Kiss Off

Chapter 5

The day continues on like any other day, but as school starts to come to an end, the sky starts to darken. A storm must be brewing and instead of getting to go home like the rest of the student body, I'm stuck watering the plants in the school greenhouse.

It's warm inside the glass structure, so I pull off my hoodie and toss it on a chair stationed in the corner of the room. I take my time, not actually all that bummed about having to stay late. Truth be told, it was my decision. I'm typically the one who volunteers to care for the plants after school because I cherish the quiet. Solitude is my friend.

Watching the dark clouds roll in is oddly comforting. I'm safe inside my little glass box even though the winds are picking up and leaves are being thrown around in the air without a single care. I can hear the whistling of the wind as it blasts through branches and weaves itself around the edges of the greenhouse, but it's only when I glance up and notice the skies darkening into a cloudy viridescent hue that concern starts to gather in my chest.

I need to get home.

Throwing down the water bucket, I slip my hoodie back on and grab my backpack. I tie my hair back into a sloppy ponytail before struggling to open the door against the powerful current. I don't exercise, but the panic shooting through my blood is giving me an unexpected strength. I finally force the door open and step out into the whirlwind.

I can't feel my heart pounding in my chest, or hear the fear in my erratic breathing as I'm too focused on figuring out how to make it to my car. I scurry around the side of the building, but before I can dash across the parking lot, a golf ball-sized hail shatters just feet in front of me. Several follow and I freeze, searching for shelter, but I'm not quick enough. A ball of ice hits my right shoulder and a tight scream tears from my lips. I press myself against the edge of the building in hopes that the roof overhang will be enough to protect me.

My shoulder is throbbing but I haven't bothered to even offer it a glance. Pain is the least of my concerns as my spinning mind fights to figure out a solution. And then the hail stops and the world grows silent. My bones quiver against my strained muscles and I know this is my chance. Carefully, I peer around the corner of the building, my eyes taking in the wall of black, daunting clouds barreling toward me.

I'm frozen. Time has run out. There's not a chance I'll make it to my car in time to outrun this beast, especially since I'd have to run toward it to even get to my car. So I stare, thoughts seeping from my mind as serenity takes over. The peace and stillness is remarkable. Breathtaking.

But that's when everything shatters into reality around me. That freight train blare that us Midwesterners have always heard about with storms such as this is now a reality. This isn't a typical storm—it's a tornado. And it's officially hit ground. It's close. Too close... and I'm out of time and options.

I move to slip back around the corner in search of an open door or some other form of shelter, but my foot slips. The forceful wind takes advantage of my vulnerable state and spins me, smacking me against the brick wall of my high school, and then I'm being yanked backward by the arm. I somehow manage to get my feet under me and force them to follow whatever heavenly force has just saved me from my twisted fate. I run, my breathing labored as I fight to keep up with the figure pulling me behind him.

I stumble once and he slows just long enough for me to regain my balance. Pushing forward, the two of us rush across the soccer fields toward a small shed. I'd forgotten about this shed, too absorbed in the thought of finding a way home to even consider seeking alternate options. The boy dragging me along slows as he reaches the door to the shed and curses beneath his breath when he finds it bolted shut. He slams his fist against the wood but only manages to rattle the door.