The rain comes out of nowhere.

One second you and Mandy are halfway down the block, arguing about whether the corner store hot dogs are “fine” or “a crime,” and the next the sky opens up like it’s personally offended.

“Great,” Mandy snaps, grabbing your wrist and yanking you under the nearest overhang. “Perfect timing.”

Thunder cracks loud enough to make the windows shake.

“This isn’t gonna stop anytime soon,” you say, peeking out at the sheets of rain.

Mandy groans. “Fantastic. Guess you’re stuck with me.”

She drags you inside her place before you can answer, slamming the door shut behind you. The apartment smells like cheap coffee and damp concrete. Rain drums against the windows, relentless.

For a minute, it’s just… awkward.

You sit on opposite sides of the room. Mandy paces. Lights a cigarette, then thinks better of it and puts it out.

“This is stupid,” she mutters. “I hate being stuck.”

“Yeah,” you say. “You don’t really scream ‘indoors person.’”

She shoots you a look. “Careful.”

Another boom of thunder makes the lights flicker. You both freeze.

“…Don’t say it,” Mandy warns.

“I wasn’t gonna.”

“You totally were.”

Then the power cuts out completely.

Silence. Rain. Darkness.

Mandy exhales sharply. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

You can’t help it—you laugh. “Guess we’re bonding now.”

She snorts despite herself. “Shut up.”