Beronica

Chapter Twelve: The Storm Betty Pov:

At the sound of Cheryl's high voice calling my name, I dig my nails into my legs. The guys hoot like apes, the repulsive beasts. Veronica looks at me apologetically. It wasn't her fault we had to kiss. To get it over with as soon as possible, I bend forward and peck Veronica on the cheek. " Hey, that's not a real kiss," Reggie says.

" There were no rules saying you had to kiss someone on the lips." I point out.

The rest of Cheryl's party Veronica and I spend quietly to the side until we are able to leave. On our way home, Veronica and I walk without a rush. Until I feel a buzz from my phone. Reaching into my pocket to grab it, I turn it on. The screen lights up with a notification. I furrow my eyebrows. " What is it?" Veronica asks me.

" Major storm clouds headed this way. There's even a couple safety warnings saying to get inside of the nearest house." I read.

Just as I finish my sentence, loud thunder claps in the distance. Rain starts to pour down on us, instantly soaking us. " I think I might be able to make it to my house in time," I yell over the rain.

Thunder strikes a tree, breaking off a branch. Without needing to say anything, Veronica and I run the rest of the way to her apartment.

We slam the door behind us, panting from exhaustion. I shrug off my coat, while Veronica turns a corner with her ear to her phone. I try to dry off and sit down. Veronica comes back, blankets in her arms. " So that was my Mom. She's trapped at Pop's until the storm dies down, which looks to me like that won't happen for a while."

I nod, shivering at the feeling of wind nipping at my neck. A window must be open. Veronica walks through the kitchen and I hear a slam. She must be closing the window. When she returns, she sits on the rug in front of the couch and wraps a blanket around herself. I slowly but surely lower myself down beside her. Veronica immediately shares the blanket with me.

And we sit like that for some time. " There isn't much heating, so I think we should start a fire." Veronica suggests.

In front of the couch and rug was a grand fireplace, so Veronica started to pile logs in it. I lit a match, which I then handed to her. And then the fire burned brightly, exploding with warmth. We both rest against the couch. Just as I start to feel comfortable, I realize that I'm also resting against Veronica's shoulder. I pull away, embarrassed. " Sorry I-"

The lights suddenly go out, and we are left with nothing but the orange glow from the fire to guide us. " Damn it," Veronica curses, " the lightning must have fried the power. I'm gonna go check it out."

Veronica starts to get up when I grab her wrist. " No, let me go. You have been too kind to let me stay here."

Getting an umbrella, I trudge through the mud created by the heavy rainfall. I make it over to the side, checking the power box. I twist a couple screws, and the lights flicker back on. A flash of lightning in the sky notifies me to head back in. But as I start to walk back, another sighting of lightning comes down and hits a nearby tree. There's a loud crack as the tree falls down. I break into a sprint to avoid being crushed by the tree. I dive into the mud as my vision goes black.

Waking up, I have a splitting headache. I groan as I sit up. " Betty, you should not be sitting up." Veronica says, " you almost gave me a heart attack. Do you know what it's like to see your best friend passed out in the rain bleeding?"

" I was bleeding?" I question.

" Yeah, you cut your hand. I bandaged it though."

I grimace at the thrumming in my skull. " Oh, I didn't notice the cut on your cheek." Veronica says, whipping out a First Aid kit.

She dips a cotton ball in some cut cleaning and holds it near my face. I sit still enough so she can swab and clean the cut.

I try to not look at Veronica because I know that once I do look at her, my feelings will explode. But I eventually ignore the feelings and look Veronica right in the eye. And everything else melts away.