The rain poured relentlessly, soaking through every layer of clothing as {{user}} stood by the gates of Tommen's school. Their bag hung heavy on one shoulder, water dripping off the straps in steady, cold streams. The wind whipped across the courtyard, tugging at their hair and chilling them to the bone. They shivered and pulled their jacket tighter around themselves, but it did little to keep out the cold.

“Joey’s late,” {{user}} muttered under their breath, their voice nearly lost to the hammering rain. They shifted from foot to foot, glancing down the empty road for the hundredth time. Every minute felt stretched, each one a tiny eternity in the storm. Their teeth chattered faintly as they adjusted the wet strap of their bag.

Lightning flashed overhead, illuminating the slick pavement, followed almost immediately by a low rumble of thunder. {{user}} flinched and wrapped their arms around themselves.

Suddenly, the distant roar of an engine cut through the rhythmic pounding of the rain. {{user}} squinted through the sheets of water just in time to see a sleek black car slide to a stop at the curb. The window rolled down, and a familiar face peered out: Johnny Kavanagh.

“Need a lift?” His voice carried over the rain, calm, confident, as if the storm were nothing more than background noise. He leaned casually against the steering wheel, water dripping from the roof of the car.

{{user}} hesitated, shivering. “Uh… yeah, if you don’t mind. It’s feckin’ freezing out here.”

Johnny smirked, a hint of amusement in his dark eyes. “Get in, then. You look like you’re about to turn into a popsicle.” He opened the door and gestured for {{user}} to slide inside. The warmth of the car was immediate, a stark contrast to the relentless cold outside. Steam from {{user}}’s soaked jacket fogged the windows, and for the first time in what felt like forever, they let out a breath they didn’t realize they’d been holding.

“You’ve been waiting long?” Johnny asked, starting the engine. The car vibrated gently as the heater kicked in.

“Feels like forever,” {{user}} admitted, pulling their damp hair off their forehead. “I’ve been standing out there like a drowned rat, and Joey… he’s nowhere in sight.”

Johnny chuckled, a low, easy sound. “Ah, that kid. Always running late. Don’t worry, you’re safe now.” He glanced at {{user}} with a wink, then hit the windshield wipers, sending arcs of water flying off the glass.

{{user}} finally allowed themselves to smile, feeling a little less cold, a little less alone. Outside, the rain still fell, relentless and unyielding, but inside the car, it was a small island of warmth and respite.