Rain pelted down against the ground as I sat out on the back porch under the pull out awning. My knees were drawn against my chest as I had my chin on my kneecaps, just watching as the water poured from the sky.

“What are you doing out here?” Jason asked from inside the back door, watching me with a worried expression.

“Enjoying the rain.” I replied not turning to look at him.

“You should come inside before you get sick.”

“Later.” I murmured in response.

With a loud, forced sigh, Jason closed the door leaving me by myself.

I hummed softly under my breath as the rain pulled me into a trance, leaving a small content smile on my lips.

A loud clap of thunder sounded close by and suddenly all of the lights from the kitchen window behind me shorted out leaving the yard and house in complete darkness. The only sound then was the rain.

After only a minute the back door of the house next door opened and a shadowed figure stepped out and sat down under the small overhang.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice echoing off the silent houses.

“I could ask you the same thing.” Alex replied and motioned for me to come over to him which I shook my head no in reply.

“I like listening to the rain.”

“There’s better acoustics out here than the living room. I can also see things better.” He answered back with a small shrug and it wasn’t until then that I could make out a large, dark object on his lap.

“So do you ever actually go home?” I asked as a few stray noises left his guitar, which did actually sound good against the rain and quiet.

“I only live a street down so yes do go home most nights, but I just got back from tour not too long ago and I need some family time before I have to leave again.”

“That’s actually really nice…”

“I’m not always an arrogant asshole; just most of the time because it's fun to watch you get frustrated.”

“And your charm has once again left.”

“Now will you please come over here so I can actually hear half of what you’re saying?”

“I don’t want to get wet.” I replied scrunching up my nose lightly.

“Girls do tend to have that problem when I’m around.”

With a loud sigh I stood up, the cement shockingly cold against my bare feet, and quickly jogged across the soggy lawns until I was once again protected from the downpour.

Shivering slightly I sat myself down beside Alex who only laughed at me.

“How are you not smart enough to be wearing a jacket?” He asked taking in my now damp t-shirt.

“I didn’t intend on leaving my own porch.” I huffed as I rubbed my bare arms.

He just laughed more, shaking his head as he started moving around. Suddenly there was a thick and warm cloth over my shoulders. Without another thought I slid my arms into the sleeves of the cardigan, reveling in the warmth it provided.

“Thanks.” I said quietly as I played with the buttons on the front.

“You’re no fun to annoy if you’re sick.”

“Every time you start being nice your mouth just has to go and ruin it.” I laughed shaking my head.

If he answered I didn’t hear it because it was about then that he actually started playing the acoustic guitar on his lap.

“Lights out, I still hear the rain…” He sang quietly while I watched the way his fingers glided on the neck of the guitar like air. “These images that fill my head, now keep my fingers from making mistakes.”

The sound of the rain around us amplified his voice.

~~

I crawled into the cold sheets of my bed, while Jason got in on his side, still wrapped up in Alex’s cardigan. Scents of vanilla from the freshly washed sheets mixed with another smell that I didn’t know.

“Aren’t you hot in that?” Jason asked as he stretched out on his back.

“Not at all,” I replied, rolling over to face the windows that looked out the side of the house. Taking a deep breath through my nose I took in more of the mystery scent. “Not at all.”