(ALEX POV)

  We are getting close to the complete start of spring, and with that comes more the approaching end of second semester classes, but also chances to go outside and walk around Edmonton City.

  A part of springtime in Alberta is all the snowy clouds melting down into thick rainfall.

  But it's often very sudden.

  Then again, around this time of year, the sky in Alberta is usually always some kind of grey no matter what… can you REALLY tell from looking at the sky?

  I’m sure a meteorologist can, but my boyfriend and I are not meteorologists.

  We wouldn’t have chosen to get caught in the rain when on a date.

  But then again, I normally choose to get caught in the rain all the time. If you ask me, the only thing more rejuvenating than a good shower is the comforting sensation of rainfall.

  Comforting for me, at least…

  Colton has his arms crossed and he looks very annoyed, which is only exaggerated by the soaked state of his appearance.

  He mutters, “We really should have checked the weather.”

  Not nearly as bothered by the turn of events, I walk somewhat briskly beside him. “On the bright side, it’s a rain storm! If it was a thunderstorm, we’d be royally screwed.”

  He looks at me with an expression I can only describe as “what did you just say?”

  Then I connect the dots. I ask, “Do you hate the rain?”

  His face is screaming duh at me. “Yeah.”

  I move in front of him and spin in the magical miracle around us. “How can you hate the rain? It’s like the essence of ‘gorgeous’ in the air!”

  I’m less focused on Colton and more focused on moving around freely in the rain, but I can tell his eyes are on me.

  I put my hands out and stretch. “Some of my most important memories take place in the rain.” I feel the water moving in little streams between my fingers. “Some of my best and my worst… but also!”

  I jump and spin a little. “Isn’t it nice to just dance in the rain? Like the whole world is going to move with you in puddles and sprinkles from the sky”

  Colton’s face softens.

  At this very moment, it occurs to me that Colton and I haven’t kissed on the mouth yet,

  which is odd considering we’ve kissed each other's cheeks and we’ve kissed noses and he’s kissed my forehead and I kissed his hand,

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  but we just haven’t gone for the kiss yet.

  And it’s not like I’ve never kissed anyone before (though I do wish I hadn’t wasted my first kiss on Elliot) but we just haven’t had a moment where we went for it.

  I think it’s a mixture of me worrying about not rushing anything and Colton and his habit of believing there’s a “right moment” to do important things…

  Well, a kiss in the rain is as good a time as any…

  I mean have you SEEN the kiss in “Cast away”? And the one with Spider-Man!

  Deciding to just go for it, I ask, “Can I kiss you?”

  Colton’s eyes widen, and I swear his lip twitches for a moment as he stares at my face.

  A few moments pass, and nothing happens, so I just let out a small chuckle. “You’re supposed to answer the question.”

  It’s kind of hard to tell in the thick rain but he looks very flustered.

  He exhales: “Yeah.”

  I put my hands on his shoulders and yep, I did it!

  I did it…

  Wow.

  A kiss in the rain is not what I expected.

  I don’t know what I was expecting, but whatever THIS is…

  It’s a thousand times better.

  So many films show a kiss in the rain.

  We’ve turned a tantalizing fantasy into a tangible reality, and in every degree of heat.

  The cold but smokey sensation of rain water empowers the almost savory warmth of those sweet lips.

  I can feel Colton melting into my hands, so I move one arm to the back of his head and one arm to his back to hold him to me and support him.

  The darkness of the sky contrasts with the absolute fireworks going off in my chest and just makes the kiss all the more powerful.

  My special someone lets out a soft sound as we separate.

  The young man’s mood has completely changed from his annoyance earlier.

  His face is getting red.

  I can’t help but smirk as I hold Colton close. “One kiss and you're already getting soft on me?”

  If he wasn’t blushing before, he is now.

  Putting his forehead to mine, my childhood friend quietly whines, “Alex!”

  I can feel how damp his bangs are now, and I know his hair becomes like the color of a mud puddle when it’s wet. Suitable, considering his hair is like the color of sand.

  I think about how much he’ll complain about his hair once we get inside.

  Speaking of which, I should probably take blondie inside since Colton genuinely isn’t used to being out in the rain for this long.

  I move to his side, keeping one hand on his back, and I start to lead us to the direction of the campus.

  I can literally hear him pouting. “I can’t believe you made me have our first kiss when I look like this.”

  I can’t help but laugh.

  A moment ago, my boyfriend’s biggest worry was being electrocuted by the sky.

  This is his concern now?

  I look at him, and he’s pouting at me, but I can’t tell he enjoyed that kiss.

  I take in the full view of Tony Ebare, his perfect appearance not all that perfect, some would say.

  His clothes are hanging damp on his body, which is covered in water droplets, and his usually well-styled hair is now a dripping and somewhat stringy mess…

  But he’s smiling. He's trying not to, but he’s smiling.

  His eyes give it away.

  I truthfully declare: “You look handsome as ever.”

  He almost snickers as he narrows his eyes at me. “Liar.”

  He's still smiling - now it’s on all of his face.

  “I wouldn’t lie to you.”

  I see a dry spot under a large canopy that’s over the entrance to a shop.

  I lead Colton over there, and while he starts fussing over himself again, I pull out my phone.

  My boyfriend asks, “Are you calling someone to pick us up?”

  I keep my voice upbeat, “Even better: I’m leaving a message in my Roommate Group Chat to meet me at the entrance with towels so we don’t make a mess when we enter the building. I suggest you do the same.

  “So we’re walking the rest of the way?”

  “It’s only three more blocks. It's less hassle to just finish the trip back ourselves. I’ve run home for way longer in way worse weather.”

  At first I wonder if I’m being insensitive to the difference between my life experience and Colton’s life experience - since he's definitely not a “take your shoes off and run through mud” kind of guy…

  But then he smiles at me. “You're right. We got this.” He takes his phone out of my bag- all the contents dry and well- and he messages his roommates too.

  Then he puts his phone back in my bag and looks ready to go.

  “You ready?”

  “Yeah.”

  And with that, we head off into the rain together, feeling the thrill of life all around us.

  As we continue down the path, Colton comments, “You know, I think I hate the rain a little less… just a little.”