Winter Rayne

Winter Rayne Written by Jackie Friedland Illustrated by Louie McDonough

It was early in the morning as usual as Domino waited in line for her morning drink. She resisted the urge to check her watch every 30 seconds impatiently. It was one thing to understand that she had no control over how fast the line moves during rush hour but another thing entirely to internalize it. She checked her watch and frowned slightly at the time. Would she still make her bus with the speed of this line? Domino glanced outside for a moment to see another girl run up to the coffee shop in a whirlwind, the cold making her breath fog up in front of her, only to notice the line.

The disappointment was obvious underneath the giant fluffy scarf tied in a cute bow around her neck. She looked down at her stomach in dismay before walking away from the coffee shop to stand outside the bus stop, dejected. It was clear that she had run out of the door without breakfast in hopes that she could grab something on the road instead. Domino felt herself frowning at the sight of the rather cute girl leaving so sadly. She must have been really hoping that the morning rush wouldn’t be so bad. Or that it was so cold outside.

Midwinter Mischief Magazine

The girl in question seemed to be doing a strange dance of rubbing her hands together while hoping to stay warm. She didn’t seem to even notice the other people waiting for the bus giving her a wide berth. “Oi, are you gonna order or not?” said an impatient businessman. Domino snapped out of her daze to realize that the line in front of her had disappeared suddenly. “I am so sorry! I’ll move now.” said Domino to the businessman behind her. He gave a curt nod as Domino rushed to the front, the line moving from out the door to inside the building in a mere minute. Domino gave a slightly panicked smile to the barista “ I would like my usual please Rin.” “One large cup of hot chocolate and a goat cheese spinach croissant coming up! Anything else?” said Rin with a smile.

Domino hesitated for a moment, the sight of the girl outside the bus stop coming to mind. She clearly hadn’t eaten anything. But would she even accept anything from a total stranger? The line behind Domino made grumbling noises. “Add a second cup of hot chocolate and croissant. The ham and cheese one.” Domino said. Rin gave a smirk as she rang Domino up. Domino rolled her eyes as she walked over to the waiting area. She could not help but let her eyes wander over to the girl at the bus stop’s antics. She seemed to be so vibrant and full of life, not letting the depression of a cloudy cold day get to her. Even her irritation seemed nice to Domino. It felt authentic. A slight smile graced her face without her knowing. “ Order for Domino!” shouted Rin, breaking Domino’s stupor. Domino turned away from the girl and grabbed her order. She pushed out of the coffee shop into the cold. It was terribly cold outside, with the heavy overcast sky looming ominously. Domino frowned as she looked down at the ground. She could’ve sworn that she felt a drop of water. That is the moment when the sky decided to open up and unheave the entire contents of all the moisture it had been accumulating on to her.

The people around her began to scream, panicking at the sudden onslaught of water from the sky. Domino ran towards the bus stop, drinks and pastries in hand. Suddenly, a panicked traveler bumped into her. She felt herself falling, gravity slowing down around her. Her work shoes did not allow for dodging. Domino almost dropped her drinks but held on. The rain poured down on her as she sat in the rain, watching the bus arrive before her very eyes. There were so many people in the way and only one door. Domino wanted to cry. Why was it so hard to have a good day?

Suddenly, a sunny yellow umbrella blocked her view. “Excuse me, are you alright?” said a concerned voice. Domino looked up to see the cute girl Poets and Writers Coalition Winter 2022

Midwinter Mischief Magazine she had been watching from the coffee shop above her. Her eyes widened as she tried to organize her jumbled thoughts. “I-I yes?” she stuttered. She could feel her cheeks blushing. “Here, let me help you hold that. Kinda hard to get up with your hands full.” she said. Domino calmly handed over the drink and pastry she bought in passing for her then got up. She ignored how drenched she was by the rain and focused on the sunny girl in a scarf in front of her. “ Thank you for your help. And the cover.” said Domino. The girl grinned “Oh, no problem! I always bring my trusty umbrella just in case something falls from the sky.” Domino gave a nervous smile back and blushed harder. The girl gazed back at Domino, cheeks red from her jumping. Just for a moment, the cold and rainy day around them seemed a little bit softer. A little warmer. Until a growl interrupted the moment. The cute girl smiled sheepishly, embarrassed at the interruption. “Sorry about that. I skipped breakfast.” “Would you like some hot chocolate and a croissant? I got some extras from the shop today. Rin likes to give them out.” offered Domino. “ Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to take away from your meal.” she said. Domino smiled “ Just have it. Consider it my thanks, Miss?” “Rayne! Thank you for the food!” Rayne said. The two moved under the bus stop together to share the drinks and food as they waited for the next bus to arrive, watching the rain fall around them.