Chasing The Storm (Published)

Chapter 2

Mum calls out to me, but I only ignore her, walking swiftly towards the car. I struggle to get the passenger side door open, unsure why it wouldn't open at first until I realise it was lock. I let out a small frustrating scream as I slam my palm against the door.

Mum stands beside me, reaching out to me, but I quickly pull away before she could lay a finger on me.

"Keep away from me, Mum," I warn her. "I don't want to speak or see you again."

I see the hurt in her eyes from my words. "Charli, please. Don't say those things."

I threw my arms in the air, not giving a damn with how rude I was to my mother. "Why? You don't really care about me. You left me, Mum. You left me so you can come here to pursue your dream as a storm chaser. And when you asked Dad if it was okay I come visit you, you were excited about it. You said you wanted to catch up and spend some time with me. At first I wasn't really sure if I should have come here, but Dad said to give you another chance. You said you won't do any storm chasing while we are here."

Mum nods. "I know, Charli, and you are right. Listen, let me do this one job today, and I promise you that tomorrow we will do something together. We will catch up on everything."

"According to the forecast for this week there will be a lot of storms developing with possible tornadoes," Tommy says from behind Mum. "You did say the other day that you wanted to catch every single one of them, April."

I look past my mother's shoulder to see Tommy and Blake heading over to us. I roll my eyes, shaking my head as I let out a frustrating sigh. If they weren't here, my mum wouldn't be making this decision to go on a chase. We would be driving to her home and starting our two week vacation together if it wasn't for them.

Mum turns around to face him. "I know what I said, Tommy. But that was before I remembered Charli was coming to visit."

My heart sinks in my chest with disappointment. Mum had forgotten I was coming to visit. She probably never even wanted me to come here in the first place, only wanting to see me to make it seem like she was still interested when really she wasn't. If I hadn't contacted her the other day to remind her, I would have been left stranded at the airport. The trip my Dad had paid for me would have been a total waste of time then.

And maybe this trip was a waste of time. I should never have agreed to come.

"You forgot about me?" I choke on my words. "After you suggested I come out here to visit you?"

Mum shakes her head. "No. I never forgot about you."

"Cut the bull crap, Mum. You did forget about me. Just like you had forgotten mine and Dad's birthday for the past few years, and fail to contact us on Christmas, as well as other celebrations. You act like we don't exist."

"Charli, I'm sorry. Work has been really crazy."

"I don't care about your job or how crazy it is. I want you to take notice of me for a change."

I turn to the back door to open it, but it was still lock. I pound my palm on the window. Why the hell does this vacation have to start off like this? I demand for the door to be unlocked. Mum listens, unlocking it with her remote control. As soon as I hear the click, I grab my luggage from the backseat.

"Where are you going, Charli?" she asks as I slam the door shut.

I walk away, heading towards the street. "I'm going back to the airport to head home. This trip is a total waste of time."

Mum calls me back as I stroll through the car park, wheeling my suitcase behind me. I hear Tommy tell her to let me go. Yes, Mum. Let me go. You don't want me here so why beg for me to stay?