Sun and Rain
As much as the rain graces us, there is need for sun. The sun cannot replace the rain. The rain cannot replace the sun. Each are equal in terms of survival. Two lands live beside each other, one moist and humid, and one dry and cracked. Both are necessary for the inhabitance of humans, which live near the crossing.
I live in the city of rain, where our entire lifestyle revolves around water. Our abode is not dreary and gloomy, like many people crack the rain up to be. The lights of bioluminescent life are strung around the roads, and are a quite beautiful sight. The lush vegetation is vibrant in color. Our people love the rain, and would most likely shrivel in the face of the sun.
I walked along, splashing in stray puddles that line the sidewalk. The cold water hits my leg, and I wince. As cool as my town may be, being north of the West side, it is particularly cold today. Some people choose to carry umbrellas, but most do not. We have grown up in the rain, and it no longer bothers us.
As I reached my destination, the blow dryer at the door went off. I stood there for a second or two, letting it thoroughly dry me off.
After my skin felt parched, and my hair became crispy, I proceeded into the shop. It boasted pastries, teas, and coffees of all kinds. My favorites would have to be strawberry flavored tea and cloud milk bread. I sat down at a table in the corner, placed my order, and sat down a clear bag, in which was a plethora of items. As I removed a stray book, I felt a chill run down my spine, followed by a voice spoken in my ear.
“Well what have you got here?” the voice sounded.
Stunned, I spun my chair only to see a familiar face. He smiled, and pulled up a chair to sit near me.
“I was expecting you to be here earlier. Maybe if you hadn’t had the courtesy to up-do yourself every time you went out, it wouldn’t have taken so long.” I turned back to my book, scoffing without any other response.
He frowned, then pulled out a book of his own. “I actually care about my appearance, and use an umbrella when I go out. Not like a fish would know anything about those.”
“How would a cactus even know what an umbrella is? Do you hate water so much, to go out of your way to learn how to use one?” Fish and Cactus were popular nicknames for people on East or West sides.
Sierra was a transfer student from the East side. His whole life had been lavish and sunny. Not ever feeling a drop of rain on his scalp. Still to this day, he has yet to let the constant rain touch his. Being paired with his for a project isn’t a pleasant experience. Just because Sierra was a prodigy student doesn’t mean he is particularly smart, it just means that he can classify different diseases just from the look of the patient.
His pink, curled space buns were yanked down, and he shook his hair out. A waiter came over to our table, and set down a plate of cloud milk bread, chocolate toffee pudding, and two strawberry teas. Sierra reached for the pudding, while I went for the bread. We ate our respective sweets hungrily, and started our studies.
After Studying for what felt like hours, I packed my books back up, and left the shop. We had said our goodbyes, but ended up walking the same way up until he entered the house next to mine. Quite an awkward situation I must say, having to avoid the corners of his umbrella and all, but I pay it no mind.
This is the first day I bonded with his. Sierra ended up being my closest friend, as different as we are. He took me on adventures, and I gave his just as exciting ones. People romanticize love, courting and marriage, but simply having a best friend can be the most rewarding thing a woman can have.
