath-taking than here."

    Come to think of it, I'd never seen a more beautiful sight than Lilly.

    "I've been here for about three years. My uncle's been sick, so I've come to live with him. Most likely, I'll stay here for the rest of my life." she looked more content with her life than anyone I'd ever met.

    "Hey, Lilly," I began.

    "Yes?" she gazed into my eyes.

    How was I supposed to finish a sentence? Her eyes made me lose myself.

    "Would you...would you like to go out with me sometime? On a date?" I managed.

    "I thought you'd never ask," she giggled, sitting up.

   

 

Later that night, I set out a table by the water in front of my house. The sun was setting, creating a painting-like setting. I lit a candle in the middle of the table, and set out a bottle of red wine. She sat in her chair, gazing out at the water that was meeting the sun with slow, maneuvering waves.

    "Isn't the water beautiful?" she was beaming.

    "That, it is," I nodded, sitting across from her.

    "What's your plan? I mean, I know you want an adventurous life, but you must have some sort of idea of what you're going to do while you're here." she sipped her wine.

    "Well, I have plenty of money for now. I guess I'm just going to write, and see where it leads me." I shrugged.

    Lilly. I wanted Lilly to be my plan. This was all happening so quickly, but I planned to make her a part of my life.

    "Wow. You've got guts to do that. I'd be terrified to not have a plan."

    "Really? I thought Lilly wasn't afraid of anything." I teased.

    "She's not," she assured. "When she has a plan, everything's a piece of cake."

    "You're a little complicated," I raised an eyebrow.

    "You don't know the half of it," she took another sip of her wine.

    "I'm going to figure you out." I sat back in my chair. She did the same and let out a loud laugh.

    "Good luck. No one has the time to figure me out." she informed me.

    "I've got nothing but time," I crossed my arms and grinned. "That's not a problem."

 

Lilly

 

When's the last time a guy actually liked me? Men think I'm strange, and don't have the heart to get to know me for who I really am. This guy actually wanted to figure me out. Hopefully, he'll actually try, unlike every other man who has told me this.

   He walked me to my house after the evening was finished. We'd spent hours speaking of our lives and the experiences that had created us. I knew we'd see each other again, even though we didn't plan another date.

    He took my hands when we were standing in front of my home.

   "Goodnight, Lilly," he smiled whole-heartedly, gazing into my eyes.

   He was gorgeous. I'd dated some sexy men, but he was beyond sexy. He was beautiful.

   "Goodnight, Michael," I could feel my cheeks getting red.

   He dared to lean towards me. I leaned forwards too until our lips met. The kiss was soft, yet joyful. It wasn't like a huge soul-destroying kiss, but one that informed us that we were definitley on the road to falling in love.

 

The next morning, a beam of light set on me, waking me up. I lied there, never feeling better. There was nothing more that I wanted than to run as fast as I could to Michael's house and just stay in his arms.

    I changed into a white halter sundress and silver flats before heading outside to sit on the porch.

    Outside, Michael was already walking towards me.

    "Michael," I smiled and kissed his cheek. He hugged me tightly and grinned.

    "I want to show you something," he took my hand and walked me to his house.

    "Okay, close your eyes," he instructed.

    I did as I was told, and he covered my eyes with his hands. He lead me to the back of his house, it felt like, before stopping me.

    "What are we doing?" I giggled.

    "Open your eyes," he ordered.

    I opened them to see him holding a packet of paper in front of my face.

    "What's this?" I took the paper from his hands.

    "You've given me the inspiration to start writing again." he told me.

    On the front page read "The Edge of a Cliff" as the title.

    "I was up all night writing it, and I couldn't wait to show it to you." he told me.

    "Thank you," I spun around, hugging him tightly.

    "It's nothing," he shook his head. "You're worth it."

    How did this happen? Yesterday morning, I was completely content with being alone. I didn't mind the fact that no guy had ever truly wanted to be with me. Now, the very next day, I was in the arms of who may be the greatest man I've ever had the privilege to know.

 

Michael

 

The next few days were blissfully spent with my Lilly. Every morning, we ate breakfast on the porch of her house. We spent our days exploring, and just enjoying being with each other. The nights were spent watching the sunset, eating a romantic meal. We talked for hours into the night, bottles of wine in hand.

    I sat in my room, re-living the past few days in my head, when I got a phone call.

    "Hello?" I answered.

    "Michael! It's cousin Jason!" said the caller.

    "Jason! How are you?" I asked excitedly. My cousin was my best friend.

    "I've been good. Sheila and I got engaged last week." he revealed.

    "Congrats, cousin! Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

    "I have been calling you for the past few days, but it keeps going to your voicemail." he told me.

    "Oh, I'm sorry," I laughed to myself. "I've been busy."

    "It's a girl, isn't it?" he chuckled loudly. "Michael's got a girl!"

    "Calm down, Jason. You're right, though. Her name's Lilly, and I'm absolutely in love with her." I said for the first time aloud.

    "Really? Congratulations!"

    I laughed with him. "Why are you calling?"

    "I'm calling because I got the greatest idea. Sheila wants us to go to New Zealand with her. She's doing some kind of community service there, and so she wants as many family members as possible." he explained.

    "Go to New Zealand? When?" my voice quieted.

    "Next week. We'll be there for a really long time, so that's why I wanted to discuss it." he said.

    "I don't know," I thought of Lilly.

    "Is it because of this girl you're seeing?" he sighed. "You've only been with her for like a week, because last time I talked to you about a week and a half ago, you were complaining about the single life."

    "I know," I nodded into the receiver. "She's my world, Jason. I'm not leaving her."

    "Come on, man. You said all you wanted was adventure in your life. This girl is already tying you down, dude!" I could practically hear his eyes rolling.

    "She's not tying me down. I just won't leave her." I told him flat out.

    "Just think about it."

    "Fine." I lied and hung up.

 

Lilly

 

It was ten o' clock in the morning, which meant it was breakfast time with Michael. I strolled happily over to his house to find an unfamiliar man standing on his doorstep. He was banging on the door, begging Michael to let him out.

    "Oh, hello," he turned to greet me. "I'm Michael's cousin, Jason."

    "Hi," I smiled. "I'm Lilly."

    "You're Lilly? Nice to meet you, Lilly!" he took me hand. "I've heard about you."

    "Hopefully good things," I laughed.

    "Nothing but," he shook his head. "I'm sorry about all of this."

    "All of what?" I raised an eyebrow.

    "Dealing with Michael leaving." he shrugged.

    "He's leaving?" I squinted. "He didn't...tell me."

    "Yeah, we're going to New Zealand. He said it's not adventurous enough here." he smiled. "Hopefully you two will keep in touch."

    "He's what?" I took a step towards the door. "What do you mean not adventurous enough?"

    "I don't know," he shrugged once more. "He just said he was bored."

    Bored?

    I should've known. He's no different than any other guy I've dated. I didn't measure up to his standards, so he was getting away from me.

    "Sorry," he looked at his shoes.

    "No," I shook my head. "It's fine. If you get a chance to speak to him, tell him Lilly said goodbye."

 

 

Michael

 

"What do you want?" I finally stepped outside to face Jason.

    "I wanted to try to convince you to come to New Zealand. Oh, by the way, I just met your girl Lilly." he said coolly.

    "What? Where is she?" I looked around, but she was nowhere in sight.

    "She told me to tell you goodbye." he shrugged.

    "What? Why? What did you say to her?" I stepped closer to him.

    "I just said that you think it's boring here, and that you need more adventure, so you're going to New Zealand. Now, there's nothing holding you back." he beamed.

    "You did what?" I shouted. "Jason, you had no right to do that!"

 

Lilly

 

The knocking wouldn't stop. I wasn't going to talk to him, no matter what. Why would he waste his time with boring, unexciting me? I lied on my bed, praying the knocking would stop.

    "Lilly! Please talk to me! Jason was lying to you!" he lied.

    I'm such an idiot. I actually fell for his "I'm going to figure you out" routine.

    "Go away!" I shouted.

    "Lilly, I'm not leaving until you talk to me!" he told me. 

    I hoped he didn't hold his breath.

    Well, maybe he should.

    "I'm not going to talk to you!" I yelled. "Don't you have some packing to do?"

    "No, I don't! I need to talk with you!" he begged.

    I sighed and opened the door. Maybe if he saw my face, he'd realize that I wasn't going to talk to him.

    "Go awa-"

    Before I could finish my sentence, he lifted me out of my house, shut the door, and leaned against it, crossing his arms.

    "Why won't you talk to me?" he demanded.

    "I have nothing to say," I rolled my eyes.

    "Lilly," he scoffed. "You can't be angry with me just because someone told you a lie. You should come talk to me first!"

    Okay, so he was right. I still believed his cousin, though.

    "Why would your cousin say that if it was a lie?" I crossed my arms.

    "He's just like me. He wants adventure, but he's stuck at home. He and his fiancee want to go to New Zealand to live, and he wants me to go with them. I said no, because I had too much here." he explained.

    "What do you have here that's so important you can't give it up? Michael, you said yourself you have no plan here and you've only been here a few weeks." I debated.

    "For starters, I've got you." this time, he didn't sound angry. He sounded sincere. "Look, Lilly, I've only known you a short time, but you're everything to me."

    I didn't know how to respond.

    "Lilly," he stepped towards me, tilting my chin up. "I love you."

    Oh my gosh.

    "You...you love me?" I managed to choke out.

    "I do. I love you." he stroked my cheek with his thumb.

    There was nothing I could say. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his waist. His were wound around me immediately. He kissed my head and rubbed my back. My eyes became a well.

    "Michael," I lifted my head up to meet his eyes. He looked incredibly serious, and sincere. "I love you, too."

    We stood there in each other's arms for a long moment. I never wanted to move.

    "I'm sorry," a voice interrupted us. I looked to see Jason coming towards us. "I didn't realize you actually fell in love, Michael. I just thought we were still going to have all these adventures together, but I get it. If we're going to do that, you can't leave Lilly. Oh, and Lilly, I apologize to you, as well."

    "It's okay," I sighed.

    "I'll leave you guys alone." He grinned.

    "Thanks," Michael nodded, cocking his head towards his house.

    When Jason was out of sight, we hugged again before I reluctantly let go.

    "Michael, if you're ever actually bored here, tell me. We'll take an adventure together." the second I finished, he seized my face in his hands, kissing me deeply.

    Love can happen quickly. Michael and I are living proof.

    "I love you," I told him again, holding onto him tightly.

 

 

Author's Note

I'm thinking about turning this into a book. Do you think I should put it in a book, or just drop the idea? I have an idea of how the book would be, and it'd be quite different from this storyline, yet it'd be the same.

Reviews

[Irish_Ranger]

This would definitely make a good book. I like that you were able to pull off the perspectives of both characters in a rather seamless fashion. I can also see that you put a lot of effort into this; very few typos.

I do think that, much like the love that develops between the characters, the story seems to unfold blindingly fast, and I'd look for ways to indulge and embellish the text a bit, have more of a build-up to the sweet parts of the scenes. That's the only real fault I can see, otherwise, good job.

[Riptide]

This is a very good story. I could really relate to your characters well. The only thing, though, is that the plot develops very fast. People usually don't fall in love so deep after one clifftop meeting, and him asking her out so suddenly was a bit... well, sudden. Maybe slow things down a little? Otherwise, great work!

[WrittingCrazed]

I love your stories. This is amazingly good. Keep it up (:

[therisa]

I not sure, if you could write a book out this romantic short story, without a massive overhaul of the characters, so far exposed to us. I would be scared that you would lose the chemistry between Michael and Lilly. Otherwise, I loved the way, you were able to show both sides of the story, as it developed.

[thoughts of jade]

this would make a great book... I definitely love this!!!

[Forever and Always]

I think it would make a great book. I truly enjoyed reading it.

[Cynthia]

Of course you can put it into a book! It WILL be a amazing book! I wish I ca see it turn into a book, you have a wonderful story line here, its really great for you to add it into a book!A Very loving story!

[WriterMe]

Hmm... truth be told it was a simple love story. But i cant imagine how you are going to turn it into a book. I mean, the story line cant go beyond this otherwise it might seem long and stretchy. But that being said, I want to see how you can make it interesting. It was a sweet, simple story =]
Great work.