The Storm Rages…


I stare at the incoming clouds for a few moments, then I finally decide to leave them alone and get a shower. After all, it's still early. Maybe the darkness will pass.

After my shower, I change into clean clothes and gather up my things in my schoolbag. By the time I get downstairs, it's already after 6. I throw some bread in the toaster and pour myself a glass of juice.

When I'm done my breakfast, I peer out the window again. The sun has started rising, but not much light is getting through the layer of darkness. That makes me a little nervous, but I've got to remember; It's just a rumor.

I've got to be in homeroom by 7:30 and I'm already running late, so I grab a hoodie and prepare to head out the door, but something crosses my mind. I throw down my schoolbag and run over to my TV. I turn it on and hastily change it to Channel 3.

I sit for a few minutes, listening to the same weather lady talk about forecasts until she gets to the topic of the eerie clouds.

"We've received word that these strange clouds are now stretching into North America. We may have been wrong yesterday as it seems rain has begun to fall on various states on the shoreline. We are watching for heavy storms in New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, and most of Florida."

Florida, I think. I live in Florida.

"We ask all citizens to keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior. That's all your weather updates for this morning, stay tuned to hear more-"

I turn of the TV. I know now that I'm going to be late to homeroom, so I'd better get going. I scoop up my schoolbag and head out the door.

The sky is just as dark as it was when I woke up, which isn't a good sign. It should be completely bright out by now. The rain from yesterday has stopped, but the weather lady said we're still under a storm watch.

On my way to school, I pass by an old bus stop on a street corner. An old man is standing near it, waving a sign around that says, 'The World Is Ending!'. He glares at me and screams, "You! The world is ending! Be prepared!"

Call my crazy but this guy freaks me out a bit. I run across the street and break into a jog the whole rest of the way.

I'm five minutes late by the time I run up the stairs and get into my homeroom. My teacher gives me a dirty look, but she glances outside and guesses that's why I'm late. She sighs and gestures to my seat, so I guess I'm not in trouble.

I can tell everyone is a little nervous during homeroom. They all fidget in their seats and whisper back and forth to each other. I don't really talk to anyone here, so I choose to ignore them and sit silently.

The bell for first period rings and we all hurry out the door. I stop at my locker and exchange some books. I slam it shut and start to walk to my class, Biology. I almost make it safely when I hear, "BLAKE CUNNING!"

I close my eyes and bite my lip. That shrill, squeaky voice could only belong to one person. The whole hallway stops what they're doing as she storms up to me and gets right in my face.

"We had a date last night. When you make a date with someone, it's respectful so actually show up! Not ignore your phone all night!"

"Vicky, I was-"

"SHUT UP! I don't even care. I'm sick of putting up with your attitude. Blake. We are over!"

The whole hallway takes in a collective gasp as Vicky stomps down the hallway. For some reason, I feel like I should be sad or have my heart broken, but instead, I scream "FINALLY!"

A few guys who probably have obsessive girlfriends laugh, but most of the girls look at me like I'm crazy. I'm finally free. I might've spent my whole high school life stuck with that girl if I hadn't blown her off.

People resume what they were originally doing. The muttering about the freak storm has shifted to mumbling about my break-up. Good. I'd like people to know that I'm no longer with that bitch.

It starts to storm again before I even reach my Biology room. Lightning strikes and thunder booms while we attempt to listen to my teacher explain some weird experiment we'll be doing.

About halfway through the period, the TV in the corner turns on and our principal is shown again. His face looks more serious than it was yesterday. He clears his throat and begins.

"Attention students and staff. We have received word that we are now in a serious storm watch. We were told to instruct all students to get home through a car, bus, or other method of transportation. Do not walk home or ride a bike. If you cannot find a way home, we will allow you to wait in the building until a bus is available to take you there. Please remain calm and exit the building cautiously."

You know when a person I authority tells you to stay calm, no one listens. A few girls squeal ad dart out the classroom door. Some idiot guys run to the window while the teacher yells that they could get struck by lightning. I simply grab my things and walk out of the classroom.

In the hallway, people are running around trying to get tot their lockers and on a bus while others try to find cell phone service and call their parents. I plan on just finding a bus that passes by my house, getting on, and getting inside before things get worse.

But I'm distracted. On my way to my locker, I pass Sapphire. She seems different to me now, but I don't know why. Maybe it's because I'm free of Vicky and seeing her wouldn't be a problem.

Wait a minute…

"Hey," I say as we pass.

Sapphire smiles and replies, "Hey."

Sure, it was only a two-word conversation, but that's more than we've ever had! My heart does a little jump when I reach my locker and throw my hoodie back on. I rush to the stairs.

There's a loud BOOM of thunder. So loud that I can actually feel the school shaking. A few people trip down a few stairs and others cling to the railing for dear life. I lost my balance and fall to my knees where I try to stabilize myself.

There's a whizzing sound and the lights go out, leaving us in pitch blackness until the emergency lights flicker on. People panic and run out the door in a desperate attempt to get home.

In all the madness, only a few people are actually calm and proceed as they would normally. I spot one of them walking out the side door. Her auburn hair catches my eye. I look around nervously. My brain tells my to get home in the safety, but my heart tells me to follow her.

I sprint down the stairs, shoving past people to get to he bottom and dart out the side door. There's another clash of thunder and I hit the ground hard. I shake it off, stand, pull my hood over my head, and run after Sapphire.

The wind is intense, nearly blowing me over most of the time. Lightning all around, followed by huge claps of thunder. I guess things are worse than I thought. Sapphire must be crazy to be walking home in this weather. But the direction she's going doesn't lead to any houses. It leads to the beach.

Idiot, I shout in my mind. Everyone knows to stay away from a beach during a storm! I turn to run back to the school and catch a bus, but another clash of thunder sends me on the ground again.

Sapphire fell too, but she must really want to get to that beach. She hasn't noticed me yet since I'm so far behind her. She holds her soaked books close to her chest and starts running for the beach.

Go home, Blake, I think. This is crazy.

But I can't go home. What if she gets hurt and I wasn't there to stop it? We've never talked. I mean, I just broke up with Vicky twenty minutes ago! Is it wrong to be chasing after a girl this soon?

I look around at the raging storm. I decide now that Bradley was wrong. This isn't a load of shit. Something is seriously wrong here. We may only have a few days left. Lightning could strike too close to me any second and I could be dead.

With that being said, I take off after Sapphire. Why not live life to the fullest while I can?


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