Rain Fetish
February 18, 2001
Neko-chan
The sky clouded over as a sheet of rain poured on me, before I knew there were terrors of precipitation hovering above. My five-minute walk from the parking lot to the Social and Behavioral Sciences Building on the UTPA campus had transformed into a race between impregnated, fast falling, freezing raindrops cascading from the gray sky and myself.
Icy water drenched my thin shirt, piercing my skin with it's cold sting. Knowing I would be late for class if I ran back to my car, I boldly continued forward with the disturbing thought of books being soaked along with my shirt and long hair. I thought I heard my subconscious speak up as I continued my unwanted adventure, but the moment I paid attention to that small, quiet voice, it quickly clamped shut, leaving me curious about the big secret. Without time to ponder this I hurried on, silently cursing myself for not bringing an umbrella.
Time clicked by as I battled on, dodging the sky's onslaught of droplets crashing around me, and in my soul I felt an awakening; a rejuvenation of my impish, childlike spirit. For years a part of me had lied dormant, pushed far back into my mind, and now it was crawling out of its prison cell, embracing the invigorating experience. My heart was racing, my breath had become rapid and choppy, and I had reached the conclusion that for once, none of this was brought on by a mere test I had forgotten to study for. I was feeling the effects of a caffeine rush, a sugar high and a euphoric fantasy, all at once. All of this, brought on by one rainstorm puncturing my mundane life.
When I entered the building, I was brought back to reality as the cold air-conditioned waves hit my skin and sliced through my shit as though I was wearing nothing. I walked casually to my Psychology class, only to find that my initial worry about being late was unfounded. In fact, I was the first person in the room, so I decided to spend my extra time doing something beneficial. I went to the ladies' room to dry off with a few paper towels, but I found the counter was out of order! A counter? And following suit of my usual luck, there were no paper towels to speak of, and I was left to dry by my own means.
I returned to the classroom and waited for the bell to ring. As I sat there with my shirt drying in a sticky fashion and my adrenaline began to calm down, I was left with a relaxed feel. I felt refreshed and more ready to face the rest of the day with a smile. Class was over before I had a chance to process the lesson, and headed outside ready for a mad dash to my car, only to be disappointed when I was met with the heat of the sun slapping me in the face.
In my vehicle, I discovered I did have an umbrella, sulking in the shadow the passenger-side seat. I smirked, realizing this is what my memory had conveniently whispered to me earlier. Slipping into my car, with a light smile ghosting over my lips, I decided that next time it poured I would remember to forget that I had an umbrella to "save me from the rain."
