Rain poured heavily over the quiet streets of LA, neon lights casting a hazy glow over the slick pavement. Rudy Pankow walked through the downpour, hands shoved deep into his pockets, his hoodie already soaked from the relentless storm. He wasn’t in a rush—just taking in the night, letting the cool rain clear his thoughts.

He barely had time to react when he suddenly bumped into someone.

He stepped back, blinking through the rain, and his eyes landed on her. A girl. She was beautiful, standing there in a sleek black dress, her short black hair damp and clinging to her face. Emerald-green eyes met his, bright even under the dim city lights.

“Hey, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” he asked, instinctively reaching out slightly, though she looked perfectly fine.

She gave him a small, amused smile, tilting her head slightly. “I should be asking you that,” she teased, clearly unbothered by the rain or their collision.

Rudy let out a short laugh, running a hand through his wet hair. “Fair point.”

For a moment, they just stood there, rain falling around them, the world seemingly slowing down despite the storm raging on.