[ COMING SOON — after I post the last chapter of my tyler owens fic ]

RIO CALDAS was what Javier Rivera called a 'nature freak' — he'd been calling her that since he started babysitting her when she was five and he was ten in Florida. She'd rather have her hands in the dirt and leaves in her hair than stay indoors.

As a child, Rio had always idolized Javi, thinking he was the absolute coolest — and maybe she'd had a crush on him when she was thirteen. But he'd gone to college, so she got over it. The two still remained close though, especially as she got older and he could see her as a friend and not the little girl he babysat.

So, she was thrilled when he decided to recruit her to go to college at Muskogee State, where he was getting his graduate degree. To no one's surprise, she chose ecology as her major, wanting to study the environment. 

So, when Kate Carter, a fellow graduate student that he'd befriended, needed someone specializing in ecology to analyze her data on the effects tornados had on the terrain and wildlife, Javi pushed for her to choose Rio even though she was only eighteen years old and not that experienced. Maybe she'd only been in school for a few months, but she was one of the smartest people he'd ever known.

Rio was hesitant. She wasn't exactly adventurous, so chasing tornados sounding alarmingly terrifying. But after meeting Kate and the rest of their crew — Jeb, Addy, and Praveen — she was convinced.

Besides, she wasn't going to be put in any danger. They'd just be chasing baby EF 1 tornados, according to Kate. And Kate had a natural instinct for weather, so Rio trusted her.

The end of her freshman year was swiftly approaching, along with the end of tornado season. With the frequent storms hitting Oklahoma, she had plenty to do — soil studies and humidity evaluations and crop survival rates. And given that the site the crew would be camping out at was surrounded by farm land, she knew she'd get some good data whether they tamed the tornado or not.

"Babe, are you really gonna sleep on the ground?" Addy asked Rio, interrupted her as she scribbled down the current weather conditions in her notebook.

Two months ago, Addy had asked Rio out on a date, who shyly agreed. And things had been going great between them. Addy got her to loosen up a bit and enjoy her time in college. And Addy just adored how passionate Rio was about the environment.

Everyone thought they were terribly cute together, but it made Javi and Praveen feel like fifth and sixth wheels since Jeb and Kate were dating too.

"Addy," Javi slurred — he'd been drinking all night, not caring that a storm could hit them at any time. "She lives in the dirt. You know this."

"Well, your clothes are gonna get dirty," Praveen said, shaking his head in disapproval.

Rio rolled her eyes playfully. "Wow. My four dollar shorts from the thrift store. How will I ever recover?"

All her clothes came secondhand, refusing to buy into fast fashion, as it damaged the environment and added to landfills.

"Well, I'm not getting down there," Addy told Kate from the back of the van. "I thought we'd get to share a sleeping bag."

Rio smiled and sat up on her knees, leaning her forearms on the floor of the van. "I think you'll live for one night. Cuddle Pravy."

"Don't cuddle Pravy," Praveen said quickly. "But it's getting late and Kate says the storms are coming early. We need rest."

"You're such a grandpa," Jeb said, coming over. He and Kate had been sitting on the edge of the trailer, having a little alone time. But he was going to crash in the truck. "It's not even ten."

"But he's right. We've got a big day tomorrow," Rio actually agreed.

"Yeah," Javi chuckled. "Re's first tornado."

Of course, at this point, Rio had chased several tornados, however, she usually stayed back with Javi. But tomorrow, as they ran their final experiment that they were sure would work, she was going to be in the truck with Jeb, Kate, Praveen, and Addy. She wanted to see firsthand what the reaction was and take readings of moisture levels in the air.

"We'll keep her safe for you, Javi," Addy said with a smile, knowing that Javi was practically Rio's brother at this point.

"Pinky promise?" Rio asked her girlfriend, holding her pinky up.

"I pinky promise no cute ecologists will be harmed in the tornado taming," Addy said with a smile, interlocking their pinkies. Then she pulled Rio closer by her pinky and kissed her softly.

Rio sighed into it, loving how soft Addy's lips were. "Maybe I don't... have to sleep on the ground."

"Ha!" Addy laughed at her victory, knowing Rio was so easy to convince when it came to things like that. "I'll make room in the sleeping bag."

Ten minutes later, everyone was wrapped in their sleeping bags, spread out over the grass and two vehicles. Since Rio was taller, she had Addy wrapped in her arms.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" Addy whispered.

"Yeah. A little nervous, though," Rio admitted. "You sure it's safe?"

"I've done it plenty of times. With Kate tracking it, we're golden," she reassured her. "And if you get scared, I'll hold your hand the whole time."

"Well, I would want you to hold my hand anyway."