The school festival was supposed to be bright lights, laughter, and music echoing through the air. Lanterns swayed under the twilight, stalls bustled with students, and the air smelled like cotton candy and fried snacks.
Pearl was everywhere again, helping the juniors tie ribbons, fixing her class stall decorations, her laughter ringing like soft chimes above the chatter.
Sharon watched her from near the art stall, his sketchbook clutched in his hand, eyes tracing the way her hair fell over her shoulders when she bent down to help a kid, the way she smiled even when she was tired.
She hadn't seen him yet, and part of him liked it that way—watching her in her element, alive, bright.
But just as the lanterns were about to be released into the night sky, clouds rolled in, dark and heavy, and a single drop of rain fell.
Then another.
And another.
The rain came fast, soaking the grounds, the lanterns trembling in the wind as everyone squealed and ran for shelter.
Pearl stood frozen under the lights, her hands outstretched, rain dripping from her hair as she laughed, tilting her head back, letting the rain fall on her face.
Sharon didn't think. He ran to her, drops hitting his face, breath quick as he reached her.
"Star!" he shouted over the rain, grabbing her hand.
She turned to him, eyes wide, laughter still bubbling in her throat, the lights around them blurring in the rain. "Sharon!"
"We need to get under—" he started, but she shook her head, squeezing his hand.
"Just for a moment," she said, her eyes glowing, rain sliding down her cheeks like tiny stars.
He froze, the rain soaking them, their clothes sticking to their skin, but the cold didn't matter. All he saw was her, the way she looked at him, like he was the only person in the world.
Pearl took a shaky breath, stepping closer, rain pattering between them. "Did you find the note?"
He blinked, rain catching in his lashes, then nodded, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Yeah. I did."
They stood there, rain falling, breath mingling, the soft glow of lanterns flickering around them.
And then, without thinking, Sharon cupped her face gently, his hands cold but careful, and kissed her.
It was different this time—still soft, still warm, but filled with the quiet promise of we're here, we're real. Her hands found his soaked hoodie, clutching it as she kissed him back, the rain drumming around them, the world a blur of lights and water.
When they pulled away, breathless, Pearl leaned her forehead against his, eyes closing, a soft laugh escaping her lips.
"We're soaked," she whispered.
"I don't care," he replied, pressing a soft kiss to her nose, making her giggle.
The lanterns were released then, rising into the stormy sky, their light flickering against the dark clouds, floating like hope that refused to be drowned by the rain.
Sharon looked up, then at her, brushing a wet strand from her face. "You're my Star, you know that?"
Pearl smiled, eyes shimmering with tears and rain. "And you're my quiet."
They stood there, rain pouring, lanterns rising, hearts steady, letting the festival rain write their moment into a memory neither of them would ever forget.