Throughout my life, I have had several close calls with tornados. I’m sure anyone living in Middle America can say the same. One memory that comes to mind is a tornado that touched down near a 4-H camp I attended as a child.

My sister and I, and many of our friends went to the local 4-H camp every summer. The camp was in the middle of nowhere and offered spartan accommodations- rustic wooden cabins with bunk beds, a bathhouse that many spiders called home, and country water that oddly tasted like iron. It wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, but my dad wanted me to go anyway.

The camp was held in early summer, so storms were common. On the night of the tornado, the staff members were aware of the warnings but were tight-lipped around the campers.

It was getting late, but we were instructed to leave our cabins and come to the rec hall for a mandatory impromptu dance party. Once we were gathered in the hall, the staff closed all of the large sliding doors and turned the music up loud. We all had a great time line dancing and had no clue what was going on outside. Soon the storm settled down and we returned to our cabins.

When our families came to pick us up at the end of camp, the destruction left by the storm was visible on the drive home. There were tree limbs, debris, and parts of houses covered in plastic. The tornado had come within a mile of the camp.

My stomach sank when I realized that we were dancing and having a good time as a tornado had torn through nearby houses. I can’t imagine the tense anxiety the camp staff must have been feeling that night. They knew we were in danger but put on a happy face anyway.

Even though I have had a few close calls, I remain extremely fascinated with tornados. I think I am curious about the things that frighten me, and I will never forget the experiences I’ve had.

Knock Knock

Mackenzie didn’t flitch at the sound of her mother yet again knocking on the door. She stayed rolled up in her blanket in the dark room. “Mackenzie?” Her mother spoke from the other side of the door. Her eyes glanced toward the door. She didn’t want to block out her family, but she felt like she was only going to bring them down with her depressed thoughts. Plus, why would they even care about what happened between her and Sabrina? They still were iffy on the whole “I’m gay” conversation.

Knock Knock Knock Knock-

Mackenzie groaned loudly. “Yes?” She questioned. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with anything but sleep. After a moment of mumbling behind the door, she threw her blanket to the side and stood up. She took a few steps toward the door and sighed when her attention was caught by the wall mirror next to her desk. She was wearing on of Sabrina’s hoodies. It hung around her small body, hiding the healing cuts from before she had arrived home. Her dark green eyes were filled with sadness and exhaustion. She sighed, looking down.

“Kenz?”

Mackenzie frowned, confused as to why she was outside her door. She walked straight to the door and opened it quickly. “Ollie?” She questioned, “What are you doing here?” Oliver smiled widely at the girl. She glanced at the state of her best friend and cridged. “I’m the breakup doctor.” The cuban laughed and walked through the door. Oliver walked over to the closet and started going through the clothing inside. Mackenzie watched her with a frown. “I just want to sleep, i’m fine.” She said. Oliver gave her a look before turning back to the clothing in her hand. “You feeling some blue or white today?” Mackenzie groaned, ignoring the question. She walked over to the bed and laid back down. Closing her eyes, Mackenzie tried to ignore the movement in her room. Well, that was until her blanket was pulled off of her and the curtains were pulled apart. She hissed, covering her eyes. The other girl rolled her eyes.

“Oliver!” Mackenzie groaned. She looked up at her with a pleading look. “I really don’t want to play games today.” The brown eyed girl smiled, shaking her head. “No games!” She smiled as she began to push her friend out of bed. “The doctor is in and I have the perfect treatment.” Mackenzie sat up and raised an eyebrow at her. Oliver handed her some white skinny jeans and a black and blue hoodie. “Go change, then all deal with those bags you’re carrying under your eyes!” Mackenzie frowned. She looked down at the clothing. She had gained a little weight, but still didn’t think these would be small enough for her. The other girl sighed. She sat down next to Mackenzie, hugging her arm. “Look, Kenz I love you and I know this is tough, but it’s been two weeks.” She paused, watching Mackenzie’s breath hitch. “Sweetie, you have one more week before break ends. Why not go back ready to show her you don’t need her?” Mackenzie sniffled, tears beginning to fall. “I do need her.” She whispered under her breath. Oliver rubbed her back. “Mackenzie I love you, you’re my best friend and like I miss you.” She smiled at her. “I miss my Kenz, I need that smile of yours to help me get through the day.” Mackenzie looked at her, wiping away her tears. “If Sabrina regretted what she did, she would have been here instead of San Antonio with Normani for some family get together. I know it’s tough to swallow, but please Lo let me help you smile again.” Oliver pleaded. The room was quiet a moment. The sound of Mackenzie’s fish tank cycling water ran through the room.

“Okay.”

Oliver squealed happily. “Great! Go change!” She pulled Mackenzie out of bed and pushed her toward the bathroom. Mackenzie couldn’t help but crack a smile at her friends excitement. The green eyed girl shook her head and headed into the bathroom. She leaned against the door, locking it. Her green eyes locked on a picture taped to the top corner of her mirror. It was a picture of Sabrina and herself behind stage at the x-factor with a kiss mark planted at the bottom. The girl slowly reached up and took the picture down. She felt a tear fall down her cheek onto the picture. “If you care so much, why haven’t you tried fixing things with me?” Mackenzie whispered, thinking about Oliver’s words. She sighed, setting the picture down on the counter.

“No Mom I haven’t called Mackenzie yet.”

Sabrina sat at the kitchen counter with her laptop in front of her. She was looking yet again for any change on Mackenzie’s social media, but like every other day for the past to weeks, nothing. The short girl looked up to see her mother giving her a look. “Sabrina.” The girl groaned. “You can’t expect Mackenzie to just forgive you. Call her, text her, Sabrina jeez I would give you the money to go and see her.” The girl looked down. She wanted to call. She wanted to run through the airport and see the girl. She wanted to climb out on Mackenzie’s balcony and sing her a song to get her attention. She wanted to fight for her love how a spartan fought with no regrets. She wanted to, but for some reason she was scared. “Mackenzie deserves to be with someone who can love her through it all and not make mistakes.” She said, closing her laptop. The older woman sighed. “Sabrina, baby.” She rubbed her daughter’s back and sat down next to her. “Everyone makes mistakes and everyone forgives. Yes she may be mad at you and want to end things, but don’t leave her wondering what you’re thinking.” The room was silent for a moment. The smaller girl put her face in her hands and sighed. “I love her so much Mom, I miss her.” She whimpered. Her body began to shake as she cried into her hands.

The mother sighed. She took Sabrina’s computer and started typing on it quickly. Sabrina looked up at her with red eyes. “What are you doing?” She looked to the computer, confused. The woman smiled at her daughter. “Listen sweetie, you are an adult so you need to step up and face your problems. I know life sucks, but nothing is going to get better if you do not stop stalking Mackenzie on the internet and just get out there.” Sabrina nodded. “Yeah I guess you’re right.” She looked at the computer screen to see flights to Miami pulled up. Watching her mother scroll through she groaned. “The next available flight isn’t until Friday!” Sabrina clicked on the flight and sighed. She looked to her mother. “Should I really do this?” She asked her Mother. The woman nodded.

“Go get your girl.”

My dear spartan, you’ve traveled across the land and sailed through the sea in search of the one you love. You have fought mighty beasts and bloodthirsty men. How cruel it would be to find she was with another. But would you take her? Even if she was happy and content? Would you steel her away protests and all?

No, you are my dear spartan. You would return from whence you came and search for another to love.

So my dear spartan, my arms are open. Will you love me?