Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Boy with the Blue Umbrella

The rain began falling just as Amani stepped out of the school library.

She looked up at the dark clouds and sighed. She had forgotten her umbrella again.

“Great,” she whispered. “Just what I needed.”

She stood beneath the library roof, watching students hurry past with their bags over their heads. She was about to make a run for it when a voice came from behind her.

“You know, running through the rain won't stop you from getting wet.”

Amani turned around.

A tall boy stood beside her, holding a blue umbrella. He had warm brown eyes and a smile that seemed to appear effortlessly.

“And standing here won't make the rain stop,” she replied.

The boy laughed.

“Fair point. I'm Daniel, by the way.”

“Amani.”

“Would you like to share my umbrella?”

She hesitated for a moment. She didn't usually walk with strangers, but something about his friendly expression made her feel comfortable.

“Only if you promise not to walk too slowly,” she said.

Daniel grinned. “I promise nothing.”

They began walking together along the wet road. At first, they talked about school, their favorite music, and the books they liked. Then they started joking about the rain, and before long, Amani was laughing so much that she nearly forgot where she was going.

When they reached the junction where they had to part ways, Daniel stopped.

“I hope we meet again, Amani.”

“Maybe,” she replied, trying to hide her smile.

“Maybe?” he repeated. “I'll take that as a yes.”

She shook her head, laughing, and walked away.

But halfway home, she realized something surprising.

She was still smiling.

And for the first time in a long while, she was looking forward to seeing someone the next day.