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Zack yawned as he sauntered up to Melissa. His eyelashes flickered as a sleepy haze consumed his body; his fingers spread over his dry-lipped, gaping mouth. Melissa glared, hands on her hips.
"Another big night, I see." she remarked.
Zack shrugged.
Melissa tutted. "At least make yourself look presentable, you fool."
Melissa got up on her tip toes and tried to flatten Zack's mop of black hair. To little avail. Zack stared but didn't brush her off; instead, he cocked a smirk and tilted his head to the side.
"I don't think you should talk." he teased.
"My hair is naturally curly, especially in this sort of weather, I can't help it." Melissa retorted. "Genetics is different to bedhead and pure laziness."
"Whatever." Zack went on his tip-toes and Melissa's fingers brushed along his cheek bones.
"Okay, moving on." Melissa decided. She noticed that Zack's shirt was tucked in his pants. She began to fix it up. "Try and move on me, I dare you to see where that gets you."
"…Is that a threat?" Zack asked.
"Yes. And I'm warning you that if you try and stop me, you'll get strangled."
"Whatever you say, Angel." Zack teased.
"Argh." Melissa muttered under her breath; unable to prepare a suitably snarky retort to that.
She continued to straighten out his shirt until it wasn't wrinkled. Zack couldn't help but notice that Melissa had lovely hands: slender, pale, nimble. He didn't mind it when she touched him. Melissa smiled to herself.
"Now, if only we could straighten out that personality of yours." Melissa teased. She smirked; happy with that little taunt.
"If only you were as kinky as your curly hair." Zack teased.
"What is that supposed to mean?!" Melissa did not yell but her voice was as piercing as one so Zack winced at her loudness regardless. This would be the time where Milo jumps in just in case something goes down between them. But he wasn't here which is worse.
"I'm saying that you are a very boring person, Little Miss Redhead Locks." he teased.
"Did you just compare me to Goldie Locks!" snapped Melissa, face reddening.
Zack stepped back and chuckled.
"I don't." she insisted. She crossed her arms and straightened up.
There was a lull in the conversation so Melissa took it as an opportunity to get a little space. She held tightly onto her school bag with both hands; the black leather of the strap digging into her fingers where the seam protruded. She flushed. Her heart pounded erratically. She didn't understand how Zack could rile her up so much. With a huff, she turned on her heel.
She felt something on her head. She loosened the grip on her bag. She held one hand out gingerly as she faced the sky. It had been murky all morning. It was unusual for it to shower this early but soon enough, her palm was a puddle and her hair was wet; no wonder it had been so curly earlier, it was a sign of the oncoming rain.
Zack sighed as he pulled out a basic, blue umbrella that had seen some better days.
"Forget your umbrella?" he asked, trying to be helpful.
"N-No." Melissa stammered as she tried to retrieve her own but it too late.
Zack held his umbrella over Melissa. Rain pelted it. Melissa noticed the umbrella was too small for the both of them to stand under. She huffed as she dragged hers out by the fanciful, plastic handle.
"Here." Melissa insisted. "You may take mine."
"Alright."
Their fingers brushed as Melissa took Zack's umbrella. Their fingers did not touch when Zack took Melissa's. He opened it up and half-smiled; amusement glittered in his dark brown eyes.
"It's very… you." he commented.
"Childish?" Melissa asked, attempting to quash the oncoming insult before Zack could say it.
"Cute." Zack replied in favour of anything else; anything unkind.
Melissa blushed. She glanced at the umbrella that Zack was now holding and standing under. Suddenly, she couldn't tolerate its appearance though she loved it. Unlike his, it was brand new and gently used. It was clear but patterned with cutesy Dr Zone characters in pastel watercolours. Its cap was festooned with pink and blue ribbons and bows. Zack looked odd standing under it but no odder than she would be standing under it.
"I am not cute." Melissa grumbled.
"You're adorable, Angel." Zack teased and he started to head off, nonchalant.
"Stop calling me that in public!" Melissa yelled.
She chased after him hurriedly. His umbrella bobbed jerkily against her shoulder. The rain continued to pour. There was an earthy smell in the air and puddles formed in the long, stretching gutters of the street. They still arrived on time to school though despite all the distractions.