Sigh ... I wish this were mine, but alas it is not. It belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
To answer a few questions in the first chapter's reviews ... this story is loosely based on Into the Storm. Granted, I made some changes to the plot, improving it as it were. Adding romance (citrus!) and finding out what happened after the tornado.
I know some of you are confused as to why Alec is being a jerk to his mom. Remember, he's a teenager. He's seventeen years old and he doesn't know how to make decisions. So, his default reaction is to be a douche. He's putting a wall up to not tell his mom. He doesn't want to be the one to break his mother's heart.
In the southern states, peak tornado occurrence is March through May, while peak months in the northernmost states are late June through August.
Thursday, May 27th, 2021
9:20am
Elgin High School, Football Field
"Okay, move the floral arrangement over about five feet to the right, on the edge of the stage," Bella said to the flower delivery driver. "Perfect! Thank you!" She turned and checked her cell phone for the time. When she turned, she saw Riley coordinating with the AV Club. Checking her list, she frowned and walked over to her younger son. "Where's your brother?"
"He's working on a project for one of his classes. He asked me to help out," Riley stammered.
"And you stutter when you lie," Bella said, sighing heavily. "Where is your brother? Tell me the truth, Riley."
Which truth? Riley thought angrily. He didn't know how Alec kept his mouth shut. He wanted to blurt out to his mother about his dad, but it wasn't his place. He could, however, tell her the truth about where Alec went. "He left with Jane. I saw him get into her car."
"Where is he going? Talk, Riley," Bella said, pulling Riley toward the bleachers. "What was he thinking? Tell me everything, Riley."
"Mom, he's fine," Riley explained. "I think they were going to get some pictures and the come back to school. Text him, Mom."
Bella looked at her son, but didn't reach for her phone. She closed her eyes and said her mantra, reminding herself to breathe. In with the good and out with the bad. When she opened her eyes, she pulled Riley into her arms. Normally, her sons would try to wriggle out of her arms, but Riley shocked her by returning her embrace. She let go, keeping her hands on Riley's shoulders. "I'll text him later. Thank you for telling me, but he's grounded until he goes to college," Bella smirked. "For now, finish setting up the video equipment."
"I also need to do the time capsule thing. Can I pull the students I need out of class?"
"Yes, go ahead. See Mrs. Cope for passes," Bella said, wrinkling her nose as she looked over Riley's shoulder. There was a snafu with the speakers. "Go, kiddo. Love you."
"Mom," Riley grumbled.
Bella gave her son a smile as she scurried to the stage. Riley shook his head and went to finish setting the cameras before heading inside to get passes for three students for the time capsule project. He met with Tyler Crowley first in the gym. He was shooting hoops, showing off his sculpted arms and perfect lay-up. "So, Tyler, where do you see yourself in ten years?" Riley asked.
Tyler slam dunked the basketball. "In ten years? I see myself playing for the NBA. I'm a total baller now, but I'm only going to get better, man. With me being on the NBA, I'm going to land a slamming wife and be a millionaire, out of this Podunk town. I'll be better than you, you loser."
"Tyler, we're talking about you. Not me," Riley sighed. "How are you going to get into the NBA? Going to college?"
"I'm not going to college. I'm going right into the NBA," Tyler said. He shot a free-throw and it bounced wildly off the rim. Sure, you are. "We done?"
"Yeah, thanks," Riley answered, stopping the video. He waited until he was gone before leaving to get the next person on the list for the time capsule. He pulled Eric Yorkie out of his computer class. He asked the questions to Eric Yorkie, but the guy was a mumbling mess. His eyes were wide, staring at the camera lens like it was a loaded gun. Ending the interview, Riley found the final interviewee in Lauren Mallory. She was as much of brain thrust as Tyler. She played with her blonde hair, smacking her gum in the courtyard. "Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Lauren," Riley said, holding up the camera.
"Whatever ... I need the extra credit for class," she replied, rolling her eyes.
"Where do you see yourself in ten years, Lauren?" Riley asked, arching a brow.
"I don't know where I'm going to be in ten days," Lauren laughed, flipping her hair. She rolled her eyes, shifting on her feet. "I guess I'd be married with kids. But, not here. Definitely not here. There's nothing special here."
"Are you going to college?"
"I'm getting my MRS. Degree," Lauren smirked. Riley looked at her in confusion. "I'm only going to college find a husband. This place is filled with losers." She looked at Riley like he was a bug. "Case in point ..." She flipped her hair again and got up. "Am I done?"
Riley nodded and stopped the camera. He watched as Lauren sashay back into the school. Alec owed him ... big time.
A/N: Poor Riley ... he's getting the short end of the stick. I feel for the kid. I also feel for Alec, even if he was being a jerk to his mom. Anyhow, pictures of the commencement ceremony and the interviewees are on my blog. You can find a link to that on my profile. I'm also on FB: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation and twitter, too: tufano79.
Leave me your thoughts ...
