Hope had always loved the rain. She loved everything about it - the smell of its drops on dry ground, the noise that is like silence but a little louder, the pitter-patter of the raindrops on the window. Everything. She had been a rain enthusiast even when she was little. She found rain magical. Powerful, even.

Hope, she heard someone mutter from behind. She has always loved how her name echoed in her voice. It was almost a whisper but loud enough for one to hear. She loved how his mouth circles to form an "o" to pronounce HO and how it closes slowly to PE as though emphasizing the four letters of her name. He is going to smile after, his lips going up one side. Exactly how Damon Salvatore would do it. Sexy.

Hope turned around to smile back, but she was not expecting what she just saw. Sam, his eyes red and puffy. Hope's heart suddenly twitched. Sam was crying and hope did not know why. Whatever his reason was, it made her never as hell. 

Hope, he repeated. There was a tinge of melancholy in his voice.

Sam, Hope shakily replied. She did not know what to say, she had never seen Sam this way. Sam had always been the stronger one, the one she could always rely on.

I'm so, so sorry. Sam had barely been able to say this loud and audibly. He too was shaking, his lips moving, tears streaming from his eyes.

What? What happened?

I promised never to hurt you, right? I promised that I will always love you. And I will stand by my promise. But I have to leave you.

She could not believe she was hearing this. Yesterday had been one of their happiest. They went to watch their favorite film, It's a Wonderful Life, at Sam's house. They ate pizza and laughed and snuggled and kissed and played in the rain, enjoying every second they had.

What are you saying? Hope was crying already. Everything pains. Every breath just hurts.

I know you're mad, but please remember but this is for you. It's for the best. I have to protect you. It's the only way. You may not know now - or probably ever - but it is the truth. 

Sam suddenly grabbed her hips and kissed her as the rain slowly poured. It was a gentle kiss, promising and romantic. She loved everything about that moment. Then suddenly, that moment was gone.

I love you, Hope. Always and forever.

He pecked her forehead for the last time and vanished away, leaving Hope in the middle of their favorite spot and during her most favorite moment.

Hope had always loved the rain. She loved everything about it - the smell of its drops on dry ground, the noise that is like silence but a little louder, the pitter-patter of the raindrops on the window. Everything. She had been a rain enthusiast even when she was little. She found rain magical. Powerful, even.

But not anymore.

A part of her may still love the downpour, but it made her ache.

Because despite everything, even though she hates both Sam and rain, one truth shall remain.

She still loves Sam as much as she still loves the rain.

Always and forever.