It started raining, and the mud was washed from my face. On impulse, I stopped and turned my face upwards, my arms to the clouds welcoming the rain. It felt so good, cleansing.
I heard him laughing. I blushed, my embarrasment making me defensive, “Well sorry if I want to get all this stupid mud off my face.”
He instantly stopped laughing, “Sorry. Really, I’m really, really sorry.”
I was confused by his sudden apology, “It’s fine. Don’t get so upset about it. It’s my fault anyway.”
I started running again, surprised by how much I relished the sensation. Suddenly I noticed he wasn’t next to me anymore. He was walking slowly, a block behind. I jogged back, “Is something wrong?”
He looked up surprised to see me there, “No… I… I’m just really sorry. I thought you wouldn’t want me to run with you anymore.”
I stared at him. He was beating himself up about this way too much. It was just one stupid laugh, “Dude, chill. It’s no big deal. People laugh at me all the time. And I’ve fallen in the mud before.”