A Storm on the Horizon ~ Cover Reveal

Good Morning!!

I am FINALLY releasing my pirate young adult novel!! I have been saying it for years, and it is finally happening! Prepare yourself because I LOVE this cover! How amazing is this cover? I might have to just print the image and put it somewhere in my house. That wouldn't be weird or anything would it? I am going to be releasing this book for all ebook readers, and paperback readers on November 1st, but you can preorder it now!

Book Blurb

Her responsibilities and poverty trap Elizabeth. All she wishes for is to know what freedom feels like, but that always seemed out of grasp. However, when Elizabeth's father dies, she is left without any money or a roof over her head. She has only a few options. Taking a deep breath, she decides to take the plunge, cut her hair off, and join a pirate ship. Holes are poked into Elizabeth's plan when two guys whom she knew in her old life are also on board the vessel and could expose who she is.

Chapter 1 Elizabeth

The air surrounding me was saturated with the refreshing scent of salt, which seemed to awaken my senses. Keeping my eyes shut, I took in a deep breath of what I knew was freedom. A vast sea outstretched towards the unknown, full of adventures. However, when I opened my eyes, all I saw was the dock — my trap. The smile faded as I watched some ships bobbed ever so lightly in the tide as they were tied up against the dawn sky. I wrapped my arms tighter around my knees as a breeze swept through my window. From my room, I could faintly see figures moving around on one of the ships. I was never going to get off this island.

“Elizabeth,” a raspy voice called through the curtains.

“I’m coming Papa,” I responded with my eyes still on the horizon.

I took one last gulp of the fresh air before I uncurled myself from my bed by the window. Grabbing my worn dress and corset to exchange with my nightgown, but I wished that I could have done without the dreaded corset. What I wouldn’t give to be a guy and not have my ribs crushed under the wretched corset. I yanked on the strings one at a time. The material was shabby, but my bones still felt some restraint. Glancing around the room, I wondered where I had put my shoes. While I brushed my long red-brownish hair to put in a bun, I tried to remember what I did with my shoes. I only ever went to work, the market, or home. I gave up on fixing every stray strand knowing whatever I did to it wouldn’t last and started to crawl around on my hands and knees. I smirked, this was not the most lady-like behavior, and I was sure half the women in town would faint at the sight of me in this position on the floor. I gave up on being a lady years ago. We were poor, and I was not in a situation to play a lady.

“Aha!” I yelped once I found them under my bed and put them on.

My dress was hiked up to my knees as I put my shoes on. When I was little I never really cared to play dolls with the other little girls in town. I would watch the boys between their lessons would play with swords pretending that they were members of the guard or a pirate. I would go over there to ask them to play, and they would ignore me purely on the fact that I was a girl. They would go into their homes for their lessons, and I would never be able to get either. My Papa never learned to read and was unable to teach me. My Papa made it up to me, though by teaching me sword fighting; he said he might as well show me how to defend myself.

I have been helping out at the docks where my Papa worked for years. It did make the owner a little uneasy about a little girl working there. He got over it quickly since he realized that I was cheaper to hire than any man and got the work done just as well as one. I loved learning about the ships to the point where I could tell a person every part of a vessel and what it did. I could fix any part of the boat blindfolded. After that, I learned more as the people would dock their ships at our port. I could not get enough of the sailing life.

My true love though was pirates. The fact that they could jump onto their ships and sail all over whenever they could, I was jealous beyond all reason. To go from one port to another, to take what they thought what should be theirs. Never to have to worry about anything in life and no real responsibly. That sounded amazing to me. I would love having all the advantages since my Papa taught me how to swim when I learned to walk since I was always by the dock; not many knew how to do so. The best thing about being a pirate would be that I wouldn’t have to worry about being forced to marry anyone.

Fixing my dress, I pushed aside my curtain to reveal the common room. This building was the old office for the marina, so it was one room, but when my Papa started to work for the owner, he let us rent it. My mom had put up the sheets to create the illusions of rooms. I remember being little and running through all the layers of fabric. The laughter had died a long time ago, though; it was almost like the happy spirits were ghosts in our home.

Loud, ear curling coughing greeted me. Papa was standing at the table, both hands gripping the edges with white knuckles. My stomach dropped, and I instantly felt nauseous.

“Papa-”

He held up a hand, causing me to stop me from finishing that thought. I went around him to take the pot off the fire before the bubbles boiled over. He sat down but kept his eyes on the table as I poured what looked like the last bit of last night’s broth into the bowls he had out. After putting the pot aside as I pushed the bowl in front of him, and Papa only nodded his head. Holding back a sigh, I started to sip on the liquid, and the warmth seeped through every part of my body. I couldn’t help peering over my bowl at my father.

“I’m alright you don’t have to worry about me,” he finally spoke, his chest heaving profoundly almost like he was trying to catch his breath.

“Papa, you should stay at home,” I whispered.

His face scrunched up. He hated me taking care of him when I was the child in the relationship. Deep in his eyes, though I could tell that a part of him was pleased that he’ll be with my mother soon enough, it was that last bit of bliss in him. That acknowledgment killed me to think that I was going to lose him too. He was all I knew and had. Why couldn’t he hold on a little bit longer for me?

“I’m alright honey, come on, you and I need to go to work.”

I just shook my head, knowing he wouldn’t listen to me anyway. His stubbornness might lead to his death. He had slowly been putting up a guard against me when his health took a turn for the worse a year ago. My Papa drank quickly. I didn’t know what tonight’s dinner was going to be. We ran out of food, and I didn’t know when we were going to receive our next payment. When I was younger, the men would give me food out of pity. Seeing a child small and underfeed would make them feel empathetic. Now they wanted something for the food, so I just ignored them and the pains in my belly. On a rare occasion, the dock’s master’s wife would give us food when they had extra, but it was far between the times she did that. They had children themselves to feed.

When the two of us finished with what we were calling breakfast, he took the bowls and washed them with a towel quickly. He gave me a tight smile which I returned and held my hand to start our walk to work. When we got to the docks, my Papa was instantly pulled aside to talk to the port master, leaving me watching and trying to figure out what was happening. My Papa just kept nodding his head before shaking the master’s hand. The master went back inside, and Papa headed back towards me. My chest shook as my heart raced with what my father could be directed towards me to say. I had a feeling what the news was going to be, and it worried me.

“Looks like there’s a job that they need me to go on.”

“But.” I paused and glimpsed over at the office before back at Papa.”But your health.”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head.”It’s a job, and we need the money, so there’s no discussing this. I leave four days from now.”

He brushed by me to head to his station, never looking over his shoulder. Nothing was unusual about him going on trips, but despite what he told people about his health, he was getting worse. The last thing he should be doing was going on a long journey with a cough that shook his whole body, and that made throat scratching noises. Davy Jones himself would hear it at the bottom of the ocean. I tried to hold back the scared nerves by holding my breath for a moment, letting it out slowly. I could not say a word to get him to stay at home. I loved my Papa, and this trip would surely kill him, yet the master could not see that. The owner had a business, things needed to be shipped, and we needed the money. There was nothing I could do. Maybe if I had been born a son, he might have listened to me.

I helped move some of the ropes on the docks to get things started for the upcoming trips. Working kept my mind busy. No one was out on the boards of the port. I guess we were earlier than we were supposed to be. I started to tie the knots for the sails as the sun shined brightly on this beautiful day, the sky losing the other colors leaving a crisp, blue shade behind. I could feel the sun starting to hit my face, warming me to my core. I couldn’t help, but smile. It didn’t take me long to do the ropes; knots were simple. My fingers became nimble over the years. I drifted a bit on the ship since no one was looking and I did all that I could’ve without anyone there.

I headed towards the Quarter Deck, where the steering wheel was. I let my fingers drift over the railing of the ship. The wood felt so smooth under my fingertips. Oh, I just wished that I could sail out and leave my problems behind. Taking a glance to make sure that no one was watching me, I picked up the skirt of my dress and ran the rest of the way. Each foot fell was light and rapid as I tried to keep the wooden planks from squeaking, and I wished that I was barefooted. Once I made it to the Quarter Deck, my fingers shook a little as I went to touch the wheel. With quivering hands, I put my hands on it real fast. My heart seemed like it would not stop from beating too fast, even though the anchor was in the water I felt like I was already on my way sailing towards the horizon to lands that I’ve only ever heard about from the sailors. I wanted to see if the stories were true for myself.

“You look like a natural up there,” a soft deeper voice spoke.

I jumped back and took my hands off with them in a surrender position in front of me. My eyes went wide as a guy around my age was close by chuckling at me. I hadn’t even heard him get on the ship. He had thick, raven hair that was just below his ears glistening as the sun shined brightly on him. He had these piercing green eyes that were smiling at me, or were they smirking? His clothes were tattered and frayed.

“Sorry, I hadn’t meant to scare you,” he spoke while strolling onto the same deck that I was on and continued to close the gap between us.

“You hadn’t scared me,” I tried lying hoping he didn’t see the fear that had to be showing through my eyes.

He had taken another relaxed step closer to me and another until he was finally standing next to me. I tried to keep my heart from leaping out of my chest; my feet never moved. I wasn’t running away from him. Why wasn’t I moving away? Even though I wasn’t trained to be a lady, I knew that when a strange man came up to me, I was not to be alone with him.

“I hadn’t?” the guy raised an eyebrow to match his smirk. His voice though was still charming.”Then why did you jump?”

“You just surprised me, that’s all,” I snapped straightening my shoulders.

He smiled and pushed his hair back from the wind blowing it. That was when I saw the earring. Definitely a pirate! That was not a slave trait because it glistened like gold. I jumped up and squealed as my eyes grew real wide. My hands flew to my lips, hiding my smile at the discovery. He scrunched his dark eyebrows, causing his grin to disappear.

“You’re a pirate,” I shrieked.

I was so excited I must have said it too loudly because he covered my mouth with a calloused hand. He glanced around agitatedly then back at me. His eyes narrowed at mine.

“Why would you say that?”

“Your clothes, the earring, and the fact that I can see an outline of a tattoo through your shirt,” I could hear the enthusiasm with every word. Quickly I was losing restraint that was stopping me from jumping up and down just before.

I couldn’t believe I was meeting a real pirate. I was getting overexcited. There were so many questions I wanted to ask. I wanted to know everything. I had dreamt of meeting a pirate my w life, whole life. However, with a pirate in front of me, I couldn’t think of what to ask first. My mind was a swirl of blanks though unable to process a single query.

“You’ll not rat me out?” he asked as his eyes locked onto mine narrowed.

“No! Tell me what it’s like to be free.”

He raised an eyebrow again.

“You’re not like any other girl I’ve ever met,” he spoke slowly.

My gaze fell to the deck floor, nervously as I shuffled my feet a little. I was not like a normal girl if I had any girl in me at all. He guided my chin up so that I could meet his eyes. They were softer this time.

“That isn’t a bad thing love,” his voice gentle as his thumb rubbed my cheek.”My name is Sly.”

“Elizabeth.”

When I went to the market, the women there talked about how they got flustered when they got a peek of any of the upper crust. I felt just as restless and enthused about the guy before me.

“You aren’t afraid of being near a pirate?” he questioned in hushed tones, and I didn’t know why he had to ask again.

Couldn’t he see the bliss just seeping out every pore?

I leaned against the edge of the ship, and he followed my led. Smiling slightly, I couldn’t believe someone was talking to me like an average person. I wasn’t getting made fun of or harassed. Sly genuinely seemed like he wanted to speak to me, curious about me. I felt the butterflies coursing through me. He was very at ease about this situation as his shoulders were not squared off. I didn’t think I’ve ever really been alone with a male like this before.

“No, actually they fascinate me. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a pirate. However, two things have always stopped me from becoming one,” I spoke with the words flowing out of me effortlessly.

“What are they?” He requested liked he cared.

“First, as much as I’d love to be out there, my Papa’s health keeps me here. The second is the most important; I’m not a man if you haven’t noticed.”

“Aye, I have,” Sly chortled.

I laughed a little anxious then he bent over to my ear. I could feel his lips touch the shell of my ear as he talked. Shivers shot through my spine.

“Would it fancy you to hear what it’s like?” his voice was husky.

“Everything, everything you could tell me.”

Sly laughed from deep within his chest and stood up fully to walk a little more in the back of the ship, leaving me to pursue him. I didn’t take much time as I jumped to shadow him.

“You would rather listen to me talk, than anything else?”

He raised an eyebrow. I pretended to ignore what he was hinting; I was not going to let him ruin my chance of asking him questions.

“Yes. It would mean the world to me,” I beamed.

He sat down on the deck floor, so I copied, and again he stared at me oddly hopefully for my boldness. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of his green ones that were unlike any eyes I have ever seen, such a daring shade of green. There was just the familiarity and comfort around him even though I had only met him.

“Why are you so different from every other girl I’ve ever been near?” there was a playful tone in his voice.

I blushed. That was the one problem I had with pirates, the way they were with the woman. The fact that pirates tried to charm their way into bedrooms to spoil any reputation of a woman just for a moment of mischievousness.

“I never had a Mama to raise me, just my Papa. He jokes around that I should’ve been born a son. That he had always wanted a daughter and never got one. He taught me the sword and about ships. I feel like I’m being imprisoned by staying here on this pile of dirt.”

Sly sighed. I can’t believe I told him that. I just met him. No one else knows about any of these fantasies. I glanced away from him and pushed back some lose hair.

“That’s why I love the sea. I’m free.”

“I’m jealous,” I let go a deep breath of air.

“Ladies such as yourself should want to get married and to have children. Not be trying to roam the waters.”

“That has never been a dream of mine. I never pictured any of those things.”

He smiled big.

“Come with me for a walk.”

I couldn’t say no to those eyes. Getting up we climbed down the ship before we slipped off, hoping not to get noticed. I could not be seen leaving work. Sly took my hand as we ran off towards the beach away from the docks. Using my free hand, I picked up my skirt to lift the material to around my knees. I giggled finally feeling loose, and he smiled at me. I didn’t care about the girly laughter escaping me around him. I didn’t know if it was from the sneaking off or the sea air, but for a brief moment in my life, I felt away from everything in my life. My hair came out of its bun and flew, just as liberated as me from its ribbon. We finally stopped with us trying to catch our breaths. I bent over to take off my shoes which were already practically dead. Walking in the sand with shoes on was not fun or an easy task.

Sly interlaced our fingers and pulled me over so that I was embraced tightly in his arms. He let a hand drift to my cheek and pushed the now windblown hair behind my ears. Being held by Sly was all going too fast, but Sly was a pirate after all. He started to lean forward a little while I was inclining my neck, his lips headed for mine. My knees nearly buckled, I was about to get my first kiss. I snuck out of work with a pirate and was about to get a kiss. My eyes drifted shut as he did the same. We both paused, though when a high pitched voice broke the silence over the sounds of the waves. His forehead was against mine as he paused, his jaw clenched.

“Now Elizabeth, I really could have sworn that you’re supposed to be at work right now,” the voice echoed in my head making me want to die, or to kill her, whatever would keep me from hearing that voice again.

Angeline was the richest girl in the region. Her father was the Governor. There was talk of her marrying a man high up in the ranks of the military. I could care less as long as she was not around me. She was part of the elite, so there wasn’t supposed to be much of a sighting between the two of us, but she still managed to make sure that we ran into each other every few days it seemed.

Everything about Angeline bothered me. Her hair color was opposite of mine, a light blond shade, and hers was clean in tight curls around her shoulders. She always wore the most elegant clothes; I don’t know if I have ever seen her wear the same thing twice. Her eyes were such a vibrant shade of blue that everyone loved under the thick, dark fan of eyelashes. Being around her made my blood boil. I could sense her before I saw her usually. She had a twin brother, Henry. He was a big problem for me. He was searching for a bride, and I always felt his eyes on me despite the class difference. I didn’t know which of the two urchins I wanted to see dead more at times. I was not lucky enough to lose them both in a tragic accident.

“It wasn’t busy,” I tried lying as Sly drew his face away from mine to look at Angeline.

I could feel the joy drain from my body.

“Elizabeth darling, you’re acting very rude by not introducing me to your friend,” her voice had a sharp tone; making sure to let me know that she was above me.

This woman was such a tart. My heart broke. Why did she always try to stomp on the little happiness I had in life. She sought out to make sure no other female was happy. She didn’t care who she flirted with or if the man was available. Angeline strolled upon the beach with such grace I knew I never had a chance because I wasn’t such a ‘lady.’ The layers of silk made the sand even clear smoothly. I wasn’t like the other girls.

“I’m Angeline.”

She held out her gloved hand. Angeline used her charisma, and little was said yet. Sly left with her. I hated that siren. I was left alone standing on the beach with the wind blowing wildly. Off in the distance, I could see a ship that Sly was probably a crew member on that vessel. I sat in the sand, making sure my feet were well into the sand. My toes were in the cool sand as the sun warmed up the top light-colored grains. I had my knees brought into my chest, and I stared out into the ocean. What might have been the best morning of my life was turned into rioting fruit. The rich won over the poor yet again.

First four chapters: https://www.wattpad.com/story/20344424-a-storm-on-the-horizon

Release Day is November 1, 2019, ebooks are available for pre-order!

Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes&Nobles, iTunes, and more!

End of Summer

Hello!
I know that there is pretty much another month of summer, but for me as a teacher, I go back to work in two days. So summer is pretty much over. As always I had a mental list of things I wanted to accomplish this summer, and I'm pretty much sure I did close to none of it. Oops! At least the batteries are recharged? I also finished another Christmas Lites story today! It's been 9(?) years since it has started and I've had a story in almost every edition! It's crazy and I love being part of this big project every year! It is a short sweet story this year. I try to change it up every year. I think I already know what I want to do next year!

I did a Facebook take over the other day and I got asked what my next project is. It made me think. I did put out a few stories this year after a little hiatus. If you all could see my computer folder you'd know that I do have plenty in the works. However, editing fees does slow things down. I do have a few things in the works and I might try something new editing wise to help be able to put more stuff out quicker, without breaking the bank. As you know I got married this summer and the hubby and I have some financial plans for the future. He supports me and my writing, but I want to make sure that help out with those plans.

So what am I working question that got me thinking. Number one, Pirate story, I have been saying this for year, but I will be making this happen and I am looking at covers so it is real! I will just have to come up with a better title and edit it and that will be out late this year, early 2020! Who doesn't like pirates? Number 2, Invisible Bond (Family Ties 2), another title that I've been saying that would be coming out soon. I need to beef it up a little and edit it, but that will be released 2020 as well. I'm currently working on a titleless story that is a little different than my other stories. I am enjoying it, but I am not 100% sure if it will be a full-on novel or a mini novella series like Mistakes is. I did write out a small outline for them, but I am leaning towards a novella series for that. Oh, and I do have my clone story that I will go back and scan through before beginning the editing process. I am sure there are others that I'm not thinking about that I want to work on, but I'm sure more new ones will pop up!
Happy Readings!

Beneath the Scars series

Good morning,
I have a cold that is trying to kick my butt right now, but considering all the other germs going on right now at work I'll take the cold. I'm finishing up the edits on Define a Hero (Beneath the Scars 3) to send to the editor today! Which is a tad earlier than I was thinking, but I'll take it! There is a huge gap between the first and second, we will call it a trade off? I hope that everyone is enjoying the second one! It is now available for everyone whether you like paperbacks or ebooks.

I loved the first one so much I wanted to go back to that world. I originally started to write a sequel to Beneath the Scars. Jack had a different name, and he was a cop. Faye's character has gone through a few different names, until I came up with Faye Harper and it just clicked. After putting that story on the back burner. Then after a few years, the characters that would become Faye and Jack came to life. About halfway through with writing the story I heard the song 'Greatest Love Story' by Lanco came out, and it made me think of the characters.

Call for Help
Beneath the Scars 2

Jack Corrente was once part of the same unit as Riley Nolan. Now after serving Jack is back in his hometown. On the outside he is working at the same mechanic shop he worked at in high school, he went out with his friends, and helped his mom around the house. On the inside though he is battling the shadows from the past.

One night though his high school sweetheart, Faye Harper, accidentally calls him. His mind becomes swampier with all the other memories. Faye was ready to escape the small town as soon as she saw her chance. She is states away in New York City. She has a job she likes and a fast pace life. However, ever since that phone call she wonders if she made the right decisions in her life.

Goodreads

Amazon

BN

Keep your eyes open, but it looks like the conclusion of this trilogy will be out in the beginning of 2019! It is crazy to type that. I will also be sending End of the Line 2 to the editor (more on that later) and possibly the pirate story that I've been talking about as well.

Happy Readings!

The Ulitmate Sample Sunday!

Hey Lovelies!
Since I am not really broadcasting Valentine's Day and some of my writings have been pushed back, then to extra top it off I have slacked on the Sample Sundays I decided to make an Ulitmate Sample Sunday! I will be posting links to EVERY sample that I have posted! You all will have fun exploring many chapters of varying stories! I hope you enjoy!


End of the Line
Chapter 1 Lauren 

Family Ties
Chapter 3 Cory
Chapter 4 Abby 

Beneath the Scars
Chapter 1 Rily
Chapter 2 Eponine

 

Project US
Old Prolgue
Chapter 1 Rachel
Chapter 2 Nick

Runaway
Chapter 1

Beaker to Life
Prologue & Chapter 1 Derek

Pirates' Life for Me
Chapter 1 Jocelyn

Wedding Dress and Files

Hey Lovelies!I am overjoyed with the fact that I came back from school to find a new laptop with my old files on it!  There really are not enough words in the English language to cover how happy and relieved I was to see them!  I just was was playing around on with the files then found all of the stuff, I literally sighed with relief!  I probably have to do some HUGE thanks to my dad and his friend for saving my life that was on that harddrive!  I'm friends with my ex, Ryan, and he and I were talking about it he understood how much I was freaking out last weekend.  So since the computer will not be taken away from me since now it has Word (squeals!) I get to keep this pretty little thing!  I probably will have to find a name to fit this laptop....

Okay, so if you are reading the heading you were probably stratching your head wondering why I put in Wedding Dress.  No the wedding dress isn't for me, I'm single as single comes.  I have a guilty pleasure, we can blame my mom for this, but I watch 'Say Yes to the Dress'.  Ryan just found that out recently and he laughed at me.  I got my roomie Heather last year into watching it, and my mom and I have fun watching it.  I am not really a girlie girl and wears dresses myself really, but the show is really addicting in addition amazing what people will spend.  I love getting to look at wedding dresses for different eras with Pirate's Life for Me and Family Ties, plus a couple other stories that aren't time framed base.  With the quiz coming up with Family Ties I thought I would post a picture of the dress that inspired Emma's Wedding dress.  I wasn't sure if I was going to have this picture still, but since I do let's have a little fun!

Now you are probably wondering why i made the picture so big, sorry if it is a little obxious but I just wanted everyone to be able to see all the pretty details that I just fell for! I love Google and had way too much fun researching dresses. I'm sure whatever guy ends up with me is going to have to have a good sense of humor about my researching!
~Ottilie

Emma....

I loved the dress and really thought Violet might have done her best work on this dress.  The dress was an ivory color.  The back had small crystal buttons along my spine.  There was a full, small, scoop neckline that I’ll probably wear with a diamond chocker.  The dress was sleeveless.  The top of the dress had sheer fabric at the straps, the scoop to the sweetheart top absolutely covered in gem beads in small designs.  It was a slim fit, hugging my body to a little above my knees, where it was like a skirt.  More fabric fanned out and I wondered if I spun around if it would spread like a regular dress.  Around the seam of where the skirt started were more beading like a budding flower, with a stem and leaves on both sides, almost like they were turned to the side, drawing more attention to the bud that was near the middle of the dress.  The top of the sweetheart ivory part of the top was outlined in the same sparkles, descending down to the bud.

Snowing news

Hey Lovelies!
Now you might be curious on why I am positing about snow, I am at school (west jersey) and it is snowing.  Not just any snow, but sticking to the ground, caking the trees in layers of white.  It isn't even Halloween and it looks like a White Christmas outside!  I'm in my pjs and a sweatshirt and don't plan on going out into the snow storm.  I seriously might have to move its too early for snow.  I was walking outside a little bit this morning I love when the snow flakes flutter around landing on my hair and eyelashes.  I was hopping around the driveway to get the snow shovels out of the shed to store in the house.  It looks like I wasn't being paranoid now!

So I've been working on Project US a little more.  I keep changing scenes, both taking them out or adding some to help with the other characters.  I've been having some fun!  I'm really feeling that I need to get it published so I can stop proding at it, started it in the year 2004 (November), so I have had a lot of time to play around with it.  However I don't want to play with it too much that the story plot get muddled.  So when I'm done editing it this time, I'm going to try to publish it.  It's a story close to me and my friends who knew me in high school so it shoould be interesting.  Plus I'm on a kick to write some loving stories so Project US and Beneath the Scars will help that fix!  Sooner Project US is done the more I can work on other stories!  I'm hoping to finish rewriting, going to print the god only knows how many pages to help edit!  Should be fun!!  So now there is a chance Project US will be before A Pirates Life for Me...

Just a reminder I'm hoping in a month or a little over a month to have the contest up for the new edition of End of the Line!  I'll probably post a tester up on here just to make sure that it does work how I want it to!  Start looking over Family Ties for the quiz ;)
~Ottilie

Upkeepings

Hey Lovelies!
Oh you are so lucky I wasn't posting last week!  For those of you who are friends with me, you witnessed part of my mini meltdown from school.  So have I been up to, I'm currently in Hamilton school district and I'll be teaching a junior class starting the 24, haha no they don't know I am a published author!  So with all the assignments with school writing has been on low on the back burner, not happy what so ever about that considering I thought up those 4 new story ideas BEGGING  to be written!  I feel like the new characters (some of which are old ones returning ;) ) are being held hostage in a tight prison cell.  Since I have had off the last few days I'm enjoying the down time of sleep and writing.  My homwork on the other side has been put on a minor hold...oops...anywho Amy and I are working on the editing of End of the Line, which needs to be done asap, I hate delaying things, I like timed schedules, it's so bad blame my mom for being a CPA.  I will still be holding a contest for a couple free copies of End of the Line in e-format to those who can answer my questions about Family Ties when more of the editing is done by the second editor!  That and the cover is done!  Been also questioning the order of what book will be published when, as in the order!  Since I've been working on Project US which I'm pretty excited for, as soon as that is done I'm going to be writing more on the new stories!  I should get back to the homework...
~Ottilie

Sample Sunday ~ Runaway

Hey Lovelies!
Today is sunday and tomorrow it's back to school!  Not a fan, so one last treat for the weekend, a sample of a story I thought up awhile ago and really can't wait to finish!  I would post another sample from one of my new ones, but I haven't really gotten a chance to work on them much and other then Beneath the Scars only one other has been worked on, but since it's a sequel I can't really post it as of the moment.  As we know Family Ties is a story of a kidnapping, however today's sample is the oppositte, running away from something!  These characters are a little fun, well the beginning wont show it as much, but the development is there.  The guy I have a few ideas in mind, and he's is going to be a little dorky, fun hearted so I'm really excited to work with him.  This story over the summer  Runaway was competeing against Project US and Beaker to Life, really wasn't sure which would be the forth work, after A Pirate's Life.  I wonder if anyone will notice the difference with this story then the samples I've given.  I hope you all enjoy the sample today!
~Ottilie

Runaway

Chapter One

Sitting on the bench with my eyes not focused on anything as the wind whipped by me. Old trails of tears stung as the nipped air picked on me to make the situation even worse. My surrounds didn’t come together with my homemade scarf blowing around as if waving goodbye to everyone and thing, when I could not. The yarn of the mittens made imprints on my hands as I held onto the bench beneath me trying to get any train of thought, god I was just a shell of a person these days.


My lips were numbing as the last of my chap stick was wearing away in the cold as it was set in a relax way when one isn’t thinking. My thin short eyelashes stuck together in small groups making the small amount of mascara and eyeliner run, smearing around my eyes for the illusion of black eyes. The short thick dark hair felt like straw under the hat making the small amount that poke out feel itchy. The cold irritating my nose making it run just a little leaving me not to even care anymore unlike I once would have. Mix of my surroundings and my existence, tears moisten my eyes, not that they were actually looking anywhere.


I couldn’t remember how I ended up here, or what has really been happening in my so called life. It was to the point that the chill that came through the fabrics of my winter coat was almost a disappointment that I was alive. My mother’s old coat worn and loose clung onto the big sweater underneath that overlapped over my jeans.


Nothing seemed to match up on the sides. My mind seemed to be a box of every size puzzle piece ever made. Leaving just the outside, the box, to be shown, but nothing on the inside will ever work. Not that I would care if I ever came back to who I was, it just didn’t matter anymore.


I shouldn’t be here, I shouldn’t be letting the self pity and hopes of dying consume me, but I do anyway. I couldn’t even tell you where I was, or who I was anymore. I had no specific plan, but I was just sitting here on a bench waiting. Cold droplets fell from above to just land harshly on me. Closing my eyes I curled up on my side feeling only part of the wood bench under me with heavy drops not shy of hitting me.


Seeping more into my thoughts even more as my clothes grew heavier with freezing cold rain mixed with snow numbing my body as the harsh wind picked up. My eyes hurt as I tried harder to keep the tears back while letting the numbing feeling take over me hoping this would be it.






The heat sunk into my skin to an almost burning sensation. Every muscle ached as it was cramped all over my body with my eyes feeling as if they were swollen shut. I tried to shift hoping that would help my tender muscles, but found I was too sore and immobile. Groaning, nudging my head against the pillow in some pathetic attempt to get my muscles to move or get the sleep out of my swollen eyes.


“Well, you’re alive,” the voice sounded slightly surprised, but gentle and deep.


I tried to speak before opening my eyes finding that I was unable to get any sound out. My vocal cords were thick with a rock stopping any sound from coming out. I wanted to ask, if they thought I was going to die, why didn’t they just take me to the hospital? Yet my mouth muscles felt as if they were clamed shut. I left my eyes shut, too sore to do anything as my body felt ill as the two extreme temperatures were battling each other.


“Take it easy okay, don’t overwork your body. You’ve really put your body through a lot. Do you know how long you were at the bus station?”


I wanted to die as the needles of heat were working through.


“No,” my voice cracked.


“Shh, don’t speak. Do you want tea, just nod your head yes or no,” the soft male voice continued.


I shook my head under the cocoon of blankets and sheets.


“Hot chocolate maybe?”


Slowly I opened my eyes as the light burned, making it harder to keep them open.


“I guess,” My voice cracking as I tried to speak again.


The guy was a blur, but I could hear him sigh.


A few minutes later the spot next to me sunk on the bed. Turning over in pain I look up at a lean man with strawberry blonde hair that swept to the side with blue green eyes. Wearing a sweater and jeans he held a red mug down to my level. Shifting so my arm could push me up, I cringed.


“Try not to harm yourself, just stay down!”


I closed my eyes as I leaned my head against the headboard.


“You’re a stubborn one aren’t you?”


“Just a bit.”


He gave a short laugh as I opened my eyes and took the drink, wrapping my hands around the cup feeling the heat seep through. I started to debate about not drinking it and just to holding it.


“I’m going to be leaving soon, but my brother will be here to be with you. I left him in charge of the diner. I trust him with it, but I’d rather be there, especially since closing time is in a few hours and I’m OCD about that. He should be here soon,” he glanced down at his watch.


“Thank you,” I whispered.


“You’re welcome, but it wasn’t really anything, there wasn’t a chance in hell anyone with a heart could have left someone covered in ice in this weather.”


I looked down into the drink.


“My name is Adam, and the late one is Lucas.”


I took a sip from the drink instead of answering.


“Do you have a name?”


“Yes,” I whispered.


“Care to give it to me?” he asked gently, like he actually cared about what happens to me.


I looked up into his eyes showing true sincerity. It was almost as if he has known me my whole life and he was just my caring big brother. I sighed.


“My name is-“


“Oh, OCD King, I’m home!” a loud voice rang as a door was slam shut.


Adam rolled his eyes.


“You must excuse my brother. He’s a bit of an idiot.”


“Depends on who you’re asking?”


A guy with a big grin on his face, same color hair, but a little shorter to show off the green smiling eyes came into the room.


“It’s a good thing she wasn’t sleeping big mouth, now I’ll go back. You put James in charge right before you came here, right?”


Lucas’ face fell, eyes widen.


“Crap! I knew I forgot something!”


“What do you mean!? I had asked you to do something simple!” Adam yelled standing up sounding ready to have a heart attack.


“Chill, man I was kidding,” Lucas started to laugh as he tried to get the words out. “Go on, I’ll keep an eye on her.”


Adam looked a little worried as he said his goodbye’s then left.


“I don’t need a babysitter, I’m going to turn eighteen next month,” I whispered feeling the hot chocolate loosing its heat.


He gave a small laugh.


“Yeah, you take real good care of yourself. You were unconscious on a bus stop bench, covered in ice and freezing rain. Yeah, real good care.”


I glared.


“I have everything planned out just so you know,” I mumbled even though I knew he wouldn’t believe me. “One mistake and I bet you are Mr. Perfect?”


“I’m the essence of perfection I’ll let you know,” he added with a smirk, which just fueled the glaring. “So are you hungry?”


“No,” I answered, as my stomach countered my reply, I closed my eyes. “I guess I am.”


“I’ll go make us something. How do you feel about breakfast food in the late afternoon?”


“It’s as good as eating it in the morning,” I commented taking a sip of the hot chocolate making a face as the cool drink entered my mouth, spitting it back into the cup as he left the room.


Looking around the room, I could defiantly tell this was one of their rooms. There were a few pictures on the dresser and desk, clothes on the floor along with on the chair. The walls though were plain white with a few posters. The comforter was dark blue on top with crimson underneath.


“Are chocolate chip pancakes okay?” He yelled from the other room. “I’m kind of in the mood for them considering the weather.”


“Yeah, that’s fine.”


Pushing the comforter off, I stood up with shaky legs, wrapping the comforter around me. Stumbling a bit, I fell into the wall.


“Are you alright in there,” He called out.


“Yeah,” I answered after taking a few more wobbly steps.


Looking up I saw the partial kitchen with a wall dividing the living room and kitchen. There he stood in front of the stove pouring some of the batter onto the pan. Unsteadily I sat on a stool chair using the hole in the wall between the two rooms making it the place they ate. Drawing my legs into my chest wrapping the comforter closer trying to keep warm I just made fitting on the chair.


“What do you want to drink?” Lucas called loudly looking towards one of the bed rooms.


“Milk will do fine,” I answered, watching him jump a little to turn to look at me.


“When did you get there?” he asked narrowing his eyes.


“Just a moment ago.”


“Shouldn’t you drink something warm?”


“I don’t like pancakes with anything other then milk, and if you were going to question my option why did you ask me?” I asked trying not to sound rude.


“Point made,” he said as he turned around again towards the stove.


“So girly, do you have a name?” he asked with his back still turned.


I didn’t answer for a moment. He was placing two glasses of milk on the counter between us. Turning off the oven he walked to sit next to me with two plates. Looking at the food I took hold of the fork while holding onto the warmth. My stomach begged to just pour the plate of food down my throat, while my mind knew that I would get sick if I did that. To be nice to my stomach I was trying to take slower bites of the warm fluffy treat as small bits of chocolate came to life in my mouth. I tried to remember the last time I had any form of a meal.


“How are you feeling?” he asked softly.


Still looking at the plate I just muttered that I was alright.


“So are you running from the law?” he asked his voice slightly more upbeat again.


Looking up he had one eyebrow raised with a small smile.


“The law, no.”


I stared at the food poking a piece of the cut up slice. I put the piece in my mouth and tried to chew. My mouth was dry. I tried to chew, but it wouldn’t happen so I took a gulp of the milk to help the food go down. The lump went down heavily, as my eyes began to water. I didn’t look up; I couldn’t let him see the tears, to let him know something was wrong.


“Are you alright?” the pure curiosity voice came through, but I couldn’t look up though.


I nodded my head.


“You sure?”


“Can I take a shower when I’m done?” I asked still looking down.


I took a bite, acting like everything was normal. It tasted like sawdust now. I put my fork down and just swallowed heavily that last bite.


“Um sure, I’ll give you something to put on afterwards. I’ll give you some clean clothes, though they’ll be big on you.”


“Thank you,” I spoke softly as I slowly stood up. “Which way to the bathroom?”


I started to pick up the plate and cup to bring to the sink, but he took them.


“Over to your right, but hold on.”


He had his back to me as I quickly rubbed my eyes. Hoping the tears were gone, wiped away. I walked over to the bathroom and stood by the door with the comforter still wrapped tightly around me up to my chin enclosed around me. My hands only out in the open just enough to hold the blanket to me. My eyes were glued to the floor, though a warm touch brought me back as it glided me into green eyes.


“Your eyes are red,” his eyes were sad or worried as the words came out slowly, almost as if it were a question.


“They are a little off from the change of weather,” I spoke starting to bite on my lip.


He just stared at me, his eyes were locked on mine, holding them, making me not want to look away.


“If you are sure,” he answered placing clothes into my hands. “Can I have the blanket back before you go into the shower though?”


I unhinged my fingers from the comfort and walked into the bathroom, automatically locking the door behind me. Laying the pile of clothes on top of the toilet and noticed the towel hanging up by the shower. Turning the facet the mere sound of the sudden water being released from its prison was music to my ears. The pop of the water till it hit the floor till it was a full power of its freedom. I didn’t bother putting my hand in it knowing it would be cold, and I couldn’t deal with that. I would wait for the warmth.


Stepping into the misty hot water, a sigh almost escaped my lips. It has been so long since my last shower, or felt hot water. I submerged my whole body under the head of the shower, feeling the hot water, washing away the pain and horrors. Helping even for a moment to forget the tears that have been shed for what feels forever. Even for a short period of time I could forget, put everything behind me.


Wrapping the fluffy towel I did not want to leave the steamy haven the bathroom had became. The mirror was fogged over, which might have been for the best to not have a chance to see the affects of living on the streets did to me. Using a comb I tried my best to get out knots, tearing at my head to the point where using tweezers to pull each hair out of my legs would have felt better. Finding a pair of scissors and a razor entered my mind to solve my problem. My better reasoning won with a few more attacks, then throwing on the borrowed clothes, just so I could pull the towel turban effect.


Even though it was guys’ clothes, I felt small in the shirt and pants that had a belt on them. Before I walked out of the bathroom I hung the towel up and re-brushed my hair to find Lucas sitting on the couch watching television. Shuffling over to the couch near him I saw he left the comforter there for me. Grabbing it I wrapped it around me as he sat there looking at me.


“Still cold?” he asked.


I just nodded my head, my throat felt a little raw. He moved a little closer to me took hold of the blanket to move it, well tried, but I was holding tight.


“Lossen your grip, I’ll help you warm you up.”


I narrowed my eyes at him.


“I really don’t know you.”


He rolled his eyes.


“We aren’t doing anything, just think of it as a hug while watching TV. You’ve already slept in my bed and are wearing my clothes I think we’re on a speedy friendship.”


I let go of the blanket as he pulled me close to him and wrapped his arms around me than putting the blanket around us. His chest was against my back with his head right near mine, I felt so fragile near him, I was once bigger.


“I promise we’re not out to get you…” he whispered as he tightened his hold a little.


“I’ve just been through a lot…” I spoke quietly as I just kept my eyes on the screen.


My eyes grew heavy as he didn’t answer back. Slowly as I fought it my eyes closed as his heat radiated into me. I fell asleep against him as there was silence between us.

Checklist

Hey Lovelies!
I don't know about you, but I keep a mental list of what needs to get done. Not a real set in stone list at times, in additional at times can cause more stress then an actual hand written list! I'm a pro at adding un-needed stress to myself. Well there were a few things I wanted to get done during the summer, didn't really successed at some of that, oops! Well onto the bad news I start classes on the 30th (next week!) crazy too soon if you ask me!

Things that were done for the writing world! End of the Line, I finished going through it, waiting for Sam to finish editing it. And Amy and I have decided it was best to have a fall background for the cover so we are going to have fun with that! New author picture! Made the Book Trailer for Family Ties. Finished and sent in the short story for the Charity contest, waiting to hear if my story was accepted. Got a few stories outlined well my verison of outlining. Finished writing the end of Pirates part 2, and having a friend start reading it before I submit it to BCP publishing! Started the rewriting of Project US and hoping to get that done before or almost all of it done before classes start up. I really want to get that trilogy done before considering publishing it. The second just needs to be revised a little, and well the 3rd only has 2 chapters done and notes written on how I want to end it! Seriously wish I could spend more time writing, but we'll see what the semester holds!
~Ottilie

Sample "Sunday"

Hey Lovelies,

Yes I know it is summer and I have a tendency of forgetting what day of the week it is, however I am aware of the fact that today is Monday! However I did have friends of the family over for the whole weekend, and they had a 5 year old and a 11 year old! So it was a safe bet that writing was not going to happen this weekend, so I am going to hopefully go into overdrive to make up for it! Other than going into NYC wednesday and work tuesday/thursday I should be able to do so! Little news I am considering writing a sequel to End of the Line, I'll work on the story and as I do so I'll see if It is up to my level to put out or not. I'm also hoping to keep working on Pirates' Life for Me before I go back to school (Aug. 30! yuck!). I don't know I might be over critical of the story, but we'll see, my friend Amy is currently looking over it, but she is going camping this week I believe so I might play around with the story. So some point this week I'm going to try to post something special for Family Ties just so the story gets a little more love!

So Since today is sample "Sunday" I figured I'd post a little of the new Chapter 1 of Project US. Awhile back I posted what use to be the prologue to Project US, but I've been working on the story a little, I am not done with Chapter 1, but I figured I'd give you all a little peek anyway! This story will probably be my most YA Chick Lit, mushy book, just so you all are warned, it'll still be hopefully keeping the readers on the edge of their seats!

Project US

Chapter One ~ Rachel

His fingers grazed hers bringing her attention back up to those blue eyes. The air seemed to be stuck in her throat as she was trying to find the words to say to him. This was the guy that she was finding herself in love with. Butterflies seemed flutter every time he even just looks at her. His mere touch seemed to turn her body aflame leaving her skin to tingle.

“Look,” he paused locking eyes with me and his eyes seemed to filled with such emotions. “I have never felt this way towards a girl, and to be honest I did not want to ever feel this way about another person.”

I felt his fingers interlacing with mine as he took a step closer to me.

“But, I love you,” he whispered as his other hand brushed some of my dark hair out of my face.
He slowly little by little drew close to my face, my eyes drifting close as I could feel his lips about to grace mine. My heart started to speed up as his lips started to timidly-

The bus hit a bump causing my book to jump out of my hands and my friend Bridget next to me jolt back awake. Glaring I picked up my book from my lap. I didn’t grow up with long car trips and this trip with school to Virginia was seriously killing me. Almost literally, reading in a car gave me a headache, but I was bored out of my mind I decided to risk it. My inner mind was as jittery as the characters from The Muppets Treasure Island movie when they sang that Captain Fever song.

“I swear bus drivers purposely choose to drive over bumps and pot holes at obnoxious speeds to be annoying,” Bridget mumbled trying to fall back to sleep.

“I know the feeling,” I answered not really paying attention to what my friend for years was saying.

I was narrowing my eyes as I scanned the pages at fast speeds trying to find where I was in the book as I flipped through the book. Just because I was in an unrealistic moment in the paperback doesn’t mean I shouldn’t enjoy a book because the guys in my grade sucked.

“Oh god, I know that scowl,” Bridget spoke in an even tone as I started flipping through again looking for key words. “Romantic scene?”

“Yup,” I spoke keeping my voice short.

“You really don’t have to be so cynical about love,” Bridget spoke and I raised my eyebrow at my friend.

She was wearing a floor length peasant style black skirt. In addition to wearing one of her corsets, a white one with black lace designs on the front with cap short sleeves. She has brown tight curly hair. Her hair has a little volume not that I could relate with my hair had a slight wave to it, but was thin. She was wearing her spider chocker and matching dangling earrings. She had thick black eyeliner one almost in Egyptian style. I’m sure there was a Barbie cheerleader out there senses were tingling with Bridget calling me out on dreamy ideologies about love.

“But, but it is so much fun picking on the lovey dovey airheads in books,” I faked a whine, batting my eyelashes.

“I really can’t wait till you fall in love and I can poke you for all the details all the while laughing at I was right,” Bridget jabbed before starting to repeatedly diving her finger in and out of my shoulder.

“When that day happens, I’ll allow you to drop a piano on my head.”

I started to finger stab her back, giving up a second to get her back instead of looking for where I was in the book. We were fifteen years old in our sophomore year of high school, but we still had our childish moments. She and I still meander into the Disney store despite the stares we might receive. We met in sixth grade, but really bonded in eighth grade homeroom when we became just closer each day.

“A piano would kill you, when would I be able to gloat with you dead?” she laughed.
I smiled rolling my eyes.

“Love you too.”

Bridget just grinned.

We were getting a little edgy, the class trip started very early in the morning before the sun had even started to peak into the sky and we were still not done driving from central New Jersey to Virginia.

“Man, why couldn’t you and I be sharing a room?” I asked, feeling my shoulders slump.

“I know, I really wonder who we are rooming with.”

Leave it to school to turn a fun trip, a few days from classes into a project. The project was vague, ‘something to teach us on working together that will further help us understand what being an adult meant’. Their words, not mine, my wording would be waste of time along with frustration while working with someone you wouldn’t normally deal with. It was part of some new curriculum that they wanted to test out on my grade. I really feel like my grade really gets all the new tests, new scheduling, added section to the state test, and now this! Also we were having our eighth grade trip now, the school put off our trip for two years just for this project.
We weren’t really told much about the project just that it’ll start during the trip, we will have to work closely with our partner, and that it’ll last the whole school year! I really don’t know what jerk thought that up, but they really should be taken out back and suffer. Possibly being tied to one of the uncomfortable desk chairs, with a broken speaker stuck on, and to just top it off a just for show air conditioner in August of New Jersey would be a good enough punishment for this person. Leave it to Adams High to do a project all year, I always had such bad luck with group work, they really were hell on earth.

“Think positively, maybe you’ll get someone you really don’t know.”

I raised my eyebrow again.

“That won’t take much, our grade is what four hundred people?” I asked.

Bridget shrugged.

“Sounds about right.”

“Aren’t you worried about who you are working with?” I asked, trying to figure out if she was only as calm as she was because she was still waking up.

“Not everyone is as crazy curious as you are,” she spoke rubbing her eyes a little while trying not to smug her eyeliner. “Did I screw up the eyes?”

I shook my head.

“I can’t help it, I don’t want to screw up a grade and that is a long time to work with someone.”

“True, I’ll worry about it when we cross that road.”

I fused my eyebrows and my green eyes met her dark brown ones.

“Why can’t you and I ever be calm at the same time.”

She smirked.

“We balance each other out what can I say love,” she spoke, oh yes she occasionally picks up Shakespearian lingo.

I gave a light laugh.

“Isn’t that the truth.”

An hour later our bus finally pulled up behind the other buses from our school at our hotel. The girls and boys were separated on the buses, which wasn’t a detail that was presented onto us till people started to tell what their bus number was. Nick March, he and I have had classes together since kindergarten were talking about our numbers when the whole homeroom noticed the segregation of sexes.

Nick March and I have an odd relationship always have as long as I can remember. We were school friends, talked when we had classes together might say hi in the halls, but never try to hangout with each other outside of school. Nick and I talk about whatever, school, movies, and random jokes comments during class when we are near each other. This was a guy who saved me a swing once in kindergarten the day we met and is also the same classmate who with a slightly different crowd. I’ve heard him in homeroom talking about the parties he’s gone to, and had to sneak back into his house at god forsaken hours. I never really saw that side of him and I was more then okay with that. However I was pretty sure he wanted to wring my neck for trying to figure out what the project was, he was trying to push away the thought of doing more homework I knew it. We’ve worked enough together in class for me to know when he was trying to prolong school work.

Our two chaperons on our bus, Miss Barnes and Ms Dixon finally seemed to remember that there were students and the purpose to this trip as their discussion seemed to stop. Miss Barnes is my English teacher who still had a very sweet childish face. She has dark red hair that ends curled at her shoulders and freckles across her nose. She was fishing in her bag for something as Ms Dixon my math teacher had her everlastingly formed glower on her face, a raised dark eyebrow towards Miss Barnes. Ms Dixon has dark curly hair in a low pony tale that she wore every single day. Ms Dixon unlike Miss Barnes did not have an endless supply of patience.

“Tell me you did not lose the room keys,” Ms Dixon spoke, her words direct, and sharp.

“I did not misplace the keys Ally. I just have a lot of stuff in my bag!” Miss Barnes giggled.

“Companies make bags so big these days, it is hard not to put a whole lot of stuff in them!”

Ms Dixon didn’t even crack a smile as Miss Barnes head bobbed back and forth, probably humming to herself as she looked for the keys, she did that in class.

“Aha!” She wore a grand grin on her face as she held up the bundle of keys, Ms Dixon stone face lacked the enthusiasm that Miss Barnes had.

“Lovely, you can do your job.” Ms Dixon remarked.

Miss Barnes rolled her eyes, she did work with high school students after all.

“Was your sense of humor accidently tossed out of the bus window? Live a little!” Miss Barnes stood up in the middle of the alias. “Ladies! I’m about to pass out your keys so we can get the ball rolling! Now, Laurie Doyle where are you?”

I turned my head taking a deep breath before letting it go, trying to calm my nerves from popping around like popcorn kernels in a microwave. My eyes watched as the boys walked, jumped, ran off their buses then go into the chaotic mess that was the mob of boys trying to get a hold of their belongings under the buses. I was truly not looking forward to pushing through people to grab my duffle bag. The crowd of males slowly dwindled as they were herded into the building.

“Rachel Hertz!” Miss Barnes peeped up, her voice light and peppy, I looked up and she just turned around with a sweet smile on her face, I was one of her students and she knew me. “Here you are darling.”

I leaned over Bridget a little taking the key, not even looking at it to see my room number, my eyes just glanced back to the hotel door, the guys were completely gone from sight.

“Rachel what is your room number?” Bridget asked.

I dropped my vision onto the piece of plastic in my hands.

“Um 228, you?” I asked with a simple shrug of my shoulders.

“226, we are next to each other!” her lips turned upwards, eyes beaming. “That could be helpful!”

I snorted.

“Maybe, they are having night check.”

She shoved my shoulder.

“You can be a pain.”

I rolled my eyes. She stood up fixing her long skirt as we got off the bus. She probably did not have the best wardrobe for a field trip let alone one including a long drive. I tried to walk down the stair s a little space while we walked down the stairs so that I would not walk on her skirt or pull it down. Once we got down I stayed back a little with Bridget before going over to take my bag, didn’t feel like dealing with a large amount of people in one area. Once some left Bridget and I pushed forward, grabbing our belongings before heading into the hotel, I have a thing against elevators so I made Bridget take the stairs. We were on a different bus then our other friends, and I didn’t fee like looking for them in this mess, it was every person for themselves in this crowd!

To be continued....