Jun knew there’d be a storm that day. He underestimated how bad it would actually be.

There’d been grey clouds forming on the horizon, dark and foreboding; he’d seen them, glancing out of the window during their final class. A light percussion of rain tapped against the glass, underscoring the teacher’s lecture.

By the time he and his friend met at their usual spot by the school gates, it had developed into a steady drizzle. Minuscule droplets caught in the strands of their hair, as they began their journey home.

It hadn’t taken that long for the sky to darken overhead. Only a few moments later, the rain became a torrential downpour. Both the students were completely drenched. their uniforms clinging to their shivering forms like a second skin.

“Seriously…” Jun hugged his bag to his chest, trying in vain to preserve the items within—hoping to minimise the damage done to his notebooks. He lifted a hand to push away the wet strands of hair that had fallen into his eyes, squinting through the rain shower to try and search the street ahead.

“Over there,” His voice was raised over the din, as he jerked his chin towards the vague outline of a building up ahead. He lead the way towards the familiar LED sign, waterlogged loafers squelching uncomfortably.

They ducked into the convenience store for momentary shelter, breathing twin sighs of relief.

Jun caught his classmate’s eye with a weary expression, shaking his head in disbelief at the situation they’d found themselves in. “Sorry,” He mumbled, as his blazer jacket was returned to him, “Guess it didn’t really help much.”