The clouds were thick as the rain misted down to the cobblestone through windless skies. Even with a double-layered hat on to protect his ears from the cool moist air, it had a way of sneaking up the exposed skin of his neck. It was enough to keep a constant chill on.

As he waited, he watched a spider nearby maintain their web through the droplets threatening to damage the steely construction. It baffled him how a spider's web could be so strong, and yet here in this gentle rain, the fat owner was out doing maintenance and yard work. A thought occurred to him like a brilliant flash of lightning – what if the droplet, were making vibrations as they landed, strong enough to trick the spider into thinking there was food?

A booming sound startled him. That flash hadn't been a comical epiphany in his mind – it had been a bolt of lightning. Now the thunder was rumbling around him wildly.

Stubborn to a fault – or just stupid – he tucked his chin down into the short collar of his jacket. It was fine. Waiting was easy – he could entertain himself watching grass grow. His eyes drifted back over to the spider. It looked like it was reinforcing it's web at crucial knot points. An evil urge washed over him to poke one of the strings loose. He'd get a few seconds of entertainment as he'd watch the creature try to stabilize itself first from the earthquake and then, as it'd dart to repair any damage.

He didn't do it, of course. He sighed thinking about how dreadful that'd be to him if someone just suddenly created an unnatural earthquake. Well. He'd probably scream and fall to the floor as it'd ripple underneath him as waves.

Suddenly he shut his eyes to stop the thought from nauseating him. That just brought the feeling of being forcibly rocked to the front of his mind and he snapped his eyes open again.

“Aww,” whined a familiar voice. “I wanted to sneak up on you.”

The boy looked to the spider. Was it suddenly talking to him?

“Something wrong?” Asked the voice, now even closer. “You look a bit green.” It said as a warm, almost hot, hand went through his dark bangs and under the fold of his hat to feel the cold skin of his temple.

He looked to his other side to see who he had been waiting for standing right there. His studymate and friend – a tall young man in disgustingly fashionable electric orange framed glasses, and pale green eyes.

“Man!” He exclaimed as he yanked his hand back. “You're an ice cube!”

“That's what happens when you're late.” He shut hi seyes and once more tucked his chin into the collar of his jacket.

“Why didn't you just wait inside?”

“Can't. The reservation's in your name and I don't know your library card number.”

A warm laugh came out of him. “You should by now. You check out more stuff than I do.”

“Never without you here.” was the cold retort.

“Fine, fine. How considerate of you.” He chuckled. “C'mon, let's go inside.”