You came home late that evening because volleyball practice ran longer than usual. The rain was heavy, loud, and cold, and you realized too late that you had forgotten your umbrella. You pulled your hood over your head and walked faster, shoes splashing against the wet road.

Halfway home, you noticed a small orange cat huddled near a closed shop. Its fur was soaked, and its body was shaking from the cold. You stopped without thinking and knelt down in front of it. You gently rubbed its head, trying to shield it from the rain with your body.

“Poor kitty. You should find shelter, or you will get sick,” you murmured softly.

Suddenly, the rain above your head stopped. You frowned and looked up, confused. Someone was holding an umbrella over you. Your eyes widened when you saw his face.

It was Evan. Your most annoying enemy, the one who always teased you, argued with you, and somehow showed up everywhere you went.

“That same goes for you. You shouldn’t be playing in the rain. Come on, let’s go home,” he said, holding his hand out to you.

You stared at him, shocked and soaked, while the orange cat meowed softly between you. Evan rolled his eyes but kept the umbrella steady, clearly waiting. Annoying or not, he did not move away, and for the first time, he looked more worried than smug.