The Things They Carried by Whitley Munns (good books to read for teens TXT) 📕

Disaster

I walked into my room and winced. It was a mess. Clothes were everywhere and the bed was strewn across the room. The bathroom looked even worse. Makeup was spread all over the countertop. Hair ties and bobby pins all over the floor and the trash can could really use a changing.

Setting my stuff down I grabbed my favorite shirt off the floor and threw it in a laundry basket. Putting the bed together I groaned at my ugly comforter. It was a pretty purple at one point, but now it’s just ruined thanks to my little sisters and the markers they found. Pulling the covers over my pillow, I turned and took all the clutter off the dresser. Papers, tissues, Q - tips, and a paper dish made their way into the overflowing trash can.

Changing the trash, I sorted out my makeup. bad makeup in the trash, good makeup organized into a small bag. I swept the floor and bleached the counter, the smell of burning cleanliness filling my nose.

When I thought I was about done, I looked down, a big surprise sitting on the floor.

Two inches away from my foot sat a giant brown spider. Screaming, I ran out of the room and yanked my dad into the bathroom.

“DAD! kill it!”

My dad just looked at me and laughed. He grabbed a paper towel and smashed the nasty creature, throwing it into the toilet.

“Sissy.” My dad grunted as he walked out of my room.

Breathing heavily I began to clean once again, making sure to look for more of the creepy creatures.

I turned on the radio and fell down onto my bed, holding my favorite book. Getting comfortable, my phone buzzed. Groaning, I got up and dug through my purse.

“Hello?”

“Hey babe! wanna go get some ice cream?”

I smiled into my phone, “Let me go ask.”

I set the phone down and ran into my parents’ room. “Can I go get ice cream?”

“With who?” my mom asked with a smile on her face.

“A special friend” I smiled back.

“I don’t see why not.”

I ran back into my room and grabbed my phone, “Yeah that would be cool, do you want me to meet you there?” I asked, grabbing my keys.

“uh actually i’m already here.” He giggled, a cute noise through the phone.

Still in my pajamas, I grabbed my jacket and ran outside.

“Cute outfit!” He exclaimed.

“Pajama day, didn’t you hear?” I said sarcastically.

“Everyday is pajama day for you” he laughed.

“duh!” I tapped his arm and he put the car in reverse and backed out of my driveway.

Reaching the ice cream place they call Sheridan’s, we parked and walked to the window. We ordered and sat down at one of the benches.

“What’s your favorite color?” He asked.

“Cole you’re such a flirt.” I grinned, taking another spoonful of ice cream.

He smiled, “seriously what is it?”

“Purple” I looked at him.

He smiled and said nothing, eating more of his ice cream.

We finished our ice cream and got back in the car. Cole just sat there, acting nervous.

Finally, he reached into his pocket for the keys. I looked out the window and stared at a married couple on the sidewalk.

“Happy birthday”, I looked over, Cole sat there with a big smile on his face, holding a box with a beautiful necklace in it. I stared at him with wide eyes.

“It’s my birthday?” I looked at him confused.

He pulled out his phone, 'MAY 9 2015'.

He looked back at me, “Happy 18th birthday babe.”

He took the necklace out of the box and signaled for me to turn. I grabbed my hair and twisted my torso so my back faced him. He clasped the necklace together.

“Cole it’s beautiful. Thank you so much” I leaned over and grabbed him in a sweet hug.

Cole blushed, “you’re welcome love.”

I grabbed the necklace that hung around my neck and twisted it in my fingers. Cole started the car.

Taking me home, Cole got out of the car. I grabbed his hand and we walked through the front door.

“SURPRISE!!!” my parents yelled at the top of their lungs. My two little sisters sitting there with balloons and flowers, my brother holding a cake.

I laughed at my dad’s goofy facial expression and hugged my mom. It was nice of them to make me a cake and surprise me for my birthday.

“Congrats sugar, you’re old enough to vote!” My dad giggled at his dumb joke and gave me a big bear hug. I squeezed him extra tight.

All of us ate cake and watched my favorite movie 'the hunger games'.

Running upstairs, I hurried and grabbed my favorite teddy bear and a few blankets. Running down the steps, I nearly tripped. Laughing, I gave everybody a blanket and snuggled in next to Cole with my bear and blanket.

Ten seconds later, the power suddenly went out.

“What the heck?” my dad said, getting out of his chair and looking outside. It was pitch black and not a single light was on in the house.

Turning on a battery powered radio, my dad switched the station to the news.

A robotic voice came on the radio, “WARNING, SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH SIGHTINGS OF TORNADOES IN THE BONNER SPRINGS AREA. STAY INDOORS AND PROCEED TO THE LOWEST LEVEL OF HOUSING POSSIBLE. -- WARNING, SEVE-”

My dad shut off the radio. He looked at me and I nodded. Running upstairs I grabbed pillows, blankets, flashlights and water bottles. I ran down the stairs, my arms full and fiercely filled up the waters. Hurrying downstairs I found my family huddled in the storage room.

“Where is Cole?” I searched for him in the room.

The house started shaking and a loud noise infiltrated my ears.

“Where is cole!” I screamed.

My mom looked at me and pointed upstairs.

My heart dropping, I ran upstairs and yelled Cole’s name. No one could hear me over the loud noise. Running around the house, the windows started bending like water. The front door’s hinges whined and broke.

“COLE!”

I looked in the living room, nothing.

Running to the front window, I looked outside. Cole was in the road with another family. The neighbors were running towards our house and Cole was behind them, yelling for them to hurry. I ran outside and grabbed the little girl.

“Hurry downstairs! Storage room! GO!”

Everyone ran passed me and Cole grabbed my elbow. We ran back in the house, wind ripping at our faces and smacking our bodies around like dandelions. The door blew off the house and flew down the street, the windows shattering. Car alarms and crying filled my ears and I began to panic. Trying to get everyone into the storage room I tripped down the stairs and fell into Cole. He pushed me into the storage room and closed the door behind him, locking it and putting a dresser in front of it.

My neighbors huddled in the corner. I got up and gave them water and a blanket. Everybody finally calming down a little.

My baby sister was crying and came running to me. I grabbed her in my arms and hugged her, sitting down on the floor.

“Shhh, it will be okay baby.” I whispered in her ear, humming her bedtime song. She slowly began to quiet down, closing her eyes and silently sleeping. Cole came and sat next to me grabbing my hand. He smiled at me.

“I’m proud of you.” He said.

“Why?” I looked at our hands.

“Because you are brave.” He said nothing after that.

Ten Years Later

 

I sat in a very uncomfortable chair, holding hands with my fiancee and waiting for my brothers name to be called.

“Braydin Mclarey” the man at the podium announced. My brother stepped up onto the stage in his yellow gown and cap and grabbed the roll of paper out of the man’s hand. I clapped and yelled, excited for my little brother.

I looked over at Cole. He smiled and span the engagement ring on my finger.

“I love you” I said, smiling.

“I love you too. Remember when we did this?”

“Yes, it was so long ago.” I pretended to act like an old lady. Cole laughed and squeezed my hand.

I watched as my brother stepped off the stage and lined up with the rest of the graduates. I was proud of him. He was on his way to a good life.

 

I often think of that night when I experienced my first tornado. The fear that I felt for myself and my family. It seemed so far away, but I can still remember the looks on my parents’ faces, the sound of my sister crying in my arms. It was a crazy night, but thank goodness everyone was still here, safe.

Happy birthday, love the tornado.

FIN

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Publication Date: 11-16-2015

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