Free Rain In My Heart by Kara Karnatzki

doubt he was odd, but no one wants to be told that, do they?  And as for stalking Miss Nevis?  The boys in my form group were always going on about having crushes on teachers, which teachers they thought were hot, what the y’ d like to do to them - which was n’ t the same as stalking.
                  ‘ We ca n’ t keep arguing ,’ I said, trying to catch Leon's eye: the Dream Team takes control.  ‘ Le t’ s just be grateful for the fact that Greg is okay.  We have a roof over our heads.  We're dry.  We've got heat and light.  We simply need to stay calm and look out for each other.'
               'Definitely,' said Leon.  'Rather than argue, let's be practical.  Hunger is clearly an issue, so let's do another search.  Greg and I will try to break through the door to the link corridor.  Kate, Gemma - you have another hunt around the art room.  Maybe Miss Nevis left a packet of biscuits or something?'
             With renewed optimism, we set to work.  It felt good to be purposeful.  Leon was right - leadership was necessary.  As soon as people were organised and occupied, there was no bickering.   Gemma and I went through every drawer in Miss Nevis's desk.  We found some stale chewing gum and a boiled sweet, but that was it. Unfortunately, Leon and Greg had no luck with the door.
               'It's one of those super heavy fire doors,' said Leon.  'Even a man-mountain like Greg couldn't bust it, especially with the water pushing against it.'
               It was tough.  We all knew that on the other side of that door, we'd have access to vending machines, water fountains, and an entire canteen full of food.
                'Maybe if we all chipped in?' said Greg. 'The weight of six of us might do the trick?'
    'Worth a try,' said Leon.
    He clapped his hands.
              'Come on, people!  Let's bust this door!'
    He said it like we could do anything, like it was all going to be okay.  His positivity was endearing. If I'd fancied him before, I was in awe of him now. And whether his love-life wa s‘ complicate d’ or not, I knew I was in love.  I suddenly wanted to tell him, wanted to let him know just how much I thought of him, felt my emotions bloom and glow.
    And then, in an instant, everything went black.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    PART TWO  - THE DARK
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Sixteen
     
                  The lights in the town went down first.  Street lamps. Shop signs.  Living room lights. Section by section they blacked out: vump vump vump.  We watched it happen, and like a wave, we knew it was coming for us.
    The darkness.
                  ‘ No one move !’ said Leon.
    ‘ I ca n’ t see a thing !’ Gemma hollered.  ‘ What's going on ? ’
    ‘ Power cut !’ said Greg. 
    I held my arms in front of my face, but I could barely see them. I could hear the others fumbling, knocking into furniture.  Greg swore.  Gemma accused someone of treading on her foot.  Then I felt a hand on my shoulder.
    ‘ Close your eyes , ’ whispered a voice - Bryo n’ s.  ‘ Scrunch them up then look again.  I t’ ll help your optic nerve to adjust . ’
                  I shut my eyes tight, blinked, rubbed them, and gradually began to see shapes and shadows.  Although it was only dusk, the thundery sky had robbed the last of the daylight.  It was dark enough.
                  ‘ Candles ,’ I said.  ‘ I think there are candles in the supply cupboard.  Miss Nevis kept them in a tin.  She used the wax for batik work.  I know where they are, I think . ’
                  ‘I’ ll help you look ,’ said Byron.
                  Leon marched in front of him.
                  ‘ No ,’ he said, barging Byron out of the way.  ' I'll