[ okay... it was like ten hours not 12 hours but I basically didn't lie this time — and I slept horribly. just kinda laid there for hours w my eyes closed ]

☁︎

HUG EACH OTHER.

BABY had a duffle bag full of clothes slung over her shoulder as Boone walked alongside her with her other bag of things. She'd returned to Arkansas with her brother and was only home for a day to see her parents before Boone whisked her away a few hours away on the other side of the state were more storms were frequenting the land.

A large red truck was waiting for them in the gas station parking lot along with a caravan and a smaller truck that wasn't decked out with storm chasing equipment. And four people were leaning against the vehicles, talking amongst themselves, waiting for Baby and Boone.

Baby knew who everyone was even if she'd never met three of the four. She watched every single one of her big brother's YouTube videos, incredibly proud of him and his work. So, she knew who Lily, Dexter, and Dani were without having to ask.

And of course, Tyler Owens was there, looking perfect with a white cowboy hat perched on his head, one foot propped back against the tire of his truck as he waited. His jeans fit him like a glove, his strong forearms shown off by the rolled-up sleeves of his checkered shirt.

Damn, he was still real good-looking.

"Are you sure about this, Boone?" Baby had to ask one more time nervously. "What business I got with storm chasers?"

"All the business in the world," he said simply before bringing his fingers to his lips, whistling loudly to get their attention as they got closer. "Line it up, fellas. Time for introductions!"

Tyler had a toothpick in his mouth but pulled it out as he spun on his heel to face his best friend.

He didn't really know what he was expecting — except that wasn't true. Because he lacked some common sense, he was expecting a fifteen-year-old Baby with unflattering bangs, braces, and those round Harry Potter-like glasses she used to wear, which wasn't what he got.

It was undeniably Baby, of course, but she was so beautiful, he couldn't help but think. And he was glad he had sunglasses on, hiding how his eyes softened as they looked over her form. At a whole foot shorter than him, her legs didn't exactly look long in a pair of cutoff shorts with a white bandana top tied around her chest — she and Boone had their love of the squares of fabric in common. But she looked so good nonetheless.

And it was because he was so stunned by how Baby had grown up that he wasn't the first to greet her as Boone brought her closer.

That was okay, anyhow, as she had three new faces to meet.

"Alright, we got Dani, Lily, and Dexter," Boone was saying, pointing out to them individually. "Everyone, this is Baby."

"Hi, everyone," Baby said, nodding to them shyly.

"Boone's told us a lot about you," Dani said with a welcoming grin. "We're happy to be rockin' with you for a few months."

"Yeah, but Booney says you're a quiet one," Lily said with a smirk. "Might have to work that out of you."

As Baby smiled, Boone just scoffed. "Good luck with that," he said. He'd been working twenty years at it.

"You know, I'd love to hear all about UCLA," Dexter added. "I nearly chose chemistry as a field of subject, but meteorology called to me more."

"Well, I bet meteorology is a lot more interesting," Baby told him softly, trying not to grimace. She really didn't want to talk about school but was far too polite to turn him down should he ask questions.

Thankfully, as always, it was like Boone could read her mind. "Eh!" he said, imitating a buzzer on a scoreboard. "No school or California talk! She is on vacation. No stress, no mess an all that."

Baby frowned at her brother. "I've told you several times that storm chasing sounds stressful."

"Well, not the way Ty does it," he shrugged. Then he faced Baby toward Tyler, who'd remained silent as he chewed on the toothpick anxiously.

"Hi, Tyler," Baby greeted, smiling softly at him.

"Naw, that ain't a greeting. Hug each other," Boone said, pushing Baby toward his best friend.

She stumbled a bit, but Tyler caught her and then chuckled, pulling her into a strong hug. "Good to see you again, Baby," he said quietly, having to bend down a bit given her lack of height.

As he held her tightly, Baby was convinced she was going to suffocate on his broad chest, but then again, that'd be a hell of a way to die. But she was very proud of herself for keeping a calm expression as she pulled away, no hint of embarrassment to be found over the close contact with the childhood crush.

No, she didn't still have a crush on Tyler. But god, was he as handsome as ever. She'd surly have something nice to look at while on the road.

"Here," Tyler said, taking the duffle bag from her. "I'll get this with the rest of our things. You just get yourself ready."

"Ready for what?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Tyler's grin was intoxicating, she was convinced. Then he nodded over her shoulder, making her turn around, seeing a gathering of dark clouds in the sky. "There's a storm comin', Baby."

☁︎

Boone was 'letting' Baby ride in the front seat of Tyler's truck, which was so not where she wanted to be. Not only did she figure the backseat was probably safer, but she'd actually rather have been in one of the other cars and not driving right for a freaking tornado.

And as she tried not to freak out as they got closer and closer, Boone had the audacity to film it all for their channel.

"All right, folks," Tyler said, looking into the camera attached to the roof of the truck to get multiple angles. "We got Boone's little sister Baby with us today. Everyone in the chat say, 'Hi, Baby,' before we get this thing going."

"Wave at 'em, Baby," Boone said while leaning between the seats and putting his camera in her face.

She giggled and pushed him back a bit so that it wasn't a close up of just her nose. "Hi," she said simply, waving.

"This here is Baby's first tornado," Tyler went on. "So, we're giving her the good 'ol Wrangler Welcome as we drive into this beauty. Keeping it nice as small with a little EF0 just like we like 'em for beginners."

Baby just raised an eyebrow, listening intently to Tyler as he rattled off facts about the oncoming tornado that meant nothing to her. She didn't even know the difference between an EF0 and an EF2, let along what wind sheer and cap meant. But Tyler seemed real passionate as he talked about it for the camera.

"And now, we're gonna harness up," Tyler said, glancing at Baby. "Shouldn't need it, but just in case."

Baby glanced back at her brother who looked downright giddy over this, him expertly fixing his harness with one hand while still filming.

"Come on, Baby, this is the best part," Boone assured her.

With a little sigh, she faced the front once again, ignoring how the thin funnel was getting closer and closer as she worked at the complicated harness that would keep her safe.

And once he heard the final click of the belt, Tyler stepped hard on the gas, going right for the tornado before them. And as he did so, he reached to turn on the radio, country music blaring from the speakers loudly.

Baby might've enjoyed the song were she not grabbing onto the bar on the ceiling and the armrest to her left with her eyes clenched shut. She didn't even see as they got in the tornado, but she felt it as the vehicle trembled and heard it as debris smacked against the windows.

"Augers deployed," Tyler said, his words meaning nothing to Baby, who didn't even know what an auger was.

"Now, come on, Baby," Boone complained, seeing that her eyes were closed. "Don't be a baby. Open 'em up. Look at what you're missin'."

"I'm okay, thanks," she squealed out, feeling sick at her stomach at the mere thought of watching a tornado surround her.

Tyler chuckled lowly before covering her hand on the armrest with his own. "Baby," he said softly. "You're about to tear the leather on the upholstery. Loosen up."

She sucked in a deep breath and let go of the arm rest, only for something big to smack into the truck, jostling it. So, she held the next best thing, which was Tyler's hand. It made him laugh again, that deep, rich sound blessing her ears.

"Now, open your eyes up," Tyler told her. "You're missing one of the most beautiful things that nature is capable of."

A deep frown was on her face, but after some more coaxing from Tyler and her brother, Baby peeled her eyes open.

And it was like the world was blowing away around them as they sat perfectly still. Her mouth parted in awe, finally realizing that she was inside a freaking tornado and living to tell the tale. She looked from the windshield to her window, watching the dirt and debris swirl by at such fast speeds.

"What do you think, Baby?" Boone asked eagerly.

"It's beautiful," she murmured.

She kept her eyes open for the short amount of time they had left in the tornado, and Tyler held her hand the whole time.

☁︎

Though she'd had a good day, Baby was tired as they pulled into the parking lot of a motel. Baby thought she'd be sharing with her brother or one of the other girls, but she was pleasantly surprised to learn she'd get her own room.

Boone said this trip was all about her relaxing and recovering, and she couldn't do that if she had to listen to anyone's snoring — and apparently, they all snored, not a single one of the Wrangler's attempting to deny the claim.

So, once Boone got her key to her room, he climbed up the stairs to his on the second floor.

For just a moment, Baby stood outside her own door on the first floor, staring at the key in her hand as she contemplated what the hell she was really doing there. Because how was driving through tornados like she did today gonna help her figure out in any way what she was doing with her life?

Maybe, she thought, she should just call her daddy now and have him come pick her up — he'd promised to do as much should she change her mind about staying with Boone.

It was Tyler who broke her out of her little trance, on his way to the room next to hers. "Key not workin', Baby?"

"Oh, no," she said quickly, blinking repeatedly as she leaned a shoulder against her door. "I mean, I don't know. Ain't tried it."

He nodded and studied the frown on the face. Tyler didn't like it one bit — one thing he always remembered about Baby was that she loved to smile no matter how quiet and shy she was. It was so easy to make her laugh and smile.

"What're you thinkin' so heavy about?" he asked, leaning his shoulder against his own door to mirror her position.

"Nothin'," she murmured.

"But you're alright, though?" he asked, wanting to be sure before leaving her for the night. And truthfully, he wasn't going to move until she was safely inside her own room.

"I, um, yeah," she said unconvincingly. "Just a weird day. Did drive into a tornado after all."

"Well, get used to it," he grinned. "Doing it all over again tomorrow. Maybe we'll find a bigger one for you."

He nearly laughed at the grimace on her face that she didn't try to hide. "It was beautiful today, but also really scary. Can't believe y'all do this so much."

"Well, we all have those things in our lives that we're passionate about," he said softly.

Only for Baby to frown down at the concrete, dragging the toe of her shoe across it. She didn't have anything she was passionate about — even her photography was just a hobby. Not something she desired to make a career out of or anything. So, it didn't help her find any kind of direction in her life.

Tyler noticed her even worst shift in mood, feeling like he'd put his foot in his mouth somehow.

But before he could question what made her so upset, she was pushing past it, looking back up at him with a forced smile. "Well, if we find a bigger one, no way are you and Boone getting me to open my eyes again."

"Oh, come on," he grinned. "Not even if I let you hold my hand again?"

"Yeah," she chuckled, "'cause your hand's gone be the one thing keeping me from dying in a tornado."

"Fair point," he shrugged. "Then he nodded toward her door. "You ought to rest, Baby. It's been a long couple of days for you."

"You're right," she sighed, moving to unlock the door finally. Her key did work. "Night, Tyler."

Once she was safely inside, Tyler sighed and pulled out his own key, finding that his chest felt a little funny. Like it was warmer than normal.

"Goodnight, Baby."