It all started on a rainy Monday.

The kind of day when everything feels gray.

My umbrella broke, I spilled coffee on my blouse, and I failed my history quiz.

So, when she showed up with her shy smile and kind voice, I wasn’t in the mood.

“Do you want to share my umbrella?”

She asked softly, standing there like a scene from a romance movie.

I almost said no. Almost.

Never been so happy to say yes.

But something about her made me pause.

“…Sure.”

I mumbled.

We walked in silence, the rain tapping on the umbrella between us.

Her hand brushed mine by accident, and I pretended not to notice.

She smelled like vanilla and something warm, like soft blankets and fresh cookies.

I hated how that made my heart flutter.

After that day, I noticed her everywhere.

In the library, humming quietly.

In the cafeteria, giving away half her lunch.

In class, doodling on her notebook.

She wasn’t loud or popular.

But she was real.

And real things scare me.

Because I’m not real.

I wear the right clothes.

I smile when I’m supposed to.

I flirt, pose, post.

Everyone thinks I have the perfect life.

But inside, I’m tired.

So when she looked at me—not like a pretty face, not like a queen bee—but like a person, I panicked.

I avoided her for a week.

Ignored her hellos.

Pretended I was too busy.

But I kept watching.

Her laugh, her kindness, the way she looked at the sky like it was full of secrets.

I wanted to be near her, even when I pushed her away.

I was such a coward.

Then came the group project.

Of course, fate paired us up.

“Soo-ah and..the new girl"

the teacher said, pointing.

Great.

She smiled when she sat beside me.

“Hi again.”

“Hey.."

I replied, pretending to be cool.

We worked after school at a quiet café.

She ordered tea.

I got coffee I didn’t even want.

She talked about her favorite books and how she wants to learn how to bake.

I listened more than I spoke.

“You’re different outside of school,”

She said suddenly.

I blinked.

“What do you mean?”

“You seem… softer. Nicer.”

My walls almost cracked.

“You don’t know me.”

I said.

“Maybe not.”

she said, sipping her tea.

“But I want to.”

That night, I couldn’t sleep.

I stared at the ceiling, thinking about her.

Her voice. Her smile. Her bravery.

I was scared to let anyone in, but she was already inside. I couldn’t stop it.

So I texted her.

Soo-ah: Do you want to hang out tomorrow?

She replied two minutes later.

New girl: I thought you’d never ask :)

I had to change her contact, but only her name was boring common, and she’s not boring or common.

We watched a movie, then walked by the river.

The moon was bright, the air cool. I felt nervous, like something big was about to happen.

She turned to me.

“You know, I’m really glad we met.”

I looked at her, really looked at her.

“Me too.”

I whispered.

Then, without thinking, I leaned in.

Just a little.

She met me halfway.

Her lips were soft and warm. The kiss was gentle, like a secret just for us.

My heart finally stopped pretending.

Now, she calls me “princess” when no one’s around.

I call her “my sunshine,” even though it’s cheesy.

We still meet at that café, still laugh about that rainy Monday.

I used to think I was unlucky.

But now I know… She was the best kind of luck I ever found.

I used to hate rainy Mondays, now when its Monday and rains we say its our day of luck.