Katie raced to school determined not to be late.
Thunder cried out from the blackened sky above. Katie flinched, her teeth grinding in anticipation. A boom like that meant the heavens were about to let down an ocean of icy water onto her. Ever since she was little, Katie hated storms. Now, with a new motive, Katie pedaled faster, determined to avoid the downpour of rain.
Within the next few minuets, to no ones surprise, rain came cascading down. As Katie approached the school she contemplated turning around and go back home, all she wanted to do was go home and shield herself from the storm. But, like a ray of sun peaking through the clouds, Katie spotted a blonde wearing vibrant blue sweatshirt among the other kids rushing into the building. Determined to get another glimpse of Colton, Katie went inside.
The next few hours went by in a blur. Katie had made it to school right as the bell for first period rang. Katie sat through her first few class, her mind clouded with thought, as per usual. And outside the storm still raged on, the rain had increased along with the wind speed. With every clap of thunder Katie shuddered.
Between third and fourth period Katie stopped in the bathroom to relieve her squirrel-sized bladder. Once she was done, Katie walked down the, now deserted, halls to fourth period.
All of a sudden, the loud speaker above blasted with the tornado siren. Katie knew what that meant, get to the nearest tornado safe room.
In a hurry, she looked around the hall she was walking in. Around her were classrooms, classrooms, and more classrooms, all that had windows, dangerous Windows. Desperately, she examined each room and eventually she stumbled along a supply closet. Quickly she went into the closet, shutting the door behind her.
Thunder roared outside and Katie knew just how strong the wind was just by hearing how the rocks slammed against the outside brick wall. She took the necessary safety precautions, bringing her knees to her chest and wrapping her hands over her head.
Only a couple seconds after that the door opened. Katie looked up and her heart almost stopped. Standing in front of her was the one and only Colton.
"Hey", he said "do you mind if I come in here? I can't find any other rooms"
"s-sure", Katie stuttered.
"Great", Colton muttered as he sat down on the wall opposite of Katie. The door closed leaving Katie and Colton in the dark. With the next round of thunder Katie subconsciously made whimpering sound.
"Are you okay, Katie?", Colton asked slightly concerned.
"No, not really", she responded anxiously. And then, as an attempt to comfort her, Colton moved so that he was sitting next to Katie and he proceeded to tentatively put his hand on her knee.
"It's going to be okay", Colton said, "I promise."
Time froze as chills went up Katies body. Her heart raced with the touch of her crush. She couldn't believe it, Colton touched her. Momentarily, Katie forgot about the storm, all she could about was the contact between her and Colton.
That moment was, almost instantaneously, interrupted by the crash of thunder above. She again squealed and, without thinking, Katies hand hand shot up and grasped Coltons hand. Seemingly unfazed, he squeezed her hand in response.
Katie blushed instinctively. She was glad that it was dark, for Colton couldn't see her blush.
"Ask me a question to get your mind off the storm", he said in an attempt to distract her.
"Ok", Katie said "Whats your favorite color?" she thought off the top of her head.
"Green" Colton responded "Whats yours?"
"Sky blue", Katie answered back "like the color of your ey--" she paused once she realized who she was talking to.
"What?", Colton asked.
"Never mind", Katie said quickly.
There was an awkward silence for few seconds. Colton sensed that Katie felt uncomfortable.
"Ya know," Colton started "I'm afraid of geese." He said in an attempt to make her feel better. Katie lost it and busted out with laughter. Colton joined in reliving the pent up tension.
"GEESE!", Katie said through her laughter.
"I mean, those geese with their beaks, I can see how they could be intimidating", She teased once most of the laughter had subsided.
"Hey, have you seen their teeth! They are terrifying!" Colton said defending himself. But that just caused them both to laugh again.
As they shared a laugh they both felt more comfortable with each other and Katie's feelings for Colton deepened.
She was surprised by her ability to talk to him. Typically all of her insecurity's overpower her confidence. But when she was in that supply closet, Katie was wrapped in the protection of darkness and for the most part her insecurity's were hidden among the deep darkness of that room.
