EXPOSURE•tyler owens

Chapter One

I wake up to an insistent loud knocking on my door and feel no particular urge to answer. I immediately know who it is when the door opens anyways.

My brother stares down at me as I lazily continue to lay under my blankets. Brunette locks fall down my pillow as I make no attempt to move.

Scott always manages to bother me with his tornado chasing at some point throughout the day. I think it's pointless to wait around, because when you're in Oklahoma, twisters are bound to happen.

I don't know much about the company called Storm Parr that he works for, but in summary, they chase tornados and collect data on them.

Unfortunately for everyone who lives here, there's been a recent tornado outbreak. It seems like more and more are coming each and every day.

It's awfully hard to live in a 'tornado town' when you are frightened of the twisters. Even after seeing them many times, I never quite get used to the blaring sound of the sirens or the whistling of the strong winds.

The worst part is the destruction that they cause. I'm forever afraid that one day my home will be the one ending up in ruins.

"Get up," Scott demands.

"Get up, my ass," I mumble as I drag myself out of bed. "What do you want this time?"

"I just wanted to bother you. Did you know that Javi is bringing in this girl from New York?"

Javi is one of the guys that Scott works with. I've grown decently close to him since they're around each other all of the time.

"Who?"

"He says her name's Kate and that she is going to be the one to help us actually get a good scan of a tornado."

I shrug. "Sounds weird to me. Why would a city girl be the one to take on a tornado?"

Scott chuckles, a mocking grin on his face. "You're one to talk, Elena. You're too terrified to ever go on any of our chases."

"Not true. I just choose to spend my time doing more rational things."

I push Scott out so I can change, but he's still talking to me through my door. I throw on a pair of long pants and a soft tank top.

"If you really want to get on Owens's nerves, you'd come with us."

My brother is referring to Tyler Owens, the man I've hated almost since I've known him. We got off on the wrong foot, and ever since then it's only been bickering.

It's unfortunate that we live so close to him.

We've always gone head to head in everything, voicing different opinions but fighting for the same titles. Every time Tyler has managed to get under my skin just the right amount.

What makes him even more pathetic is his obsession with tornadoes that is even bigger than my brother's.

"What? So I can see the 'tornado wrangler' in action?"

It's what Owens calls himself, and I honestly don't know how he got so many subscribers on YouTube.

"You have the courage, Lena. You could be a better chaser than him if you wanted to be."

I don't think I would make a good chaser at all. You can't put a girl who's terrified of twisters into a chase. I would just ruin it for them, and I don't think I'd make it through the chase.

But what my brother is saying is true. Tyler thinks he's the best tornado chaser out there, and if someone humbled him, he would be absolutely furious. It would be great payback.

And if it was the girl that he absolutely hates, he would be even more mad.

"Are you chasing today?" I question.

"Yeah. You should come. You can meet this city girl that Javi says is so great."

"You promise I won't die in the tornado?"

"Won't happen."

"Alright. I'm coming."

Scott smiles, seeming to be pleased that I'm actually taking an interest in Storm Parr for once. The truth is that I still have no interest in tornadoes, but I have an interest in making a fool out of Tyler and his YouTube channel.

I spot the perfect accessory in my closet. It's the cherry on top. A cowboy hat. I'm sure Tyler will appreciate it.

I run down the stairs, grabbing a quick breakfast and then heading out to the front yard. The grass moves slightly in the wind and I can see the cloudy skies.

It does look like there might be a tornado today.

I hop in the passenger seat of Scott's truck that reads Storm Parr. All of his gadgets and electronics are inside, and I'm careful not to touch them.

I control the music on the way there, much to Scott's dislike. "I think Javi will be excited that you finally decided to come."

I shrug. "Maybe. I don't know if he cares too much."

Scott smiles. "Oh, come on. You know he has a little crush on you."

"You are so making that up. If anything, he probably has a crush on city girl."

The car comes to a stop in a parking lot where I see some of the other Storm Parr cars and setups. Some of the other men are there, with white uniforms as their shirts.

We're waiting for a little until Javi's car pulls up with who I must assume to be Kate in the passenger seat. They step out and he smiles when he sees me.

"Hey, everyone. This is Kate. Kate, this is my team."

She wears her blonde hair in a messy bun, and looks fairly nervous. I have to admit that Kate is very beautiful.

"This is Scott Rosewood. And this is his sister, Elena."

"Hi," she says with a smile.

"Hey," I say.

Javi looks at me, still smiling hard. Maybe I can see what Scott was talking about. "How come you're here?"

"Scott's so convinced that I could chase, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'm really here to piss off Owens."

Javi laughs. "God, he's not going to be happy when he sees you're here. He wouldn't want you in his territory."

I assume Tyler must be here when I hear loud music coming towards us.