that time of year

The straight winds alone were enough to lift a small child off the ground. Or so Oliver could imagine. It really didn't look good out this afternoon. Naturally, some of the girls had the TV on already in the lounge.

"Oh, boy, its that time of year again." Oliver made a devious look rubbing his hands together.

"This is no time to be joking around, Oliver," Miranda hugged herself and reached for a chocolate cream egg in the candy jar.

"We'll be fine." Oliver wasn't going to let this weather get to him. So what? It wasn't exactly tornado season as of yet. Spring had just got here. "Isn't it suppose to snow again by the end of the week?"

"Yes." She went to watch the news.

He went to the back to see what Bex might be up too. She was busy on the computer.

"Heads up, we might be seeing each other in the restroom soon." He shrugged.

"What?" She looked up then.

"You know, once the sirens go, we have to get to the restrooms." He gave her the thumbs up since he knew he had to be at the desk. No one else was.

"What are you talking about?"

"Tornado."

She stood up then as if her water might break any second.

"It'll be all right," Oliver winced. "When has there ever been a tornado here?"

"That's why we'll have one for real then." She just looked at him as he needed to hold on to her now.

"Look, go to the breakroom. That's where everyone is." He looked at her blankly.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to see who's manning the desk. I don't think anyone. Don't want to get in trouble." And he didn't. He had to get out there.

"I'm coming with you." She shut off her computer then.

"OK." He walked toward the desk. Before he knew it, she was holding his hand. This was something they were going to do together. Even if it were almost five in the afternoon, and they wished they were going home and letting the night crew worry about this.

Oliver looked around the building. Most of the high school crowd had left. At least it wasn't busy.

And then the sirens went off.