Free Rain by Christie Cote

me a reassuring smile. That was my dad—my hero, always making sure I got what I wanted.
    “Thanks, Dad!”
    Mom gave him a look that said she didn’t agree, but he just shrugged and left to go get more food. Nurse Michele followed him out, saying, “I’ll let you eat.”
    I ate the burger and fries with impressive speed, and by time Dad made it back to my room, they were long gone.
    “You were hungry,” he remarked with a chuckle.
    There was a knock on the door, and Nurse Michele peeked her head in.
    “There is a visitor here for you,” she announced, smiling.
    “Okay,” I said. She disappeared, and a moment later, Liz bounced into the room and immediately started talking without preamble.
    “I don’t have long. Mr. Clarke assigned this HUGE paper that is due tomorrow because we apparently weren’t paying attention,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Maybe if he said something interesting we would! Ugh. Anyways, school officially sucks without you already.” She gave me a pouty face. “I know it’s not your fault. Don’t worry. But I’m sleeping over this weekend. I miss you!” she exclaimed.
    I thought she only took about two breaths while she’d said all of that. My parents were looking at each other with wide eyes before they excused themselves from the room.
    “Wow!” I laughed. She smiled, jumped up on the side of my bed, and hugged me. I couldn’t help but smile back at her. She was ridiculous, and I loved it. “How exactly do you plan on sleeping over?”
    “I’m your best friend. They don’t have a choice but to let me sleep over,” she stated, winking at me.
    “If you say so…” I wasn’t so sure it worked that way.
    “I do,” she said, sure of herself, brushing her hair back behind her shoulder and smiled again. Her smile was still a bit off, but she was trying and I loved her for that. She embraced me in a hug again. “I’m sorry. I really do have to go, but I had to see you!” Some sadness had seeped into her voice.
    “It’s okay,” I assured her. “I’m really glad you came.”
    Me too!” Her voice bubbled again. “See you soon!” She winked, and just like that, she breezed out of the room just as fast as she had breezed in.
    My parents reentered once she left. They must have been waiting right outside the door.
    “That was fast,” Mom said, sounding surprised. “Did she say something about sleeping over?”
    “Yeah.”
    “How? Funny girl. I should give the nurses a heads-up then.”
    I just shrugged. Must be a family trait.
    Another knock came and once again Nurse Michele told me that I had a visitor.
    “Uh okay,” I said, thinking it was probably Austin.
    My parents moved toward the door, probably assuming the same when Kyle strolled in wearing his usual black jeans. But he was now wearing a dark blue t-shirt underneath his unzipped leather jacket. I was pretty sure my heartbeat sped up at his appearance. Dad stopped in his tracks and looked at me.
    “Who is this?” he asked with concern as he scrutinized him, arching his eyebrows. Oh boy. Not good.
    “Dad, this is just Kyle. He lives across the street from us,” I explained, hoping it would make him back off. Kyle gave me a curious look before extending his hand to my dad.
    “Nice to meet you,” Kyle said respectfully to my dad.
    My dad apprehensively shook his hand before letting his own fall back to his side. The always-protective dad—the negative to being a Daddy’s girl. Kyle ran his fingers with one sweep through his messy hair. I wondered if it was a nervous reaction, even though he didn’t appear to be nervous otherwise. Mom started pulling Dad out of the room.
    “Nice to see you again, Kyle,” she greeted in passing.
    I just rolled my eyes. Once the door shut again behind them, I looked Kyle over one more time and smiled.
    “What are you doing here?” I asked as he walked over to my side.
    “ Just Kyle huh?” he teased, avoiding my question.
    “Well, you are Kyle and my dad was ready